undergroundmods: (Default)
The Underground Mods ([personal profile] undergroundmods) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2016-12-04 10:53 pm

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.]
excrucior: (Leer ☠ I'm not OK and it's not all right)

[personal profile] excrucior 2017-01-26 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"As such peaceful transitions of power usually go," Micheletto scoffs, his mind drawing parallels to their time, when assassination was the easiest way to gain land, gain the throne, gain the papacy...

"But it seems, despite the unfortunate departure of Mister Harris, things are going well for you."
longterm: (4 copy)

[personal profile] longterm 2017-01-28 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Cesare shrugs.

"Not as well as I would hope. I got this position through...persuasion. That has never been my forte." He had earned his position by trading for it with his support for Jean-Claude. It's...weak. He knows it is. He doesn't like it.

"That has always been my sister's skillset, not my own." He's more of a take what he wants kinda guy. If only he could do that right now.
excrucior: (Assure ☠ Getting harder to hold up)

[personal profile] excrucior 2017-01-29 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Our way never was persuasion," Micheletto agrees, this time taking his scotch more in sips than all at once. A clear head is still needed right now, if anything can help save this situation he's found himself in.

But with his attention fixed on Cesare, it is almost required of Micheletto to pour Cesare another drink when his glass grows empty.

"You have been in such positions before. Positions granted to you by those with more power. And you have found a way to make it your own way, regardless. That is the one thing I most admire about you." He sets the bottle back down, going back to sipping his drink.
longterm: (Default)

[personal profile] longterm 2017-01-29 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Cesare rolls his eyes and pulls a wry smile just before taking another swig of the drink that Micheletto has poured for him.

"You mean it's not my charming personality?" It's a joke. Not exactly a good one. He leans in a little.

"I would have this fixed by the time the year is up," he says seriously. It's a bit odd, his use of "fixed". It implies that something' broken, but for him it is. He's caught in a position he doesn't like, one where he doesn't have enough swing and weight. He would like to correct that and he'll need Micheletto to help him do it.
excrucior: (Cesare ☠ Who will fix me now?)

[personal profile] excrucior 2017-01-31 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps a bit of that, too, sire," he answers truthfully. Micheletto leans in, too, out of instinct, and listens very carefully to Cesare's words.

"And I would follow orders, if you'll give them. I believe the masterless dog finds himself in want of a master once again."