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 Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2022 8:24 am
As he made his way towards the Faire he quietly thanked his friend Kjell for braiding his mane before he had left Teleri and Kjell back in their hidden home. He was susceptible to heat stroke coming from such a cold place. Adventuring into the south towards the Faire was usually hard for the long haired draft. He had kept it long for traditional measures and only trimmed it to keep it healthy. It just always reminded him how troublesome it could be in the heat every spring when he returned to the South. Although this was a hardship on him Okeley was very excited as there weren't many who approached the Light House technician until it was time for the adventure South for provisions. It had been awhile since he went to look for companionship and conversation with the southerners. Due to the thick snows he had to deal with the hardships this year of staying back another four months more before he could return this time.
Glancing around at the wares and the Soquili selling them, he made mental note of names and such. It was thrilling to see how they each had changed. It was sad when he did not see an old face however. Especially when they had looked sickly the last time they spoke. It was those losses that made Okeley's heart heavy. He tried to keep his hopes up for no losses this year as he adventured down into their Spring-time festival. He hoped to find places to sell his own goods which were strapped to his sides. They were mostly knittings and woven goods he managed with his hooved capabilities. Although not at an advantage that Faire's Olwen had with his paws, Okeley was very skilled in crafting. He also had a few rolled paintings against his side in tubes and such for those interested in his sketches and paintings. They were usually of Spring and Summer scenes to keep him warm or of Soquili who made requests the season prior. Some of them were also wintery scenes to sell to those curious in the deep north and who could not travel to witness it. Okeley had a very amazing facial recall, he was better than even some sheep who are known masters of recognizing any face they meet. His own little powers, so some of the rolled paintings where of Soquili already paid. Even so, he had some gifts to give to his friends from the Faire that he just made in passing. His off-green-yellow eyes scanned around for his dear friends quietly. Enjoying the hustle and bustle of the Faire and being surrounded by noise instead of the stark silence of the North.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2022 11:44 am
 The depths of the mountains were a harsh home and in some ways an even more unwelcoming barrier to traveling outsiders that did not know how to respect their might. Sharp stones lay underfoot, often obscured by snow or innocent appearing shale, harsh brambly growths clung to crags and waited to snare an unwary ankle. The imposing dark peaks stretching overhead could choose at any moment to slip off their burden of snow, unleashing an avalanche that would consume all in sight. Still, the snow was not so deep now, even here, melting toward the south where it would feed the rivers and streams. Winter was finally withdrawing, at long last.
After the late blizzard in the early days of spring, it had seemed for more than a moment that the biting white weather would never leave. Such unseasonable delays had set everything back, including the Talbuk's preferred circuit of travel. But at long last winter was fading, and while the snow was still as high as his ears in some of the upper passes and paths, he was already near the foothills and could charge through just about any obstacle remaining in his path. He was clear of avalanches, unwelcoming goats, and sharp stones... All he had to do now was forge through the lower passes to reach the hills and the lands that lay beyond.
Relieved to be in the home stretch of his journey, the Talbuk stallion known as Nahale lifted his chin a little more, above the straining drifts of snow, and picked up his hooves with purpose. Soon enough he'd be back among his friends at the Faire, enjoying their Northern travel circuit that flirted with the cold weather but avoided the harsh travel conditions of the true mountains. Though he could handle the weather well into the spring and even the central lands, with his thick fur and feathering he was not suited for the depths of summer or the extreme Southlands. He would likely not travel that far if the circuit extended south this year... But those were all debates and decisions for later. For now he had packs of goods slung over his saddle and more than a pressing need to return to the Lapsang Faire.
Where he hoped to be reunited with a certain lovely lady. 'Don't get your hopes up too high, my lad... It's been a while...'
***
Finally stepping into the main thorough-through of the Faire, Nahale is pleased to see the setup is well underway. There are a great number of vendor booths built, already beginning to form paths that will carefully encourage shoppers to head toward the heart of the Faire, where the grandest of stages is waiting. The main path is wide and welcoming, grassy and easily four Soquili wide. It'll become the path for the parade and be incorporated into some of the shows as arrival paths for the royalty. There are cooking pits and booths established and smoking, some artist demo tables and structures built for various crafts, and a couple of the security perches have already been promptly raised and sport bright-eyed birds happily waiting to call directions to their herd mates.
Standing off to one side, also seemingly admiring all the work that's gone into set up already, is a familiar figure. The brown and cream stallion is built almost as broadly and as heavily coated as Nahale himself, through the bright vibrant mane is much more in the Talbuk's color. He pauses to admire the intricate plaiting, wondering who Okeley talked into doing his hair before his travels. As Naha's own mane was soon going to be long enough to blend into the heavy feathering of his chest, he might need to take a page out of Okeley's book and adopt some style.
"Well now, don't you look fancy," Nahale teased, striding over to his friend with a grin, ears perked forward. "Greetings friend, it's been some time. Happy to see you've made it to the Faire again." Nahale Wordcount: 667
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