The Festival Kicks off!

"Mother! Mother! " A little boy knocked her robes in his mad dash between the billowing penants and colorful tents as he ran through the tent thouroughfare, one hand clutching a shining glistening candy on a stick. "oh! Sorry, Lady..." The mad dash was temporaily halted as he realized what he just accidently done. Forcing his race to a standstill long enough to apologize, she was able to get a better look at the young boy. He didn't look to be over ten, perhaps eleven years old. His clothing was of a simple white tunic, half laced up in the front and half tucked into the small leather breeches he wore. His feet were bare, probably better to run in and with the warm weather she could only imagine what a struggle it was probably for his mother to even get him to wear a shirt much less shoes.

"It's quite alright.." She remarked with a smile. The boy did take time enough to flash back a smile before dashing back off again, heading for a veiled and robed woman that was standing some distance ahead by the tent of Shania the Potter from Seventh Street.

The Festival had officially kicked off. The tents that lined the residental streets of West Village dotted the normally very green area with splashes of blues, red, purple, yellow, and white. Stripes of orange and black banners hung down from tall entrance signs proclaiming the Festival dates, from today till the end of the hand. Half of all street sales would go to the benefit of those misplaced by the lost of East district to the Avenue of Coins during the recent upheaval.

Strolling between early morning festival goers, she stopped by one of the many tents that was set up in an effort to sell some of the discounted work of a painter. Some of the portraits on sale were matted works of art while others were framed and ready to be hung. She admired one of the larger pieces that was of the famous Port Cos ship the "Venzu" that was docked in the harbor. The ship had been used during a scrimmage with a band of pirates that for some reason got the idiotic idea to challenge Port Cosian sailors that were running a trasport of expensive black wine beans. The battle had been the last for the pirates and afterwards the ship had been docked and since not been used. It had a bit of a history for the city and there had been some talk awhile back of opening the ship up to tours but no one had made the step forward to offer the coin that would restore the ship to it's former glory, but it still was beautiful to see in the harbor. The painting had been done with magnificent colors of pastels...with the slightest hint of red in a sunset backdrop. It was very good and a steal at the price marked.

Glancing to the back of the tent she saw a young male lurking behind a white table.

"You do this...?" she inquired with a gesture of her hand to the work on the easel.

"Mmhm..Yes, Lady. It's of the Venzu" He remarked as he came closer, almost bashful in his manner of having his work discussed. He didn't look to be over twenty one, twenty two.

"It's quite good.." She said, glancing back to the painting.

"Thank you..." No doubt he often received compliments for his efforts, but compliments didn't pay bills.

"Package it up and send it to House Red Tarn."

The expression on his face looked to be one of surprise, then quickly shifted to a nod and smile. "Yes, My Lady....I will have it sent this morning.."

"Very good. " Then turning she wandered away and deeper into the Festivies.