[Center] [H1][Color=ivory]Arya[/color][/h1] & DREAMERS [/center] [hr] It would never be a sight one could adjust to - the waves upon waves of Nebulites coming out of the woods to settle on the beach. Dreamer performers typically didn’t have stage fright, but then again, crowds of this size had never been witnessed before. Sheepish tuning of instruments became deafened by the growing host of starry-skinned giants, and the singers wondered for a moment if they would even be heard at all. General Ming scanned the bright crowd from the city ramparts, a hand resting grimly on the pommel of her sword. Beside her, Wenbo gave a silenced cough. “General,” he added after. “My lord,” Ming replied in greeting. A pause followed. “Will there be issues, you think?” Wenbo asked, a pinch of worry trickling into his voice. Ming frowned. “It’s hard to say. Never before have I seen a number of people like this in one place. The lady Arya assured me that they would be civil, but…” Wenbo looked at her sideways. “But?” “... But nothing is certain, my lord. My guards will keep our people as safe as they can - it should be easier considering the children have been put in bed.” “A very sound plan, by the way. Imagine keeping an eye on the toddlers in -that-!” Ming cringed at the thought. “Please don’t make me think of it, my lord.” The crowds seemed to slow down in front of the band. They were no doubt nearly fully accounted for. The celebrations could begin any moment. The general turned and gave Wenbo a bow. “I will give our guards one more run-through of the plan before we begin, my lord. Good luck.” “And to you, general,” Wenbo responded before Ming went back down from the ramparts. He remained there for a moment longer, soaking in every detail of the star-people. They were fascinating, truly - to look so much like the heavens above, yet to also be a living, breathing creature; they could also fly, as demonstrated by a number of those who couldn’t get a proper spot. The dreamer lord prayed a silent prayer to Moksha above before he began making his way down to the beach. [hr] “Arya? Arya?” Wenbo called. He stood in front of the band players and singers, all of whom were now soaked with nervous sweat. The lord eyed the front of the crowd, grumpily reminding himself to bring Babble along should he face a foreign crowd again. The tall demigoddess appeared not long after he called for her. Now she wore a familiar dress of purple swirls and stars. Her hair done up in a bun with two strands falling down either side of her face. She smiled excitedly at Wenbo as she approached. [Color=ivory]"Hello again!"[/color] she said walking over to him. Wenbo sighed in relief and stepped over to meet her. “Oh, there you are. Fantastic. Has everyone arrived, then?” She nodded gleefully. [Color=ivory]"Indeed they have, but do tell, where is my dear sister?"[/color] Arya asked, looking around. “Ai? She was just here, I could’ve sworn--” “Arya!” came a gentle, joyous voice and out of the corner of their eyes, Ai approached with a wide grin. She wore hanfu robes of red and her hair was wrapped in a disk on the back of her head. She held her arms out in a greeting embrace. “My sister, how’ve you been?” [Color=ivory]"Ai!"[/color] Arya exclaimed happily. She then returned her embrace warmly and let out a little sigh. [Color=ivory]"I'm better now."[/color] she purred. [Color=ivory]"How are you?"[/color] she asked pulling away but still holding onto Ai. “Oh, you know how it is - grandchildren, other children and manchildren - all a woman’s responsibility.” Wenbo blinked. “H-hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” “Nothing, dear.” Arya giggled again and smiled warmly at the two of them. [Color=ivory]"This brings back so many fond memories. Ah, those were simpler times."[/color] she mused. She then turned to Wenbo, [color=ivory]"When will the performance begin?"[/color] “Whenever everyone’s ready, I suppose,” Wenbo mumbled and gave Ai a shrug. She nodded back. “Well, I vote for starting, then.” Arya also nodded. [Color=ivory]"Oh I'm so excited! I'll go tell everyone to keep quiet!"[/color] she said before flying off. Wenbo smacked his lips wordlessly in thought. Ai poked his shoulder and his eyes slowly shifted to her. “Shall I tell them to start?” she asked. After a moment, Wenbo nodded. “I’ll have Ming keep a tight watch. Some of these look a little…” He hummed. “Anyway, you go on ahead.” Ai nodded and went off to the band. After a brief second, Wenbo followed suit. [hr] In lieu of a welcoming announcement, the Dreamer lord instead greeted everyone with a gentle whistle of his flute. The language barrier was thick, but music was a universal joy, he reasoned. The other players followed suit, and soon a neat little warm-up tune was playing. It was soft and gentle to the the ear, [url=https://youtu.be/RjHJSnhGnNg]flutes, drums and harps[/url] coming together to form a neat little tune. The nebulite host, which sat upon the beach and floated in the air, stared with curious eyes and a mix of expressions ranging from awe to surprise. Many whispered amongst themselves but most were content to just listen and experience what the strangers had brought. Arya sat amongst the children, who laughed and giggled while remaining as quiet as they could be. Her own expression was thoughtful and here eyes were shut as she hummed along. Feeling confident with the mood, the band looked upon one another with relief. The flutes and harps quieted and the men took the centre stage. For a moment, there was silence. Then, like hooves of tree-eaters, hands started to hammer the drums in with a step-like beat. The twangs of a two-stringed guitar quickly followed. The beat was joyous and lively, and was soon accompanied by [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoWLvgNI0Lo]throat-singing vocalists beating tambourines[/url] with small copper bells on them. The throat-singing was high pitched at first, then one of the singers broke into a flute-like whistle that was almost unnatural to the ear, considering he didn’t actually play a flute. Arya began to clap in praise, followed by the children and then the surrounding Nebulites as they listened with wide eyes to the strange throat singing. Arya soon stopped clapping but most of the other Nebulites lacked the social cue to follow suite so the Demigoddess stood up quickly and turned around, using her hands to settle the crowd back to silence as the Dreamers continued. In the midst of a particularly high note, a scream followed, sending an audible gap through the crowd as people turned to look at what caused the commotion. Arya stood up and her eyes fell upon a bloodied nebulite, his white blood flowing from fresh wounds. The music immediately stopped and multiple singers gasped in horror. Arya quickly flew over to him, with supernatural speed, catching him before he could fall. "My goddess… They came…" his breath raspy before his eyes shut. She looked at his back, finding a large crude gash upon his skin. Nebulites gathered around her as they watched. She dropped the man softly upon the sands and stood up. "Knights! To arms!" She shouted, and several nebulites broke from the crowd, rushing back into the forest. Arya then issued several other commands before floating back to Wenbo and the Dreamers, her face sad. [Color=ivory]"It's … it's not safe here for you."[/color] she whispered, head low. Wenbo pocketed his flute. “W-what do you mean? Who’s coming?” [Color=ivory]"Creatures of cruelty. Fighters and flesh eaters. I will not have your people die by staying."[/color] she said. Wenbo swallowed and the band players already hastened to pack up their equipment. Ai came over and took Arya by the hand, squeezing it worriedly. “Will you be alright, Arya? Promise me you and your people will be alright.” Arya returned the squeeze, looking to Ai. [color=ivory]”Most have been trained how to defend themselves, some have been trained how to protect. Do not worry for us. I… I love the both of you, with all my heart. This will… I hope, not be the last time I see you upon this earth.”[/color] she said, tears welling up in her eyes. Wenbo and Ai looked at one another. “H-hey, it’s… It’s not like we’re going anywhere. We’ll keep in touch, alright? Just make sure you live through this,” Wenbo said and grabbed her hand as well. [color=ivory]”O-Of course.”[/color] she sniffled. [color=ivory]”I’m just being sentimental. Don’t hesitate to pray to me, I’ll answer. Anytime.”[/color] They embraced each other and soon, the Dreamers were once more back in their city and Chuanwang swam off to the distant seas. But Arya had not waited to watch them leave, instead, she was already gone- Back into the jungle. Back into danger. [hider=Summary] A music festival happens between Dreamers and Nebulites on a beach. Things go well until a sudden attack by pigguts back in the Nebulite village. Dreamers and Nebulites, part ways. [/hider]