A warm cover of clouds darkened the sky over Camp Dragonhead. Jancis and others looked on down the road towards the south, anticipating another group of pilgrims coming up from Fallgourd. Little bells were heard before sight of the group was gained, all heading up with guards and chocobos, stark constrast to the gray and blue colors the camp had with their multi-colored coats.

Heading through the town across to the other archway, other pilgrims waited and grouped around one another or around the small pyres set up around the camp for them. Steam came up from mugs and hot food. Conversation was passing along like hot potatoes, everyone quick to talk to one another. 

"My vain and often fruitless attempt to be taller outshined my sense for proper boots....of course..." "I was raised this way.. People should stay healthy no matter what it costs"

Chatter continued until the bells rang out, gathering everyone together once more from this break. Jancis Milburga rings the bell over her head, on her toes to look out around the crowd. 

"Yes" "Ah, it seems it is time to commence..." A colorful lalafel remarked, offering her hand to an older miqo'te to help him up.

"Oh, time to pay attention~" "But.. It looks like it begins" "Shh-- shh." A pair of twin miqo'tes smooshes his brother's face with his warm hands, ears perked attentively.

"Ah, looks like we're headin' out! I gotta go help keep things clear 'n safe! See ya all at th' stone!" "Pray stay together pilgrims; we are safe upon the road." "Is anyone actually safe anywhere in Coerthas?" "Underground, maybe.  -- Wait.  No.  The answer is no."

Up the snowy road they climbed, many walking together to check one another's step. Guards lined the snow, running forward in their boots to deal with the creatures that made the ruins of Steel Vigil their home. At Menphina's stone upon the cliffside, the clouds parted enough to show the height they ascended to. The pilgrims were ushered close together in the ring of stones.

Ojune Wajune beckoned everyone closer as the last of the pilgrims made their way up to the crowd. "Please move inside the standing stones if you wish to be inside my ward! I've used them to mark the boundry!"

Ojune commands his carbunkle to the opposite end of the stones, using its power to help activate the barrier wards against the stones. As he begins to channel, the wards begin a pale white glow and a shimmery boundry envelops the area, no snow or wind penetrating inside.

Jancis bows to Ojune, "Thank you. Shall surely take the chill off of everyone. Please feel free to settle down and be comfortable pilgrims."

A'randr turns away from Rho, clearing his throat as he digs in his pack for a tarp.  He came prepared!  He spreads it out over the ground beneath them.  No wet tails today. A'rho sits beside his brother, sharing his massive coat. The inside pockets are full of what appears to be aether shards- thankfully not of the over-aspected variety.

Jancis bows before eveyrone, a duet of musicians setting up inside the farm boundary. A light flute plays accompanied by a guitar. 

The pilgrimage completed, the celebration began!

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Lilithium Rinannis paused, glancing around at all the people who had gathered. She adjusted Mikh'a in her arms, the bundled up toddler nestled further against Lili while avoiding looking outwards at the crowd. Slowly she stepped towards the stone. "Thank you for having me here, m'lady. And thanks to all of you for coming!" The babyqo'te finally looked away from his mother out towards the crowd, his orangish red eyes widening before he shirked back against her. Lili began to speak, trying to raise her voice so others could hear her.

"Menphina is...well...she is the symbol of love. A love that I believe lives within us all."

"I wanted to speak today, as someone who is more then just a lover of our divine. More then a devout of Menphina herself...but as a mother."

"I had three children at a young age, and was told that it would change how I viewed all things till the end of my days. You know what? It did. Never have I met another living soul who could warp my way of thinking until I viewed the world with such wonder and brilliance that it took my breath away."

"While many affiliate Menphina as purely the lover, I sometimes like to see her as 'the mother' as well. 'The friend'. 'The sister'."

"Today especially, I see her as 'the mother'. The love I have for my children, both of blood and adopted, drives me forward on the days where it's too hard to bare. On the days when I'm stressed. Tired. Lost for words. Hopeless. All it takes is a single smile and my spirit is renewed. I know many who share how I feel, whether they are parentsm guardians...well, you get the idea." Lilithium smiled a little, moreso to herself.

"I hope that everyone, no matter who you are, can experience the boundless joy you can experience when you have one in your life that looks up to you as a friend. A protector. A guardian. A teacher. It is not only the hardest job you'll ever have...but one that will never stop rewarding you."

"On the days it gets hard? I turn to Menphina, and I let her guide me. I hope you all can find it in your hearts to do the same. Mikh'a? Say bye now." The little babyqo'te in her arms peeked out, gave a awkward flap of his hands, then tucked back against Lili once more. "Once again, thank you all for having me and stay warm!"

Lilithium bows to the applauding crowd.

Jancis looks around the crowd, beaming at Ojune once she spots him. "Though right now his hard work and skill is what is keeping us warm up here despite the snow, Master Ojune also has a talent for warming our hearts. Pray join us up here and share one of your wonderful tales with us all."



Ojune Wajune bows to the group, "Hello everyone!" "Hello!" "Hi"

“I hope all are well this peaceful night. Lets hear a hearty huzzah!”
The crowd cheers, throwing their arms up "Huzzah!" 



“Ohhh a lively bunch!” Ojune exclaims.

“Now, I have a story for you today called ‘Capturing Menphina’s Moon.’ One that I could use -your- help in the telling of. There will be points throughout where I’ll either flat out ask, or very strongly hint at some sort of reaction from you all. So do please join in! At the very least it will keep you moving against this chill while the ward takes on full effect.”

Hibito walks forward, dragging Trulgar's coat - and Toka - along with him. Ojune clears his throat, letting that sink in and getting ready to present his tale.

“Bordering the Northern edge of the Twelveswood stood a village. Quaint and unassuming as such things go and focused on tending the plum and cherry orchards of Gridania. And in this village lived a boy. Several boys actually but this is a story of Hedyn Hedges.”

“Hedyn was a boy of fifteen cycles and found himself to be quite average in everything. From his looks to his skills. He wasn’t as handsome as Wyndel. Or as strong as Bryian. He wasn’t as charming as Darrien wasn’t as graceful in the orchard’s canopy as Dion. Yet he wasn’t as weak as Kyle. Or as fat as Hoster and as uncoordinated as Loras. And he didn’t have Rothe’s goofy, long nose. Completely average.”

“This posed a unique problem for the lad in the area of impressing, or even un-impressing the girls. Most certainly not the smartest and most sought after girl of the village. He wasn’t even sure if she knew his name! He was invisible.”
“I’m certain many of you have felt invisible at some point. How about a nice sympathy sulk for poor young Hedyn?”

“Now the girl of his un-obvious affections was a young miss Kimber East. Older by about half a cycle with sunkissed, freckled skin, long light brown hair with natural blonde highlights where the sun had lightened it. Her cloud grey eyes were round like she saw the wonder in everything about her and she always seemed to be smiling.

To young Hedyn she certainly was a vision to behold.”
“As I mentioned already she was the most sought after girl in the village and there was the spring dance coming up the following moon in celebration of the spring’s first harvest. As such, it was very much the topic of conversation and highly anticipated from the oldest woman down to the younglings. Hedyn very much wanted to be the boy to take miss Kimber to the dance.”
“If you’ve been to a dance or would like to, lets see some dance moves out there! If not, tell me no!”

“Kimber had been asked to the dance by several of the boys so far. Bryian and Dion had even gotten into a fistfight the previous sun when Bryian found out Dion had already used the same ‘clever’ pick-up line to ask her out with.”

Ojune stage whispser and picks out Tokami Toka from the crowd, “You know it’s spring now. So how ‘bout we grow closer together at the dance next moon."



“Anyroad! One afternoon while many of them were taking a break from their daily chores, Kimber finally announced that whomever did the best at capturing Menphina’s Moon, would be the one to take her to the dance. They had until the full moon set in nine suns time.”

“As you might imagine, telling such a thing to tween boys was met with a lot of blank looks and confused expressions. Do you have an idea perhaps? Give a cheer if you’ve got an idea already or give me a huh if you’re just as confused as poor Hedyn was.”

“Unfortunately no matter how much the boys questioned or prodded they were unable to get anything further from Kimber and many went back to their daily duties just as confused as when she first made the announcement. Although a few of the smarter ones were beginning to have small flashes of ideas.”
“Hedyn went back to his own chores, his mind reeling as he tried to think of -something- that he could do. When the sun had set and he was in his room for the night he was no closer to coming to any sort of conclusion. So he sat on his bed and thought.”

"And thought"

"And thought"

“He then turned his gaze to his window, looking out to the waxing moon with a sense of dread. Of the nine suns he’d wasted one already without any sort of idea on what to do.”

“He’d been staring at the moon for a time, when he noticed how the moon almost seemed to be captured within frame of the window. And a slow smile spread across his face as an idea formed. Eight more suns… It was a tight schedule but he thought he could do it.”

“Despite not sleeping very long, Hedyn woke the following morning early and energized like he hadn’t been for some time. After doing his morning chores quickly he begged and pleaded his parents to let him not do his afternoon duties in order to work on a ‘secret project’. Lets see some serious begging.”

“Hedyn’s parents finally gave in. They’d heard about Kimber’s announcement the day before and were not blind to the glances their only child sent the girl’s way. They weren’t going to hamper him from trying to impress his first crush and they gave him afternoons and evenings to work on his project. But made him promise that he’d work extra hard once this was over to make up for the prior days.”

“So with their consent Hedyn dashed from the house, his father’s bow in hand, and into the wood to collect landtrap leaves.”

“Upon his return from a successful hunt he saw funny-nosed Rothe presenting a painting of a young girl and a young boy kissing in silhouette before a large full moon. It was well done. Rothe was a pretty good painter. But he didn’t need to see Kimber’s reaction. He new his project would be better and he ran home to begin brewing the growth formula he needed.”

Ojune delivers a confident smirk. “The third day was a very long one. It took him a long while of searching the surrounding woods to find the perfect sapling. Which happened to be a walnut tree. And even longer to find the perfect location. An area where the eastern sky was clearly visible that was also able to support a large tree. But find them he did and he worked late into the night transplanting the sapling to the new location.”

“Exhausted he collapsed into his bed that night and slept very soundly. You’ve all had evenings like that, right?”

“Days four and five were mostly taken up with making small paper lantern and plying the sapling with growth formula. He was also starting on the basic shaping of the branches as it grew and ensuring that it had a large and sturdy trunk to serve as it’s base.”

“At the end of the fifth day he heard Dion serenading Kimber outside her window as Hedyn returned. He supposed it was sweet. The lyrics were nice, but Dion’s angelic voice of his youngling days had been replaced with the cracking of adolescence. And Hedyn couldn’t help but giggle to himself at some of the off notes he overheard.”

“The sixth and seventh days he began to shape the branches of the fast growing tree in earnest. It had reached about max height and was now in the process of filling out. Tying some branches together so they’d meld he continued to ply it with growth formula. It was tedious and difficult work, but soon the branches began shifting and bending around to the shape he wanted before he finally let them grow naturally upwards.”

“The eighth day dawned and a quick check on the tree showed that besides a few small branches and twigs that had grown inward, the tree was ready. It’s branches curving around an open space to create a window. then shooting upward and splaying it’s leaves to the sky above.”

“This meant that Hedyn was around when Wyndel decided to present Kimber with his offering. A plate with a beautifully formed pancake, fresh rolanberries marking out Menphina’s symbol on it’s surface. Pancakes and rolanberries with sweet cream.”

“Of course! They were her favorite foods. He watched as Kimber lit up at the gift. The biggest reaction any of them had gotten so far. Thanking him and taking a bite she declared the pancake ‘perfect.’ She even gave him a hug!”

Hibito glances down as his stomach rumbles.

“He couldn’t stand to stay around and watch any more. Or to listen to Wyndel’s inevitable gloating afterwards. So he slipped off to the tree where he watched the moon rise into the hollow of it’s branches. Hedyn tried to convince himself that this was better than the perfect pancake and ended up staying until the nearly full moon was high overhead. Poor kid could really use some encouragement.”

“The morning of the ninth day came, and Hedyn got a slower start than his previous mornings. His late night and anxiety taking it’s toll.”

“But he really didn’t have much left to do anyway. He took his time with the rest of the work, taking the paper lanterns and hanging them just above the grass to light the way to down the path. Doing a final trim on the tree and placing a white lily in small vase at the tree’s roots. He cleared the path of debris for when he’d lead her down it. And he took a scrap of cloth from his mother’s mending basket to use as a blindfold.”

“The sun had finally set, leaving a fiery red line across the tops of the trees that was slowly fading in it’s intensity. Allowing for the first few bright stars to appear. This was his cue. The moon would be rising soon. He found Kimber and hesitantly asked her, ‘Will you come with me tonight? I’ve captured the moon. But you’ll need to wear this over your eyes.’ He shows her the scrap of cloth.”

“She looked at him a bit oddly at first, before her expression turned into a kind smile and a nod. ‘All right. Just… don’t let me trip or run into anything, Hedyn.’”

“And after his assurance that he wouldn’t, she allowed the blindfold to be tied and they were off into the growing twilight. His heart soaring in happiness in that she agreed. -And- she knew his name! Perhaps he wasn’t so invisible after all. Lets see some happiness!”

“He stepped to the base of the tree and looked to see the top part of the full moon was just starting to crest into the window of leafy branches that were perfectly silhouetted against the moon’s bright light and the stars. The lanterns were still lit and were giving off a soft glow along the base of the tree and back towards the village.”

“With a nervous, ‘Just a couple more minutes.’ He retrieved the lily he’d prepared. Then when the time was right and the moon was in the branches embrace he untied the blindfold, standing off to the side while holding the lilly towards her. ‘Will you go to the dance with me?’ he asked.”

“The blindfold fell away and Kimber blinked a few times to let her eyes adjust to the sudden brightness of the full moon and stared at the scene before her. Her pale eyes illuminated in the moonlight and grew rounder and her mouth fell open in wonder. After a few moments a beaming smile graced her lips and she accepted the presented lily. It’s white petals glowing in the moonlight.”

“She continued to watch in silence until the moon rose behind the circling branches. She turned and wrapped him in a hug as she spoke, ‘You’ll have my answer in the morning, Hedyn.’ And just like that she was gone. Leaving him to stand stunned at the contact.”

“It was a rough night for Hedyn, the anxiety on whether or not she’d choose him or Wyndel ate at his thoughts until he heard the rooster start it’s crowing and he finally dragged himself out of bed. He missed the knowing glances his parents exchanged when he only grabbed a heel of bread for breakfast and didn’t even say good morning as he headed into the courtyard where other anxious boys were gathering.”

“Have you ever been that anxious? Or are you always confident? Lets see it!”

“Kimber finally arrived looking as beautiful and refreshed as ever. She looked over the assembled boys and satisfied that enough were there, or at least that her choice was there, she began to talk. Her eyes roamed the group but finally locked with Wyndel, who immediately perked up, taking this as a good sign. ‘Thank you all so much for the wonderful gifts and favors over the last few suns. But now I’ve made my choice.’ Hedyn’s heart began to sink the longer she held Wyndel’s gaze."

“He stared into the dirt and missed when her gaze shifted to him. Barely hearing when she said, ‘Will you go to the dance with me, Hedyn?’ His head jerked up, had he heard that right? Then their eyes locked and a beaming smile spread across his face as he saw her holding out the white lily from last night. Towards -him-. With a big stupid grin he walked up to accept it, ‘I… yes!’ He didn’t even notice the dirty look Wyndel shot him or the disappointed groans from the other boys.”

“Lets hear a loud cheer for Hedyn!”

“And so, the pair went to the dance and many more beyond. While they eventually wedded other people, they stayed best friends for the remainder of their days. All for the capture of Menphina’s Moon.”

"The end."

"Thank you, Master Ojune!" Jancis beams, still clapping her hands a bit. "I do wonder if that is inspired by a true story..." Ojune blushes with embarrassment.

Xenedra Ambreaus comes forward, her bright coat a start constrast to the white atmosphere."Hello again~"

"Truth be told, I don't have many love stories in my arsenal, but~"

"There's one love story I think most of us are familiar with, so..."

"The story begins with Oschon, one very near and dear to many of us here. As we wander, he watches over us, but who guides his foot falls?"

"One might argue that The Navigator is well suited to such a task, but no. Oschon creates his own path, with only the Sun and Moon to light his way."

"Throughout the day he'd make his way across the land, feet pointed in whatever direction felt natural to him at the moment and now and then he'd cast an appreciative glance at lovely Azeyma."

"The golden goddess rarely had time to acknowledge her celestial peer though, busy as she was filling the day with radiance for the multitudes of men and women working away. As she'd pass from his view they'd exchange a brief bow and that was that. His respect for the elder sister, then fell to the younger as she took her turn lighting his path."

"Gentle Menphina would follow Azeyma's blazing path across the then-blank sky, her light only a pale glow in comparison, but a comfort to Oschon after the day's bustle."

"Menphina, her attentions not torn by the masses like her sister, also had the time to exchange words with him. So across the spans and centuries and eons, from the time when they all began to walk their paths, whether straight or meandering, that is precisely what the two did."

"Each night, as Azeyma took her leave, Menphina would hurry into the sky to meet with Oschon and they spoke about wishes and dreams, fears and desires~."

"Oschon came to understand that blushing, luminous Menphina was very much like himself. A solitary soul wandering across her sky, guiding others, but never asking anything for herself. This struck him like a bow string snapping in hand, along with one even more startling revelation:"

"Quiet, giving Menphina had accomplished the impossible: she had stopped The Wanderer in his tracks."

"But he didn't stay still for long. Feelings realized, Oschon set out to find the path into the sky. WHAT path into the sky, you might say, but certainly if such a thing DOES exist, OSCHON should be able to find it, right?"

"And find it he did, guided by the wind, to a route hidden and undistinguishable to the mortal eye. Establishing his footing on the unfamiliar blackness, he set out resolutely for Menphina's soft glow."

Kestlona and others listen intently, leaning forward towards Xenedra and the story continues to unfold.

"He found her with her knees curled to her chest, feeble sobs shaking her bent form. Shock stilled Oschon for the second time, before he rushed to her side and pulled her to him."

"'Dear Menphina, what has happened?'" he pressed gently, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze."

"In her eyes he met with surprise and quickly blossoming relief."

"'You had gone! Disappeared for so long and I'd feared...' the thought died on her lips as she realized he was WITH her."

"'You're..!'" she gasped."

"'The reason I was gone. The way here is not easy to find.'"

"His words and his smile soothed her and for a time they simply held one another."

"Eventually he spoke, 'I cannot stay, not forever, you know this...' And of course he could not, the Wanderer MUST wander..."

"Her answer came as a forlorn little nod."

"'You'll no longer be alone when I'm not with you.'" With that, he took up her chin once more and kissed her for the first time. The glimmer from each tear flared to life, filling up the blank night sky.

"And that's how the very stars came into being; Oschon created them keep lonely Menphina company. Funny that his Wanderers use them even now to guide their way~"

Xenedra Ambreaus bows, the crowd lifting in applause! Shy as the sky seemed to be, a cover of clouds sheltered the beautiful stars, but the image still vivid in everyone's mind.

"Welcome, all, and by the Twelve, it's pleasing to see so many lovers here today! Many of you I have already met through our efforts to bring messages between friends and lovers this moon."

"On this day, I can but follow up on the theme that the lovely Xenedra has presented - the link between the Wanderer and Love. However, being a mere mortal, I can but sing as one."

"This song I have for you is a piece I learned from an old musician, whom time had made cross, still gnashing his teeth over his young days being lost."

"His paths had taken him across southern lands, where he chased the woman of his dreams, never to find her."

"This is his story, but, it may also be my own, though I plan for a happier ending. It's called, 'Love Uncrossed.'"

Nathan removes his lute from its case, and begins to strum out a melody of alternate heavy and light beats, one more fit for a fireside meditation than a tavern, and opens a soulful note from deep within. Ojune considers Nathan with a critical gaze for a moment, his expression lighting up with sudden understanding.

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪

Y'mheena closes her eyes.

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪

He stills the strings, and pulls the brim of his hat down tight, and himself into silence.

Ameline Valtin smiles and comes forward. She clears her throat, "A simple bit of prose I have prepared for present company: " She pauses before projecting her voice.

♥♥"..."♥♥

♥♥"..."♥♥

Ameline pauses dramatically with a smile.

Ameline lets out a cheer!

The tall elezen makes a lovely bow, despite the fluffy coat.

Chuta bows his head humbly and steps front and center. The suncat's looking a bit harrowed by the weather as he pulls his coat tighter around him, but he settles into place.

"...ya ever wonder why Menphina's considered one'a the Twelve? I don' mean that in any sorta... blasphemous way or nothin'. Just sayin' that when you share company with a daddy who can see over all'a space and time and an older sister who symbolizes the sun and all'a the truth under it..."

"Well, it might seem a bit funny that we've got a happy lover with a cook pan standing next to sky-splitting thunder gods and battle goddesses. Though, I say -might- because it makes a lotta sense to me. I brought this up when you and I chatted about Nophica; Even when we're talkin' the really big kinda powers, there's something to be said for the smaller ones. Menphina doesn't have any mastery over the elements, and she's not a watcher of the skies or seas, but she's just as important as those who claim to be."

He glances through the crowd and casts a grin here and there, mostly at the couples standing by one another for warmth.

"Love is a gift, friends. Some'a us been burned in the past by it, and some'a you gonna look at me funny because you ain't really understood it yet, but..."

"Menphina sure picked a strange one, didn't she? Oschon? The Wanderer's got his own mess'a things, and- Well... That's a story for another time, ain't it?"

He grins and casts his gaze to the sky for a moment, briefly hugging his coat back around him. "Don't it strike anyone as odd that our Divine Love Story, handed to us from generations past is one featurin' a girl with a pan and someone who can't set down roots? Most love stories feature gallant knights and princesses, or fierce lovers overcoming obstacles. You know what I mean, right? But nah, our story, the one written in the heavens and given to us, is just Menphina and her lover Oschon, and he wanders and she seems like she's the house cook. I'm ramblin' a bit, mostly on account'a not wantin' to get all sentimental."

Annunu disagrees with Chuta.

He looks into the crowd and grins again. "I was blessed twice by Menphina. Cursed her pretty good after the first'un, but... Love isn't some limited resource we run out of. "

"We might -think- we do, but believe me... True love is Divine, and the Divine don't care 'bout what we think may or may not be. Menphina stands out among her fellows because of that, I think. You ain't gotta throw lightning or see the future to be recognized as gifted. Sometimes all it takes is makin' an unlikely relationship blossom."

"Generations from now we're still probably gonna be tellin' the same love story. Do ya think they knew that back then? The -real- Menphina and her lover? That one day there'd be stories and tales and all'a this -divine- wrapped up between them?"

He pauses for a moment to let that sit.

"We don't know who they were. We only know that we remember them. Maybe you're Menphina in a thousand years. Maybe some travelin' writer sees you and your beau, and styles a song after you. We don't know. We can't know. So... I guess what I'm sayin' after all'a this words and nonsense..."

He grins and casts his gaze to the sky for a moment, briefly hugging his coat back around him. "Don't it strike anyone as odd that our Divine Love Story, handed to us from."

Chuta then nods to himself a little, his eyes drifting to the side and away for a moment. "Yeah. Maybe all we gotta do is love."

"That'll do, Miss Jancis?" "Yes, yes that will do just fine!"

"Thanks folks."

Vaughn Antain hesitates before stepping forward and encouraged forward by claps and cheers.

Vaughn clears his throat. "Well... After all these lovely stories and songs about romantic love...I feel a bit unprepared."

"But I shall do my best with something about the love two brothers can share, entitled 'Dance Under the Moon.'"

A dance in the moonlight
Stars guiding our feet
O, brother, how we sang
To our own loving beat.
Back then, how could we have guessed
How it would all end
But I look back with fondness
Of my one true friend.
Sometimes people move
Sometimes feelings end
But I never lost my love
Of my brother and my friend
So each night I dance
With the moon and the stars
Together with my love
A love as strong as ours.

Vaughn bows.

Ciel Wulfe waves. "My how these gatherings seem to grow with each passing moon!  Such a joy to see so many familiar faces, as well as new ones."

Ciel looks around at the crowd, "Love being the demesne and blessing of Menphina, there is much to be said about it.  And oft have I been asked, as a bard to give my perspective on it."

"For this, my answer has always been the same:"
"'Tis a potent drogue, to be sure. Once had, one wonders how they ever did without it. And then the withdrawal pains once 'tis gone... which leave one wondering why they ever thought it was a good idea to begin with."
""And yet many of us still crave for more, in hopes of the pain being eased. Indeed, love -is- a powerful thing, oft bittersweet if we allow it to be, but infinitely rewarding once embraced. "
"It is at once a cacophony, and stillness... a smile, a laugh, and the peaceful strength of a heartbeat."

Ciel raises her harp at her side and starts drawing notes from the strings.
"♪ Carry me away from this dark and lonely room~ ♪"
"♪Light me in your arms - all I want to know is you.♪"
"♪Chase away the darkness with everything you are~♪"
"♪I will find my strength in the beat of your heart. ♪"
"♪Picture book of memories, how we used to be~♪"
"♪Some people spend a lifetime waiting for their dreams.♪"
"♪But I won't find the answers by looking at the stars~♪"
"♪I will find my strength in the beat of your heart.♪"
"♪Time  - held in our hands.. Will change into years - gone by~♪"
"♪If I can hold on to you -  I'll leave all my fears behind. ♪"
"♪Holding on we drift like two flowers on the sea...♪"
"♪Riding on the waves letting go of what will be. ♪"
"♪I won't find the answers by staring at the stars.♪"
"♪I've found all my dreams in the beat of your heart.♪"
"♪I've found all my dreams in the beat... the beat of your heart.♪"
Ciel draws the final notes of the song from the harp and lets the strings fall silent.

The crowd applauds. Alexander felt a bit of heaviness in his chest. Nonetheless, with a soft smile, he claps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqkY28MrUl0

Arrelaine Fashonti takes off her hat, smoothing out her hair. She smiles and nods, then taking a deep breath, she begins to sing.

Arrelaine sings in a clear, high tone. ♪♫"I wished on the moon, for something I never knew... I wished on the moon for more than I ever knew."

Arrelaine closes her eyes, slowing the notes just a little. "I wished on a star to throw me a beam or two, I begged of stars and asked for a dream or two... I looked for every loveliness, it all came true... I wished on the moon, I wished on the moon for you."

The last line was dragged out with the final notes. "I wished on the moon... for you."♫♪

"Thank you."

"That concludes our celebration! Thank you pilgrims!" Jancis rings the handbell, heralding the end.
"Pray raise your hands once again for all of our performers to make the most of our celebration!"
"For all the guards who kept us safe and the ward by Master Ojune to keep us warm."
Jancis holds up a small bundle of papers, pinned with a wooden weight with other supplies, "If you wish, pilgrims, you are all welcome to write the name of those you love, or your wishes on this leaflet and tuck it around Menphina's Stone. Whatever you wish to write upon it and leave here."

Ciel Wulfe: "Well, did you want to leave anything?"
Jonathan Grayve: " Nay, I hope I am not judged for keeping my feelings out of the aether...giver previous developments. "
Ciel Wulfe: "Of course not, love.  Besides, methinks Menphina already knows."
Jonathan Grayve makes a straight face at Ciel Wulfe.
Ciel Wulfe: "What?"
Jonathan Grayve: "Dearest I know hat was meant to be cheerful, but was down right unsettling."
Ciel Wulfe: "How was it unsettling?  I didn't mean for it to be."
Jonathan Grayve rests a kiss on her forehead. " No harm...just makes me wonder, are they -all- already aware. My revolt may very well be in vain...but roads have to be crossed first- and  the lot."
Ciel Wulfe: "Alright then, I'll speak no more of my thoughts on the matter.  So what are we to do now?  Ser Vaughn is here if you wished to speak with him."
Jonathan Grayve: " I knew I felt quite the familiar vibe."
Ciel Wulfe nods to Jonathan Grayve.
Vaughn Antain hesitates again before walking up to the main stone.
Vaughn Antain decides to wait until the crowd dies down.
Vaughn Antain smiles at Angora Khilo.
Jonathan Grayve hurls something at Vaughn Antain.
Ciel Wulfe: "Jonathan!"
Angora Khilo looks at Jonathan Grayve in shock!
Jonathan Grayve: "It's only snow love."
Vaughn Antain shudders as he's hit with snow in the face.
Ciel Wulfe: "You might try to -not- throw things at people so close to the edge of a cliff!"
Vaughn Antain glares at Jonathan.
Ciel Wulfe: "Ohh, methinks 'tis -on- now."
Jonathan Grayve: " That won't do.."
Angora Khilo offers a small cloth to Vaughn to wipe his face off.
Jonathan Grayve: " Why so...withdrawn Ser?"
Vaughn Antain: "Why throw things at my face?"
Jonathan Grayve: " It was all in jest..."
Jonathan Grayve: " Though I tend to lack...expression before most emotional impulses."
Vaughn Antain huffs lightly. "Just...don't do it again."
Jonathan Grayve: " Aye, is there anything amiss?"
Vaughn Antain hesitates. "Ah...perhaps. But I fail to see why you would show concern...."
Jonathan Grayve: " It's an unfortunate...gift...so to speak. Understood if you wish not to share."
Ciel Wulfe: "That was a wonderful poem, Ser Vaughn."
Vaughn Antain: "Thank you, Lady Ciel."
Ciel Wulfe: "And... also you had been asking me if Jonathan would be joining your cause as well, hmm?  You do remember him, aye?"
Jonathan Grayve blinks blankly at Ciel's gaze, before it seemed to sink in. " Ah aye...are you in need of a knight's service?"
Vaughn Antain: "I do, hence the surprise when he threw snow at my face."
Ciel Wulfe smiles, "He meant no harm, his aim is better than anyone should hope for however."
Vaughn Antain: "mm..."
Jonathan Grayve: " Aye my intent isn't quite easy to read...I'll admit."
Vaughn Antain: "Well...for Lady Ciel, and the work I saw you do, I suppose you may stay with us if you're so inclined. Just...please, no throwing things at unsuspecting people?"
Jonathan Grayve: " I will refrain from the unexpected."
Vaughn Antain: "Thank you. You still have our pearl, yes?"
Jonathan Grayve: " Aye..."
Vaughn Antain: "Then you know its use."
Vaughn Antain smiles lightly at Jonathan, still looking apprehensive.
Jonathan Grayve gives Vaughn Antain a Storm salute.
Vaughn Antain looks to the main stone. "Ah...excuse me."
Ciel Wulfe: "Thank you, Ser vaughn."
Vaughn Antain takes a piece of paper and the charcoal and writes. When finished, he folds it and sticks it in the cracks.
Ciel Wulfe tucks her hands up around Jonathan's sides again, "Shall we go?"
Jonathan Grayve smiles ever so slightly. " Aye, shall we?"
Ciel Wulfe: "Please, my ears might fall off even with this hood."

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