Season Turning Festival

[graveyounglady]

season turning festival

winter turns to spring

The Oval Playground, just south of the Old Bridge Street Burying Ground had seemed the perfect place to set up for the Winter to Spring Turning Festival that this get-together has become. It's a grander affair than Mercy had first envisioned, but she's glad for the shift given Rue's help. The air is brisk, the day clear, and colorful tents have been erected on the open green up against the northern edge of the park… not terribly far from the graveyard, if one were to hop a fence. It's no grand city festival, but there are more than a few activities and foodstuffs to catch the eye of those who might deign to drop in for the fun.

Everyone who does stop by will be immediately directed to a table where winter-themed flower crowns can be picked up. Each one is unique and there seem to be enough crowns for any who might want them.

A photo area has been set up with a tasteful background and a variety of Seasonal Props (and just cute or interesting things Mercy and Rue have come across) one may wear or hold: cornucopias, bouquets of flowers, heart pillows, a skull with antlers, and all other manner of odds and ends that seem seasonal to winter or the coming spring. Some of them are a bit more macabre than others.

There is food and drink aplenty to be found within the tents. Nothing excessively grand (or too alcoholic), but set out in a very pleasing array with a chocolate fountain at the heart of the display. A variety of unique and wintry centerpieces are dotted about to add some additional flair.

There are also sign-ups for a Blanket-wrapped Race and Campball with promised prizes for the winners. These come along with another sign-up for a Fashion Show to be judged by Rue and Mercy at the end of the afternoon's festivities. Wear your seasonal best to the festival or step into the Fashion Tent where you'll find an offering of clothes and accessories to help pull your winning design together!

sampling the season

celebration in style

Introduction
Mercy isn't usually nervous about giving speeches. She's spoken to all kinds of people for her work both as an undertaker and as a healer… even as a rebel, after a fashion. But this is particularly important, sharing something with others that's part of her homeland, something that's not technically her right to do. She adjusts the flower crown atop her head, steps up onto a makeshift little platform, and raises her hands for attention.

"Thank you, kindly, friends, for coming out. Me'n- The Honorable Rue and I have been working to put together a little shindig we thought folk might enjoy, something to liven the spirits while we're coming out of this long stretch of dark and cold. Where I'm from, Evergreen Abbey, we got a tradition of celebrating the changing of the seasons. Spring to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, and winter again into spring. The world is cycles. A deep breath in and another out as the earth, hisself, breathes.

"With a season turning comes a naming. We honor the time we've spent with the past and present even while we look to the future. It's the right of the Abbot or Abbess of Evergreen to name the season, but seeing as we ain't got one of them on hand…" She manages a crooked grin. "I name this the Winter of Kindled Flames. Whether that's warmth in fire or in friendships, both'll see us through to what's ahead." She looks to Rue and steps aside in case the owlbear would like to say their own words.

Of course crowned in their own set of vibrant flowers, Rue’s glamoured countenance beams down at Mercy before they turn their charming smile on the crowd. They wave an arm out - and for any familiar with Rue’s true form, it would be easy enough to imagine the grand flourish their feathery wing would make - directing the attention to them. “My friends, we only ask that you open yourselves up to the true beauty of the changing seasons. It must be said, that although the aim of this festival is to bring some lighthearted reprieve into our lives, it would not behoove of us to simply ignore the fear we have all been faced with as well. But as a wise woman once spoke -” And though it’s quite subtle, Mercy would feel a gentle, feathery paw at her elbow. “‘Fear falls when it's faced with bonds it can not break.’ So please, we welcome you to enjoy the grand festivities planned, while you engage with friends, both old and new.”

I. Flower Crowns and Photographs
A table is set up and regularly replenished with a variety of unique flower crowns that seem to have been handmade. Each is different, featuring little touches of interest here and there, whether in an unusual color combination or arrangement. There are even some supplies in a nearby box and some basic instructions laid out should one want to fashion their own flower crown or add to an existing one. A small sign accompanies the table of crowns, written in Mercy's neat and very old-fashioned looking handwriting:

We weave the world together
And place each blossom bright
To find ourselves the vigor
To carry on our fight
And with each crown we place
Our hearts alight with yearning
We name ourselves the vessels
For joy and season's turning

- Mercy Summermist, Hero of Evergreen Abbey

Not far beyond the flower crown station is a photo point. This place seems to have been set up specifically to provide an excellent opportunity for any person (or persons) to pose for a picture. There are rich cloths draped artfully over some branches of a tree and little lanterns and faerie lights that twinkle in the shade. There are a few logs and stumps that have been rolled over to provide seating or something to stand on for those who might wish to be a bit taller than usual. Off to one side of the photo area, there is a cardboard box filled with all manner of eclectic items. Some of them are sensible and seasonal. Others are just a bit odd. You might be surprised what you find in that box to join you in your photo. The stranger things undoubtedly came from a certain gravedigger, but it's best not to ask where she might have acquired them.

II. Food, Mingling, and a Grave Path
Tables have been set up in some of the tents and out on the green of the park that sport an assortment of foods and beverages. They're mostly the standard platters of fruits, cheeses, veggies, and meats one might be able to purchase at the local grocery store, but they've been arranged on nicer plates. There's one table set up as the central and most prominent display. In the center is a chocolate fountain and assorted dipping items. There are also whimsical candies here from the newest shop in Gloucester that's making an invertebrate splash!

In addition to the tables for food, there are little seating areas that are a combination of chairs and whatever else could be found at Bonnie's and on short notice to serve as seating. These more… eclectic sitting locations are covered by comfy-looking blankets and set up around small fire pits where they're available. Enjoy a plate filled with food or a big cup of hot chocolate or coffee from a nearby drinks station.

For those who are less keen on mingling with others or who just need a moment to themselves, there is a gate leading out of the park to the north and directly into the copse of trees that surround the Old Bridge Street Burying Ground. The graves here date back to the 1700s and some of them look… strangely fresh considering their headstones. Has something been digging here? Have zombies been clawing their way from the earth, itself? Who can really say? There does seem to be a pattern to the graves with turned earth. They appear to be the grandest and most well-preserved headstones in the yard. What curious times we live in!

III. Campball Lessons
"Campball's the easiest thing you ever played," Mercy tells those assembled on the pitch. She has a soccer ball in hand as the closest equivalent to a campball that she could find. "No touching the ball with your hands." She drops the ball down and dribbles it briefly between her feet. "But anything else goes so long as you ain't drawing blood or breaking bones." Her enthusiastic grin might be just a bit too much for the faint of heart. "We got goals set up on either end of the pitch. You can take turns kicking and guarding to start, then move on to running the pitch with the ball. Got some cones set up for you there. Practicing stealing the ball from each other'll be next. Don't be afraid to get a little rough. Or getting sneaky. I seen one team win a match using tricks to keep the other team guessing where the ball actually was."

"The first team to score 5 points is the winner, and we'll take breaks every 20 minutes. We'll try to make the teams even on numbers, and I'll be watching off to the side while you do drills so's we can even the skill out, too."

Those assembled will be unleashed upon the practice pitch in pairs to test their mettle. Occasional encouraging words will be thrown out over the course of the 30-minute practice before everyone is dismissed for refreshments and preparation for the battle game to come. Perhaps you've been lured by the game itself or some curiosity. Perhaps you've been lured by the promise of a free, tailored outfit for each member of the winning team. Either way, there's practice to get to and a campball championship title to be won!

((OOC: Sign-ups for the campball teams are below. Terri will RNG the winning team on March 1st.))

IV. Blanket-wrapped Race Strategizing
The Blanket-wrapped Race is a curious sort of affair. People are asked to pair up in teams of two, one to wrap their partner in the blanket and the other hop, waddle, or roll their way to victory while cocooned. The blankets provided come in a range of sizes to accommodate competitors of different builds, but they're all thick and stiff. There are colorful bungee cords available, as well, a nod to these modern times. Mercy would usually use standard rope, but she doesn't want to make anyone suffer having to figure out knots on the fly.

Instructions are provided that the one being wrapped must have the blanket bungeed to them at the ankles, waist, and shoulders, at a minimum. They'll be checked before they're let off the starting line. Once on the move, the pitch isn't the longest in the world, but to someone wrapped in a blanket, it might seem quite the distance… especially considering the hazards laid out before them. There are down tree branches, patches of ball bearings, and well-hidden trip-wires.

Attentive partners to the blanket-wrapped will run ahead of them to warn of hazards or maybe even move them into the way of competitors who might be behind or ahead of their racing companion. Work with your companion to test different wraps and strategize for your run down the track before the starting bell.

((OOC: Sign-ups for the Blanket-wrapped Race are below. Terri will RNG the winning pair on March 1st.))

V. Fashion Show Prep
“Now remember,” Rue is thrilled to remind those eager to participate in the festival’s impromptu fashion show. “Half of a fashionable presentation is simply being confident. Whatever you end up wearing, as long as you feel most glamorous, you’re certain to leave the judges panel in absolute awe. But having said that, sticking to the seasonal theme will certainly net you a few bonus points in the final tally.”

Those wanting to participate are welcome to use from their own collection or to peruse the clothing racks provided in the changing tents. There’s a little something for everyone in every shape and size, Rue has made certain of that, so no non-humans should be feeling left out if they want their chance to strut down the improvised runway.

The esteemed panel - Mercy Graves, Delloso de la Rue, and Neal Caffery - will be sitting on as the judges this afternoon, each scoring every participant separately only for Rue to round up all of the points at the end of the festivities. Come and show off your own special brand of fashion, dance your way down the catwalk, or maybe come give a friend a hand in the hopes they’ll walk away with the top prize of the evening.

((OOC: Sign-ups for the Fashion Show are below. Mey will RNG the winning pair on March 1st.))

♡

Comments

Malcolm Bright; OTA

[abrightboy]

Food & Mingling

Malcolm is looking better than he has in a while and certainly more lively than he has been since the death of George Milton. He's wearing a brand new ring on his ring finger, a glint of diamond and emerald as he moves his left hand. At the food tent, he nibbles on a sugar cookie before picking up a grape and trying to dip it in the chocolate fountain, eyes going wide as it falls off the toothpick into the fountain. He peers at the murky chocolate trying to figure out how to fish it out without contaminating the fountain. He might have to set down his cookie.

Blanket Wrapped Race

Malcolm and Neal can be found preparing for the blanketwrap race and then competing in it.

Fashion Show

He has to support Rue. They dressed Neal's proposal and will probably be dressing their wedding. He sits eagerly near the stage, waiting for the event to start, and not only because it's nearby the judge's table, where Neal is sitting as a judge.

chocolate fountain

[conning]

Neal walks up behind him as he's inspecting the chocolate, carefully setting a flower crown woven from red roses, forget-me-nots, and little splashes of baby's breath. ...He might have made this one himself.

He's wearing one that he chose off the table, a mix of flowers in various shades of blue that bring out the glacial shades in his eyes.

"Thinking of taking a dip?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm glances around and then looks at Neal with a wince.

“I dropped a grape in it,” he whispers.

[conning]

I lost a couple of key words in that last tag that indicated Neal delicately placed the crown on Malcolm’s head, so he does it in this tag instead as Malcolm turns to look at him.

There might be a bit of fussing with it to make sure it sits at the most attractive angle, the shades bringing out the subtle reds in Malcolm’s suit and the blue of his own eyes as well. Neal leans in to kiss him. “I would suggest either a spoon, a fork, or a new grape.”

[abrightboy]

It’s hard to stay ashamed of your fruit etiquette when someone is lovingly crowning you with flowers and being so sweet. When the kiss breaks, he looks up into his eyes like the answer is hidden there.

“…It’s not going to mess anything up sitting in there?”

[conning]

“I guarantee you, even if your grape is the first shipwreck of the day it’s not going to be the last.” He jabs a fresh grape with a toothpick, gives it a quick bath in the fountain, and rests the morsel against Malcolm’s lower lip. “Say ‘ah.’”

[abrightboy]

Malcolm smiles and opens his mouth so Neal can deposit the grape there, chewing it while glancing at the fountain, then looking at Neal as he swallows it. “And if the pump gets blocked and it explodes, raining chocolate everywhere, we don’t know anything about it, right?” he confirms. “Grapes might be too slippery for chocolate fountains. And heavy.” He holds out the sugar cookie in his hand. “I took too much cookie.” It’s one cookie, with one edge that looks like it’s been nibbled on by a mouse.

[conning]

"They probably have a filter of some kind in front of the pump, I would think. If the design is any good." Though now he's looking at it with a mechanical curiosity as he takes the cookie, distracted. "Have you had anything other than sweets yet today?"

[abrightboy]

While he’s studying the pump, Malcolm is happily watching him. At the question, he considers it.

“I had a grape,” he offers.

[conning]

He raises his eyebrows. "A grape. In total here, or in total today?"

[abrightboy]

“Here! Plus that bit of the cookie. And I had two pieces of liquorice at home this morning.”

Even Neal cannot totally wean him off his breakfast Twizzlers.

[conning]

Neal gives Malcolm a look of mixed chagrin and affection. "The nutritional value of all of that together wouldn't tip the scale against a feather."

[abrightboy]

"I think that's shortbread," Malcolm tells him, pointing to the cookie in his hand. "So. Butter."

Fashion Show

[bossyboiler]

Since the seat to Malcolm's right is unoccupied, Kate picks that as a place to sit down. She has come out to support Rue and Mercy. So far, it's been a fun little get together and she is happy for both Rue and Mercy's sake that nothing so far has ruined the day. Even the weather is cooperating. Isn't that nice?

"Good afternoon, Malcolm. You look good today."

[abrightboy]

He looks over at the greeting, smiling at her. "Thanks! You too. Neal and I won the blanket wrapped race. Have to see what kind of outfit options they have. Maybe there'll be something that'll work for our wedding."

[bossyboiler]

"Thank you. I saw that. You two were very cute out there." She smiles back. "Oh. You and Neal too huh? Congratulations. Gonna let Rue design your two's suits?"

[abrightboy]

"They kind of already agreed to, but I feel less bad if we have a credit for an outfit anyway. They made the outfit Neal wore for the proposal. It was very fine work," Malcolm notes, his eyes finding Neal at the judges' table and smiling.

[bossyboiler]

"Rue is just so incredibly kind and talented, aren't they? I'm sure Neal looked very handsome." Kate believes that Rue is incapable of doing anything less than exemplary work. "You know, I offered to make Rue's wedding cake if you need a baker too."

[abrightboy]

He looks at her the same way he's looked at anyone who's asked about the wedding. He doesn't know any details.

"I'll... talk to Neal," he says with a faint frown at himself. "We haven't really... worked that stuff out yet."

[bossyboiler]

"Ohh. Still in post-engagement bliss?" She hopes that Malcolm will have some say in his wedding but it's not her place to say anything. "There's time yet."

[abrightboy]

"Lots of time," Malcolm agrees. "We haven't set a date yet." He looks over. "It's not... the engagement took me by surprise and we're still getting the house set up."

[bossyboiler]

"One thing at a time, Malcolm." She really is pleased that he's doing so much better. She does have something to show him but today is not the day for it. Kate is not going to ruin his day with Entity shenanigans.

"How is the house coming along? I intend to bring some baked goods to your housewarming. Can you eat meringues or macarons?"

[abrightboy]

"It's going well. Gil is staying with us. He's been helping out moving furniture around and stuff." He looks over at her. "I can eat either of those." In small amounts. "I think Neal likes macarons."

[bossyboiler]

"Finally, something I can make that you'll eat. Will wonders ever cease?" She smiles at him. "So how is it, living off of ADI grounds and having actual privacy?"

[abrightboy]

"It's nice. We just... have to be careful not to get close to our neighbours. We have to keep to ourselves. But it's more roomy than our ADI quarters and there's no curfew so Tim can slip in at any time of night. Through a window is his preferred method," Malcolm tells her. "But I'm a bit of an insomniac so I'm up when he gets there a lot of the time."