(2103)Spring Coronation

[Circe]

"Well isn't it good to wonder on a mystery?" She laughs out as she plays along with Cassandra. "At least until it is time to reveal the butler's deeds."

And John was getting in on the fun? Who said Winters were wet blankets. Ram is over at the meat, no surprise there. He gets a metal glad wave from Crice, "Sup Ram?!" Food seems like a good idea. But John points out manners, oh poop. "It is always good ta be the spirit of a season," John started it so she went with it. "Though the mystery shall end when," and Seraphina arrives. Red rubies on a sea of black are drawn to the golden maiden, as is likely everyone else. Circe was often going to lose in the dress wars.

"That," her metal covered blue hand comes out of the cloak as she points at Seraphina. A flash of blue thigh is visible, "Is how ya make an entrance my stunning Spring friend." She then points at John, "Etiquette allows me ta ditch the cloak now." Which she does. Her boots add some height to the Summer Larcenist, a shimmering band of sunlight is wrapped around her neck and shoulders with its color constantly shifting, yet it is clearly meant to hold the Summer Brooch.

A little bit of Hedgespun fun perhaps but more notable is the dress Circe is wearing, and whilst it it the color of moonlight it is certainly not fragile. It fits well with the elbow gloves. "I feel that if the war of best dressed were to get physical, mine will be a little more practical, oh ho ho ho."

Her hair was in a simple short shoulder length bob, nothing special tonight. Yet if one were to examine closely, they might note some of the ends are burnt. Circe is able to draw her eyes away from Seraphina to seek the other queen's proper accessory. For where is Spring's Consort at?

"Ah Vivian," she greets the newest Summer, "I knew that suit would look good on ya. Sorry," she bows "Fer not matching but I just finished forging this and chainmail is a cagna ta make."

[Rhodes]

It was ironic, in many ways, how he could be admonished for spending weeks in his study researching the Freehold's protection, and when Sera did the same for the Coronation. The three days running up to this day he had barely seen her at all. He knew where she was and had received regular updates, but it was not the same.

Still.... it meant he could produce a small surprise of his own. Not enough to steal her thunder, but enough to The strengthening of his connection to the Wyrd had been an expected shock, but few things reminded people of Spring than the budding flowers.

It was exactly what I wanted from you, my little Rhodedendron.

The door from the Hedge creaked open, revealing the Dread Lord of Autumn.

A sleeveless of cloak of emerald covered to mid-shin and formal black pants covered his legs but beneath that his wiry, almost gaunt naked torso showed the grasp of his Seeming upon his flesh. Woody roots mimicked the lined of his ribs and along the backs of his hands. Verdant branches of dark read leaves grew along his slender forearm and a good six inches beyond the elbow. Similar growths wreathed his ankles and shins like floral flares. Covering his shoulders like pauldrons was more foliage and bright red flowers, trailing up his neck to his temples. In one hand was an ebony-black cane, making the woody branches from which his decoration grew. His dark emerald eyes, the size of eggs, scanned the Tavern. Autumn leaves twisted around him.

None of it mattered when he saw Seraphina.

Perhaps it had been that he had barely seen her, but it was more than that. She was more beautiful than he could ever recall, almost entrancing. Crossing the threshold, the winds of his mantle fell still, and he crossed directly towards the Spring Queen.

"Lady Spring," he whispered breathlessly in greeting, unable, or perhaps unwilling, to look anywhere else. "May the turning of the season breath new life as is it's fulfilling role, for Health, Hearth and Home." Gently he took her hand and kissed her fingers.

[Titania]

Titania's mien reflects her higher connection to the Season. A synesthetic bloom of colors and perfumes embedded in the prismatic kaleidoscope of her hair, woven out of the stuff of a nebula itself, as time passes you can see different constellations being drawn. Perched atop her head, a single midnight rose, sprinkling the air with its crystallized petals. Lights shine from each side of her head, running through the rare silvery streak crossing her mane. Tonight she's had it styled in a braid.
Her mantle merges perfectly with the gifts bestowed upon her by Faerie.

She's clad in the accoutrement of the season. Flowing green silks - of the mundane variety - meet the flowery blooms and luscious shrubs of her mantle. A soft breeze carries the scent of a cycle that begins anew.
On her left wrist, a watch whose quadrant is shaped like an Aries.

Golden eyes run through the room and the guests, turning into the colors of star sapphires once her gaze meets the form of the Spring Queen. She moves forward and gracefully, offering the Lady a shallow bow.
"My greetings, Queen Seraphina. Charming as ever", she's brought a gift, but it'll have to wait.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit stood in front of the Tavern and looked down at his tuxedo. The invitation called for their best clothes, but Gerrit doesn't really own anything better than this. Heck, he didn't even own this suit, it was a rental like back at the Winter Coronation. The fact that it wasn't particularly comfortable was not that important - he had yet to find something really comfortable since he'd returned.
Still, a Spring party in a Freehold full of Fairests? And its Queen being one of the most enchanting Fairests of them all? Yeah, the Ogre was ready for a whole bunch of thoughts of inadequacy.

He adjusted the hold on his flower arrangement - this one, like the one for Rhodes not crafted by himself but bought - and entered the location. Inside he was nearly overwhelmed by the decorations. It felt joyous and tasteful, welcoming and grand. Looks like Spring took Winter's unspoken challenge and ran with it.. The thought made Gerrit smirk. Even the beautiful efforts of the Emerald Court couldn't dampen the pride he still felt for their own Coronation.

The smile widened even more when he saw the flower seeds laid out for everyone to take. Bringing some beauty into the world was something everyone could do, and with these gifts nobody had any excuse not to try. Nice touch! He carefully took one bag and put it into one of his pockets.

When he entered properly, he couldn't help but instantly notice Seraphina. Sure, there were probably other Lost present, but they all faded to a blur next to the Queen of Desire. Gerrit's mouth felt dry at the thought of actually stepping up to her and handing over this plain gift, but he couldn't not acknowledge her either. With shaky legs he made his way over, absent-mindedly greeting anyone he knew on the way.
Once there, he waited for a suitable moment to have Seraphina's attention before he bowed deeply and held out the tastefully arranged spring flowers (mostly vibrant and rich blues and yellows) to her. "Lady Seraphina, honored Queen of Desire and Monarch of the Emerald Court - I couldn't dare to try and find words that would do your beauty justice and I hope that you take this gift as the token of appreciation that it is, despite its comparatively plain looks. I wish you a bountiful season of prosperity and rejuvenation." He would be surprised how easily those words came out of him, were he not so enthralled by the Treasured.

Whenever Seraphina was done in acknowledging the Winter Courtier he'd move to a more quiet part of the room, contemplating the sheer force of her presence. Was this the terrible beauty of Arcadia? He was beginning to get a new appreciation for the Fairests - he was pretty sure that he'd be going mad if he was subjected to this for longer than a night.

[Sonnie Wu]

"Thank you! Samesies to you, darlin'!" Sonnie winked at Cassandra.

Darlin'? Whatever, her scattered attention as already moving on to other arriving guests.

"Heya, Ram!" The Ogre recieved a wave. "Hey, it's Vivian, right? Welcome!" She nodded to the recently arrived woman. "The Warrior Queen! How you doing, Circe?" The blue elf got a wink and a nod. "Rhodes! Good to see you out and about!" The Autumn King got a smile. "Titania! Raising the sexy bar once again!" Winking was made at the Telluric. "Gerrit! Wazzap?" The second Ogre to arrive got a wave, as well.

James Turner's greeting to her seemed to sow confusion at first. The Winter King hadn't been this friendly the last time they spoke. However, the Beast quickly shrugged that off and smiled, "Thanks! Feel free to indulge your desires! We're not ones to tell people no, after all!"

"And here she is!" She announced, as if she were the Court herald. "The lady of the hour, the monarch of the season, the Queen of the Green! Put your hands together for... SERAPHINA!"

The Claviger energetically applauded the arrival of the Spring ruler. After a moment, anyone else who wasn't clapping got... The Stare.

Stare.

Staaaaaaaare.

[Cassandra Reeding]

'Darilin'?' She can't help but chuckle at Sonnie's response.

Cassandra has to swallow to maintain composure with her shifting hues as her eyes catch sight of John. She can do this. She can maintain the dance. This is just another day and nothing weird is going on. Right. And then he says her name, making her heart feel as if it's skipped a beat. You are not going to be the dead giveaway.

She offers a small smile, "Why, thank you, John. It is my favorite color. Love the suit on you. Perfect for the occasion." She'll admit that something about the suit really did bring out the beauty of his abyssal, shadowy eyes and the way shadowy vapors pour from his lips. And she is absolutely not thinking about inspecting it closer later. Not at all...

Perhaps it is a good thing Sera enters and steals the show - well, it is her show, so can she really steal it? - because she's barely able to contain the blush threatening to expose itself. And Sera is, of course, entrancing. Too entrancing. A goddess made of the most desirable materials the Wyrd could possibly conjure. It makes an ugly pit well up in the Polychromatic. No. We said no Fairest bullshit today. As nice as those words are to repeat to herself, it doesn't actually do anything to assuage the envy burning up inside.

Perhaps the worse portion of the jealousy isn't even the fact that Sera has blossomed into a being far more beautiful than Cassandra could ever hope to be, but rather that she'd steal John's eyes away from her. Can't see you anymore, can he? That intrusive thought felt like a kick to the gut.

She claps along with Sonnie, wearing a calm smile on her face, never giving way to the emotions bubbling inside of her. Oh my god, suck it up buttercup. Hide your love and hate. It isn't like you want to look like that. You are programed to feel this way, this inferiority. Snap out of it. No, she'll just have to ride it out, like she did at the Winter coronation, though this is far more intense.

She can do it. She can tear her eyes away from the Spring beauty. And with a bit of pointed thought, she does and her eyes flicker briefly to John, though she masks it as her gazing around to see who else has arrived. Fortunately, most of the Freehold had just come to join, so the timing was right. What was his reaction going to be? Would she not like what she sees? Could she blame him? She shouldn't even be looking in the first place. Fairests are Fairests and... and...

Suddenly, she felt like she could puke from the sudden anxiety of it all. You were so much more beautiful in Arcadia, remember? No... She didn't remember, but she believed it.

[Ram]

The Winter King appeared for his role in the handoff. Ram wondered if he should go and talk with the Darkling. The Ogre had heard Campbell might want to talk to him. Not directly. Only through the grape vine. Was that enough? Ram wasn’t sure. Maybe more important, was that what either of them wanted?

Of course, all that flew out of his mind as the Spring Queen entered, looking like… he couldn’t even put it to words. The sensation of looking at her tingled a part of his brain that while not unpleasant, definitely reminded him of things he’d rather forget. White flags shining pure and unblemished above a field of blood.

Ram stood straight as she addressed him instinctively and made a sound deep in his throat that might have been a gruff ma’am except coming from a soldier addressing someone far above their station.

He cast his eyes down as soon as hers left his, almost hoping not to meet them again for the duration of the party. His own Queen calling out to him barely got a wave out of the Render as his attention focused on the note but not daring to write his thoughts at this point.

He wanted to attack. Rend the shining figure of fairie truce.

Because right now, he was pretty sure he couldn’t, even if Summer itself commanded. And for some reason, a part of him hated that to its very core.

[Anatole]

Anatole appears late. The suit is of a better quality than last time, and actually complements his physique this time: he might still be using the standard styles available in the shops but he was definitely working his way on up. The other thing to note that on the walking stick was missing; the burned dwarf was not bringing the heavy stick along, even as an ornament.

He had a plan: find the bar; drink. Much like last time. The plan did not survive him getting through the front door.

First: the fairy lights - the wizened actually smiles at the subtle whimsey.

Second: the flowers - Anatole actually barks an appreciatively laugh, reaching out and touching the verdant foliage gathered from the Hedge. If you are close enough you'll hear him hiss as a finger catches on a sharp frond. Even tamed, the bounty of the Hedge is hungry.

Third: the offerings - very fitting for the Season of growth. And much better than a crass faux party like before. Oh no! This had real meaning and symbolism. Yes, indeed, the burned dwarf will be pocketing a packet of seeds to fulfil his part of this Coronation ritual.

Fourth: Seraphina. Seraphina the Queen of Spring. A proper Queen now in the elegant attire of a crowned Sovereign, radiating power. And waring the Antler Crown. At that point, the wizened was struck dumb, still holding the seed packet in his hands.

[James Turner]

Sera was quite literally a beauty only seen in Arcadia. John couldn't help but freeze, feeling his blood run cold, hands grow clammy. His heart then kicked into overdrive and he had to take, slow deep breaths. Old instincts buried in his head threatening to rip away at the surface. It stole the thunder away from Circe's dress reveal, Rhodes' blooming, and everyone else's arrival.


His eyes got tunnel vision and suddenly everything felt very far away, then he blinked and he was back. He stumbled a step but shook his head, letting out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His heart still hammering in his chest telling him to rabbit. He couldn't bring his eyes up knowing if he were to look he couldn't help but be drawn there like a moth to the flame. He had to rebuild that wall again, rebury those...his eyes darting to Cassandra and then down again. He was ok. He was still here.


He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a chip. "I only look this good thanks to your craftsmanship. I wanted to give the honored Queen of Desire this, to remind you of your strength every day." It was a chip from NA, it wasn't expensive but he thought she deserved it and that everyone could use that reminder sometimes.


He already wanted to smoke, still feeling light headed from earlier finally getting to see Circe's dress frowning wondering if he'd missed a big hunger games reveal. He could see the Queen of Wrath doing something like that. Offering a small, if weak laugh to Sonnie as he shook his head. "No, unfortunately that's my job."


John saw Ram, empath not being able to help himself. He hesitated for a second, not really wanting to leave Cassandra's orbit; but, someone needed a distraction, a friend, and ear. "Excuse me honored Queen." A small bow of his shoulders before he slipped away. Offering a smile and nod to Gerrit, and a wave to Anatole and Titania as he went and stood outside a normal social bubble near Ram. "Hey, sorry we haven't had a good chance to talk yet. I was a little light headed and was going to get some snacks and a drink. I see you have yours but I would certainly like the company." He thought that maybe he'd feel a little lighter without the crown, but a Monarch was a Monarch season or no. Looking to his Courtmates and offering them both another smile.

[Circe]

"Sonja," she smirks before doing something that rhymes with gun, "I'm feeling pretty metal tonight, oh ho ho ho."

Circe laughs as Sonja Wu proves to be her usual self, though she does decide to clap.

Rhodes made quite a entrance. And Circe couldn't even say she was the most dressed down monarch tonight. Everyone was going to show her up were they not? Jealousy was a constant flaw in many a Fairest. But the Summer monarch had a deterrent to that. For the tiny voice of jealousy at the couple before her was massively drowned in the cheering stadium of shipper on deck voices. Circe didn't even hesitate to bite her lower lip to keep from letting out a squee as Rhodes kissed Seraphina's hand.

The elfin Fairest does restrain herself as she still has a cloak to ditch. She bows to Seraphina, "The royal ensemble is complete I see. A perfect match. I believe you have someone most important ta talk with right now. Pardon whilst I check on my comrade. Please feel free ta let me know if any of the flowers are edible."

She nods to Vivian whilst pointing towards herself then to Ram before giving Vivian a smile with a thumbs up. Circe wanted to see how Ram was doing. Also, food. She first stops by the nearest chair to ditch the cloak, then heads to the buffet to join Ram.

"Hey," Circe greets Ram as she starts picking her own munchies, "Nice suit Ram, looks good on ya. I am sorry fer not matching but made this metal Iron Side style. So wanted ta show off. How are ya doing over here bro?"