[IC] Rustic Life - The Tales of A Small Village

[AxeEcliptica]

"Small birds flap overhead in the midday sun. Summer has begun, you can almost feel it in your core. The wind caresses your face and the birds chatter carelessly as you make your way to the tavern. You finally reach the place - beautiful in it's own special way. You push open the wooden door and are greeted by the other townsfolk, some of them your close friends, and others kindly neighbors. You momentarily reflect on how lucky you were to have ended up here in Erihurst."

[Girlie Go Boom]

Spry and Gentille

Spry, the Ashbana Orchard Faerie!


Guetteuse and Gentille! (Gets, the Giant Golden Wolf and Genny, the Hightops Garden Faerie!)

It was called Rise and Shines during the daytime.

And the daytime proprietor's name was Gentille Voix DeFeuilles du Jardin en Haut.

Golden hair with strips of soft white interspersed, gently swayed this way and that as she hummed softly, the corn broom in her hand making quick work of the dust and dirt built up from last nights soiree. Eyes even more brilliantly golden than her hair were half-lidded as the humming in her throat soon became words of a dainty yet lively chanson. As she emptied her collection of dirt and debris into one of the five painted blue trash bins, her motions became like a dancers as she gracefully put away the broom and dust pan; hard to believe that the lead singer of the tavern at night was also the day manager of Rise and Shines tavern.

This was Genny. Translated her name meant: Gentle Voice of Leaves from the Hightops Garden and her singing voice was her namesake; she had a raspy voice, not unlike the rustling of leaves high above, but like those leaves in the wind, her singing voice was calming and soothing all the same.

A soft whine, then a happy chuffing answered Genny's songs from the U-shaped balcony high above. This was Guetteuse, the golden wolf whose markings made her look like she had white stockings on 3 of her 4 paws. They called her Gets for short even though her name meant 'Watcher.' She was a huge lone wolf, rather friendly and rather too eager to sing, especially when her bonded faerie started up. She leaned over the railing, two huge white paws grasping at the polished redwood, poised as if she would leap forth, swing from the unlit triple chandeliers and land upon the raised stage below.

Golden eyes of the wolf met golden eyes of the faerie. Genny smiled a toothy grin and waved to her companion above, her white backless and shoulderless blouse ruffling as her transparent wings buzzed into life. She could have taken either curving staircase to make her way to Gets, but she rarely got to try out her wings when she was working; which seemed to be all the time.

---

Tavern description!

The staircases attached themselves to either tip of the U-shape balcony and landed midway across the dining area between the bar and the stage. Stairs were crafted by Genny herself. Actually almost all of the wood from ceiling to floor was crafted by the Wood faerie; she especially loved hand rails. The railings were ornate and seemingly carved with runes and pictograms that told stories of her family in the Hightops Garden. But everyone's favourite wooden sculpting was of course, the liquor bar.

The liquor bar sat underneath the bottom part of the U-shape of the balcony centred between two French double doors that lead to the large outside patio. The jewel of the tavern, Rise and Shines and after dark, Summerblooms By Night, was made of polished oak that would ripple and move to send drinks down the bartop to the patron at the other end. There was no pass through. Workers would go underground to retrieve more alcohol and fetch the fine food from the sub-level, yet impressive kitchen. The wall behind the bar area could be opened to serve patrons outside on the patio on gorgeous days like today.

Many patrons chatted jovially and comfortably as they lounged at Rise and Shines. Each chair in the tavern was unique and fully organic in pattern, each also had branches reaching up as poseable arm supports and seats adjusted to comfort the bottom of the seated patron. Tables could be grown or shrunken proportionally to fit in between other tables or adjusted proportionally to suit the headcount at the table.

The floor boards were not regular straight lines, but curved and fitted into a concentric pattern that lead from the walls to the centre of the floor, creating a natural placement for the dance floor. But right now, tables and chairs were placed where the dancefloor would be at night time. And high above, dangling right smack in the middle above the concentric patterned wood planks were the three chandeliers that looked like weeping willows suspended by vines and intertwined branches. But they would not need to be lit, for the ceiling was open right now.

It was an all natural domed roof made of thatched branches, that, on lovely days such as today's beautiful summer day, the branches could be pulled away to reveal the gorgeous ball of golden fire in the sky. At night the thatching would return partially so as to hang mirrors and spotlights to light up the raised stage opposite of the main bar. Those that were lucky enough to be seated up high at the tables upon the U-shaped balcony would have the best view of the stage.

Upon the walls of both floors were the artworks made by the village folk, each and every single piece framed with natural dark woods or displayed in recessed alcoves. And of course, each display would not be without some blossoms and leaves as accents or decor. And upon days such as today's sunshiny one, both the upstairs and downstairs patios would be open. And most likely there would be some villagers displaying their newest pieces of artwork.

Two portals lead from the balcony to the upstairs patio, which was lovely as it meant for lounging at the back or strolling all around the full perimetre of the building, taking in the sights of the art displayed outside or just taking in the sights of the streets below. But it was not as large nor as inviting as the one below. A spiralling staircase led one to the parasol laden open patio below where some villagers congregated and watched the performance of an Elven magician near the patio garden. Some stood in the warm glow of the sun, others stood neath the awning of the opened side of the bar as they sipped their Summer blossom drinks and chatted with either Corrie or Millie, the twin elves that managed and created the wonderful mixed drink menu at the bars.

The patio was closed off to the road by thorny and tall blackberry bushes but these bushes could be parted by Genny to allow musicians or performers into the tavern; a sort of back entrance for equipment and other such goods like barrels or crates into the underground kitchen. The heart of Rise and Shines, the kitchen was run by an imp named Chef Forlorn, a pudgy, cigar smoking bear-imp was he. He and a fire faerie named Scorch Mint Coals were ones that created the delectable menu that featured full vegetarian and full meat-atarian course meals at a premium. But those that did not wish to indulge in such lavish excess could also pick from the standard pub fare of the regular menu.

Opposite of the lower patio on the other side of the building was the main entrance, in which a wide, yet slightly winding path made its way past the garden then forked to the Enter and Exit openings. These openings were on either side of the raised stage. Those that wished to remain outside to smoke or just loiter in the gardens were treated to a small fish pond and two small gazebos; each gazebo had a full bench swing for young or old to laze upon. At either end of the path, one at the street and the other at the fork near the entry/exit, was an arch made of specialty flora that would bloom differing types of flowers each fortnight. Patrons were encouraged to take a flower upon leaving and bring them into their home to remember a good time spend at the tavern. And it did Genny's heart so nicely when the patrons did enjoy their time here.

---

The buzzing of wings ceased as soon as the Wood faerie's bare feet landed upon the floorboards. Slender hands dropped the hem of her black and red skirt; petticoats swishing down soon thereafter. Instantly, Genny was greeted heartily and affectionately by her bonded wolf, Gets. She giggled happily as Gets gave her adoring wolfy kisses with her wet tongue upon pale cheeks. Genny responded by stroking the shiny golden coat of the humongous wolf and hugged her tight before moving out onto the upstairs patio. She rested her arms upon the decorative railing as Gets lounged lazily upon the floorboards, soaking in the rays of the sun.

Genny jumped a bit as slender arms wrapped around her waist and a warm kiss was planted upon her cheek.

“Hullo, Genny,” said the soft-spoken voice of Spry Bubble Seed as she nuzzled her button nose into the gold and white hair of the taller faerie, “how're ya gettin' on, love? Ya seems a bit tense, dear...”

“Bonjour, Spry...” Genny leaned into the embrace of her best friend then turned her head and gave a reciprocating kiss upon the paler faerie's cheek as Gets' tail thumped happily with Spry's arrival, “ahhhh... it is just that the musicians are late... encore! Again they are late, and you know Monsieur Avante...! He is upset because he say his tea is soured now without music!”

Spry released her friend and traced Genny's wings with her slender hand with more than a just friendly caress. She pet Guetteuse before standing beside Genny and leaning upon the intertwined branches of the second floor patio bannister.

“Oh... that grumpy ol' Elf...” Spry chuckled softly as one large aquamarine eye closed then the other, shaking her silver-headed locks in time with her laugh, “oh, does he threaten to not pay... yet again...? Oh. Dear. We lost profit on ONE, SINGLE tea... yet again...?!”

Genny barked out laughter then covered her mouth before leaning into Spry's shoulder playfully, “Oh, Spry, be nice... M. Avante is a regular... and he does help with the clean up, chere...”

Spry's eyes popped open wide yet crossed together as she pulled away from her friend's bare shoulder, “Clean up?! Genny! He gathers the plates, aye, but he eats the leftovers upon them, he does! In fact, dear, I seens him lick them plates clean on more'n one occasion! Especially if that plate was from Missus SilverThistle! Aye, I seens it, I did!”

“Ewwwww..! Hahahah! Oh, Spry, ma fee foule! You exaggerate! But then again... he does have somethings for that Madame SilverThistle... ewww... he is soooo old for her!”

“Ummm... aye! And she is a little too married for him, she is!”

“Monsieur SilverThistle should be back soon too...”

“Oh but please... no drama here... promise me when Dravex SilverThistle returns we close our doors...? He's hot-headed enough to punch out an ol' feller Elf, he is...!”

“Oui! Closed! Agreed!”

The two females reached out to each other and locked pinkies, Gentille grinned, Spry winked and Guetteuse yowled to complete the promise.

The two giggled then sighed before turning their visages back over the bannister, staring out at the cobblestone path beyond.

“Alors! And here comes the musicians! Finally! Quel soulagement! Such a relief! Okay, my dear, I will go greet them! And you? What preparations will you make for SummerBlooms By Night? What do you make for the sculpture tonight?”

“Oh, right! Well, 'tis the night to change the weekly theme, Genny! I'm going to speak with the Doc and see what she'd like me to sculpt! Doctor Alcarin is from the tropics, I do believe, so it should be interestin' to ice sculpt somethings from her home land!”

“Ohhhh... very niiiice...! Oui! See you later then, faerie! A bientot!” Gentille pulled her best friend close and kissed Spry's cheek then began descending down the stairs. “Guets...!”

The golden wolf stood and stretched then marched over to Spry. She stood nearly eye to eye with Spry, but the Ashbana fae felt no intimidation at all, instead she giggled when the giant furry thing licked her face affectionately before following right behind Genny. Genny gave a final wave in Spry's direction then continued down the stairway. Her golden eyes shot open wide as she paused momentarily and stood frozen like a statue. Suddenly her head snapped back over her shoulder and she looked back up the stairway, golden eyes slowly narrowing as they met Spry's aquamarine ones, “heeeey... it is hot... why are you covered up with that cloak...?”

“Urmmm... no reason...! Very well, I will see you later, love!” Spry blushed before turning cheek and fleeing back inside.

“Spry! Quelle salope! My gown! You have my gown?! I have been missing that for weeks! You 'gift claimed' my clothes?! Spry come back here! SPRY BUBBLE SEED!!!”

Genny stamped a barefoot down in a huff and folded her arms. She could have easily commanded the floorboards to trip her friend but the patrons were watching and she did not want to cause more of a scene. Slowly she unlocked her arms and sighed. A glowing smile burst forth from her lips as she waved politely to the customers before turning to continue her descent down the stairs.

“Bon appetit, folks...! Guetteuse... allons-y.”

Gets barked happily in response and followed her bonded faerie to the lower patio, big fluffy tail wagging and big pink tongue lolling away.

---

At the bottom of the stairs, Gentille clutched both hands to her breast and lowered her chin. Suddenly, she gazed forward and waved both hands away, stretching them outwards, gold and white hair puffed outward as her wings buzzed noisily. The thorny bushes at the edge of the patio trembled then instantly opened up, parting to make way for the musicians and their equipment.

Genny jumped a bit as slender arms wrapped around her waist and a warm kiss was planted upon her cheek.

“Hullo, Genny--”

“Nuh-nuh-nuh! Don't you 'Hullo, Genny' me, faerie...!”

“Love ya, Gen--”

“Nuh! You go find your Docteure!” said Gentille as she shrugged away the embrace from Spry, “ I am not talking to you! You are getting a silent treatment!”

“Fiiine... but... we still best mates, aye...?”

Gentille held a finger to Spry's nose then pinched the Ashbana faerie's lips closed as she mouthed the words: 'Silent treatment.'

Spry giggled as she nodded, lips still pinched closed by the slender fingers of her taller bestie. A grin broke free from Genny's pouting features and she released the shorter fae's pink lips. The two females hugged before departing from each other.

“Oh, just t'let ya know... 'bout yer gown... aye, I will return to ya, I will, Genny... but... you'll have to have it re-fitted, love, 'cuz I had it altered to fit me. Was too wide... Yer bottom is as thick yer wolfie's, and twice as hairy, dear...!!!”

Spry laughed as she ducked a backhanded swing from Gentille. Then swiftly, she turned and ran off back inside, clutching the hem of her cloak and abducted gown underneath. All the while Genny grumbled loudly as she shook a fist at the fleeing silver-headed Ashbana faerie.

But Spry couldn't hear her best friend and business partner from the Hightops Garden, for Spry was laughing too loud, wiping away at her big aquamarine eyes, clearing them of hearty tears so she could check to see if the doc was here.