The Underground Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
undergroundmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-12-04 10:53 pm
undergroundmods) wrote in undergrounds2016-12-04 10:53 pm
Entry tags:
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.]
no subject
He looks up as the waiter offers him wine, shakes his head silently and offers a smile. Water is fine. Lancelot would rather be sober on the off chance someone does break in and start causing a fuss. Better safe than sorry.
"Well," Lancelot says finally, as the waiter finishes pouring him some water and moves on, "I admit, clarity is preferable to me too, so that I can understand. Visions can be interpreted more than one way, after all."
Something he learnt quickly. He supposes it might not be the same, but every time he touches something and gets a vague sort of sense of magic he can't help but worry he's reading it all wrong. Magic is inadmissible in court, or at least 'claims of visions' are, and Lancelot is glad of that because this way at least he has to find something concrete to match his theories.
no subject
She sips her wine, a mischievous look in her eye. This is a celebration, after all, and Lancelot is a guest. She knows he's really here to protect her, but he could afford to loosen up a bit if he wants. The last thing she wants is for this conversation to be too serious. She's hoping that by the end of the three courses they'll all be merry and laughing into their empty glasses.
no subject
He quirks a self-deprecating smile at that. Lancelot is at least self-aware that not everyone likes dogs despite his enthusiasm.
no subject
He does seem inordinately fond of his dog. Sylvia likes dogs, but not enough to have one herself.
no subject
His eyebrows loft playfully, as if daring her to suggest it. He's quite sure if he tried hard enough he could drive someone to desperation simply by going through the hundreds of pictures of Lily on his phone. Lancelot is a very patient person, more patient than most he would wager.
no subject
Maybe later she'll suggest someone, stop Vrinak mid-speech while he's going off on one of his tangents. As for now, the waiters are bringing over their starters and the atmosphere in the hall is relaxed and jovial. She's looking forward to the meal.