(2106) Summer Solstice

[Sonnie Wu]

"Heya, Colonel!" Sonnie greeted Worm with a wave. "Bringing the booze-a-hol! Niiiice!"

"Always an honor, Queen Circe!" the Beast winked at the Fairest before looking towards others, both present and arriving.

Truth be told, she figured Titania would lose, because she's seen the Telluric in a battle. Ellie was great for the aftermath of a fight, but the actual combat? Naw.

She glanced towards the sound of Ram's voice with a curious expression, "What's going on back there?"

The arrival of the Elemental had her attention, and she waved energetically, "Hey, you!" She looked at Circe and the others, "Guys, this is Rlyeh," the Steepscrambler slowed down her speech to pronounce the name correctly. "She's new. Already sworn in just a couple days ago."

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra was feeling just a little, mildly extra today. It is a coronation, which means she gets to really dress up. Of course, knowing Circe, while she'll wear something gorgeous in a fighty kind of way, the event will be more casual. And likely fighty somehow. No, Cassandra was feeling very fairy princess running around in the hedge, except it is one of the nice fairytales. The kind they put on Disney.

Dressed in a white gown with a semi-sheer corset bodice and puffy long sleeves that hang off the shoulder, Cassandra joins the other lost. Her scarlet-hair is braided in an updo delicate curled pieces strategically loosened to frame her face just right. As is becoming typical for her, her makeup is very light in favor of letting her Polychromatic hues stand out upon her skin. Just simple winged eyeliner, mascara and a red lip.

She takes stock of who has arrived and can't help but be pulled in by the gorgeous that is Circe's gown. And that crown. She isn't really any prettier than Cassandra, but she just has an exotic look about her with her blue skin and elven ears.

Her eyes eventually land on the new Lost in time for Sonnie to be introducing them. R'lyeh. Good to know. Their look is beyond casual, with a hoodie and run down jeans. They are there, but not much to really hold your gaze.

"Hello, all. R'lyeh, it is lovely to have you with us. I'm Cassandra." She says with a warm smile, "Now, a moment...," before making her way to Circe first.

She gives a slight curtsy, as is formal. Typical for a Winter. "I have a gift for you. I saw it and I immediately thought of you," she says with a smile. What she presents is a chainmail bracelet that has been put together in a very fashionable pattern. "I wish you a wonderful High Summer, Queen Circe." She gives another curtsy.

Finally, Cassandra looks around to acknowledge the surroundings. They have a ring with which to battle. Typical. Then... an area to food fight? NOPE. She will watch from afar and clap when appropriate. And when particular friends arrive, perhaps chat about it.

Ram is wearing all white, which doesn't look bad on him at all, but he does look ready for the food fight.

Sonnie, looks like Sonnie in a cute little red dress. Suddenly, she wonders what Seraphina will dress in. No doubt something ridiculously gorgeous. A hint of green jealousy seems to make its way through her gut, with which she pushes down as much as she can.

CW is wearing what she can only describe as the Horizon. She can't fault it, honestly. It's crazy and out there, but the more you stare at it, the more you grow to like it.

She does begin to wonder where her Courtmates are. Well, she knows where one is, ish, but they don't make a habit of arriving together.

"CW, that outfit is rockin'. I expected no less of someone as eccentric. How have you been?"

[Liam Gelt]

This only being Liam's second coronation, he'd at first struggled about what to wear. However, given Circe had accepted his offer to bartend, he finds himself in a dark-colored button up and dress jeans; the kind of clothes that can pass for not too casual while still durable enough to take some environmental hazards.
The Giant walks into the Coronation arena, his amber eyes adjusting to the new environment. So this is what a Summer Palace looks like? Not bad? He makes his way in lugging a large cooler, packed to the brim with ice and various drinks; a grocery bag of plastic cups and napkins (can't be too careful); and precariously balanced between the two was a paper bag.
It takes him a moment to get his bearings, but he makes his way towards the gathering of Lost. He offers a friendly wave to Ram; he felt bad about how their last encounter at Funderland ended, but he would give the Render time to do his duties before socializing too much. Making a beeline to the Summer Queen, he gives Worm and Sonnie a casual salute. "Hey there, party animals." Who knows what trouble will start with those two together?
Though the two seemed to get along rather well, so no harm no foul. He gives Circe a low, deferential nod. "Happy Coronation, Circe! Bartender reporting for duty!" He sets the grocery bag atop his wheeled cooler to pull the contents out of his paper bag: the flowers he'd purchased from Gerrit's flower shop awhile back, woven together into a wreath similar to his gift to Sera the season before. "I got these from Rosie's; Gerrit's shop. He said they were Summery; I'm afraid I'm not too well-versed in the way of martial gifts." He offers his gift, looking a tad nervous. "So, where would you like me to set up shop?"

[Seraphina]

The Summer Solstice was here! Which meant warmer weather and the passing of the Crown. Which was a bonus. Not that she hated the Crown, but she had a lot going on. Wedding planning was a thing, and it was a stressful thing.

With it being Summer, the Nix went with a red dress, red being the best color she thinks for Summer and Wraith. Plus, she looked good in red. And so did Rhodes , who had matched his suit to her dress. Because that’s what they did, and they did it well. Her dress was form fitting, hugging each of her curves perfectly, with sheer fabric showing golden skin beneath. Which paired nicely with the red. But everything that needed to be covered was, well, covered, mostly. Her long golden and silver hair cascaded down her back, sweeping the floor in an extravagant braid. The only jewelry she wore was her engagement ring, and the pin that Circe had gifted to her.

Her translucent hand rested on Rhodes forearm as they walked in.

Sapphires were naturally drawn to the Wyrdstone, for it would be passing into another Courts hands. Spotting Sonnie she smiled, “Great minds think alike?” in reference to their shared idea of red. “Love that dress on you!” she compliments. Next was Worm, a warm smile, “Hello Colonel Worm! I hope you’ve been well.” Taking a moment to look at his suit, or, what pieces were there, “Nice suit! Seems someone came ready to party!” not that she could blame him, it was Summer.

Now the bright display? That got the attention. And what exactly was on the table? Should she have dressed differently? Then looking to Ram, then the sign, then back, a huge smile on her face, “Hi Ram! Looking good!” white looked good on him. “And am I reading that right?!” the excitement clear in her voice. You bet your ass the Nix would be all in!

Then R’lyeh! She had been hoping to talk more with her, “Hi R’lyeh! Great to see you, how have you been?” she asks, voice upbeat and friendly, she was genuinely curious.

Seemed Sera wasn’t the only one with the dressy idea in mind. “Cassandra! That dress is amazing! Such a stunning look on you!” and it was a very pretty dress.

A smile to Liam, “Hi Liam! How are you?” she was glad to see her fellow Springs in attendance. And he brought a gift! Bonus!

Finally, walking up to Circe, who, well, wow! Beaming and dipping into a curtsy, “Queen Circe, you are looking radiant and badass at the same time. You must tell me how you do it!” she purrs while looking the Summer up and down. A box was presented, wrapped in a deep red, one might say the color of blood with a black bow, “A gift, one I hope you will enjoy.” A bow of her head as she stepped back, her hand placed on Rhodes arm again.

Gift

In the box is THIS necklace. It is made out of actual gun metal.

[Rhodes]

Arm-in-arm the Royal couple move around the room, their intertwining mantles a flow of chill, glorious blossoms and autumn leaves. Rhodes' suit paired flawlessly in colour to Seraphina's dress with his Leaden pin, though even he had wilted to the Midsommer heat and forgone a tie on this occasion. Still, he pulled off the look - his scarlet flowers bloomin on foot-long spurs growing back along his forearms from his wrists and out from his head on branches like woody horns sweeping out behind him marching the direction of his pointed elven ears. Notably barefoot, his feet seemed more covered in the woody roots than the splits across his pale, elfin face and hands. "Dark, isn't it? I rather like it. What does she have up her sleeve this time?" He whispered to his fiancée as they entered.

Anime-large emerald eyes widen as they see Ram and the sign. Hard pass. One has dignity, after all.

"Why do I feel that having you two in one place is just pairing the enablers together?" Rhodes remarked as they approached the Beast and the Wizened, smiling to Sonnie and Worm. "Just give me enough notice to not let anything get on this suit, would you?"

He blinked at the next guest, having not met them before. They almost seem to make themselves invisible but still stand out in the attempt. His Mantle flares suspiciously, though the bond from the Wyrdstone make it clear she is no threat. His eyes fix on her curiously. Something about her seemed to suggest anxiety, fear... or perhaps it was simply being in a new place. "Miss.... R'lyeh? I haven't encountered a changeling with a Lovecraftian theme before, although it certainly fits their populist narrative development. Tell me, is it one you chose or reclaimed?" It has piqued his interest. "Oh, my apologies. I am Rhodes, Sacramento's Dread Lord of Autumn." The smile was more menacing than friendly. He could smell Fear on this one.

He beams as they move onto the winter and finally their host. "Cassandra! How wonderful to see you. And I must agree, a gorgeous dress," he squeezes Sera's hand in acknowledgement.

"Signora Estate!" he inclines his head to Circe, eyes glancing to the crown, a broad smile on his face. "Una manifestazione meravigliosa quest'anno, devo dire. Possa la tua stagione fiorire come quest'anno la tua Corte. E per voi...," he offers a bag containing a fine, expensive Italian red wine.

4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-06-24 05:24:30	Rhodes rolls 5 to Wisdom of Dreams: Wits+Composure (10 Again)	10, 9, 4, 2, 10, 10, 6, 7	4 successes

Wisdom of Dreams is used by Rhodes to have Language: Italian for the day!

[Anatole]

Anatole arrives at last, walking with a debonair grace and twirling a gnarled walking stick. His suit is dark but his shirt is a rich red colour, befitting the Season. His beard has been ever-so-lightly trimmed and his moustaches have been waxed to points: subtle change especially for this coronation. He has a ring on one finger as well - another new addition to his wardrobe - a simple and unadorned metal band.

He doesn't saying anything - not yet anyway.

Instead, he finds a spot along the wall to watch and see how things develop. His shadowy mantle draws the darkness to it, pooling it around him until he appears more a ghost than an actual participant at the party.

[Circe]

Circe's arms are still up as the lights turn on for the food fight. Circe lets out a light laugh as her smile drops into a frown. "Ah. Beh, non abbiamo coordinato quella parte, quindi fanculo, vai con essa, cazzo.."


Circe fishes out a remote from, well, somewhere convenient to hide things. "Oh, welcome Ryleh! Ta the Summer Coronation and party of contests." And Cassandra arrives with a gift, "Ah, thank you Cassandra," Circe puts it on to examine it on her blue skin, "Nice, did ya make it?" She inquires with Cassandra? "Chainmail is a bitch ta make by hand."


Liam arrives and that was perfect timing, "Opportune of ya ta come now Liam," she points the remote towards the control room. A click and another section goes from darkness to light.

It is a rather different set up from Ram's.


The right area has been cordoned off using yellow rope supported by saw horses. On the left most side a drawn sign reads EATING CONTEST with another in the middle that reads GET STONED. The sign on the right? It is drawn in dripping letter which reads HARD MODE EATING CONTEST. There is no throne, as befitting the extroverted Summer Queen. Instead, there is a recliner lawn chair she with a sign on it saying "4 Summer Queen," with several plastic crowns beneath it. Beside this throne is the precious Wyrdstone, the vital link of their Freehold. In a place where Circe can easily keep an eye on it to ensure it stays safe.


A quintet of tables and with chairs in this cordoned area. One has no food upon it. Beneath this one are a number of plastic buckets and paper towels. Atop it are bottles of water, antacid tablet bottles, ginger ale, and other things helpful for stomach problems. There are large bibs for people to wear. Beside this table is one leaden with coolers of cold beer, cider, and sodas to go with the supply of various liquors and wines beneath it. And plastic cups ranging from wine flutes to party cups.


The other three tables have food upon them and four folding chairs each. Two on the left have sliced watermelons with trash barrels next to them. The third separated further on the right? Whoopie pies and ice cream sundae mixing supplies. Sprinkles, cherries, Reddi Whip bottles, M&Ms, plus caramel, chocolate, and strawberry syrup. Only the pile of bright yellow ribbons, and the plates, are inedible. All three tables have a sign upon them with the rules of the challenge.


Watermelon table has simple rules: "eat, don't puke, finish first, win!" Contestants at the pie table must eat a fully decorated whoopie pie without using their hands. To enforce this, ribbons will be wrapped around their hands to ensure they don't cheat.


"Over there is the booze and drinks table Liam," Circe explains to him pointing at the drinks table in the eating contest area. "I'm not sure how ta put on the wreath over the," she knocks her knuckles on her crown, "That. Could be funny ta try though!"


"Ah, the monarchs couple has arrived!" Oh looks like Circe was going over the top. "Looking radiant and matching in red, great oufits Sera and Rhodes," she points at each with the remote in her hand as she says their names. As for the gift, "Whoa," that was impressive. She'd have to pocket the remote again to examine it, "Well, I'm gonna be working my forge fer gifts these coming coronations, that's fer damn sure. Very nice and thoughtful gift Seraphina. May need help putting all these gifts on I fear, at the rate I'm getting them, I may have a second outfit tonight, oh ho ho ho ho!"


Rhodes also got a smile out of the Summer Queen. She responded in kind to him, "Grazie Signore Autunno. Che la tua beatitudine coniugale non finisca mai."


And there was a large enough crowd. Circe secures the gifts she hasn't put on and claps, "Bene! Welcome ta the Summer Coronation's Contest Carnival! We have three contests of power ta engage in, presented by myself, Sir Ram, and Dame Vivian." She motions towards Ram with her left hand, "Sir Ram's contest is colorful and accurate, a war of thrown objects," then her right hand sweeps towards the most recently lit area whilst her left pats her own stomach, "Mine is a contest of guts! To see whom has the most versatile and stalwart of guts in the face of contest." She closes her right hand in a fist for emphasis at the absurd way of saying eating contest, "Yer guts will determine the victor, fer its always good fer a Summer to have guts ta make them stalwart."


Yes Circe made a pun, "And Dame Vivian's contest?" Circe waggles her right finger, "That would be telling. Also!" She points at the stone, "Any other noobs who are coming in!" Shouting a lot is rather typical for her, "Make sure ta swear in on the rock!"

[Colonel Worm]

"Wise words, Your Royal Queeness," Worm replies to Circe, as he stands again. "Never been particularly wise myself, though." A smarter man might hold off on the booze. Not the Colonel.

He looks back and forth between Circe and Sonnie now that he's on his feet again, not sure where he wants his eyes to stop. "So, you guys have to know: you look very, very good. You know that right? I mean...wow." You can almost see the Goblin's heart thumping in his chest, looney tunes style.

Then Ram calls out and the lights come on. Worm blinks his eyes fast a few times, looking a little shocked. "Hey, Ram!" he calls back, "Glad you're doing fine! Nice lights! Cupcakes look good too!" To Sonnie now: "Oh, you know, Ram stuff. He's gonna work it out. I believe in him."

R'lyeh? What's a R'lyeh? Obviously, she's a person. Well, kind of a person. But then again, Worm's only kind of a person too, so who's he to judge? He gives the new arrival a big wave: "R'lyeh! Welcome! You like Mezcal? I brought Mezcal. You should have some Mezcal." Maybe a couple of shots will help that 'smile' along.

Speaking of shots, here's the bartender. "Liam, my boy. So good to see you. Say, I brought some of the good stuff here. Mezcal, like I just said. High test. You mind taking it with you to your workshop?" He indicates the two jugs at Circe's feet with a nod of the head and a roguish grin. Pulls out a flask from his jacket pocket, already pre-loaded with the stuff. Uncaps it and takes a pull. Burns all the right spots.

The royal couple arrives. Cue trumpets. "Hey, Sera! You know it," Worm responds, feeling the need to shade his eyes to protect himself from the sheer hot-ness. "And Rhodes too! How you been, Rhodes? Thought anymore about those matching starter jackets?" He glances at Sonnie, raising an eyebrow at the Dread Lord's comment, "Do you enable?" he asks the Beast. "Because I enable."

And then there's Cassandra, looking radiant. Like fairy tale radiant. Like she rode here in a bubble or something. Worm likes it, though he can't help wondering what the Polychromatic might look like wearing a little less...

"Woah, Cassandra. You look..." Virginal? Ready to be sacrificed? Like you're on your way to grandmother's house? "Amazing. Give us a twirl?" he asks, swirling a finger in the air to model the motion. "Eccentric? Me? Noooo... I'm just devastatingly handsome is all. And charming. And funny. Dynamite in bed too." Another sip from the flask before silently offering it to the winter. "I've been great. Fucking fantastic. How about yourself?"

[James Turner]

To say James was out of his element was an understatement. When he arrived the area had appeared to be dark, shrouded in shadow and it had made him excited, maybe he could be slip in and wait in the shadows but as soon as one foot crossed the threshold the lights came on and blinded him, his eyes not having time to adjust. So he stood there two feet into the room, arm up to guard his eyes from the glaring lights. Beyond his tee shirt collection he didn’t have much of a wardrobe, let alone wardrobe for fancy occasions such as Coronation so he wore the best, read only (at least that fit), suit he owned which is the one Sera had made for him. He had to say for the few seconds he’d been in the dark, the sparkles of the night sky had looked even more amazing.

Most of the guests seemed to be dressed up, standard for a Coronation, then he saw Ram and the change of clothes. Curious. Moving to Rlyeh but the Wyrdstone had accepted the glamour and its protection so it was safe? Right? They definitely stood out, keeping his face a pallid mask instead of frowning as he wondered what horrors their keeper had inflicted. Those black, shifting, swirling orbs continued. Oh, a nice dessert center piece. Then he saw the sign, no, oh no, oh no no no. It appeared the Darkling was in for a long night well outside of his comfort zone.

He swallowed hard and took a breath letting his black, leather dress shoes squeak slightly as he made his way over to Circe to get the official business out of the way. Offering a small wave and a smile to Sera, Rhodes, Sonnie, stiff nod to the new ‘Ling, a more commiserating look offered to Anatole as he went and stood tall, well, as tall as he could at least. “It appears a lot of thought and effort went into tonight’s festivities. We thank you for hosting and appreciate all you do for us. As a way of saying thanks I brought you a gift. It’s in the security office, boxed up, I couldn’t carry it. You helped me to make the image of who I am clearer, so I got something to reflect that.” He couldn’t help but smile, she would appreciate the pun later when she got to see the mirror. He picked it up at a second hand store, needed a lot of cleaning and polishing but it had been worth it he thought.

“Anyway, I will leave you to it.” He took a couple of steps back before pivoting on his heels and slipping away his eyes searching the room but finding Cassandra otherwise occupied, not lingering there even if he wanted. Does she need rescued? No, you do. That was true. He shifted over, closer to Liam who was apparently the bartender. Nice. “Hey, uh, mind if I get a drink. Whiskey and Cider if you have it. Maybe pour a little extra in it.” I’m going to need it. He thought as his eyes moved over the other challenges and he felt dread sit heavy in his stomach. Oh god, this wasn't another contest was it!

[Ram]

The Raylah girl arrived. He could feel the shared heartbeat between them now, so it seemed Sera had got the ‘paperwork’ done. He waved to Blightbent. He recognized the type of clothes she wore. Worn, repaired, and probably surprisingly sturdy. He knew the look.

“Got a food fight going to happen over here!” He called, not to Rayleh in particular since Sonnie also seemed curious but he had an idea in mind “Don’t worry, I bought shirts and pants to change into for it! You even get to keep them when you’re done!” There were definitely times when a free pair of clothes would have been a boon in his life. Potentially covered in frosting or not.

It was a good announcement to make anyway given how well dressed a lot of the Freehold seemed to be.

“Or if you want to avoid any splatter from other events you can grab them too!” he added on a whim. He had quite a few outfits after all and he was just going to donate most of them if they weren’t used. Or hide them in some corner of the Summer hollow. It might also make it feel less awkward than feeling like they had to play his game to get them. He just hoped he’d gotten enough now in case he got zerged.

He waved to Cassandra. Who was also wearing white. Though much better than Ram ever could. It seemed to take on her shifting hues as she walked. Like her dress was a blank canvas reflecting a rainbow.

Liam arrived with drinks as promised. As well as a wreath? Weird but still festive.

He smiled and blushed a bit at Sera’s complimentary greeting “If you’re reading FOOD FIGHT!” he called “Then you’re reading right!”

Ram clapped and hollered when Circe revealed her area. That left only Vivian to click her remote. Then things could get started in earnest.

He made sure his station was ready.

Continued in (2106) FOOD FIGHT...