undergrounds | The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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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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Sylvia is in the assembly hall drinking champagne between 7-8pm. She's in demand and always surrounded by people, but available to talk to if you wish to approach her.

Between 8 and 9pm she'll be listening to the speeches in praise of herself and accepting her flowers and gifts. From 9-11pm she'll disappear into the dining hall for a celebratory dinner with a few select guests.

Finally, from 11pm she'll be in the reception area giving her blessings to the witches as they leave the party. She can be approached at this point if you'd like to congratulate her or say your goodbyes.

(Alternatively, if you'd like to talk to any other NPC on the Elite list, drop me a line! They're pretty much all here.)

It was a stupid idea for Nancy to go. She knew that. But she had to. For Abby, for all of Midnight. So Sylvia would remain on the Night Council, yes. But at least one of her positions was being revoked. So she'd always acted on behalf of Redbright, when she'd moved against Midnight. But Nancy firmly believed it was a cover. Civil War never helped anyone. But even so, Sylvia had wiped Midnight off the map. Just when Nancy had been beginning to find herself at home at long last.

Still, she'd gone to the party. She'd drank and eaten, and you'd be wrong if you didn't think her purse was chock full of food to bring over to the boys' before she returned back to Cooper. And now, she was on her way out.

She should have just walked out the door. Called some sort of truce when Sylvia had helped grant her a pardon. But she kept remembering how the woman had looked when she'd tried to shame her.

So she took the middle ground. When she approached her, she said nothing. She extended a hand, so that she knew she'd been there. But as for words, she opted to let Sylvia make the next move.

Sylvia recognised the young witch, of course. Nancy's name and face was well-known to her from the trial. Tonight was the first time that Sylvia had seen her since then in fact, and so she gave Nancy a warm welcome, smiling as the girl approached and clasping her hands around the one that Nancy extended.

"Nancy, it's lovely to see you! I've been wondering how you've been getting on, how are you? You look well."

She had given Nancy a fresh start and she hoped that the girl was making good use of it. It would be one of her last acts of kindness as Mother of Witches, she thought, though hopefully not as President.

That was completely unexpected, truthfully, and it takes Nancy a moment to process it at all. She was being... warm. It's the first time there's actually been what wants to think of as genuine warmth from the woman aimed towards her. Everything else had been cool and calculated.

But she echoes the smile, her eyes unfocused, looking at their hands for a moment.

"I never thought you'd think it lovely to see me," she admits, looking up at the older woman. They both knew their history. "But I'm good. Real good." She didn't have to hide for one. "Living with my boyfriend, he's been wonderful." Business had picked up, vampires were less-likely to drain her dry for fun. She had a place to actually practice that was safe.

But if Sylvia wants to take credit for all of that, she's not going to stop her. Nancy still had a role to play here.

Sylvia takes full credit for it, fyi. It's one of her many accomplishments.

"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.

Sylvia actually only helped a little. She was only one of the Night Council's votes, after all.

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.

"Good." She's pleased to hear that as well. "He's a good man. And have you found a coven to join?"

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.

Nancy almost laughs. almost. She catches herself, and shakes her head, curls bouncing.

"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.

CLOSED to Cesare Borgia (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

It's not difficult finding Cesare Borgia in London. The name of the establishment makes it rather obvious. (The Angelo? Really?)

What is difficult, however, is approaching his former employer when there is talk of a party going on that night. A retirement party, so he overhears in whispers around London, for Circle Daybreak's Mother of Witches. Cesare's never had a good track record with witches in general, but from everything Micheletto observes in passing, Cesare is still adamant on going. And Micheletto knows better than anyone to dissuade Cesare Borgia from something he's set his mind to.

And so, arriving a few minutes late to the party, dressed in his nicest button-down and slacks, Micheletto makes his way to the Redbright Institute to attend the public ceremony. He gets in without a hassle, having for once not brought a weapon, and stays inconspicuous up until he spots the man himself. The assassin stands right in Cesare's line of sight, several meters away over the shoulder of Cesare's current schmoozing target, and makes sure that he makes clear eye contact with him. He turns and slips quietly through the crowd, then, moving toward the lecture halls.

After more than five hundred years, they have much to discuss.

OPEN (9:00 pm - 12:00 am)

It's always awkward when you show up to someone else's party - especially if you're new in town. But Micheletto has always succeeded in being a wallflower, so he mostly sticks to the walls in the assembly hall, particularly when people begin to dance. He does, however, take some champagne as it's passed around, so at least he seems to be having a decent time.

Though he never approaches anyone to talk, and he refuses to dance, he doesn't mind a bit of chatter from other party guests - provided they keep the chatter light and fitting to the atmosphere, for now.

But the lecture halls are much more his speed. Occasionally throughout the night, he'll disappear to one of these, and can be found avidly watching both videos. He appears to be studying it, for some reason, but after he's seen it once or twice through he'll be more open to polite banter.

Cesare doesn't quite trust his own eyes at first. He has had this before, thought he had seen Micheletto in a crowd only to realize that he was mistaken. That had happened many times during the first century of Micheletto's absence. Now, though, Cesare has trained himself to think little of similar faces. But this is different and it catches him off guard. He can barely continue his conversation with the woman he was talking to, instead excusing himself and stalking the man through the crowd.

When he finally catches up to Micheletto, he pauses for a moment, his breathing heavy, looking, checking that it's actually him. Suddenly he grabs at Micheletto's shoulders, pushing him into the wall, his voice growling.

"Centuries. Fucking centuries. What the fuck have you been doing?"

Cesare is pleased to see Micheletto, yes. But also furious that it took so damn long.

Micheletto pauses just outside the furthest lecture hall, not having to wait long for Cesare to reach him. While he had expected some potential ire, he is a little surprised when the man grasps his shoulders and pushes him into the wall. It was a vague mockery of the day they met, all those ages ago, but Micheletto suppresses the urge to counter and take Cesare by surprise.

"A great many things," Micheletto replies, his blue eyes studying Cesare, "but little of consequence until late." He doesn't want to get into detail about anything until he's sure, absolutely sure, there is no one listening. He shifts uncomfortably for a moment under the hands, but otherwise does not seem concerned about the dangerous rumble to Cesare's voice. "Now that you have me here, do you wish me gone? Or would you permit me the kindness of speaking to each other like the civilized bastards we are?"

Micheletto has some gall, Cesare will give him that, and it makes him grit his teeth and grimace. He gives Micheletto another shove before letting him go, quickly rubbing his hand over his mouth, a nervous habit of his.

"No. Stay. I don't need to wait another five hundred years." Yes. Cesare is still bitter about that.

He gives Micheletto a serious look. "My sister, have you...?" he doesn't finish his sentence. He can't quite manage it, but the implication is there: have you seen her? Do you know where she is?. He knows that Micheletto and Lucrezia were close, in a way. After looking for her so ardently, it would be foolish of Cesare not at least to ask.

Micheletto rubs his shoulder, briefly, but otherwise stands up straight. Old habits are hard to break, and he finds himself clutching the seam of his shirt between the torso and sleeve with his fingertips. "Then I will stay. But I confess I did not think you had need of me, 'til now, though you certainly had the want."

In response to Cesare's question, Micheletto somberly shakes his head. "If I had seen or heard of my lady, I would be guarding her now. I swear on my mother's grave I have not."

She'll have to take that at face value, although the glibness of the answer does make Sylvia wonder how serious the girl is about turning over a new leaf. Still, if she falls back into old habits it will only be a matter of time before they catch her.

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."

If pressed, she'd be quick to explain: she'd only found this political trouble when she found a coven. Before she'd been alone, and she was alone again. A solitary witch who could just keep her head down.

"Thank you." She returns the squeeze, shocked at how genuinely the words come out. How she meets Sylvia's eyes softly. "I appreciate it."

"So you thought it best to ignore me for half a millennium," Cesare responds with a roll of his eyes, entirely unsympathetic. To be honest, Cesare doubts that there is any excuse that would make Micheletto's absence seem acceptable to him.

He grimaces when he hears that Micheletto has not seen Lucrezia. He had some hope that he might know where she is, albeit a small one.

"She remains a phantom then." He's angry again, his temper flaring. "So then why are you here, Micheletto? What made you think that suddenly now I was worthy of your presence?"

"Not ignore, your Eminence," Micheletto corrects, carefully. "I did not respond for security's sake. You must have noticed your letters were never returned."

His stare is, as always, unwavering. But the assassin's fingers clench tighter into fists, his posture stiffening, at Cesare's stream of snappish questions. "My lord," he answers quietly, "you have never been unworthy of my presence. If anything, I am unworthy of yours."

The assassin shifts as a couple comes giggling out of the lecture hall, turning his back and taking a few steps away. He only turns back to Cesare when they have gone. A fortnight without a single word is unlike you. I was..."

Micheletto pauses, his emotions still difficult to express. "I was worried something had happened."

That catches Cesare off guard and he laughs, loud and wry at the absurdity of it all, though he really doesn't find it very funny. After all his attempts to reach Micheletto, to get him to return, it took Cesare not trying to manage it.

"I should have given up on you sooner. And I am not eminent. I haven't been that for a long time. Nor a lord. If you had been reading my letters, you would know that." His letters had become a diary of sorts, an update on his affairs to a man he didn't even know was there. It felt as though he might as well have sent them out into the ether and so confessions had a habit of making their way into his written notes.

It's safe to say that Sirius doesn't really know what he's doing here or why he really showed up. It's just where his feet happened to take him, and he's still trying to figure out why. He's always tried to avoid politics, and figures it's best if he keep a low profile, pardon or not. And he has no great love for Sylvia, but here he is.

He supposes if he needs to he could bullshit a reason. He's a representative for the Hillingdon Clan, he's just being polite, he's here for the free food. Those all counted, right? Speaking of the free food, he'll grab some before going to hug the wall, or maybe wander into one of the lecture halls.

Whatever he does, he probably won't stay too late.

It's good to see how grateful Nancy is, to know that despite her retirement she can still continue to do good work as President and Chancellor. This may be her last night as Mother of Witches, but Sylvia isn't about to give up her career entirely.

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.

Jean-Claude has done his due diligence of making an appearance and schmoozing his way through the crowd as he should, being the newest faction leader in the city. It is an evening to celebrate Sylvia Redbright and her career as the Mother of Witches, but this does not signal her retirement from politics themselves, he is certain. She is still the President of the Night Council, for the moment at least. And therefore he has business with her. What better an opportunity to catch a word with her than here after all, out of office and as far as he's aware, unaware of the reason he should want to talk to her.

"Madame," Jean-Claude greets her in approach, with a smile and a bow that would look odd from another person but is surprisingly natural coming from someone as old as him. Someone who lived in a time when such gestures were the norm.

Nancy recognizes him, but only vaguely. She'd seen him at the Night's Pardon, another person seeking redemption via Night Council. Usually, she'd walk past him, but he's alone, and so is she.

"You should try the shrimp," she says by way of making conversation, glass in her hand.

Nancy has no idea who the hell Micheletto is. Too bad it doesn't go both ways- if he's paid attention to any of Cesare's letters, he'll be all too aware just who the tiny ginger is.

When Nancy comes to sit in one of the lecture halls, she's got a full glass of wine in one hand (hardly her first), and a large plate of food in the other. While she's lucky enough now never to have to worry about where her food is going to come from, she's quick to snatch up any free food she can, maybe even bring some over to the boys' on her way home. They needed to eat better than the shit Fagin fed them, and it fell to her, more often than not.

She slides into a seat just a few down from Micheletto, before settling into what's going to be her dinner. A bit of magic levitates the glass so she doesn't have to hold on to it when she doesn't want to. She's intent to focus on her food when she hears a line from the video, about the Maiden. She can't help herself, she scoffs out-loud and mutters: "sure, easy to say when you've got the Maiden barred from London." Before returning to her food.

Yeah, she's not Sylvia's #1 fan.

So here is the newly crowned leader of the Islington Nest. Sylvia had wondered if he would make good on his intentions to overthrow Raymond, and by all accounts it was a bloody affair. As they have all learned from experience, it is no good to overthrow one tyrant and replace them with another, so she has taken a wait-and-see approach to find out whether Jean-Claude's leadership style matches his impeccable manners. So far, the signs are promising.

She'll smile back at him, then, and take this opportunity to hear firsthand about what has been going on. "Jean-Claude. I hear you've had a busy month."

It took a bit of tinkering but Cesare has managed to slide himself into a spot at Sylvia Redbright's dinner table. This is the table where alliances and friendships are formed, where negotiations are made over wine and cooked meats. It was paramount to Cesare that he made the guest list. He didn't quite manage to get the much sought after seat next to the guest of honor, Sylvia herself. Instead, he was stuck between two witches that he found incredibly dull. But he continues his polite conversation and waits until the end of the meal, while everyone is sipping coffee and dessert liqueurs. That's when he slips into the seat next to Sylvia, with a small smile, holding his drink in hand.

"Ms. Redbright. Cesare Borgia, Marquess of Islington. I believe we met in '64, at Fraser's bash."

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The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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reception

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Assembly hall (OTA options!)

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Assembly Hall

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reception area

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Dining Hall! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧