Two hours before the event

The air is crisp and clear on this autumnal day. There is a slight chill, but it should warm on the afternoon. The celebration is beginning to enter full swing as the vendors have finished setting up their stalls. There is the aroma of spiced cider and fresh tarts fill the air. Children laugh and play in the square. A fiddler is playing a jovial tune to match the feeling in the air. Games of chance are being constructed down one avenue. The only thing that detracts from the mood are the dark gray storm clouds to the south.

Well, not the clouds themselves, but how the older villagers stop and stare at them. The clouds ring the mountains that form the border between the peninsula and the mainland far to the south. The mountains are a six day overland journey from Uncegilla Cove, and storms generally blow in from the north and west. It is unlikely that they will cause any issues for the festival. But the way they keep looking to the south is strange.

Pha nods his eyes glossing over slightly at his level of achievement in the task and meeting the deadline, "Mohsen explained to do something to truly motivate me during the festival to focus on winning so I shoved two thirds of my worldly possessions into the egg... if I don't actually get it back I'll probably die before the coming spring." he explained quite proud scratching the side of his face with a slight smile.

Yaru would realized a sane person would probably not due something so extreme, Pha's time with his guardian, Mohsen, was probably nothing but life continuously to extremes though. "What you put in yours?" Pha added noticing other people around their age in the center of town now and eyed they quietly.

Pha not one to be actually social by normal means started sizing up the others that will be at the Rite ceremony and spots the towering twin ladies and nods his head back when they look in his direction. Elbowing Yaru to get his attention as well so he would notice. He was currently not causing any trouble so there wouldn't be any problems most likely... but Pha had the greater part of two hours and anything could happen.

"She." Pha corrected handing him the rind from the fruit he was eating with feral hunger and manners. Wiping his mouth he shrugged, "I guess, no one said the ceremony involved standing around for long periods of time... lets check to see what we can get into." Pha looked around on things to get into like the games of chance maybe or at least watch as he started to meander off. If Triat noticed he'd give her a mock two finger salute. Standing here meant kids would eventually bump into them... he didn't want to get yelled at for stepping on a kid today...

As the participants start to gather in the square, more and more people start to show up. They all meander around and exchange small talk. The popular games this year seem to the "Snitch Catch", which is a clear synth cylinder chamber just wide enough for two grown men to stand shoulder to shoulder and raise their arms straight up. Once the door is secure a control panel turns on a weak anti-gravity field and a fan in the floor. There are a hundred colored slips of paper in the chamber with the contestant and they must struggle to grab one or more strips of paper while the wind and lack of gravity work against them. Children usually tumble head over heel several times on the thirty second time period. Adults have a slightly easier time staying upright. However, catching the lips of paper is still difficult. The ultimate goal is to catch the gold foil strip which earns the grand prize of one of Widow Fesessa's famous fish pies.

Another game that is more luck than skill is "The fishing game", popular for obvious reasons. A large tub is filled with water clouded black by squid ink. Fifty or so fishing baubles are being stirred around by a small numenera device. Below each of them hangs a colored, weighted ball. If you choose a bauble with a green weight you win a trinket. If you choose a red ball the bauble will pop and release a foul smelling aroma. The aroma only lasts a few seconds before disapaiting. You know from your years growing up the ratio is 1 green ball for every four red ones.

The mayor, Genran Faddle, and the Council of Guild Leaders is at the opposite end of the green. They mingle on the small wooden stage used for these types of events. It seems the mayor will be making a speech soon. Skirting the outside of the crowd a group of boys known as the Clay Rats seem to be taking everything in. Their leader Chaig is participating in the Rite today. However he is nowhere to be seen.

Pha scans the area surveying the games and scratches his cheek.

I wonder where she is... not they would say that's cheating... Pha thought to himself looking around for the tall girl and what most thought of as her sister or twin.

"Do you like fish? If not maybe we can try finding something interesting..." Pha stated pointing from one area to the other. He didn't want to be close to the Mayor he always got in trouble for drifting off when the man spoke.

Galen approaches the Fishing Game and need only wait a few moments before getting a turn to chose. The three young children in front of him are all unlucky and pull red baubles. in near unison the 'PAFF' 'PAFF' 'PAFF' rings out and the air is filled with the horrid odor. The children laugh and run away with their noses clamped between their dirty little fingers. Coughing and chuckling the vendor dumps three more red baubles from the bucket next to his feet into the larger tub and stirs them in so that no one can tell one from the other again. Then he indicates to Galen that he may choose.

::This is technically a speed test, difficulty level 4. You may use points to lower the difficulty if you wish, but you also will want that for the next scene, your choice.:::

Pha and Yaru are looked up and down by Aram, the man running the Snitch Catch, "Aye, da Widow done offered up three pies this morning. They ain't done yet, should be de'ivered in an hour'o'so. Three more for tonight too. Runts like you ain't gonna catch the gold s'ip anyway."

"I think these ones are scrappier than they look, Aram." A pleasant voice come up behind Pha and Yaru, [b]"Wouldn't you say, Amburn?"[b] The pair turn to find Amburn and her mother standing a few feet away.

The young woman's cheeks color slightly when Pha makes eye contact, but she maintains her composure well, hesitating only a second before answering, [b]"I suppose you have a point, mother. At least when you can get them to focus and pay attention to the task at hand. Young boys are not unlike herding a group of laak most days." Amburn is wearing her finest clothes today. A dress of deep blue that reminds you of the ocean just before a storm rolls in. Tufts of cream colored cloth accent the garment like cresting waves. Her hair is partially up in braids and held back by a series of gold chains adorned with small pieces of sea glass. ::Sea glass is an uncommon, but not precious, type of stone. It comes in various colors and clarity and is primarily used to make jewelry and accessories.:::

"In fact, Aram," the older woman says, "I will make you a wager. Two to one on each lad, that they win at least...a red level prize."

::So if it is unclear, the red slips are like getting second place. There are a 10 of them among the hundred. so it is still a challenge. She is wagering two shins on each of you to get a red or gold slip. If you do she will be paid on shin by Aram. This is not a large wager for a successful merchant, and it is a festival day, so wagers like this happen often. So like above in the fishing game, this is a Speed Test, difficulty level 5, meaning you need a 15. You can spend points and put in Effort if you choose, but you might want to save it for the next scene, your choice.::


::Oh, for all these tests skills and assets can be used to lower the difficulty per normal rules as well, just to be clear. If you think they apply to these situations that is fine by me.::

Smiling the vendor reaches into a satchel, retrieving a small burgundy object. It is an ojuve husk ocarina. An ojuve is a fruit that grows commonly around the cove. The fruit has a hard outer shell with a pulpy interior. The pulp is what people eat. The husk, if handled carefully can be left mostly intact and dried and is used for various crafts. Bowls are the most common use, but someone discovered that they can be turned into pleasant musical instruments. [b]"Congratulations, and good luck this afternoon." the man says as he replaces your bauble and turns to the next contestant.

Yaru nods and has a go at the game with Pha. His mind isn't really on his task though, hungry though he may be, there are other things to be thought about.

Pha and Yaru step into the chamber and feels the machine kick on. He floats an inch into the air. The slips of paper begin floating as well, but then the fan kicks on and the chaos begins. Though the walls are clear, they are not perfectly formed when viewed from the inside out. Reality seems to warp a bit, it might be unsettling if you weren't used to it from previous years. Different colors fly by their field of vision. They know they could grab any of them, but since they are focused on the grand prize that golden slip is their true goal.

Pha tries to focus on his teaching, Moshen has a lesson on speed and accuracy where Pha sits and waits for small insects to buzz by. The goal is to snatch the bugs between a pair of thin sticks, this task is very similar. Just as the golden slip come into view, Pha catches a glimpse of Amburn and lets his focus waiver. When the time runs out Pha is forced to grab the last slip he can, a red piece of paper, for a second place prize.

Yaru finds the task equally difficult, and with Pha in the chamber he can't move as quickly as he might want to without accidentally striking his friend. He sees the golden slip fly by and bends over backwards to try and catch it. However it eludes him, and when the time expires he manages only a green slip.

When the two youths exit the chamber they see Aram holding out their prize, Pha has earned a small basket of fruit. Several of them are rare and hard to find. Someone put in some effort to put this prize together.

Yaru gets a pair of joined flat discs with a string attached in the middle. It is a common child's toy that teaches manual dexterity as the discs travel up and down.

Aram happily accepts his winning of one shin from the merchant woman. "Well done Pha. Better luck next time Yaru." She turns and moves on to see other festivities. Amburn stays and has slight upturn to the corners of her mouth. She looks at Pha expectantly. When she receives her compliment she smiles broadly. "Thank you Pha. I do like this dress. Are you prepared for the Rite? I think it will start soon."

Triat and Tairt are given the privilege of going next by the smaller children. The gladly back up to give the pair room to get in. They are excited to see the pair work in unison.

When Carrick speaks the older man jumps a bit as though he hadn't realized the young man was standing there. "Oh, sorry son. Ah...er, no no, nothing wrong. Just...shadows of memories is all. It..uh...always happens to me when the Rite comes around. Lots of memories in this ol' gourd of mine." and with that he moves off.

::$Remnant: There isn't anything super special in there, beyond it being rare fruit. I think you used the wrong name there. Aram is the guy running the game, Amburn is the one who asked if you were ready for the rite. If you are offering her fruit she will take it and smile. Aram will refuse since it is your prize and he doesn't want to be seen being kind to an outcast such as you.::

(OoC: Yep meant Amburn)

A deep resonating bell tolls across the village. It rings twice more in quick succession. This is recognized by all as the call to attend a meeting in the square, just as you expected to hear eventually. Everyone stops what they are doing and begins moving toward the platform that the town-master and the guild-masters stand on. The Rite is about to begin.

"Greetings everyone!" the town-master bellows as everyone gathers. "It is our privilege to welcome you all to this years Rite of Ascension. The Seer has chosen this year's participants, and they are a fine crop of boys and girls. Let us cheer them on to success, and prepare to welcome them home as young men and women. The task they undertake today is a tremendous one. Those that complete the Rite will have to choose the course they will follow for the rest of their lives. They will choose how they contribute to our aldiea in the years to come." Looking down he finds each of the participants and meets their eyes for a moment then begins speaking again, "Worry not young ones. The Seer is wise and does not make the selections lightly. Each of you is ready to face this challenge. You are all capable of succeeding in spite of the doubts you may hold in your hearts. Additionally, failure today is by no means an end. Just as the flower blooms in its own time, so too do people. Your time will come." These words are the same year after year. They are meant to be reassuring, and to some they are. The truth is the adults do not see shame in failing the Rite, but the other children who have yet to attempt it often do. One may find that they lose friends if they do not complete the challenge. The town-master continues his boring speech talking about the great future endeavors you all may achieve. It's part of the ritual, so it must be endured. When you return to town victorious you will all be paraded on to this stage and announce your intentions for what work you will do in town. Finally he comes to the end, "Now, let us all part and make room for the participants."

The crowd does disperse and you now see the black and white striped cloth that serves as the starting line for the first leg of the Rite, the footrace.

::OK...really sorry about my slow pace here. My best excuse is my new job and the holidays have taken up a lot of my time. I will try to do better. I'm going to end this scene and move things along.