"Right, let's go!" Edged Blossom prepares to ascend with Rajha, but rather than using wings, she draws her golden daiklave, which extends smoothly into the shape of a Windblade hovering close enough to the ground for her to step on. This makes it rather awkward to be arm in arm, but they make the best of it!

--> To the Air, with Rajha!

The parade continues progressing down the main street of Anthegenia. Since the start of the parade a marching... or rather floating band of ADF soldiers has joined in, dressed in their ceremonial uniform indicating the army they belong to (there are five total in Anthegenia, one named for each Element). With drums and brass instruments of all sizes, they play traditional marching tunes common to the forces of the Deliberative as well as Anthegenian anthems and rearrangements of contemporary tunes.

More floats follow from behind, including a platform of circus performers complete with sword juggling tightrope walkers and trapeze artists in brief, glittering outfits, followed by a fanciful chariot pulled by automaton gryphons and pegasi. A series of floats represents each direction of Creation, decorated to represent local climate and major landmarks, staffed by waving figures in full costume. An Academy-themed float carries a model of the Administration building, surrounded by origami flowers and fluttering paper cranes tended to by Registrar Aurelion, while an unusually somber looking Remilia distributes fresh baked goods to the crowd.

The air acrobats navigating the floating rings continue to astound with their daring feats of dexterity, while the flower maidens at the Garden start throwing fresh blossoms to the best dressed among the crowd. A mishap with one of the belching dragon-machines causes a small fire that is quickly extinguished, but otherwise the parade is a hit with the citizens!
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Sat 10 Oct 2009.

"Mmmh, I don't think that you would leave Arya alone on the ground, I doubt they make personal flight artifacts for dogs, and as far as I know you've not had piloting lessons with an airborne vehicle... Which leaves us with but one choice," he said with a grin.

He took her by the hand and led her to a more secluded location. Once he was reasonably sure that no one was paying them particular attention, he turned to her, and started shifting into his war form - his clothes seemingly melding with his fur, leaving only his wrist and ankle bracers and the Transcendent Phoenix Pinions, which had flowed and expanded to accomodate his enlarged shoulders, the blue cristals glowing faintly.

Kneeling down, Keo formed a cradle with his large arms. "Hold on tight, you two, the journey will not be long, but it will be impressive," he said, motioning them to come into his embrace.

Rana followed Keo to the secluded alley, smiling, her eyes alight with curiosity. Curiosity turned to pleasure and excitement as Keo shifted form.

"Why not?" She was surprised, actually. Exalts made artifacts for practically everything.

She settled into Keo's arms, reaching out for Arya. "No wiggling, okay? You don't want to fall." He ran to join her and She wrapped her arms around him. "Alright, I think we're ready." The dog seemed fairly inclined to obey, though he was also clearly picking up on her excitement.

She liked Keo, she trusted he would keep her safe, not because of their bond but because she knew he was a good person.

Securing his two passengers with a firm but gentle embrace, Keo fired the device, which projected brilliant wings of silver light, and he took off, ascending carefully and doing his best to avoid running into the dense aerial traffic or cutting the parade, of course.

He let Rana get a good view of the landscape of the floating city before heading for the Aerial Pavilion.

[OOC: to the aforementioned place, unless there is some incident ;)]

"Wow!" Rana exclaimed, looking around excitedly, though she was being careful not to move too much. She had her arms around Arya, just in case it was necessary. From above, the city was even more fantastic, if such a a thing was possible.

"I want to learn to do this on my own someday!" she added cheerfully.

<to Aerial Platform>

"Truely impressive and unique?" her eyes seemed to sparkle with a smile.  "Then, sir, you have come to the right place.  Do you have ... ah," she held out her hand to inspect the Hard Mote, before she returned it to him for the moment  Dianora, hmmm?  Now what would she be wearing this evening.  Since she will be expecting inovation at this festival celebrating it, perhaps she will go back to basics.  Something in black or a very deep purple ... so the young lawgiver here will need ...

"Please sir, step this way," she gestured for him to step forward and through the privacy veil which surrounded the shop, instantly muting the hubbub of the crowd.  "May I enquire as to your caste?  And how are you enjoying the festival and our fine city?" Opal enquired, as she started to look through one of the rails of clothing behind the front of the booth, still conversing should the solar wish to talk.  Occasionally pulled outfits from the rail, putting them on an initially empty one.  A suit apparently made from a bolt of white gold--not woven strands, but actual sheets--gleaming in the light, was just one of the selections.

As Wave moves in to find her craft, she also finds Marshall Sanguinus and the rest of Blackjack Squadron, getting ready for their big show to start. "Hey, here comes our missing Sergeant!" Iblis calls out, while fastening the collar of his flight suit and waving for her to approach. "Come and get ready, we'll be taking flight pretty soon now - matter of minutes, in fact. We're making final checks to make sure the crafts are all in top condition. Be prepared to give your best up there! There's lots of guests waiting to see this, and even the Lord Vanileth is watching... So let's all give 'em something they'll remember, allright?"

Iblis makes one final round of the Squadron, personally approaching each member and giving each and every one a shake of a hand or a pat on the shoulder, as a mean of one last encouragement before their big moment on the stage. Once that is done, he salutes, and heads straight for the Firebrand, his own Artimisia class ship. The engines start to roar slowly, raising quickly to an almost deafening level, indicating that the whole squadron is soon to take to the skies. On the ADF channels, the unmistakable voice of the Marshall is heard, calling to the Control Tower.

"Blackjack One to Control Tower - Control Tower, this is Gambler. Give the word for us, will you? Blackjack squadron is about to take to the skies. And make it pleasant enough, if you can? Don't want to look like a bunch of slobs in front of Lord Vanileth! I'll buy you guys donuts later, okay?"

Taking a deep breath the Marshall, looks ahead, and then to the skies.

Mercury, my dear Lady, may your graces bless our flight.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:55, Sun 11 Oct 2009.

Comet walked inside the store after the pretty dragon-blood. While she checked the dresses he replied; "I am Zenith, so far I have liked the city. Have not seen anything like it before, although I spend most of the time in the academy in here so during this festival I am actually walking around the city a lot."

Wave leaves her helmet off as the engines fire up, she wasn't worried that she'd need it and thus her hair wasn't going to be subjected to the shame. The loud rumble of engines was very gratifying though, when all the squadron had their essence engines fired up the sound was almost deafening to those outside.

Her head raced with the sequence of manoeuvres she'd had drilled into her over the past week. It hadn't been a lot of time and along with practising for the races and keeping up with her lessons she'd pushed herself to near the limits of even her own exalted stamina, but if she grew stronger from it all then it was worth the effort.

With an eye on the craft she'd be tailing out, Wave gives an okay symbol to the ground crew and waits for the show to take to the skies.

"Yes, I've heard the teaching schedule can be quite demanding.  What courses do you take?"  she continued her practiced chatter, making sure Comet was at ease.  The next outfit she pulled out was apparently made of white silk, a relative rarity for the booth.  The thing that marked it for what it was was the embroidery.  Threads of sunlight from the Southern sun added detail and completed the trim.  "Please let me know if anything catches your eye."

Comet replies; "Well, quite several classes. Mostly focusing on social interaction, martial arts, mental endurance, athletics and history. But also rest schedule is going with my personal training time like participate as assistant in basic martial art classes." When Perfect Opal pulled out white silk outfit with southern sun embroidery Comet said; "That looks nice, do you have trousers and jacket version of this?"

"A busy schedule for certain, but I'm sure it will be rewarding," she nods.  "This is a suit, sir," she pointed out, apologetically, unfolding it a little so he could see the two parts of it clearly.  "It might need some adjustment, but I think it will fit you well.  Now, to go with it... will you be wanting a shirt?" Perfect Opal left him to think on that and examine the suit as she moved off to find belts and other such accessories.  She returned with a white leather belt, a stylised bull making up the belt buckle.  "I'm going to suggest you go quite light on the jewelry, perhaps just a simple gold disk for here," she indicates a natural focus point of the sunlit embroidery.  "Or perhaps a hearthstone, if you have one," she concluded.

Comet replies; "Well, I do not have hearthstone yet so some small disc there would be nice. No shirt please. I prefer wear it chest exposed if possible. I guess I also need suitable shoes or boots along with it."

Perfect Opal nods, picking up a simple looking broach, a single perfect circle of Orichalcum.  This she deftly affixes to the jacket at the focal point of the design.  "I'm afraid we don't sell shoes here, sir, but if you try just two booths down, they do excellent footwear there.  I would recommend some boots, in a polished leather.  But if you'd just like to step in here," she indicates another interior part of the booth, hung with more privacy veils.  "And I can see what adjustments need to be made.  You'll be able to pick the suit up before the end of the festival."

The ground level parade has moved past its central point, leaving in its wake a host of colorful streamers, baubles, unclaimed coupons, flower petals, feathers and glitter for the Sweepers to claim at the end of the day. The floats continue toward the end of the Street of Flowers and Firmament, some of the lead ones turn away down side streets to return back the other way, toward the hangars and garages where they will be stored for next year or disassembled. Others continue on toward the Academy Courtyard where they'll gather and stay on display as a remnant of the Festival Day for a short time.

But the excitement of the Festival of Journeys is not quite over yet. Acrobats, musicians and models retiring from their respective floats join the Festival goers cheering and gawk at the Artimisia's flight demonstration. Air Marshal Sanguinus is both a consummate pilot and an experienced showman, and the Blackjack Squadron has practiced ceaselessly for this very moment. Every time the sleek warbird/striders pass over the city streets faster than the speed of sound, leaving colored smoke and the roar of essence engines in their wake, the people let out an excited shout, pumping their fists or waving their Festival ribbons and banners. Children propped up on their parent's shoulders squeal wave in delight at the flying machines, the pride of the floating city Anthegenia.

It's coming time for the Races, now. ADF soldiers in their ornamental Festival themed uniforms start clearing the streets and guiding the celebrants toward pre-arranged vantage points for the Race courses all around the city's broad perimeter. Others hurry toward lifts and walkways to try their luck squeezing into a balcony position or snagging one of the last airship ride tickets. The unlucky still get a chance to glimpse the races through live broadcasts from recorders of everlasting glory placed along the race tracks, playing back on screens of liquid jade and moonsilver set up at select information kiosks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:46, Tue 13 Oct 2009.

Comet nods and moves to the booth with Perfect Opal. He removes his simple vest but leaves pants on. So Opal can get accurate measures of his body so she can adjust the clothes what Comet bought. While she took measures on him he asked; "So how about you? Do you get time to enjoy the festivals while you work today?"

Perfect Opal measures and adjusts Comet's clothing with deft and professional ease, securing folds of fabric with diamond pins, her Recorder of Everlasting Glories on her wrist recording measurements as she goes.  "Oh yes.  I haven't been here all through the festival, I've been working the booths in shifts with Glorious Carmine and the others in Lady Thalia's employ," she says with a smile for the young lawgiver's courteous concern.  "And I have tickets for a ride aboard the Harlequin this evening."

Comet then recalls something and said; "Hey, is it possible still get tickets on good airship rides? I would like get good view from above the festival, especially during the races. Know where I could buy some quickly after we are done here?"

"I wouldn't know, sorry," says Perfect Opal.  "I bought mine quite early this morning from a wandering seller.  I'm sure if you were ... accidentally ... to flash that Hard Mote around, then you would find the queue was rather shorter for you," comes her reply with a smile.
[edit for spelling]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Wed 14 Oct 2009.

Comet smiles and replies; "I understand, I come pick the suit when festivals are almost over and time of the banquet approaches. Will you be there?" Comet starts dress his vest again once Opal has taken measurements.

Opal gives a small shake of her head as she finishes recording the last of the details for the suit.  "Not at the banquet, no."

"Enjoy the rest of the festival, though, and if I do not see you later, the banquet too."

Comet nods, and when Perfect Opal is done he says to her; "Alright, thanks from helping me find my banquet clothes. Have a nice festival." Comet leaves the store and then moves to nearest airship stations, hoping he can catch a ride in above the air during the races.....

Rey pulls the wide-brimmed hat from his head so that his hair may flutter in the breeze. This floating school is a wonder, it truly is. The people he passes come from all walks and ways. The long boots and riders coat offering protection from the light bite of the breeze, as Rey walks past a visiting northwind delegate. The races were underway and Rey was wanting to catch a glimpse as they whirled down the tracks. It had been a while since he had seen this many people that weren't in a parade or combat. Non-military life was going to be an adjustment.

The view of the races from the ground leaves something to be desired. The Medium Race competition is difficult to see with all of the airships gathered around the track to block the airspace. The Expert Race is in a deep canyon, so to get a look at them, Rey would have to head to the perimeter of the city, and hope for a spot on the crowded city railing overlooking the canyon.

Fortunately there aren't that many people to weave through on the way there, as most everyone's cleared out for higher ground, for better vantage points or to escape the loud excitement of the race for a quieter venue. Rey walks through streets strewn with discarded streamers, feathers, slips of paper and other bright, shiny items, being greedily swept up by workers emerging from the Undercity.