Litha Feast (Open to all court members and human guests, dated for the 21st)

[detectiveofthewest]

The grounds were brightly lit and festooned with decoration: trees covered in sweet-smelling dew, leaves of gold and red, vividly-colored streamers woven with thread finer than spider's silk. All around, the tables were piled high with all the food and wine one might expect of a grand feast. (Apparently, the fae had spared no expense.)

The Seelie King and Queen were present, though distanced from the rest of the revellers -- and quite a few revellers there were. Men and women with petals in their hair, clothes of vibrant silk and satin, and a rainbow of rare feathers and gems. Some looked human, some looked animal. Some, such as in the case of a well-dressed gentleman with skin like birch bark, looked like none of the above.

Comments

Come on Barbie, let's go party (for Stiles)

[detectiveofthewest]

There was one person Heiji immediately thought of when he heard about the party: Stiles.

Considering that Stiles would probably have snuck in anyway, this was the best chance to let him satisfy his curiosity in the context of an actual, (semi-) legitimate reason to be there rubbing elbows with other fae. Sure, he wasn't likely to win the title of Miss Fae Universe, but at least this way, Heiji wouldn't have to worry about one of his fellow members giving Stiles space cancer.

For that reason, he was waiting for Stiles outside his place before the evening festivities started. "Hey, you free today?"

KISS ME HERE TOUCH ME THERE HANKY PANKY

[mensrea]

Miss Fae Universe has his name on it. Just you wait, Heiji. Eat your heart out, Seelie Court.

“Yo,” he greets Heiji, not exactly his bright-eyed and bushy-tailed self; it’s far too early in the day for him to have fully woken up yet. “I guess. What’s up? We gonna kick ghost butt or something?”

this is getting weird with the other thread

[detectiveofthewest]

He laughed. "Not exactly. You ever heard of Litha?"

With the way Stiles was snooping around all the time, he might very well have, which would have made explaining things a bit easier.

$10 that it'll only get weirder

[mensrea]

"Mmmmmaybe?"

That innocent facade would fool exactly no one. Stiles only holds it for a moment or two before waggling his eyebrows with a wide grin. He's definitely heard of it, then.

"Do you know how much pagan superstition is on the Internet about the fae and Litha? It's crazy."

MINGLE (Open to all at the feast)

[detectiveofthewest]

In addition to the fairy feast, it seemed that someone had been providing slightly more pedestrian fare in the form of... takeout? Tonight the menu was apparently Thai, with plastic forks for those of you human heathens that couldn't use chopsticks.

There were also several different kinds of bottled drinks, including those of the alcoholic kind. In fact, there had been a particularly nice bottle of rosé along with that pasta for lunch...

[Because reasons, Heiji has arranged for characters to be provided with food other than fairy food. Note that if your character has refused to eat anything beyond a day or two of fasting, they will have been returned to London. No one wants to watch you wasting away.]

[rules_winter]

Mab wasn't precisely late, but she definitely wasn't early. Finishing a conversation with a pixie perched on her finger, she watched the tiny woman flit away, aurora eyes following it before letting her hand fall to her side. The grass all around her feet had frosted over but the cold clearly did not bother her as she was still barefooted, despite the formality of the dress. She wore a circlet of thorny, blood red roses rested on her head, preserved in ice. Her nod to the Seelie festival, the air around her was noticeably cooler and still she moved to stand in the shade of one of the trees around the clearing. A small, childlike fae appeared at her side and held up an crystal glass with something golden inside. Mab took the proffered drink and let her eyes scan the crowd, settling for a moment on the Seelie King and Queen in the distance.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji was dressed in deep violet and maroon for the occasion, with a golden decorative costume mask over his face. To western eyes, it probably resembled a coyote of some sort.

"Having fun?"

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy knew better than to eat or drink while she was here, even if there was take-out. She knew far more than the average human here, and she was aware of it. Being raised by a fae meant she knew some of the ins-and-outs of their world.

This was why she was here, of course. Year after year she was the designated date of her foster father, the necklace she'd won years before in the contest around her neck. For Fagin, it was a point of pride. Look at the beautiful witch he'd raised, how she'd won the most beautiful. Prove that he still had it. It made her sick. But, she came with him, like it or not. What other opportunities were there to enjoy the other realm, to look around and see what there was to see? Despite the risks, she knew better than to say no to Fagin's invitation.

Bidding the old man a brief adieu, his hand encircling her wrist until she gave him a chaste air-kiss, she made excuses to wander away from him.

[acrookedchild]

Another Fae-raised witch was among those gathered. Unlike Nancy, however, she had no prior exposure to this feast or her guardian to stand beside her. Instead, she stood demurely beside a brash, young (for a fae) knight of the court who had thought it great sport to kidnap the girl. From what he'd said -- talking to her over what had felt like a mere hour or two -- she reminded him of some lost love over whom he'd duelled with a mortal prince. It was a charming story, but Abigail knew enough about the fae to know that their affections were fickle. So, she smiled when he looked at her, never strayed too far, and politely refused the honeyed wine he offered.

He and a woman close to him (whether she was his wife, sister, daughter, or lover was difficult, as he spoke fondly and familiarly but with lines blurred from a lack of proper knowledge about her surroundings and 'host' had dressed her in pale blues and an outfit that looked like it had come out of a Renaissance painting. Or perhaps the dress had been inspired by one. When her escort was distracted, Abigail stepped briefly away from him to approach the girl she hadn't yet met.

"You look a lot more comfortable than I do," she said, trying to smile. "Have you been here before? In the Other Realm?"

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji was dressed in formal robes of violet and maroon; he was wearing a pale yellow fox's mask over his face that in practice probably bore greater resemblance to a coyote. Eh.

He'd thought he might run into a few familiar faces at the party. He was not, however, expecting to see --

"Nancy?" Whoops. The name was out of his mouth before he could stop himself. There was a chance she might not recognize him, though. I mean... there was always a chance.

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi had lost her fae-sponsor as quickly as she could manage. They told her she was free to wander around as she pleased, so long as she didn't leave and gave her a bracelet that would probably do something horrible to her if she tried to leave or take it off.

Kenzi wouldn't chance it and is instead, trying to work on a way to make friends while not getting attention either. It's a very delicate balance.

She's about to go running back to the pseudo-bar when she sees probably the best thing she's seen in days. God, she missed Nancy. Kenzi sidles up to her easily, threading her arm through hers and smiling as fake as she can before dropping it and saying, with no small amount of distaste.

"This party is lame."

I missed you.

[entitles]

A human with a fae who didn't seem to have been kidnapped. How interesting. Interesting enough for him to wander over when she stepped away from fagin.

"Enjoying the feast?" he said, although he had clearly noticed her refusal to actually eat anything.

[acrookedchild]

Abigail was attended to by a youth of the Seelie Court, though she knew his age was, at best, difficult to determine. He spoke like he might have been around humans last in the Victorian age. But he also had mannerisms she'd only really seen in poetry and stories from the Age of Chivalry. Still, he sought to gain further influence (standing as a knight in the court right now) with his king by bringing a 'guest' to the feast.

He brought her wine and bits of food, though she ate or drank none of it. She never refused it, however, and she had secured a promise that she would be unharmed and taken safely back to her home. For those reasons, she was a little at ease. Hungry and thirsty with all the good things around her but overly cautious because of her upbringing by Unthank. Still, she would remember the name the fae gentleman had given her. Whether or not his true name was Culann, son of Conchobhar, she'd find out later, should she attempt her summoning. It seemed a fair price to ask.

At times, she did lessen her guard enough to be pulled into group dances, especially around noon and sundown, keenly aware, though it felt like almost no time had passed since she was properly home, that Midsummer was close at hand. That this festival was Midsummer in the mortal realm. Whether dancing or socialising or forcing herself not to eat from the delicacies offered, Abigail kept, at the very least, a polite smile on her features so as not to offend her hosts.

[rules_winter]

Mab had honestly not expected this child to have been caught. Nor to be so mild and calm in a place where she was in danger. It was lively enough that Mab could make her way over without drawing too much attention. The first brush of cool air would hit Abigail when she was about three meters away. Mab stepped up beside Abigail, and gazed out at the revelry. Now she looked nothing like the business woman she had portrayed before. There was no hiding the unearthliness of her, with long hair down, color shifting eyes with cat's pupils among the most noticeable of her fae features.

"Now this is not a place I expected to see thee again, mortal." Her voice was calm, almost amused. "Tell me, how didst thee fare with thine lawkeepers?"

[vengefulyears]

Clive was among the group of stubborn humans who refused to eat or drink a single thing at this party, even when his "date" had offered to fetch him anything he wanted. The seemingly youthful Seelie woman, who was about a head taller than him and had an arm linked with Clive's, didn't seem to understand why someone might be upset about being whisked away to a party in the fucking Other Realm without even being asked if they wanted to attend. However, Clive knew better than to act up while he was in the presence of so many other fae, not to mention the Seelie King and Queen, so he acted like he was totally okay with all of this even though he really wasn't. He didn't want to be a part of this dumb beauty contest; Clive already knew he was hot, he didn't need some stupid fae to tell him that. At least she had promised to take him straight home as soon as the party was over, and he knew that fae couldn't lie, so he could trust her to keep her word.

Even though he wasn't happy to be here, he had to admit that the grounds were quite beautiful. Promising his date that he would meet up with her again once it was time for the ceremony, Clive slipped out of her grasp and set off to wander the party on his own, heading towards the outer edges of the crowd so he could find a place to just chill out, people watch, and enjoy the scenery around him. He was in no mood for proper party-going, though he wasn't opposed to chatting up any fellow humans who also seemed unoccupied. And if a fae approached him for a conversation or a dance, well, he'd go along with it anyway out of pure social obligation.

[detectiveofthewest]

There was a rather large six-tailed fox at the edge of the crowd, looking over at the party, which was probably why it didn't notice when Clive bumped into it. Its fur was soft and black and it was easily taller than Clive. It turned its head toward Clive and...

Goddammit. What was Clive doing here? Sure, he was hot, but what were the chances of another fae noticing Clive and bringing him here? He hadn't wanted to get Clive involved in this.

"Pardon me," he said. Fortunately, in this form, his voice was deeper than it was when he was human.

[falsify]

Eames himself also needed a bit of a break, more from a particular pixie who was far too curious and far too bad at hiding it than the party itself. Treading the outskirts of the crowds, it was easy to spot Clive. A human unattended, looking none to pleased to be here. An unwilling participant in the contest, no doubt.

He sidled over, looking out over the room with a slight edge of distaste in his expression, and leaned a little to speak to him.

"I've heard it's a bad idea for humans to be on their own at this kind of thing."

[falsify]

Eames has never been one to bother with festivities - something about all the pomp and splendour just doesn't quite fit him. It shows in his dress - a gorgeous suit; black with gold pinstripes and a snowdrop broach adorned on his lapel (it's a flower, okay) - but it's very much that. A suit. But hey, it's tailored perfectly.

It doesn't show in his manner, however. He mingles with an easy grace, sharing surprisingly positive conversation with those around - some he knows, some he doesn't. Laughing and smiling as if many of the assembled wouldn't happily tear eachother apart were the nature of the event any different. It's interesting to see the Seelie at the height of festivity, however. 600 years and he's never crashed a Seelie party, what would his friends say if they knew?

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy had been brought by an Unseelie, though she knew that Fagin liked to play both sides as much as he could. She knew that, besides that, her position as a human wandering around without her escort was a little touchy. But it was so much better to ditch Fagin than watch him try to paw over her all night. No thaaaank you.

She's in a seafoam green dress that sweeps the floor, her hair left down and wavy, though she'd managed to braid something of a crown into her hair using said hair and some white flower. The result was etherial, as it should have been, for such a place like this. But everyone seems to be dressed well- especially-

"Alright, now you I recognize." She approaches Eames smirking.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Nice suit," said a rather large black-furred fox. Someone had stuck a flower in its fur, just about its shoulder.

"Glad to see some of the Unseelie turned out." But it was only appropriate, wasn't it? A hint of what was to come in the months ahead. The waning of Seelie power as the winter months drew nearer, then the reverse all over again.

[kleptofaeniac]

Kenzi, for once, does not look like she's having a good time. True she's smiling and mingling the right way, and she's done up just so - apparently the fae have this thing for 'natural' beauty.

Of course, natural had a whole different meaning when you could look like a walking tree.
Instead of Kenzi's usual thick-eyeliner, fake eyelashes and the best foundation money could buy, she looks like she's not wearing anything. It's that whole airbrushed look that some guys think is 'no makeup'. For once her hair is her typical, non-working black and it's curly.

They confiscated her hair straightening charm. She's become so used to just slipping that on instead of getting out the hair straightener and she hates it. When your natural hair could pass for an 80's perm, there's something wrong.

The sooner she can get it out of her face, the better.

The fae sponsoring her had told her to be seen, not heard because: "Pretty face, but that mouth is liable to get you into trouble."

So far, Kenzi has been disinclined to argue that order. Mostly because she doesn't want to get in trouble with whoever the hell it was who made her do this. She doesn't even know what she's wearing at this point either, but the dress looks like it's just paint falling down her body. She's working on figuring out how to keep it. Maybe she can swindle it away if she wins.

She's also trying to figure out how to get away with not eating. Those bottles of alcohol look pretty unopened, though. And Kenzi is nothing if not a consummate alcoholic. She might have been doing pretty well the whole night until now, but with a nice bottle of wine - all bets are off.

[acrookedchild]

"Fairy wine is worse than fairy food," comes a voice at her side, along with a gentle touch to her arm. Nothing to hold her, just to offer a bit of caution, and it pulls away almost as quickly.

From the back, Abigail hadn't recognised her, only seen the bracelet that marked her as a mortal player in this game of the fae. Which was why she was keen to stop her from drinking. Even if it smelled divine when it was poured. She'd been here for what seemed to be half a day or so. Hunger was starting to set in. But it had to be resisted.

[rules_winter]

A cool breeze precedes the unseelie as she stops next to Kenzi, noting the intent look at the bottles of unopened wine. The girl is pretty, hair a riot around her face, dress making her look younger than she likely is. The air of pouting is about her though her expression is carefully controlled.

"I am given to understand that the bottles of human drinks are safe for consumption." She offered, reaching a hand out and lifting one of the bottles with barely a glance at the label. "No obligation." Her look is slightly disapproving, "The Seelie who told me is remarkably uncomplicated in his dealings and honest in deed as well as word from what I have seen of him so far." She offered the bottle to the girl, and from her fingers, frost creeped down the outside as though she was chilling it right there in her hand.

CONTEST RESULTS (Placeholder for now, please don't comment yet!)

[detectiveofthewest]

As the evening continued, a spritely fellow with hair like golden leaves leapt up on a table strewn with fruits and flowers. "Lords and ladies, your attention please! The hour has come to announce our most honored guests!"

"First, the Summer Prince: Wait, is this a joke? What kind of name is... er --

STILES STILINSKI!"

A pair of young girls, all smiles, came forward with a crown of oak leaves that glittered in the starlight as if brushed with diamond dust. All around the new prince, the strange collection of supernatural beings clapped and cheered, raising toasts to the glory of summer, the sun, the king and queen... and of course, the fairest dude in all of London somehow.

DEPARTURE (for the victors)

[detectiveofthewest]

When the applause and attention had died down a bit, a large black fox with six tails approached the victors. "I'm here to take you back," he said. "Whenever you're ready."