The Underground Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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undergrounds2017-02-02 11:07 pm
undergroundmods) wrote in undergrounds2017-02-02 11:07 pm
Imbolc
The festival of Imbolc marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. It may not seem like it, but the days are getting longer and winter's grip is beginning to thaw. What better time to celebrate new beginnings and make a fresh start?
That's exactly what the witch community is doing, as Samantha Okeke takes her place as the newly anointed Mother of Witches. The event is being held at the Redbright Institute, courtesy of Sylvia Redbright the previous Mother, and will take place entirely outside. Carefully placed warming spells ensure that the air temperature in the grounds is comfortable rather than freezing.
The event begins at 5pm (after sunset at 16.52) and finishes at 8pm.
Order of Events
5pm-5.30pm: Flowers and Candles
The first half hour allows time for guests to arrive and mingle. The main area where guests will arrive first is the lawn and pavilion. Here there are two stalls selling a variety of early spring flowers and candles. A third stall is selling hot drinks where you can buy tea, coffee or brandy, a fourth is selling a variety of fruitcakes, cupcakes and seed cakes, and a fifth is doing excellent business selling plant pots filled with earth blessed by the new Mother of Witches and a variety of plant seeds. A sign on the stalls proclaims that all proceedings will be used to fund a new centre for magical innovation, sponsored by the Mother of Witches.
At the pavilion there is an altar where guests are encouraged to light their candles, lay down their flowers and wish for good health in the year ahead. It is also traditional for young witches to wear flower garlands, so expect to see a lot of flowers around in general.
5.30-6.15pm: The Mother of Witches
At around 5.30pm there will be a ceremony where Sylvia will officially pass on her crown as Mother of Witches to Samantha. Guests will be ushered through to the quad to witness the ceremony. A podium has been set up in the middle of the quad where Sylvia will wait for Samantha to arrive on a raised chair carried by four male witches. Wearing a white dress with gold lace trimming, Samantha represents the purity and fertility of the upcoming spring.
It's then time for Sylvia to symbolically hand over her power by giving Samantha her wand and setting a crown of jasmine flowers on her head. The final act is for Samantha to light the candles that have been placed around the podium, a symbol of new beginnings.
She will then give a speech, addressed to the witches of course, but she is aware that there are others in the crowd who will be interested in what she has to say.
6.15-7.15pm: Offerings
Samantha will be sitting on the raised chair which has now been set down on the podium, flanked by the four male witches. A small white cat sits in her lap. Now is the opportunity for all guests to bring gifts and offerings for the newly anointed Mother of Witches. Every coven will nominate a representative to present a gift and say a few words. It would be courteous for guests from other factions to do the same, though not everyone will.
In the meantime, the gardens are open for guests to wander around with fairy lights strategically placed to help guests find their way.
7.15-8pm: Mingling
The remainder of the event is open for guests to mingle as they please, with the quad, front lawn and gardens all open. The stalls will be selling food, drink and other wares right through to the end of the evening.
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She's already said that last part in her speech earlier, if more eloquently, so this won't be news to anyone. She takes a sip of her coffee. It's mocha.
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"Congratulations," he says with a smile, tone a little apologetic as he continues, "unfortunately it's politics I wanted to discuss with you. It's important to know where we stand with the new Mother, you understand."
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"Oh." Her eyes widen. "You do politics? That's really sweet. Let me ask you a question. Would you like to stand with us?"
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"That all depends, doesn't it? By 'with you', do you mean like your feline friend?"
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Still a magical bond, but that doesn't mean it isn't genuine. Fae have been known to offer their loyalty willingly. Samantha has personally never seen it happen but she's going to make the offer. Then when he rejects it he'll only have himself to blame.
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"Trust is earned," he says, skirting the issue of 'bonds' altogether. He's fairly certain what she means, but a confirmation or having her lie to his face would do nothing for his mood.
No, he'll ignore that. Shaking his head as he continues, "forgive me, but your circle has done extremely little to make us trust you."
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Her eyes are shining with excitement. She has this big grand vision and she can't wait to get started. Eames and the rest of the fae can either get with it or go home.
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He says it with much the same weight and tone as if he'd just given her an apology. "I'd like to think we could get along, but that's something I can only commit to with time."
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"Don't worry, I completely get it. I don't put out on a first date either. But you should know that my work starts today. So have a think about it, get back to me, and we'll get things started. Just don't take too long. I'm not one to be kept left hanging."
If she could score a fae like Eames as her familiar, that would be a huge benefit for her. But she'll settle for lesser fae too. As long as they know their place.
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He sincerely doubts it, but whatever. Eames backs up a little, intending to head back out to the other guests. The sooner he can get out of her presence, the better. There's some things he needs to think about after this.
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She gives him a big smile, then a final nod goodbye before turning to leave. She's looking forward to hearing a positive response.