#baronyofthesilverwolf

Awaiting the arrival of the Monarch and the start to festivities, more of the Silverwolf residents have emerged from their costuming cocoons to display their outfits and put finishing touches on themselves, the hold, and each other!

Bluebell is trim and pert in her Mad Hatter costume, a small hat perched between her ears!  Julius joins her at the Tea Party as the March Hare, though those less familiar with Carroll may guess him to be the Rabbit.

Bolstered by Nadeen's encouragement, Marigold did go with her queen of Clubs gown, and Briar is brightly colored in her costume - "A Diamond-Back Jabbersnake!  Jaws that Bite... AND Poison! AND venomous, you can tell because of the bright colors."  Has she actually been listening in biology?  "And they're immune to Purple Swords."  She adds, glaring at anyone who dares refute this logic.  The costume is... unusual, monstrous without a recognizable theme though well-fitting - it seems that clever hands have adjusted it in the night, and even added on giant fangs that glint dangerously... but are made of tin foil over felt.

As they approach the hour of the celebration, the Monarch still has not arrived. Finally, finally the sound of Danica's patrol car - and conversation from outside. After a moment, the thane comes to the door, and she requests, "Dame Lavender, I need your assistance."

Nadeen looks almost like she stepped through a master artists canvas to join the real world, as Queen of hearts, she was one of the first ready and out, taking her hosting duties seriously.

The Knave of hearts moves quickly "Right away, thane" And bounces to aid.

Linnea is leaning on the patrol car, talking quietly through the open door to a mousy-looking woman in the back seat, and she moves over to speak to Lavender as she approaches. "She doesn't want to come." Sounding a bit baffled. "Stubborn little lady..." A trace of respect there, but also frustration.

Danica rumbles, "She wouldn't go for a drink. Friendly enough, but it took my badge to get her to come along at all."

Angela Chesterton looks up at Dame Lavender in eyes that are touched with glamour - awe and a little fear. But she says firmly, "As I told the Policewoman, I am sure that it's just... I'm seeing things, maybe I ate something... one of the pastries from the PTA fundraiser? You know they say that 'mary-jane' is sneaking into all sorts of baked goods, I didn't think we had one of those vendors in OUR town, but I must have eaten something, but if I could just go home and lie down a bit, I'm sure I would be put to sorts. I have so much to do." She babbles a touch. "And I know that Chet will be looking for me, no, I really MUST get home."

Linnea says to the Knight in an undertone, "I understand you may have some skill in Chicanery? Danica's is limited and more affects the world than the people. And it's never something I was good with myself. We NEED her."

"Fear not, your majesty, all is but a dream... " The knave bows "And fear has not been invited... you are safe here. You can dance if you want to" She says in cadence, "You can leave your fears behind. Because your fears don't dance and if they don't dance, we don't need their kind! You can enjoy some magic, if only for a little while. Maybe remember what it's like to move happily... and even smile" The lyrics are not.. right, and there is no little person bobbing along, but the magic of SAFETY dance with a frresh take might help the bunk

And it's possible Dancia might feel her own mood lighten

The lady's fae screws up in uncertainty... and seeing the fantastic, she says softly, eyes gleaming. "And what good is it to me that you're here now? Where where you twenty years ago, ten years ago? How dare you, how dare you come to me now, when I am this?"

But as Lavender's song - a silly thing, but she does remember dancing to that very tune when she was not as she is now - not a worn-down, downtrodden and stepped upon thing, a timid, depressed house-mouse - but a younger, happier woman, with the world before her... and she smiles.

"Hello, ladies. I'm Angie Perkins." With a giggle of a girl half her age. "I think you said something about a drink? Oh, and you all look so nice... maybe I could dress up too? It feels like it's been AGES since I dressed up to go out with the gals."

Masked and dressed as.... a cake? Pastry? Petit Four?

She edges in and holds up a wall.

Lavender feels the sting of those accusations , she knows the works of Beagle. How many changelings read the last unicorn and realized that the writer had touched something true, powerful? A rightful rebuke to the fantastic that sneered at the mundane only to intrude upon that mundane, even to need it? Ouch... not banal, just righteous ire then the mood softens "You're the princess tonight, Angie, we're going to get you the threads and get you that drink! Heck, you're our Queen. There are other queens, but you're the Queen of the Carnvial. Let's get you inside huh?"

A Full House, at least someone with those symbols as parto f her costume, nods to the pastry.

And the Queen of hearts moves to the Pastry, transcendent, beside her, a little dog in a most silly outfit of her own.

The Pastry straightens off the wall, wincing behind her mask, and offers an awkward bow.

Touched by cantrip and excited now about the party, Angie heads in, and Bluebell swoops in like a small yet fierce force of nature and bustles her off for quick costuming.

Tibb's, Gwen's own rescue, wheels over to greet Willy. His chair is decorated with a bit of cardboard and a bit more glamour, and the effect is that of a Rocking Horse! There's the proud reined head, on the sides, those are the rockers... and on the back, a pair of wings. Ah, it's the Rocking-Horse-Fly.

"Well well, a Queen of Hearts visiting the... well, it would be rude to call a lady a tart, even if you can call a spade a spade. You both are looking sweet as pie, though." The old Eshu flirts with a grin.

"You look lovely, Madame Morsel. " Tthe Queen of hearts assures Willy "Great costume. Fear not, no beheadings allowed. " She gestures "Help yourselves to food and drink" At Tibs flirtations, she laughs. "Why thank you, Mister Rocking Horse Fly, I believe the true Queen is being dressed even now so I should enjoy flattery while I can before she righttly takes the bulk of it"

"I knew this costume was a stupid idea...." muttered.

Nadeen hears the muter "Tonight's not a night for judging, and nor is it meant that way. "

It's hard for a sidhe to not commandeer the attention of a room, but he certainly tries. Aiden is arriving, coming down the stairs into the main hall. His garb is black and silver motley, ludicrous and yet elegant. A silver and black mask completes the look, bells chiming softly as he moves, and a jester's staff topped with a plush wolf-head in one hand.

Her bow to the Queen of Hearts revealed there's something on the back of her costume, paper or cardboard of some sort.

The play list starts up with some music

Nadeen takes a moment to look at what's back of her costume

ANd then.. once she sees turns ... and sees tthe Jester she lifts her chin and pierces him with a gaze

Willy's proximity to the wall doesn't help to see what's on her back, but Nadeen can figure it out- a sign. It reads "Eat Me."

Arriving PROMPTLY at sunset, the precise time indicated on the invitation, is Mr. Elias Aberdeen.  He checks his antique pocket-watch to ensure the time is exact before he walks in, neither a minute early nor late.  The sluagh gent is accompanied by a wilder teen of his kith as well, the elder in a dusty Victorian suit and cloak, the young wearing a tattered dress in spiderweb patterns, and both with glittering black Harlequin masks.

Dolph, the boggan stablemaster comes in just on their heels, wearing a spry white suit with red diamond accents - "I'm dressed to the Nines!"  And chortles at the groans.  "Now where's that Monarch?"  He glances at the place of honor... still vacant.

The two sluagh whisper to each other, eying the empty seat as well.

Julius steps up to announce, "Our Carnival Queen is being waited upon and will soon arrive!" He bows to the folk arriving, and the bunny-ears pinned to his hair flop over his face.

The Jester scans the crowd as he moves down the staircase, and freezes for a moment as he sees the Queen of hearts. He raises his jester wand to her, and then bows deeply.

The Queen of Hearts smiles as she's bowed to , and inclines his head. Then she notes others are coming in. And she goes to play hostess "Welcome to Silverwolf. Fear not, no beheadings are allowed this evening. I am the Queen of Hearts, but it is the Queen of Carnivale who rules or shall. Please, how can I serve you both? We have properly aged repastes of various sorts, and of course tea"

And to look at her face you'd think she had no dislike of sluagh at all

To his credit, the elder sluagh does not recoil, but gives Nadeen an appropriate bow for her rank. "Baroness Dancingsnow, I presume?"

The younger has pulled back and whispers to Elias - too quiet to be heard.

He pats the girl on her arm and whispers to Nadeen. "This is my niece, Lizbet. We are both very grateful for the invitation. And that no beheadings will be held... this evening. Tea would be lovely."

Lizbet gums at a grey lower lip - not pretty, this one. Too thin by far, dark hair pulled tight and severe, and sallow complexion... well, perhaps there are some out there who would appreciate her. Her sunken eyes flick around, and she sees very ill at ease.

She notes the pause. Canny, this one. Then again so many of them are , that says "Hello, Lizbet, I wonder if you know a girl named Lily? Perhaps not. Please, allow me, I'll make tea for both of you. Observe if you wish, and please let me know if you like lumpy cream or the like added?"

They follow her, Elias near, Lizbet hanging back. She startles away from a shadow - but it was just that. He remains closer to Nadeen, that she can hear his dry, whispered voice, like the shuffle of faded pages. And repeats for the younger. Soon they both have cups of tea and decaying crumpets that had been set out, politically away from the other food, but still in a perfectly nice corner where the ball can be observed.

Just as they are getting settled, a set of doors open, and two Playing Card Guards arrive! It may be hard to tell one from the other, both twin troll Thanes masked - the Ace of Hearts to the left, Ace of Spades to the right, and between them, the mortal Queen - Angie. She looks years younger - or perhaps not younger, just happier? Weight of her cares lifted makes a worn expression look young and beautiful once more. Silk and lace adorned in a gown of pastel blue and shimmering ivory, elegant and childlike at the same time. The gleaming crown rather than a big white bow exclaims that she is Royalty!

Ace of Spades announces in Danica's gruff voice, "Announcing, her Majesty! Queen Alice of Wonderland!"

Both Sluagh rise as quickly as they had sat, and bow low - a ripple that follows throughout the room.

The Queen of hearts goes directly before the Queen of Carnival and kneels "Your Majesty, my sister Queen, welcome to your domain! "

"oh she's beautiful" Gwen mutters as she bows low too

Lavender bows also

The Queen looks astonished as they all bow. "Oh, get up, get up! We can't party if you're all on the floor..."

Soft sounds of silk rustling and bells jingling, and the Jester - or is it Joker? Bows low - lower - lowest! Until he's practically sprawled on the floor itself. The Wolf-Headed marrote bobs up and down as he speaks, held in the air as though it, not the Sidhe Baron, were doing the talking.

"Her Most Royal Majesty Queen Alice, be welcome here!" The Puppet seems to talk, plush mouth looks like it's yapping with a touch of magic.

Bluebell, wiggling her fingers from where she is curtseyed by the dessert table, seems to be the cause!

The Queen of hearts rises, then moves to the Joker "Apologies, Queen Alice, the joker is being a bit wild" And she makes a show of 'dragging' the Joker along comically

He scoots across the floor, scuffing his fine motley a bit, and keeps his head bowed deferentially. Nadeen is close enough to notice the tension in his form - this does not come naturally to the quiet and proud Ailil.

A coarse laugh from near the door. "Look at the dog groveling! Woof woof, fido!"

A small group has arrived - though they may have just walked in at the same time. A Boggan and Nocker, dressed as playing cards - the boggan with a paintbrush ready to color the white roses red, and the nocker leaning on a staff that looks like a Flamingo - ah, it's a croquette mallet. Lavender recognizes Adler and Zelda from delivering the invitation, but the other two are strangers to her.

The first is a redcap - broad shouldered and with muscular arms, covered with tattoos and with a necklace of barbed wire. He plucks a mask from the basket by the door, eyes it, then pulls the elastic back to fling it across the room - where it narrowly misses the punch bowl! His companion a piskie judging from the long silver hair, is also male, and taller than he. Where the redcap is beefy in the manner of veiny-armed might, the piskie is lean and muscled - definitely visits the gym, based on how his abs show through the skin-tight shirt that says "Joker's Wild". This fellow has a proper Harlequin mask befitting Carnival.

The Queen eyes the new arrivals - the sidhe on the floor might be more stunningly handsome (if she could see him!), but the piskie... well, he's yummy. Alice's hands go to her cheeks and she blushes a bit, realizing she was staring.

Gwen, the full house, moves to the Queen of the Carnivale "Queen Alice, this extra joker in the deck, do you wish to order him to get you some wine?"

"He looks like a guest, I can't order him around..." Queen Alice demurs.

Aiden rises from the floor, resisting the urge to dust himself off - he's sure to go back down there. He raises his hands in the air, one still holding the wolf puppet high.

"Welcome, one and all to our Humble Silverwolf Carnival. On this day, all are welcome here, folk traveling in from far and near! Our mortal Queen upon her throne will take this court as her very own." No Bluebell he, this is where the rhymes end, but his voice continues.

Nadeen can sense as he takes center stage... it is difficult to Ken when surrounded by So. Much. Glamour. The Hold itself, the ebb and flow of little cantrips, from those that make the puppet dance to minor tweaks, costumes and voile, visitors dross and Treasures. But... there, she can sense it. As the SIdhe ignores the jibes and makes his declarations, a pulse on invisible threads. Here, to a painting. There, to a statuette. More, in every direction it seems, this room and that, up the stairs and down through the floorboards... how many of these threads are there? It's not a line, not a web... it's a tapestry...

"The Laws of Carnival Are three." He proclaims, speaking to the Monarch as much as to the guests. Oh, and the wolf puppet still flaps his jaw along with the sidhe's speech.

"There shall be no retribution for words spoken or deeds done. Carnival is open season." Bluebell chimes in softly, "Duck Season!"
"Carnival is Sacred. ALL who attend are welcome and safe. If this law is broken, our Queen may mete out any punishment she so desires." He bows again to the Mortal and continues, "Queen Alice rules the court until the end of Carnival. Give her your full obedience and honor her as our Queen. Anyone who disrespects the Monarchy will do so at their own peril." The two Playing Card Thanes stomp the butts of their Heart and Spade tipped spears!

"Lastly... let merriment reign!" He bows low and steps back, relinquishing the attention of the party.

The Queen of hearts stiffens subtly He's tied so tight. how can I help? She inhales and glides away to greet the guests. "Yes, welcome, Welcome. I am Nadeen, acting hostess and merely queen of hearts. Such lovely costumes" to the couple " I love the mallet." to the redcap and Piskie she says "You'll find fine repaste... why one of our own has meats from stag laid low prepared"

"Hey, they actually have another fuckin' Nocker here." Zelda says to Adler in surprise. "Why don't you go say hello then?" He is looking over the crowd, taking in the social implications as Pooka greets Eshu, Sidhe takes the sidelines, oh, there's a Troll guard eyeing the door wistfully... all mental notes he absorbed in the space of a glance.

In response to Nadeen, Zelda spins the mallet and smacks it into her hand. "It's a bit Blunt-Force-Trauma, but I figured it works, we're here for Fla-mingling."

The Redcap glowers down at Nadeen, cracking his knuclkles, but he does eye the sumptuous table of snacks. The Piskie Bows to her - a small, mocking motion. "My companion and I will surely partake in the goods to be had on offer." He also looks over the hold curiously, and with a gleam in his eye.

Gwen /Full House turns to Queen Alice, and says "Oh Queen, you've been a prisoner for so long. But the Joker spoke true. You do rule here. You are allowed to enjoy yourself, allowed to command and have fun. Harm none, and your word is law... what delights you? Ask for it and it is yours if we humble dreams can provide"

Nadeen smiles "That is Willy, a resident brought in by the former and future Baron. Her talent looks promising"

Miss Pastry is still holding a wall up.

"I... I think I WOULD like a drink. Miss..." Though the thirst in her gaze on the Piskie is maybe not for liquid. Looking back to Gwen - the girl looks familiar! " Is that a Straight?" Looking over Gwen's costume.

The JabberSnake pops up and says "If yer majesty needs the can, I can show you where to make a ROYAL FLUSH!" Briar GRINS toothily.

"Full House" the girl says "But you may call me anything you like, your majesty." Then she turns to the piskie "Her majesty wishes you to get a drink, good Piskie! "

Nadeen chuckles "Flam Mingling... " Then turns to get drinks

It might be a reversal to see a sidhe dressed as a queen fetch drinks for the commonor couple, but Kerri's trainingn means Nadeen does it well!

"Oh, aren't you just the CUTEST little monster?" Queen Alice pats Briar on the head. Briar looks happy for a moment, then remembers that she is fierce! And dives into the crowd. "LOOKOUT I'M POISONOUS! RAWR!"

The piskie scoffs for a moment... but heads to the punch table. Pouring a goblet full of the ruby-red punch... a hand slipping into his pocket for a moment as he turns... and then taking it to the Queen. "Your Majesty! Black Jack, at your service. What's a pretty little thing like you doing in a doghouse like this?" The piskie leans towards the Queen, knowing what angles show off his form best.