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

[entitles]

"Currently they - and the Night Council - face very little pushback from the groups they malign," he said, "I'd prefer not to be involved in the politics of humans, but I'll not be ordered around."

He crossed his arms, scoffing. "And what's the saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy eyes Balem appraisingly. Her chin tilts up slightly as she considers his words.

"You have something in mind." Friendship, high-five?

[entitles]

"Friend may be too strong a word," he said, because he took a while to warm up to, especially for humans, "But I'll support anything that diminishes Daybreak or Redbright territory, and will offer freedom towards those with similar goals in any place I stake a claim on. As long as the favor is returned, of course."

Because that's business, he doesn't give without taking.

[stauncherhearted]

So, no high-fives. Fair.

"Of course," she said carefully, by way of agreeing. "I don't know if there's going to be a push on our end, but... If you or your allies were to do so... Certainly."

She knows business. Perhaps not as much as he did, but she knew how things worked in this sort of life.

[entitles]

He nodded, "I'm glad we can see eye-to-eye. My aid is not often given."

He says it like even offering to support anyone is the greatest gift they could ever hope to receive.

"I'm not certain of our plans just yet, but keep watch. The Council and their allies grow too confident, and we'll not stand for it for long."

[stauncherhearted]

"I'm honored, then." He seemed so proud of himself, but she knew that was often common amongst the fae. Best to play along. But it was good, to have powerful allies. Especially those who weren't creepy old men.

Nancy nods. "I will, I promise you." A pause. "Your name? I would like to know the name of the man who's given me his aid."

[entitles]

"My true name is not easily given, and those who have it would often rather forget," he said, because he was a granter of wishes and the temptation was strong in some, "But you can call me Cephei, several others know me by that name."

[stauncherhearted]

"I wouldn't expect anything less, Cephei. You can call me Nancy." No middle name. Certainly no last name, though she had no idea what her birth surname was. Truthfully, she just preferred 'Nancy'. But that's not exactly how names worked.

[entitles]

"Then until we meet again, Nancy," he said with a nod, "I do hope you enjoy the feast."

[stauncherhearted]

"Until then," Nancy agreed.