Paint Wars

Though it seemed only a short distance to her, the two had been traveling for at least half an hour to the heart of the clan. Once they surfaced Antlia couldn't help but gaze in amazement. There were a multitude of activities going on, from those playing games to others who were braiding hair and telling stories as bright lights filled the streets. It was almost as bright as the islands she grew up on and she felt like she had been teleported back home.

Ornaax noticed her awestruck expression and nudged her towards the shore. “Better to get out and enjoy the activities than just sit there and stare like a beached fish. It's also a good way to get to know the clan. I'm sure some would be willing to part with some waterproof parchment for you.” He winked as they exited the water and Antlia gave him a thankful smile.

“I appreciate it, I feel weird not having my pack with me. I’ve never left it behind before.” She shook the water from her fur as she watched the others around her. Antlia wasn’t sure what she wanted to do first, but then she noticed that some of the Haedians in the dark seemed to glow somehow. She poked Ornaax and gave him a questioning look. 

“How are they glowing? I’ve never seen anyone glow before, usually only plants and some of the critters we have around.” Ornaax’s eyes traveled to where she was looking, and he clapped his hands together in excitement.

“Paint! We’ve learned how to make paint that glows, would you like to try it? I think you would enjoy it quite a bit, especially with all the colors you’ve got going on.” Antlia looked back at her pelt, almost forgetting that it looked like the lights up in the sky. She didn’t think the Haedians here would know what the northern lights were either, so she figured she’d explain them later.

She followed the leader as he showed her the way to where they kept their paints. Antlia could see many paintings as well, not just the Haedians that were glowing in the darker parts of the cave. It seemed other Haedians had already beat them to the tent, as speckles of paint could be seen flying by every few minutes. She wondered what they were painting in there, each other or a canvas.

Ornaax held the tent flap open for her and her eyes were met with a multitude of colors and lights. There were paints that glowed brighter than others while some were barely even visible at all. She noticed a few bottles were nearly out and started to walk over to them. It seemed some were popular, and she wondered what each color looked like and which Haedian preferred what color.

As she looked a few of the bottles called out to her, glowing almost just as bright as the northern lights. Looking back at her side once more, Antlia wondered if she could make it look like her markings could actually glow. As she thought, she figured she’d also ask Ornaax if she could buy a few bottles of paint off of them to use back home in her own paintings.

“Quite fun, aren’t they? My favorites are the super bright ones, they compliment my coat.” He stuck his head up in mock royalty and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Think you could help me paint mine? I don’t quite have the hands for it and you seem like you’d be a better painter than I when it comes to fur, as I only paint on paper.” He gave her a nod, reaching for one of the bottles she had been eyeing earlier.

“What would you like done? Anything, a specific pattern, my face?” He let out a deep laugh at that, making Antlia give him an unamused look. “Hey, you wouldn’t be the first one to want this handsome face painted on them.”

“Yea, I’m sure all the travelers that come through here want to announce to the world how much they adore you.” She gave him a light shove and in retaliation he stuck his hand in the paint and ran a hand down her side. With that Antlia grabbed her own bottle and stuck a paw inside before going after the Haedian, basically stamping Ornaax wherever she could.

“Ok, ok! I surrender, forgive me o traveler for I meant not to offend thee.” With a satisfied smile she set her paint bottle and extended her unpainted paw out for a handshake. He grabbed her paw with his free hand and shook, a smile still plastered on his face. “Please come back and visit whenever you have the time, I’d love to see you around here throwing paws with whoever offers.