[Special] Celebration & Send-Off<Shai City, NPole>

[desna]

Desna winced when Aden reacted the way he did, she didn't know if he was taking badly or just choking on the food, all she knew was that she wouldn't be partaking in the kelp cakes. Honestly she felt a little bad for sparking his coughing attack but she couldn't do much about it, she was more concerned with him choking. Skittering up near him she patted his shoulder empathetically making sure he swallowed and didn't keel over on the ice. That would be nasty and hopefully she wouldn't be the one who'd have to clean it up.

"I'm a pretty good dancer, you wouldn't need to work too much." She offered with a smile, but it seemed he was adiment about not dancing.

Her attention went between both of his parents and Aden himself. Jula seemed to be encouraging, his father was amused more than anything. She pouted somewhat before rolling her eyes at Aden, if he was going to be silly she'd drag him off, everyone should get to have some fun, it was a festival and there were so many people around that it wouldn't really matter what anyone thought about him being clumsy or silly.

" oh come on grumpy guppy." She took his hand and tugged him along with a bright smile. Finalizing it she smiled at Kojaq and Jula reassuringly. " I'll return him soon."

[aden]

With the combination of Desna pulling and his mother pushing, Aden was forced up onto his feet. He was honestly considering breaking Desna's grip with a twist of his own forearm and rolling away from his mother's push, but good sense stopped his instinct to fight out of the unwanted physical contact. It would be very unseemly for him to be using his warrior training on women; his mother even!

So despite every corner of his mind screaming for him to pull away, Aden allowed himself to start being led towards the dance floor. "Really..." he started to say, trying to think of some way to politely slip out out of this potentially very embarassing situation, but he was cut off by his parents.

"Have fun," his father told them, still smirking in amusement at how petrified his son seemed to be about dancing.

"No snowmen!" Jula called afterward, alluding to a few days earlier when Desna had twisted her ankle after Aden surprised her from inside a snowman.

Aden might have laughed at that, but the weight of this awkward social situation was too pressing on his mind for him to appreciate the humor. "Desna," he started to say as the two rapidly approached the throng of people around the dance floor, "I don't know the steps to this song... Perhaps I should sit this one out?"

[desna]

It was encouraging to see his parents wanting their son to get out and experience life especially considering how much he seemed ready to flee from the dance floor like a frightened animal. It was honestly amusing that he hated it so much, any pity she may have had for his irrational fear was wiped clean by the look on his face. She swerved herself into his line of vision with a sly smile that lit up her eyes like healing water

" Oh come on, a brave warrior who fought the firenation can't possibly be afraid of looking foolish on a dance floor." She held both of his hands now carefully walking backwards leading him to a roomy spot on the dance floor. She moved his hand to her waist and despite his apprehension she tucked her body up to his and positioned her hands in their place.

It was uncommon for the woman to lead but she did anyway moving both of them with the dance and following the lead of the people around them. She pulled away from him and twirled just for her own amusement before taking both of his hands and stepping in towards him with the beat of the song.

Dancing was just her style, energetic and expressive, you could be wild and crazy and called original all in good fun. "besides" she began taking a step away from him and moving herself around him expecting him to do the same seeing as she still held his hands.

" No ones going to laugh at you, they'll just wonder who the crazy girl is dancing with the warrior"

[nati]

“Nati, darling! Have you done your hair yet?” Luqen shouted from downstairs. Nati was knelt in front of her small desk, the mirror propped up against the wall, wondering what on earth she should do with her hair. The wave of russet spilt around her shoulders, almost down to her hips. She issued a firm sigh to her reflection, and called over her shoulder.

“Not exactly!” Her frustration was clear enough. She didn’t have a clue how to style if for the celebration, her normal braids would be too plain, something with more beads and slides and clips…spirits she hated trying to make up her mind for this sort of thing. Secretly she hated having her hair up, it showed too much of her neck and her hideous birthmark. She glanced at the new robes spread out carefully on her bed, and the beautiful underskirt to go with it.

Luqen’s soft hands with suddenly running over her head, and slowly her mother knelt next to her. The goodbye had not been formal, it had not even been spoken between mother and daughter, but they both sadly knew, Nati was going away, possibly for good.

“Your hair’s quite long and heavy; nothing too fancy or it’ll all come tumbling out…..” Luqen muttered. “You need to show off that lovely neck of yours, let the warriors know you’re not married…”

“Mother!” Nati groaned. Not that subject again. Couldn’t they be happy with her choice? Being a Master healer was respectable in its self. Maybe they wanted her married so she would stay home.

Eventually the pair decided on a hairstyle that was elegant, and something she could take out later by herself. Nati watched her mother coming out sections of hair and carfully pinning some into a bun at the back of her head, and then plaiting hair ‘loops’ from her temples to join the bun at the back of her head. The rest of her hair was left tumbling loose around her shoulders.

“Thanks Mum.” Nati whispered, touching her eyes carefully, trying to avoid too many tears, or the pair of them would never stop. “I’ll get changed now.”

“Alright love, we’ll be downstairs.” Luqen stood up slowly, and walked carefully on her injured leg, often leaning against the wall for support. Nati slipped on first layer of her underskirt, soft lavender which almost seamed to float, which would peak out from under the overskirt that held wide slits it, coloured a darker purple. She wore a top of soft cream with long sleeves which clung tightly edged with soft white fur, and over this she secured a bell sleeved robe of plum, the colour and cuffs decorated with the soft wave pattern, the sleeves stopped elegantly at her elbows, the length of the robe finished at mid thigh length, but was cut so it curved outwards from the waist down, settling softly on her skirts. The finishing touch was a deep waistband, embroidered with the phases of the mood, a midnight blue background and the soft white of the moons standing out.

Sighing, Nati felt as ready as she ever would. She held herself elegantly and demurely as any Water Tribe woman, yet there was something different in her eyes, a determination, a strength of character ready to be tested.

Kian paced about downstairs, his hair combed and swept back from his forehead in its typical wolf tail, his warrior uniform neat, over all he looked striking and presentable. Most of all he looked excited. His duty of recruiting soldiers had gone better than he had planned, friends, some family, and then steadily a flock of people came to him for information, names taken, now there seemed to be too many to count for Kian to keep up with. Kian helped Nati into the heavy cloak, pulling the hood up around her face, the pair stood silently, tensely as they waited for their parents to hurry up.

Finaly, their parents were ready, dressed up for the occasion, the wealth of the Qatichii family was shown through their dress more so than normally. The streets were full of people, more than Nati ever remembered and thought there could be in Shai City, yet so many of her Water Tribe brethren were pouring out into the streets, alive with song and music. A smile came to lips and lifted her weary, dreading heart.
Hands buried in the safety of a thick muff, her cheeks coloured a soft pink from the thrill of the night and excitement. In the crowd she spotted friends and family, waved, smiled, laughed and chatted with them. Kian kept her company, as if he was worried she’d run off or something silly like that.

Suddenly, in the crowd she spotted a familiar –noble- face, Miss Ukaleq, the quiet Chieftains’ daughter who had visited the Huts only a short while ago. Kian briefly tapped her on the shoulder, gesturing that he had seen Saghani, and was probably going to cosy up to him for a promotion or something as such. Inwardly rolling her eyes, Nati carried on forward to gently approach Miss Ukaleq.

The young noblewoman made Nati feel almost shabby, her clothes seemed to become her so well, colours matched beautifully, and she felt a small sting of how, demure and classical beautiful Ukaleq was. Never mind for petty jealousies, she wouldn’t have the space or time for that in the new stage of her life.

“Chieftan Ulloriaq, Miss Ulloriaq!” Nati exclaimed, bowing her head in all respect due to their station. Her parents soon followed behind, her father Yakone inclined his head towards the Chieften and his daughter.

“Greetings!” His voice rumbled warmly. Yakone was a tall man, the years of good eating thickening his frame with a rounded belly, thick arms and well filled out cheeks, his beard was only starting to thin and streak with a little grey, his large moustache hiding all but his lower lip. “I pray the Spirits find you well on such a fine day?”

Nati smiled warmly at Miss Ukaleq, it was nice to see her again, and convey her concern about her injured brother and wishes that her mother was well.

[Nanuk]

Hebirei, as of late, had taken to wandering the streets of Shai, be it day or night. Any of his free time was dedicated to simple walks out in the city, mostly just time for him to think. Of course, he had heard of the celebration event that would occur that night, but he didn't realize that night had really set in until he noticed the sheer number of people on the streets. He looked down on his clothes, not exactly festive, just his basic parka, pants, boots, gloves, and belt. Then again, the only other festive thing he owned was his betrothal outfit, and he would rather burn that than see it again. He looked ahead of him, where a large gathering of people was, and he could hear very festive music, along with see a bit of commotion, that he could only assume was dancing.

As he got closer, his assumption was assured, but there was no chance of him joining in anytime soon, so he made a wide arc around the dancing people. His mood was lifted significantly at seeing the tribe so happy and festive, but that was quickly negated at seeing his older brother, Nu-Doru, in the crowd, not far away. He suddenly took on a much more grumpy mindset, and attempted to manuver himself away from Nu-Doru. Keeping his eye on the man at all times, he began weaving his way through the people, nudging people here and there, and eventually, he had emerged from the mass of tightly packed people.

He still found his sights focused on Nu-Doru, and it seemed, luckily, that he hadn't seen Hebirei just yet. One side-effect of Hebirei's constant watch on his brother, was that he wasn't looking where he was going, and walked right into Nati Qatichii. It's not like he was going top speed or anything, but it was still embarrassing, and he quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry, Healer Nati, please forgive me for running into you." Although him meeting her here was pure chance, she seemed like one of the people who would be able to hold a conversation with him that wouldn't lead him into more depression, so he chose to stay and perhaps strike conversation, that is, assuming that she forgave him.

[aden]

" Oh come on, a brave warrior who fought the firenation can't possibly be afraid of looking foolish on a dance floor."

"You'd be surprisded," Aden muttered quietly as he found himself dragged through the crowd. She eventually came to a stop and started sidling into a dancing position in front of him. Aden tried to be a good sport, but his heart was pounding fast enough to make him think he had just come off the battlefield. Desna began to step to the beat of the drums, but Aden's feet remained frozen to the ground and he barely attempted to even sway side to side.

Aden looked away, feeling quite embarassed especially by the twirl, and when she came back around he released her hand and took a step back. His hand went up and impulsively fiddled with one of his side-braids, as he tried to bring the escapades to a halt. "I think I may just watch for now," he said, his face turning a shade of red despite his dark complexion.

"I'm making you look bad more than you're making me look good," he tried to explain, offering some sort of reason that would be less likely to hurt her feelings. In truth, he just felt so uncomfortable in this situation that he was ready to run.

[desna]

She was forced to stop and it was a bit confusing. She looked to Aden for a reason that he wasn't moving and found little explanation, honestly how could someone go into battle against trained firenation soldiers and not be able to face a dance floor full of children. With a small huff of breath she decided it best not to aggravate him, if she kept being perky and happy he might come around to her way of thinking so she put on a smile and kept hold of at least one of his hands to make sure he didn't run.

Honestly Aden was fun, a little boring and predictable, she'd felt that since she'd first met him he'd been progressively coming out of his shell but he was stubborn It was admirable, but annoying. " honestly I doubt you could make me look bad." She smirked at him and flipped a lock of her hair with her now free hand. "After all I am the most beautiful girl in the water tribe." It was obvious she was lying, she was far from it, with so many busty curvy things running around she was average at best, perhaps a couple of years ago she could have been a contender but she'd gotten skinny and lopped her hair off, now she even dressed like a boy more often then not.

" Listen." thinking logically, Aden was a practical man, he would be swayed by reason, and more specifically a bribe. " Dance with me and I'll owe you one favor and I'll do it, no questions asked, no complaints." She smiled brightly, her pale white teeth peeking through under her mocha rose tinted lips. " I'll even make you dinner if you want me to."

[chamir]

Can not find quality like this in the Earth Kingdom, Chamir comfortably stretched, feeling the densely woven cornflower blue longjohns hug tightly against his body. Then again not too many face necessity to warrant such adept work, admiring his recent purchase that had freed him from needing a parka for the current moment in time. It was afterall, the middle of the day, judging by way of shadows and the sun's position in the sky.

He swung the leather rope from over his shoulder then set down a clattering mass of headsized leather pouches before sitting down himself. Knee-high, basic brown seal-hide boots slid under him as he crossed his legs, settling atop a fur pillow atop a larger fur mat that a rotating cast of the city's musicians would be occupying through out the rest of the day.

He fixed the long, white cloth around his neck used for a scarf currently and letting spirals of hair dangle and dance about his head. He next straightened his azure caftan over trousers of the same colour and had to admit that even if the Earth Kingdom lack when it came to longjohns they had ability in other forms of clothing as attested to his thick cotton, azure caftan with its thigh length and loose sleeves and white trim. Embroidered in lemon yellow on each buttonhole of his caftan was a different phase of the moon, beginning and ending with the new moon. The buttons over on his right while there are side slits beginning at the waist down to the attire’s length. While the sleeves themselves were embroidered with sky blue waves that spiral clockwise inward; often rolled up when playing the pipa that sat beside him.

Greeting some of the musicians and singers whose talents were, for now, unhindered by attending to the current dance number, stone bowls and leather pouches were passed between them.

"Today is a celebration," one of them said to another's protest.

"And we have allllll day," Chamir chimed in, tasking himself between serving and scanning faces in the crowd. A cherubicly devious smile split his lips apart.

[sokka]

Shona walked around and greeted a few people he knew. Kokomi joined him and scolded him.

"Daddy! You should be working!!" Shona mearly laughed as passed by a few vendors. "I should, yes, but today I wish to celebrate." Not please Kokomi stayed her father's side. Walking passed everything, Kokomi waved to Nati who was with a noble woman and a young boy..Hebi something? Shona noticed a man with a head dress. Lifting his hand her greeted Chamir.
"Oi! I've seen you around! Chamir is it?"

[nati]

Nati was about to address Miss Ukaleq directly, when she felt someone nudge her slightly, at the most bumping into her gently. Not greatly startled, she turned her azure eyes to find young Hebirei looking embarrassed at having ran into her. Her smile was instant and affectionate, she held the young healer in high esteem. The next thing which shocked her was that he used her official title ‘Healer’! She felt a dry chuckle in her throat, he didn’t need to be so formal with her! She was soon to he his tutor very soon! Nati with drew a hand from her muff and placed it on his shoulder.

“Of course I forgive you Hebirei!” Nati smiled. “I’ve seen and had much worse offenses in my time. And please, you know to call me Nati, or Miss Nati if you really want to, but it’s not so much of a formal occasion.”

The air was cold to her ungloved hand, and she had to bury it back into the warmth of her muff.

“You’re looking better, I think I last saw you a while back,” Nati pondered for a moment, trying to count where the days and weeks had slipped. “probably just right after the Frigate was brought in…how have you been?”

[ukaleq]

Qillaq smiled at the young woman, a healer that he knew from his wife, Naylee. He closed his eyes, incling his head towards her gently, a smile pushing the corners of his wide and plump mouth. The lines around his eyes crinkled with pleasure, the bright stormy sky blue of his eyes sparkling as he smiled at the daughter of the Qatichii family. He knew her father a bit. "It is a pleasure to see you out and about.. I have heard you will be traveling with the healers south to our sister tribe."

"..hello Healer Nati." Ukaleq spoke softly, bowing her head to her as was proper. Lifting her eyes with a smile, the noblewoman had to admire the gown the older woman wore. It was very decorative with it's layering colors and embroidered sleeves and belt.. perfect for a woman of her family's status and of her marital status. Her own parka was richly decorated.. the new metal ornaments that she had been saving for an important occasion added to it just last night. Underneath the thick winter coat, she wore a new gown but it was still a bit to chilled for her to discard her parka. She glance up at her father, snuggling into the bright white fur of her hood, gazing up through the soft tendrils of hair that hung from her face.

Qillaq himself had just spotted a fellow chieftain, a member of the Chief's council speaking to more of the celebrated warriors who were to leave their village. Was it a good move? The council had been discussing it for weeks now. They were loosing a good chunk of their warrior forces.. leaving them vulnerable to Fire Nation attacks. It was risky.. but also.. it was for the best of the tribe, their relations with the Earth Kingdom and their Southern Brethen. His eyes turned back to the older healer, the pleasant smile on his face changing into a frown hidden by his salt and pepper beard as a stumbling youth.. a boy perhaps not even old enough had the audacity to bump into the Miss Qatichii. He turned to Ukaleq, whose dark eyes were watching the two healers interact with great interest, an amused smile on her raspberry colored lips. He bent down a bit to whisper in her ear.. that he was to join the other chieftain and that she could explore the festival as she wanted.

This drew a bit of a wide-eyed reaction from Ukaleq who turned her face towards her father with a solemn nod. He squeezed her shoulder gently, running his thumb over the three tails of white fur that hung from the shoulder's hem. With that, the tall, burly bear of a chieftain was gone from her side, leaving Ukaleq feeling very much.. alone. Blinking, she turned her attention to Nati and the young man. Hebirei, was it? How did he know Nati? A friend of the family's son? He looked young.. wait. He was.. the boy who the Harta girl was to marry. The gentle smile dripped from his face as she lifted her eyebrows, watching them converse. She had heard barely anything except that it had been.. called off. That poor girl.. She took a breath, smoothing out the features on her round-face once more, listening and watching the two healers solemnly.

[aden]

Aden managed a slight chuckle at Desna's claim to beauty. It wasn't as though he thought her ugly by any means, but that sort of exaggerated self-confidence reminded him of his father's sense of humor. He scratched at his nose for a moment and glanced around them at the cluster of people who all seemed to be having a fun time dancing. It almost made him feel worse about wanting to leave, but just couldn't get over the feeling of foolishness he knew would come if he gave in to Desna's request.

"Really," he said, after raising a questioning eyebrow at Desna's proposition, "When I said I don't usually dance, I was trying to say that I don't dance... ever." Aden tried his best to keep from sounding discouraging. He truly hated that he'd even allowed himself to be put into this predicament, and he didn't feel like hurting Desnas feelings... But neither did he feel like making a fool of himself in public.

At that point he simply decided to make for safer ground. Aden took a step away from Desna and half-turned to signal his desire to retreat. "I'm sorry," he said, "Maybe we can continue this conversation away from the dance floor?"

[desna]

Desna held his hand firmly prepared to use what little force she could muster to keep him in place. She wasn't a spoiled child but when she didn't get her way she was often the type to go after what she wanted with renewed ambition. She tugged him back towards her and took his other hand moving a step into him sending a semi playful, semi pleading look up at him. No wonder his father was so entertained, getting Aden to do this one simple task was turning out to be tougher than taming a wild arctic sloth!

" No I'm sorry." She stated matter-of-factly watching his expressions carefully trying to read him better than she had been up to this point. Again she found herself somewhat mystified by his tundra blue eyes, they were stunning, she'd never seen anything like them before but it was either here nor there but she didn't know why her cheeks were tinting a slight shade of pink, Must have been the cold.

" One dance." If nothing else she was persistent, and this time she was serious. It was difficult to be serious and threatening when the boy you were trying to intimidate was taller than you were. " For me?" Now she used a bit of her 'charm' if one could call it that, it seemed more pleading than anything as she attempted to hold him in place.

[chamir]

"Chamir it isssss," also raising his hand in greeting then shaking the man's hand, though not quite remembering who the man was. Not his name at least but he remembered drinking with this man and many others a few nights ago in celebration.

"Ah, Shona. Shona," he said upon being told the man's name, leaning close to hear him over the singers and musicians just before it was slowing to an end. "You'll have to excuse me for a moment," then telling him, "I'm performing the next song," nodding his departure before rising to his feet.

Chamir launched himself towards the raised stage's center where most of the city's musicians would be gathering and departing from for the rest of the celebration. He bounced his way over in the jaunty pace of his upcoming tune, playing the notes in his head. Three high rising and two low stamps. And all the while he smiled and waved to the crowd, personally acknowledging a few recognized faces amongst them such as Nati, Aden--oh how he smiled in Aden's direction--Saghani and others.

"Too early!" Raising his hands to either side while his pipa leaned against his leg. "Too early for a good owl-rabbit dance," referring to a traditional couples' dance where a woman would ask a man to dance. Technically he wasn't to refuse her request but if he did he was at the mercy of one wish from her along with announcing to the entire crowd as to why he refused. "But I see a lot of hunters already snaring their men ahead of time," smiling.

"So what say we have a warm-up song. Men, don't be nervous and don't be shy--you've faced ice-dodging and that barbarian horde at least twice, now don't fret before a greater challenge," he gave a short, bursting laugh then began into his performance.

"Lalalaaaa," then quickly stamping his feet and repeating a second time before strumming his pipa to better illustrate the melody the other musicians then picked up on.

"Regard her," he sang, "She may not carry herself to war, but a child she can bear and raise instead. Does such not deserve your respect and gratitude?"

Dance partners began reaching for one another, two stepping with the lower beats as they moved counterclockwise about the dance floor. On cue, mainly drummers, the other musicians in this performace sang chorus. "Brother, listen up! Tall as you are, taller is she. You can claim the now but a she will always hold the future."

"Look and see," Chamir picked up again after the chorus sang a second time, "how so many tears spill for you over your battles. But you can not find a drop of blood from her. As broken as you are she must always mend you. Can this alone be worth some of your admiration?" He bounced and rocked side to side as his own feet danced with crowd and the chorus chimed in again.

"Ooooooh Oooohooo-oooh," Chamir and the musicians began, the steady melody they played began to become faster and more emphatic, "brother take heed and regard. Tall as you'll ever be," they all sang, "she shall always be taller as mother to child. Be kind and be proud, this woman is the future of all!"

From there came a sudden shout and their instruments burst into a mass of polyrhythmic flourishes as the song began had now ran its course and was now wounding down.

[sokka]

Shaking Chamir's hand he bowed once he remembered his name, Chamir warned Shona that he was going to start playing a song. Nodding he let the musican take his pipa started a tune the rest of the players follow suit. Now if there is one thing the fisherman loved next to warm pile of furs with is wife is a good song. Kokomi stood with him and clap to the beat of the song.

Shona watch women ask men to dance with them as Chamir sang nobley as Shona moved with the beat shouting in time with the other men. He noticed a young couple, the boy looked familar. Oh that was Aden

Shona sang long at the end as Chamir continued with the musicans with a flourish.