(2603) Spring Equinox

[Sonnie Wu]

Funderland

Funderland Amusement Park has been dishing up kid-sized thrills since 1946! It is the only place to take the kids in Sacramento that has nine exciting amusement rides, a concession stand, birthday parties, and more. We are conveniently located in William Land Park next to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town.

Funderland is a public location, but also the heart of Sacramento's Changeling Freehold.

Some Freeholds hide in plain sight, while others hide so well that new arrivals need an invitation and direction to even catch a hint of just where the Lost's stronghold resides. The Freehold of Sacramento is of the former, and has always been, but with the death of the dragon Fairweather, the Lost of Sacramento have taken control of, and are operating an amusement park. A self contained space, a fortress for the Lost, but one where mortals come spend their money, and offer up something more precious; Glamour. The park is divided along the lines of the Seasonal Courts, each having their own ride or featured building, so the Glamour is spiced in the layers of the four cardinal emotions.

Much like the world - the Hedge - beside the mundane one, there is a private world beneath the park -- prohibition era tunnels, passages and even rooms.

For now, the the Park is closed and admittance is only for the Lost. For those moments before Equinox and Solstice, The Eternal Seasons reign....

This is a great place to gain your Acknowledgement!

The Tavern, at the bottom of Funderland's Wishing Well, was all arranged for the Coronation today. The green and blue banners of the Spring Court were on display in the main room, with sweet-smelling flowers dangling from the rafters. Tables were laden with baskets of goblin fruits, alongside foil trays of hot barbequed meats. Ribs, chicken, you name it. The aroma was mouth-watering. Then there was a table full of cakes and donuts! Of course, the bar was open, presenting an endless supply of almost every beverage one could think of (and many you might never have imagined)!

As always, the Wyrdstone is present, set on a central table, surrounded with more colorful flowers.

One unusual addition this year: A stage area had been cordoned off, and upon this stage were a group of Hobgoblins, each setting up or tuning some musical instruments! The smallest one looked like a brass clockwork man from the waist up, and a cricket from the waist down. He was either fussing around with a fiddle, or bossing the other three hobs about.

A slim plant creature was adjusting a microphone stand. She was leaves, vines and thorns throughout most of her body, with her head appearing to be a large rosebud! Solid black eyes and a thin-lipped mouth gave her a face. She (and you get the impression of femininity from the hob, despite no overt physical traits you'd usually expect) moves with a sort of ethereal grace. Even her microphone stand seemed to be wood and sprouting flowers.

The banjo player was so tall and lanky, you're first thought was 'Slender Man'! Indeed, he even worse a nice black suit, and his head was bare of features except for his eyes and ears. No nose or mouth to be seen.

Finally, sitting at the drum set was what was best described as a fat orc. Green, ugly, tusked. He looked bored, twirling his drumsticks and waiting.

This odd band of musicians behave like they are supposed to be here. The evening's entertainment, perhaps?

"Hurry, hurry!" the stranger clockwork cricket man said to his compatriots, "Is time! Guests arriving soon! Monkey Queen want us to start playing! Wake up, Vork!"

The orc snorted in annoyance. "Shut up, Fulko. I'm awake."

Currently, Sonnie Wu is nowhere to be seen.

[Saber Sloth]

Please remember to @me when Sonnie Wu puts 1 Glamour into the Wyrdstone also remember that new (and returning) arrivals need to also put 1 Glamour into the Wyrdstone to bind themselves to the Freehold(gaining Freehold Status 1), and Courtless will also need to spend 1 Glamour into the Wyrdstone to gain or keep their Freehold Status

[Mina]

The Manikin had gotten to the Tavern early to help setup. Because no Spring Queen should have to take time out of her day to worry about that! At least in Mina’s opinion.

So she had been going back and forth bring in food and setting up. At least, the mundane food. There was a few dishes she had brought, nothing she made, but things she had picked up at the store and transferred into bowls and all that good stuff. Though she did make some cupcakes and decorated them to look like tropical flowers. Not really anything special, just a tutorial she followed and an effort was put in.

Some games were setup on a few tables, Pirate Dice. Which were just some cups with 5 dice in them, the rules written and placed in the center of the table. Checkers, of course, because everyone knew that one. And a poker set was setup, not an expensive one. But also on the table was Cards Against Humanity and Unstable Unicorns. Both had come highly recommended for party games.

The Broken doll was still arranging things on the tables, dressed in what she figured would be a jungle themed outfit. A little bit of green, a little bit of animal print and a lot of Spring! Her outfit allowed for most of her ball joints to be seen, her feet, knees, the hint of her hips, a slight hint of her upper chest, wrists, shoulders and of course neck. She was a true porcelain ball jointed doll. Her skin giving off the smooth glass like texture of porcelain. Gentle snowflakes danced down from her eyelashes, and her feet were covered in ballet flats.

[Sonnie Wu]

A door to one of the Tavern's back rooms opened a crack, and for a second, a golden-iris'd, black-sclera'd eye peeked out. Hmmm, so far only Mina was here! Well, her and the hob musicians. Since nobody else had arrived yet, the door closed.

The Queen of Spring had to make her grand entrance, but the freehold needed to be here first! Witnesses were required! More than one! Back into impatient waiting the Beast went.

Meanwhile, the band got themselves in order.

"Hokay! Time to play!" the cricketman fiddler said.

"'Bout time. I'm bored, Fulko,. And hungry." Vork grumbled, gazing at all the food with a ravenous yellow eye.

"Cap'n Fulko!" the leader replied, like a reflex. He was insistent on the title, it seemed.

The ever-so-tall banjo player looked at him, silently. After a moment, Fulko responded as if the Slender Man-looking hob had said something. "Yes, yes, yes! We play background music before ceremony! Good idea, Halandor! Everyone, Hedge Concerto in P major! 1! 2! 7! 3!"

And they started playing: https://youtu.be/YeGR4aDPsps?si=lPrla3F1hKST65I2

[Kray]

The giant made his way to the spring tavern dressed in rented suit, not made to fit but clearly from the rail of a big and tall store, it wasn't overly fancy shirt, trousers and Jacket. The tie had been forsaken it just felt to restrictive. Likewise his top button is undone. Shoes shined black and as he enters the hollow the battered moth eaten fedora on his head shows its true clous a patchwork work of autumn leaves sewed together and banded with a ring of sitting sackcloth scarecrows.

His history with the spring court was not without it's blemishes but of late and with the current members he was disposed to think well of them so there is less trepidation to his entry then might have been from the year prior.

And by all appearances the court had gone to every length, spared no expense to put on a Fabolous showing. Bulging sickly yellow eyes, grey beaten ears and squashed nose take in the array of sights, scents and .. sounds. "Huh. Don't think I've ever seen a band of hobs in this sense of it before." It wasn't unpleasant.

Attention drifting from the unexpected entertainment it falls on the broken doll. That might be the most he had seen of her, and he takes a moment to take it in. A fascination with all things magical, was common place among autumn courtiers. That or he is wondering what a unique experience it would be to try and eat her, it can be hard to tell with the cannibal. "Huh. Hello Mina." She had no title or official position he knew of to add to the greeting. "Uh. Well this is all looking very lively." And by his tone he did appreciate it. "Uh. I don't suppose they are on the menu are they?" With a slight nod towards the band of hobs. With so much on offer hopes might be up a little.

[Ellaria Undertow]

She'd found an appropriately Springy blouse at the thrift store, it was too large, but that tailoring problem was temporarily solved with strategic safety pins, and tucking the hem into her well warn khakis. She did, however splurge on a pair of thematic boots, the colour was a nice contrast to her clothing's lighter pallet, as are her own eyes and scales. Though, in regards to her budget, her new (old) boots serve a practical purpose. Soggy, pages against bare skin in always uncomfortable.

Entering the Spring Tavern, she's greeted with the expected but certainly overwhelming scent of florals. Explained, not just by Mantles but the sheer amount flowers...everywhere. It's beautiful, yes. But no matter how long she's been out of the water free of The Maw, the scent of flowers might always overwhelm her.

The music shocks her out of her memoriesreminiscing. She affixes a slight smile to her lips, keeping her teeth hidden, even if their edges press harshly against her lips. Wondering what precisely the Springs had given to have a hob band of all things playing for the Equinox.

Eyes are immediately drawn to the iced doll and her outfit. Her head tilts, as she admires the ball joints. Ellaria offers a small wave, before turning towards the owner of the baritone voice. "King Kray, greetings.” she ducks her head, then looking towards the band, "I doubt we’d get that lucky.” comes her reply with a small smirk.

To Mina, her smirk softened once more to a smile, "Hello, I’m called Ellaria Undertow.”

[Mina]

The Hobs talking and then suddenly playing draws her attention for a moment, and then a smile.
Not on to bother the entertainment her Queen had hired, she gracefully moves around the tables. Can’t take the dancer out of her it seems.

Pausing as she hears the deep voice of Kray, her smile widens as she offers a small curtsy, “King Kray! Welcome! You’re looking quite well this evening!” she compliments, remembering the back and forth from the last time she truly complimented him. Eyes look to the stage and the Hobs, “Uh, no, the performers are not on the menu. But I believe you will a very wide selection to enjoy.” Least she hoped, they had gone all out.

Then a new face walks in and she feels herself pause, unsure as mismatched eyes take in the woman. The doe eyed woman seemed to know Kray, appearing to be some sort of mermaid. Though faint she did catch the scent of water-logged books, and some ruined pages clinging to the womans shoes.

But this was a Coronation, and thus, a place to get recognized by the Wyrdstone. Heck, she had done it herself. A smile reappeared, “Hi Ellaria, I’m Mina, of the Spring Court, welcome to our Coronation. Can I get either of you a drink?”

[Jack Violet]

Jack walks into the Funderland meeting place looking forward to seeing Queen Sonnie get her crown once more. Wearing a business casual outfit, he looks for the soon to be crowned queen and makes a small bow. "Greetings Queen, looking forward to what you bring this Spring."

Jack then looked around and noticed that there was a new face. Taking time first he moves to where King Kray is, "Greetings king Kray, how are you this fine evening." He then moved around and took a look around for the Summer Queen, realizing he is the first summer to arrive.