Starlight, Starbright, Won't you dance with me tonight?

[levelthreehooligan]

Throughout the continent, chilly winds herald the change in seasons.

Farmers gather their tools for one final, bountiful harvest before the soil turns too hard to cultivate. Chefs and Bakers gather their retainers, sending them out to find the best ingredients before the competition can. Mercenaries and soldiers take extra care to wax and grease their armors, for stiffness in the limbs due to the cold is a matter of life and death.

Of course, not every part of the realm changes. Thanalan's deserts are too warm at any time of the year, and Coerthas is constantly battered with snow all year round, and yet all know that it is time to gather, to celebrate, to remember. Perhaps even to travel far and wide, and farther still. The Source is not the only place celebrating the ending of this year and the coming of the new.

Starlight is once again returning to Hydaelyn and her Reflections, and the question on everyone's where will this year take us?

Gridania - A Kiss under the Mistletoe

The snows don't touch a lot of the lush greenery of the Shroud, but neither is it unheard of.

The Conjurers and botanists have decorated the City as if it were a bouquet; red berries and holly and sage line the wooden splendour of the city for all to enjoy.

And of course, Fufucha wouldn't leave the mistletoe out! The boughs of the Carline Canopy, strung across the banners of Mih'Khetto's Amphitheatre, dotted along bridges and nooks and crannies are gorgeously presented wreathes of mistletoe, waiting for lovers to notice them.

Ul'Dah - Passions of the Starry Night

Though it's not cold here in the desert, that isn't to say that the festivities aren't in full swing! For, of course, there is drink and merriment to be had! And what would an Ul'dahnian's Starlight look like if not at least a little bit drunk?

Dancing girls in their skimpy clothes offer tasters from brewers, Merchants tantalize shoppers with glittering treasures, fine silks and jewellery in the Sapphire Avenue, and there are a fair amount of Thaumaturges putting on shows for children and adults with reflective ice and shimmering flames.

But be careful, the booze flowing freely means that inhibitions are lower than usual. Bar fights aren't uncommon in the Quicksands, nor are 'secret' trysts in the inn rooms, just what kind of night will you have?

Limsa - Just one Dance

The central plaza is as bustling and busy as it always is, though you can't help but think it feels even busier today!

And of course it would, for everyone's here to celebrate.

The Aetherite has been decorated haphazardly by children throwing tinsel around it's ever-spinning foci, glitter sprinkled onto the surface of the already shining crystal itself; the Yellowjackets don't have the heart to interrupt them or to undo their work. What the hell, they think, it's the holidays.

Bards both solo and troupe line the streets a respectful distance apart, so you are never far away from music!

As the sun sets and the stars start to glitter over La Noscea, they seem to have made a truce, come together for a night of music and dance.

Grab a partner for a song or two, just what is playing and who are you dancing with?

Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

The King that looks over the Snow.

The spires that call to the dravanian winds.

A warm hearth in the centre of Foretemps manor.

This year, the relationship between Ishgardian and Dravanian has been slowly, but steadily improving. As an act of good faith and in the interests of bringing the groups together, Aymeric has opened the City to them as they Celebrate Starlights.

The scent of mulled wine and honey-roasted boar fill the whole city as the Skybuilder's hand up their tools for the holiday but can't stop themselves from crafting even off the clock. The Firmament is decorated with lights as families that previously resided in the Brume make the most of their new homes.

Though the fare is simple, it's stomach-filling and heartwarming; the Skybuilders and the Denizens of the firmament have made a feast for all to enjoy! Take a seat and have a chat over some steaming food.

Kugane - The Gift of Giving

The streets of Kugane are awash with warm colours, gold and silver and yellows and reds; Lanterns glow in the mild winds and chimes can be heard from stalls as you wander through.

And though the markets are nice, the person or people you've come to meet are waiting for you in the Shiokaze Holstery, and you have something for them with you!

The Crystarium - Just one more sleep

And after it all, there's the night. The blessed night so hard won.

The blanket of stars that you can see over your room in The Pendants. Perhaps you have someone with you as you sit on pillows and blankets, warm in your sleep clothes with a mug of cocoa. Two friends talking the night away, or perhaps something more?

You're tired, but gods if it isn't the good kind. Will you make it through till dawn, or will you fall asleep right then and there?

Comments

Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

[runawayoctopus]

“I can’t thank you enough Hilda. I’m sure the festival occupies a significant portion of your time; I hope I’m not imposing.”

J’anet Dhava braced against the wind that snatched Hilda’s response away as it flitted across the steps of faith, thankful that this time she was not here in exile or improperly dressed. Even from the gates of Judgement she could see the warmth of countless fires in countless hearths and could barely contain her exuberance. It had been over a year since she set foot in her adopted home and she ached for the familiarity of the Pillars and the comfort of Fortemps Manor. That would have to wait, however. She had asked Hilda to smuggle her into the city to surprise Count Edmond and Ser Aymeric during the Starlight Festival celebrations; a plan that was months in the making and that she almost exposed out of nervous giddiness.

The stars sparkled like so many diamonds against the navy sky as she slunk along behind Hilda’s confident stride and tried her best to blend in. The gate guard paid her almost no mind whatsoever, thankfully. Hilda’s company was reassurance enough for him, and J’anet was sure she’d chosen the right partner in crime (again). She had rented a home in the Firmament to rest; she would begin preparations with Honoroit on the morrow. She’d sent invitations to her compatriots that she was not fortunate enough to see in person beforehand and hoped that her grand affair would come to pass without a hitch. Honoroit had begun preparing a room for her at the manor and purchasing the necessary décor and supplies; she trusted that Emmanellain had absolutely no idea what was in store.Finally, they arrived in a nondescript house tucked away in a corner of the New Nest. The cottage was strung up with tinsel and garlands of pine in a slightly different pattern than its neighbors but just as festive.
“It’s perfect Hilda, thank you. I’m sure your duties keep you very busy, but if you have the time and the inclination you’re more than welcome to stay for a warm drink and a hot meal.”

After a parting embrace J’anet pushed open a thick wooden door into a cozy entryway, taking off her fur-lined parka and hanging it near the entryway before she stamped the snow off her boots. Much to her pleasant surprise, a familiar face and a hearty hello was waiting for her in the den….

Re: Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

[dragoonrouge]

"J'anet! Welcome back!" Q'uila's long purple ears and utterly unrepentant grin greet J'anet from within a massive pile of blankets, "I hope you do not mind that I made myself comfortable whilst I waited, my tail felt partially frozen after the journey here."

She jestures to the table where two mugs of tea sat steaming, "I prepared some tea if you would like any?"

Re: Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

[levelthreehooligan]

Pinya froze in her tracks, looking all the bit a suspicious thief.

Well. Perhaps by the big box she was placing under the little starlight tree Honoroit had prepared... A reverse theif?

"I... Hadn't expected you to arrive so soon..."

Re: Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

[rosesandrolanberries]

"J'anet!" Spiced called out in greeting, standing from the chair she had chosen to perch on as she waited, careful, as ever, to not make a mess.

"I hope you don't mind that I arrived so early. Hilda showed me in." She tilted her head to one side, a slight frown crossing her face. "I... do hope that's alright."

After a pause, she pulled her hands together, lacing her fingers and tapping her forefingers against one another. "I... wasn't sure what you would have wanted me to bring." She began slowly. "So I... well..." She turned to look at the once-clear table she had just been sitting at - now cluttered with platters of food and bags of ingredients, several bottles of wine and even some extra Starlight decorations. Just in case.

[dragoonrouge]

Limsa Lominsa

The chaos of Limsa has intensified on the Upper Decks as a cackling purple blur dashes from The Bismark restaurant with a large basket in hand and angry shouts ringing out behind her.

"Thank you for the loan Mum, I promise to pay you back!" Q'uila calls over her shoulder with a beaming grin.

Q'uila's pace barely slows as she approaches the Aftcastle and starts deftly scaling the rigging and the architecture towards the top. Sure, she could get the the peak in a single jump but where was the fun in that, she could hardly call herself Lominsan if she couldn't scale the largest building in the city.

The stage was set; the platform chosen for its large size and elevation, creating a space large enough for all of her friends and family to comfortably gather and admire the views of Limsa Lominsa spread below and decked in seasonal finery backed by the calming glow of the main aetheryte. Large blankets and pillows occupied the floor and it was all lit by a multitude of stained glass lanterns that Q'uila had carefully strung up to coat the area in multi-coloured lights. Setting up the casks, bottles and food was her last job before she lounged along the edge to bask in the breeze and the slowly setting sun. And the laugh at the others in their ascent up the tower.

"Looks like you lot might make it up here by Starlight proper at this rate. Well done."

[levelthreehooligan]

"Oh, shove five lemons in your mouth you giant pink Spring!" comes the reply.

Uila won't even be able to see Pinya from her perch, overshadowed by the wooden beams as she is.

Gods, why she didn't just use a grappling hook she didn't know. Well, no, she did know; if she'd used one then that meant that Uila would have won and that just wouldn't do.

Eventually, tiny fingers grasp the ledge of her sisters perch, followed by a sack of potato hefing herself up and rolling over the edge.

"Why do you do this? Every year?"

no little girl shenanigans this time, unless you strongly want them d: i can rewrite ez

[katanazero]

Zero stood next to where Q'uila had settled herself to laugh at the others and their climb. Fortunately for him he was a Guest to Eorzea, and thus he was not subjected to such playful torments. The ascent was impressive, and the race was clearly quite competitive between the longstanding group of friends. He'd ask if it were common, this occurrence, but he'd seen other miqo'te do it, and the readiness of the gaggle of friends to start clearly marked it as an annual tradition (at the very least).

"Is this common in all of Eorzea?"

[runawayoctopus]

A slender hand grasped the lip of the large stone slab, followed by a second. After a slight delay a pair of carnelian eyes framed by two large sandy locks of hair peer over.

“I haven’t missed the fun, have I?”

Shortly J’anet was lifting herself over the slight ridge with a small grunt before turning to face her host. Once a year she came back to her favorite city-state to visit Q’uila for the Starlight celebration. Once a year Q’uila made her climb up to the top of the city, but the view was always worth it.

“What fresh heaven have you brought us to eat this year?”

[crouching_sin]

It doesn't take Naoya too long to get to the top, but he's used to physical exertion at this point even if he doesn't like it. He could have Alice fly him up but he knows his sister will complain bitterly about it.

Still, by the time he flops onto the platform he's sweating more than he'd like. He huffs and flops on Q'uila, catching his breath. "Asshole."

OTA

[levelthreehooligan]

Gridania

It's not exactly hard to guess what Pinya's up to. Well. Perhaps to anyone who doesn't know her well, it might be, but in any case.

There is one particular Lala lying in wait for any unsuspecting friend to walk under her carefully and artfully hidden Mistletoe Trap! She holds a sprig of the plant in the left hand as she hangs precariously from a beam of the Carline Canopy, ready to swing down and plant a kisser on anyone she deems worthy.

(She realises that Miounne is watching, and gives her a jaunty salute, only to receive a huff and a smirk is response.)

Ah ha! A target! She grins, swooping down with her accursed mistletoe...


Limsa

And what would a Bard performance be without Hydaelyn's most beloved?

Of course, one of the entertainers for tonight is yours truly! Pinya, for once, has actually done herself up. The pale yellow dress she wears shimmers in the glow of the street lights, shifting as she moves.
It's maybe the only time you've seen her act professional at all. She moves with grace and confidence, approaching her Fiddle and beginning to play a jaunty, lively tune.
The sound resonates across the Aetheriye plaza, and each bar she plays sees another performer join in until there's a crescendo of melody, a buzzing in the air as revelers and children and even the yellow jackets start to dance.

She doesn't exit the stage formally, of course not, the grin spreading across her face gives away that's she's already dropped her short lived professional facade. Instead, the drummers start to take over as she jumps down, grabbing your hands as she encourages you to dance with her!


Kugane

As soon as she sees you walk through the doors of the Holstery, she's waving from her table and yelling your name.

"Hey! Over here!" She shouts with a grin. There's a fair amount of boxes sat next to her too...

Private, that one thing we talked about in Discord, lem know if wan change anything

[chronull]

The cottage always had a wonderful sense of stillness to it compared to the large halls always filled with the sound of movement and things being done. The clatter of glassware, a heated but friendly argument about aether this and mana that, the yelling of one child or another, laughter echoing behind the patter of small kitten feet. No, there was a distinct stillness and quiet of the cottage, one that demanded open windows to let the breeze in and the rustling of the canopy above, the gentle sound of running water somewhere not far off.

The change of scenery was nice, but it barely pulled him from his study, his books. An office had been made up for him and, just like in Shirogane, he spent too much time in there despite it supposed to be a place to relax and, well, not work. No amount of open windows and gentle breezes could pull him from his work and into a state of relaxation. Surely nobody, not even Pinya, would ever take advantage of this.

So the sweet melodic voice of Pinya calling out - "Leeeeoonnn~" - definitely had no ulterior motive. He stood and turned to the door, deep in his own thoughts. She probably wanted him to get her something from a top shelf. She could get it herself, but sometimes she liked to ask him just to drag him out of his work. Yes, that was probably it. He stopped short at the door when he noticed her standing just outside of it, a mischievous little smile on her face. He hadn't looked up, hadn't noticed the mistletoe.

"Yes, Pinara?"

Re: Gridania

[rosesandrolanberries]

Spiced tried once more to read the note Pinya had sent – it was clearly written in haste and was nigh on unreadable. She could make out the Meet me at, but the words that came after may as well have been written in a foreign language. The first letters looked like they were both C’s, but they could have been O’s. Badly executed A’s. Unfinished Q’s. Either way, the only place she could think of that fit the length and shape of the scrawls was the Carline Canopy. Fitting, too, that it would be somewhere her mistress was so fond of.

She looked up from the note. The Canopy was thoroughly decorated for the season, and as pleasant and welcoming as ever. A little busier than normal, even. She scanned the tables, but the few Lalafells she could see certainly weren’t the one she was looking for. She scanned the faces again, then a third time, but the mischievous blonde didn't appear.

Perhaps I was wrong, she pondered as she peered at the note again, but the writing refused to magically make itself any more legible.

Re: Kugane

[runawayoctopus]

"J’anet! Hey! Over here!"

From beside a befuddlingly large pile of boxes Pinara Colada waved and shouted to get J’anet’s attention; and it (as usual) worked. She was beaming at her table, looking as radiant as one of the Saint’s little helpers. J’anet smiled warmly and crossed the room to join her.

“How lovely to see you in my corner of the realm again Pinya, and just in time for the celebrations! You certainly look prepared.”

Kugane

[crouching_sin]

Naoya chuckles as he wanders over to Pinya, sitting down with a box in his hand as well. "How much have you had to drink without me? I'd hate to think I was missing the fun." He'd left Alice safely out of sight, given the normal reaction to dragons in this area. He really needed to figure out a way to let her use another form.

But not a topic for tonight. Instead he deposits the low silver-wrapped box in front of him, tied with a yellow bow.

[firstbump]

((Out of Character: An explanation of how Ardbert is not dead ALSO SHADOWBRINGER SPOILERS.))

Ul'Dah - Passions of the Starry Night

One thing Ardbert remembered about living was alcohol. Yet he has 'forgotten' (that's a lie) about his low tolerance. Two ales in, and he's already in full appreciation mode of his friends.

"I knoooow you!" Ardbert stands as he catches sight of a Scion, a Warrior of Light, or any other unfortunate soul that he knows, stumbling to them and doing his best to drop an arm over their shoulders. "Come drink!"


Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

Ardbert watches the coming and goings of the Firmament with a cup of mulled wine in his hands. With his food gone, he's left to nurse this warm drink. He thought he had grown tired of people watching after a hundred years, but this was different. It was full of a blossoming peace and a quietly growing hope.

Not to mention, the dragonets were bloody adorable, and he'd have to gut anyone that would harm a single scale on their hides. One had even fallen asleep next to him, drawn in by the warmth of the brazier Ardbert was sitting at. The little one had done her best to stay awake, but having gorged herself on roasted boar, she hadn't a chance. She had eventually nodded off in the middle of their conversation, but not before curling up around herself and hiding her head under a wing.

He catches sight of someone approaching him and grins, nodding to the sleeping dragonet when they're close enough to converse. "She's out like a light, don't worry. Just don't sit on her."

Ul'Dah

[dragoonrouge]

Q'uila stares. Blinks. Looks around to check that she isn't the only one seeing the smashed Hyur currently trying to prop himself up on her shoulders and then stares some more.

"Ardbert? How in the seventh hell are you here?!"

Pucklux | Original (Isekai/Online) | (OTA)

[lonelymagic]

There's a small figure in a dun colored hooded robe curled up in the middle of the housing district, a cream and tan tail swooshing out from behind them that's more spread out and fluffy than most miqo'te tails. Similarly-colored ears peek out from the hood, twitching at the sound of a city.

A snout pokes out of the hood, followed by the rest of the head as the figure sits up. The person in question is definitively not a miqo'te - they're a lot fluffier and covered in fur all over. Gold eyes blink in confusion as they jerk back, pulling themselves to their feet and looking down at their paws. This... is not Viacruz.

Where the hell are they, then? It was bad enough waking up in AWO... at least they still seem to have their staff, which they clutch tightly. It's long, made of some sort of dark wood with a hook shape at the top, a purple light pulsing gently inside of it.

Post-Syn!Au

[levelthreehooligan]

A Hrothgar?

Not that they were an odd sight around Eorzea, not since the Bozjan front started to recruit more soldiers for the push into Castrum Litore... but...

Something felt odd about this one. The proportions slightly off from what she was used to, the movement familliar... the looking at the paws...

She knows what it feels like to come to in a body that is not hers, but she isn't going to jump to any conclusions.

"Hail, ser," she calls out from the Canopy of Revel's Free Company house. "Are you quite alright?"

[fightcreamsundae]

It wasn't often that Cherry left Kugane, but when she did she was always on rounds to visit all of the friends she'd made - right now was no exception. She had exited a house and was almost but not quite skipping towards the way back to the city proper. That all came to a halt as she saw someone who looked like a very fluffy hrothgar look very confused.

"Um, are you okay?" Her tail swayed back and forth curiously.

Re: Pucklux | Original (Isekai/Online) | (OTA)

[rosesandrolanberries]

Spiced hurried towards the figure on the floor that she had spotted upon rounding the corner, expecting to find them injured, or worse. It wasn't as if many people chose to sleep on the ground outside, especially not in a walkway. As she closed the distance, the figure began to right themselves.

As they stood, she noted they weren't... Well, they didn't look like anybody she'd ever seen before. Like a Hrothgar, but not. Not like she'd seen all that many Hrothgar, but...

At this point she found herself too close to simply walk away and act as if she hadn't been coming towards them, so she hesitated a few steps away. "I'm sorry, are you... Are you okay?"

Re: Pucklux | Original (Isekai/Online) | (OTA)

[scion_of_rrht]

A petite cat-like girl, more feline even than the rest of the catfolk about, blatantly watches the newcomer from the cover of a local tree. Her ears flick back when she spots the purple light.

"Hey. What's going on with that stick?" she challenges them.

Takashi 'Shiro' Shirogane | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Open to All - shipping options open

[vrepit_no]

Gridania - Mistletoe
In spite of his homesick yearning for the desert, Gridania is one of Shiro's favorite places to be, and tonight is no different. It's been forever, it feels like, since he's been in a place with real trees that won't be leaving within the next week. The cold isn't as biting as it is on the sea, but Shiro is, nevertheless, wrapped in the warm embrace of a chunky knit sweater of a truly obnoxious mustard yellow color and a thick scarf as he ambles through the city, keeping to one side out of the way of people rushing hither and thither.

He loves the performances at the amphitheater, settling in a back corner and taking advantage of his height to see over the-- well, the shorter folk, anyway. Some of these folks are quite enormous, by his standards. When the latest show ends, he slips out so that some other eager viewer can take his seat and walks down to the Lavender Bed docks to lean against one of the posts and watch the snow drift down into the water. The tall Hyur has not noticed the mistletoe in the slightest.

Ul'Dah - Drinks, Stargazing, and arm-wrestling
Alright, that's enough cold for a while. Ul'Dah is one big party, and it's even easier than usual for a newcomer to get lost in the maze of people and streets, but that doesn't bother Shiro. For once he's managed to get himself just drunk enough to be pleasantly buzzed and not be uneasy about the looks people are throwing his intricate prosthetic.

In the Quicksands he can be found lounging against the bar or, at one point, taking up a Hrothgar's challenge to an arm wrestling competition with a grin. It's a heated match, but anyone paying close attention to the aether in the room will be able to see that Shiro's not putting as much effort into it as he could be before he finally gets the cat's beefy arm onto the table. A cheer goes up and the loser roars with laughter, pressing a veritable bucket of mead into Shiro's hands and clapping him on the back.

Later, in a bid to escape the noise, a rather more drunken Shiro makes his way out of the Southern gate to plop himself on a boulder and look up at all the unfamiliar stars.

Limsa Lominsa
He couldn't possibly miss a celebration in the area Felih's so fond of. Shiro has found a smart, black peacoat and gloves to keep him warm... and someone has kindly gifted him a knit cap with ear flaps and a remarkably floofy pompom on top. He's picking up some of the repeated music, humming the snatches he knows and watching the dancers. "Ha ha, no, I'm sorry, I don't know the dance!" he says to a young woman, shaking his head sheepishly. "No, really, I'm not from around here. No idea at all."

[dragoonrouge]

"Well, well, well. Fancy meeting you here!" Q'uila flops down beside Shiro with a clatter or armour and weaponry, the dirt on her face and armour doing little to dim her smile, "What brought you to my neck of the woods, Shiro?"

Prarra | OC, Voltron: Legendary Defender | Open to All - no shipping please

[scion_of_rrht]

Ul'dah - Drinks
The thing about appearing in a strange land full of strange people, some of whom resemble your people fairly closely, is that people assume you belong there. And even more importantly, they assume that you're 1) lost, and 2) hungry. So they feed you. And give you things to drink. And apparently the drinking age here is either low or irrelevant. Or maybe she looks older than her fifteen summers. But whatever the reason, someone has given her a big mug of something they call ale, and she is perched on top of the square plinth to one side of the market board square in Sapphire Lane, people-watching as she sips at this strange, bitter beverage. It's not very good, but it does seem to be keeping her warm! When the little Miqo'te-like girl notices someone watching her, she boldly stares back, pitching her enormous ears in their direction. "What? I'm allowed to be here."

Ul'dah - Overcrowding
Too many people... too much noise... too much touching...! Prarra struggles her way through the crowds, ears flat back and pupils large with anxiety as she attempts to find somewhere quiet and more isolated. Someone grabs at her shoulder and she yowls and spits, scratching at them and fleeing as soon as they let go. Up, over the top of stalls, bounding for a streetlamp, crawling along the sheer walls to try and get to a gate and get out of here. The Flames have taken notice now, shouting for her to get down, but she doesn't seem to be listening. Her tail is three times its normal size, the black rings where it's been burned down to the skin even more apparent like this. They corner her atop a streetlamp that's just far enough away from anything else that she can't make the leap. So there she clings, hissing fiercely and swatting at any polearms that come her way.

[Locked to Felih, Pinya, or Q'uila]
Ul'dah is loud and lively as always, and there are plenty of people in the streets, but it is, perhaps, unusual for someone to launch themselves over the heads of others to pounce upon you shrieking "You're here! It's really you!"

Look at how fast I can cry.

[dragoonrouge]

It was rare that Q'uila was in Ul'Dah but she had been tasked with an errand by the Miner's guild. Being pounced on as she made her way towards the Sapphire Exchange was not something she had been anticipating and so she'd had a dagger most of the way out before it register exactly who was clinging to her.

"Prarra?!" Dagger rapidly shoved back into its sheath and Q'uila pulls Prarra into the tightest hug, spinning them both with little regard to the others on the path, "Thank the Twelve! I was so worried about you!"

[rosesandrolanberries]

Limsa - Just one Dance

The coastal air was brisk and chill, cold enough that people’s breath clouded before their faces. It seemed to bother next to nobody, however, as everyone appeared to be busy laughing and dancing.

Spiced sat alone on one of the short walls that surrounded the plaza, where the organisers were kind enough to dot with cushions to protect from the frigid stone. She’d stopped to listen to the music and felt herself caught up in the festivities, but she was, as ever, more than content to simply watch others have all the fun.

Well, almost. Melancholy was perhaps the most fitting word, for while she had a smile on her face, something about the celebration left her feeling a pang of longing. She watched people dancing, some couples, some just with friends, and some appeared to be family, but all appeared to be having the time of their lives. She had never, not once… been invited to dance. It was par for the course, really. Growing up in a city with such a predominant Lalafellin population, inviting someone her height to dance was… liable to get someone injured. She was keenly aware of how easily a shorter person – heavens forbid a child - could end up underfoot. But… part of her mind protested. She hadn’t tripped over a Lala since the ripe age of 13, when she’d vowed to be more careful with her movements. Not even so much as a close call after that incident. Surely, that counted for something.

But, oh, what did it matter? If anything, the thought was merely souring her enjoyment of the festivities. She had long since stopped paying attention to the music – her time would be better spent elsewhere. She probably had some errands she could take care of while she was here. She took a deep breath, forced her face back into a smile, and stood. She took a moment to straighten the pillows before she left, but with that, she turned to leave.

Ishgard - A Warm Meal, a Warm Smile

“Just one more,” Spiced muttered to herself, wiping her forehead with the back of her wrist, pushing her fringe away from her eyes. The broth began to run down the handle of the ladle she was holding, and she would have wiped it away with a rag or even her apron, but this was the last batch. She put it down onto the makeshift counter beside her, then took a moment to ready herself before grasping the pot by its handles and heaving it off of the makeshift hearth. These pots were large and unwieldy, even to her. Moreso when they were filled to the brin with stew that need not be spilled.

She hauled the pot to a table where Lisbeth and Enie were serving meals to the Skybuilders, depositing it with a heavy thump onto the tabletop. They thanked her, for perhaps the seventh time that day, to which she responded, “It’s no trouble at all!” Though her aching arms would disagree. Lisbeth offered her a bowl, but she politely declined. She was far too warm for hot food right now – despite the snow that covered the ground and the rolled-up sleeves of her rather un-seasonable attire, she was sweating. A day slaving over cooking pots could do that to you, she supposed.

Instead of settling down to eat like everyone else, she instead began to wander through the tables, in part for something to occupy her, but she also hoped to find at least one familiar face among the crowds.

The Crystarium - Just one more sleep

(I hate this tense but I couldn’t think of another way to write this aaaaa)

You knock, and after a surprisingly short pause, Spiced opens the door. The smile on her face is instantaneous. “Thank you for coming.” She steps back from the doorway, inviting you into her suite with a small sweep of her arm.

The kitchen is well lit, and by the smell it’s obvious she’s been making hot cocoa with a dash of cinnamon, and if the two cups on the table are anything to go by, there’s more than enough to share.

She closes the door gently behind you, clasping her hands together and tapping her forefingers together. She doesn’t meet your eyes, either. “I’m… sorry to call you over so late. I know you’re probably busy. I was just hoping for some company, is all.” She pauses, and it seems as if she’s half expecting you to leave as soon as it turned out it wasn’t something important. When you don’t, she motions to the pot on the stove. “Can I offer you a drink?”

Limsa

[voidalviera]

Rice has typically avoided the State Capitals before, not knowing nearly enough about the customs of Eorzea nor Hydaelyn's other Continents to believe she could pull off a convincing enough facade of not being a voidsent but...

Spending enough time with the Mercenaries in Doma and Yanxia had at least given her something. She felt now that she could at least have a decent cover story, and she had her Glamour and her Excuses all lined up.

That being said, this many people all in one place did tend to overwhelm her, though she tried to tell herself it would be better to get used to it at some point.

There was at least one other that looked as - well, not uncomfortable, but certainly not having as much fun as she could. Rice had looked over, and found herself unable to look away. The light that the lanterns and flickering flames of performers cast on the woman's dark skin had her mesmerised, the shine of her silver-grey hair like a halo against the dark sky.

And- oh no, she was leaving? Rice didn't think too much before she moved, instinct telling her to reach out but stopping just before she made contact.

"Ah- I- Uhm. Hello," she says.

Good job, Rice.

A fierce blush blooms across her pale skin as she internally berates herself.

Gridania

[firstblackmage]

Nyelbert didn’t know much about the holidays of Eoroza but that doesn’t mean he didn’t notice the heralding of the new season. The mood of the world was slowly becoming jovial before his eyes. So, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to see Gridania all dressed up for the upcoming holiday, but it did.

His Lavender Beds ward had not been spared the festive decoration either. It wouldn’t look good for him to complain, especially since others seem to be enjoying the decorations. Even his chocobo was enjoying the change. If his chocobo was happy, then it couldn’t be all that bad. At least, that was what he was thinking until he entered the city-state proper. The mistletoe hidden in every nook and cranny. It would be hard for him to avoid it. From the little he knew about Eorozan holidays, he knew that people kissed under mistletoe. Honestly, he wanted to cast fire on the pieces of mistletoe he saw but he was an Arcanist at the moment... plus that would probably burn the entire city state down and where would that leave him? Dead or wanted for arson.

Nyelbert sighed and looked at the glow of the crystal aetheryte he had chosen to rest by. The small crystal hummed softly, almost inaudible due to the other sources of noise. It was just a little further to the Gridanian market place. He needed to buy bread and snack foods, and the Lavender Beds market had tripled their prices. Meaning, it was cheaper to go buy things in the city, much to Nyelbert’s displeasure. The ‘elezen’ shook his head gently before continuing on his way to the market. Hopefully the Gridanian market prices hadn’t changed too much or else he would have to rethink his budget.