Fall into Summer (OPEN)

[kleptofaeniac]

Some witch holidays were meant to be enjoyed by all, regardless of species, alliances or preference to magic. Holidays like Lammas! Think of it as witch Thanksgiving.

An old woman by the name of Agatha Chapman was of the personal opinion that there was just too much infighting between her fellow witches this year. Those Circle Midnight witches were practically children! Agatha had raised enough children to know they were just going through some rebellious phase. It would pass. But this wasn't the time for expressing such things. This was a time of togetherness! Which was why Agatha had, through her daughters and granddaughters, sent a very public invitation to the supernatural community:

~Lammas Day Celebration~

Come celebrate the great tradition of the first harvest and shorter days with a beach party and bonfire!
Food, fun, and sun! No limits on guests, bring your friends!

AUGUST 1^st 2015
12 PM - 2 AM
(public rituals @ 10 PM)

KINGSGATE CASTLE, JOSS GAP ROAD.
BROADSTAIRS.
KENT.

Transportation from the city will be provided from Victoria Station. Present this invitation at the ticket office.

You totally want to go right?


Like the invitation said, all guests transportation will be provided. The train happens to go directly from Victoria Station to the castle, which totals up to a two hour trip - giving plenty of time for people to run into one another on this train-ride. Let's get along everyone.

Upon the guests arrival everyone is greeted by the hostess; a very old, very cheerful lady who insists on being called Ms. Agatha. She introduces her daughters and their daughters. Hit on them at your own peril. After the brief introduction and delicately worded warning that no witch need reveal their coven to others, and no one need attempt to confront them about their choices, everyone is invited down the side of the slow incline of the cliffs to the beach. Time to have fun.

Lammas was traditionally a holiday to celebrate the last day of the wheat harvest. It seems like the witches hosting this party went all out in incorporating that. Golden colored canopies cover the tables that are set out for food. Along with them are large punch bowls filled with different colored liquids and a small bar for anyone who wants something a little stronger than fruit, both of which are abundant - after all this holiday was centered around a community feast. There seems to be a general theme following the decor; apples, cinnamon, and vanilla feature heavily in every dessert of pies, cakes, puddings and ice cream in very creative ways. The more savory foods, less so. But they all fall into the category of typical beach party foods.

There is a changing area towards the face of the cliffs along with bathrooms.

Another fun tradition of Lammas is competitive and athletic games! There are two volleyball nets set up, and what looks like an area for sandcastle building. The team that wins the most games, and the person who builds the best sandcastle wins a prize! The prize is a Maen Magl necklace. The stone is said to bring good luck and good health to the owner. Additionally, they can cure diseases of the eye if rubbed on one's eyelids.

If you're not interested in games, there's always the golden sand to relax and tan on and the water to swim in!

Later, after the sun sets a bonfire is constructed - you can help, but enough driftwood has been collected for the fire itself. As the sun sets, the women hosting the event let everyone know what the purpose of it is. The fire is meant to - while also help people make amazing smores, roasted corn, and apples wrapped in foil - allow the witches and everyone else in attendance to participate in the Lammas rituals. Everyone is encouraged to engage in the rituals, though no one is required to do so.

Nowadays, Lammas is the time to cast off bad habits, thoughts, and what is no longer needed in your life. This spiritual cleansing is represented by fire, and burning things. There are two that will be done tonight, but they won't take longer than thirty minutes when alls said and done. They maybe be performed in any order.

A ritual called 'Winnowing' is meant to cleanse, where everyone writes down negative emotions and bad habits they want to lose on a piece of paper. The witches in the group will all know the chant:

Blessing and curses
Come from the harvest
Return to the earth
To nourish next years

The paper is then thrown into the fire, where it will spark and disintegrate.

The second is highly encouraged for everyone to participate in, as the more people who do so, the more the blessings will be! Everyone is given nine sheaths of wheat, which they are to weave into a braid, and then attach a ribbon to the base of the braid. The witches in the circle around the bonfire should, as the braids are being done, chant:

We weave you and hail you
As queen of the corn
When all's gathered in and
When you are sown.

Once the braids are done, those that weaved them are meant to grab a piece of paper and write what blessing they wish for their friends to have, such as 'Friendship' or 'Mobility'. They must keep the blessing secret and secure it to the ribbon. The ribbons are meant to be kept till Imbolc - another witch holiday - and then be burned, while the ashes are meant to be kept on the individual until the next Lammas. Hope you'll attend that party wherever it is!

After the Ritual, there are plenty of smores to make and some lovely music to listen to while everyone gathers around the bonfire and relaxes until they want to leave. There is no curfew, but the witches hosting the party will be going back up to their flat in the castle around two in the morning.

Happy Lammas!

Comments

[constantprisoner]

He suppresses a shiver at the drop in temperature, but recovers quickly. Damp hair was never really helped in that situation.

"I have to admit that I was part of that crowd," Sirius admits with a sigh. Every opportunity to make sure he was different than his family was taken after all. "I was a bit of a wild child in my youth."

Although now it's hard to have the same enthusiasm. Not the weight he has on his shoulders.

[warmheartedly]

"I'm so sorry!" Clara looks ashamed for letting her emotions get the better of her. She needs to get used to that more. "They took me by surprise over there. I never thought people could be so loud but today sure proved me wrong."

She's going to apologise again and assure him she'll do better next time to keep herself together but what he says next distracts her. She looks a bit surprised to hear that from him. "You were a wild child? I must admit I'm having a hard time imaging that for some reason."

He's so careful after all but, to be fair, his circumstances aren't the bet.

[constantprisoner]

"Oh, really? Why's that?" He says with a smile. Twelve years ago it wouldn't have been much of a question, which adds some melancholy to the situation. It's twelve years of lost time for him.

[warmheartedly]

"You're so quiet." That's the first thing that comes to mind for her. He's so careful and cautious these days. It's hard to imagine him changing so drastically.

If she didn't know his circumstances, of course.

[constantprisoner]

"I guess I am, these days," Sirius replies, his expression a little melancholy as he stares in the fire. It changes shortly as his marshmallow catches on fire.

"But if you'd met me twelve years earlier...I probably would have been kicked out by now."

Especially if his friends were involved.

[warmheartedly]

She had no idea marshmallows could catch on fire. Almost missing his words, she panics at the sight of it and almost reaches over to try and fan the flames on the treat away. Then stops because she realises that she may do more harm than good. Mostly for him.

"A lot can change in a decade," she admits, looking back at him. "It's strange how time works. Everything feels like forever but then it isn't. If that makes sense."

[constantprisoner]

Sirius takes the opportunity to blow the flames out, a little annoyed at the charcoal-y bits. He's forgotten his technique it seems, and that just won't do.

"It does. And things can change very quickly, especially if you aren't paying attention."

[warmheartedly]

"In the blink of an eye. It's a good phrase. Funny how time can make everyone look silly in the end," she muses aloud, amazed and yet not that more than sixty years have passed for her. Technically around fifty in terms of living. "Everything feels so there and then poof! No more.

"Do you know a poem about sands and a statue?" The name is on the tip of her tongue but it's been so long ago since she actually read it, knowing it only thanks through Antonio wanting to share his literature studies with him. "A traveller coming across a very sad statue in the middle of a desert?"

[constantprisoner]

Sirius has to think. It's been a while since he's had to worry about literature, much less study it in any depth, but it does sound familiar.

"I think I do, just can't remember the name for the life of me."

And sadly he has no phone to check the internet with.

[warmheartedly]

"It was a sad poem, that much I know." She tilts her head and tries to remember a passage from it, brow furrowing and frowning as she does her best to recall something simple as a sentence.

Clara thinks she has it. "... Nothing beside remains, round the decay of that colossal wreck. I think that's a part of the poem. Quite fitting for a lot of things, I like to believe."

[constantprisoner]

Sirius almost remarks that it would certainly apply to his life, but holds back the comment. He doesn't want it to sound more biting than he means it to be.

"Indeed, but thankfully, marshmallows aren't one of them," because his attention is once again diverted and he might have achieved a good one. That is, one that isn't burnt but rather golden brown.

[warmheartedly]

"Things come and go but deliciousness of a marshmallow is forever." In memory of a person at least.

"Speaking of things coming and going-- I hope the last few weeks for you have been," she tells him, her lips set in a little frown as she tilts her head. "I've been hearing a lot gossip from people in the shop about you now. You're quite a bogeyman if they're to be believed."

[constantprisoner]

"I'm not surprised though I've been trying to keep out of trouble," Sirius replies. He's managed to snag the odd discarded newspaper and there's usually been at least one article about him. Never anything good.

"It should just be gossip and nothing more."

[warmheartedly]

"I do hope so. Half the things they say!" She shakes her head, mostly bemused than anything else. "People are so afraid of things they don't understand and they have this awful habit of making it more... more..."

Give her a minute to find the words to describe it. "More awful than it is."

[constantprisoner]

"That is what happens. I've sort of grown used to it," Sirius says with a sigh. "I just need to find who really did it and prove them wrong."

[warmheartedly]

She looks at him, her expression thoughtful with pursed lips and furrowed brow like she's trying to decide whether if she can ask him at last or not.

Seems like she should. An opportunity presents itself after all. "... Can I ask what exactly 'it' is, Sirius? I-- They speak a lot about you but not what got you into trouble in the first place. It's all wrapped up in a mystery for me still, believe it or not."

[constantprisoner]

Sirius goes quiet at that, to the point where the marshmallow he's currently roasting catches fire and he doesn't really do anything about it. Just watches as it blackens in the flame.

His instinct is to avoid the question, and he's not really sure he wants to talk about it in a public place like this. No one's really noticed him, but at the same time, he doesn't know who is listening.

"I do find that hard to believe, but...is there someplace quieter?"

[warmheartedly]

For a second, Clara wants to take back her words and tell him he didn't need to tell her. It's fine, she'll say. Maybe some other time or when he felt like doing it on his terms.

Then he asks his question. "Um… There is. Right over there."

She points to the direction of a small stretch of the coast nearby, further away from the party and the activities. There's much more water there meaning it'll be much more taxing for her but the chilliness of the waves deterred even the most adventurous of celebrators from going there. "We can go there if you want."

[constantprisoner]

If he wants. To be honest, Sirius doesn't know what he wants (aside from having the past twelve years back so he can use them properly). But he's already told Clara part of the story, so he might as well finish it.

Setting his stick down, he stands up to head out to that coast, motioning for Clara to follow.

[warmheartedly]

Ever quiet and dutiful, Clara follows along. If anyone notices the man suddenly wandering off by himself they either give him the space he needs or pay no heed.

She's glad for that. Whatever is going to happen, it needs to be private.

When they get there, the skies are a little darker and the air is noticeably cooler and the latter, for once, it isn't her doing. The waves lap against the shore in and out, the sounds of the water rushing towards the sandy coasts giving them the muffler they need for this.

[constantprisoner]

It's actually rather nice, being out by the water. Sirius had noticed during the day when he'd swam in it as a dog, but it had been a while since he'd appreciated it like this. He glances around again, sniffing the air, just make sure no one else is around. The last thing he needs are prying eyes or an over-curious fae.

Once he's sure the coast (literally) is clear, he takes a breath.

"Murder. I was framed for murder."

[warmheartedly]

Mur... Murder.

Oh.

For a second there's no reply from her. She looks both shocked and uncomfortable while thinking of some sort of response to give him, to say to him because she asked and he answered and it isn't right to leave him in this sort of silence.

Clara is unsure of what to say to that. It. It is a difficult topic to speak of. Where do you start with something heavy as this? A thought comes to mind and it's the only thought that comes so-- "They... The person you were accused of... Did you know them?"

[constantprisoner]

"Yes," Sirius says after a while. "They were a friend. A good friend."

And it was something that weighed on Sirius every day. After running away from home and being disowned by his family, his friends had filled that void. They'd become his family and he'd never do anything to hurt them. That would have been the height of dishonour.

[warmheartedly]

"Oh Sirius." To be accused of something terrible as that must be awful. She can't imagine what it must be like to be framed for the death of someone she held dear to her heart. Let alone for such a long time. That's exactly what Sirius went through though and it makes her heart ache for him. "I'm so sorry."

She reaches out to rest her hand on his shoulder, hoping the chill of her touch won't be a deterrent for him. Due to not having her gloves on she needs to put more effort in her action and she does. She really does for him.

[constantprisoner]

He tenses a little at the touch, more from the sudden chill than anything else, but the gesture is appreciated it. It's nice to finally get everything off of his chest, to have someone who knows pretty much everything at this point. Ghost or not, it's someone on his side.