EVENT: Iksay Harvest Festival

[1000_npcs]

The day of the Harvest Festival has fallen upon Iksay, and the atmosphere has never felt more cheery for such an early noon. As one would expect of the traditional festival, extensive preparations have been made, and it's the first time in a long while that anyone has seen Iksay brimming with such energy ever since it got raided in that fateful surprise attack.

Upon entering the small village, one would immediately notice the colourful decorations, as well as the banquet in the town center. The sound of upbeat music can be heard louder with each step taken towards the festivities. The townspeople are friendly to outsiders, but watch out, you might get whisked away in an impromptu dance -- traditional Iksay folk dancers are known to swap partners on several occasions mid-song!

Comments

[duke_of_hazard]

[ Walking out of the dancing crowd with some ale in hand, laughing as if he just heard the funniest joke. ]

--Oh! Miss Jeane!!

[charming_chiketsu]

Hello there, Duke. You look to be enjoying yourself.

[duke_of_hazard]

Hah! I may not look it, but I do enjoy a good party -- especially if there's booze and music! Speaking of which, can I get you some?

[charming_chiketsu]

Oh, you don't have to. I'm such a light weight.

Since you like to party, maybe you'd care for a dance?

[duke_of_hazard]

With you? Well, damn, this must be my lucky day! Word of warning, though, when it comes to clogging and stomping, there's nobody more fierce than old Duke!! [ Even dancing is a competition to him. ]

[charming_chiketsu]

Oh my, I don't doubt your claims, but I hope pe I can keep up. [Saunters up closer to him and hooks an arm to his.] Try to be gentle with me? ♥

[duke_of_hazard]

[ Skulls the rest of his ale and sets his mug on the nearby table with great vigor, almost breaking the table if not the tankard. ]

Gwahaha!! If my mom could see me dancing with such a posh lady, I'd never hear the end of it!

[ Despite her request to be gentle, he boorishly yanks the Rune Sage with him, leading them to the centre of the dance area! ]

[charming_chiketsu]

How enthusiastic!

[Giggles while being swept away to the dance floor.]

[duke_of_hazard]

Wooohoooooooo!!

[ Once they're among the dancing crowd, he takes both her hands and holds them up, his feet trying to out-tap all the other dancers around them. He seems quite skilled! ]

Now I'm really fired up!! Do you think they'll hold some kind of contest later in the evening?

[charming_chiketsu]

[Surprised by his ability. She goes along with him just enjoying him leading.]

Even at a party, you like a good competition. If they do have one, I think you just may have a shot at first place. Tee hee!

[duke_of_hazard]

Heheh, would I deserve a prize from you if I won?

[charming_chiketsu]

Wouldn't you like to know. ♥

[duke_of_hazard]

Hah! Miss Jeane, you continue to intrigue me!

[ He twirls her as they swap positions, continuing to clog away. ]

Your dancing ain't bad either, did you learn as a kid, too?

[charming_chiketsu]

It was such a long time ago, I can't really recall.

[Twirls with ease.]

I take it you were excitable and lively as a child then, too?

[duke_of_hazard]

I grew up in a small village before I moved to Harmonia. Not unlike this one, really, full of traditions and merrymaking. This dance... it's just something you pick up at an early age, I guess!

But fighting! Fighting is my TRUE talent!! [ Talking to her as if she didn't know that already, he's really just tooting his own horn right now. ] You should have seen me split a bone soldier in half with my blade -- just around the time Geddoe begged me to rescue him!

[charming_chiketsu]

Mm. It sounds like such a charming village and nice childhood. I'm envious~

[Giggles at his story.] Oh really now? That is quite the feat. Perhaps I'll ask Geddoe about it when I see him.

[duke_of_hazard]

Hell, I'd take you to the village, but there really ain't much. And like I said, my mom is still there and she'd think I found a wife!!

As for Geddoe, if you do see him and he denies it, just make sure to mention Mt. Senai. ... And then tell him, uh.. "Duke sends his regards"! Yeah, that will freak him out even more on top of Shaggy's message~!

[charming_chiketsu]

I'll be sure to bring it up just for you.

Is the exciting mercenary life keeping you from settling down?

[duke_of_hazard]

Just staying in one place every day until I die? It would be like living inside a coffin! Then again, I could do worse than a stunner like you! But, nah... I'm married to my sword.

[charming_chiketsu]

There's one thing we have in common. Being able to travel about freely is a luxury I don't think I could part with.

[duke_of_hazard]

See? And they call settling down the "simple life", but to me, there's nothing more simple than this!

[ The music slowly quiets down again while the musicians catch a break and all the dancers disperse until the next round. ]

Well, I suppose that concludes our little tryst.

[charming_chiketsu]

It seems so. I enjoyed myself. You're quite the dancer, Mr. Mercenary Captain. [Gives him an appreciative peck on the cheek and slight curtsey.] I hope we can do it again sometime.

[duke_of_hazard]

[ Although he's no stranger to kisses, getting one from a goddess like Jeane is enough for him to perk up like a schoolboy. ]

G'aw, shucks, Miss Rune Sage, don't go puttin' any spells on me now!