RP:Celebration of Life

From HollowWiki

This is a Bard's Guild RP.




Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc


Summary: Brennia throws a baby shower, or where she comes from they call it a Celebration of Life, for the King and Queen of Larket. Everything goes as planned. However, during a peculaur twin-lunar eclipse, Brennia hears a haunting song. She follows the song to a jar, opens it, and unwittingly unleashes a force the likes of which Lithrydel has never seen.


Smyth College of Bardic Arts

After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a building which looks like a section taken right out of any castle in the same style as all of Schezerade, in all it's decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large building accented with gold and platinum in which you'll have to cross over a glass bridge in order to reach it. The front door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Hollow and spans a great distance in it's solid French Door of a design. Opening it up one might be perplexed at the ability for the fortress to hold such music coming from the main hall there with all of the astute students practicing their talents. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; it carries one's voice in the most pleasing fashion. This main hall is quite a vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small diamond shapes. Each slot contains a scroll to nearly any song someone might wish to hear or practice in it's magic. Among the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room there are a plethora of nearly every musical instrument imaginable, one just has to look.

Nearing further into the castle one's nostrils might pick up on the scent of mouth watering food being cooked wafting from the kitchen which is north of the main room and it also holds an elegant dining area containing a handful of small tables. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below where students are bustling to and fro. If you wish to stay, grab your favorite spirits from the well stocked kitchen and listen to the bardic magics, relax in one of the many luxurious sofas strewn about these to areas. Off to the east corner of the main hall, there is a locked staircase with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which is seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area above holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.



Musical entertainment


Brennia has this event catered by her larger-in-numbers staff and they do the best they can without the help of their head chef, Zachael, who seems to be on a well deserved vacation. The main hall is adorned to the cathedral ceilings with flowers and vines while the lavish furniture is all gathered in one spot of the room so all of the women may sit together comfortably. Once the guests walk in they can see a table off to the right of the entrance under the balcony above which is already brimming with wrapped presents for the new parents and stacks of fancy congratulatory cards. The main hall is for the women and fun activities at the ready: guess the baby’s birth date/weight/length, spools of yarn to guess the size of Josleen’s growing tummy, flower crown making and if you say the word ‘cute’ you lose it to the one who caught your slip-up. Out in the courtyard/garden are more games along with a drink cart harboring the best liquors and Caledorem cigars, but the games out here are more ‘man’ oriented: bobbing for pacifiers, blindfolded diaper dressing, horseshoes and cornhole for some recreation. Winners of these games get special prizes. Two separate quartets of Bard students and Bards Guild members are placed in these areas for musical entertainment. Serene classical sounding music indoors for the women and more jovial upbeat music with an emphasis on drum, thanks to Professor Zuf, (OOC| You can NPC this half Orc - he's smart, but plays dumb) out in the courtyard. As darkness has fallen, firefly lamp posts light the outside brilliantly while firefly sconces and scattered floating fairy-lights shine brightly inside since this co-ed adult Celebration of Life is taking place at ten in the PM. Brennia is easily found with her wings tucked around her like a cloak and welcoming guests from all over, at the entrance. Under her cover of wings, however, she sports a simple sapphire blue maxi dress which is cut into a deep V in the back for her wings, but if one were to look closely at the dress they could spot little specks of glitter and they would be reminded of the deep sea waves at night along with the famous Kreekitaka insignia would be seen directly under where the halter strap meets her dress on the left just above her bust. As Brennia welcomes all with that kind warm smile she directs both female and male participants to either area for these games are not strict in who plays them, chill out, have fun, play, don't play, and one could sense this is all rather laid back fun to be had.


Josleen | The woman of the hour arrives with her husband, the King, her mother Jessa, her mother-in-law Augusta, and Larket’s Prince Pooch Gigi (a fabulous poodle with his fur trimmed into pom poms). The Larketian Queen shows off a small belly (four months +) by wearing a powder blue, empire waist dress that also highlights her pregnancy-enhanced assets. Gigi’s blue, sequinned bowtie matches his mother’s. He makes a mad dash for the feast. Before leaving Larket, Josleen did her best to dissuade Macon from wearing his armor, and agreed to wear her fanciest crown and Queenly signet as a negotiating tactic. At the college, she embraces Brennia first. “Helloooo Brennia! This is so lovely.” Cheeck-to-cheek air kiss here. “You really shouldn’t have gone through so much trouble. We’re honored.” She shuffles out of the way as more guests arrive, and greets those she recognizes first.


Skysong sits by her sister Yukiko and quietly licks the frog she was given. She whispers to her sister and looks at the frog again. Her hatchlings all sitting either on her or around her watching the festivities in awe. All have either a dress or bowtie on, depending on what gender they are.


Macon growled more than once during the negotiation that has kept him outside of his Rage Armor this evening, but eventually caved to the guest of honor. He is just formally rather than militarily and has the Marble Crown of Larket weighing down the top of his head. His mother is dressed in black, as per usual for any event celebrating the Larketian Queen. They’ve brought a contingent of six Kingsguard with them due to the relatively large party they are charged with protecting what with the two mothers and Gigi tagging along, though they line the party inconspicuously, not particularly on edge. Their true purpose may just be to carry all these gifts back down to Larket, somehow. The Rage Knight greets their host along with his wife, and remarks that the last time he was up here he wa negotiating the end to a war/proposing to Josleen. Actually, he doesn’t include the part about the proposal. Sore spot, that.


Pilar had been asked to play piano for an important event, and had agreed without thinking to ask what the important event was. When she found out it was for Josleen's pregnancy, she seriously considered canceling. But, she'd already agreed, and she didn't like to let people down. And so, here she was, dressed up in a simple red gown with white pearl earrings and a matching bracelet, seated at the piano inside. Her fingers deftly danced across the keys, playing a calm melody. She kept her eyes on the piano before her, trying to ignore everything that didn't impact her performance. Just grin and bear it. Play, get paid, get out.


Hudson is here with Alvina. He is wearing his dad weekend clothes, i.e., light pants and a salmon golf shirt. He's not sure why he is attending a baby shower. Aren't these for women only... unless you're the man of the woman having the baby? Moreover, he wants to know why they're using precious Hudson-Alvina time to attend a baby shower. Couldn't they have sent a gift and regards? To make matters more awkward, they'd noted upon dropping their daughters off, that his mum E.L. now has an age-inappropriate man just staying with her, providing his services (uhhhh). In fact, it's Brennia's chef, Zachael. Anyway, Hudson's not in a great mood. The carriage ride here had been a little quiet. Of course, upon entering the scene, they immediately put on their socializing faces and begin greeting people they know. Hudson has attended one baby shower before: Alvina's, and it did not prepare him for the Hell that is this. He separates from Alvina and the 'games' (which he will not play on principle) to go find the booze section in the courtyard. It appears that a number of other beleaguered husbands forced to attend a baby shower have the same idea, for they are all clustering in this general region. A conversation about sports immediately begins to occur, with the men eyeballing the man-themed games with increasing trepidation.


Alan stands in the back looking at his frog. Holding it a bit too tightly the frogs eyes begin to bulge out a bit. Alan never liked crowds. His eyes scanning looking for a familiar face.


Dergious stands in shadows, his squat form seeming to wrap the darkness around him like a cloak. His eyes scan his surroundings, his cruel mouth split like wound in a vicious grin.


Hildegarde is here with Lisbeth, her Captain of the Queensguard and most loyal protector, to celebrate Josleen and Macon’s pregnancy. It had been a rather unusual affair in Frostmaw, seeing as most giants wanted to gift their Thane with something but felt unsure on how to scale it for a human sized baby. So, it seems that Hildegarde and Lisbeth are here with a veritable chest of gifts for the Thane and her King. Hildegarde wouldn’t hesitate to approach the pair, offering Macon the first nod and greeting, “King Macon, good to see you again,” a polite, civil and actually friendly greeting. Genuinely friendly, too, whaaaat! To Josleen, Hildegarde offers her an almost nervous smile. “Hey, Jos,” she greets, “we’ve brought some gifts down from Frostmaw for you and the baby.”


Macon sounds friendly as well towards Hildegarde, or at least as friendly as his rough voice can sound when he offers a "Your Highness," in greeting. By now his gift of a fine Larketian horse from their last encounter has surely made its way to The Frostmawian Queen in The City of War, so he asks about it, and how it is faring in the snow.


Dergious reaches out with his mind, if one were looking they might catch perhaps a small glitter within the darkness emanating from the dwarf's headgear, and a scurrying of dwarves enter. They bear gifts, a particularly fine vintage of dwarven wine and some other delicacies. They enter, deposit the libations, and then exit. None say a word, their faces blank and expressionless the entire time.


Alvina arrives with Hudson. She’s complimenting his dad vibe with her black sundress, various multicolored flowers are painted on the fabric. It hides her mother’s body with it’s forgiving black to slim down thickened areas. Children are such a blessing. When they walk through, Alvina hugs Brennia, whispering quickly in her ear a promise to catch up soon. Hudson moves away, pulled towards other men with beers. She can practically see them wag their tails from here. Casual greetings continue to friendly faces in the crowd as she makes her way to find a seat in the crowded College.


Josleen greets Hudson and Alvina warmly with hugs (“How are the girls!” “You’re getting big too!” spoken to the also-pregnant Alvina). She then greets a contingent of strangers with practiced regal grace before she spies Hildegarde and Lisbeth. The friendly bond between Hildegarde and Macon warms her heart. She knew her good husband would eventually win Hildegarde over, it was always just a matter of time. She beams at Hildegarde and Lisbeth, hugs them tightly, especially the The Silver. “Oh my goodness, so many gifts! Where will we put them all?” In the castle. Jessa also hugs the two Frostmawian guests, having met and hosted them both in the past shortly after Queen Hildegarde’s resurrection. Josleen then sees Pilar and tries to unsee her. The feeling is mutual, Pilar, and Josleen swerves to avoid eye contact with that flea. She spies the dwarves who scurry in and out of the event and frowns. Dwarves in Schezerade? As far as the Queen knows, no dwarves were invited to this celebration. She searches for Brennia to ask but has lost her in the crowd. “I’m going to get something to drink,” she says to excuse herself from Hildegarde and Macon (slightly boring) conversation about horses. Jessa follows Josleen, peacocking as she soaks in the attention she receives as the expectant grandmother. Beyond the mocktails bar, in the shadows, Josleen spies a glittering jewel. She squints at Dergious’s headband without realizing what it is.


Macon ’s second most experienced Kingsguard raises a brow from his spot near the entrance to the college when several mindless dwarves suddenly enter unannounced, say nothing, and drop off food and drink before leaving just as mysteriously as they came. He nods politely to one of them on their way out, but is likely ignored. He scratches his head and looks across the party to one of his coworkers, mouthing ‘what?’ while thinking to himself that was weird. Augusta Jauzon points out the newly delivered wine to one of the servants, asks what it is, and demands to be served some no matter what response she gets. “The dwarves make very interesting wine, Jessa.”


Hildegarde allows Lisbeth to sort out the chest with Macon’s security detail, although the contents are very Frostmawian. Baby’s first club, baby’s first armour set, all very violent things for babies. Hildegarde is happy to see Jessa, asking how Kyl’oriel is and the house at large; telling Macon all about the horse which she has yet to name and promises to invite him for a hunting trip in Frostmaw sometime soon. “Ah, I thought this might be nice for the baby too,” she says, passing them both (it’s for whoever grabs it first really) the silver coloured cuddly toy. Obviously, it’s a cuddly toy dragon from the best dragon in their lives.


Dezerae strolls into the College, donning a rather simple, non-eyecatching dress. Boots were flat and soft footed, just to not attract attention to herself and Leoxander, who she hoped was still behind her. Still, the feline didn’t take a break in her walking pace to check. She glances toward the main celebrant and the many individuals surrounding her, before continuing to travel to the bar, gather herself a drink and sit back as the festivities go underway.


Hudson 's conversation about sports is interrupted by the arrival of Gigi. Gigi is pet by all the men and informed that he is Such A Good Boy. Which he appears to appreciate. Incidentally, Hudson obtains a mixed drink that tastes like candy and is being passed around by the wait staff. It's called "The Gigi." It is, turns out, extremely alcoholic and delicious. The other men in his group quickly follow suit, and soon are all drinking Gigis. A few wives infiltrate the group, immediately destroying the chill man vibe. Some of them force their husbands to partake in the games. So much for bros before hoes. Anyway, catching sight of Josleen and Macon, guests of honor, Hudson decides to take his Gigi - and lead actual Gigi - in that direction. He greets them ("the girls are great!"), Brennia, and Hildegarde too. He drinks from his Gigi. He tells Macon and Hildegarde, since Josleen just bailed: "This is delicious and deadly. I rarely party since I became a parent so... I'm probably going to get drunk and annoy my wife. She's circulating somewhere." He eyeballs Macon. He doesn't think that guy will change a single diaper. "Next time we speak, we'll be swapping stories about how we've been pissed on by infants and are living the dream," he says, anyway.


Twitch is a shadow in the corner, sent here by her masters to watch what happened... a strange task, and not one she relished. She spent her time watching people, and looking for those inebriated enough to be easy targets for quick lift. She was always looking for coin, after all.


Josleen | Jessa’s smile falters when Hildegarde asks about Kyl’oriel. From behind her mother, Josleen draws a hand repeatedly across her throat, looking a little panicked. Ix-nay on the Yl’oriel-kay. Jessa replies acerbically, “He’s pursuing his passions.” Josleen escorts her mother away, along with Augusta, to see to it that the mothers loosen up a little with liquor. Jessa needs to forget Kyl’oriel for the evening, and Augusta needs to be less frigid/miserable.


Leoxander couldn't have explained his reason for being there if he was tortured by the demons of nine hells, but there he was in the company of the 'Cat'. And while most were wearing their Sunday-Best, the rogue was wearing his usual color scheme more appropriate for a funeral than a baby shower - black shirt loose laced to his sternum, sleeves rolled to his forearms, black pants and those ever present combat boots half hidden under the cuffs of dark dyed denim. He lacked a gift to give unless the unborn kid had a fondness for throwing blades, because Leo could possibly part with one of those, and lacked a shave and likely a comb given his scruffy, sea washed appearance. But curiosity got the better of more than the red headed female he followed, and he immediately regretted giving into it as he stepped into the flower filled hall of the college, muttering a curse under his breath.


Dergious watches the the revelries in a foul mood. He reaches out once again with his mind, picking up not the verbal pleasantries, but the surface thoughts of those who aren't too guarded with their thoughts. His eyes close, ignoring the chaff and sweeping the room. Some thoughts are iron, and he gets nothing at all. Some are easily plucked, though the flighty surfacers minds have little in them. He sniffs the air, "What is that?" he thinks, and then he smiles. "Innocence." he zeros in, sweeping this way and that, and finds himself focusing on the woman, Josleen herself. Wait, not the woman... something else. The small, almost nonexistent mind, a burgeoning intelligence. Soft. malleable.


Dergious he reaches out, even in its undeveloped state there is a thirst, a curiousity. In some sense, without real intelligence, without understanding, the small mind is thirsty. The dwarf's mind softly brushes across the... thoughts? No, not exactly thoughts, something else. Something between instinct and emotion, and he feeds it, gives it soft, warm sensations at first but then turns it slowly. The soft mind reacts, seeing things it should not see, feelings it should not feel. Within the body of Josleen the baby is getting its first taste of... malevolence.


Josleen is oblivious to Dergious’s psionic prodding of her unborn child’s mind. The child, however, is not. It kicks! Josleen gasps and grabs her mother’s and Augusta’s hands and presses them to her belly. “The baby kicked!” she chirps. A thrill of joy overwhelms her, for she hadn’t felt the baby move before. “Macon!” she calls from a distance. She rushes over to her husband and interrupt the conversation abruptly. “Macon, Hilde,” she takes both their hands and places them on her belly. “He’s moving.” And boy is he moving, kicking again and again! “He must love the Virgin Gigi!” aka the mocktail she’s drinking (and her mother is holding for her). She laughs and invites Alvina and Hudson to feel too if they want to, but her attention (and sappy smile) is predominantly on Macon.


Alvina hugs Josleen before Hudson arrives, telling her all things are good on the baby front and complimenting her outfit and beautifully round stomach. It's hard to resist the urge to touch her. Pregnant bellies have some weird magic, folks. She quickly excuses herself to make a path through the crowd for a rest room, Sven help them and her tiny pregnant bladder. Eventually she finds her way around the back of the crowd in due time, catching sight of Josleen leading Jessa away from what looks like a cluster of Hildegarde, Macon and Hudson. What is that drink in his hand? It looks like a cocktail she'd normally drink. There's a colored rim to his upper lip, she tries to gesture accordingly before she plasters on her people smile and greets Hildegarde and Macon. ('Lovely to see you again, Your Highness' to Macon, Hildegarde gets a wordless but graceful bow since they caught sight of each other on occasion in Frostmaw still.)


Hildegarde sputters halfway through more Kyl’oriel talk after catching the signal and realising her faux pas. Oops. It happens, though, more often than she’d like to admit… But soon she’s caught by Josleen and has her hand by Macon’s, feeling the unborn prince of Larket kick in his mother’s womb. It’s a weird feeling for a warrior to feel against her hand: part of her is pretty certain that whatever is inside is about to rip out of Josleen and screech like some kind of slithery creature with acidic blood. Another part of her feels a strange pang of emotions. It’s super confusing for Hildegarde, but she’s happy for Josleen in this moment, as evidenced by the big dumb smile on her face.


Brennia was definitely handling things and bustling about in order to make room for the food the dwarves brought with a kindly, “thank you, thank you.” She had a handsome server lady being a tray of hors d'oeuvres over to Pilar to make sure she was able to snack in between sets. Brennia took a moment to sit with some of the woman and weave a flower crown for herself while placing a few light blue ones in her wavy black hair. Seeking out the Queen was easy for her being six foot two and once close enough to mentions, “after you open your gifts I’ll help show you to the flying coach. All of that,” she points to the mountainous pile of gifts, “will surely fit.” She finished with a wink and asked if she can get her anything before heading back to being ‘hostess’ by asking the ladies for their guesstimates on baby royalty. She kindly asked, “may I?” when Josleen’s baby kicks in order to feel the little miracle as well.


Macon is naturally a fan of the gifts promoting violence for the incoming prince or princess. "These are great." It looks like the giants, even with the intention of keeping things small, have overestimated the size of a human/elf baby, and the infant will have to wait a bit before it is able to fit the armor without it falling right off. He is less enamored with the stuffed dragon toy that he receives from Hildegarde, and hands it off to one of his Kingsguard after they took notice that he did not want to carry it. He nods to Hudson even though he is more sure than the lycan that he will be changing zero diapers. "Can't wait," he says facetiously before flagging down a waiter to have some whiskey brought to him, because it doesn't look like he could escape this spot if he tried right now.


Dezerae reaches the bar, a place where she’s come to love during the past months. She leaned forward onto her elbows, balancing onto her toes to get a better view of the selection. The feline awaits the bartender to gain their attention so that she may point at a bottle and request two. Once they wander off to fulfill the order, she turns to the brooding lycan that grumbled behind her. She looks him over once before shaking her head, “Dog. Why?” Her heavy scrutiny is interrupted by two bottles, one eventually passed over to the blonde. Dezerae raises it in his direction but doesn’t pause for a clink, instead taking a sip from it immediately after. She hears the squeals of excitement near the center of the College and smiles wistfully before taking another sip from her drink.


Pilar and the rest of the band were taking a brief break. While the others picked the tray clean, she ignored the finger foods. She knew she should have been happy, but she couldn't be. How could she feel anything but contempt for those awful, cruel monsters? Even something as joyous as bringing a baby into the world... All she could think was of how it would turn out to be awful and cruel too, just like its parents. She returned to her job, never uttering a single word.


Josleen nods enthusiastically at Brennia and guides the avian’s hand to the right spot where the baby kicks. Slowly the Queen’s smile fades as the kicking grows desperate and her motherly intuition whispers that something is wrong.


Hudson is already feeling the effects of The Gigi and begins to try to impart some Dad Knowledge on Macon, who probably doesn't want to receive it. Here are some of Hudson's 'you're about to be a parent' observations: (1) the child won't do anything for the beginning of its life, it's more or less a large paperweight that makes awful sounds at bad times, (2) despite this, your wife will immediately love your child more than you, and your child will definitely love your wife more than you so forget about being #1 in the rankings there (you're only #1 for your mom, buddy), (3) eye hand coordination (in Hudson's view) starts at age 0 so you can do little exercises with baby to make sure baby grows up to be a child sport prodigy (Hudson's daughters are going to do gymnastics), (4) your wife's clothing size won't be the same as it was pre-baby, do NOT under any circumstances buy her something in the old size. Anyway, Hudson is just getting started but he's interrupted by the arrival of Josleen, and the kicking baby. He looks around for Alvina, and spots Leoxander of all people, and excuses himself to head in that direction. After greeting the guy by clapping him on the shoulder, and lifting a Gigi off a tray to hand to the fellow wolf ("Try this, it's great"), he asks, "What are you doing at a baby shower?"


Alvina does touch the belly in turn, Gods above it's glorious. She turns to Hudson, didn't he want to?!?


Wisax enters the party late and brought one of those crystalline memory things filled with bard’s singing lullabies and learning songs which Brennia helped him make. The crystal ball is able to be watched with the caress of a hand and works without the tinkerer around. He’s unimpressively dressed as usual in a plethora of layers, goggles and a long billowing scarf. After placing the gift with the others he makes his way outside with the other guys and just lingers.


Macon , with his hand on Josleen's stomach, has his slate eyes widening as soon as he feels the first little kick. This is surely the strongest kick that a four month old fetus has ever delivered because his baby is the best baby of all time. Pride swells up and overflows in the Rage Knight in the form of a genuine grin and a loving look to his wife. It is short lived before he remembers he is in public and has a reputation to uphold, his expression returning to its usual default of Hard Larketian Stone. He lingers to feel another kick though before he has to begrudgingly give way to other hands.


Dergious breathes deeply, sweat beading on his grimy brow, he tastes the fetus's mind like brandy sampling the aroma, the color, the taste. He does little more, his mind tiring from his exertions, but before he withdraws he reaches deeper, planting something. A seed, an infinitesimal iota of... something. He leaves it behind, though in truth he knows not what effect it might have. He smiles wearily, it will be interesting to see what he has wrought this day. He seems jovial as he withdraws completely and strides out of the shadows towards the wine.


Leoxander answered Dezerae with a look similar to nauseous, but he gladly accepted the bottle of beer before the excitement surrounding the soon to be prince of Larket drew his attention as he took a long drink. Under that veil of unkempt blond, blue eyes scanned across the crowd to pick out a couple familiar faces here and there, pausing longest upon Pilar as he saw the familiar, unhappy expression she wore. Even the pirate had a hard time not feeling sorry for her, but he continued to survey the scene, not for heavy pockets but just to determine what exactly this gathering was all about. Undoubtedly another party for the royalty, and seeing Josleen for the first time with hands on her pregnant front helped him decipher the situation. Joy... an offspring of her and that so-called King. Fortunately, he was distracted from his unpleasant glare by Hudson's approach, and spotting his acquaintance, some of the disgust left his features. "Hey, man." From his lean on the bar, he stood upright to exchange a slap of rough palm and bump of inked knuckles with his free hand, giving the cocktail a look. "I'll pass. An' yer guess is as bloody good as mine." He motioned with his skull in Dezerae's direction. "Maybe the Cat got curious." He wasn't much for introductions, but. "This is Hudson." He said to her.


Twitch pulls back from the dwarf, eyes alight with sparkles at the shiny now in her possession. It was amazing... except for the cloak. Well, it'd help hide her identity better than her current rags. Too bad she had no idea it was super magical.


Hudson realizes he's met Dezerae once before - she looks familiar - but isn't sure of the details. Hopefully she's not some woman he slept with while drunk once upon a time (she's not at all one such woman but his memory is bad). "Just wanted to say hey, I gotta go find my wife," he tells them, heading in the direction in which he'd last seen Alvina. In any event, he is now very much feeling the effects of The Gigi, is in fact on his second (since Leo didn't want it), because he deems it appropriate to announce his presence by copping a feel of her backside. "I'm sorry I was grumpy," he tells her, kissing the side of her head. He tries to hug her. He's drunk so he's so endeared by her existence right now. She's so cute, his little wife! With her pregnant belly, and grumpy face because her husband is drunk and being So Not Appropriate right now! A drunk werewolf - maybe the worst thing on a woman? "Let me love you, that's all I want to do," he complains, because her immediate reaction is to shoo him and hiss "Hudson!" at him in the bad dog voice.


Macon gets his whiskey and nods through Hudson's list of parental knowledge. (1) doesn't sound like much of a concern for the king. "I'll be number one," he says, deadpan, in an attempt to joke at his notorious severity. Maybe the joke doesn't land and he just comes off as more severe than usual. He is ok with either result. (3) If it is a boy (it is), it will a rugby star, for sure, so this is good advice to accelerate that path and Macon listens intensely to it. (4) Perhaps Hudson and Macon live very different lives. “The Queen ‘as ‘er clothes made for ‘er.” So that pitfall of buying the wrong size is nonexistent.


Josleen struggles to maintain a smile as her instinct, which insists loudly that something is wrong, nags at her. There’s no physical reason to worry, there are no symptoms: no pain, no hot flashes, no headache, no bleeding. Nonetheless, the expectant mother is worried and disengages herself from the many hands on her belly to rejoin Macon at his side and lean against him within the protective curl of his arm. She says very little as her focus turns inward, towards her child, to try and decipher what she is feeling. The kicking slows down. Was it a false alarm?


Dezerae watched Hudson approach them, and once the two men did an exchanged of what she could only assume was a male-exclusive handshake, she decides that they knew each other. Her head tilts to the side of the critter in Hudson’s arms comes into view. Being the keeper of her own arsenal of animals, the feline couldn’t help but stare, looking the most interested she’s been this evening. The introduction was almost missed, “Ah. Hello. I’m Dezerae. Not ‘Cat’.” He was also familiar but her memory was foggy from her recent drinking habits. She looked down at the pet again before directing her attention to Hudson as he strolled away. Her next words are directed toward Leo, even as her eyes don’t divert from the pet, “How can you pass up? It was so cute.”


Alvina had been fawning with all the other nearby students and dignitaries about this baby kick and had fallen down the hole of baby 'facts'. Some of what she's read differs from what another student at the college has read. Hudson's vanished and Alvina's mom fangs are showing. He reappears on the 'tail' end of her argument and she spins around to indeed hiss something about how that is beyond inappropriate, please dial yourself back we are in public how even are you like this?!? But he's saying sweet things and it melts her resolve. She waves to Wisax as he enters, then Pilar as she plays. Maybe she didn't see her, it's fine. It's so crazy crowded here. "I'm sorry you were grumpy too!" She retorts to Hudson's apology, unyielding on his grump levels. "Noooo stop." She complains, trying to move past him into the crowd with little success. Her eyes are daggers, daring him not to test her.


Macon picks up on the distracted anxiety on display from Josleen when she presses herself against him. "Wha's wrong?" she was so happy just a few moments ago.


Pilar stayed focused on the piano in front of her, focused on playing her best. Even as her thoughts were poisoned with anger and grief. A single tear rolled down her cheek.


Dergious pulls from a pouch a bit of this, and a bit of that, including some rarer drinks for those brave of heart.


Hudson gives a nearby person the 'whoops' grimace as Alvina turns to flee him. Alright, maybe drunkenly apologizing for being grumpy about attending the baby shower had been a good idea in his head... the execution is just not what it needs to be. He catches Alvina by the hand, and since she's not exactly trying to bolt away, he reels her back to him. "I may have had a few of the Gigis," he informs her. He pauses to get them some passed hors d'oeuvres and then proceeds to start hitting on his wife. This is what happens when parents get drunk. "I didn't mention it earlier because I was pissed off we were going to a baby shower, but you look way hot in that dress and I think we should claim some sort of child obligation and escape early. Babe - great idea or best idea? What?"


Leoxander furrows his brow at Dezerae, but eventually he would understand that she might have meant the "Original G...gi." and not the fruity drink Husdon was spiking his behavior with. "We've met." He explains in a couple short, low spoken words referring to the white dog that a wig wearing woman had introduced him to, a long time ago, in the belly of a broken ship. This brought his attention back to said Queen, who was playing the role of herself, today, and he caught a glimpse of what might be a nervous or troubled flicker in her smile plastered expression before he finished off his first bottle of beer and motioned impatiently to the server for another. Open bar was becoming the reason he hadn't ditched that baby celebrating scene, yet. Sensitive ears caught the chime of piano notes half drowned out by the acoustics of conversation in the cathedral roofed room, and he trained his eyes to follow Brennia's busy movements for a moment, if only to admire curves in blue beneath the cloak of her wings for a moment. "This'd be a helluvan opportunity to make some pocket change around town. Looks like everyone an' their mother's packed into this g'damn place..." This was a comment reserved for Dezerae's ears, only, but he wasn't aware of the telepath present.


Josleen shakes her head and smiles to reassure Macon that everything is alright. “I was feeling strange for a moment. This is all still new to me,” she says as she smooths a hand over her belly. “I’m alright now. I think the baby tired himself out.” She grins again as she relives the fetal kicks of just a few moments ago. With none speaking to the Royal Couple at that precise moment, she steals a quick kiss from her husband to celebrate the first kick as they would have in private. Someone announces that they need to measure Josleen’s belly to determine who came closest in guessing her belly’s circumference and she’s pried away from the King. Game prizes are handed out to winners. (ooc: I think anyone can claim whatever win they want? Silly prizes?) Gigi, who had been hanging with Hudson aka Man-dog in hopes of treats, gives up on begging treats off Hudson and turns instead to Man-dog #2, Leoxander. Excuse me, dawg, but can you hand a no-thumbs poodle a sausage?


Alvina looks at Hudson with the single most confused expression that has ever compiled itself in her features. What. Even. Is. He. Saying. "No way! I want to guess the baby's weight. Did you see that Dragon plush Hilde gave Jos?? It was so cuuuuute-" Before the word can stop itself from coming out of her mouth, one of the college students nearby grins at her and holds out her hand expectantly. "For Sven's sake, Hudson!" She immediately blames him and hands over her token to show she'd 'lost'. The girl laughs, running off to show her friends that she's successfully dethroned someone in the game. "Blast..." She mutters, before one of the older students calls for everyone's attention. "Everyone make sure to have your guesses in for the baby's weight / due date / length! We will be closing the vote soon! Also make sure to avoid 'the word'- " She winks, not yet falling victim to the game herself. "- and be sure to enjoy the lovely music of our guest pianist. Thank you!"


Leoxander looked down at the white puff of fur that seemed to be staring up at him with an unspoken command, a twitch of eye giving away the thought that Dezerae had summoned her highness by mentioning her. "Whut." He stated, not at all like a question, to the poodle.


The twin moons have risen high above Lithrydel into the centremost point as midnight swiftly approaches. The bright moons of Hollow are clearly visible, without a single cloud in sight, until a circular shape slowly begins to consume the bright moons in the sky. A rare, beautiful and breath-taking sight, but something about the land seems far darker. Not just because the light of the moons has been blotted out. Perhaps you might feel a shiver of fear trickle down your spine, but with the lunar eclipse being such a limited occurrence, you might just shrug it off and enjoy the view instead.


Brennia is entirely amazed at the night and how it’s turning out as a rare sight is before her. A lunar eclipsing, “oh my…” The bard’s have stopped and all moved outside along with any other members of the crowd to watch the eclipse. “This is a special day,” she glanced around as she heard a faint singing growing louder and louder as the moons were becoming darker and darker. Liberty blue eyes look to each bard, but they seem oblivious and something deep within her was stirring to find this voice (OOC:Only Brennia is able to hear the singing). Only a few would know what the swirling of her ink pattern atop her dewy caramel skin meant, Raven or Inky was trying to surface, but Brennia didn’t seem to notice this as she was drawn back into the castle. It was getting louder. Her feet her guiding her until she was in a full sprint and ascending up one of the staircases within the main hall. It’s louder, yet! She was lead to the staff offices which is entirely empty at the moment and almost like a mad woman she was looking around for this singing until she was at her own office door. SO close! The door swings open to reveal a decent sized office with an assortment of artifacts, sculptures, and art throughout the room, but one large looking black Jar adoring an intricate pattern felt out of place to her. In a sort of daze her hand reached out to open it and let the voice out.


Wisax looked up to see the moons becoming engulfed by the shadow of this planet and just the slightest of smiles touched his lips, but unless you knew Vi a little more personally others usually wouldn't notice anything different about the Avian. He had silently made his way to stand beside Brennia and just as his hand went out to secretly hold her’s while they were buried in a crowd, she was gone. A glance over his shoulder and he caught her just as she went back into the castle. Once he reached the threshold he saw her sprinting up the stairs to her office. He followed and caught her in the moment to see her adorning a familiar transfixed state, “Brennia, don't!” He couldn't hear what she was hearing, but that tattoo pattern swirling on her meant something. His own hand reached out, slender flinger slipping around her wrist and he attempts to pull her back from the odd jar.


Brennia was successful in grasping the lid of the jar, but when Vi pulled her back she was surprised and ended up knocking the jar back with her. The large container fell to the marble floor and broke into a variety of pieces in their scatter, but what it revealed to be harboring caused the Bard to gasp in disgust. The haunting singing continues in her head while an unseen array of wisps escape out of the broken jar and to be left behind was a petrified larynx. She found herself being held and comforted by Vi for a moment before she ignored the singing now, “we should probably get back to the guests… Presents are next.” She grabs Vi’s hand and leads him out of her office, down the stairs and back to the crowd. Once the eclipse is over and people have milled back inside she announces, “let us all gather around now and watch as the Queen of larket opens and enjoys her many presents.”


Leoxander heard a distant shattering of glass, but not only was he confronted by Gigi, everyone seemed to be milling toward the view of the moons and this distracted him from bothering to look Brennia's way again. He maintained his place at the bar, despite that some sense of dread hit the pirate like a rough wind on the waters, suggesting a storm.


Orikahn arrives conspicuously as he claws his way, inch by inch, through a window that is not quite large enough to accommodate him. First his head appears, an enormous furry thing that belongs to a saber-toothed tiger, except that this one has three eyes? And they glow phosphorescent green. The head snarls in exerting as one shoulder pops through, and then the other, prompting the windowframe to groan in protest. Kahn echoes the groan likewise and gives a wiggle, slipping a wee bit further through the petite, improvised entryway until, aha! He's managed to pull one whole arm through and it grasps at the wall frantically, claws finally getting a hold on the marble so he can STRAAAAIN to pull the rest of himself through, outrageous musculature bulging beneath his fur like shifting cannonballs. For a moment, it looks like he's pulled himself as far as he will, pull and push and grunt and claw as he may, and then the partygoers will simply have to deal with a monster in the window when, all at once, his other arm pops free and he manages to kick himself through with his hind legs and, miraculously, finish on his hind feet. Orikahn drops to a defensive crouch. His nares flare. His eyes widen, and he scans frantically for an exit.


Dergious watches the sky, a shiver of pleasure escapes and the sky deepens and the light recedes. The dwarf reaches skyward, his meaty fingers curled like claws. He raises his other hand in the same fashion, and then he slowly rakes the air above him as if he might rip it open and feast on its organs.


Dezerae took another sip of her beer, wincing after from its beer-y taste. She keeps her attention on the party and the commencement of gifts before slowly pulling her attention away to respond to Leo, "Yeah, I guess. If you're into that type of-" She notices his lowered attention and follows it to the aforementioned pup. She breathes a soft noise in suppressed excitement before containing herself. "Are...are you going to pick him up?" The worry and anxiety that slowly filled the air was lost to the pet-focused woman.


Hudson had figured that Alvina would turn him down and therefore has lost nothing by coming on to her. He will renew the attempt later, in private she may be endeared by his drunken professing of his love. Something is happening, and the room briefly grows quieter to follow the eclipse. Hudson squeezes Alvina's hand, and then slips his arm around her waist because everybody's looking up pretty much. "I hope this isn't scaring the girls," he whispers to her. There's the sound of a distant shatter, and Hudson looks in that direction, confused. "Did you hear that?" he asks Alvina, and then suddenly Brennia's returned and announced that it's time for gifts. He refreshes his Gigi.


Pilar and the other bards end their song at Brennia's announcement. All eyes are on the Larketian Queen now, all but Pilar's, as she remained seated and stared at her hands. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She wished Yozenra was here.


Macon growls out an “alrigh’’ when Josleen assures him that everything is OK. The eclipse starts and she is soon pulled away from him to open a mountain of presents. He sends the queen off with a hand on her butt, something between a slap and a grab, before he peels off for the bar and a refill, bypassing the wait staff this time around.


Josleen stares in awe at the lunar eclipse and fumbles back towards Macon to hold his hand as they stare at the astronomical phenomenon. She’s oblivious to the invisible, wraithen wisps that snake through the crowd, weave in her hair, snag on belts, entangle in clothes, sink in drinks, sprinkle on food. Gigi whimpers and scurries to his parents, pinning himself between Macon and Josleen’s legs. Augusta and Jessa also cluster in close to their children, the Royal Larketian family a tightly knit unit when confronting the unknown. Then Orikahn busts through a window with a grunt and grimace, and Josleen cries out his name. “Kahn!” She looks at Hildegarde questioningly, like ‘Did you know he was here?’ Brennia announces it is time to open presents and Josleen sits in the designated chair, leaving the Silver to deal with the vicious tiger.


Hildegarde, at the cacophony of Orikahn and the unspoken command of Josleen, begins snapping her fingers and making moves towards Orikahn. Did she even say ‘scat’ at one point? Maybe. But it’s all typical cat scaring moves, you know. Next it’s the water bottle. Scat, cat!


Alvina is looking skyward, lost in the moment. The shattering misses her ears, which are only trained for two things now. One is the cry of children....no beeps on that radar. The second thing is Hudson, to second loudest thing in her life, and he's asking her a question about imaginary / other sounds that don't hit the scale. "I didn't hear anything." She offers, uselessly, before turning to the crowd to wait for Josleen to sort through her castle of presents. If they lived in a fort now, Macon and Josleen could surely construct a summer home with these gifts. Hudson left the baby gifts to Alvina, who had purchased a bunch of boring, necessary items and tied a bow on top to make it look fancied. Nothing about motherhood is glamorous...unless you're a Queen but she knows so very little about that.


Brennia heard some more crashing in the distance and follows Josleen’s gaze when she shouts a name. Then she follows the gaze to Hildegarde… Hesitantly she begins handing her presents to open one by one, but sort of keeping an eye on the tiger person.


Leoxander gave Dezerae another of those famous looks, as if judging her sanity and finding it flawed. "It's a he?" He hadn't bothered to care, but even though he wasn't going to be picking Gigi up that day (and not only because the poodle seemed spooked and scurried off), he had held the pup before. A secret that none but the woman in the bad red wig would know. The fact that the animals in the room, including the three eyed wild one to barge in, seemed frightened didn't escape Leo - he had a wolf sense buried away, after all. His eyes are narrowed, but after a still pause and a long silence, he finally lifted his beer to finish off that second bottle, foam slipping to the bottom as he placed it empty on the counter. "Are we really goin' to hang here all damn day? We could be scoutin' the docks for potentials." This brought a look toward Hildegarde, who he still thought owed him a ship, even if he hadn't quite satisfied the accord of their bargain.


Macon finds Dez, Leo, and Gigi. He doesn't really know the first two, so they kind of get a half nod of acknowledgement. The royal pup however, gets what he was begging the lycans for from his king, a piece of sausage with a bite missing from it. Whiskey gets refilled and The Rage Knight asks about ice cubes, do they have an ice mage making them for the beverages here? Hopefully.


Josleen is grateful for Alvina’s odor-controlling diaper hamper, enchanted bottle warming and sterilizing station, and bulk-size sack of high-end burp/vomit wipes – with aloe! There’s a discreet jar of nipple chafe cream. Educational.


Pilar began to feel sick, her heart poisoned by anger and hatred. She couldn't watch this a moment longer and, after whispering to one of the bards to give her apologies to Brennia, the pianist hurried from the room and out into the gardens.


Josleen meets Macon’s gaze across the room reproachfully, in the way of all wives who believe their husband is doing the wrong thing at that moment, and thus should be doing something else. You know the look, the slight, viper-like widening of the eyes, the thinly pursed lips (at the very least, Hudson understand this look). Captured in one half-second of The Look: We’re opening presents, and you should be here thanking people and making “Oh!” noises and saying “That’s great!”


Orikahn hears his name, and sure enough, they're sending in the enforces. He puts his palms up defensively as Hilde approaches, and his tail (already quite bushy) doubles in size. "What. Now. You." The feline's ears slick back against his scull, and just when he's about to turn sideways and get on his toes, there! The crowd has shifted in the wake of the shattering jar and the ominous air that follows. Wasting no time, the massive cat bolts down his avenue of escape, leaps over the refreshment table without upsetting a single hors d'oeuvre, sails clean over Derg's head, and is gone in a furry flash, doubtless over hill and yon.


Brennia makes sure to write down all of the names of the gift givers and even shows her how to use the Crystalline memory ball that her and Vi made. Brennia will mail out thank-you cards to all of the wonderful guests once everything is wrapped up… Given she doesn’t get swamped with anything other than work…


Hildegarde is determined to see the cat chasing through, so she pursues Orikahn! She’s not as graceful and she’s a bit clunky in her pursuit, but off she goes! Lisbeth can only watch and humbly apologise on behalf of her Queen. “Cats, hah, you know,” she shrugs and hopes everyone understands the futility of trying to reason with cats.


Leoxander made certain not to present that question too loud to Dezerae, particular when Macon stepped into their spot and the rogue had to struggle to hide an expression as if he smelled something foul. Just the slightest raise of stubble covered jaw returned to the King, who he studied for only a moment.


Hudson doesn't know what to do now that the present opening is underway. He is itching to suggest that they ditch again, but suspects that suggestion would be not well received by his wife. He just keeps his hand at the small of her back, although it's been gradually sneaking a little lower since nobody's looking.


Macon can only ignore that look for so long by pretending that Gigi is really fascinating. The dog gets too excited by the sausage, eats it too fast, coughs it up, and eats it again. Slowly but surely he makes his way over to his wife and stands behind her, idling sipping whiskey and picking up the jar of nip cream, turning it over in his hand. "Oh." Hopefully that covers the duties that Josleen's look suggested he needed to see through.


Brennia was having her wait staff file out any and all gifts on out to the traveling flying coach for whenever the king and Queen find it suitable to leave. Brennia went about handing out winners to the prizes, but before she does that she tracks the couple down to catch them together, “deciding to bring life into this world was no easy decision where I am from and I want you two to know just how much I admire you for doing so. If there is anything you guys ever need from me just let me know… It has been an honor to do this for you.” Her dimple inducing smile spreads across her plump lips and parts them to reveal perfect pearly whites, “thank you again for coming.”


Skysong graciously accepts the gold from dear Brennia. "Thank you so much!" She turns to Josleen and Macon, "Congratualtions on your bundle of joy. I wish him all the health and happiness."


Dezerae nodded toward the King but still pouted when the canine scurried off. Leo’s initial question was met with a frown, his lack of understand of the pup compounding with missed opportunity. “Obviously.” Her words are hushed, the newly arrived attendee catching her attention. The feline watched Orikahn for a while, juggling thoughts in her had that she’d keep private before her train of thought is again interrupted by Leo’s muttering. She turns to the bar so that she can begin her second bottle as well, “You can leave early, if you want. And leave me here, abandoned.” Dezerae turned again, silently watching the present exchange and patiently waiting for what she expected to be a cranky retort from Leo.


Leoxander might disappoint her, as he only managed a sigh and motioned to the server for another beer. A begrudging 'whatever' held back. Brennia would look to Macon once Josleen became occupied with something else and her timbre became a little more serious before quietly mentioning to him, “King Macon… I do hope that whatever is set to happen that you do not think all Avians are the same.” That is really all she can say on the matter until she can get involved in order to appeal what the government is working towards.


Josleen is content with Macon’s presence. There’s only so much she can ask of a strong-willed, hyper-masculine man like him. She does, however, take the nip cream away from him. Let’s not dwell on that, ok? She hides it in the diaper hamper and sets about opening all the other gifts. There’s 5 wooden rocking horses. What are they going to do with all this stuff?! The party winds down and the Larketian Kingsguard carry the gifts into the carriage designated by Brennia for ferrying gifts. Josleen says her goodbyes then leaves with her family.


Hudson notices that someone (he does not realize it is him/his wife) has gifted Josleen nipple cream and that Macon is looking at it. He exchanges a meaningful look with Alvina. He drinks another Gigi, openly touches Alvina on the butt at this point because he wants to leave, how many wooden rocking horses does one royal baby need. At some point the proceedings wind down, and it becomes apparent that he will soon be put out of his misery/will have the opportunity to try to grope her in the carriage ride home! Yes!


Brennia finds her way to Hudson and Alvina to give them another hug, “so when is your baby shower?” A soft raspy giggle before she looks to Hudson, “and when you see your mom again make sure to tell Zachael that he can come back a week later than expected.” A beaming smile to them, “you two are always welcome to stay the night as well. It is quite late and it’s a long journey back to, where did you move to again?”


Hudson puts his stealth butt touching of his wife on hold and embraces Brennia, whom he is happy to see because now he's just pleasantly drunk. "Oh, for the third, not necessary," he tells her, laughing awkwardly at the mention of his mum and Zachael. Yeah, that's a thing that's happening... "That's very kind of you, but we've got an enchanted coach ordered to pick us up so there's no worries," he thanks her. They say their goodbyes, including to the royal couple, Leoxander and Dezerae, and then they're on their way.


Macon really doesn't understand what Brennia is trying to get at. For her part, even before this party she threw for the expecting Larketian Queen, Brennia has been a friend to the crown and Larket. If he were to judge all avians to be the same, it would reflect strongly on the race. So he simply nods, and gives a meaningless "I will." Before thanking the hostess for an event well thrown, doing some pointing and waving, and leaving with his family, the party tailed out by the Larketian Kingsguard.


Pilar, having calmed, whistled for her ride. A midnight-blue couatl flew down, a squirrel in her mouth. Emielle gulped her dinner down as Pilar mounted her, and the two soared home, unaware of the wisps clinging to Pilar's dress.