Post by PookaWitch on Apr 15, 2021 10:46:31 GMT -5
the Hanashima Parade
(some inspirational music)
Beautiful music announced the coming parade. It was so unlike the local sound and there seemed to be no rhythm, rather a each song was a collection of beautiful sounds placed in a pleasing order. Flute music danced in the air accompanied by plucked stringed instruments and lead by the heavy beat of drums.
The guards of Ahket needed to keep sphinxes from climbing the walls to get a better look at the approaching procession of foreign sphinxes and sometimes they succeeded. Many a sphinx climbed to higher viewpoints, sitting upon their rooftops or lifted cubs onto shoulders to better see over the bustle of the excited locals.
The first of the curious sphinxes to emerge from the front gates were wearing fanciful painted masks and seemed as if they had impossibly thick, long hair. They capered and danced erratically through the streets to the sound of the instruments behind them.
Next marched a pair of unarmed but dangerous seeming Sphinxes, who paused at intervals to do the occasional flip, tumble, or acrobatic feat to entertain the crowd!
A second pair of Sphinxes marched closely behind the Marital Artists also pausing to strike curious arcane poses which conjured some unknown elemental magic. Swirls of fire and water danced around the pair in a wild display!
There was barely time to even take in the magnificent physical arts of the previous sphinxes as a long procession of sphinxes who seemed to be porters of sorts moved through the streets. Some carried wicker baskets while others helf aloft larger, heavier boxes between them with poles. Among them were more entertainers playing music or dancing to keep the mood high.
As the train of porters passed it gave way to the delicate beauty of the next group of sphinxes who gracefully and elegantly moved down the streets. They paused here and there lifting onto their hind legs to wave, spin or flip their artistically painted fans or strike entrancing poses. These skilled entertainers had their own guard and attendants but they may as well have been invisible as most could not pull their eyes from the Geisha and Maiko.
It would take something spectacular to pull eyes away from the painted fan twirling Sphinxes... and something fantastic appeared! Serpentine, draconic looking creatures on leashes dashed to and fro, their small legs skittered on the stones of the streets. While they may have seemed dangerous, the dragon handlers encouraged local children to pet their furry manes leading to many squeals of happiness.
Striding with confidence and swagger came a proficient group of armed warriors who must have been some sort of knights dressed in beautiful lacquered armor.
Following the warriors were standard bearers hefting tall vertical flags that danced in the wind. Locals without magic may not have been able to read the names or proclamations but the artfulness of the writing alone would be the inspiration for many an ill thought out tattoo.
Upon the most elegant and ornate of liters was a vision of beauty, surrounded by flowers and valuable trinkets. Her many dresses trailed to the edge of her liter as she sat quietly upon it, her blossom pink hair pooled around her paws. Upon the brow above her painted face she wore a golden insignia. Any sphinx with a hint of wisdom could recognize what was most likely the Empress that the local gossips had been chatting about. For those who recognised it, the confidence in her gaze proclaimed that her power and skill easily matched her beauty.
Surrounding the Empress were her imposing elite, personal guard, dressed in black and white lacquered armour.
Less extravagant liters were carried behind the regal sphinx holding an array of females who seemed to have an air of import.
Right behind them were what seemed to be more common guards with spears watching the backs of the regal sphinxes.
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Nearing the end of the parade were what seemed to be religious figures who were blessing the area with some sort of staff covered in zigzagging strips of white paper. They were followed by many sphinxes carrying a heavy looking, highly decorated box upon poles. They shook the box gently as they moved, chanting merrily.
At the very rear of the group were more common warriors with very tall bows at the ready, prepared to guard the box on the liter before them.
The eyes of Ahket were focused on the parade as it led past the walls of the palace for the Empress to meet with Pharaoh Adjo. As the gates closed there was an audible sigh from the scores of onlooking Sphinxes. The entourage could no longer be seen and as the music faded the gossip began.
