undergrounds | The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's safe to say that Sirius doesn't really know what he's doing here or why he really showed up. It's just where his feet happened to take him, and he's still trying to figure out why. He's always tried to avoid politics, and figures it's best if he keep a low profile, pardon or not. And he has no great love for Sylvia, but here he is.

He supposes if he needs to he could bullshit a reason. He's a representative for the Hillingdon Clan, he's just being polite, he's here for the free food. Those all counted, right? Speaking of the free food, he'll grab some before going to hug the wall, or maybe wander into one of the lecture halls.

Whatever he does, he probably won't stay too late.

Nancy recognizes him, but only vaguely. She'd seen him at the Night's Pardon, another person seeking redemption via Night Council. Usually, she'd walk past him, but he's alone, and so is she.

"You should try the shrimp," she says by way of making conversation, glass in her hand.

There's a hint of recognition in Sirius's eyes as well, and he nods in acknowledgement of that.

"The shrimp, huh? Have to grab it on my next round...I think I ran out of room."

And indeed, his plate is rather stacked.

Nancy looks down at his plate and laughs. "Here." Gingerly, she picks up one of her shrimp and places it on the edge of his plate. "I can always get more." She says by way of explanation.

If nothing else, she can help put a dent in Sylvia's food budget. Take that.

"Thank you," He replies, contemplating the shrimp for a moment before picking it up and taking a bite. "I would definitely recommend that. Though the chicken wings are also quite good."

He has a few bones picked clean on his plate as evidence.

"She certainly didn't skimp on the food."

Nancy nods at this. "I'll have to try those next round."

The bones, she noted, were remarkably well cleaned, reminding her vaguely of whenever they'd had chicken or turkey at the den. The damn thing would be picked clean.

"No, thank goodness for that. I may have to smuggle some out of here." She looks at Sirius conspiratorially.

Sirius glanced about before returning the look.

"Would you like some help with that particular task?" he asked, curious. Not that he really wanted to cause trouble (except for the part of he sort of did), but this was of the harmless sort.

Nancy gives him a careful look.

"I don't think the Night Council would approve." She tries to say it with a straight face before breaking off into laughter. "I could always use the extra help."

Sirius rolls his eyes.

"The Night Council rarely approves of anything. And I know I offered, but I get a cut of the spoils, if that's alright?"

He can say that again.

"Of course- what sort of thief do you take me for?" She gives him a roguish grin.

"I...think I will refrain from answering that question," Sirius replies, turning his attention to the table. "And instead ask where you would like to begin this little operation."

Probably for the best.

Nancy shows him her purse. "It's a lot bigger on the inside," she says by way of explanation. "Nice and enchanted."

"That is very smart, though it's not going to get messy if we start tossing stuff in, is it?'

Because he could see that being a disaster on a number of levels. "Or does it organize as well?"

"I hate to admit it, but you have a point. Alright then. We'll need containers." Usually any food she stole came pre-packaged.

Which-

"No, better. Let's hit them at their source."

"You mean raid the kitchens?" Sirius asked, lowering his voice and doing a quick check around to make sure no one was listening. He didn't think anyone would be particularly thrilled with that plan.

Nancy gives him a look, her eyes practically dancing. This is her element, not in magic, but in planning and executing capers like this.

"I don't think they'd miss much," she says with a wink. "And it's going to the children, after all. And, y'know, us." Rationalizing at it's finest.

"So, an excellent cause then. Really, we're just doing them a favour."

He looks around the hall again, before pointing.

"I believe I saw them bringing food from that door over there."

"Aren't we, though?" She gives him a smile. If she got caught, she was sure Redbright would let her get away with it. After all, she really was going to bring it to her brothers. Redbright would never want to let some poor boys go hungry.

"Brilliant." She glances at the door. It's a swinging door. "Wait till they come out, slide in through the door and let's hope they'll believe us if we say we're staff."

"Got it. I'm pretty good at bluffing my way out of a situation."

Most of the time. Kitchen staff were usually pretty easy to get around. At least he hoped they were, and that they weren't doubling as security guards or something.

"I'll see about snagging a badge or something as well."

"Happy to know I'm in good company."

She pauses for a moment. Badges are good.

"I may have a bit more luck at that than you." She was an extremely good pickpocket, but she didn't know about this man.

Sirius simply grinned, as he casually started to make his way towards the door.

"Oh? Then by all means," He replied. He was not quite confident in his slight of hand skills just yet. He was still a bit rusty.

As luck would have it, it isn't long before they pass a few of the waitstaff. There's no magic, just simple slight of hand, and by the time the waitstaff turns the corner, Nancy holds up a pair of badges.

"Now let's find the kitchens."

"Nicely done," Sirius replies, clearly impressed. He takes one of the badges, affixing it to his chest.

"After you," he adds, gesturing her forward. "Since they just passed we should have a chance."

Nancy nods. "Perfect."

A quick glance over her shoulder tells her the coast is clear, and she slips through the swinging doors into the kitchen.

SIrius follows, stopping for a moment as the smells of the kitchen flood his nose. It's a little much at the start so he has to wait for it to clear.

"Well, we're on the right track."

Assembly Hall

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