conjuredskies | (Reply)

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Felix leans into his touch as much as he can, smiling at his work. "Exactly. I always find you have an advantage if you can restrain yourself from getting too drunk early on..."

It won't take long to finish off the kites, and then they stop to take their time over a light supper of chicken broth before they head into the city proper. They might dawdle longer - and Marcella wonders openly if Jim and Felix don't want to rest first - but Felix points out it's Jim's first visit. There's so much he might want to see, and they should try to get a decent view of the ceremonies before the crowd fills out.

So with the afternoon winding on, all four of them join the crowds crossing the long white bridge to the city gate. No carts or animals make the crossing with them, not even horses for the nobles. Imperial cities are livestock-free zones, normally, which does wonders for the state of the streets. The paving stones are downright clean-looking. Banners have been fixed along the guard walls at either side of the bridge, streaming in bright red and gold.

They've all had a chance to change into party clothes if required: Marcella's left her spotted and soot-darkened apron behind for a russet-colored dress that still has a hint of practicality to its cut. At least compared to the more extravagant outfits around them. They're joined by a new friend at the beginning of the bridge: an Orc woman with raw features, green skin and a pair of small tusks jutting up from her lower jaw. She's wearing a dress about as nicely made as Marcella's, though it's even less showy: sturdy, no-nonsense red wool.

"Jim, this is Ushug gra-Gruzbura," Marcella says, with a heartfelt smile to the woman. "My mentor and business partner. Ushug, this is Jim Kirk. Felix brought him to visit with us for the festival."

"It's good to see you again, Ushug." Felix grins at her.

"Glad to see you finally dragged your tail home, boy. And you look like you're in one piece, too." Despite the rough tone, there's something like honest affection in the way she scrutinizes him before turning that sharp look on Jim. If Marcella's wary of new people, it's very clear where she got that habit from.