"I think now that the...er, introductions are done with, we can get to having fun." He said to her, and gave a wink. 

He wasn't far from the truth. The Gleeman performed beyond what anyone could expect! Both the children and the adults gasped as the man 'bit' the flickering flames off of the torch, and blew them out of his mouth moments later. It was a sight to see, and Ali had difficulty wrapping his mind around how exactly it was done. By the time he had realized he was about to go crazy, Mave was up before the crowd and juggling. 

Despite the initial sour reaction to her, seeing her tossing the apples skillfully as the Gleeman took the fruit out of the air with knives made the crowd root for her safety, and they were all relieved when she stepped off the stage and took a bow. She was met with more clapping and smiles than the previous judgemental eyes, save the two women who seemed particularly put off by her, I.E. Evelyn and Valerie. 

Ali went up next, and the Gleeman spent a short amount of time telling the women to marvel at his physique, something Ali was a bit too bashful to be fully in adherence with. It was over soon though, and everyone marveled when Ali could not pick the man up. Truth be told, the younger man didn't try his hardest, or he felt the strength would have broken a few of the elder's bones. But it was still an impressive feat, nonetheless. 

Afterwards when the crowd broke to eat mid afternoon lunch, he paid them three crowns each and thanked them. Luckily, after a bit of food, the festivities seemed to be far more relaxed, though it was time for the dancing and singing. All of the unmarried women and men made their way to the spring pole. Ali reluctantly went, and Mave stood her ground to keep herself out of the local politics as the singing began. It was a spun tale about a healthy farm and a bountiful harvest, almost like a prayer. 
  
Mave began to receive little treats and the beaming attention of young children and older folk, accepting her a bit more openly now that they celebrated Bel Tine with them for most of the events. As the sun began to wane, it was nearly time to head back to the farm, though most people were still milling about, eating, chatting, some played the flute and the lyre, and to Ali's sudden frustration, he saw cherry bush leaves being set up above the Inn door just as he and Mave were about to go through it homeward, with Evelyn standing at the doorway expectantly. 

Ali sighed, distraught. "You know, I might as well get it over with." he said. He'd waited too long to not marry, particularly if she was ready to begin courtship. It was beyond his wishes, for the most part. "We'll go back in a second." He said, as if he was about to walk to his death. Light, what was he doing? No, it was what needed to happen. He needed to swallow his pride and do it. 
[@Penny]