The Gathering

Jarenkul social gatherings were far different than the ones back home. Back home gatherings tended to be very organized and there was a strict code of conduct. Jarenkul gatherings were a bit looser.

It was kinda nice actually. There was a breathability to the affair.

Still, Heron felt like a fish out of water. The fact that there was very little in the way of social rules of conduct while nice, left him feeling disoriented.

He had been sticking near Elswyth the whole time. For a different reason, she also was a bit out of place here, but Heron could hardly tell looking at her. She seemed so at ease for someone who was with people she did not really like.

Kur had also been hanging around them all night, though Heron was pretty sure that was somewhat due to the guy's shyness and the fact that he had gotten to know them well enough he felt less shy around them.

As the three of them just sort of stood there together, mostly silently – though not awkwardly, Heron grew aware that he was not the only non-local here. Despite the fact that this was a Jarenkul event there was a spattering of people from all the different kingdoms.

The one that drew Heron's eye the most was a short woman who had perched herself on a tall seat by the refreshments. The reason she drew his eye was simple. She wasn't any of the common races. The woman's facial features were vaguely elven but the vibrant blue hair and huge wide eyes were definitely not elven. Not to mention the fact that she had two sets of blue wings. One of the big races of fairies.

And that meant she wasn't from any of the five kingdoms as fairies did not live in the kingdoms. She could be from Nix'Ryl, but it was even more likely she was from beyond the sea. The thought of which intrigued Heron. While they knew of the other continent not much was known about it, except that it did have countries of its own, one of which was entirely made up of fey creatures.

Beside of the blue fairy hovered a man who definitely hailed from Varenduil though. One of the warriors who hailed from there. A stern looking man who was probably guarding her from the way he was standing. Heron wondered what the story behind this companionship was.

Eh, it was none of his business though. He turned back to his two friends. Elswyth seemed almost to be in her own little world but Kur was watching the crowds.

"Oh." Kur suddenly laughed, "They started the dancing."

"Hmm?" Heron turned to look and once again felt out of place. Jarenkul dancing was so very different than Amriel's. Faster, and wilder, but yet he could still tell that there were patterns to it. He started trying to figure out the patterns but was interrupted by Kur.

"Have you ever danced our dances before?"

"Uh, no." Heron admitted, "Its far different than what I learned back home."

"Oh, you should try it." Kur said, "Its supposed to be great fun." The way he worded it, Heron was pretty sure Kur hadn't actually danced it either. But Kur continued, "What about it? You could find a partner for a dance and try it out."

Heron decided not to ask about whether Kur was planning on dancing himself. He was pretty sure the answer would be a no anyway. He really could not imagine the shy wizard getting up the courage to actually dance, especially with someone else.

Elswyth joined in the conversation, "That isn't a bad idea. It would get your blood circulation going and should be a fairly safe physical activity."

"Do you know how to dance, Elswyth?" Kur asked, "If so, you might as well guide him through the steps."

"A bit. Enough for this simple one." She shrugged and held out her hand to Heron, "Okay then, come on, lets get you moving."

Heron was still a bit confused by this sudden development even as Elswyth pulled him into the midst of the moving throng.

"C'mon." Elswyth smiled at him, "I'll show you the steps."

"Okay." Heron was more or less still bewildered by this sudden situation. But Elswyth was probably right in that this was good for him.

After a few minutes, he found himself picking up on the quick steps and swift maneuverings. But even so there was still something about the dance that bothered him. It was a bit too close for comfort.