Show Under the Stars - RPLOG
Participants
Date
6/1/478
Log
The castle is sporting a number of decorations fitting for a frosty party despite the mountain not even being all that cold. The doors of the building sit wide open, inviting guests into the ballroom where the first half of the party is scheduled to take place. A long table set up square in the middle, laden with food for the taking. A proper feast! The table already seats several. Nobles, mostly, and other wealthy folk that have the time and money to make the trip, but even a good number of beings dressed in what could be considered commoner garb.
Of course Natska is in attendance; the jaguar is circulating through the crowd in the ballroom, greeting people she recognizes and getting to know the people she doesn't. She has opted for a nice but not too fancy blue dress tonight, decorated with white snowflake patterns.
Fenris saunters into the main hall and looks around with a contented little smile at the milling nobility in their finery. The fluffy feline has left his long coat with the nervous servant at the door with strict instructions not to look in the pockets. Especially THAT pocket. It was well meant advice, since that pocket was filled with a rather potent itching powder and he would hate to see the poor being suffer for his curiosity.
Fenris is wearing a fine pair of military trousers tucked into his boots and a modified Creator jumpsuit top. The sleeves have been removed, giving the feline the look of a military officer stripped down for a good workout. He wanders toward the buffet table and looks over the generous offering before his gaze finds itself drawn to a tray of fine looking mushrooms. His inner kitsune starts poking him to action.
Thelergramor is all up in that common garb as he walks in, not all that long after Fenris. And, being Thelergramor, he brow waggles at the nervous servant he passes. The one with Fenris's coat.
His clothes are cheap, blue shirt with a matching hood, black pants, boots... That kind of stuff. Oh, and he's a basilisk. May or may not be important, but, scales. He has them. Thelergramor peers about at the people, smiling as he tends to be.
Just kind of glances about the room, then heads for the buffet table.
The local(-ish) nurse shark enters the room, wearing her oilskin coat to keep out the cold instead of her normal Aranian robes. She still has her nimcha about her, as well as her normal wetsuit underneath. She smiles to her hosts, heading over to the food, since she's always loved to try new things.
There's finely dressed nobles, there's commoners in their everyday clothes...and then there's Dupree, shuffling into the hall in layers of thick padded clothes. On top is a garishly red sweater, with a series of crudely woven patterns all along the front, like two reindeer rampant against a large snowflake, a bipedal horse on skis with a scarf fluttering behind her, and hoofprints on a field of pure white. And she seems to bring with her quite a sharp drop in temperature, as a brisk chill follows in her wake and a very small patch of cloud brushes against the ceiling above her, a few occasional flakes of snow falling from it, though they melt before they touch the ground.
Her uneven eyes rove around as she takes in the sights, greeting the Wolf with an enthusiastic "You!" and Cassidy and Natska with a far more cautious "You..."
Cassidy remains near the door to greet those that come in, personally. Dressed up in a dark blue tail coat with white slacks today, and a black underblouse. "Thank you all for coming!" She says with a smile, adjusting her top hat. "Please! Enjoy the meal and company! The show will begin when everyone is here and has eaten their fill!" Dupree's words get a flick of her ears. "Us? Welcome, all the same, miss!"
Natska smiles as she sees a few more of her friends show up, although Dupree's greeting causes her to raise her eyebrows as she tries to place the pegasus. She settles for giving her a smile and a small nod, then turns her attention to Cassidy as her wife addresses the crowd. Once the opening address is done, Natska smiles and moves up to take Cassidy's arm. "Such a crowd tonight."
Fenris can't stand it. With no one to distract his attention- well, aside from Dupree and her quieter-than-usual entrance- the fluffy feline can't bring himself to deny the prankster impulse. He discreetly pulls a small pouch from within his shirt and adds a few lovely looking mushrooms to the tray before picking up some sort of meat on a stick. He does not bother Natska and Cassidy, making their society rounds, only giving a friendly wave and letting them enjoy Dupree's company as he looks about for other persons of interest.
Thelergramor scratches his reptilian face and turns to Dupree; says: "Hey, been a while. Good to see you." Repeats that to Cirra, nodding: "Cirra, nice to see you too." Thel hadn't heard anything about a show! But isn't surprised, for, reasons... Them reasons being: Cassidy likes her theatricality. Proceeds to just stare idly at the food arranged for them. Doesn't eat anything. No appetite.
He did not see Fenris's shenanigans; as one attractive being or another caught his attention for a few seconds... But, smiles over at Fenris a few moments later. Quietly.
Cirra takes a small plate of food for herself before walking over to her hostesses, giving a wave and setting her food down on a nearby table, but not letting it out of her sight. She then signs to the pair. <It is a pleasure as always to see you two. I am unfamiliar with this custom, but what are we celebrating again??
Dupree fixes one eye on Cassidy, and the other on...well...it's hard to tell, but it appears to be a window up high. She holds this strange gaze for a minute, snowflakes falling on her long snout of a face as she stares the fennec down. Slowly, she reaches into her sweater...and from somewhere inside it (?)...before withdrawing...a candy cane! Granted, some of the red has smeared, as if it's been...er...pre-enjoyed, but nonetheless, she hangs the crook of it on Cassidy's nose. "Hello!" she chimes. "I never did learn your name...I'm Dupree! Have you been treating my friend well? Ooh, snacks!" she rattles off, hustling to the buffet table grabbing dual handfuls of this-and-that (including a few mushrooms), and munching eagerly.
"Did'fa knew I'm a pegafif now?" she calls loudlythrough a mouthful, extending her magnificent wings out sideways and thwapping poor Thelergramor. "Oop! Forry!" she exclaims to the beleagured wolf.
Fenris' trickery goes unnoticed, ensuring that a few people will have very interesting evening, at least. Cassidy, never being much of a mushroom person, will be spared that fate at least! "Nothing... Specific, Cirra. Celebrating the time of year, and, to some extent, my recent lifebonding with Natska before our little vacation to Shralesta," she says with a grin. "Nice of you to come, Cirra." She gives Natska's arm a little squeeze before looking back up to Dupree, blinking a little at the candy cane hung from her muzzle. "Errr. Well. Uh, I am Cassidy! It is nice to meet you, Dupree."
Natska tilts her head to the side a little, her ear flicking, then snickers at Cassidy and Dupree. "Nice to meet you, yes," she echoes. "I'm Natska. And it is a celebration of the fifth of January, Cirra! Because... well, there is just so much in life worth celebrating, you know?"
Fenris watches Dupree's antics with a smile. It was always entertaining when Dupree made an appearance! His inner kitsune satisfied, he keeps an eye out for anyone who might have partaken of his special addition to the table. The liger looks for a good spot to watch whatever entertainment Cassidy has planned.
Thelergramor is all kindsa thwapped! Stumbles a bit, hood dropping from his head, revealing the glory of his basilisk crest! He remains smiling. "Heh, it's fine. Nope, didn't know about the pegasus thing... I'm a basilisk, as I'm sure you noticed." Thelergralisk nods, peers about, smiling at those gathered around. Trying to look suave; he watches Fenris move off to find a spot. "Good to see you, though." He says to Dupree.
Cirra nods a bit, resuming eating her food as she stays with her hosts a while. <I see. I'll try to enjoy this celebration, then.?
Dupree retracts those giant dorsal wings against her ugly sweater once more. "Have y'bin okeh?" she manages to ask Thel before gulps, finally able to speak clearly once more. "Hi Cassidy! Hi Natska! I'm still Dupree!" she calls to the hostesses before tapping her chin in thought. Who else hasn't she met?%Oh! The shark who uses their hands a lot. "Hello, I'm Dupree," she says, waving both hands enthusiastically. "I haven't met you. Fenris!" she calls, diverting her other eye to him, the first one staring beyond Cirra now. "Can I ask you something sad?"
A Blackback noble seems to have taken an interest in one of those mushrooms! A 'special' one or not remains to be seen, though. Cassidy, meanwhile, nods at Cirra and flashes a smile. "Yes, please do. It's nice having you here, Cirra. I was wondering where you'd been of to." She grins at Natska, then, and slips over to the dinner table herself to start nibbling on a bit of food while the band takes up positions to begin filling the air with the sound of a mellow string session.
Natska picks at a few things from the table herself, although not much. She does see Fenris, and she raises a hand to wave at the liger, inviting him over. "How have you been, Cirra?" she asks the shark. "It -has- been a while, hasn't it?"
Having been spotted, Fenris saunters over, nibbling at his shishkebab. "Evening!" he says with a lazy salute, "Nice party!" He tips his head quizzically at Dupree. "You can ask me anything you like, Dupree," he asks, "Though answers, as always, are not guaranteed."
Thelergramor shrugs as he answers Dupree: "I've been alright. Been better... And worse. Nothing to complain about. Doesn't mean I won't complain..." And then just falls quiet; waves at CnN, nods, and raises a brow at Dupree asking a sad thing. Rubs at his basilisk headcrest, glances over at the musicians. Approves. Heads over to the rest of his friends, nods. Says nothing; just listening for the moment.
"Well...see...I think I'm..." the Mare hesitates, sounding reluctant to go on. "Well...I like games and puzzles and stuff, but..." she hems and haws again, fidgeting and poking at a tiny pile of accumulated snow with her hoof. "And when the Puzzlefox asked all those questions, I got them all wrong, and I feel like..." and again, Dupree trails off, sounding very nervous about whatever it is she just won't say, that chilly wind picking up around her.
She swaps eyes, fixing her glance on Fenris again. "These mushrooms taste funny. Want one?" she offers, sticking part of the other handful in her mouth.
The noble skunk takes a slow step back from the table, blinking a little as if trying to adjust to something. Cassidy peers at Natska and leans forward to murmur, "Ready for the main event? I think it's time soon," she says before beckoning over one of the mask and tailcoat clad servants to exchange a quiet whisper, sending them bustling off with a few others. That done, the fennec takes up a glass of wine after finishing her food, listening to Dupree's question that doesn't seem to have taken off. "You're in high spirits tonight, Fenris! This is good!"
Natska considers Thelergramor for a moment before she gives the basilisk a slight nod, thenturns to Cassidy and grins. "I do believe so," she says. "Whenever you would like to start, love. I think I am up for the challenge!"
Fenris smiles kindly at Dupree and shakes his head. "No, thank you, Dupree," he says, "And I am not sure you asked me a question, but I think the answer is, meet me at the quarry and we will have a tea party." The fluffy liger then turns his grin on Cassidy. "I am always in high spirits, Lady Solacious," he says, giving a low, courtly bow, "And I am excited to see this mysterious entertainment you have planned for us!" He spares the blinking Blackback a glance. This could be good!
Thelergramor follows Fenris's glance over at the Blackback; shrugs, doesn't get it. "So, an event, yeah? Sure that'll be good." The basilisk just smiles and nods, looks happy enough, really. Rubs the back of his neck, just continues listening to the musicians... Doesn't know what Dupree's on about with that there puzzlefox. "I probably have nothing planned, Fenris. If yuo don't mind me going to this 'tea party' with you."
"Oh, fank yew!" Dupree exclaims through another mouthful of snacks as she throws her arms around Fenris. She gives another loud gulp and a sigh, squeezing the fluffy Liger for all she's worth. "Sometimes I feel like you're the only one who understands me." That is, presumably, a compliment.
Oddly enough, though, this seems to bring about a light spring zephyr, dispelling some of the surrounding chill and blowing a fine dusting of snow on those nearby. Dupree relinquishes her grip on Fenris, and contemplates him for a moment, as she is now apparently eye-level to his chest. "You know, something's different about you..." she starts suspiciously, rubbing her chin in thought again. "Hmmm...did...you...get a haircut?"
Cassidy nods at both Thel and Fenris, grinning. "I'm afraid it won't be anything quite as... Engaging as the prior little 'event' but... It's a lovely night out, and we have something very special prepared." The Blackback is currently giving the evil eye to a plate of sausages, as if it were a platter of venomous snakes, but he's momentarily startled out of it by a light clinging as Cassidy taps her wine glass with a spoon. "I hope you enjoyed the meal, everyone! I believe it is time for the main even, though, if you would please follow me outside."
The night air is... Fragrant. There are a few clouds in the sky, but this far from the city the view of the night sky is impressive, if nothing else. The cloister is dimly lit, now, with only a few torches lit amongst the ones on the arches and pillars, and a small set of four near where the guests are directed to stand. "You don't have to do anything," she says, a smile on her face, "Save for keep your eyes open and enjoy." A wink is given to Natska, and Cassidy is slinking into the darkness, making her way up onto the rooftop where the servants had gathered on all sides of the group, largely concealed in the night. Like stage hands.
Natska gives the small group of her friends a curtsey as they all head out into the courtyard, and then slinks away from the group as well. She makes her way through the low shadows to Cassidy's side, and as she goes, a light, faint fog begins to seep into the courtyard - almost as if it were leaking from the stone walls themselves.
Fenris returns Dupree's enthusiastic hug, happy to be of some little help to his favorite mad mare. "I certainly try, Dupree," he says, "And thank you for noticing! Do you like it?" He tosses his fluffy, if short, white mane a little. Of course, his hair has not changed recently, but he is rather taller and considerably thicker than he was only a week ago. His time as a bull had left its mark on him. He holds out his brawny arm to Dupree in an offer to escort her out into the open air. As much as he would love to just watch the hallucinating Blackback, whatever Natska and Cassidy had planned would doubtless be worth watching!
Thelergramor follows them others outside, not entirely sure what's planned, but, knowing Cassidy and Natska... It's probably something amusing. Peers about at the darkness and the fog, approves of the night overall. Shrugging, he walks over and stands next to a random being.
"Oooh, fluffy!" Dupree exclaims, watching Fenris primp. "I wish I could style my mane," she says with a slight frown, clambering absently onto the offered arm as if it were a seat. "But mine's all stringy and not poofy, and anyway the winds would muss it up." Her eyes open wide, her walleyed gaze focused on nothing in particular. "Not that I don't like you!" she exclaims at...the air, apparently? It's not long until something else draws her attention, though...
"Oh no! Casska! Natsidy! Your walls are leaking!" the Mare cries out as the fog seeps into the courtyard.
Fortunately, the Blackback comes out, too. Eager to be away from the buffet table, though... How he will fare seeing the sights to come is anyone's guess. Amidst the fog generated by Natska, a stiff breeze blows through the cloister as the band picks up once again, this time a light, mystifying tune. Carried in on the breeze is a flurry of pink flower petals, flitting through the air and over the courtyard. Like snow, or autumn winds blowing away leaves in the forest. The petals are alone, at first, but towards the end of the first display, a few golden lights, like orbs, flicker about in the darkness, weaving and bobbing and almost appearing to leave trails behind them as they go.
While the golden lights weave and bob through the sky, a soft blue glow starts in the courtyard's pool; the fog thickens and intensifies there, and a sheen of ice forms over the water's surface. A spike of ice begins growing up out of the water, then branches out, almost like a sapling.
Fenris is only barely surprised when Dupree climbs up into his arms and he recovers quickly enough to hold her there steadily. This new bulk was certainly helpful! "Shh!" he hushes Dupree gently, "It is part if the show, just meant to be pretty. Watch!" A smirk crosses his feature for a moment as he contemplates how the victim of his little prank might react to this display, but he just keeps the poor skunk in his peripheral vision, enjoying the spectacle.
Thelergramor peers about, amused. Watches the lights do their... light stuff. Weaving and all... Then watches the ice get all... animated. Smirks at the flashy use of magic, slightly entertained. The basilisk rubs his face, watches the reactions of other beings for a bit.
Dupree startles a bit as Fenris shushes her--she didn't expect that--but settles into the crook in Fenris's arms, after a moment. "It's so..." Dupree casts about for words, blinking unevenly, settling on "mathematical!"
In truth, it was only partly magical to begin with. There was some good, old-fashioned prop use and acting in there, too! But it was hard to tell which was which, sometimes, as the opening display passes on, the golden orbs flitting up into the sky, as if to join the stars above. A larger light source flickers to life in the fog, behind the ice formation on the water. Behind it, two stark shadows are cast against the rolling fog. Two gentlebeings, by the looks of the top hats, engaged in a little bout of fencing. Two silhouetters, soundlessly clashing together.
Tiny gusts of wind begin stirring the fog and the - yes - snow that begins to gently drift down out of the air; despite the falling snow, the air remains warm enough, causing it to quickly melt on contact except for where it lands on the growing ice. The tree continues its slow and steady growth, getting taller and branching out more while the little gusts of wind flit about, but the focus remains on the dueling figures.
Fenris grins at the clever display. It is quite well put together. The fluffy feline carefully sits down upon the ground, gently shifting Dupree from his arm to his lap. He might be stronger now, but holding a full grown being on one arm was tiring! He idly runs his fingers through the soft feathers of the pegasus's wings as he smiles up at the magical snow.
Thelergramor scratches his basilisk crest as he watches the things happen. Pulls his hood no again with the snow, basilisk tail doing... basilisk tail things behind him. Not much, honestly, it's reptilian. The dueling figures hold his attention for a few moments... before he catches sight of what he believe to be an attractive noble. Y'know, because he's a Thelergramor. And Thelergramor's are known to do that.
Dupree's eyes seem to be spinning around, trying to keep track of the figures back and forth, though she seems like she can only focus on each individual snowflake, gasping in delight as she watches them fall to the ground, and sighing as they dissolve, and hopping back up again to watch the next one. The notion and the sensation seems to overwhelm her, as she stares, slack-jawed, at a point a good distance in front of the actual action, fluttering and flapping her wingtips about as Fenris's idle fiddling tickles them.
The Blackback skunk seems a little worse for the wear. His hair is ruffled, and he's constantly fidgeting with his tail at the show. Or, at least what -he's- seeing in the show. It almost certainly doesn't line up with what everyone else is seeing, given their pleased expressions. The duel draws on for a moment before coming to an abrupt halt. The two bow to each other, and then turn to bow to the audience as well before fading away into the fog. That doesn't seem all that is planned for tonight, though!
There is a flash of lightning overhead, momentarily causing the fog to white out, and then the tree of ice cracks open. A more or less being-shaped ice elemental slowly pulls its way free, the rest of the ice splintering and falling into the pool; it spins, then does so again, then begins a strange little dance across the surface of the pool, to the accompaniment of the music, while snow and fog swirls after it like a set of ribbons.
Fenris is a little sorry to see the victim of his prank so shaken, though he certainly wonders what the skunk thinks he is seeing. The liger applauds the performance up to this point, then leans back to keep watching the show. They had put a lot into this!
Thelergramor missed the end of the duel for... reasons. But, then there was lightning. Didn't expect that; didn't jump, however. The basilisk stops ogling nobles to watch this ice being dance and such. Always liked watching things dance. Remains quiet.
Dupree is so absorbed in the process of snow falling and melting that as the bolt of lightning and crash of thunder, she lets out a neighing yelp and falls out of Fenris's lap, sprawling out on the ground nearby, staring up at the stars. This was a pretty nice view, too...she fixes her stare on infinity and just listens to ambient noises--Beings talking, gasps of delight (and alarm, in the case of the poor Blackback), wind blowing through the trees...
To go with the dancing ice creature, and to put a cap on the night, the orbs that had flitted into the sky, and grown in number, start to flicker and streak, like a rain of falling stars, flying off at an angle til they are out of sight behind the roof, where they fade away into nothingness once more.
Once everything has finished and settled down, Cassidy hops off the roof, grinning. "I do hope you enjoyed the show. I may not have the energetic excitement of a Snowmark party, but I do what I can to at least be an entertaining hostess," she says, dipping into a bow before gesturing to the roof tops. "But please, give your thanks to Natska and the lovely staff of the castle. Without them, this would have been -far- less impressive."
At the end of the performance, the elemental sink into the water it had been dancing on and dissipates; the snow fades out, and the fog disperses, leaving the sort of clear, still air that gives a stunning view of the sky and, in part, shows why the ladies chose this spot. A worn but rather happy looking Natska lands next to Cassidy and takes a bow, then slips an arm around her wife and smiles at the party goers. "Yes! Thank you all for coming. And thank you, Cassidy, this has been a spectacular night."
Fenris applauds along with the rest as the show comes to an end! "Wonderful stuff!" he cries, "Beautiful work!" The liger climbs back to his feet and gives a huge stretching yawn! "I am afraid I must take my leave," he says to Dupree where she lies on the ground. "I hope you won't forget our tea party!" The liger gives one last lazy salute to the hostesses before slipping away to find his coat.
Thelergramor nods at both Cassidy and Natska. "Yeah, it was entertaining. Not a bad way to spend a night, honestly. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Thelergramor grins and proceeds to hit on that noble he'd noticed. Fails. Horribly. Then, heads home; after failing a few more times and finally (possibly) succeeding. Unlikely.
Dupree sits up, stretching her arms and wings with a yawn. "Wow...I think I could taste the colors..." As she breaks apart from the rest of the group, her wings begin beating more and more rapidly, though she doesn't seem aware of this, still trying to walk as her feet leave terra firma. She finally seems to gain enough height to clear the ground, and calls out to any listening below: "Oh, wow! I...feel like I'm flying!"
