The+Celebration+at+the+Temple+of+Hanalil

Lorwynelle walked under the archway lit up with magical wisps of light, the entire sparkling gold path of hearts was lit up with wisps of lights and glowing lanterns that illuminated the heart shaped foliage of the trees and the colorful gardens of flowers. Symbols and statues of the Seldarine gods had been placed along the path to the celebration, and the temple of Hanalil shined beautifully. A statue of Sehanine stood in an open pool of water, reflecting the moonlight that was rising into the night sky. More lights hung high along the path in the distance, like beacons to draw in those who came to celebrate. The smell of roasting rabbit and venison mixed with herbs and something savory floated in the air.

She was so nervous that she was a little lightheaded, and her stomach felt like it had knots that were riding looping dragons tossing her to gryphons in the air. A pair of nightingales called to each other across two different trees. The young arcanist stepped off of the path into one of the quiet nooks where a high backed cushioned swing swayed gently in the breeze. Pale white moonflowers were open in full blossom in large pots, and ivy clung to the entry for privacy. She took several deep breaths, and looked high up into the stars that were just starting to peek out from the twilight sky still fading into night. Other elves passed by the nook on their way in toward the temple. A book about Hanalil bound in soft white leather had been left on the swing. Grateful for its presence, she picked it up and flipped through it to bring back her calm and focus.

With renewed confidence she returned the book to it's place and left the nook to continue the path to the open celebration area. As she rounded the corner of the path she could see the wide open clearing where several young elves were dancing. Ribbons of lanterns hung in the air and wisps of colorful lights floated through the area. She could hear the music coming only dimly from ahead, but as she took a few more steps through the magic curtain of sound suddenly it became quite clear and a bit loud.

Dane had one elven maiden leaning against him while he pushed two others, giggling, on a ribboned swing. Minaun was dancing with Seldana, the two of them partner swapping across the busy dance floor. Minoa was near the entryway chatting with a younger elven girl who had a strong resemblance to Seldana. Lairesul was surrounded by three elven maidens chattering on endlessly to him as he smiled charmingly and told them great tales of summoners and orcs. He looked up as he heard the whispers sweep across the area.

Lorwynelle was stunning in a sparkling pale blue dress that was low cut, had an open back, and showed off her curves with a thin gauzy silk. It was short with an intermittent bottom edge that went up and down from just above her knees to just below her hipline. A single long matching length of silk was looped over her elbows to hang in a curve behind her back and drape off of each arm to just above her knees. Her short dark red hair was perfectly tousled, showing off the silver and blue piercings in her long pointed ears. She wore thin soled sandles with magic air heels that made it appear that she was walking on her toes, enhancing the curve of her long legs. She wore a single blue ribbon choker around her neck with a dangling star symbol charm from the center. Her lips were red and a dark powder had been brushed lightly around her gold ember eyes, enhancing her long dark red lashes. She walked with a graceful sashay that made the edge of her dress sway back and forth. She felt several eyes on her and she slightly bit the center of her bottom lip until her eyes met Minoa's and she smiled.

Minoa waved her in, introducing her to Aluah, Seldanna's younger sister. Two young elven men arrived at the same time. One kissed the back of Lorwyn's hand, "I don't believe we've met." as the other nudged the dark-haired sorceress, "Who is your friend, Minoa?" "My name is Lorwynelle Thaldaine," she curtsied to them both, blushing and feeling overwhelmed by all of the attention. "Easy boys," Minoa grinned, holding up her hand, "She came to dance with me first." The young sorceress took the arcanist's hand and led her out to dance, "You look fantastic! I knew that dress would be perfect for you!" "It feels a little short and drafty," Lorwyn leaned in to talk to her over the music and giggled. "You'll be grateful for that soon enough," Minoa winked at her, pulling her in among the crowd who was jumping and dancing to the fast upbeat music.

Seldana joined them, her and Minoa sandwiching Lorwyn between them to help her learn the moves and feel the beat. Soon all three girls had hands in the air, swaying together and moving, inches away from the other in a train. Lorwyn was relaxed, laughing and having fun with the girls. Seldana moved like she owned the place. She was used to the attention and expected it... but with the three of them together... they drew a lot of eyes. Minaun swept in, stealing Seldana back, "I believe we were dancing," he winked at her, and the white haired elven woman laughed merrily, letting her friend lead her off in a dance.

"Excuse me ladies," Lairesul swept a bow to the three women around him and moved to part through the gathering group waiting to ask for a dance. "Minoa," he greeted his friend with a kiss on the back of her fingers as he stepped into to dance with both women. He took Lorwyn's hand, pulling her closer with his other hand sliding up her arm as he leaned in to kiss the inside of her elbow, "Nelle, you made it." Goosebumps ran up her arms and her cheeks blushed pink. "Res... there you are," she smiled, happy to see him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Spark had an open shirt showing off his chiseled muscles. He was barefoot, and his pants were loose and flared out. He was easily sweeping two girls across the floor, his muscles glistening with sweat as they danced. He was faster than anyone else there and made dancing with two different women look easy. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Minoa smiled, her dark hair swirling over her shoulders as a strong elven warrior strode toward Lorwyn. Minoa stepped in front of him, "Were you coming to ask me to dance? I thought you'd never ask." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Well actually I... Yes, of course... I was... Would you care to dance?" he stumbled with his words, but took the young sorceress up on her less than subtle offer.It was hot and everyone had been dancing for awhile when the winds came out from the palace and the music slowed, quieting to the background...

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Ahnahi gracefully sauntered through the crowd as it parted around her. She stepped onto the dais, and the music faded to silence, "Welcome my friends to another full moon celebration of The Seldarine. Thank you all for coming to our temple of beauty and love. This month we are honored to have a priest of Corellion and a priestess of Sehanine join us. She gestured to a man on her left and a woman on her right. May Hanalil bless each and every one of you with an appreciation of beauty and romance... now let's go celebrate and fall in love under the full moon!" Gold glitterdust rained on the crowd much to their cheering delight.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The music restarted with a romantic soft song and Lairesul pulled Lorwyn close, leading her in a slow, graceful elven waltz, whirling her around the room. The crowd fell away from Lorwyn as she fell into the charming blue abyss of the charming sorcerer's eyes. For the moment, they were in the bard classroom dancing alone amidst the crowd. Their slow touching dance drew several pairs of eyes, including those of the high priestess. Her daughter had come to the celebration... and she was dancing...

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lairesul placed a gentle guiding hand on the small of Lorwynelle's back while holding her hand with his other, "Let's go get some air, shall we?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She nodded, her muscles burning from the exertion of all of the dancing. She walked alongside him out of the main open grounds where the music and chaos of voices and laughter faded quickly. There were long tables of food and drink and he handed her a glass of wine, taking one for himself as well. He gestured up to the 3 tiers of large golden pools where a natural waterfall fell into the top pool and poured down into the other two, "Let's go up there where we'll have a great view."

She nodded, holding his hand and followed him up the polished stone stairs carved into the mountain. Beautifully carved posts ran along the edge of the stairs supporting paper lanterns with magical wisps of light. A few others patrons were in the bottom 2 pools, but the couple climbed to the top where the pool was currently empty. The water looked like liquid gold, prepped for the celebration. The night sky above them shined with a thousand stars and a bright full silvery moon. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lorwyn gasped as bright colorful fireworks burst in the sky followed by red embers in the shape of a dragon, soaring over the quieted crowd below. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Lairesul grinned, "Master Embermoss himself is performing the magic tonight." They watched the dragon fade as more colorful bursts filled the sky.The pale-blonde elf removed his shirt and shoes, dropping them on a ledge. He wasn't muscular like Spark, but he was fit and tone... and her ears blushed red as she blinked at him.

A charismatic smile lit up his face and he stepped into the golden pool, extending his hand back in invitation, "Are you coming?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Her hand patted her dress as she looked herself over, "In //this//?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Well... you could take it off if you like," he winked at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A surprised gasp escaped her lips and her cheeks grew warm. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He chuckled, still holding out his hand, "Come on, you'll be fine." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She removed her shoes, setting them and the long scarf she was carrying next to his things, and stepped into the pool beside him. The water was magically warmed and felt soothing to her achy muscles. She practically melted into it.

He swam out into the pool and dipped down into the water where just below the golden surface, the water was crystal clear. He could see the launch of the fireworks below through the one-way tinted glass bottom and he swam closer to her. The edge of her dress lifted and swayed in the water around her hips, occasionally exposing the white lace she wore against her skin underneath. Her hands continued to smooth the dress back down. He came up with a soft golden sparkle in his pale blonde hair that twinkled in the moonlight. He was standing so close, his chest nearly touched hers, and he slipped an arm around her waist, turning her, and pointed to where another firework dragon spread across the sky, this one breathing fire at the stars. She gasped in awe, watching it with delight.

"Follow me," he dove down into the water next to her, gently brushing her arm drawing her toward him.She dove down, wondering how she was supposed to follow him, and surprised when she opened her eyes to see through the crystal clear water. He was waiting for her below, and he took her hand, swimming to the deep edge of the pool where they could see the magic show over the crowd. Her gold eyes were wide and her hands were pressed to the glass as she watched the colorful display, mesmerized. The two swam up, breathing in air as they broke the surface. They sat together on a ledge that ran along the inside edge of the pool, soaking in the heated water and watching the stars.

She leaned back, "You know I've been to the temple before... but I've never been up //here//. It's perfect." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"You know, it isn't over yet," he smiled over at her, and stood up. She smiled up at him as he stepped over in front of her, sinking into the water at eye level. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"No?" She blinked at him. He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers, shaking his head, "There's still more." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He leaned in ever closer... his lips a breath away, and his blue eyes locked with hers, "Would you like there to be more?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She was trembling. Was he going to kiss her? ...she'd never been kissed. She had no idea what she was supposed to do. She bit her bottom lip, slowly letting it go as she nodded hesitantly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He smiled, sliding an arm around her back and the other under her legs, lifting her in the water to him.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She put both arms around his neck and laughed, "Where are we going now?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Here..." he took her one of her hands into his, letting her legs drop in the water and he pressed his lips softly to hers, his arm on her back, holding her to him closely. His lips were soft and warm and sparks went off in her head. The world seemed to spin and she felt like she was falling from the sky... endlessly falling as his lips brushed her top lip and then her bottom lip in soft sweet kisses. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Her heart pounded and her hands went to his cheeks as her head tilted slightly and she kissed him back, the taste of sweet wine still on both of their lips. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">His tongue barely brushed the inside edge of her lips, tasting her... making her feel dizzy and want more. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until he put his hand on her hip, and pulled her against him closer, making her gasp. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">His lips pressed against her gently, clinging to hers as he slowly pulled back, still holding her body close, "Is it still perfect?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She was breathless, wanting more, and she nodded, "C-can we do that again?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He grinned, leaning in to again softly press his lips to hers, sending sparks to streak across her body as everything spun around her. Her lips were smooth and soft, and they beckoned him closer to taste the sweet edge of her warm tongue that softly caressed back over his. He held her body pressed against his, feeling the soft warmth of her curves. He moved his lips slowly... tasting her, exploring the sweetness of her kisses. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He brushed her hair back over her shoulder and nibbled the side of her neck, enjoying every sweet gasp and murmur of pleasure she offered for his skillful kisses. Her breaths were fast and deep, her body was throbbing and his hand rested over the edge of the lace strap that ran over her hip beneath her dress.

He paused his kisses, holding her close, and looked around. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She couldn't catch her breath as she panted in his arms, looking around, "Wh-what... is... it?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Did you feel that?" He looked around them again, letting her go, "That... pulse of magic?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"I sure did! Why did you stop?" she blinked at him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He laughed, "No, not //that// magic..." he grinned at her, "more like someone was...scry..."

Before he could finish, Gaerond Thaldaine appeared at the edge of the pool, glaring at his daughter, "This is where I find you?! You've been missing all day! You missed all of your classes. I've been worried sick!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">