Thread: Among the Elves (GoldenGateSon x Wingshadow)

Clara giggled when Steven wholeheartedly accepted her caress, sensing the eagerness with which he fell into place. She rubbed her finger on his cheek and her gaze softened, her intentions perhaps going further than Gwendolyn would have allowed given older young woman's more cautious stance. Clara took note of the longing look in the young man's eyes, excited concerning the possibility of indulging in that eagerness when the time was right. Nonetheless, Gwendolyn's speech cut them off before it could progress any further, prompting Clara to withdraw her hand and turn to face her instead, although she did keep stealing glances at Steven's girth. Sure, Clara nodded in response to Steven's request, I think she is meditating in her favorite spot on the other side of town, actually. She tends to do that early in the morning, so I suspect she's still there. Tell you what, I'll give you a tour of the town while we are at it. Clara reached out and took his hand in hers, leading him along beside her as they proceeded past the ring of houses toward the northern part of the village. Gwendolyn crossed her arms under her ample breasts and sighed, He does have a point, though. It would be far better to get her opinion on the matter instead of discussing it among the three of us. With that, she followed after them, keeping silent for most of the way while Clara spent most of the time pointing out each and every landmark they came across. In the very center of the village, as we will see in a moment, Clara began, Is the town center circle, where many of the official ceremonies are performed. It is also where we gather for official announcements and declarations, but the current village leader is pretty relaxed so he does not call us together all that often. As the group proceeded, several more elves, both male and female, began to leave their houses and wander about the village, some proceeding toward the forest proper while others joined in small groups to socialize. The children mostly ran about on their own, aged six and up or so, with a single adult accompanying them as their number was remarkably small. The village center was marked by a wide circular expanse, a bare circle of dirt kept in place by a ring of undergrowth around the edge. In the center there was a single circular yellow stone, but otherwise it lacked any significant markings or decorations. Past the village center, we see one of the four wells we draw our water from. There is one for each direction, and naturally this is the northern well here, Clara pointed out the rather unassuming well made of stacked rough stones and a simple roof made of a giant mushroom cap propped up by four mushroom stalks. It was almost as if the mushroom had grown there naturally for the expressed purpose of covering the well. Clara quickly moved on without making any further notes, however. Just down this way are the food stores, on the east side of town, whereas the west side of town, down this other path, are the village gardens where we cultivate various rare plants and herbs, Clara pointed to each well-worn path as they crossed them, waving wordless greetings to the men and women they passed by as they walked. Before long, however, Clara led them toward a wide row of arches formed from the boughs of the trees above them, toward a single clearing to the north of the village. There, in the very center of a single beam of sunlight which pierced through the canopy, stood Steven's aunt and Clara's mother, Arielle. Arielle knelt down in a calm and resolved manner, but Clara approached her boldly and after letting go of Steven's hand whispered something in her ear. Arielle's eyes opened slowly and she looked up at the small group, a smile spreading across her lips, Good morning, Steven. I trust these two have shown you around town by now? Yes, of course, Mother, Clara nodded, Steven just wanted to talk to you more about the coming of age ceremony and the rite of adoption. She sat down on the ground beside her, motioning to Steven to do the same. Gwendolyn had already sat down by then, remaining as taciturn as before. I see, Arielle turned to Steven, What is it about the ceremonies that you wished to discuss, specifically?