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September Event - Guest Appearances

GUEST APPEARANCES

Ignition

September 20th is the Autumnal Equinox. Many places across the world of Concorde celebrate the first day of fall. While various nations and regions have their own cultural practices surrounding it, nature is god everywhere. And so the inception of Mother Autumn’s domain is universally recognized, even if the names change from place to place. But on a little island named Marrow, in a little town called Pumpkin Hollow, there is another reason to celebrate.

The birth of Dahlia Leeds is not so important an event that it supersedes Celestine herself, and neither Dahlia nor anyone in town is foolhardy enough to claim as much. In fact, after the events on this very same day last year, one might argue that perhaps her birth at least started out as a bad thing. But she is certainly the wealthiest person in town. It is through the combination of substantial wealth and a generous heart, two things that are very seldom found in the same place, that we end up with a soiree where the birthday girl would rather spoil everyone else on her day than herself.

The doors to Leeds Estate, which presides proudly over the town upon its throne at the crest of Founder’s Hill, are flung wide open. Large sums of Brass are paid to caterers, florists, and seamstresses to make sure this place is decorated to the nines. Some businesses labor all year, just to prepare for the handsome payoff they’ll get from this event alone. And you, dear neighbor, are invited. Not only are you invited, but you are dressed for the event in whatever your heart desires, completely at the birthday girl’s expense. Dahlia ensures no cost nor conflict stands in between anyone in town and a much-needed break. She is determined for this birthday of hers to be a good night.

Or else.

Incipience

{ The timeframe between ignition and the peak of burning, where a small, contained fire spreads and grows gradually into an established flame. All it takes is a spark. }

The whole town is abuzz as preparations for the gala begin. From the moment people begin to wake up for the day, the air throughout Pumpkin Hollow just feels electric with excitement. After August, people have been needing this lift in morale, and after how last year’s gala went… well, there’s a lot riding on this one. And Dahlia seems much more in control now.

Speaking of being in control, the whole lead-up process has been incredibly organized. You wake up to a delivery--- your outfit, perfectly tailored and completely paid for. Accessories are included. She truly thought of everything.

It’s noteworthy that Dahlia’s invitations this time included another name beneath her own. “Suzanne Marie Dyneax,” it said. Most people don’t know the name, but gossip gets around in a small town like this. It’s not hard to pick up on the fact that this probably refers to Susie, one of the teenagers that Dahlia recently moved into her home, whose own birthday was ruined by Seemingly’s attack. Gift baskets have been delivered to others whose days were in proximity to the disaster--- Zivia, Capochin, even CT. Wine, fruit, and sweets, along with a birthday card. Dahlia has said in the past, “my birthday is your birthday,” but never has that felt more true.

With businesses mostly closed for the celebration, you are left with the majority of the day to prepare in relative peace. For many of the women in Dahlia’s inner circle, there is even a pre-party group dressing room set up on the third floor of her home. Only those who received her special invitation (Susie, Noelle, Fever, Cassandra, Anya, Alice, Patty, Melanie, Basira, Elsie) are permitted to join, but any friends or partners are gladly invited to wait at the bottom of the stairs for the girls to make their grand entrance.

The food is laid out, flowers placed, dresses laced and buttoned. The clock strikes 6pm, and the fun begins.

FLASHOVER

{ The moment when a blaze reaches its maximum size and heat, and the radiant heat in the space is such that all combustible materials ignite at once, allowing the flame to steadily and freely burn for the rest of the night. }

By the time it reaches 6:15, the ballroom is already flooded with eager dancers and hungry dinner guests. After all, the whole town is invited, and everyone’s excited to see Dahlia’s beautiful new ballroom and take a load off.

The music is elegant, played by a rotating cast of musicians who join the party when their act is over. The food is extravagant--- Dahlia and two of her partners are some of the biggest foodies in town, so this is expected. There is talking and laughing and the swirling of ballgowns, and all is well.

But there is a guest you do not recognize in the corner of the ballroom. An older man with white hair, strong features, and a dour expression. You can see Dahlia eyeing him, then flitting over to him, then talking to him. Her expression shifts from anxious, to annoyed, to resigned, before at last she sighs heavily and leaves him to it. Whatever it is that’s going on, clearly it’s something Dahlia is willing to begrudgingly tolerate in order to get back to having fun.

The reason for the disturbance becomes clear in short order, but by the grace of Celestine (and perhaps Eligos), it isn’t a reality bending nightmare or an attack by some monstrous beings. It is simply more guests.

A lot more, in fact.

Those who were on the island in September of the previous year will recall the Visitor’s Center, which appeared briefly just past the beach and served as temporary living and meeting quarters for visitors from the homeworlds of current residents. It would seem that this is a repeat incident. For the night of the gala, one to two “plus ones” have been invited for the vast majority of offworld residents. Most of them are friends or family who are happy to see their guests--- but this is ultimately a working of Eligos, so naturally, this is not always the case.

At the very least, Eligos seems to have been generous with his own granddaughter. As she turns away from him, she very nearly runs into someone much shorter than her. A dark haired human man with dwarfism. He laughs at the accident, grinning up at her as she stares back at him, utterly baffled. Then, petticoats billowing out, Dahlia sinks to the floor and embraces him as tight as she can, head pressed to his chest with little regard for her carefully-styled hair. Even those across the room can hear her shout his name. ”Jonah!”

Within the hour, the ballroom is packed with nearly double the people originally expected, turning the party livelier than it’s ever been. Tearful reunions, laughter, dancing, mischief, romance, sparring, cruelty, and even proper, righteous violence. Truly, this Leeds Gala will be one for the books!

--------
[ OOC reminders: each apped-in player character is entitled to one or two guests from their homeworld. This can be former selves, family, friends, enemies, and they do not have to be from the character’s exact canonpoint. They can be from the past or the future. You may play them yourself, ask another member player to do it, or recruit a non-member player to do so with moderator approval. Non-member players are permitted to join the Discord server while they’re active in this event! Threads you write for your own guests are eligible for AC for the character they’re there with, and threads you write for someone else’s guest can be used on the AC of a character of your choice. Just make sure to mark them as guest threads. After the gala, guests will be allowed to move freely about town, stay the night on Saturday and go home Sunday, or leave right after the gala if preferred. And last but not least, characters played in the gala can be apped directly from this event, rather than going through the normal arrival process. Let a mod know if you have questions, and have fun! ]

Smoldering

{ The decay of a flame as available heat, oxygen, and burning material gradually diminish. Eventually, the flames will recede entirely into glowing embers, glittering like orange starlight amid the ashes of what once was. }

The party rages well into the night. It’s not typical for residents of Pumpkin Hollow to stay out this late, with everything around here that goes bump in the night, but eventually party-goers begin to find their way out. They move in small groups, huddled around lanterns, may they ever stay lit. Perhaps the surprising bit is that their guests can go with them. There are even reservations made for board overnight at the Oak & Iron, all under the name “E. Rex”.

But alas, these reservations are only booked for one night. And by the time the sun begins to set on the darker half of the year for the first time, an unfamiliar black boat is moored at Jack's Marina. One that the guests will recognize as the vessel on which they arrived. They must leave by the time it becomes dark.

Or must they? Perhaps for a select few, they will fail to feel the call which draws them home. It is unclear why. There are many that Mortanne would have allowed residency for, if she could. But for some reason, all but a small few feel the pull. Perhaps Eligos has simply abandoned them here. (Or maybe none at all end up marooned and everyone goes home? That all depends on you, dear reader.)

When the sky goes dark, the aptly named Heavy Heart shoves off, with only her crimson sails hanging suspended seemingly in midair in the moonlight. The black ship is otherwise consumed by the night. And soon, even those flashes of red vanish into the distance.

Moments recede into memories, like a dying fire settles gently into glowing embers at the bottom of a hearth. The festivities are over, and the guests are gone. Life in Pumpkin Hollow resumes as before. But maybe just a little warmer and brighter.

“My birthday is your birthday,” as Dahlia often says.

Happy birthday.

References to the appearance of Leeds Estate can be found here!

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As much as she doesn't want to be, Valdis is on guard from the moment she walks into the ballroom, even more so when people she doesn't recognize show up. None of them appear to be for her and most of them are unthreatening, so she does her best to relax, not allowing any of her concerns to show on her face or in how she moves.

She turns when she senses Fever coming, a smile lighting up her face as she sees how beautiful the woman is.

"Max insisted I try a new color."

Valdis twirls for her, laughing lightly.

"And I suppose so, as long as it stays this way."

She hasn't forgotten the last time.

"Here's hoping. If not, ask me for a dagger, I've got three."

She gives Valdis a deep curtsy in exchange for the twirl, sinking and rising and twinkling the whole time, before she comes to link their arms and let the general giddiness this place inspires in her continue.

"Find anyone special out in the crowd tonight? We have quite the secondary guest list."

And so far, her only problem has been dealt with. So far. She's keeping her eyes open for another doppelganger from the past to emerge.

Oh how she wishes she could trust this the way Fever does, the way she can simply let go of the stress and tribulations to just live. Valdis is beginning to feel that such things will always be out of her reach.

"Oh, no. Part of me hopes it stays that way, the last time I had a guest...it didn't go well. But...others are seeing people dear to them, and I admit I wish there was someone I cared for enough to visit me from home."

She remembers, and thinks more's the pity, that she can't drive more metaphorical needles under Fenrir's nails. But better he doesn't spoil the night with his odious nature. Better that Valdis not have to look over her shoulder more than necessary.

"You might be surprised. The oddest sorts are cropping up here and there. Including..."

Her eyes flick over in the direction of Eligos and where he sits. In her heart, there is enough doubt and uncertainty, as there ever might be with a demon royal, but it's not the searing hatred she feels for the others. Rather, there is an uneasy respect there."

Valdis follows her gaze to the demon king, bristling at the sight of him, but her gaze returns to Fever when the woman doesn't harbor the same feelings.

"I would be more concerned if it were Aster, but I am not thrilled by his presence."

He is the betrayer after all.

"I can never trust someone like him, even if he weren't a demon."

"Oh, trusting him's out of the equation. But bearing with him for a night? That's very possible. For all his...everything, he wouldn't seriously jeopardize Dahlia, given the path ahead."

But she will not speak with him. There is little for them to talk about before the field of battle consumes all again. Still, still. Her feelings do not change.

"Inconvenience her, sow doubt and dismay among us, show up simply to see what happens - all of those I can fathom occurring. But not his hand moved to cause real harm tonight."

"We don't really have a choice but to bear with him. The demons control this pace with the aid of Nyarlathotep."

Though she wonders if the Goddesses are gaining power with the decline of the demons princes.

"I think Neil still hopes to back him instead of Aster, but I simply no longer know who to back in order to save Pumpkin Hollow."

But if Dahlia is truly now in the line of succession, then perhaps her? She'd even said as much to Niamh, but it feels like betraying Neil now more than ever. She'd never worried about such things before.

She smiles and leans in close, dropping a kiss onto Valdis's cheek, at the same time reaching out with her mind.

He is going to die, Valdis, and he accepts and knows it. Neil's hopes to maintain the status quo have long since been dashed.

Taking her partner's arm, she's steering them towards getting something to drink, keeping up the appearance of simple partygoers. It'd be a hassle if someone overheard this.

Valdis smiles at the kiss, though she is a little confused until she hears Fever's voice through their connection. She allows herself to be swept along in the act as they speak in private.

I can't see him just allowing himself to die for nothing.

The instant the words leave her, she realizes that he never intended for such a thing to occur.

That must mean he has some plan in place to betray Aster even after his death.

She picks up a glass of champagne and hands it to Fever with a small laugh.

And you have some idea of what that plan is.

Taking the champagne with her free hand, she sips it, looking leisurely around the room.

In broad strokes. Not the direct particulars. There's a pause, something laced with hesitation and something like guilt. I don't know when. All we can do is prepare. Please, don't tell Neil.

Let him find out when it occurs. It's cruel to deny someone any spark of hope they currently have.

There are several things I haven't told Neil, what's one more...

But she knows what might be at risk should she tell anyone not just Neil. He might try to come up with a new plan that could jeopardize Fever's safety in whatever Eligos has decided will happen.

Niamh implied that Dahlia is now part of the line of succession, did you know that she wasn't previously? You're eons closer to her than I am.

In her world, the gender of an Archdemon doesn't impact their power, yet she supposes that Dahlia is only half demon so perhaps it is a different matter here.

I did. Aster himself said as much when he tried to make a play for my assistance last year. There's some antiquated rules around the whole business.

A pause there, as they look around the ballroom, but is really a moment for Fever to remember what was said. Not hard, because even if she had been drunk when he said it, the words had stuck in her mind. No women, no tieflings, and to say nothing of illegitimate children.

Unless someone changed the rules, and only one person has the overwhelming authority to make it so. One person who may not have done it out of any familial affection, but as a means to an end to see a greater plan realized. At this point, who cares about why?

There's something relatively immediate that you should make plans regarding. You remember how Aster stopped me from interfering, at your birthday? His communication, I've learned, is telepathic. That includes him issuing commands such as those he gave me. Where her hand rests on Valdis's arm, she squeezes just a little. If he tries to give you such a command, it'll touch your mind, not your ears.

Aster clearly wanted help against his father, but it seems Eligos has though far beyond that. However, Valdis stiffens ever so slightly when Fever brings up how Aster controlled her at the party, and offers her concerns once again.

I know you are concerned for my well-being because of my past, but I am not alone in my head. It will not react kindly to Aster trying to give me orders.

Small blessings on that, even if it was dangerous at times.

I wish you would worry less, I am not fragile.

I know you aren't. But just because you're strong doesn't mean you've somehow surpassed being worried about when it comes to despicable men and their games. You're stuck with it, I'm afraid, for as long as you choose to have me around.

It comes with being cared about - no matter how strong someone is, no matter how fearsome or capable, the ones that love them are always going to want to see them come home safe and sound. And considering where Aster might be seated before his fall, Fever wants to make sure that he doesn't try to sink his claws into any more of those she would see free.

Can it shield you from anyone else trying to pry in?

Valdis isn't sure she'll ever be used to people expressing their worry for her, it's beyond frustrating, but she supposes she understands to a certain amount. If Fever is worried about the choices Aster might make after taking the throne, she's not alone, though Valdis still doesn't think he would dare try his luck.

It tried to kill Erin, so it seems to be more of an offensive creature. If Aster tries anything, I don't think he would expect an attack in return.

Meeting fire with fire. I almost want to see him try just to watch the effects on him afterwards.

Though she hopes he doesn't try at all, in the end.

I'll trust in your own countermeasures.

This much, she'll yield on. She'll trust in Valdis's measures as she'll trust in her own, and turn towards being concerned about greater things, like when the demon will make his move. Hopefully they still have a good deal of time.

Valdis would prefer not to find out if Aster or the Void is stronger, and it bothers her to have to rely on such a creature, she may not have a choice should the demon prince decide to go after her.

It might be the only choice we have, though I hope we never have to find out.

She leans over to give Fever a kiss.

But please take care of yourself too, I couldn't bear having to go against you should Aster make any moves involving either of us.

It's likely he'll try for me, after his previous successes. But I have a way to protect myself. I promise you this - he will not hold sway over my mind again.

She knows it will work, when the time comes. Never will she be defending that throne.

The smile returns to her face and she raises her glass to tap it against Fever's.

I look forward to standing by your side against him when the times comes.

Even though Fever cannot tell her the details, she trusts her partner enough to not worry.

It'll be glorious. The sort of push for our freedom that we've long since been denied. And when I can be clearer, I will be. It'll all make sense then.

For the moment, she wants to be cautious. There's a degree to which their foes know their hands, she's aware - how else could they offer deals and convincing words to lure people closer? But they don't know everything. They can't know everything. Or everyone would be a lot worse off than they are.

I believe you.

Valdis knows that Fever's secrets aren't for lack of trust, but to protect her plan and her loved ones. She would do the same.

"Would you care to take a walk in the garden before I flit off to the next person I need to bother?"

It's an unquestioned relief to her that Valdis understands on this point. While she may have resolved to not lie about major things like her own past, sometimes it's still wise to stay quiet, particularly with an end date in mind.

"And get a few more moments with you? I'd be delighted."

"Great!"

Valdis loops her arm through Fever's and pulls her away from the party goers, out into the quiet garden.

When they step out, Fever takes a deep breath of the fresh air, the crispness of autumn filling her lungs.

"This is how I wanted to say my first time attending such an event would go."

There are no do overs for that sort of thing, but she can at least wear the same dress and thoroughly enjoy herself at another. This is more than enough.

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September Event - Guest Appearances

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