Melrose Parade

Melrose Parade

Today is a day for peace and celebration; Rionnach's Parade of Peace is to be held on the day following the mid-summer's full moon (roughly July 10th) from dawn till dusk. It will feature a parade meant to celebrate the return to normal life in Rionnach and an end to the war. It will be held in Melrose.

The parade is a grand event the likes of which have never been seen before featuring performers from all corners of the Kingdom as well as from Saora, on special invitation.

Part of the parade will also commemorate the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians made during the war. It is open to everyone, including citizens of Saora and the Hinterlands (expenses not covered).

Both King Adamh and Queen Daphne will be present and an invitation has been extended to King Jacob.

There will be four official events during the parade but you are welcome to make your own, unofficial ones as well.
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Event 1: Design your own float. During the parade, members of Rionnach are permitted to enter the parade representing a group. A certain guild, family, job or role... it's up to you! Come up with an idea for a float and see how much the judges like you! You can compete by yourself or with a group. All participants get a prize from the King himself, but a special reward awaits the winner.

Event 2: The Queen’s Market. Are you a vendor looking to peddle your wares? Want somewhere to socialize and drink and be merry? Well look no further! Melrose’s main square has been turned into a market featuring performers and vendors from everywhere in Rionnach. Spend some coin and have a good time, why don’t you? Or enjoy some of the free refreshments bought and paid for by the Crown! Be merry and jovial, but try not to get too carried away…

Event 3: Fjorbum the Flatulist’s Fish Eating Competition. The King’s fool, Fjorbum, is hosting an eating contest bound to push all who participate to their very wits! Do you have what it takes to be an eating champion? Compete against your fellow citizens to see who can last the longest, and eat the most fish. The rules are simple: the last wolf standing is the champion!

Event 4: Remembrance Event. Held in honor of Rionnach’s fallen soldiers, a somber ceremony dedicated to the memory of those killed or injured in the war is held at the river. Flowers will be cast into the water, and lily-pad bonfires will be lit at sunset.



Yes! You can be in the parade or just attend, up to you! Characters may post responses to the parade here or make their own private threads in Melrose!

Cheers and cries reigned foreign on numbed ears. Her body was used to the thrum of war, or marching beat- but drums to a different beat- one joyous and celebratory seemed almost.... wrong.

A wife.

Children.

She had siblings. A step-mother all in the space of two years? Had Rosalie meant anything to him?! Oh how she seethed, that scathing icy glare stood defiant; watching the crowds that bustled. Oh how she had rejoiced at the news of keeping guard. She would happily, perhaps a little too happily restrain any type of indecency.

Anything to distract her.

But of course, it was not her Father's fault, no! No fault that he stood there and let Nassar die. No fault that he let his Mother die.

Not his fault...

A cry brought her from her thoughts, followed by the smell of fermented berries. A Noble with his entourage staggered past gleefully. Throwing flowers to the bystanders that danced and cheered.

A steeled breath, and roll of her shoulders. If the past two years taught her anything, it was that she could no longer obsess over what she could not control.

And she could not control her Father, would not.

So she set herself back on the task at hand, watching those that seemed... content.

Dare a soft pang ache within her heart- why could she not feel the same?

I

t was time. He had been home with his family for months, the wounds of his broken heart still burned in his chest. But he could not stay in hiding forever. He needed to go out, explore the world and find who he was. He was an adult now, and would be up to him how his life would progress. He made his way towards the parade, not really caring if he saw someone in particular, but he knew that there was a possibility he would see his sister here. He was still harboring the pain of their last meeting. He needed to get his words out to her about the whole thing. He moved the edge, looking to watch as the floats moved on by. He sat in silence. But as he heard the robust sound of the jester nearby, he was pulled to it. A contest of not brawn nor brain, but of the stomach? Well that was something he had never tried before, but if he was successful - how many females would be fawning over the fish-devourer?

@name

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

She needed a change of scenery. For far too long, she had locked herself within the confines of her home, avoiding the harsh realities of the outside world. Time alone seemed to conspire against her, keeping the memory of Reuben ever-present in her mind. Though the bitterness had softened somewhat, she couldn’t entirely shake the anger of betrayal and the lingering sense of his failure to make amends. Was he truly sorry? She had no way of knowing. Perhaps getting out of the house would offer some healing for those old wounds. The parade was loud, and as she drew closer, the joyful screams and tantalizing aromas of delicious food became more pronounced. The scent of fish particularly caught her attention, leading her toward what appeared to be a fish-eating contest. Her steps started with eager anticipation, but they faltered when a familiar yet unexpected face came into view. "Riften," she murmured to herself, her ears folding back with unsureness. Her stomach churned as she glanced over her shoulder, contemplating whether to turn around and retreat home. What she really wanted was to offer him an apology, the same kind she wished she had received from Reuben. It was ironic how the world worked. She swallowed hard, trying to remind herself that she was here to enjoy herself. This parade was meant to bring people together, but she feared that approaching him might spoil his enjoyment. Rayne wrestled with her conscience, part of her urging her to be brave and confront her past. She resolved to keep her apology brief but sincere, in case he wanted nothing to do with her. Taking a deep breath, she walked towards him. "Hey," she began, her voice steady but soft, "you don’t have to say anything to me, and I don’t want to ruin your time here, but I owe you an apology." Her eyes softened, and she shook her head slightly. "I never intended to hurt you, though I wish I had understood where we both stood at the time." She bit her lip nervously. "Regardless, I’m truly sorry. It doesn’t feel good being on the receiving end of that kind of pain." She looked at him briefly before lowering her gaze to the ground, nodding slightly. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here." She forced a gentle smile before turning away and heading back towards the market. If he wished to speak further, she would be open to it, but for now, she needed to navigate these unfamiliar feelings. @Riften

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