The next few hours were a blur of noise, dancing, and shared chaos as the entire crowd slowly burned itself out on constant movement. Although Elyon had never been a fan of the dances her mother taught her, they went a long way in keeping up with everyone weaving around her. Faces appeared to join hands with her before they were whisked away only moments later, fights broke out only to turn into hugs, and through it all the streetlamps burned brighter than the moon above. The young traveler soon found herself too exhausted to continue, finding a nearby chair to collapse onto as she watched the last few remaining members continue their slow dance to the fading music.
"First time?"
If Elyon still had any energy in her, she might have leaped out of the chair and fallen over. Instead, all she could do was twist her body to look straight in the face of the grinning lady who had been the one to start the entire event.
Blackstone looked every part the showlady she was. Even in the city's lights, her pitch-black hair and crimson cloak seemed to be highlighted against the stone below. The smug grin remained as she leaned back in her chair across from Elyon, rocking back and forth slowly.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I've actually never been this far north. Quite the neat show"
Their only response was a small chuckle as they looked out at the still-burning lamps. For someone who could have very well started a riot only hours before, Blackstone seemed surprisingly mellow now.
"Hopefully you enjoyed the show. If you're wondering why I came over to talk, I always make a point to speak to new faces so I can add to my act. Although you looked like you were more interested in my little fire magic trick then the harvest part"
The Black-haired lady leaned across the table, almost looking as if they were about to jump over the table. Their eyes had a strange glimmer in it, as if there was a hint of madness in them. She had never quite seen magic outside of her own little wind movements, but by the way that Blackstone had both hyped up the crowd, and wielded her fire, it was obvious she was a pretty impressive mage.
Wait, that wasn't the most impressive part, how had Blackstone even seen her among the crowd? Not only that, but picked out that she was both new AND paying more attention to the fire? With a small laugh, Elyon just gave a shrug before leaning back against her own chair. City folk were something else.
"I've never seen magic used quite that way, splitting it into different parts or increasing it based on how loud someone else was. I'll admit I'm even lower than an amateur when it comes to magic"
To emphasise this point, a soft wind rolled under foot that made their cups dance in the air, matching the footsteps of the couples that were still moving step-in-step. The pair watched, amused, as the cups continued their slow twists and turns. Blackstone reached forward, grabbing hers out of the air and drinking it before watching as the other one floated back down to the table.
"You've got the spirit, at least. You're only really missing a purpose for those winds of yours. Maybe when you're a little older you can join my traveling circus. We're actually about to visit a town down south. Then I can show you what real magic is like"
"Ah, I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm already traveling with a few clowns" Blackstone let out a small chuckle, standing up and stretching before turning to give a small bow to Elyon. She was struck again by just how animated each of Blackstone's moves were, as if she was still putting on a show.
"Then I suppose I shall see you sooner or later, with or without our circus. Enjoy the magic show when you get there!"
With that, the silhouette faded back into the streets, disappearing in the slowly dimming light of the night. Elyon wasn't sure if she should feel honored to meet the person who had started the festival, confused by what she had said, or something else. Finishing her own cup, she glanced up at the night sky. Although somewhat muddied by the street lamps around her, the stars dotting the darkness were only interrupted by the lowering moon.
With the exhaustion of the night finally starting to creep in, the young wind mage slowly made her way back to the inn room. A few remaining stragglers of the earlier events slept where they had sat down, the chilly night air barely affecting them as the lights cast both warmth and long shadows across the alleyways. The only noises now were the low whistle of wind cascading across the top of the city, and the occasional noise of someone staggering back home. Nearly staggering herself, Elyon finally got to her room before half-collapsing on the bed. Although the day had certainly been chaotic, it was exactly what she had wanted from an adventure like this. Well, maybe more teamwork and party building, but at the end of the day she couldn't expect Andy and Ange to babysit her. With the rather busy day behind her, Elyon slipped into a dreamless sleep.