"It's time," Saoire said, looking at the small individual with her. They had been preparing for this for a long time - earlier, Saoire had been with them all, the group of her closest, and they had put together the final preparations. The night before, in her workshop, Saoire had told them how tonight they would travel all across Idalos bringing small gifts and good cheer. Children throughout the land had awoken this morning to find trinkets and tchotchkes, gifts given which brought smiles to young faces.
That had been last night. This trial, though, they were bringing together people who Saoire had selected. Individuals who were prepared to give to another - who had taken her prompting, in dreams and visions, and had moved forward - acted - to prepare a gift. And, for the first time, her children would be there when the gifts were exchanged. It was a privilege, and they all knew it. To be there, to witness the giving of a gift by a kind soul.
This was one such soul.
The magic which Saoire wove was more complex, more nuanced than many could understand. Indeed, it would seem that perhaps she had roped Ralaith in to this event - or maybe this was part of her own purview. It wasn't clear, but what was obvious was that these events took place in the literal blink of an eye. Balthazar was going about their daily business, as was Norin when they heard the gentle tinkling of a bell. As their ears heard the sound, not yet sure whether it was indeed a bell or in fact the tinkling laughter of a sprite or fairy, they were suddenly somewhere else.
Balthazar and Norin found themselves standing at the side of a river. The ground on which they stood was snow-covered, but they did not feel at all cold. In their hands, they held warm mugs of hot drinks. Standing with them was a woman, wearing a beautiful crown of pine cones, glitter, and many small and intricate baubles. She wore a dress made, it seemed, from glittering leaves of vivid green and even her hair shimmered with glitter. She smiled at the two of them.
"I bid you welcome!" They knew who she was, somehow, even before she spoke the next words, "I am Saoire, and this is my very dear friend.". She gestured to a tiny individual, maybe two foot tall, who had whiskers, round ears and a long tail who stepped out from behind Saoire.
"Balthazar and Norin, it is my pleasure to meet you. I bid you fair greetings and wish you all the joy of Saoire's Gift", said the small individual. Looking around with wide eyes, the small bipedal mouse considered that he wanted - one trial soon - to swim in the river. It would be cold, but fun!
"We are here," Saoire said, her voice gentle and bubbling with mirth and joy, "Because Balthazar has a gift for you Norin". She gestured around, as though the gift was nearby. Which, Balthazar would see, it was. "I will leave you, now, to give your gift, but Torma will stay with you, and when you are ready to go back to your lives, will facilitate that."
And, with the sound of a babbling brook, Saoire was gone. The small creature with them smiled.
Welcome to your Saoire Event 720 Thread!
This thread is for Balthazar to give a gift to Norin.
The thread is Face to Face and so will be eligible for both skill points and knowledge, as long as the usual review requirements are met. At the end of the thread, both pc's will be returned to where they were. Literally and exactly where they were. Feel free to start your posts with where you were and what you were doing.
You may play Torma as an NPC throughout this thread. If you ask specific questions, feel free to PM Peg or Munch, but largely the NPC will not be giving anything away.
When you have completed the thread, please post here to claim your medals!
