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"Kaya Kasahi, Benson Niguel, Samantha Tylon..." and list of names went on and on. Dakota was starting to get really impatient as name after name was being read. [color=#BF0000]"Am I good enough what if I don't get called. Is it because of my severed arm" she thought anxiously awaiting name over name. She looked over to Rusty her crush for three years and then found herself doubting her love as she saw Akari and then turned away to smile. Finally her moment came up as her name was called.[/color]

"Dakota Catagon" Remus said and every emotion just soon made her as she stood up along with the other anthros.

Sirus lit up inside at the lizard's gesture of friendship. It would be nice to have some company tonight. "Well, actually I'm not partaking in the ceremony. But as far as names go, I'm Cyrus." he said, extending his hand. "I've always trained apart from other Anthros so I've never been part of the mainstream culture." It was a lot easier to hear himself speak now that most of the crowd had quieted down.

Sissmuth nodded, pretending to understand what Cyrus meant, when in reality, he had to mentally replay what he just said several times in order to grasp its meaning. "Pleasure," he replied, his voice unnaturally deep. "My name is Sissmuth... Just came in from Valter, but as it seems, I have all I need with me except for a fixed destination." He frowned at having to say this, almost embarrassed, but he soon straightened up again.

He decided to take the offered hospitality, and in doing so, he caught a glimpse of two very important clues that revealed to him a bit more of his new accomplice; two small short blades and a peculiar pendant in the shape of wings that hung from a chain around Cyrus's neck. It seemed as though he'd seen the pendant before, but couldn't recall where. Even so, the increased tension he felt flowed out of him and seeped down into the ground through his bare, clawed feet

Just then, the topaz fixed into his wristband began to shimmer. He quickly withdrew them and stuffed them back behind his cloak. "So... might I inquire as to why YOU were headed to Desdon? Perhaps we could travel together?"

Naturally, Sismuth wasn't afraid to go at it alone. But he figured two in a group was a whole lot safer than one -- he couldn't always be too reliant on his own abilities after all, since even they had their own limits. He didn't expect Cyrus to accept either, but it was a question he didn't give himself enough time to think about before asking.

"...Akari LaKoth," said the booming voice of Remus. Akari stood up in the stands, and performed his signature sword salute, where he took a sword out of its sheath, and put the frontal edge to his forehead, as if it was his hand in a salute. To him, his swords were extensions of his arms, and this was his personal way of expressing that. He briskly lowered the sword to his side, bowed slightly, and then re-sheathed his sword. The militaristic nature of the entire motion was gained from his fascination with formal military proceedings. The military itself didn't really interest him, but it was something he couldn't name about their ceremonial proceedings that did. His mother, as he expected, made sure to clap louder when his name was called, which, despite the fact that it was slightly embarassing, made him smile anyway. More names were being called, and it seemed as if half of the people in the stands were standing up. Most of them, like Akari, were doing a motion that was distinctive to themselves.

Scanning the stands, he searched for people he knew. Mainly, he was looking for Rusty. He was certain that picking out a red fox in a crowd would be easy, but apparently there were more foxes in Asper than he originally thought! Soon, though, when he saw one standing next to the Arctic wolf that was Dakota, he knew it was Rusty. He tried to wave at him, but he wasn't sure if Rusty would see him. Akari liked to say that the only way to easily make him stand out in a crowd is to fit his scar with neon lights! Still, wether Rusty saw him or not, he would make sure that they met up sooner or later.

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Rusty was in anticipation standing there waiting for his name to be called. With Dakota, Akari, and many others already called it seemed like the spotlight was being robbed away from him—though this was kind of expected, Rusty’s name was always near the end of any ordered list (though this list didn’t seem to have any particular order and this is just happening by coincidence).

And then it happened.

“Rusty Tokana…,” Remus said and Rusty made he presents oblivious well before his last name was said. He pulled out his dagger and held it straight up, and then let it fall in his figure into a small twirl, stopping it when it was upside down in his hand, and sheathing it from there.

Remus continued with the names until every teenager from Asper had been called. At which point he said: “Your names are now in the minds of the many present tonight, and your faces are in their eyes. Take that knowledge to heart and keep it there with you though the trials that you will endure. Though times are advancing, you will still bring honor to Asper like in the old times.” He paused like he did before and then concluded with: “It all starts tomorrow in you’re homes. But celebrate now to your heart’s content; the night belongs to you.”

When Remus and Duncan left the stage and the crowd before it started to disintegrate Rusty turned to Dakota and asked, “What would you like to do?”

[I've been keeping tabs on this thread, but the thing is, I can't really post until Cyrus does...]

((He and I have been busy with projects lately (him more so than me). He means to post but hasn't gotten to it yet. He will shorty, though.))

As everyone who was on the stage stepped off, another stepped on. It was an anthro zebra, and once he got on the stage, everyone started to cheer. It was the aptly named hip-hop/pop artist, "Z-Stripe," who was very well-known around Astrania, and had a huge fan base. "Let's make some noise, Asper!" he bellowed to the crowd into the microphone, causing the cheering to swell dramatically. He started things off with one of his pop songs, and everyone began jumping up and down, and dancing wildly. Akari and his mother stood up, but didn't really join in with the dancing. Akari wasn't what you'd call a "fan" of Z-Stripe, but he did like some of his songs, but the particular one he was singing wasn't one of them. He was surprised, actually, that Z-Stripe came to Asper. He normally made appearances in huge cities like Desdon, Gertemano, and Anto-Aldo, not small cities like Asper. Akari figured that someone with money hired him to play at this festival.

Akari and his mother headed out of the stands to ground level, and they split up. Akari searched for Rusty, and his mother began talking to some friends of hers. Akari soon found Rusty and Dakota right where he remembered seeing them. "Hey guys!" he called to them, trying to be heard above the loud music that Z-Stripe was pumping out of the large speakers, "This should be one heck of a party!"

(I might not be getting to posting as often as I'd like to. My PC has a virus, and this computer can't connect to the internet at home. Or at least, not yet. I'll let you know when this is all resolved.)

Dakota smiled at her date and looked around at the small booths which sold weapons from the human villiage and then the various food carts and games. "Well if you would hows about treating me to a bite to eat and then some of those carival games. Finally, how does looking at those human vendors sound and then a little time out on the lake to show you some of my pictures" she said twirling one of her tonfas. This was the only time for Dakota to prove to all the other female teen anthros that she could more of a Natalie Morrales and not the equivalent of a female American Gladiator. ((That's your pop-culutre reference for this page XD))

She then punched Rusty playfully and laughed seeing Akari. "But of course Rusty this is also your night to relax, it wouldn't be a time without Akari now would it" she said and was happy to see that they could be united one more time. Dakota left the two alone to look into the lake distorting the water so that instead of her image she could see her parents. "It's a shame you guys couldn't be here living on your own isn't as much fun as I thought" she said and talked to her parents

(( Sorry for being awayw for so long thanks for telling me everything i missed don't worry i read the other posts as well.))


Nero had been walking around the chores he would do around the house where done, there was really nothing he could do and it was going to be boring to just wait around for the next day of his life. the music being played at the celebration was pretty loud it and made him curious of everything that was going on " Mabey just a look" he said under his breath as he began to walk through the woods towards where the festival was being held Nero's footsteps had been slow and carefull there would have been a broken twig or two eevry now and then as he would brush tree branches out of his face. As the music grew louder Nero could tell he was getting closer and closer with each step he was not scared but he had not been in public for a while he was used to keeping to himself.

The lights where shining, through the trees toawrds his direction " Wow" he said while looking around there where so many people who looked like they where having fun hanging out with friends and family, listing to Z-Stripe " Kinda weird never knew he would have been here" Nero said as he began to look around to see people playing carnvial games and eating food. Sitting down Nero just looked he really did not mean to be so nosey or anything but he had nothing better to do even if he wished he could go and just hang out he knew nobody what would the point be? Placing his hands in his pocket Nero took out a small book filled with stories that he had been plaing to read " Should i go back home?" a voice in his head said " Naw i'm already here might as well stay in the darker side of the forest and just relax try and read and listin to the music".

(( ug sorry i am out of it today))

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(OOC: My sincere apologies for the huge delay in my post. It won't happen again. Well, so I hope As Rusty clarified earlier, I have been ridiculously busy this past week and haven't been able to post until now. Things have eased up a bit and I should be able to find a little time to post from now on. Again, I'm sorry. And Dakota, if this obnoxious "bump" you keep posting is referring to me, I would appreciate it greatly if you stopped. We all have busy lives. Sorry if I sound rude, I don't mean to and I'm not angry. It's just a bit irritating. Anyway on to the very late post...)

Cyrus was surprised at the invitation. "Why, yes of course! I'd be honored." he said. He judged by Sissmuth's expression that there was a bit of confusion. Does he understand me? he wondered, deciding to experiment. "It seems, my friend, that I too am without a destination." he continued, desperately hoping he didn't appear to be mocking Sissmuth's speech, "To be honest I know not what to do once I arrive at Desdon. My quest will take me where it will, as the wind carries a feather."

He smiled at Sissmuth, trying to look as benign as possible. Then his worries overcame him. "I'm sorry if I confuse you. Our way of speaking here seems strange, does it not?" he added, trying to clarify his intent.

[Glad to have you back on, Cyrus!!]

Sissmuth cocked his head to the side. Then the sides of his lips curled and before he knew it, he was chuckling out a short-hissed laughter. "Hsss-hss-hss-hss!!" He straightened again and with a shake of his head, he added. "You need not change yourself for me. It's all apart of what makes Ekleron so diverse. It's why I left Valter to come here." He turned around and gazed back at the cityful of lights. "And it is quite plesant, don't get me wrong. I don't know why I feel as though I'm in such a big hurry, but for me, I suppose there's just always been a need to keep moving."

Then he thumped his staff on the ground. The music was giving him a headache and his tail began to twitch uncontrollably. "This blockade troubles me, but I don't want to worry about it any more than I should; if anything, they should all be clear by morning." He threw his cloak back and gestured for Cyrus to follow him back to town. "Come, there will be plenty of time for the road later, but this is a rare night and I find myself in need of another drink."

The mood was getting to Sissmuth again, and he cursed himself silently inward for it. But with a shrug to himself, he continued on, walking slowly for Cyrus to follow. The blades and the pendant looked peculiar; he wanted to know more about his new accomplice.

“Hey, Akari,” Rusty said, turning in place to greet his friend. “You’re not kidding. This year’s celebration is absolutely incredible compared to last year’s.”

“Anyways,” he said remembering what Dakota had said before Akari appeared, “Let’s grab a bite to eat.” He shifted to a thinking position, his left arm across his abdomen, right elbow resting on the left arm, and chin on his right hand. “All of the fancier places are probably impossible to get into, so how about a burger at Hallor’s bar?” he offered, “Even on a night like this, I’m sure we’ll be able to get in.”

Akari nodded at the idea.

When Rusty looked at Dakota for her opinion, he found that she was walking away. Unsure of what to do he called to her, “Dakota, we’ll be at Hallor’s bar!” He was sure she had heard him. Then he crossed his arms, frustrated over what he just did. Should he have let her walk off by herself? Deep down he knew it was wrong, but he didn’t know what was the right course of action to fix this, for all he knew he could make things worse for himself if he did try anything. He decided to do nothing and head over to the bar, hoping Dakota wouldn’t chew him up for not following her.

He swallowed. “Let’s go, Akari.”