pumpkinhollow (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pumpkinhollow) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ph_logs2024-02-24 02:04 pm
pumpkinhollow) wrote in ph_logs2024-02-24 02:04 pm
February Event - Springtime Soiree [Merrymeet]
**Plain text version here.
The first to come in along a trail of flower petals and birdseed is the honorary Flower Princess, a hen by the name of Bobbin. She is escorted by her caretaker, Eddie Kaspbrak. Her level of cooperation is debatable, but she is given her moment in the spotlight to start the festivities with a bit of humor before being given a fond nudge.
Then, the procession begins in earnest as each member of the Floral Court (Dahlia, Annabel Lee, Zelda, Magne, Sally) is escorted through the festival green and up to the gazebo. Standing at the top of the short flight of gazebo stairs is Juniper Sweetwater, a poised and delicate Wood Elf with pale brown hair. Gracing each pair with a greeting of “hail and merry meet”, she places a small ring of flowers upon the brow of each member of the court, and hands each one a matching boutonniere or corsage to bestow upon her plus-one. Then she lets them file into the gazebo to take their seats.
Finally, the last to enter is the Flower Queen herself. The music swells as this year’s Queen, Mary Dahl, is escorted by her Courtier, Snakes Tolliver. The pair are showered with flower petals as they follow the winding trail, applauded quietly by festival goers before they reach Juniper. Fluidly, she swaps places with Mary so that the new Flower Queen is the one stood at the top of the stairs and the prior is on the ground.
“Hail and merry meet.” Juniper curtsies. “Today, just as I was one year ago, you have been chosen by the people of our town to be the Flower Queen. It is my honor to present you with gifts befitting a queen.”
Another townsperson passes her a basket, which Juniper presents to Mary. It contains a number of spring-themed treats--- honey harvested from last spring’s flowers, a bottle of specially crafted sweet festival wine to be consumed on the summer solstice, a candle embedded with dried flowers, a blend of lavender and bergamot tea, a charming floral soap, and a necklace with a pressed forget-me-not inside a clear pendant. There is also a medal hanging around the wine bottle shaped like an orchid bloom, engraved on the back with text. “Flower Queen 16:54 - Pumpkin Hollow - Mary Louise Dahl. Juniper then passes the somewhat heavy basket off to Snakes to carry--- after all, it’s the Courtier’s job to attend to the Queen!
Then, Juniper pins a boutonniere to Snakes’ lapel, and beneath it, a medal of his own. “Floral Courtier - 16:54 - Snakes Tolliver”.
“With this sprig of Serannai’s glory, I bestow upon you the honored duty of Courtier to the Flower Queen. Assist her as she needs and ensure that she spends this day as free and joyful as a spring breeze.”
Lastly, Juniper turns back to Mary and takes up a crown of flowers, larger and more elaborate than the others, holding it aloft for a moment before resting it upon Mary’s head.
“With this crown, I pass my title on to you. May it bring you felicity and fortune, so that you may share it with the earth as you put seed to soil.”
Applause rings out over the crowd, and with that, Mary is coronated into her festival role and the party can begin! Music strikes up and the townsfolk begin to dance, and food is served. After lunch, though, Mary will be called to join Juniper one more time for the seed-planting ceremony!
And while there is wine being passed around the table, there is also tea. But this isn’t just any tea, and these aren’t just any tea pots. The pots are clear glass, surrounded by ornate silver fixtures, so that you can see the color of the tea and the leaves steeping within. Some are regular tea leaves rolling around in ball strainers while others are blooming floral teas perched in the center of the pots. And best of all, these teapots are enchanted, looking like chubby little tea puppies walking around on four short metal legs, They meander around between dishes on the tables, bumbling up to partygoers to offer their contents and tipping forward with surprising grace to pour tea into cups. They are helpfully labeled with tags tied to their handles, explaining what they contain.
While a few contain typical tea blends, others are marked as containing enchanted teas, provided by Aeryn Sallek. The enchanted blends are as follows:
Party Enhancer - An energizing and sweet lemon hibiscus tea that makes the drinker able to dance longer, sing louder, eat more, and worry less. Turn down your inhibition and turn up the fun! This is a great tea for people who want a little party boost without getting drunk.
Liquid Courage - Feeling too shy to dance? Nervous about asking that beautiful person to spend the day with you? Want to go for that first kiss but struggling to work up the nerve? This smooth lavender black tea will help!
Romance Reagent - For those looking to be a little more flirty or emotionally open, this rose milk tea has a higher concentration of the “emotional acuity” potion to help you be open with your true feelings and get your cuddle on. And this denser dose of potion will even have the added effect of making you a little more suave, as well.
Sultry Spice - For those looking to find someone nice and invite them somewhere more private. This warming apple spice tea literally just has a mild aphrodisiac in it.
Enjoy any of these with your meal to turn up the mood! While these teas are clearly labeled, it's up to you whether or not you actually read them. Accidents can happen!
Local musicians will be playing throughout the day for group and couple’s dances, including a local partner dance called the Sunrise Waltz and a classic maypole dance. Feel free to dance the afternoon away with partners, friends, new acquaintances, and more!
There’s also areas to catch your breath and chat with friends, a chocolate dipping station, flower sprouts in tiny pots as party favors, flower garland braiding areas, and plenty of wine! Additionally, there are a few flower-filled tents on the festival green with private seating areas for couples to catch a few moments alone. You’re not supposed to, but if you’re quiet and don’t mind a bit of risk, it wouldn’t be hard to sneak a little naughty fun into your day in these little tents.
And of course, there is the planting ceremony later in the day, so feel free to join Mary and Juniper at the edge of the green for this short tradition!
SPRINGTIME SOIREE
Spring Greetings!
For the past few days, locals have been working hard to set up trellises over the town square plaza and cover them and the gazebo with as many spring flowers as possible. Long tables and chairs are set out, sprigs and blooms hung from twine and petals scattered all over. Many of the flowers are silk as it is still early in the year, but thanks to the new population of those with plant magic, there are also a sizable amount of real ones!
It’s a sunny afternoon, a slight chill in the air offset by golden rays of spring warmth. The deep snow that swamped the island for months has at last subsided, giving way to bright green grass dotted with tiny wildflowers preparing to open. It is the perfect day to be outside.
Welcome to Merrymeet, a beloved tradition held throughout the Emerald Isles in early spring. It is a festival of new beginnings, fertility, flowers, romance, and welcoming spring back to the land! And after such a harsh winter, we all need it. So don your fancy floral clothing (for rent or for half the normal cost!), grab yourself a teacup or a wine glass, and come together on the festival green for a charming garden party to ring in the spring!
It’s a sunny afternoon, a slight chill in the air offset by golden rays of spring warmth. The deep snow that swamped the island for months has at last subsided, giving way to bright green grass dotted with tiny wildflowers preparing to open. It is the perfect day to be outside.
Welcome to Merrymeet, a beloved tradition held throughout the Emerald Isles in early spring. It is a festival of new beginnings, fertility, flowers, romance, and welcoming spring back to the land! And after such a harsh winter, we all need it. So don your fancy floral clothing (for rent or for half the normal cost!), grab yourself a teacup or a wine glass, and come together on the festival green for a charming garden party to ring in the spring!
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!
As of Merrymeet, aurora borealis season has ended, the snowstorms have petered out, and the famine subplot is concluded. Any further uses of these events can be backdated! (But we’ll have a new TDM soon anyway.) Thanks to the use of magic, greenhouses, the community gardens, generous fishers and helpful hunters, everyone will be able to eat well at Merrymeet and after! Great work everyone! Floral Festivities
Crowning of the Flower Queen
Once all of the guests are paraded in, wearing their floral finest, Mayor Poe calls for everyone’s attention and music begins to play.The first to come in along a trail of flower petals and birdseed is the honorary Flower Princess, a hen by the name of Bobbin. She is escorted by her caretaker, Eddie Kaspbrak. Her level of cooperation is debatable, but she is given her moment in the spotlight to start the festivities with a bit of humor before being given a fond nudge.
Then, the procession begins in earnest as each member of the Floral Court (Dahlia, Annabel Lee, Zelda, Magne, Sally) is escorted through the festival green and up to the gazebo. Standing at the top of the short flight of gazebo stairs is Juniper Sweetwater, a poised and delicate Wood Elf with pale brown hair. Gracing each pair with a greeting of “hail and merry meet”, she places a small ring of flowers upon the brow of each member of the court, and hands each one a matching boutonniere or corsage to bestow upon her plus-one. Then she lets them file into the gazebo to take their seats.
Finally, the last to enter is the Flower Queen herself. The music swells as this year’s Queen, Mary Dahl, is escorted by her Courtier, Snakes Tolliver. The pair are showered with flower petals as they follow the winding trail, applauded quietly by festival goers before they reach Juniper. Fluidly, she swaps places with Mary so that the new Flower Queen is the one stood at the top of the stairs and the prior is on the ground.
“Hail and merry meet.” Juniper curtsies. “Today, just as I was one year ago, you have been chosen by the people of our town to be the Flower Queen. It is my honor to present you with gifts befitting a queen.”
Another townsperson passes her a basket, which Juniper presents to Mary. It contains a number of spring-themed treats--- honey harvested from last spring’s flowers, a bottle of specially crafted sweet festival wine to be consumed on the summer solstice, a candle embedded with dried flowers, a blend of lavender and bergamot tea, a charming floral soap, and a necklace with a pressed forget-me-not inside a clear pendant. There is also a medal hanging around the wine bottle shaped like an orchid bloom, engraved on the back with text. “Flower Queen 16:54 - Pumpkin Hollow - Mary Louise Dahl. Juniper then passes the somewhat heavy basket off to Snakes to carry--- after all, it’s the Courtier’s job to attend to the Queen!
Then, Juniper pins a boutonniere to Snakes’ lapel, and beneath it, a medal of his own. “Floral Courtier - 16:54 - Snakes Tolliver”.
“With this sprig of Serannai’s glory, I bestow upon you the honored duty of Courtier to the Flower Queen. Assist her as she needs and ensure that she spends this day as free and joyful as a spring breeze.”
Lastly, Juniper turns back to Mary and takes up a crown of flowers, larger and more elaborate than the others, holding it aloft for a moment before resting it upon Mary’s head.
“With this crown, I pass my title on to you. May it bring you felicity and fortune, so that you may share it with the earth as you put seed to soil.”
Applause rings out over the crowd, and with that, Mary is coronated into her festival role and the party can begin! Music strikes up and the townsfolk begin to dance, and food is served. After lunch, though, Mary will be called to join Juniper one more time for the seed-planting ceremony!
Eat, Drink, Be Merry!
It doesn’t take long for lunch to be brought out, courtesy of some helpful volunteers and the Oak & Iron’s diligent cooking staff. Salads full of spring greens, fresh bread with herbs baked in, puff pastries with fresh cheese and asparagus, egg tarts, chicken sandwiches, and crispy little hashbrowns formed into cups to look like bird nests, each with a devilled egg sitting inside. There are also dozens of little desserts made with flowers and spring berries, like cakes and custards, and even heart-shaped macarons.And while there is wine being passed around the table, there is also tea. But this isn’t just any tea, and these aren’t just any tea pots. The pots are clear glass, surrounded by ornate silver fixtures, so that you can see the color of the tea and the leaves steeping within. Some are regular tea leaves rolling around in ball strainers while others are blooming floral teas perched in the center of the pots. And best of all, these teapots are enchanted, looking like chubby little tea puppies walking around on four short metal legs, They meander around between dishes on the tables, bumbling up to partygoers to offer their contents and tipping forward with surprising grace to pour tea into cups. They are helpfully labeled with tags tied to their handles, explaining what they contain.
While a few contain typical tea blends, others are marked as containing enchanted teas, provided by Aeryn Sallek. The enchanted blends are as follows:
Party Enhancer - An energizing and sweet lemon hibiscus tea that makes the drinker able to dance longer, sing louder, eat more, and worry less. Turn down your inhibition and turn up the fun! This is a great tea for people who want a little party boost without getting drunk.
Liquid Courage - Feeling too shy to dance? Nervous about asking that beautiful person to spend the day with you? Want to go for that first kiss but struggling to work up the nerve? This smooth lavender black tea will help!
Romance Reagent - For those looking to be a little more flirty or emotionally open, this rose milk tea has a higher concentration of the “emotional acuity” potion to help you be open with your true feelings and get your cuddle on. And this denser dose of potion will even have the added effect of making you a little more suave, as well.
Sultry Spice - For those looking to find someone nice and invite them somewhere more private. This warming apple spice tea literally just has a mild aphrodisiac in it.
Enjoy any of these with your meal to turn up the mood! While these teas are clearly labeled, it's up to you whether or not you actually read them. Accidents can happen!
Tulip Two-Step
Eating isn’t all there is to do, of course. The other primary activity is dancing!Local musicians will be playing throughout the day for group and couple’s dances, including a local partner dance called the Sunrise Waltz and a classic maypole dance. Feel free to dance the afternoon away with partners, friends, new acquaintances, and more!
There’s also areas to catch your breath and chat with friends, a chocolate dipping station, flower sprouts in tiny pots as party favors, flower garland braiding areas, and plenty of wine! Additionally, there are a few flower-filled tents on the festival green with private seating areas for couples to catch a few moments alone. You’re not supposed to, but if you’re quiet and don’t mind a bit of risk, it wouldn’t be hard to sneak a little naughty fun into your day in these little tents.
And of course, there is the planting ceremony later in the day, so feel free to join Mary and Juniper at the edge of the green for this short tradition!
Something Wicked
Would it truly be a festival on a cursed island without some kind of mishap? After the planting ceremony midway through the day, some unscrupulous characters begin showing up to crash the party…
As such, demons may try a few different tricks to slake their hunger. Temptation for sex and aggressive flirting are on the table, but they may also simply be friendly while subtly posturing themselves and you to make it look like you're doing something inappropriate with them. They can also take the faces of your friends and partners. Masquerading as your partner to get a kiss from you only to shift into someone else as soon as your partner walks in? Check. Disguising themselves as you to say things that hurt your partner? Check. Making it look like you're cozying up to them during an innocent conversation? Also check! And don't worry, they're happy to cause trouble between friends and metamours as well!
As such, when posting, players can choose to write threads as demons pretending to be their characters, can use demons as communal NPCs, or can thread with demons directly through the @daemoniumexmachina journal, which is mod-run. There are roughly a dozen incubi and succubi running around, but the journal has four distinct ones. Players can use named or unnamed demons, including mod-run ones, in their own threads. Succubi and incubi will remain on Marrow Isle till the following morning and will try to remain near Merrymeet until the festival closes in the evening but are not restricted to it.
Interested in meeting the named demons? Check out the roster below!
Fear and Delight
In numbers small enough to go largely unnoticed, a group of tricky succubi and incubi make their way into the Merrymeet soiree. Much like similar demons in other worlds, succubi and incubi feed on energy from sexual partners and can even drain a little of your life force just from flirting. However, they are unique here in that demons operating under the moniker of succubus/incubus don't have a cohesive look or strategy, and can also gain power by creating relationship turmoil and are able to shapeshift.As such, demons may try a few different tricks to slake their hunger. Temptation for sex and aggressive flirting are on the table, but they may also simply be friendly while subtly posturing themselves and you to make it look like you're doing something inappropriate with them. They can also take the faces of your friends and partners. Masquerading as your partner to get a kiss from you only to shift into someone else as soon as your partner walks in? Check. Disguising themselves as you to say things that hurt your partner? Check. Making it look like you're cozying up to them during an innocent conversation? Also check! And don't worry, they're happy to cause trouble between friends and metamours as well!
As such, when posting, players can choose to write threads as demons pretending to be their characters, can use demons as communal NPCs, or can thread with demons directly through the @daemoniumexmachina journal, which is mod-run. There are roughly a dozen incubi and succubi running around, but the journal has four distinct ones. Players can use named or unnamed demons, including mod-run ones, in their own threads. Succubi and incubi will remain on Marrow Isle till the following morning and will try to remain near Merrymeet until the festival closes in the evening but are not restricted to it.
Interested in meeting the named demons? Check out the roster below!
Sweet and Unsavory
Here are the four mod-run, named succubi and incubi. Feel free to make use of them as props, have them masquerade as your characters, or thread with them through the mod-run journal! (Or you can just make one up yourself, I’m not gonna tell you how to live your life.)
Nephera
A sweet and spicy seductress, this more traditional succubus sets the standard for temptation. Lithe, beautiful, and charming, Nephera will tell you everything you want to hear and then some, and will happily cater to your every desire. However, she is also silver-tongued and will subtly resort to manipulative language, and will gas you up only to take you for a ride.
Reyelle
With an unorthodox look and a sharp temper, Reyelle is the girl for people who like women who could kill them. This perceptive and domineering succubus will use her many eyes to see straight through to your insecurities, then her words to cut you to the bone. She has a penchant for disguising herself as others’ partners and criticizing or degrading the relationship.
Caspian
Graceful, emotionally mature, sensitive, and attentive, Caspian is the perfect gentleman. Romantically or sexually, he knows exactly what you need and how you need it, and delivers flawlessly. He understands all your feelings and of course he only wants what’s best for you. He knows how to make you feel held. With a partner like him, he’ll make you question what you saw in anyone else.
Daanon
Clever and quick-witted, Daanon is the master of social engineering. He knows exactly how to get you to say what he wants, stand where he wants, knows exactly the words to say to elicit the right reaction. And he’s going to use it to get his way. When he’s not causing drama, he’s the kind of intimate partner you can do whatever you like to--- as long as you don’t mind that he bites back. Either way, Daanon woke up and chose chaos.
| CONTENT WARNINGS: altered states of consciousness, somewhat dubious consent, infidelity, manipulation, NSFW |
no subject
This Erik doesn't remember any of that.
He only remembers that she is older and far more powerful than he is, so when she takes his hand she doesn't let a trace of animosity show on her face. He has the upper hand socially, but she is just as charming as he is. Soon enough they will be tied.
"Lord Osborne, it has been some time."
no subject
"Indeed, it has. Though, how much for you versus for me I do not quite know. This island has a funny way with time." He pulls her closer, putting his hand politely on her ribs, above her hips.
"You look just as lovely as I hoped in this dress. I'm glad you like it. I hope I am correct in assuming you remember the times we met on that cruise ship."
no subject
"I remember." She replies.
But she doesn't elaborate on what she remembers, nor does she mention his letter to her. He's going to have to put in the work if he actually wants peace.
no subject
"On that point, I'd like to know what you intend to do about me being here. Should I be watching my back, Miss Valdis? Sleeping with one eye open, as it were?"
no subject
The tone of her voice and the smile on her face do not match the words leaving her lips. Valdis knows they'll cut deep, even if Erik isn't the type to seek revenge now, there was a time when he did do such things. When he would have liked nothing more than to kill someone who challenged him.
"As agreed on the Eterna. As long as you continue to respect Max's wishes, we have no conflict."
What he does to the other people here isn't her concern. Except Ylva, though she suspects he's not stupid enough to hurt her.
no subject
"Then we have no conflict. I will tell to you what I already told to Ylva, I am seeking to start over in this place. Turn over a new leaf and lead a different life. Given my way, I would stay here. I would bother Max no more. All I am really asking is that you do not make it harder for me to stay here. It would be the best outcome for all parties, I'd think."
no subject
"You assume much, Lord Osborne. Expecting someone would act in the same manner as you in a similar circumstance if I had to guess."
He really is afraid of her, not just for what she could do to him physically. He knows she could rend his soul from his body without a second though and make it hurt the entire time, but it doesn't feel as if that's what he fears in this instance. Which means he fears what she could do to him socially. People and honor he worries he will lose if she tells them the truth, if she exposes his hypocrisy and cruelty.
"I can tell you are sincere in this moment, but how many truths have you avoided speaking just to build that different life? Pretending to be someone new isn't the same as changing your ways. A lie of omission is still a lie."
no subject
"Not as many as you probably think. You will see that when at least one of my current loves inevitably approaches you to speak on the topic of Max. I trust you to speak the truth when that happens."
no subject
Even in social circles, she has no desire to ruin his reputation. Part of Max's wish was for Erik to have a second chance, and she will make sure he gets that chance, even if Max isn't here to see it.
"I saw the scars you left on his soul, and the still-bleeding wounds you constantly picked at. I heard the pain in his voice whenever he thought he had done something wrong, brushed the tears away when he cried about not being good enough. You showed him everything love isn't, when you had the power to do the exact opposite."
Even the harshness of the words is cut by the softness of her voice as they dance. Her tone remains light, speaking only the truth as evidenced by actual fact.
"I do not hate you, Lord Osborne. I know you believe you were doing what was right for Max, but you could have done far better, and I think you know that now."
If he didn't, he would have no reason to be worried about her ruining him and his second chance.
no subject
"I do. I know," he tells her in defeat. There's no show to this, no pathetic pageantry. The regret that settles over him is real and it is heavy. "I am sorry."
no subject
"I will give you your second chance, Lord Osborne."
She's tempted to add more, to exert her dominance further, but it would be pointless. There's no honor in gloating over a defeated enemy.
"But should Max ever come here, I expect you to offer him that same apology. He's the one who needs to hear it."
no subject
"If that happy day arrives, I will give Max the full apology he deserves. You have my word."
no subject
"I have no reason to trust your word," she says. "Just do better in everything you do moving forward, that's how your word begins to have value."
no subject
The music has slowed, so he does as well, loosening his grip on her hand and back. "I'll leave you to find more pleasant dance partners now. Thank you, Valdis."
no subject