Along the frozen shores of an expectant lake, a large house of ice has been erected. It Glistens in the light of the late evening sun, blues and greens and clearness of splendor. The walls have the images of trapped things, deer and men sleeping waiting, or is it just the way the light is entering the ice, perhaps those things are not in there at all. At the entrance servants in expensive dress all the colors of winter, baring sleeping branches and evergreen boughs.

Welcome one and all! Come in and dance the dance of sleep, sing the songs of silence! Drink and eat the last of the past year, for the land will soon awake!

OCC: All are welcome to come and enjoy the party... There will be events and fun little bits and pepole enter and I will discribe more!

Blank sees and hears the ball from a distance, and decides to investigate. He found it quite odd that someone would be throwing a party in times of war and trouble, but knew it would be grand nonetheless. Eyeing the house of ice, he recalled what his "caretakers" had once called him at times. He shook off the bad memory and told himself that this was a night to celebrate the new year of the land he had ended up in.

A party.... Room for one more to join in? And just what kind of party is this?

He laughed at the thought of this being like the cult he had broken up during his Calatian knighthood. Reassuring himself that this was a but a high-class banquet, he entered the icy structure.

“Welcome good sir!” One of the servants calls to Blank as he enters. “Enter and enjoy all that we have to offer here for you as we wait for the land to awaken once again in spring.”
The winter sun scatters through the ice ceiling creating the sense that the walls themselves glow with their own inner light. Grey, white, and blue silks hang from the walls and drape about on supports adding a beautiful complement to the whites, blues and crystalline colors of the ice. In the center there stands a large statue of ice depicting the three goddess and triforce. Inside the ice runs sleeping vines of some sort that adds a strange color to the statue.
The floor is divided into three areas. A fur covered area is the section where the food and drink can be found. Off to one side a large table is laden with foods: honeyed nuts and spiced hams, thick stews with salted rabbit and warmed spiced milk to drink, smoked venison and the last of the pressed apples. Pillows and low tables are scattered about with people sitting, laughing, talking, and eating at them.
The next area has wooden floor for dancing with one end a raised stage with a band of stringed instruments being played by both the very old and the very young; currently playing a slow waltz for groups of dancers that move about in complex and meticulous steps. The song ends, the couples bow. The next song is a folk jig, and the dancers achieve a reckless abandon for this song in equal effort as their meticulous steps were for the waltz.
The last section is polished ice, on which several patrons of the party glide about on skates with a sharp swish and laughter. Off to one side two nets have been stretched over a wooden framework to create a pocket open on one end. There is also a rack of strangely shaped sticks with an assortment of padded clothing.
A servant standing near the inside entrance cries out in a booming voice, “Announcing Blank Fireside, Adventurer!”
Immediately after this announcement a man and a woman appear before Blank. The Lovers bow and curtsy deeply before you. “Welcome dear Blank to our celebration of the sleeping months! As we wait for life to awaken in spring to bring new life to all the lands! We dance, sing, play, and eat to know that the land is not dead, but singing its song in silence, with great hopes for rebirth. We take it upon ourselves to meditate on the mysteries that all creation has shown us.
"Worry not dear Blank, come in, all are welcome! There is no class or race that cannot attend. If you are hungry, eat. If saddened dance or play. There is no cost to the joy that can be found with others.
Perhaps you can tell us some epic tale of your travels or adventures, or show us some of you skill, or test your prowess as a warrior in a bit of sport with others. Come in, enjoy, and forget not hope!” A had proffers a sleeping branch to you, no leaves nor buds, only cold wood.

OCC: Ah yes, someone has come! Oh frabjulous day Caloo Calay! I chortle in my joy! The servants are at the disposal of any who wish use them. Also feel free to introduce new guests of your own creation. For those of you who liked the story telling section from the last Hyrule Adventures, this is a chance to do it again, feel free to ascend the stage and spin tale or song. The game is a mix of hockey and lacrosse. (?? SP, the game with the funky sticks with little nets on ‘em…) The puck is passed either along the ice or in the air and caught or pushed by the sticks. The goal is to get the puck into the net. There is no goalie, and you have to skate. Moderate contact is encouraged. Enjoy the party!

Blank notices the enormous table of delicacies and fine cuisine and makes dining his first priority. Grabbing a fine marble platter, he stacks his plate to the heavens with all kinds of wondrous foods and sneaks off to a table to enjoy his meal.

Finally, some food. I'm absolutely starved. What is this? Hylian loach? Sounds incredible. <i>Tastes</i> incredible, too!

Blank carries on in this matter until he deems himself "full," at which time he turns from his emptied plate and calls out to the Lovers.

Wonderful party, you two, absolutely amazing. We never had any get-togethers like this in Calatia, that's for sure.

A gentle laugh is your first response. The Lovers approach with a plate of dried fruits and a stein of steaming spiced milk. “No parties?” comes the inquiry. “That sounds like an interesting place. No celebrations of birth or death. Conquest parades perhaps? You must tell us more about this land. We too are travelers, and are glad to participate and add our own culture to this land.

_______

“Announcing the Lady Lilith, priestess and noble, with guests!” Comes the cry of the servant at the entrance. Standing in front of a small crowd of highly dressed people stands a woman in splendid white robes holding a staff. Her silvering hair is done upwards with pearls and silver. Youthful beauty has passed with age, but her face is delicate, kind, and handsome. She bows slightly to the crowd before moving to admire the ice statue of the goddesses.

Carried on the breath of a winter's gust, she strides into view, a smile, dazzling in the auburn sky as the sun sets its final colors, painting the world in a blanket of red and orange. Those who were lucky enough to be a part of last season's colors, were treated the beaty and elegance of that girl. That girl, decorated in winter's element, was clad in a white dress, dropping from the top of her slender shoulders and cascading down in a waterfall of snow to her feet, surpassing winter's cold attire. Kyra, modeling a shy smile and a crimson blush, glances around catching the eyes of those familiar faces that watched her before in season's past. Her crystaline heels clack on the icey floor, taking her to a far corner, her dress dancing behind her and begging to dance once more. Kyra didn't want to dance this time, her mind was concentrated on the beauty that winter could present, ingnorant to the fact that all the seasons envy her own magnicifcent beauty. Her back, taking comfort in the icey feel of the frozen walls and it is as if winter can't take its hands off her as it wraps itself around her and forces a wisp of white to escaper her lips.

Blank joins the other party-goers in applauding the arrival of Kyra, although he had no clue to exactly why so much applause was necessary. Turning back to his depleted plate, he finds the Lovers still there, and decides to tell them a thing or two about Calatia.

Well, you see, in Calatia there are many parties. Most are war banquets, there are many of those in that land, as Calatia has a long history of dispute with Byrna and Trinia. Anyway, the few parties aside from those are either funeral services, which are ususally silent until some drunken oaf disrupts the ceremony, and the crowning of a new King. But my, you would have loved to see the crowning of King Servious Delfuteroy II a few years back. Glorious ball. Not in equivalence to this party by any means, but a great scene of brotherhood for all races.

His short story running longer than he intended, Blank excuses himself from the table and goes off to watch couples young and old dancing gloriously in the winter aura on the dance floor. His nerves were shot; never had he seen a picture of such elegance. Any other day it would have made him sick to his stomach. He dreaded the thought of his nightmares and migranes attacking him during the event. It would be a shame for him to ruin a perfect banquet unintentionally.

Another figure looks upon the party from a tree branch. A noise of glee comes from the person before she disappears.



Fifteen minutes later, Shada runs into the party wearing an elegant black sleeveless dress that truly shows her thin and gorgeous frame. A ruby necklace embroidered with diamonds sits upon her soft skin. Her long braid is wrapped around her left arm, with a glimmering golden cloth entangling it in a beautiful pattern that makes it seem as though her dark brown hair is shining. A pair of bright blue sapphires hang from her ears, accentuating the color of her eyes. “Alright, a party! It’s been way too long since I’ve been to one of these!” she says with a striking smile on her ruby lips.

The Lovers watch as Blank walks away, a sadness in their eyes.
The servant announces all the newcomers to the assembled and all are greeted by The Lovers and given their sleeping branches.
A young girl dances up to Blank, giggling and flushed in a simple gown of brown and whites. “Handsome warrior,” she breathes then giggles, “would you give me a dance in your, um, splendid, um, strong arms?” She flushes bright red and she glances over her shoulder at gaggle of similarly attired women, all whom appear to be slightly older than her, and all are giving signs of encouragement. She looks back up to Blank, eyes full of fear and hope.
Young men approach the two new women to the party and offer dance or drink, whichever they may prefer as long as they are graced with their presence.

OCC: Sorry about the briefness and lateness of this post. It has been a goofy week at school, and I am trying to post between classes. I’ll get more to you laters.

Blank has been so entranced by the dancers that he's completely forgotten his migranes. Upon hearing a voice so close to him, he assumes that he is being spoken to. He turns to see the bashful girl, who was likely his age, more or less, inviting him to the dance floor. When she uses the adjectives "splendid," "handsome," and "strong" all in one sentence, he starts to feel that she may be speaking to someone beyond him, that or the supposedly non-alcoholic punch had been spiked already. He looks around, confirms that the girl is addressing him, and answers.

Er, uh... sure. I'll dance with you. Granted, I havn't danced for years, but I'm sure I could recall some steps. The name's Blank? And you are?

The girl positively beams. Is that a beam of light that is about her? Are angles singing their happy songs? It is just for her to hear. “My name is Sarah good sir Blank!” She bounces up and down a few times in giddy joy before curtsying low, and then she waits for Blank to take up the lead.

___

Winter now holds this land in frost and snow. The nights are long and dark. We have gathered here to warm this house of ice with our songs, dances, stories, hopes, dreams. Come all you people and warm this house, remember the spring, celebrate the sleeping world. Sing your songs to us, speak to us of hope. We shall begin for you.

In deep jungles where winter is not known, where the feathered serpents fly and guide the winds, there lays a living city. In it lived the heroic Jaguar men and sublime Eagle women. For the longest of years there was peace. Yet soon stone could no longer contain the city, nor the tree support it, for it grew heavy with hubris. The root of all sin is pride and these roots dug deep and spawned upwards warring houses that spawned the most evil of men. Few could stave off the corruption.
The goddess took pity and a prophecy was delivered. A child would be born of the true love of Jaguar and of Eagle, and that child would bring an end to the corruption and unite the people before the coming of a greater evil and a greater hero. Many men claimed the true spirit of Jaguar, and many women the true spirit of Eagle, but none loved any but themselves.
At the time of greatest need a jaguar and eagle from houses bound by peace fell in love with each other. But another had spied the woman and desired her as a trophy, and so sought her with all his might. The house of the eagle and the house of the lustful jaguar were warring, and a marriage of peace would stop much bloodshed and bring prosperity to the two houses.
This brought much woe to the lovers and the wed each other in love and desperation, tying the belt of conception about the woman. The jealous jaguar fumed in rage and sent men to beat the woman until her child was no more so that he could take her. That day the heavens cried and the earth shuddered at the atrocities of man. The land died and the sun shone no more upon the people. Disease coursed though every street and famine entered every household.
Fear not, nor lose hope, for this story is far from over.
The jaguar lover stormed the palace of his rival and by his obsidian claws many of his enemies died. He took his lover and fled on the back of a great feathered serpent to a safe land, where yet the prophesy could be fulfilled and peace brought back too that land.
And so we remember that winter, in this time when warmth seems so far away, and life is dead, is but a time of rest so that the world my bear unto us it’s offspring to bring peace and hope to all.

The Lovers end their story bowing slightly. They motion to the band to begin their merry tunes once more.

Blank has been dancing for some time now, and decides to take a break to hear the Lovers' story. Sitting in his chair at his table, he applauds the couple on their anecdote.

Excellent story, Lovers. I must admit, I thought my stories were good until now. I recommend publishing the piece for all to see and hear on any occasion.

He then begins Round II of his dinner.

The Lovers smile sweetly at Blank. “May our tales always bring you a smile. Let not darkness pain your heart dear Blank. This is a night of celebration! Enjoy peace and rest while within our walls.” A hand reaches out to squeeze gently Blanks shoulder. “Do not forget all the simplest of joys, food, drink, and dances with wanting women.” The Lovers bow and curtsy low, then dance off onto the dance floor.

Blank is surprised to realize that the Lovers knew of his earlier self-grievance. He laughs, realizing that the voice was not going to get him at a party. That in mind, he continues eatin, and waves to the Lovers as they dance away. He looks to the ice sculpture, to see it in a less than full state. Winter was coming to an end. The time to dance was now, eating could be done at any time. Once again, Blank resumes dancing.

As time goes on, Shada gladly accepts many different offers to dance, but decides not to have anything to drink. Her cheery smile can be seen by all, and continues to radiate outward as time goes on.