[EVENT] Flower Festival - Spring 1

[theexecutionofallthings]

((I figure this can be an icebreaker type post. All are welcome to celebrate, talk, get to know each other, etc. No rules for this festival, post at your leisure!))

Stillwater was particularly colorful when the first of spring came around. Different types of flowers decorated the buildings, beautiful banners strung from rooftop to rooftop. Oh yes, Stillwater went all out when it came to festivals.

In the center of town square, Anders stood at a podium, leaning haphazardly on the oak. Any minute now the festivities would start. A gorgeous flower viewing, a wonderful parade, and of course, stalls full of food and flowers to purchase. Running a hand through his hair, the mayor straightened himself, adjusting his tie with a friendly smile. The clock struck noon and music began to float from the nearby band. Petals fell softly from what seemed like the heavens, scattering beauty all over the cobblestone streets.

Esther, the town hall receptionist, stood to the side with pamphlets full of information tucked under her arm.

Comments

[steeljackal]

Both Flowerworks and Steele's Smithy were closed today - why? Because it was a holiday. Given his occupation, Hadrian actually had no problem closing the shops down for the annual Flower Festival. He had planned to help his little sister run their flower stall this year - but the girl had refused! She could do it herself, she'd said, so here he was, milling around the town square trying not to look too obvious in keeping an eye on the young girl running the stall several meters away.

quietly hogs hadrian : |

[tearoselibrarian]

Oh yes, this was definitely Rosalynn's festival. Hidden behind several stacks of thick books, the librarian manned her stall with a warm grin. Books containing information on every flower you could imagine were for sale, as well as some stories pertaining to wildlife.

The woman sat with a cup of tea, sipping it gingerly before she noticed her friend up ahead. Waving slightly, she acknowledged him, not wanting to embarrass either of them by calling him out.

Re: quietly hogs hadrian : |

[steeljackal]

Hadrian's eyes were blandly scanning the crowd. He was not subtle in his people watching, and his gaze more often than not fell on his little sister. Stubborn thing that she was, she refused his help – it was cute in a way, but every so often she'd catch his gaze and make a shooing motion at him all with a dreamy smile on her face. The man let out a resigned sigh as said event happened yet again, and he turned his back on the flower stand (FOR NOW)- Oh, a certain pink haired woman was waving at him, instead!

Both of his brows rose, and although his expression stayed rather bland, he did tuck his hands into his pockets and move over to Rosalynn's stand. “Hey. How's business?” That could be taken as enthusiasm, from a guy like Hadrian!

Re: quietly hogs hadrian : |

[tearoselibrarian]

A small smile tugging at the corner of her lips, Rosalynn nodded. "Exceptionally well, actually." Festivals always put people in a generous mood, and that was perfect for a struggling librarian. She'd sold several books on the flowers townsfolk had purchased from Pamela. It was really a win-win situation. "Is she doing well? Can't help but notice you staring her down like a hawk."

[steeljackal]

“…That obvious?” Of course it was, Hadrian. Not only did he stand the heck out in a crowd, but he was not subtle when it came to people watching. “She’s fine. Stubborn. Too warm out for her.” Both of his hands tucked into his pockets, and Rosa would probably be able to detect a slightly grumpy air about him, beneath the dull expression, about this topic.

Come meet Vicky, yo!

[tendersugar]

Victoria Smith, medic and nurse extraordinaire, had only been back in town for a few short weeks. She'd gotten her job at the clinic in a cinch and had managed to get herself a small little house near by with her money from the army. Fortunately the brunette (dressed in arguably her nicest summer dress) had arrived home just in time for the Flower Festival, her absolute favorite annual Stillwater festival!

"Morning!" She called chipperly to the town hall receptionist as she helped herself to a pamphlet. "Sure is pretty, isn't it?"

Re: Come meet Vicky, yo!

[paintspeeling]

Esther was most likely the only person in town who'd rather be off doing something else. Stillwater ate up festivals like candy, though they weren't her thing at all. Passing a pamphlet to the town nurse... err.... Vicky, wasn't it? Esther ran a hand through her hair with a small nod.

"Rather bright. Welcome back."

Re: Come meet Vicky, yo!

[tendersugar]

"Thanks!" She smiled and flicked through the pamphlet after wetting her thumb, humming absently to herself as she did so. "Yea, I guess it's pretty bright - you look a little bored."

Re: Come meet Vicky, yo!

[paintspeeling]

Esther kept a watchful eye on Anders, knowing he got a bit too overenthusiastic at these things. The mayor seemed safe enough, so she turned back to Vicky. "D'just rather be doing something else, to be completely honest."

Re: Come meet Vicky, yo!

[tendersugar]

"Hmmm.." Victoria didn't know Esther very well, if at all, considering how 'new' she was in town (being gone for seven years tended to leave you as a blank in peoples memories), but she was completely open to making new friends. That in mind, she shot the red head a happy smile. "Say! Want a hot dog or something? Since you're kinda bored, I figure it's the least I can do. Hotdog and something to drink. My treat!"

flowerworks flower stall

[paintedpetals]

The little waif of a girl had been in the townsquare since very early morning, setting up the flower-stall. The flowerstall she was very proud to call her own. Pamela was stubborn to a fault when it came to doing things herself, and had refused help from her brother, and from everyone. Today, the Flower Fest, was one of her good days, and she was old enough (darnit!! Said with a foot stomp!!) to sell flowers on her own.

Her ridiculously long black hair was tied neatly back into a loose pony tail, and her usual white summer dress hung off her frame like there was really nothing to her. A cute little summer hat, a red ribbon swaying in the wind from the side of it, sat upon her head as she people watched from behind the stall.

Her and Hadrian had gone all out. Bouquets of every type, size, and colour lined the little stall. Prices ranged from expensive to cheap!

Re: flowerworks flower stall

[goodeyesniper]

Festivals like this were usually just day that he didn't have to open the shop... Cliff usually spent such days either in the bar while it was nice and empty or in his home reading. This one in particular however, Pamela had gone and asked him (more like begged him) to come and he couldn't say no to that. He'd buy some flowers, stay long enough to say he came, and then leave. That sounded like a plan, right?

With that plan in mind, he approached the flower stall in just about the same thing he always wore. Looked like Cliff didn't dress up for stuff like this! He was trying to tune out the music and ignore the whole meat of the festival, so... Rather than approach the counter, the man headed around the back of the stall and whistled to get Pamela's attention. "Bet you didn't think I'd show up, huh?"

[paintedpetals]

Pamela had a little stool set up behind the stall - she couldn't stand the entire time she was there, after all! At that moment she was seated neatly on it, hands folded over her lap, and the brim of her large summer hat flopping slightly over her eyes. Oho, looked like she was dozing off a tad!

The girl gave a small blink when an awfully familiar voice whispered to her, and then she gave a sunny little smile. "Clifford...! Good morning~~.. I bet Hadrian you'd come..!"

[goodeyesniper]

"Oh yeah? Hope you won a lot of money in that bet, then." Cliff chose not to point out the fact that she was clearly having a sitting-up-nap when he approached. Instead he stepped behind the counter with her, peering out at the slowly gathering mass of people. "Looks like you're gonna get a fair bit of business today, doesn't it? Bit unlike your brother to not be here helping you with that."

[goodeyesniper]

Festivals. Feh! Cliff wasn't a fan, but he'd come here to see one particular little girl who'd begged practically on her knees for him to show up. He had a pretty scowl-y personality, which might threaten to ruin the mood and atmosphere, but thankfully wasn't very vocal... Meaning he wasn't about to tell someone /not/ to have a good time, or anything. He stepped onto the cobble street right as the clock struck noon!

Doing his best to avoid the small crowd, he circled around the side... And nearly ran right into Esther. Cliff's side nudged into hers while he snuck his way around, and he stepped back with a squint. "... Stuck handing out papers, are you?"

[paintspeeling]

This wasn't exactly her favourite part of the job, but what can you do. At least she'd be off by herself and less likely to bump into-- Ow. Jerking her fiery gaze up, Esther wiggled her tongue in her cheek. Biting back a few choice words, she let out a little grunt. "Always." Offering him a decorative page, the girl didn't really expect him to take it. "Nothin' else to do but watch this thing go down in flames, huh?"

[goodeyesniper]

Much to her surprise he did, and even casually read through the thing while they spoke. "Guess so. Something always messes up, that's part of the fun. Like watching a wheelbarrow race, someone always ends up face-down in the mud." Cliff snickered while he mapped out the place in his head... Namely figuring out what would be popular and therefore what to /avoid/. "Getting paid for this job at least?"

[paintspeeling]

Setting the rest of the pamphlets down on a nearby barrel, Esther pulled her hair back, the heat just enough to be annoying. "Exactly. One minute it's a hell of a ride and the next, the Mayor's one with the earth."

When he mentioned getting paid, the girl grimaced. "Not a dime. It's 'required volunteer work.' Which is also Mayor Wright's way of saying 'you're not getting paid and go draw some fliers.'"

[firedog]

Isaac was making his seasonal extended appearance in town - to no one's surprise he could be seen turning away from one of those food stalls with a few cookies wrapped in a napkin. He couldn't help a glance towards the town's entrance, however. He'd left the dogs with the explicit command of "guard", which should bring one running at the first sign of trouble. Even with his horse tied up at the entrance for a quick return, he found himself worrying.

But with no agitated canine in sight, Isaac tried to force himself to relax. He plucked nervously at the cuffs of his best shirt before setting off through the crowd, scanning for a familiar face. Or a non-familiar one!

[paintspeeling]

Approaching Isaac as instructed ('Greet everyone!' the mayor'd said), Esther held out a neatly folded pamphlet. "Welcome to the Flower Festival. Here's some information on the events, and if you 'ave any questions you can direct them at me or the mayor." Pointing a slender finger in Anders' direction, she nodded solemnly.

[firedog]

Isaac didn't see her coming, or more precisely, saw her but didn't expect her to hail him. It was an unthinking reflex to accept the pamphlet and say, "Thank you, Miss-" and that's where the reaction ground to a halt. If he knew her name, he surely couldn't remember it in this moment. "-Ah, sorry."

[paintspeeling]

"Rhodes. Esther." She didn't seem particularly bothered by his pause. She'd been out of town for about a month, and even then Esther wasn't quite sure they'd met. "I work at the town hall, y'know?" Jabbing her thumb in its general direction, she grinned. "And you are?"

[paintedpetals]

It looked like Isaac was going to get more than one greeting this trip to town, because there was a young girl drifting toward him like she was being carried on a breeze. In her hands she was clutching a bouquet of flowers, and on her face she was wearing a sleepy little smile. When she reached the rancher, she tugged lightly on his shirt, and then flourished the flowers at him - tiger lilies!

"For youu~.." She had a dreamy way of talking,too!

[firedog]

Isaac's surprise was clearly written all over his face when he felt that tug, the emotion shifting quickly into confusion - what? small child? flowers? for him? - but well... it was the Flower Festival, after all.

"Oh, thank you," he said, starting to smile. Flowers were not entirely his thing, but he couldn't deny that they were pretty. "Did you grow them yourself?" And as he started to take the flowers, he remembered what he had in his hand. "And would you like a cookie?" he offered as he held them out to her. Looked like chocolate chip!

[paintedpetals]

The girl gave him a dreamy sort of smile. It seemed like she was swaying slightly, like she’d fall over at any minute! “No thank youu~.. I already ate. That’ll be three dollars, please~. For the flowers~~..” Wait, what?!