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

mingling - b

[ruevealing]

It must be some long-kept secret of the fey how Rue manages to appear absolutely everywhere all at once throughout the entirety of the festival.

Because as soon as Eda pulls out her instrument, Rue is right there at her side, settling daintily near the fire beside their friend, tucking their legs beneath them and gently smoothing out their skirt before they finally shoot Eda a small smile. It feels as if beneath their glamour they are absolutely beaming.

"If only I'd known you were so willing to offer your services as festival musician for free!"

[edalyn]

Eda's currently glamoured ears prick up when Rue appears, but she's not nearly as startled as she might be if she weren't used to them. She's also gotten fairly used to reading the more subdued expressions they wear in this form for what they are--even if she still finds herself more endeared by their actual face.

Eda huffs and snaps her fingers in slightly exaggerated disappointment. "Damn, you would have paid me?"

Of course, if they had asked, she likely would have felt awkward about the whole thing. But she still feels the need to grumble purely on principle.

[ruevealing]

It just wouldn't be Eda if she wasn't pretending to grumble about things. Rue both accepts and adores this about her.

"I suppose that depends on if you're any good."

Finally having a second away from the crowd, even if being right in the middle of such massive events brings so much joy to their life, it gives Rue the time they need to finally breathe out in relief, skinny shoulders losing some of their stiffness as they carefully stretch their unseen wings out. There's that insatiable itch beneath their feathers again, the one that comes with staying in their glamour for just a touch too long. They just need to feel the real body beneath, just to be sure.

But even still, none of the gentle tease leaves their tone as they reply.

"You'll just have to play me something to find out for sure."

[edalyn]

It's nice seeing them relax, not that Eda says that. Instead she rolls her eyes, and nudges Rue lightly with an elbow.

"We both know you've heard me play," she points out. Admittedly she'd been a bit drunk at the time, and she hadn't gotten all the way through a song without stopping to talk, but still.

"But... you asked for it. I guess you can hear something I've been working on. Since I was going to anyway."

She shifts her instrument in her hands, getting her fingers placed right again. She's already had to restring it once here, due to unruly claws, and she's trying to avoid a repeat of that.

After a moment, though, she begins to play. The tune is soft, tranquil and calming. Something about the rhythm has a different pattern than the music she usually plays, or writes.

She's not certain how well she's remembering the tune of the song she's basing it on, and how much she's simply doing her best to fill in. But her best is all she can do; she doesn't know if she'll ever hear the original inspiration again, and the one time that she did was technically in a dream.

[ruevealing]

"Oh certainly! I know you wouldn't simply play just because I requested! It's only because you were already going to."

Above all else, it's nice to find someone you can just bullshit around with so casually, where things are understood and never need to be spoken aloud.

Eda plays and Rue settles beside her, dainty hands in their lap, posture straight though perhaps just a touch tipped towards the woman, eyes closed to focus fully on the music being played. This is exactly what Rue needed - a big event to find some much needed control in, the constant social demands they've been enwreathed in their whole life, and then this tiny pocket of gentle peace. All in all, it's a perfect day.

"Oh Eda, that's most lovely. That's your creation?"

[edalyn]

Rue's response gets a sidelong glance and a faint little smirk; it really is nice falling into a pattern of light banter with someone.

"No, not really," Eda answers. For a moment she continues to play while she thinks about what to say; gently picking out the notes as she catches the strings under her claws. The instrument will sound a touch different than the first time Rue heard it; she went with metal strings when she had to replace them, since they're a bit less delicate.

"Did you ever meet Kitty? Uh, Katrina," Eda corrects herself, because she was the only one who called the siren that, and she suspects maybe the only person who would risk giving her a ill-fittingly cute nickname.

"Strong silent type, purple eyes? She... vanished after you got here." And Eda's trying not to look worried about that. There's no proof anything bad happens to the people who disappear from this place.

[ruevealing]

"I did not."

The vanishing that happens on occasion is quite terrifying to consider. To think that there are those who simply cease to exist on this plane one day, after living out a life with friends and loved ones here. The very idea that anything could happen to either Rue or Hob or any of those they cherish most in this place... Rue can't bring themself to think on it for too long.

"But she was a dear friend?"

[edalyn]

"Yeah... yeah, she was," Eda agrees, doing her best not to fall into being too sad about the whole thing.

"She was-- is a siren," she went on, still playing softly as she spoke.

"And she sang this to the owlbeast once. Or something like this, but I can't exactly check if I'm remembering right." It was so strange, having people in her dreams like that, but some of it was good.

[ruevealing]

A siren and an owlbeast. Sounds like quite the tale.

They don't want to interrupt Eda's playing, but Rue can't help but gently brush their paw against the woman's elbow, reassuringly. "I'm certain if the music held such deep meaning to you, your memory of it must be clear. It's beautiful either way. Soothing."

[edalyn]

"It is, yeah," Eda agrees, glancing at them with a faint smile but not pausing. She can't be sure about the first part, but at least she thinks she's captured that to a degree.

"Not sure it has an actual title—not sure her people are really song title types—but she said it was for calming." And it worked at the time, which is the more practical reason she's made an effort to remember it.

[ruevealing]

"Well, it certainly works. Even after the controlled chaos of the day, I do feel quite calm."

Though whether that's because of the song or just simply taking a moment of quiet with their dear friend is up for debate.

"You look lovely, by the way. I do love that dress on you. It's a perfect fit."

[edalyn]

Eda isn't sure which herself, but she's glad they're getting a chance to relax. Even if they like running this kind of thing, it has to be kind of tiring.

"Now you're just bragging," Eda points out with a huff, and nudges them lightly with her elbow. "I still say this one's too fancy for me."

She won't argue that she looks good, but it's still not the kind of thing she usually goes for. Nor is the flower crown really.

[ruevealing]

Alright, that gets a too-pleased grin from Rue.

"Perhaps, but it's well worth the brag. Look how incredible you look! One of my favorite designs I've done in some time." Besides their own lovely dress. "Thank you for entertaining me, in wearing outfits with a similar theme."

It sounds so silly, to take such comfort and closeness through fashion, but it's just how Rue has always felt. It's why Hob has at least a dozen matching scarves with them and jackets with matching fabrics and patterns as Rue's. It's a way of making an undeniable connection.

"You pull it off beautifully."

[edalyn]

"Yeah, well... I guess it's cute to match."

Eda plays this off with an awkward little shrug, but to be honest that was the main reason why she agreed to wear the dress. It's also the reason that she has a few feathers tucked into the flower crown that she's wearing.

It's still not the easiest thing for her, to talk about how much people mean. But while it does sound a little silly, she apparently doesn't mind showing it.

[ruevealing]

"And we do look absolutely stunning together."

The feathers tucked into that flower crown certainly haven't gone unnoticed, nor has the fact that Rue knows for a fact Eda would not to do this for just anyone. And they feel the love there between them, this friendship that has evolved into such a beautiful, strong bond.

Truly, they adore Eda with all of their heart.

"I suppose I should return before Mercy is overrun with inquiries. Is there anything you need before I make my leave back to the party proper, my dear friend?"

[edalyn]

"I'm not gonna argue with that," Eda agrees. It might be fancier than she'd pick on her own, but she has to admit they both look pretty damn good. She absently fidgets with the flower crown a little.

"Nah, go do your thing," Eda says, making a little shooing motion; not that she wants to stop spending time with them, but she doesn't want to keep them from holding the event together, either.

"I'm just gonna stay here for a little while." She adores them, but she doesn't adore crowds. She'll spend a bit more time where things are quiet, for now.

[ruevealing]

If Rue was feeling a touch more like themself, they would certainly leave Eda with an affectionate hug or a tender bump of their forehead to hers, but since they are still glamoured, they just reach out to brush their talons gently against the woman's forearm. Just a quick, careful touch before they are pulling away again.

"Take all of the time that you need, but remember to come back for awards! Mercy has gifts for you and your team."