Veluchasm Festival 2023

The streets were filled with noise, smells, and color. Temporary booths and stalls lined the streets, and people from both planets could be seen mingling. Eri was making her way to a stall when she bumped into someone she couldn't quite see. 

"Oh, I'm sorry! I thought I could get by you without bothering you" a startled voice said from a few feet down.

Eri looked and saw a B-nom with a creamy feather crest and deep purple coat, "Oh, it's no problem! I was in a hurry and wasn't watching my feet like I should've been! My name is Eri"

"I'm Kuru!" they said, smiling.

"Where were you going? If you don't mind me asking," Eri asked, helping Kuru gather their things.

Kuru picked up a stuffed animal and reached back to place it one of their pouches, "Oh, that stall that has some items from Velukaelo, Including some ketucari made items."

Eri perked up, "I was heading in that direction, too. Last time the festival happened, I couldn't go. I wanted to bring some things back. Do you want to go together? I could break the tide of people for you."

Kuru grinned, "Oh, that would be very helpful! Not everyone thinks to look down when walking. A primal Ixi nearly squashed me, earlier, haha!"

They started moving through the crowds. Eri acting as a block to help Kuru get through, The entire way they talked. Kuru was a K-nom, something Eri didn't know was possible. Kuru was gracious and allowed Eri to ask away while they slowly made their way to the stall. It clicked once they mentioned the machine. Oh, why didn't I realize it sooner? she thought. Once they reached the stall, Eri was worried at first that they might not be able to see, but she watched as the K-Nom stretched to look at everything on the table. Carvings, tools, art pieces, and a few items that were labelled as being made God Parts were on the table. She wouldn't have believed it without the import labels next to the items confirming their authenticity. It was alluring and horrifying at the same time, from what she knew of the gods there.

The merchant was a grizzled looking ketucari, a scar went across most of his face and took out two of his smaller tusks. He saw her eyeing the god parts with horror and awe.

"Don't worry, those came from the ones who can regenerate. This piece here? Carved tooth from Kalet. There's a matching shawl made from her fur. Just uh, don't go wearing it around in her Mountains," he said cheerfully, but the danger was made clear.

Kuru pointed to a fluffy scarf with what looked like bones on the ends like tassels, "ahhh, that is a scarf made from Danuoc's fur, and the beads from Guro's teeth."

A memory was jogged of her brief study of the gods on Velukaelo, "Guro, that's the one with tentacles, right?"

The merchant nodded gravely, "Yes, that was the last raid participated in. Bastard took out two of my tusks when he tried to eat me. Got him back though when I took his teeth."

His grin was infectious. Eri stuck to perusing the carvings of the gods, and so did Kuru. She got a painted carving of Danuoc, made from white stone taken from the Plains of Messus. Kuru got a horn carved with images of a great hunt. All the Merchant's own work. After they gave him his coin, they made their way towards some food stalls. Kuru's stomach growled, loudly. 

"Here, I'll buy you something to eat if you're hungry, an apology for running you over earlier," Eri said, Kuru chuckled,and looked up at the sign.

"This wrap here looks good, if you wouldn't mind?" Kuru said. 

Eri ordered them both heaping plates, and a drink. She helped carry Kuru's drink as they found a table that could comfortably fit them both. Once seated, they started talking. The awkwardness before was left at the ketucari merchant's booth. Now it was filled with a sense of warmth and companionship. The sun was setting, leaving everything in golden warmth. Once they finished eating, they parted ways. I wouldn't mind meeting them again, she thought.