The same territory that had - on word of a single incoming duel between Heroes of the continent - lobbied and arranged for a whole giant, tourist attracting arena bigger than any other structure in the city at that point to be built... was apparently one that enjoyed festivities greatly. Especially if they involved their leader, though the monthly foot, horse, and bird races on the plains often did not include her participation, outside of officiating.

An exception there was the one time she allowed the Skydancer that El left with her to take part. It lost to the reigning champion white raven and then never wanted to do it again. Honestly, Qat had been quite concerned because it didn’t want to do *anything* for a week. But it bounced back to life right before a very sycophantic old man she knew through the Goltbred heiress had shown up to take a look at it.

Then he never left - because the idea of the races were so interesting. Last the Warden Patrician heard, the exiled Wing & Talon Elder was running a gambling den featuring a series of different reptiles and courses underneath of the shop he had purchased. Leysah kept an eye on it along with some others, but the revenue produced was split with a very ingratiating smile...

And he meant something to Elua, so he wouldn’t be kicked out or managed more harshly until the vice he peddled started to spawn other problems. Qatrand had given a speech about prudence in financial risk taking to the residents after the first report of his dealings. One that had all the right beats to make it clear she knew, wouldn’t stop them from enjoying themselves, but also would stop them - for their own sake and those around them - if it came to it.

The money generated, mostly by unlucky visiting merchants... as the betting values were capped carefully on the ’regular’ games for the Guildless, had also been put to good use. Metallic woven pennants were now strung across the avenues they were meant to take today. Silver wire thread composed every one... and in each gap between the triangular flags hung a heavy tassel.

Alternating down the ropeline, they hung in mint-painted frayed leather strips wrapped to shape and pigeon-blue dyed wool thickly made from the sheep-herd’s bounty. Started in the vast plains as an industry, the letters that had been sent while in the Exclave described their wool as gray in base... looking like moving boulders before shearing time thanks to the dust trapped in their high crimped and greasy wool.

An idea to start shepherding that was purely Qatrand’s... which meant the design in the decoration put two materials representing both of their interests and values together. Tied and twisted together by the people’s efforts into the display around them all this day. The reincarnator’s gaze ran the length of that strung metal and did the math of time, cost, and... abundance.

"That is a great deal of real silver to hang in the open air, my love."

Elua spoke the sentence lightly from atop her black-suited perch. As far as she was concerned, being carried around like this still made her *look weak*... so even if some might question the detail of her *immaculate* posture - or call Qatrand the one ’whipped’ into an order to do this for her, instead of the other way around - the end result was that people got the wrong picture of the truth. Which was often to the heiress’s advantage.

’I can always make it clear she leads me another time. Maybe a bit later. It’s better that she is happy now. Better that she is happy always and forever.’

"It will be brought down and stored away after. Do not worry."

The adjutant that had fallen into Qatrand’s flank spoke the assurance, despite having worries about that himself. But they would remain unvoiced on the route during the waves and cheers of so many territorial citizens. The mint eyes momentarily cutting his way felt he should have remained quiet now too!

She had posed the teasing to her Qat, not this Hoolov that greeted her earlier! Besides, why was he standing so close? ...Onya thought the same. With his height, he was much closer to her elder sister than she was right now. But she tried not to show any pouting while following behind and watching the crowd and decorations.

"I had it collected over these years. A little at a time, so that we did not make it obvious to other regions."

"For bunting?"

"For wedding festivals. The couples of this place with means, those who have wed these last years, they usually traveled for it. Somewhere with a proper sight and officiant to be married against. The way we did."

A small pause darted into her explanation, the briefest internal acknowledgment that the distant cliff they stargazed at had entered her mind quite strongly. The massive altar by the sea and all of the presentation that was fit for rental by affluent families. Her territory had its charms, but there was nothing quite that movingly beautiful. Even if she realized it was the joyful brunette in those scenes that made it that way the most.

"I wanted them to have something here. To retain the services of an Argent Braid Fellowship member so that the day is complete and looks like a day to remember, like this one."

"The silver hangs our streets for it to involve everyone. This is only the first time it has been put up, yet. I guess we can call it a test..."

Her adjutant added his lines as the uncomfortable blip in his spirit appeared again. El had only heard good things about the man, but were assurances from Qat enough to make her trust someone? Yes, it was... but she would still verify her own ways! Later, of course, because she was *talking to Qat* - not him.

"If you had this much Silver already, why hold off on using it?"

"The negotiations on the frequency of potential mass wedding days and other festivities surrounding the proposed regular events are still... ongoing. But it seems some of my most trusted people thought it would be fitting for our homecoming."

Tendrils of spirit wrapped around the shoulder-riding woman tighter, particularly around the ’trusted’ word... for the blonde swordswoman had not missed her mintdrop’s usual spiritual annoyances. That man already had it tough enough. Handling so many tasks for her whether she was in absence or not. But more importantly, handling the sudden potential-to-Kinetic attentions of Leysah.

"Well, good for them. If they hadn’t done so, would I have ever even known you had this wonderful plan?"

"...I was going to tell you."

"When? I’ve been back for a while now."

"And you have had a lot of other things on your mind."

Kissing two of her fingers before sticking them on the side of Qatrand’s cheek, because articulating her body for a real one would not look gentle or lady-like at all... Elua smiled at the increased laughter of those mortals watching them behind the rope-guards. People that had been taken care of by her Qat - and in their own way, had been taking care of her.

"I see. What other sort of secrets are there inside your main keep, my beloved ’fortress’?"

"A few. You’ll learn them."

"I cannot wait." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"But, you will."

Giggling at the self-assurance of the former Yecine, the brunette waved to a familiar face standing with her young child further along the line of people. Before bringing that same hand down to pet the blonde hair of her spouse. A trait that was shared by a blood lineage between the swordswoman... and the Continental Army veteran now living in the territory.