Jeremiah smiled appreciatively at Saure, "That'd be great, Catastor." As the children approached them, he looked away. His jaw tightened in discomfort at the situation.
"And I might sing..!" Bleu chimed in with his sister, excitement showing through his shy gaze.
Nahva looked down at them, doing her best to smile despite her growing alarm. "Why that sounds lovely! I saw him with your uncle last, though. You might ask him!" Let him lie to these children, I certainly won't. She thought to herself angrily.
[attr="class","sheng4"]Säure exhaled in a relaxed fashion as her hair received gentle touches from Kazumi; one could still believe with ease that Catastor did not realize she was leaning on Kazumi, what with how tranquil their posture was. "Okay," came the short, steadfast response from Catastor to Jeremiah; the brevity of her speech contained clearly her acknowledgement of responsibility and care, as was standard for Catastor.[break][break]
Bleu and Sera's arrival surprised most of those gathered at the firepit; Catastor looked at Nahva's smile, slightly strained from her usual joyful demeanor, and thought of something. Taking care to not move or shift position unnecessarily, Säure picked up the basket of bread and snacks to offer its contents to the two children. "What's up. Come sit with us and eat something. Dancing on an empty stomach isn't good, trust me," Catastor said softly, lowering her head to look at the twins with a simple smile. She scooted her legs in somewhat, quietly indicating a good spot where Sera and Bleu might like to sit. "Would you let me hear what song you've got in mind, Bleu?" asked the warrior, picking out some pieces of herb & cheese bread to hand to the kids as well as Kazumi-- Säure figured her friend might want to munch on something along with her ale.
Nahva's obvious attempt at throwing the problem back onto Insignious caused Kazumi to chuckle, reeling her head back towards the center of the pit. Thankfully Catastor stepped up where they had lacked, showing compassion for the innocents. Warrior hushed up quick, allowing those with child-experience to deal with the two.
"Okay, but only a little."
Sera insisted, nodding her head as she rounded the two warriors, finding a good spot to sit down with Bleu in tow. Right where Catastor had suggested was their chosen space, with gracious hands reaching up for the offered bread. Silver-haired apprentice bit down on the slice, her mouth semi-full as she excitedly spoke.
"Bleu's really, really good! You haveto hear him later. Even if it's by secret."
With a giggle, she playfully bumped Bleu's shoulder. She'd boast about him any chance she could.
Nahva looked away. Her knee was bouncing ever so slightly as she stared venomously at the quite-unaware Insignious in the distance. Tadi was glancing between the mender and the children nervously, though doing her best to listen and smile.
"I-I..." Stammered Bleu as his shoulders raised up and he ducked his face down. "I was going to sing Let the Blackbird Weep." At that, Nahva returned her gaze to the children, her face suddenly drifting into a soft and sorrowful smile. That was a tune she hadn't heard in ages, for reasons to be thankful for.
Bleu continued, "It was what Da would sing, when someone returned to the ground. We all sang it." He looked up at all of them, tears filling his eyes. The boy opened his mouth to speak, but his voice had caught. Jeremiah had been listening very closely, and when Bleu's words tripped, he leaned down to him.
"I hear the old blackbird," The man sang to him softly, smiling. "He's singing a song of death," Bleu's eyes brightened and he found his voice, joining in quietly.
"For he has seen my brother, take his final breath,"
Nahva's smile grew warm as she wiped her eyes.
"But little does old Blackbird know, It was my brother's time to go, He happily took the leap,"
"And now he's laughing with the gods so let the Blackbird weep" Tadi joined, the tempo of the song picking up and the group now singing together, "So pick up your drinks and dance in the streets and let the Blackbird weep!"
Now swelled with confidence, Bleu stood by the fire and sang as all of their voices rose. Clansmen nearby gradually turned their attention to them.
"I hear the old Blackbird, preaching a final rite, but little does he know my brother sinned every day and night," (At this, people around them laughed and began to join in).
"Death himself was in for a treat when he pulled my brother back to his feet, And now he's laughing with the gods, so let the Blackbird weep!" Pick up your drinks and dance in the streets and let the Blackbird weep!" Almost everyone was singing now. "No sense it makes for our hearts to break, when all will find their sleep, We'll all be laughing with the gods so let the Blackbird weep!"
The song ended in loud triumphant unison, everyone whooping and cheering afterwards. Insignious, barely visible within the clamoring jubilant crowd, was smiling at the sky.
[attr="class","sheng4"]At first unfamiliar with the song, Catastor picked up the tune and nodded her head along-- this soon gave way to soft humming, until the refrain had impressed itself upon her enough for her to join in; her voice, subdued and lower in tone relative to some of her companions; the warrior's alto contributions, unique and previously unheard of by much of the clan.[break][break]
Despite her being unable to aid Bleu in steadying the lyrics, she watched with satisfaction as Jeremiah began singing with the child. Thinking for a moment on how the song had been passed down to Bleu piqued Catastor's interest, before leading to a brief self-reflection. Some other time, perhaps she'd need to ask him or Sera to teach her a song in full; to have such a thing shared would be nice, the warrior mused to herself. When the applause and hurrahs kicked up, Catastor leaned forward to pat Bleu and Sera's heads gently. "That's real good. We're proud of you both," she smiled pleasantly. Thinking they might mistake her sincerity for obligation or something, Catastor looked at her companions around the firepit, saying to the children, "Like, your song got all of us here to sing together. Usually, none of us can ever agree on what to sing on the way back from patrols. Use power like that wisely." To those unfamiliar with Säure, they'd swear that she'd made a joke somewhere in there. Not forgetting how Sera heeded her festival-tested advice, she slowly got up, remaining somewhat knelt so as to not totally tower over Sera. "You finished all your bread so I guess we can dance, if you like?" Catastor asked quietly, her smile still present and without signs of waning anytime soon.
Having the best seat in the house next to the world's most amazing singer, Sera bobbed her head to the music, shifting her upper body in time to its tempo. Gradually within the song she contributed her own voice, jumping out every few bars and joining again at the next verse to scarf down the bread she was gifted. Stars swirled in her eyes as she proudly gazed at Bleu, his voice honed with more vigor than she'd ever known it. By the end of the performance, she was grinning up at Bleu, clapping from her seat while others cheered and made merry.
"Bleu, you're sooo good!"
She found herself slightly startled as a hand landed atop her head, taking her focus elsewhere. Only then had she noticed the many eyes that still surrounded the firepit they remained around, a wave of self-consciousness uncharacteristically preventing her from dancing immediately after Bleu's song.
"Oh, I-- I can wait!"
She'd danced with Catastor many seasons before and was comfortable to a point. Yet icy blue irises searched the clansmen for Akihito, the one she promised to dance for in the first place.
With a smile, Insignious made his way through the crowd towards the little group. His eyes were red from tears, but he didn't mind. He beamed at Bleu, exclaiming, "That was amazing, my man!" The boy looked up at him with wide eyes and an open-mouthed smile.
"Tha-Thank you, Uncle!" He replied, bowing his head in thanks. Sig hugged Bleu's head and looked at each of the others, his eyes hovering a bit longer in Jeremiah's direction as the warrior was giving him what looked like warning stare.
"-Insignious." Nahva spoke up suddenly with an unpleasant smile that burned right into the leader's soul. Jeremiah immediately sighed and hid his face in his palms.
Insignious gave the woman an unnerved smile in return, feeling as though he was standing before a disappointed parent. "Nahva?"
"I'm glad you're here. Sera was just asking where Akihito is." She said, her furious eyes unblinking. Tadi made a silent 'uh oh' face, looking away from them and wishing she could disappear.
Strong, static tension stung the air between Nahva and Insignious' locked gaze. The happy crowd sounded far away as Sig slowly broke his gaze to stare at Jeremiah in frustration before looking back at the mender, then finally at Sera. Bending his knees, he lowered himself to her height. He took her little hand in his, reaching over and grabbing Bleu's as well.
"Akihito can't party with us tonight, okay?" He said gently, smiling. "I can explain more tomorrow. But for now," Letting go of Bleu's hand, Insignious focused solely on Sera. "Would you honor me with a dance, young lady?" Pointing over his shoulder, he gestured towards the dance clearing behind him.
[attr="class","sheng4"]Säure returned to reclining as Sera and Bleu socialized with others close by; as Insignious approached, the warrior greeted her clan's leader with a friendly, silent nod. Nahva, Jeremiah, and Insignious all looked at each other, equal parts unease and disagreement visible in their gazes. Catastor shifted about and stirred slightly, in the face of her companions' apprehension; it was theirs to sort out, certainly, but she wondered to herself if she couldn't help defuse the tension in some fashion. At the very least, Catastor sighed internally, maybe two of them will talk things out directly, simply; such was her hope.[break][break]
"Go for it, Sera. I'll take some time to do my hair anyhow," she beamed softly, gesturing towards Insignious. Catastor slowly stood up; her long locks of hair cascaded tranquilly as the warrior rose to her full height. "I'm up to get some more snacks. Who wants what?" asked Säure as she scooped up the empty breadbasket with the edge of her sheathed sword, letting it slid over and onto her wrist. The arrangement of dishes and morsels was nearby, but she felt that everyone could do with remaining seated and relaxed-- a chance to stretch her legs as well as bring back some refreshments would do some good for herself at the same time too, she figured. Of course, if others hoped to help out, she'd ask them to carry back any requested drinks while she handled the food items and basket.
Sera could hear Kazumi behind her, sucking teeth as Nahva spat her words. She didn't quite understand the meaning to the looks from warriors around her, although they hadn't gone unnoticed. Glimpsing over at Bleu, she scanned his features, searching for any indication if he was as confused as herself. Only as her uncle squatted down did her uncertainty dissipate, her brows rising in surprise.
Before she could reply, she shot Catastor a glance, having been asked by the warrior before leader. With permission granted, she needn't hesitate further, giving a substantial nod of acceptance.
"Next dance is Catastor's turn, then!"
Lurching forward, she grabbed ahold of Insignious' hands and practically force-dragged him to his feet, jogging over to another more spacious firepit before the next song started.
Insignious happily followed after Sera saying, "Don't show me up too much now, alright? I don't want to look bad in front of the ladies." Bleu trailed close behind them in order to watch.
"Cheers to that." Jeremiah said to Kazumi as the leader and children left earshot. He followed up with a glare in Nahva's direction. She gave him a shameless look, "Scowl at me all you'd like, all I did was put responsibility where it belonged. I didn't say anything I shouldn't have."
"Can we speak with Akihito?" Tadi asked out of curiosity. Before she was answered, however, a young man approached from behind and tapped her head.
"They're just starting a new song, dance with me?" The man asked playfully, resting his head on her shoulder. His name was Kei. Tadi smiled, rolling her eyes and standing up. "Fiiiine." She said, laughing as he took her hand and pulled her into the beautiful chaos of dancing clansfolk. Jeremiah smiled, giving the other ladies a grin.
"Alright, come on, who's gonna do it? Who's gonna dance with me?" He said, standing and holding his hands out. Nahva opened her mouth to which he cut her off. "-Not you, traitor lady." She laughed and waved him off. "Fine fine, I need to go make sure no one is bleeding anyways." As she left her seat to do some rounds, Jeremiah returned his smile to the two girls.
"C'mon, Catastor, Oniwa, I've got two arms, come dance with me!" He playfully reached a hand out in both of their directions.
[attr="class","sheng4"]Drips of foam careened off of some of the steins as Catastor balanced several along her arms. Each drink went to occupants of the firepit, and the refilled basket, burgeoning with soft sourdough morsels and salted meats, received passes around as well. The warrior looked on with a pleasant smile as Sera, Bleu, and Insignious hopped and skipped to where they'd all dance. Catastor clapped her hands softly as Kei and Tadi took off to dance as well-- a fun, creative pair, she cheerfully thought to herself. After handing Kazumi her requested ale, Säure drank some water for herself and prepared to sit down when Jeremiah approached the two women for a dance.[break][break]
Surprised to have been asked for a dance, Catastor blinked at him and then at the stein of water in her hand. "Okay, I'm up to dance," said she with a subdued smile. Her hands ran up and through her hair briefly, resembling the unfurling of the night sky across the horizon; this was to keep her long locks light and mobile, relative to when they were relied upon to be heavy and unyielding during patrols and combat. Tying up her hair also sufficed for keeping it out of the way of fun activities, but often required preparation time in advance-- limbering her hair with a simple run-through of the hands would have to do for now. "We going with Jeremiah then, Kazumi?" Säure asked, a playful note recognizable even in her usual simple tone and cadence.
With a worn down smile, the warrior eyed the dancing couple as they fled with the music. She could only shake her head as loose bickering ensued, yet graciously accepted the refill of ale. Ignoring the invitation for a moment, she held out a finger as she launched the drink to the back of her throat.
"Okay, okay. One dance."
Setting the mug aside, she shakily stood and leaned forward onto Catastor, grabbing her by the arm as she reached for Jeremiah's hand as well. Whatever risk dancing had while drunk was disregarded-- the latest round hadn't hit her just yet.
