The Mother of Witches retires tonight

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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.]

Comments

[brightwitch]

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.)

reception

[stauncherhearted]

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.

[brightwitch]

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.

[stauncherhearted]

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.

[brightwitch]

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.

[stauncherhearted]

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.

reception area

[baisant]

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.

[brightwitch]

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."

[baisant]

Jean-Claude smiles amicably in return to the comment and inclines his head at her in turn. "I have," he replies in turn. "It is not easy, rebuilding. From where we were. From what he had left us with. But it is not the first time we have had to do so." Nor will it be the last, he is sure. But he's hoping that whenever the nest next passes hands, it will be under more peaceable circumstances.

"If I am to have anywhere near a successful career as you have yourself, madame, then I will consider myself accomplished," he continues. He is leading into his politics, but it is good to start with niceties. This is her retirement party, after all.

[brightwitch]

Her smile broadens. "Flatterer. Thank you."

Yes, she appreciates the compliment. Of course it's been nothing but compliments all evening, but this is a special occasion. She may as well enjoy it.

"I'm sure you know this already," she goes on, "but we are all glad to see the regime change in Islington. It's certainly lightened up this party."

The vampire problem had been a cloud hanging over their heads for months, stretching the Night Council's resources, creating an atmosphere of fear and hostility. She might not know for sure what kind of leader Jean-Claude will be yet, but at least they can hope. That's a relief.

[baisant]

Jean-Claude smiles indulgently at her in turn, nodding slightly as he does.

"You are not the only one glad to see the change in regime, I am sure," he replies. "Though I thank you for the words of support. I was hoping that I might get the chance to speak to you about that. If you will indulge me for a moment?" He inclines his head at her, the movement almost apologetic for requesting, but she's been a busy woman, of late. And he's been a busy vampire, in turn.

Dining Hall! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

[longterm]

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."

[brightwitch]

"Ah," says Sylvia, perhaps a little more relaxed and merry than she had been at the start of this dinner. The entire event has been nothing but praise for her, though she's trying not to let that go to her head as well. She doesn't know Cesare but he wouldn't have been invited if he wasn't a person of some importance. "I was only a child at the time, you'll have to forgive me if I don't remember."

...Borgia. Hang on. The name clicks in her head and she stares at him for a moment, caught between disbelief and amusement.

"Wait, did you say Cesare Borgia? As in, Machiavelli's Prince?"

Jesus Christ. Well, not quite that impressive, but still. Surely not.

[longterm]

Oh. Ok. So she knows more about him than he thought. Perhaps too much. The Prince had been a double edged sword for him, one that applauded his political ingenuity but also his flexible morals. While he objects to very little in The Prince, he seen others in the past who have. He thought, now that enough years had passed, that he was past this. It seems not. He hopes it doesn't shoot him in the foot.

"Not for a long time," he replies with a smile. "A lot has changed since then."

[brightwitch]

Sylvia knows her history well enough to at least have heard of him and to make the association with Machiavelli, which of course comes with its own connotations. She can do more thorough research later but that will only tell her about Cesare's life. If he is who he says he is, he's been a vampire for several centuries.

"I imagine that's an understatement." Five centuries? Something like that. She sips her coffee. "So what brought you to London?"

[longterm]

Cesare can't quite tell whether her knowledge of his past has skewered him or not. He squints slightly, barely noticeable as he considers it, but persists anyway, shrugging it off and smirking, taking a sip of his drink.

"When you're as old as I am, every city calls you to it eventually. Though I must admit, London has a tendency to keep drawing me back to it. The culture is exceptional and it has the traditions, but it isn't so stuck in them that it won't adapt. I respect that."

Assembly Hall

[emotioneater]

Cooper approaches, looking relatively decent, if a little bit rough in a leather jacket. At least there are no holes in his jeans or sleeves cut off of his shirt. He actually looks like a serious member of the Nest. He's had nothing to drink and only a little to eat. After all, tonight is about business.

"Congratulations on sixty years, Ms Redbright," Cooper says, turning on the easy sort of charm he usually reserves for when he's in the company of a pretty girl.

[brightwitch]

He looks like one of her students who accidentally wandered into the party to Sylvia. She squints a little as he approaches, sure that she's met him before. But not in class. Somewhere else...

She inclines her head in acknowledgement. "Thank you."

[emotioneater]

"My name's Cooper. I'm a Marquess." He wouldn't insult her intelligence by explaining just what that meant. Sylvia Redbright knew exactly what the ranks of vampires were in the Nest.

"I was hoping t'approach you about a matter I've been considerin' for some time now." He paused, waiting to see what her reaction would be. Maybe this hadn't been the best moment to talk to her about possible vampire representation on the Night Council, but at least this way she would be mostly courteous. He couldn't be sure of how the Council would react if he approached them just on his own.

[brightwitch]

Yes, she knows what it means. So he's a vampire, which in Sylvia's book means trouble. She wonders whether he supported Raymond. He must have switched allegiances now or he wouldn't be here, but still...

(He looks ridiculously young to hold such a high-ranking position, she thinks, but with vampires in particular appearances are always deceiving.)

"I see," she says, a little cool. "It's a pleasure, Marquess. What can I do for you?"

[emotioneater]

Cooper continues on, his smile a little more forced now, but he wants to make it seem like it doesn't matter much what she decides one way or the other. In truth, it matters very much to the vampire. "Well, I won't waste your time by bandying words about. The long 'n the short of the matter is this. Raymond was foolish enough t'lose his seat on the Night Council 'n we all saw how that turned out. There's cooler heads running the Nest now 'n most of his allies are dead or driven out. With a new leader, I was thinkin' it might be time to approach you about getting that seat back."

He knows she probably won't be happy about that idea, but the most she can say in such a public forum is no. Behind closed doors, it would be a different story.

dining hall, ish!

[knightscode]

Lancelot has been a police officer long enough to know how to keep a careful, discretionary eye on someone without being constantly underfoot. As a result, he keeps himself always a few paces away from her (which, at his speed, is still a good distance) and tries to keep a a track on her movements without being overt. He's dressed about as formally as he can manage, a dark grey suit and lighter grey shirt (with the top button undone, because it makes him feel itchy) -- blue tie a little loose but still done up. He looks tidy enough to pass, and he's largely had little to do in an official capacity beyond carefully and discreetly moving on a couple of drunk Redbright students who crossed the line into irritating and disruptive.

Sylvia may be celebrating retirement, but Lancelot knows well enough that this is only retirement from one of her many roles within the community. She has plenty of disgruntled people who would happily make sure she retires from every position she holds permanently.

When it's about time to move on Lancelot weaves his way through the crowd to her and lowers his voice to inform her of the time, begins to subtly make a path for her through to the dining room so she can escape. The dining hall itself is much quieter, and as he holds open the door he offers her a lopsided smile.

"I'd ask if you think you'll miss this," he says softly, letting someone else take the door once she's through, "but I suppose you'll just be attending the same events with one less title now."

She'll still be Chancellor of Redbright, after all, and President of the Night Council. He imagines those are enough to encompass most of the things you can be invited to for being important.

[brightwitch]

"It'll save time when they announce my name," she jokes, glancing back over her shoulder as she walks through into the dining hall. "I might even have to find a hobby."

Of course he's right. Somehow she doesn't think she's going to find herself sitting around with nothing to do just because she's no longer Mother of Witches. She has plenty of other work and honestly she's glad of it. Sylvia isn't the type to sit back and relax. She's used to wielding power and the responsibility that comes with it.

The head of the table is saved for Sylvia and so she makes her way over to it. The other guests are beginning to trickle in too.

"Here," she says, patting the seat next to her. It seems only fitting for Lancelot to be her right hand man.

[knightscode]

He nods acceptance, slips into the seat beside her and glances up and down the table to try and gauge who else is sitting where. Its a subtle sort of thing, but where people group tends to be important. People who agree with one another tend to bunch up together so they can gossip about the proceedings.

"I've not been here long enough to see many official handovers," he begins. He's only witnessed the one, Abigail, and that one was a little... well. Not quite the norm, he suspects. "I know there are normally... visions, involved. To help choose a successor."

Can she talk about that kind of thing? He isn't sure, but Lancelot is quietly concerned. Daybreak has already begun to show cracks, with ousting Abigail. With the problem of Norrell. It isn't as strong as it was. Sylvia has been an integral part of it for a long time. Whoever takes over has the potential to either fix things or make them a great deal worse.

[brightwitch]

"Well, we're not handing anything over tonight," she answers, "so you don't have to worry about me keeling over at the table. Between you and me, I'm not one for visions. Too vague. I like clarity." The nonsense with Abigail only proved her views on that. A waiter comes over to ask what sort of wine she'd prefer, distracting Sylvia for a moment. "White, please. Thank you."

While they've been talking, Peter Vrinak has taken a seat on Sylvia's left side. Alexandrie, the school Dean and one of Sylvia's oldest colleagues, is next to him, while Lancelot will have the pleasure of Nora Shannon, the Witch Representative, sitting beside him. Once upon a time at events like these, Dee would have taken a seat much closer to Sylvia. She is after all a High Priestess. But not tonight: she's further up the table.