[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

[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?"

[firedog]

He relaxed slightly, relieved that he apparently hadn't gaffed. "Nice to meet you, Miss Rhodes. I'm Isaac Bowden; I run Firedog Ranch." He was proud of that, and it showed in his voice. "'fraid that means I don't spend much time around town hall."

[paintspeeling]

"S'a pleasure." A friendly grin followed as she shook his hand firmly. Uncomfortably shifting, she opted for throwing some fliers on the ground. If people wanted them, they'd pick them up. "Ahhh that makes sense. Well, it's nice to see you here."

[firedog]

He blinked as she tossed the flyers down. Oh. Okay. Well, whatever worked best, he supposed. "Good to see some different scenery, believe me." His life was definitely one of routine! This was a pleasant break. "-Oh, though does the festival end at a specific time? Or just when everybody wanders home?"

[paintspeeling]

Esther nodded, tossing a few more fliers at some townsfolk. Classy! "Well," Leaning in, she quickly closed the gap between them. "Between you and me..." why was she whispering? Kinda creepy. "... it's pretty much whenever everyone goes home. Even though the flier has a set time." Shrugging, Esther slinked back to a comfortable personal space level.

[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?!