kleptofaeniac: (1090219 (9))
Kenzi ([personal profile] kleptofaeniac) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2015-08-01 02:14 pm

Fall into Summer (OPEN)

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 1st 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!
warmheartedly: (an objection;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-04 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I would like to think that we're able to rise above the occasion over such disagreements," she can't help but say, always an optimist. "If not for ourselves then for others at least. I think it'll be more beneficial to everyone if only some, not even all, got along better."

There are a few names on the tip of her tongue that comes to mind but she doesn't want to be a total gossip so she'll try to think of a broader subject-- "Like the witches! I can't help but feel awful for them."
entitles: (look at those gray hairs)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-05 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"And why do you feel awful for them?" he asked, an eyebrow raised.
warmheartedly: (a nagging doubt;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-05 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Because they're at odds with each other," she explains, like that alone should be enough of an explanation.

If not, don't worry. She has a lot more to say. "They shouldn't be fighting or arguing or anything like that. So much more could be done if they helped one another out. Especially given how, um, eventful the last few months have been."
entitles: (sharing is not my strong point)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-05 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"They don't agree. One group wants to restrict the other, and genuinely believes they are righteous in doing so. I don't see how they can come to a peaceful outcome," he said, "There has never been a time in history when one group wasn't at odds with another. Peace is a nice daydream, nothing more."
warmheartedly: (a timid plea;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-06 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
That's just depressing. He could almost see her shoulders droop at the thought of the witches never making peace, always in a rock and a hard place.

"… What of the you and the others then?" He was a fae from what she gathered from their last talk -- because what kind of werewolf or vampire ate a ghost? (Could they eat a ghost? She should probably ask Cooper or someone else later to be sure and no! Clara! Concentrate!) -- and she knew there are two groups of them. One for Spring and Summer and the other for Autumn and Winter.
Edited 2015-08-06 05:15 (UTC)
entitles: (can i leave yet)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-06 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"The fae? We have our rivalries, of course, but they tend to be more amicable. A little competition is healthy," he said, "But even among us, there are personal disagreements and those who dislike each other quite intensely."
warmheartedly: (a bull;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-06 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I suppose that makes sense. If you have lived long as you claimed last time--" Here she tries not to shudder, recalling how he said it and what was said after. She hopes he isn't hungry for a snack again or anytime during the celebrations. "--then holding grudges or personal anger against someone else is inevitable. It's human nature after all."
entitles: (all hail space beaurocracy)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-07 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
"We don't have human nature, not unless we are partially human. I am not," he said, "But it is still in the nature of most things. Surprisingly, not mine."

He looked up at the sky. It was still too light out to see the stars, but they had no cause for war. They occupied their own territory and simply consumed anything that came at them. Such was his nature: he was calm on his own, someone had to provoke him first and awaken his bloodlust.

"I just don't like being ordered around, is all. I will react to that."
warmheartedly: (a nagging doubt;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-07 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
She followed his gaze and all she saw was bright skies and clouds, the vibrant colours of bright blue and cotton white. The very picture of a lovely day for an outing at the beach.

It made her worry knowing that, out there somewhere, people and more were plotting or fighting or getting mad at each other.

"I suppose that means you don't like some of the laws the others here put down for the fae." The witches who have the 'no magical doors to the other world' rule come to mind. She has a feeling that's an easier way for the fae to travel most of the time. If she was told by people she couldn't phase because it annoyed people, she would be rather miffed. "It must be annoying! To have people presume that you must follow their rules."
entitles: (the night goes on)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-07 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed, it is. The stars do not move for mankind, and neither do I," he said, "Who knows who they'll restrict next. I don't see ghosts getting a lot of support from the Council."
warmheartedly: (a worried look;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-08 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
The mention of the Night Council made her look nervous before she tries to cover it up with a smile, full of cheer induced from fear. "O-Of course we're ignored! There's not much us ghosts need or want and I don't think we could be considered real threats. Besides electrical appliances, maybe."

But it's why I like the Redbright school so much! They don't seem to care who or what you are. Long as you don't hurt others, you're free to go as you please when in their places." They even let fae go through doors if they wanted! Midnight-aligned witches weren't allowed there unless they stopped using dark magic -- meaning they stopped using magic period -- but err... It's progress somewhere in London?
entitles: (time for a swim in the people water)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-09 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed, but Redbright runs Daybreak, too, and clearly has an anti-fae agenda in that regard. Who is to say she wouldn't let the friendly, welcoming Redbright Institute take over London...and then promptly change her tune?" he said.
warmheartedly: (a cart;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-10 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
She wrinkles her nose at the thought. Never did she think of that scenario before so she needs a few long seconds to think this through. "That would make quite a ruckus if she or anyone else tried to do that... A lot of students in Redbright either have strong fae-blood or are fae-sided thanks to their heritage. I think it'll cause a tizzy with the metahumans if she and the school did that."

If those who have a connection with the fae aren't safe then what about those who have connections with Midnight witches who shapeshifters?
entitles: (beautiful golden chariot)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-10 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"They may be fae-blooded, but they are not of the Courts and they are, for the most part, excluded from the Other Realm," he said, "They may as well be human at that point."
warmheartedly: (a worried look;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-10 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Are they? How strange."

Clara wrinkles her nose when hearing that, in deep thought. "I then have to ask -- What do the fae want to do with London and its, um, ongoings? If it's not about the students here and you don't care much for the rules being made, why linger when you have a place to call your very own?

"Er. If I can ask that, of course."
entitles: (time for a swim in the people water)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-11 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Most of us care very little for the mortal realm," he said, "We simply don't like it when humans try to restrict or control us."
warmheartedly: (a cart;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-11 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"So the response to someone drawing the line is to settle down near the line." In order to... assert dominance? To show they won't be pushed around? To enjoy the tourism like everyone else?

The more she speaks and learns more about the fae, the more she finds them all rather strange. "Well-- I hope that whatever is going on with your group and the others' groups, no one will get hurt along the way during this strange situation here. I like to think there's no need to solve any problem with violence."

More so when a whole city is involved.
entitles: (can i leave yet)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-13 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, the idealism of the young," Balem said with a dark laugh, "Violence is almost always required, and the ones who refuse to partake in it are often the ones who get hurt the most. But, if it's any consolation, it will be difficult to hurt you."
warmheartedly: (a scoff of disbelief;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-14 06:45 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, now that makes her looks offended. There's nothing idealistic for not wanting people to get hurt, for wanting to keep hurt and misery away from people who just want to live their lives in peace.

"I would like you to know that I'm turning sixty-four," she says, almost in a snappish manner. Looks like her heckles are raised at long last. "I've seen my fair share of scuffles and grudges. They're always the same in the end: Almost everyone always loses one thing or another in the end. Even the winners."
entitles: (they aren't even on my level)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-14 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sixty-four! That's a child by my standards," he scoffed, "And if even the winners lose, that means no one played it smart."
warmheartedly: (an unnerved silence;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-14 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"And you think you and the others will play it smart?" She doesn't know much about the community, not by a mile, but she knows enough to know that many groups here will not take it lightly.

Everyone just seems-- They're all so on edge. Clara is nervous at the thought of what exactly will be the straw that will break the camel's back.
entitles: (look at those gray hairs)

[personal profile] entitles 2015-08-15 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course I will!" he scoffed, "I didn't live this long without being enslaved or extinguished without developing some sense."

Mostly he lived that long by misleading and screwing others over, but sense played a part, too.
warmheartedly: (a dog;)

[personal profile] warmheartedly 2015-08-18 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course. That's good to hear." She keeps in mind the words he uses specifically -- enslaved? -- and nods.

Thank goodness for excited young ones. She pretends that the commotion nearby is connected to her somehow and she sits up, ready to float off. "I think there's trouble brewing already! If you'll excuse me, I must check on my companions over there. I hope you have a good day out here."

And she spooks off! She hopes when she comes back her sandcastle will continue to be in one piece.