Post by Ariel on Mar 4, 2020 17:06:04 GMT
(February 3rd, open to anyone who would be in the festival!)
Near the docks of Arendelle the Festival’s activity was more sparse. Along one low town wall separating the nautical area from the buildings, two or three stalls were set up.
One held a few beautiful glass sculptures, some of flowers and star patterns, a few sun and lion shapes painted gold in honor of the Enchanted Suns hosting this party, and one or two snowflake tributes to the Queen. Another was selling some sort of sweet-smelling liquid that steamed in the late winter air. A third had some sort of game where little streamer wands could be won and twirled joyfully if one knocked over a series of bottles with thorn patterns crudely painted on.
But the slender figure gliding nearby wasn’t facing these fun vendors. Her hooded head was turned toward the ocean.
If anyone had drawn back the sea foam-green cowl, they would’ve found a head red as vibrant starfish and eyes wide with childlike wonder in a middle-aged woman. No crown. Ariel wasn’t exactly in disguise...but she wasn’t supposed to be showing approval to one side of this war or the other.
Of course, if Eric knew she was out here, he’d be happy. His handsome face would break into a mischievous smile, and maybe their ongoing argument about which side to ally their kingdom with would loosen. His eyebrows would curve, irresistibly teasing. She could just hear him now, saying something like, I guess the Enchanted Suns can’t be too bad if you want to go to their party, huh Ariel? She wished she could share all of this wonderful fun with him. But he might take it as a sign that her resolve was weakening, and it couldn’t.
The sparkle in the Queen’s eye dimmed. If Oceanica joined the Enchanted Suns, it would be in danger. If it were in danger, Melody would be in harm’s way, one way or another. Why wouldn’t one of those terrible Cursed Thorns try and kidnap their precious daughter—again—for leverage? And of course, then Daddy would surge all of Atlantica’s might into the fray, and peace would be lost. Ariel had to keep repeating these reasons in her head, especially when she found her heart leaping with excitement to learn and know more about this Arendelle, to see more of the creatures the war had brought here, especially if they were kind like Eric kept saying—
Former mermaid sighed again and shook her head sternly at herself. Her eye caught the glass sculptures. There was a fish there, so pudgy and striped. The stripes were even painted yellow—but it still looked suspiciously like Flounder. Delighted, Ariel’s smile returned like a leaping dolphin.
She turned quickly, caught up in quick fantasies about getting it for Melody, knowing how much her daughter missed the sea. Her hood blocked her vision for a moment, and she collided with someone. Abashed, Ariel stepped back. “Oh! Sorry! I-I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
Near the docks of Arendelle the Festival’s activity was more sparse. Along one low town wall separating the nautical area from the buildings, two or three stalls were set up.
One held a few beautiful glass sculptures, some of flowers and star patterns, a few sun and lion shapes painted gold in honor of the Enchanted Suns hosting this party, and one or two snowflake tributes to the Queen. Another was selling some sort of sweet-smelling liquid that steamed in the late winter air. A third had some sort of game where little streamer wands could be won and twirled joyfully if one knocked over a series of bottles with thorn patterns crudely painted on.
But the slender figure gliding nearby wasn’t facing these fun vendors. Her hooded head was turned toward the ocean.
If anyone had drawn back the sea foam-green cowl, they would’ve found a head red as vibrant starfish and eyes wide with childlike wonder in a middle-aged woman. No crown. Ariel wasn’t exactly in disguise...but she wasn’t supposed to be showing approval to one side of this war or the other.
Of course, if Eric knew she was out here, he’d be happy. His handsome face would break into a mischievous smile, and maybe their ongoing argument about which side to ally their kingdom with would loosen. His eyebrows would curve, irresistibly teasing. She could just hear him now, saying something like, I guess the Enchanted Suns can’t be too bad if you want to go to their party, huh Ariel? She wished she could share all of this wonderful fun with him. But he might take it as a sign that her resolve was weakening, and it couldn’t.
The sparkle in the Queen’s eye dimmed. If Oceanica joined the Enchanted Suns, it would be in danger. If it were in danger, Melody would be in harm’s way, one way or another. Why wouldn’t one of those terrible Cursed Thorns try and kidnap their precious daughter—again—for leverage? And of course, then Daddy would surge all of Atlantica’s might into the fray, and peace would be lost. Ariel had to keep repeating these reasons in her head, especially when she found her heart leaping with excitement to learn and know more about this Arendelle, to see more of the creatures the war had brought here, especially if they were kind like Eric kept saying—
Former mermaid sighed again and shook her head sternly at herself. Her eye caught the glass sculptures. There was a fish there, so pudgy and striped. The stripes were even painted yellow—but it still looked suspiciously like Flounder. Delighted, Ariel’s smile returned like a leaping dolphin.
She turned quickly, caught up in quick fantasies about getting it for Melody, knowing how much her daughter missed the sea. Her hood blocked her vision for a moment, and she collided with someone. Abashed, Ariel stepped back. “Oh! Sorry! I-I wasn’t watching where I was going.”