faefeasts: the midwinter gala - IC

[Wisps spin through the feast, each positively bouncing. A burbling giggle issues from the pulsing ball of light, and the wisp curls into the shape of a flower.

A second later, Aelius' excited voice spills from the wisp.]

Lords and Ladies and those yet undefined by form, mortals from hither and yon, the Frost Maiden with the Black Ice Smile and I are pleased to introduce you to... to someone new.

[Another happy sound.]

The newborn Lord of New Blooms, Summer's Sweet Scent. Alair. [His voice is soft and full of wonder.] His mother would prefer you not send gifts or even congratulations, and may kill you if you try to touch him, and I may simply melt you to slag on the spot, but you're welcome to stop by and say hello.

From a safe distance.

I'm sure our glorious Queen will understand if we murder you on accident.

[ The voice that comes over the wisp isn't one that's graced the party yet - for better or worse. Tinted with a sharp edge beneath the mild tenor, he sounds both amused and bored. A dangerous combination. ]

Rumor has it that I missed a war and a fight at this gathering. And here I thought it would be the same humdrum as all the others. [ A sound carries under his words - sharpening stone against metal. ] A shame I missed the excitement. [ And that sounds too much like a challenge for anyone willing to take it. He's never worried too much about consequences. ]

I know the King has hosted a few events since the beginning of the party, I wonder if he'll end with one that has a bit more sport?

So here's what I'm thinking.

[Aelius leading with that? We all know he's not really thinking.]

We split into teams, randomly assigned. One team builds a gingerbread castle. [Aelius, no.] An actual castle that you can walk inside. Has rooms, hallways, traps, whatever. Castle. Team build. [Aelius, please.] Maybe add some defensive capabilities like sentient gingerbread turrets that shoot hardened gumdrops. [Aelius, stop.]

And then team two, they also have gingerbread. But it's a gingerbread army, right? [Aelius, what.] And the army? The army tries to get through the gingerbread turrets and defenses to the heart of the castle. If a single combatant makes it there, then the two teams converge and there's a massive battle.

[Aelius.]

Toy guns and candy cane swords. Maybe the Castle Lord fights on the side of the Castle Team to defeat the Invading Team or something. Winners get bragging rights.

Thoughts?

[Wow.]

Voice Wisp: Winter/Everyone

(Her voice is a low, soft purr, with the sharpest of smiles lacing every word.)

Take great care and stay huddled up inside if you're the sensitive sort. It will be quite cold tonight.

I, on the other hand, will be dancing, if you dare to join me.

Hello, my darlings. I've been working on something since I arrived and I thought that I might share it with all of you. Please compliment them well, these sprites have worked hard for this performance.

[ There's a pause, a rustle, and then a rising chorus of tiny chatter that could be words, but they speak so fast that picking out any word is next to impossible. ]

Calm down, my tiny loves, you'll get your treats, but first....

[ Suddenly the chaotic chatter dies down into a soft, melodic hum of many in tune voices that grow into perfection. ]

Thank you, lovelies. I do hope you all enjoy this. I think we could use a little more music at this party, yes?

[ The sprites begin to sing and those familiar with the human world might find a few familiar songs in a lilting chorus that mimics human voice but with an otherworldly quality. Those fae used to such things will recognize some of the songs as Sovan's creations. Those inclined towards sweet feelings towards a particular individual might find their thoughts gently turned in the direction of that person (or persons) for whom they hold such feelings. However, the suggestion is a gentle one.]

( song list )

[Written Wisp: Damen/Everyone]

While I have spoken to many, it seems my words bear repeating.

Things that the library is for: reading, research, and similar activities.

Things that the library is not for: waging war against sugary concoctions, revelry (on or off the furniture or books), weeping, any one of the many variations of hide and seek, matchmaking of any kind, brawling, or any other pasttime that doesn't relate to the acceptable activities list.

I find myself desirous of stories. Come, tell me your most intriguing.

So, here's the thing.

I thought, given everything, it would be nice to have some homemade treats instead of ones that a fae of feasts or food or sweets magicked into existence—and, really, thank you for that, Ashtara, we all appreciate your efforts. So, as one does, I went to the Starlight Palace's kitchens. Since that's where you go to make food.

Apparently, I did not end up in the Starlight Palace's kitchens, but having never actually gone to the kitchen before, I was not aware of this until after I accidentally used the Unseelie King's workshop to create sentient Sugar Plum Fairy Dolls, Gingerbread Men, Marshmallow Snowmen, and something that might be burned molasses but I'm honestly not sure.

[Distantly, there is the sound of shouting. Something explodes.]

They've decided to wage war on each other as they each attempt to establish a sovereign kingdom.

This is my gift to you this Midwinter. If someone might be interested in helping negotiate a peace treaty, that would be great. If any of you more litigiously inclined fae want to defend me from the Unseelie King, that would also be great.

[A pause.

There's another explosion, a resounding shriek, and something like a canon sounds in the distance.]

They've weaponized the candy cane.

Please hurry.

[voice wisp: everyone]

Okay. I don't remember there being this much...[she hunts for the right word, gives up and settles for:] sex, frankly in the stories about Faerie from my childhood. I take it this is all normal fare here?

When does this party end anyhow? [There might be a twinge of fear in her voice] And what happens if you don't return?

[voice wisp: "unlocked"]
( Read more... )

[voice wisp: "burn down"]
( Read more... )

Who: Aelius and Dyspiro
What: Sparks of creation and inspiration
Where: a hidden place near to the Gallery
When: After the wisp message

( he could find some kind of potential... )

[the wisp comes to life as if sound is about to issue forth from it, but instead there is a long moment of silence before he speaks]

Lord Sun.

I have need of your presence.

[Voice Wisp: Steph/Everyone]

But seriously, what do you mean I'm stuck here? I've got BTS concert tickets and my phone charger case won't work when it's eternally night. Which, by the way, seems more like vampire thing than anything else.

[Lir is mortified for lack of a better word. He thinks he's done something terrible and offensive. The rules are that he is not supposed to hurt anyone but he feels he has. His voice is worried. Not quite in a panic...but definitely unsure what he could have possibly done to instill such a hurried, terrible reaction]

She ran away...She fell off of me and chided me for taking liberties. Of course, I did... And, she had the liberty to do the same.

I hope I didn't hurt her. I've never seen someone screech and take flight from anyone so quickly.

[It's hard to place the emotion in her voice but there is no mistaking how far away it seems - galactic distances even in its waver. She isn't anywhere out in space. She's still at the gala but there is a thoughtfulness that has overcome her and has made her temporarily aloof.]

What color do you see when you close your eyes and think of yourself What color do others perceive you to be when they close their eyes and think of you?

Will you participate in this?

I've included a chart that will help you name the color you see, but of course, you can use your own tools to explain.

List your name, name the color you think you are and hopefully others will choose the color they think you are. Try not to peek at what others think they are so that your answers will not be influenced. This is for...( reasons.  )

[Wisp: Aelius → Everyone]
[His voice sounds a bit harried.]

Asking for a friend: good yule gifts for friends and family that don't require murdering a human, sacrificing a bull, or killing the sun. Go.

[Mirror: Aelius → Winter]
[He's in her room, whittling a stick into a stick without bark. There is a bucket beside him. It may have blood in it.]

Snowflake. Would you like to go on a date?

[A mirror, because a mirror allows her to see his face. He's spent a good ten minutes beating himself up for being an ass, and so he leads with the only right words:]

I want to apologize.

Who: Merry and Aelius
What: A delivery
Where: The feast grounds
When: After this
Warnings: Aelius' puppy face

( the earth it shifts, and I'm on the other side )

[Her wisp ripples, like pond water, it's never completely steady ... at least, not usually. When she speaks it sounds more like she is wondering aloud, but no indeed, she is talking to everyone and befuddlement graces each syllable.]

Fond. He was fond of riddles.

Riddles.

They can have more than one answer, yes?

So here, one.

You can carry it everywhere you go, and it does not get heavy. What is it?

[The voice is distracted as if she's caught in the middle of something and has had to pause whatever she's doing to ask]

I need a jar of mist from the deepest churns of a midnight sea. Does anyone happen to have this?

[When she speaks her wisp is steady, not even a ripple over it, calm but there's an edge of curiosity in her words.]

What is beyond the Unseelie land? Where would it lead?

[...]

Where can I find a change of clothing? I would like to bathe and change. [...] Please.