septemberfest

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Alright, Sage thought, clasping his hands together, phase one is officially a success!

Now, he was new to the school, and that was something he had to keep in mind. No one really knew him, and that was bound to hurt his election rates. However… On the other hand, a fresh new face could be the perfect thing for this! With his past election experience, his excitement for the new island and a little help from his savings, Sage was ready to rock Starlight Academy.

First things first - a fundraiser.

Of course, he’d already done a lot of polling around the school in preparation for his first event. He had an official introductory speech put together and everything. However, that speech wouldn’t come until later. Right now was the time for Sage’s Annual Septemberfest — and this time, he’d gone all out. Posters, word of mouth… even a morning announcement to the school! It had been hard to pull that one off, but with the effort he’d put into this event… Sage didn’t want to hold anything back. Except, maybe, on exorbitant cost. But he knew how to make things beautiful while still being frugal with money, and it had never shown more on this day.

For the Saturday of his choice, Sage had booked a small open field for the Septemberfest. It wasn’t huge. He couldn’t afford huge, even with a few new friends helping out. Still, though, Sage was pleased with this outcome. The grass was still green from the summer, and there was plenty of space to spread things out.

Booths, the majority of which having been sent from home (throughout the years, Sage had built several activity booths), lined the area, each obviously homemade and worn with love, each with a different theme. Some sold fresh baked goods and other dishes - the products of friendly assistance and a few days spent at the oven - while others featured homemade jewelry and beautiful power-grown flower bouquets. These same flowers flourished all across the fields, from potted chrysanthemums to a mid-sized square of all different kinds featuring both exotics and common favorites alike. Here, there was a small stand set up with ribbons and tissue papers, a sign reading, “Make your own! $0.50 a flower, free foliage!” Live music, performed entirely by up-and-coming Starlight Academy musicians who had yet to make a name for themselves, flowed gently throughout the entire clearing, and mixed into the soft breeze was the unmistakable scent of summer.

It was warm. It was beautiful. Sage had never done a better job than this.

And it was all for hecking cheap, too!

Sage checked his watch. It was nearly noon. People should be arriving soon.

It was only a few minutes after ten and already people were trickling into the Septemberfest. Sage was incredibly pleased with himself. It seemed like the existing visitors were already having time, and as people chatted, created bouquets and eyed batches of fresh pastries, he knew this fundraiser was going to pay off. Plus, it meant a good crowd for his first speech of the year. He was excited.

Just then, Sage picked up on a young voice behind him. He turned around and waved, a large smile plastered to his cheeks. "Dorothea!" he said, meeting her halfway, "I'm so glad you could come! Today is going to be a blast~!"

Sage chuckled at her confusion on the subject of festivals. It was kind of adorable. "Aw, it's easy, really. You've just got to have fun! You want to make a bouquet? It's on me — first festival treat~"

@MARIE

Sage smiled at the new arrival, waving energetically as he bounced on the soles of his feet. "Yes, I'm Sage, and this is Dorothea, a friend! It's nice to meet you, Aedan!" he said, offering his hand to shake.

Yet another soul who didn't know about festivals and elections, huh? Well, Sage thought he'd just have to help out, then. "Not to worry. I was just going to show Thea, here, to the bouquet area — flowers are always a lovely way to start out any activity. Would you like to come with us? And are you interested in learning of my campaign?"

Sage chuckled at Thea's enthusiasm. He really liked the girl, in a friendly sort of way. She had energy that could surpass even his. "Yes, exactly! Festivals like these don't have orders. It's just a fun time, though because this doubles as a campaign fundraiser, most things cost money. It's cheap, though!"

Sage turned towards the flower fields and glanced over his shoulder, waiting for his two companions. "The Make-Your-Own is over here. We've got everything from Hawaiian blooms to stargazer lilies."

Well, color Sage impressed! And also pink. He felt very all-around pink that day. Anyhow, Sage very much enjoyed that magic trick. I mean, what else could it be? It involved blue, sparkles, magic, flowers, and butterflies. Literally the only thing that could have made it better was if the rose was in pink. But he wasn't thinking about that. Nope.

Instead, Sage made a show of a quick few palm claps, the kind that weren't quite attention-grabbing but were impressed. "That was cool! Very pretty!" Sage said, grinning. He clasped his hands together at this chest, quite pleased with his new company. "It's great to meet you too~ Now come on!" Sage urged excitedly, "I've definitely got to show you the orchids! One kind looks like a praying mantis, and another, Daffy Duck!"

@MARIE
@Aedan Drago