EVENT 031

[sticksandbonesmods]

MA CHÈRE MADEMOISELLE!

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

It starts just before the crack of dawn. The night sky is still pitch dark, still as ice and just as cold and yet the four statues of the Goddesses within the Grove shine brilliantly; two from the courtyard, one in the Moon Shrine and one in the Sun Church. It’s such a bright light, beckoning even those caught in the deepest of slumbers to wake up and come forth. And as more people filter through to the light, there's two playful, downright giddy giggles in the air-

And the Grove finds itself in an orchard of fantastical fruit, a nebula-like sky shining overhead while Beiwe and Ourania stand before you all, grinning.

“We do apologize for how sudden it was…”

“But we decided you deserve a fun fieldtrip for once.”

They gesture around the orchard and uphill you can see what looks to be a mansion of marble and some celestial material you’ve never seen before. Pale silver, gold and blue animals - Stars - can be seen floating through the air, some tending to the orchard and the gardens in the distance while others play. Those who have been injured as of late will find themselves healing rapidly over the course of a few days, with the cost of deep, longer sleeps than usual come time for bed. An entire wing seems to have been built from nothing before your arrival, and it’s entirely dedicated to housing you with whatever you need, from luxury guest rooms to private bathrooms and a large onsen, and while you’re here, not a single want will go unaddressed.

The Goddesses guide the lot of you to the house, encouraging you to explore and play and rest - after all, with the library, the pools and springs, the gardens and the kilns, there’s a lot to do.

PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST

If it’s relaxation and nature you want, Ourania is the one to ask. Her vast gardens hold multiple styles and she welcomes anyone to stroll through the flowers and ponds, or even join her or your own friends on a floating pagoda for tea through a crystalline lake of flowers and radiant pond fish. She has books to read, sights to simply take in, and even walks through a pitch black yet sparkling forest. Her teas bring on a soothing calm, and the snacks served with it are pillowy and light without being too sweet. It’s a refreshing time, every time!

But she’s not just healing; Ourania is also the Wilderness. Which is to say, while she won’t take kindly to you trampling through the flowers, she encourages play no matter the age as well. And if you wish to spice it up, she’ll even grant a minor blessing to heighten agility, the senses, reflexes, speed… and just enough aggression and adrenaline to make things exciting! If not a bit competitive.

She always watches from a seat with a canopy and refreshments for the players, and sometimes celestial animals may join in the fun. Sometimes they simply watch and yell out encouragements, other times the more dextrous of the Stars may give… background music? Regardless, they always return to their own domains laughing joyously.

Beiwe, meanwhile, offers numerous creative pursuits. The kitchens are open for cooking lessons — as she puts it, “some of you are hazards and need a hand”. Numerous, endless ingredients spill out over countertops and kitchen islands, with sharp knives and wooden cutting boards in abundance. Beiwe’s favourite cranberry-orange muffin recipe is pinned to a corkboard for people who had always wanted to learn it — or those who simply crave the taste of autumn in winter. The Goddess is a hands-on teacher, but that means she can only work with one person at a time; for those of you who already know how to cook, perhaps you could assist in the classes? And don’t worry, the kitchens are fireproofed via a wave of Beiwe’s supervising hands. When you’re finished with your lessons, you’ll find her sitting at the dinner table waiting for a sample, with her elbows impolitely on the wood and her chin in her hands.

Aside from cooking, there’s also art — she won’t let you forget that she’s also the Goddess of the Forge. Like back at her church, part of the home contains a large pottery studio with hot kilns and ample supplies. Here, too, Beiwe offers lessons to those who are learning to sculpt with the wheels or simply with their hands. For those who are less inclined toward pots, plates, and sculptures, the adjacent room has easels and paint for free use, though lessons won’t be given there. She’s not much of a canvas girlie.

Out in the courtyard with her twin golden lions sits a single throne, which Beiwe happily plants herself on so that she can watch you duke it out. Craving a fight? You can have any blade you dream of — axes, glaives, rapiers, broadswords, you name it and she’ll conjure it out of a radiant light for use in her outdoor arena. In this space, injuries will not stay for longer than an instant, and your powers will be realised to their fullest without harm to your bodies. Should you wish it, Beiwe herself will join in on the battle, but be warned: the full power of a Goddess is not something she’ll bear against you, no matter how much goading there is.

TIE YOUR NAPKIN 'ROUND YOUR NECK, CHÉRIE, AND WE PROVIDE THE REST

All great vacations must eventually come to an end, but worry not: Your final night involves an extravagant ball thrown in the Goddesses’ ballroom, an event that lasts from afternoon to midnight. Here, everyone is welcome and dressed to the nines — should you need an outfit, the Goddesses will spend the prior day outfitting you. You and your pets, if you would like them to have cute little outfits. The Goddesses themselves will be dressed to the nines too. Ourania waltzes with Beiwe in a silver princessy ball gown, and Beiwe is… wearing a suit with the sleeves ripped off. Sun’s out, guns out.

When they say “everyone” will be there, they do mean everyone. Lady Death dons a trailing mermaid gown in black, flecked with sparkles of green and a glass of wine in her right hand; the Seasons make their first appearance to many of you, dressed in clothing that gives off small cosmetic magical effects — Winter’s snows roll off their sleeves, Autumn’s crisp leaves fall from the ends of their coattails, Summer’s dress colours fluctuate with the sunset and sunrise, and Spring’s suit jacket blooms pink flowers. The Guardians are here as well, though Moder is simply covered in barding made of flowers and leaves, and Callan regularly tries to escape his clothing. Somehow, the Goddesses have managed to cram Aurora into a vest and bowtie, and Sehul is in the armour they used to wear before their prior death. Some Stars, translucent and in various shades of blues and pinks and whites and oranges, make their appearances as well. Some are more animal than man, some more man than animal, all grateful for your efforts to save them despite everything. And though the Lord of the Mountains and Cosmic Serpent couldn’t make it — one of them is trapped, and the other is napping — the Goddesses assure that the two have sent their well-wishes. For those looking for old friends who have since come to live here, they’re here too — all in good health and working hard, of course. …which, yes, does mean that a certain crane hasn’t slept in a week. Nothing ever changes.

All formalities aside, while Ourania loves her formal dances and classic ballroom music, it seems like Beiwe has gotten hold of Sesa’s phone and learnt what EDM is… so halfway through the party, the classic ballroom music will abruptly flip when Beiwe has the orchestra somehow, by some otherworldly miracle, playing fantasy Daft Punk. Did you expect her to not clear the floor for those who don’t want to waltz all night? Come on.

Those with musical talents themselves are encouraged, nay, voluntold to play music for everyone else to groove to. Up on the balcony is ample space for performances of all kinds, though the Goddesses will ask that those who opt to take the mic don’t be too raunchy with their performances. Love songs are beautiful, but let’s keep that love PG-13, okay?

Food and drink will flow in abundance, with the buffet table constantly restocking. Dietary needs have been taken into account, too, and appropriate labels are on every food. No “mystery meats” here! By the end of the night, you’re welcome to take home a little goodie baggie of extras to snack on before the Goddesses send everyone home the next morning, back to the Grove with bright smiles and many, many hugs.

…

Many days later, just as January begins, those of you who look up at the ever-shifting moons may notice that each of them has a gouge in their surfaces, black as pitch and moving, squirming… and that a new celestial object has entered its orbit in a sickly-coloured brown-red.

Spark Notes (Click to Expand)

summary

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST: Welcome to your sleepover with the Goddesses! Room and board (and food and everything) is free. All they ask is that you enjoy your vacation.
PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST: The Goddesses have provided numerous activities for you to do around their home, ranging from wildlife walks to full-out PvP. They'll both assist you with whatever you need, too.
TIE YOUR NAPKIN 'ROUND YOUR NECK, CHÉRIE, AND WE PROVIDE THE REST: The party begins! The ballroom is decorated to the nines and so are you. Free food and drink are provided, and so are outfits. The Goddesses encourage performers to get up on the balcony and entertain the partygoers, and the morning after, you'll be returned back to the Grove.

out of character

Welcome to December! This month will be check-in AC, but please remember to post your check-in whenever you're able because we will sweep you otherwise. For now we are also asking players to hold off on creating logs that take place in January, given the end of this event.

updates

Any potential updates, such as characters damaging something important or whatever else, will be put here.

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ December Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Comments

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla can sense his unease. It's evident in the way he seems startled when he calls for him, the forced smile. )

My apologies. It was not my intention to surprise you! Are you alright?

[lovelyredthread]

Totally fine! Why wouldn't I be?

[ It... doesn't quite ring true. Physically he's fine, the problem lies elsewhere. ]

Are you just taking a walk?

[ancientlight]

I am. It is rare to see a garden thriving in winter. I'm glad that you're here to join me, too.

( Still, Pure Vanilla can't help but offer all the same-- )

If there is something on your mind, I'm happy to listen.

[lovelyredthread]

[ some part of him is aware that living in a garden year round is not normal, but seasonal fluctuations are really strange to him actually. ]

This is pretty normal for me, honestly.

[ To which? Both. He's not specifying. If he says it's nothing it will count as a lie, though. The boy fusses with his sleeves. ]

I just found something out, is all. I was told not to tell anyone, though.

[ancientlight]

( Eternal Sugar's domain sounds lovely, though he's well aware of what darkness lies underneath such things when it comes to the beasts, too.

He smiles a little at that, though there's no masking his concern. )

I see... If it is a secret, then you do not need to tell me, and yet...

Is it a secret that feels like it may be burdening you?