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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CanadienneBacon" data-source="post: 3765364" data-attributes="member: 11146">Like the bigger folk joining in at the buffet, Phythas and Penn eat well past their fill.  A town of nearly all humans, and certainly not a place known to offer comfortable harbor to those through whose veins courses non-Chelaxian blood, Sandpoint--on this day, at least--revels in the festival spirit.  Free of the care lines normally creasing brow and nose, the Sandpoint locals enjoy unfettered feasting and merriment.  Both Phythas and Penn find themselves the beneficiaries of several friendly nods from the fishwives bustling about the market, their baskets filled not with the day's vegetables but with frivolities: ribbon, cheap children trinkets, bits of Korvosian lace, or small lengths of cloth bought at the open-air market.  Despite the thick crowd, Phythas and Penn soon note that they are the two odd men out with regard to their stature and size.Gron recognizes Shayliss Vinder, the younger of a pair of daughters sired by Ven Vinder, Sandpoint's general store owner-proprietor.  Like her older sister Katrine, Shayliss is the apple of her father's eye.  Tall for her age and dark-haired like her Chelish-blooded mother Solsta, Shayliss has greatly changed in the year since Gron last saw her atop her father's wagon while the shopkeep made his rounds through the Hinterlands buying bits of local farmers' harvest to be offered for sale in the general store.  Though younger than Gron by perhaps six or seven summers, Shayliss has filled out in the last twelve months, becomingly so.  The lass's dark hair falls free in heavy waves well past her slender shoulders.  The cut of the girl's festival dress displays considerable decolletage, and the gold locket hanging low on her chest heightens the effect of her bosom.  Shayliss smiles winsomly at Gron.  "Haven't see you in a long time."  The girl eyes Gron's gruesome belt of petite skulls and instantly loses some of her smile.  "Didjou buy that belt just for today?  Doesn't look--well, it doesn't look like something I've seen you with before, that's all."  Shayliss flashes deep blue eyes up at Gron.True to his expectation, Ameiko Kaijitsu's buffet table, unmistakable by the Rusty Dragon placard hung at the table's head, is by far and away the most crowded table within the church's square.  At Ravi's stammered hello, a busy Ameiko looks up from her work tapping a new keg of ale to locate the source of the quiet greeting being offered her.  "Cat got your tongue, priest?"  Ameiko's exotic hairstyle, chosen specially for the festival no doubt, hangs from the top of her head in two thick braids coiled neatly into place.  The hair of both braids has been died for the day in alternating orange, white, and gold strands.  The effect, while over-the-top, lends itself well to the popular tavern-owner's face, accenting her almond-shaped eyes and delicate ears.  Despite Ameiko's jest, her smile is wide and her welcome tone invites conversation.  When Ravi almost instantly blushes and, lowering his gaze, shuffles away without a word in reply, Ameiko shrugs in surprise but moves on to her next task at the busy table filling tankard after proffered tankard of nutty brown ale.Matlilasse watches Rainier with his food until her shaved-headed grand-nephew quits the Scarnetti family table in favor of purveying the new cathedral's interior.  Father Zantus himself offers tours and happily escorts groups of well-wishers and the curious inside the sanctuary.  Spying Ravi shrinking away from the Rusty Dragon buffet table, Father Zantus calls for the acolyte.  "Acolyte Delling!  Acolyte Delling!  I'm in want of a tour guide."  Abstalar Zantus puts a gentle hand to Ravi's elbow and, guiding Ravi toward the cathedral's front steps, urges the acolyte to quickly finish his repast.  "Quick, son, I've a meeting with the Sheriff and Mayor Deverin here in a few minutes.  We're to coordinate the gathering and release of doves at sundown for the official consecration.  If you'll just take this group there," Father Zantus points to a knot of four townsfolk--one of whom is Rainier Scarnetti, "and show them the sanctuary and altar, I'm sure they won't take too much of your time.  There, now, that's a good son.  Thank you, Ravi!  I'll return in an hour to relieve you!"  Ere Ravi can get in a word edgewise, Father Zantus turns and heads off through the crowd, making his way west toward Sandpoint's city offices.</blockquote>

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