James Memon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
youronlylaw) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-02-15 01:22 pm
youronlylaw) wrote in undergrounds2016-02-15 01:22 pm
Entry tags:
Lupercalia Festival
The Festival (February 15th) CLOSED TO WEREWOLVES AND EAST END ALLIES
James has been anxiously anticipating this holiday ever since last year. Not out of excitement. But terror instead. Ever since their Alpha's abandonment of the pack, James has been steadily rising in the pack's esteem as the next potential Alpha and it has not been easy to do so. Greenwich went over well with the pack and he was hoping the good will from the territory claim would allow him some liberties with this festival but... as it is, he's afraid of falling out of their good graces.
Lupercalia is about change. Growing up and sacrifice are the themes but it's a surprisingly jovial holiday for anyone who has grown up with the tradition. James is not one of those few but he wouldn't dare try to change things too much.
For those that have been waiting to activate their curses; those that would oppose or hunt werewolves have been gathered and held for the express purpose of killing them. Up until now, they have been well taken care of and even before their death they're plied with drink and food and generally they're too drunk to fight back. It's considered good manners to make sure they're well fed and plenty sloshed before being killed.
Vampire allies, the few humans involved in the organization of the rave and werewolf hunters are all game. Traditionally, the elderly of the pack would be included in the list of sacrifices. Especially those directly related to the young wolves who are activated their curses, in the belief that the closer relation would be better for the sacrifice. In the interest of modernizing an already bloody holiday, James has arranged it so that is off the table. The move hasn't gone over well with the more conservative and traditional pack members, which makes James even less likely to step on toes today.
The activation of ones curse is considered to be a highly intimate moment and in the interest of keeping it more private, the sacrifices are taking place inside the house. When the time comes those with inactivated curses are ushered inside along with their sacrifice and they're left alone to complete it together.
Once the new werewolf emerges, they're integrated back into the festivities as a full fledged member of the pack.
The festival is also meant to honor those who have activated their curse since the last festival. And for just one night they're treated like kings and queens. (It isn't exactly kosher for women to activate their curses as natural born werewolves are hard to come by, but should it happen they are not frowned on).
Games, food and dancing are accessible to anyone who is eligible to attend. In the interest of safety the festival is being held in the courtyard of a beautiful home - some say it belongs to one of the oldest members of the pack, but no one is really sure - and there is enough security to ensure that only those that belong are present. Allies of the pack are welcomed just as easily as werewolves might be but if you're a vampire or even remotely smell like one you'll be getting grilled before being allowed in.
Wake (February 16th-17th) OPEN
In honor of the dead and their sacrifice (willing or not) James has elected to have there be a wake of sorts after the festival. It's in the same courtyard as the festival was but it's far more upbeat than any wake was thought to be, thanks to the liberal amount of alcohol and food. But should one wish to pay their respects to the dead, there is a less frivolous corner of the courtyard that has many candles and pieces of paper meant to write good wishes to the deceased. A candle can be lit in their memory and there are a few objects strewn about that look like offerings to their memory.
This little change from the norm is teetering on not going over well with the more established families in the pack. But so far everything seems to be going swimmingly...
James has been anxiously anticipating this holiday ever since last year. Not out of excitement. But terror instead. Ever since their Alpha's abandonment of the pack, James has been steadily rising in the pack's esteem as the next potential Alpha and it has not been easy to do so. Greenwich went over well with the pack and he was hoping the good will from the territory claim would allow him some liberties with this festival but... as it is, he's afraid of falling out of their good graces.
Lupercalia is about change. Growing up and sacrifice are the themes but it's a surprisingly jovial holiday for anyone who has grown up with the tradition. James is not one of those few but he wouldn't dare try to change things too much.
For those that have been waiting to activate their curses; those that would oppose or hunt werewolves have been gathered and held for the express purpose of killing them. Up until now, they have been well taken care of and even before their death they're plied with drink and food and generally they're too drunk to fight back. It's considered good manners to make sure they're well fed and plenty sloshed before being killed.
Vampire allies, the few humans involved in the organization of the rave and werewolf hunters are all game. Traditionally, the elderly of the pack would be included in the list of sacrifices. Especially those directly related to the young wolves who are activated their curses, in the belief that the closer relation would be better for the sacrifice. In the interest of modernizing an already bloody holiday, James has arranged it so that is off the table. The move hasn't gone over well with the more conservative and traditional pack members, which makes James even less likely to step on toes today.
The activation of ones curse is considered to be a highly intimate moment and in the interest of keeping it more private, the sacrifices are taking place inside the house. When the time comes those with inactivated curses are ushered inside along with their sacrifice and they're left alone to complete it together.
Once the new werewolf emerges, they're integrated back into the festivities as a full fledged member of the pack.
The festival is also meant to honor those who have activated their curse since the last festival. And for just one night they're treated like kings and queens. (It isn't exactly kosher for women to activate their curses as natural born werewolves are hard to come by, but should it happen they are not frowned on).
Games, food and dancing are accessible to anyone who is eligible to attend. In the interest of safety the festival is being held in the courtyard of a beautiful home - some say it belongs to one of the oldest members of the pack, but no one is really sure - and there is enough security to ensure that only those that belong are present. Allies of the pack are welcomed just as easily as werewolves might be but if you're a vampire or even remotely smell like one you'll be getting grilled before being allowed in.
Wake (February 16th-17th) OPEN
In honor of the dead and their sacrifice (willing or not) James has elected to have there be a wake of sorts after the festival. It's in the same courtyard as the festival was but it's far more upbeat than any wake was thought to be, thanks to the liberal amount of alcohol and food. But should one wish to pay their respects to the dead, there is a less frivolous corner of the courtyard that has many candles and pieces of paper meant to write good wishes to the deceased. A candle can be lit in their memory and there are a few objects strewn about that look like offerings to their memory.
This little change from the norm is teetering on not going over well with the more established families in the pack. But so far everything seems to be going swimmingly...
no subject
"Don't be so dramatic. I don't even think my -," my predecessor, he was about to say. But he wasn't Alpha yet. "our last Alpha would have done something that drastic."
"But. I can't just let you get away with doing that. You know that."
It'd be seen as weak should he just allow Alex to walk away without any consequences for what she'd done. Admittedly, he was beating around the bush now because he got a little pleasure out of watching her squirm with the possibilities of what could be done.
no subject
"Yeah. I get it." She didn't mind the idea of suffering in exchange for saving a friend, but she really hated that this stupid holiday made that necessary in the first place.
She just kept staring at the wall, trying very hard not to care about whatever punishment he was going to come up with, or the fact that Kyle might have been lying to her for weeks, or that maybe she'd ruined what chance she had at fitting in here.
no subject
"I'll let you pick your punishment: doing paperwork to clear up the deaths or helping out older pack memebers."
He wasn't going to tell her if he was asking her to pick the one she didn't have to do or the one she would prefer. She could decide that.
no subject
She took a breath, frowned down at the floor for a few moments, then, raising an eyebrow and still sounding like a sullen kid, muttered, "Fine. Paperwork."
She really, really didn't want to help elderly werewolves chew their food or count out change for the bus or whatever. At least doing paperwork, she could have some peace and quiet.
no subject
"Alright. You'll be meeting with our eldest pack member in a few days."
Sorry, Alex. This was a punishment for a reason.
no subject
She turned her attention back to the wall, scowling at it in disbelief.
no subject
Blame it on having too many sisters - younger and older - growing up, but moodiness was never a deterrent.
no subject
no subject
It's easy, arguing like this. He likes it more than he'll say but the smile he's sporting might as well say as much.
no subject
She climbed to her feet and headed for the door, but paused and once again directed her frown at James. "You won't kill Kyle, right? You have to promise. Lock him up or whatever but you can't kill him." She didn't think James would at this point, but she had to make absolutely sure, or all of this would have been pointless. "If you hurt him, I'll kill you."
That might be burning a bridge she didn't want to burn, but she had to let James know how serious she was.
no subject
What he's understanding, who can say? But he nods with a small smile.
"He'll walk out of here in one piece. Promise."
no subject
"Good."
She turns towards the door, then turns back because she suddenly gets why James is smiling. "He's not-- We're not--" All she's doing is stammering awkwardly, so she takes a quick breath and starts again. "It's not like that," she says, way too adamantly.
And then, because she'd rather not talk about it anymore, she turns to leave.
no subject
"My apologies for assuming." He says a little louder at her quickly disappearing back.