The Traveling Pan-African Carnival! [ d10 ]

↳ NICO THORNE

Nico leaves Eleven thinking about how he wants to apologize to his mother.

That doesn't make sense to him at first, twists in funny places at the pit of his belly and makes him nauseous. Why would he want to apologize to the one person he knows has hurt him the most? He swallows the feeling of nausea that question brings though, over and over and over again, can't make himself stop thinking about it no matter what he does, feels his whole body tremble as he sits in the train car to Ten and thinks about every time that she hurt him. Remembers the days on end without food on the table, going out to the woods with Reggie and finding something in the creek to catch with a quick hand and ate over a shoddy campfire in the clearing. He thinks about every time she told his that he wasn't enough, that he would never fill his father's shoes, that he was her saving grace and her greatest disappointment in a single breath.

Why does he want to say sorry to who hurt him?

Because he hurt her right back.

He was a child, and it wasn't the same, but he did. Looking back, he knows that he did. He did what he could to help himself, to protect himself, and he doesn't regret all of it exactly, but there's an understanding washing over him with each passing year. Time goes between him and his memories and they feel less like something that he needs to tear himself apart for, and more like things he can learn from. Like he is finally ready to see the messages.

Standing on the stage in Ten, it's this that he's thinking about. Years and years of pain, slowing being undone. Growth, and the kindnesses that brings it.

"Ten," he starts. "Thank you all so much for welcoming me into your home to introduce you to the Traveling Pan African Carnival." His tone is earnest, and his arms are open palms at his side. "It's been an honor being asked to be a part of this event, and I hope that it can bring as much joy to your district as it has brought to me." There's something to be said for purpose. Even if he drowns himself in this, at least it makes him better. He thinks.

He details the features of the carnival, introduces the dancers. He'd been a part of the parade in Twelve, but he sat out in Eleven and does so again here.

There's local foods to find. And he's ravenous.

"Please, dance with the music, fill your bellies. Enjoy!"

And with a flourish, the parade begins its song.  





OOC REMINDERS!

Local entertainers are encouraged to join in the opening parade with their own floats or walking performances, and are welcomed to set up their own booths or stalls in the main district square alongside the other carnival setups. So be creative! If you have a local way to celebrate black heritage, they want you to show it.

Beads are determined by a dice roll [*roll range="1-10"] in your first post, and all posts after earn you +2 beads.

Please keep track of your beads here!

This event will run until February 28th. 

And most importantly, have fun. x