#fenixtj

Beltaine for Fenix is glorious...lots of fun, folks started in the various holds, then migrated here afternoon. Many merging into one

It's a time for love! A time for the good things!

Jessica is dedicated, and love her land, and loves the people there - mortal and Fae alike.

Yes. She's perfectly... content.

And, the childlings; YES!

And yet, there is no Duff. The one day he goes Seelie and she doesn't see him. Of course, they are on a break

There is much celebration to be made and had to celebrate the arrival of spring and growth.

One person is not a focus.

Certainly not. And she doesn't even think of him after that! It's that easy

(Or is it?)

The childlings are having a blast... but.. there's no face painting ?

No, there isn't. But Beltaine isn't about that, is it?

Nope. For many it's about a chance for romance, love. Couples holding hands. Why a lot of romance going on today

Damn it. It's like some cruel narrator over her life is giving her a hard time on what should be a nice holiday

Then... her eyes light up. The Nunnehi are here! For Beltaine is also a time of peace

Jessica starts, then stops. She observes. Nunnehi? How many, where, how long have they been here, what are they carrying, what ARE they...?

Crowds part, nervously. The thanks, thank goodness for Coy's level headedness, do nOT reach for weapons. Twofeathers is with the more local Nunehi, looks like, not counting him, five of them. Two flayed folk, one snake guy, and two obsidian types

They appear to be carrying a pipe!

Wow. That's... a lot.

Jessica glances to see if Ellie is available?

And yes or no, she walks forward to greet the guests.

The childlings are at their own event right now. It involves ribbons and kittens and cannot be intruded on or bad luck will consume the laaaand

a handsome figure with obsidian skin, not just the color but the mateiral bows and says "While it is not OUR custom, it is the custom of our cousins to the north that a pipe maybe smoked in peace. I am Otumzu. I offer this to you for today, a day of peace. Will you smoke it with us?"

"I will."

"And, I thank you for coming to me today, Otumzu. I am Jessica."

"Otumzu has been chosen as our sacrifice" A flayed woman says "He is yours for the day to do with as you will"

The obsidian man lowers his eyes almost boyishly

"I welcome Otumzu as my honored guest, as I do all of you."

They bow, and soon are shown seats near her own.

Otumzu sits next to Jessica.

He does. He is a gentleman and says "Many are not used to a smoke on pipe in these days, and that is a good thing for tabacco was never meant to be a thing of chains, but a sacred sampling. Would it offend you if I took the first puff to show you? Or if you know already, then take it first as our honored hostess"

"Please show me. I am not a smoker. That is, I don't use tobacco, usually."

"Wise" Otumzu nods "It is a sacred thing. A sacred poison , a sacrifice in it's way. Sacrifice is very important to us." he shows her, lighting the pipe, stirring the embers with a few soft puffs and showing then he hands it to you "Bless you on this sacred day of peace. Bless these lands gentle rains and warming sunlight and green earth."

She takes the pipe inexpertly. "Bless this day. Bless these lands. Bless this and all our seasons. Bless this company, and our companions."

And she...... puffs?

well, it takes more than one time. Turns out you have to inhale a bit before a puff... and when you inhale, you shouldn't swallow

There is a learning curve.

Still, she handles it with out embarrassing herself. That's good. She passes it on to the other Nunehi, and it goes around a bit

There's glamour in the ritual, gentle and vibrant

"I am glad to share this with you."

"As we are with you. The Pugwi who came convinced us taht Beltaine was very important"

"Dika-Hannah" Twofeathers gives the name

Jessica nods. "One who I consider a sister of my heart is known to Dika-Hannah, and I to her."

"She tells us your people ave HER people a chance. Even othter nuneehi can barely stand the Pug'wi. Your sistter of the heart did"

Jess nods. "Dika-Hannah is a brave woman."

Dancing begins...

Otumzu looks at the dancers, "is it customary to dance in couples?"

"Yes, often it is. And today .... do you know much of our traditions on this day?"

"twofeahers told us a ..summary? But in truth, not much. I was to make myself avialable to you should you... wish it" A light blush. Almost trollish

Jessica doesn't seem to notice. "Beltaine is our celebration of the turn of seasons; one of two. The other is Samhain, for the dark of the year. There are other holidays but those two are special. When we celebrate Beltaine, we celebrate Spring and all that it brings." she pauses "There are others who could explain it better."