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

[dragoonrouge]

Q'uila picks up her own mug and cradles it close to her chest to soak up the warmth and smell. "I have not been waiting over long, Estinien has returned to Ishgard for more than a second so I was drafted by Aymeric to chase him from his brooding perch and into Borel Manor. A job I completed with aplomb."

Her ears wiggle as she takes a sip of her black tea," 'Tis a hearty brew, I did get to overhear a conversation between Aymeric and Hien about tea and Nald's balls you should have seen Hien's expression as Aymeric was describing Ishgardians tea." She cackles, "I cannot recall ever seeing such horror painted across his face, especially when mention of birch syrup sweeteners became a part of the conversation!"

[runawayoctopus]

"Hien does enjoy his earthy teas" J'anet said as she stared into her cup with a sentimental smile. "I think anything more than a touch of honey would offend his sensibilities. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Estinien is still so hard to pin down; how often does he ever stay still long enough to wrangle? Never I suppose."

J'anet took a careful drink, feeling the rejuvenating warmth of the dark liquid warming her up from the inside out. Propping her head up on her hand, she sighed comfortably. She'd missed this. Q'uila, ribbing Estinien, being in Ishgard, Thal's balls she even missed the snow sometimes. The starlight festival always had a way of making her feel nostalgic.

"Speaking of Aymeric, do you think we'll be able to wrangle him into a dinner at Fortemps manner? I have grand plans, you know how I love those, for a banquet to surprise him and Count Edmond and I would hate for word to reach him that I've returned before the surprise."

[dragoonrouge]

"They are certainly both very particular on the topic in almost completely opposite ways but it gladden me to see them getting on so well, Aymeric drinks up Hien's stories of Doma like a man starved of water."

Q'uila let's out a loud laugh, "Hah! Estinien thinks he can avoid me when he skulks about but I could pin-point his aether half a world away, I just find the chase he puts up fun."

If anyone had told Q'uila in the past that Ishgard would become a home to her rivalling Limsa Lominsa she certainly would never have believed them, let alone believed the series of events that lead her to that point.

"Just leave it to me 'Anet, I will have a word with Lucia and we can both make sure that Aymeric is available, that man needs a break and Fury knows he will not take one without outside encouragement."

[runawayoctopus]

“I almost chided you for that remark, but now I’ve half a mind to let Estinien overhear it if only for the withering look I am sure he would proffer” J’anet said with a chuckle, “I’ll make sure Honroit keeps the Fortemps men busy for me while I prepare the manor. Three days should allow us enough time don’t you think? I can smuggle supplies in while you and Lucia coerce Aymeric into a day off. Yes, I think that will do nicely. Have you been keeping apprised of the situation in Ishgard? Do Aymeric’s plans proceed apace? Doma and Hien have occupied so much of my time for the last year that I scarce feel I have the chance to do much beyond wonder what has become of Ishgard”

After a yawn and a weary glance at the clock on the wall J’anet stood with a stretch and folded the blanket gently on the arm of her chair. “I’ll miss Hien and Doma, but I think it’s high time I returned home and found a bed to call my own again. Goodnight ‘Uila!”

With a slight wave, J’anet retreated upstairs to the unoccupied room with her luggage and settled into a deep and dream-riddled sleep.