(2112) Winter Coronation

[Circe]

"Thanks ya sharp dressed man," she turns to Liam, "And this way, I stand out more then the last time I was the first guest ta a coronation," she cheerfully jests. And John's arrival got an actual curtesy from Circe, "King John. May your Court's deeds go unseen as you need, to better ensure your endeavors succeed." An attempt to mix Summer and Winter ideals with proper etiquette.


The magical monarch couple's arrival draws the eyes quite easily. "Daaang Sera," she whistles as she touches her own shoulder length bob of bone white hair, "If it weren't fer the forge, I might be tempted ta grow out ta have ya style me. And ya always win on the accessories, that ring and all," wink. Circe tracks back to the matching question. She nods her head, "This little new thing? All me," Circe's eyebrows and ears waggle, "Second spin fer tonight, total win. Less martial," she raises her left hand a little, "But also less see through, cold, and this," the right hand is above her head, "Didn't melt." Fortunately, her bag isn't messing up her hair. Circe tilts her head back a little to eye John's crown as she lowers her arms. Blue flowers? Wasn't that like hope of victory or something? Oh, and gifts.


Circe retrieves her black gift box from her bag, big enough for a jacket. However, instead of clothing to be seen it contains the opposite. A professional grade version of the ghillie cloak Circe used to go unseen at the Spring coronation. Circe hadn't fallen asleep while hiding.


Sonja breezes by too quickly to explore for a proper greeting. Anatole gets a respectful nod whilst the monarchs converse.


The elfin Hedgespinner ponders making him a swordcane as a gift to replace his walking cane. Or a gun cane. And Cassandra? Well that Prismatic Winter gets raised eyebrows and a smile from Circe. "You are currently an expert on wondrous attire Cassandra," she lightly bows, "Given what yer wearing tonight. Though I hafta ask the Winters," she points to the box that the Winters have been passing notes, "What's with the card box?"

[Rhodes]

Walking arm in arm with Sera always made him feel king of the world. A matching pair, a force of persona. He enjoyed the application of style just as much as his darling wife. To line up with her sensational dress, a suit of blue-grey. Not his usual style, but it was all about he look. His hair was just starting to grey, tying things together in a way he would not have considered as a younger man. Nodding in line with Sera's greetings, though he did not speak until they approached John arm-in-arm and the Spring Queen had said her piece. "Autumn cedes to Winter once again, as it has before and should be. As the seasons turn, I pass the crown from my court to yours as King of Winter." He smiled a little, looking around at the well-dressed changelings all around and inclining greetings to all those who came in - Sonnie, Anatole, Cassandra.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit greeted everyone with a respectful nod and the hint of a smile. Circe was making a grand entrance as usual but as soon as she talked the Ogre up she was already gone. Gerrit was reminded of how he disliked those big gatherings for exactly that reason - there was just too much going on. But he kept his composure.


Liam was equally hard to miss, albeit for different reasons. "Good evening Liam. It's true, but maybe tonight we'll finally have the chance to talk?" The widespread opinion of him seemed to be that he wasn't visible enough, so maybe he had to work on that lest he seemed unreliable or something. Plus, he should really get a feel for those who've decided to stay as long as the Gargantuan had.


John's subtly changed crown didn't go unnoticed. The King of Sorrow was regarded with an especially deep and respectful nod, almost akin to a bow. Whether he liked it or not, he was the man of the hour and deserved respect.


Seraphina was polite and friendly as ever, so Gerrit took the pain of widening his smile upon him. "Thank you Seraphina. Coming from you this means a lot." Rhodes was also greeted with polite respect, but neither the Flowering nor the Stonebones offered to engage in small-talk.


He answered Anatole 's nod in kind and watched the Dwarf submitting his secrets. Was it too arrogant to see this little game as a show of trust for the Freehold? How many would choose not to participate at all?
Maybe those secrets could act as a catalyst to talk to the Wizened again.


Then Cassandra showed herself and Gerrit's heart just about swelled achingly with pride. Tonight she just might be the fairest of them all. "Cassandra, you look stunning." Once again he had the feeling that something between them had been lifted since the last time they've talked. This was good.


There were still a few Lost to be expected - if there hadn't been any unplanned departures in the meantime - so Gerrit held his position and waited. Maybe people would stick around the entrance instead of going in further, but there would be a time to socialize later anyway.

[Rlyeh]

......oh. This is. A lot. Much. Big. Grand. She swallows. Because. Well. This is all very much. Too much. And everyone is. gorgeous, pretty, shiny. And she is. She is...

Hands rub at her legs and she remembers she's not wearing pants. Having scrounged up enough to go to a thrift store and get something. Well, not fancy, but different. A flowery dress and a sweater! Because her cupcake shirt was now a club crop and she didn't think that was good to wear for a coronation. Which was a good thought to have, because look at everyone!

She swallows again, eyes darting around. She needed to find the Wyrdstone so she wouldn't loose that safety-warmth-trust.

[Colonel Worm]

Worm comes sneaking into the back door shortly after R'lyeh only to be greeted by the whole damn Freehold standing around Gerrit right after entering.

He stops himself just short of bumping into Toxic Fox from behind, performing a spin move and popping up beside her, arms raised "Merry Winter All!"

His outfit is a riot of different patterns: checked suit, gingham shirt. All in black and white, though. A nod to the season? Or maybe he just thinks it looks slick? His hair certainly is. He does not remove his sunglasses despite the dimly lit interior.

He nudges R'yleh with an elbow, "Nice 'fit, B-T-Dubs." She's wearing something other than that one shirt. Pretty momentous.

[James Turner]

"Thank you Queen of Wrath, may your vengeance be swift and may we rob our enemies blind." returning one gesture for another before It was time to do his duty and swallow his anxiety. The crowns pressure reminded him of his duty. Taking a deep breath he put on a smile and began his welcomes. Sera helping answer his question before Circe could respond, though he supposed she always could have had it commissioned still. Sera and Rhodes words carried the weight of their crowns, "Thank you Vernal Sovereign and Dread Lord as well. And when it is time Winter will cede to Spring, Spring to Summer. May our cycle continue unbroken." Because they knew what that wrought.


A wave to Sonnie as she exploded onto the scene, "You look fantastic Sonnie, I hope you've been well." He knew he had to catch up with her soon, he was sure a whirlwind of things had happened since the last time they spoke. And then Anatole, who'd he'd spoke to much more recently, got a wide amused smile out of the Winter King. "Paladin." The smile widened and he couldn't stop the small laugh that came after.


There seemed to be a pause and he looked over at Gerrit as he offered a bow. A small shake of his head, chuckling softly under his breath as he took that moment to breathe. He made sure to meet Gerrit's eyes and give a deep nod of his head before a warm, familial smile was left on his face. Which remain frozen there as he felt his breath be taken from his lungs as he saw Cassandra and that masterfully made dress. John, don't stare. He blinked, grey creeping up his neck as he let his eyes find hers for a moment before turning back around.


And almost had Rlyeh slip by him, he didn't say anything at first his hand just offering a small wave and a warm smile. He didn't know anything about her really but the seemingly quiet nature connected with his own. "Good evening Rlyeh I hope you are well. Would you want to get together and chat sometime maybe?" A soft smile offered as the Colonel's suit was something to behold. Like the color though. "Colonel, dapper as ever I see. Sorry, if you'll excuse me. I believe it's time." Though he had been expecting Roshon to be not far behind Rlyeh and Titania was a bit passed fashionably late at this point.


James moves to the side of the Wyrdstone, looking into it's surface for a long moment. Taking a few long deep breaths as he held his hands fingertips together at chest height and he exhaled, his heart racing in his chest no matter how many times he had to do this it never felt like it got any easier. Swallowing the lump in his throat he began, "If you'll allow me a moment, I know I'm not quite as well spoken as the other Monarchs. Nor do I possess the wisdom of the Dread Lord, The Gracious Hospitality of the Vernal Queen, or the Bold, Confidence of the Summer Queen.


I read something the other day and it stood out to me. A sociologist said that society began when we saw the first healed femur. Because that's a near crippling injury that takes so long to heal and recover from. It meant that person had been nurtured, cared for during that entire period. We do the same through the winter, we huddled together, we would share and ration resources so we could all make it through together.


I just want you all to know I love you and I care about you all. It's not said often enough and I know it can't hurt to say it more." He offered a small smile, taking a moment to pause tears beginning to well up in his eyes as he let out a surprised laugh and wiped his eyes quickly. "I know it's hard. None of us came out of this without scars. I will always be here for you. To help you bear that burden should you need it."


The smile was still there as the first few tears fell from his cheeks. Soft streaks falling down his cheeks to to drop and the first catching in his mantle catching a snowflake as the mantle shifted and caught it. That crisp air shifted, growing silent and still as a long winter night. Forgotten memories became found, replaced with a comforting warmth that bled it's way back to nostalgia. Soft, iridescent beams of soft moonlight falling in an irregular pattern. It'd only been a few seconds, not bothering to wipe his eyes now as he walked over to the Wyrdstone and placed his palm upon it, looking over to Rlyeh with a nod as the stone feasted upon Sorrow.


He stepped back and cleared his throat, finally wiping his eyes even though his eyes were still a bit puffy and gray. "One last thing. Inside the locked box people have submitted a truth and a lie. I will unlock the box and everyone who submitted one should take one out of the box. The goal is to find out who's your holding. I believe in the truth." Another voice echoed those words in his head, a much older and tired copy of his own. "Opening up can be good, healthy even. And this might be a good way to find out more about each other. Thank you. But, uh, correct me if I'm wrong, yea?" He turned and looked to his Thane first and then Gerrit but he was pretty sure he got most of it even as he felt all the energy leave his body almost at once as the urge to smoke gnawed at his chest and scraped against his lungs.

Sorry wanted to get this out before I had to leave!
John's mantle increased to 5 there also.

[Circe]

"Blooming great outfit R'lyeh," she has to add without hesitation due to the pun potential of her outfit, "It is a clover design."


"Worm," she laughs at his arrival. He is just too fun for her, "That isn't a magic eye hidden in that suit is there?"


When John mentions the confidence of Circe, Circe puffs up with a smirk at that. It was true after all. She had the ammo to back it up. The sociology stuff was probably supposed to heartwarming and the analogy was interesting. Well, Circe was confident enough to admit she'd not the rhetoric skill to match her counterparts. She'd have to get a writer. Circe still gives John a proud salute as he finishes the speech. It was a good speech, morale boosting.


"Ooooh?" She looks to the box with amusement and decides to quickly write something in. A show of Summer's courage and her own confidence. The combination of truth and lie she writes are probably going to be big hints to her being the author. And cause some concern regardless of which is the truth, but that was rather Circe.


She turns to Colonel Worm, "My fellow Summer. I believe the three empty crowns," she smirks, "Are sharing a table fer this party, so can't invite ya ta hang. But, I wanna check ta see how yer doing. Keeping the rage against the enemy? Any skulls ya want help kicking in, shooting, or blooming up?"

[Anatole]

The wizened dwarf is stuck fast to where he is standing. Oh, he wants to get away! His eyes keep fastening onto the feasting table and his fingers itch to take out the tasty treats and rare vintages found there. However, every time he attempts to make his move... another Lost shows up... Or the Onyx Sovereign makes a speech... Or...

"Rlyeh. Glad you could make it. You are looking... well?"

He notes the arrival of the most quiescent member of the Freehold and with some relief, turns away from the collected Sovereigns, to give her a welcome. His words turn into a question as Colonel Worm arrives hot on her heels in a decidedly eclectic ensemble that his both of the dwarf's bushy eyebrows shooting up.

"You too, Worm. Thats quite the piece you have there."

To his credit, Anatole manages not to stutter or stare (more than he has). Instead he gestures to the suit, hoping for a response.

Instead, the Onyx Sovereign makes a speech. Wincing slightly, Anatole focusses his attention on him. A crooked smile mars his face as the purpose of the box is finally revealed. He shoots Colonel Worm a very Wizened look encompassing wit, shenenigans, and brutal cynicism. He casts his gaze back to Gerrit , his gaze shifting to something less cruel and more intrigued.

He tries to make eye contact with Sonnie Wu but gives up: the press of bodies piling up around the table is too thick at this point. He can't even see the blessed feast table from where he is standing.

[Titania]

Not too early to be the first, not too late to be the last. It's the end of the year and the Fairest arrives clad in garments that remind one of an Eclipse, a rainbow colored dress with concessions to blue and white under a cascade of dazzling swaroskis.
She heads straight to the action, "Evening", she smiles.

[Seraphina]

A warm, happy smile as Sonnie appeared. “Love the dress!” and she did, it was cute! And for a moment, she wondered what it would be like to wear a dress that was comfortable and, just, fun?

Seeing Anatole, she smiles, “Good evening, Anatole, you’re looking well.” She begins, “I was hoping we can setup another evening to talk soon, I have somethings to show you.” The Nix had not forgotten her offer to him. Quite the opposite, she had been working on the perfect design, and the time had gotten away from her.

It was hard to not watch Cassandra as she entered. The dress fitting her exactly as Sera had envisioned. The radiant beauty that was the Fairest was on full display, and Sera couldn’t be happier! It certainly showed in her smile, a hint of pride, but mostly happiness. This was the first dress she had made for someone else.

“Cassandra, you look positively radiant!” gushes the Spring. And was that the hair clip she had found for her? Double bonus! It filled her with pride.

Laughing at what Circe says, “You’d be surprised the magic I can work with shorter hair. We’ll have to try it sometime.” There was no reason short hair could not look amazing. It just required the right style. Then a shy smile as her ring was mentioned, “It’s always the perfect accessory.” And leaves it at that. This evening was not about her.

She listens as Rhodes speaks, it was hard not to, with his deep and resonant voice. It captivated her attention more and more.

To Gerrit, “We should catch up some evening when you have the time.” It felt like it had been ages since she spoke with him. It was time to fix that.

A warm smile was offered to R’lyeh as she made her entrance, “Hey! Looking good!” she compliments. Wondering if the Blightbent would take her up on a girl’s day shopping. Not that there was anything wrong with what she wore, Sera just thought a girl’s day would be fun.

Worm gets a bright smile, “Hey! Love the suit!” she had to admire the confidence he had with what he wore.

Eyes move to John has he approaches the Wyrdstone, giving him her full attention. There was a shy, but proud smile at the compliment. His speech was touching, and she felt herself placing her free hand on her chest, touched and moved by his words.

And…wait.

Has his Mantle grown?! The soft moonlight was captivating, stunning to see.

It was impossible to miss the entrance of Titania, the sheer power of her presence drawing the eyes.

“Good evening, Titania! You look beautiful, what an amazing dress!”