<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;">Maeson Rikard (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=204849.msg10027103#msg10027103) couldn't believe his eyes. Even as he'd come across the bamboo outer barriers, the lit torches, and the jaunty, sensual music, he'd had a sneaking suspicion that it was all an elaborate ruse. Orgies could be common in certain cities, but this was unlike anything he'd ever seen.<br/><br/>The setting, for one, was breathtaking. Immense trees danced with the light of the numerous bonfires. Smells of food and foreign drink wafted through the air. Strange priests were saying blessings to <em>encourage</em> fornication instead of denouncing it.<br/><br/>"Do you have any blades or other weapons, good ser?" A woman asked him at one of the entrances. He'd left his sword in a safe place as instructed, but he carried a hand-sized blade, which he pointed at: "Just my traveling knife. For cutting cheese and-"<br/><br/>"No blades are allowed in the Festival, ser. We will attend to the cheese." The woman said, firmly but not unfriendly. She was slightly older than him, perhaps one of the volunteer matrons who had participated enough times to want to give back to the Festival. "My colleague here will tag it, record it, and will give it back to you when you leave."<br/><br/>At least they were organized. Nothing worse than an disorderly orgy, he guessed. He also was akked to present his offering following his fee. "Obok Brandy. Distilled with the caed root."<br/><br/>"Obok - caed - brandy." The woman noted, and her tone indicated he was not the only one to bring that particular aphrodisiac-laced liquor. <br/><br/><em>Awkward. </em>He thought wryly as she finally allowed him to enter.<br/><br/>There were plenty of people getting drinks and socializing. There were a few couples already at it, and were at this point the focus of the crowd's attention. Maeson couldn't help but feel his body stir at the sight of the pairs rutting in public, atop large cushions or in central booths made for just such a public fetish.<br/><br/>He made his way to the concession area, deciding there was no reason to be entirely sober for this.<br/></span></span>