The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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Today is a big day for the witch community. On 4th December, Sylvia Redbright turns 60 and her reign as Mother of Witches officially comes to an end. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Sylvia is hosting a retirement party at the Redbright Institute. The school will be open to all friendly guests who wish to celebrate with Circle Daybreak or hear about Sylvia's many achievements as Mother of Witches. There will also be a more private gathering during the event for Sylvia's closest friends and allies.

The party takes place from 7pm-12 midnight Sunday 4th December.

Rules of entry
• No weapons. Any weapons or objects that could be used as weapons will be confiscated.
• No drugs or alcohol except that provided at the event. Don't try to sneak any in.
• No violence.

There is security within the school and present during the event. (In fact, if your character is a member of the Redbright Institute, you could have them acting as security if you want.) They will respond to and put a stop to any trouble.

Places to go
The main location open for the public is the large Assembly Hall where a live band plays folk music throughout the evening. There are waiters serving champagne and canapés or if you prefer you can go straight to the buffet table yourself. At 8pm, there will be a series of speeches by various high-ranking witches singing Sylvia's praises before Sylvia herself will step up to be presented with a large bouquet of flowers and gifts from the witch community. Her thanks will of course be gracious. After 9pm, there will be a show of magic from some of the most promising young witches in London. It's a music and dance performance that features a dazzling display of colour, light and fire plus other spectacular tricks including levitation, illusory rain and lightning and finally a giant ash tree that grows in the middle of the room to represent the Mother's protection. (None of it is real, of course. It's essentially magical special effects.) In the last two hours of the night, the witches will invite everyone to let loose and dance around the tree. It's probably a good idea to be quite drunk by this point.

If you'd prefer to go somewhere a little quieter, two of the lecture halls are open, each featuring a different video playing on a loop. The first video is a potted history of the tradition of the Mother, Maiden and Crone, describing how they are chosen and what purpose they each serve in the witch community, with a particular focus on Sylvia becoming the Mother. (It does not feature or mention Abigail Widdowson.) In the second lecture hall there is a video telling the story of Sylvia's many achievements as Mother of Witches over the past thirty years, including her efforts to bring peace in London, to unite the witch communities across the UK and to foster a culture of magic that helps rather than hurts people.

Elsewhere, the dining hall is closed to the public because from 9pm there is a private party hosted here consisting of a three-course meal followed by drinks. This is where Sylvia and her closest allies will be for most of the night. Entry is restricted to a select guest list.

Sylvia will reappear in the reception area from just after 11pm to say goodbye to the guests and give her final blessings as Mother of Witches. After today, there will be a transition period until the new Mother is selected, but this will be the last time she hosts any kind of official event in her capacity as Mother of Witches.

[OOC: If you are a high-ranking ally or potential ally of Sylvia's (level 4 or above), you may be invited to her private party! Please check with me if you're not sure. Otherwise, there are opportunities to catch Sylvia and other NPCs during the event. Or just enjoy the free champagne, it's up to you.]

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Assembly hall (OTA options!)

[excrucior]

CLOSED to Cesare Borgia (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

It's not difficult finding Cesare Borgia in London. The name of the establishment makes it rather obvious. (The Angelo? Really?)

What is difficult, however, is approaching his former employer when there is talk of a party going on that night. A retirement party, so he overhears in whispers around London, for Circle Daybreak's Mother of Witches. Cesare's never had a good track record with witches in general, but from everything Micheletto observes in passing, Cesare is still adamant on going. And Micheletto knows better than anyone to dissuade Cesare Borgia from something he's set his mind to.

And so, arriving a few minutes late to the party, dressed in his nicest button-down and slacks, Micheletto makes his way to the Redbright Institute to attend the public ceremony. He gets in without a hassle, having for once not brought a weapon, and stays inconspicuous up until he spots the man himself. The assassin stands right in Cesare's line of sight, several meters away over the shoulder of Cesare's current schmoozing target, and makes sure that he makes clear eye contact with him. He turns and slips quietly through the crowd, then, moving toward the lecture halls.

After more than five hundred years, they have much to discuss.

OPEN (9:00 pm - 12:00 am)

It's always awkward when you show up to someone else's party - especially if you're new in town. But Micheletto has always succeeded in being a wallflower, so he mostly sticks to the walls in the assembly hall, particularly when people begin to dance. He does, however, take some champagne as it's passed around, so at least he seems to be having a decent time.

Though he never approaches anyone to talk, and he refuses to dance, he doesn't mind a bit of chatter from other party guests - provided they keep the chatter light and fitting to the atmosphere, for now.

But the lecture halls are much more his speed. Occasionally throughout the night, he'll disappear to one of these, and can be found avidly watching both videos. He appears to be studying it, for some reason, but after he's seen it once or twice through he'll be more open to polite banter.

[longterm]

Cesare doesn't quite trust his own eyes at first. He has had this before, thought he had seen Micheletto in a crowd only to realize that he was mistaken. That had happened many times during the first century of Micheletto's absence. Now, though, Cesare has trained himself to think little of similar faces. But this is different and it catches him off guard. He can barely continue his conversation with the woman he was talking to, instead excusing himself and stalking the man through the crowd.

When he finally catches up to Micheletto, he pauses for a moment, his breathing heavy, looking, checking that it's actually him. Suddenly he grabs at Micheletto's shoulders, pushing him into the wall, his voice growling.

"Centuries. Fucking centuries. What the fuck have you been doing?"

Cesare is pleased to see Micheletto, yes. But also furious that it took so damn long.

[excrucior]

Micheletto pauses just outside the furthest lecture hall, not having to wait long for Cesare to reach him. While he had expected some potential ire, he is a little surprised when the man grasps his shoulders and pushes him into the wall. It was a vague mockery of the day they met, all those ages ago, but Micheletto suppresses the urge to counter and take Cesare by surprise.

"A great many things," Micheletto replies, his blue eyes studying Cesare, "but little of consequence until late." He doesn't want to get into detail about anything until he's sure, absolutely sure, there is no one listening. He shifts uncomfortably for a moment under the hands, but otherwise does not seem concerned about the dangerous rumble to Cesare's voice. "Now that you have me here, do you wish me gone? Or would you permit me the kindness of speaking to each other like the civilized bastards we are?"

[longterm]

Micheletto has some gall, Cesare will give him that, and it makes him grit his teeth and grimace. He gives Micheletto another shove before letting him go, quickly rubbing his hand over his mouth, a nervous habit of his.

"No. Stay. I don't need to wait another five hundred years." Yes. Cesare is still bitter about that.

He gives Micheletto a serious look. "My sister, have you...?" he doesn't finish his sentence. He can't quite manage it, but the implication is there: have you seen her? Do you know where she is?. He knows that Micheletto and Lucrezia were close, in a way. After looking for her so ardently, it would be foolish of Cesare not at least to ask.

[excrucior]

Micheletto rubs his shoulder, briefly, but otherwise stands up straight. Old habits are hard to break, and he finds himself clutching the seam of his shirt between the torso and sleeve with his fingertips. "Then I will stay. But I confess I did not think you had need of me, 'til now, though you certainly had the want."

In response to Cesare's question, Micheletto somberly shakes his head. "If I had seen or heard of my lady, I would be guarding her now. I swear on my mother's grave I have not."

[longterm]

"So you thought it best to ignore me for half a millennium," Cesare responds with a roll of his eyes, entirely unsympathetic. To be honest, Cesare doubts that there is any excuse that would make Micheletto's absence seem acceptable to him.

He grimaces when he hears that Micheletto has not seen Lucrezia. He had some hope that he might know where she is, albeit a small one.

"She remains a phantom then." He's angry again, his temper flaring. "So then why are you here, Micheletto? What made you think that suddenly now I was worthy of your presence?"

[excrucior]

"Not ignore, your Eminence," Micheletto corrects, carefully. "I did not respond for security's sake. You must have noticed your letters were never returned."

His stare is, as always, unwavering. But the assassin's fingers clench tighter into fists, his posture stiffening, at Cesare's stream of snappish questions. "My lord," he answers quietly, "you have never been unworthy of my presence. If anything, I am unworthy of yours."

The assassin shifts as a couple comes giggling out of the lecture hall, turning his back and taking a few steps away. He only turns back to Cesare when they have gone. A fortnight without a single word is unlike you. I was..."

Micheletto pauses, his emotions still difficult to express. "I was worried something had happened."

[longterm]

That catches Cesare off guard and he laughs, loud and wry at the absurdity of it all, though he really doesn't find it very funny. After all his attempts to reach Micheletto, to get him to return, it took Cesare not trying to manage it.

"I should have given up on you sooner. And I am not eminent. I haven't been that for a long time. Nor a lord. If you had been reading my letters, you would know that." His letters had become a diary of sorts, an update on his affairs to a man he didn't even know was there. It felt as though he might as well have sent them out into the ether and so confessions had a habit of making their way into his written notes.

[excrucior]

"I have been reading them. I have read every word, my lord, and committed them to memory. Every one I have received has been destroyed. Discretion is still of the utmost importance between us." For a moment, Micheletto almost seems insulted.

He only pauses a beat, advancing until he is almost chest to chest with the Cesare, to speak quietly into his ear. "You left behind a lot of enemies in Italy. Many of them have met their end by my blade, but many more remain. Who was it you thought was keeping them at bay?"

[longterm]

Cesare doesn't back away from Micheletto. He never has. Instead he stands his ground calmly, listening carefully.

"I have enemies across all of Europe, Micheletto. If I were nervous about keeping them at bay I would sit paranoid in a locked room for all eternity." He appreciates Micheletto's help but really it was unnecessary.

His voice lowers. "You should have come home." That would have been much better. Apparently, for Cesare, when it comes to Micheletto, home is where your Borgia is.

[excrucior]

"Then perhaps the bout of... turbulence on my flight is not worth mentioning."

Murder. He means murder. But they can't go talking about that in public. It would be rude.

"I have not known you to dwell on the past much." Micheletto cocks his head, curiously, drawing back from Cesare. "What shall I do now that I've come 'home'?"

[longterm]

Cesare understands Micheletto's hints but ignores them. He doesn't want to talk about it now. He's cushy here, comfortable, complacent, and he's busy sulking right now.

"You have not been here for most of my life, Micheletto." Another jab. "But you should also know I don't forgive easily." He pauses for a second, his shoulders stiff. "Witches? The Orisinis?" Are the people who are after him witches? They're always witches. Witches, Orisinis or witchy Orsinis.

[excrucior]

"Now that I know, even with my absence from your unlife. That is why I did not expect to find forgiveness here. Only proof of you continuing to walk this earth." He does not often riposte to Cesare's verbal jabs at him, but in this case he really wants to drive home his point.

The closest thing Micheletto has had to a friend, dead? Truly dead? Even taking into account the circumstances of their parting, that would be too much.

"You may threaten me, condemn me, and toss me into walls all you like, sire. But will you answer my question when you are done?"

Only now does Micheletto truly pull away from the vampire, leaning against the wall which Cesare first pushed him up against. "The former, naturally aligned with the Sforza. The Orsini have been wise to remain in hiding." He pauses a beat, then adds as an afterthought, "She missed her connecting flight."

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy has no idea who the hell Micheletto is. Too bad it doesn't go both ways- if he's paid attention to any of Cesare's letters, he'll be all too aware just who the tiny ginger is.

When Nancy comes to sit in one of the lecture halls, she's got a full glass of wine in one hand (hardly her first), and a large plate of food in the other. While she's lucky enough now never to have to worry about where her food is going to come from, she's quick to snatch up any free food she can, maybe even bring some over to the boys' on her way home. They needed to eat better than the shit Fagin fed them, and it fell to her, more often than not.

She slides into a seat just a few down from Micheletto, before settling into what's going to be her dinner. A bit of magic levitates the glass so she doesn't have to hold on to it when she doesn't want to. She's intent to focus on her food when she hears a line from the video, about the Maiden. She can't help herself, she scoffs out-loud and mutters: "sure, easy to say when you've got the Maiden barred from London." Before returning to her food.

Yeah, she's not Sylvia's #1 fan.

[excrucior]

He has an inkling of who this woman might be, but until he hears her name, it is best not to assume that this is the Nancy which Cesare spoke of in his letters - perhaps more than should ever be said in public.

Once Nancy speaks, however, Micheletto seems more interested in paying attention to her than to the video. Without staring at her too long, he turns his gaze back to the video. He leans over a few seats, however, and asks quietly, "But a circle is incomplete without the Maiden, is it not? How has madam Redbright managed without?"

He can smell juicy political gossip - an old habit, working for Cesare in the middle of a pit of vipers all those years ago. It doesn't help that he's already familiar with witches and their politics, anyway, from his time with his mother.

[stauncherhearted]

"You're new in town, aren't you?" His questions certainly imply it. "Honestly, I'm not sure. But she was all too eager to get Abigail exiled from London." So here they are, mostly without a Maiden, and soon to be without a Mother.

Hopefully Sylvia doesn't want to take up the title of Crone.

Though, honestly, that would be pretty great.

"But the title is still Abby's, even if she's not here." As far as Nancy was concerned, anyway.

[excrucior]

"New enough," he answers, enigmatically, but that's about all Nancy will get from him for now. He has more pressing questions to ask about the politics of London.

"What did Abigail do that deserved exile in madam Redbright's eyes?" Surely, if this young lady was that broken up about whatever it is Sylvia has done, he's sure he's in for a lot of explanation.

[stauncherhearted]

Well then.

"She was backed into a corner, and chose the only out she saw," Nancy explained. Abigail was her friend, her sister and she was still a Midnight witch at her core. Of course she was sympathetic. "Aligned Midnight with Islington." Which was where she was now, content with the protection of her Marquess of a boyfriend.

[excrucior]

"... a truly exilable offense," he answers, raising his brow incredulously. He's certain now that history delights in repeating itself, down to the petty political grievances forming from alliances like this one. "What is to stop the Maiden from returning to London after madam Redbright steps down?"

[stauncherhearted]

"So they said." Exilable offense, having her entire ancestral home burned to the ground.

"There's a mark, on her hand now. She could return, I think. But all of London would be on the look out. It'd be near impossible to do magic at all, from what I read." She had done some reading, about the brand Abby now wore.

[excrucior]

He wonders, absently, if it is the type of mark one can remove. But without more information, Micheletto could never be sure. Still, it is something to consider...

"I suppose the question remains whether the Maiden would even want to return. That would change everything."

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy, for a moment, says nothing. She looks away, thinking of her friend. She knew she'd want to return. She was still their damn Maiden, she was still her friend, even if Nancy couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in her stomach that she'd somehow betrayed her.

No; she hadn't joined Daybreak. She would never join Daybreak.

"Now that's certainly a question." She tries to play it neutrally. "Wonder if we'll ever find out." She hums at the end of the sentence, like she's considering it.

Then, a pause, and she turns to him. "I'm Nancy." She extends a hand.

[excrucior]

Micheletto studies her reaction acutely. Though he cannot see Nancy's face completely, he knows she's considering the possibility as well. It's certainly something to keep in mind for the future. And certainly something to talk to Cesare about, later on.

He is rather relieved to find that his assumption was correct, when she gives him her name. He shifts slightly as well, if only to give her a proper handshake, firm yet brief. "Mick," he answers, concisely, cementing the pattern of terse replies when asked about himself.

[stauncherhearted]

She gives him a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Mick." It alway seemed weird to talk for too long without exchanging names.

Nancy settles back against the seats. "What brings you out tonight?"

[excrucior]

"And you as well," Micheletto answers, though his brow raises in surprise. He's not sure why, but she reminds him of someone, if only in personality.

"I came for a friend," he says, truthfully, but doesn't clarify. "I stayed out of curiosity. Witch politics always make things... interesting."