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undergrounds2016-12-04 10:53 pm
undergroundmods) wrote in undergrounds2016-12-04 10:53 pm
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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.]
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"I'm glad to hear it." And she is glad. Nancy is, or should be, a success story. Sylvia drops her hands, clasping them in front of her instead. "Has Lancelot been helping you?"
As her sponsor, she hopes that he has been supporting her as the Night Council requested.
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Nancy nods, her hands now falling at her side. "Yes, took me out for my birthday, coming round every so often. He's been a good friend to me." Even if she was wondering if he was a little bit more like a parole officer as well. Keeping her as much in line as anyone can.
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She did make a public declaration wishing that the witches of Circle Daybreak would welcome Nancy with open arms, after all. Sylvia hopes they wouldn't turn her away.
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"oh- no. I've been too busy getting settled to really look." She didn't particularly want to, either. She'd had something special with Shadow Coven.
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Hopefully, there won't be any need.
Sylvia smiles. "Well, I wish you the best of luck." She reaches out to squeeze Nancy's hand. "You have my blessing."
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"Thank you." She returns the squeeze, shocked at how genuinely the words come out. How she meets Sylvia's eyes softly. "I appreciate it."
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Sylvia's gaze is warm as she nods back at the girl before gently releasing her hands and stepping back. There are other witches waiting to receive a blessing, and so she must move on.
The moment won't be lost, however. Nearby, a photographer has captured the connection between the two witches, the way that Nancy looks up to the Mother. It'll be up on Sylvia's Facebook page later tonight.