Summer has come to Silverwolf, even if the Sun is a violent, burning orange shade in a sienna sky.
Though much of the state is covered with a drifting clouds of smoke - a lingering, creeping fog that clings and poisons the air, drifting down on winds from northern wildfires - here at the Manor, the balefire's power keeps the miasma at bay.
Which is just as well, as today is a festive day!
Streamers in shades of black, white, and red - the colors of Carthage High - as well as in Daireann silver and green festoon the trees and pavilion set up on one of the garden lawns. A banner proclaims, "Congratulations, Gwen! Class of '23" and a table of snacks and drinks has an impressive centerpiece - a multi-tiered cake that features a mortarboard cap as well as crossed LaCrosse sticks - AND a chocolate fountain with associated fruit, cake, and etc for dipping into the decadent streams.
As a nod to her role as kennelmistress, there is also a platter of homemade dog biscuits - NOT chocolate for these - and plenty of eager (yet well behaved) noses and tails twitch, hoping that the snackers and passers by will grant treatos unto the pups. Because of course, all the dogs are invited as well!
If it seems odd that there is a large, looming, and dour policewoman (armored to Fae sight) guarding the table, all confusion may come clear as they see Briar who lurks, eyeing the not-yet-sliced cake with a lean and hungry look.
A large punchbowl is stirred, tasted, and has more of this juice, that fruit added until it is mixed to nonalcoholic perfection. Julius also sets out bottles of wine as well as sparkling grape juices.
Bluebell chats animatedly with Lavender as they check the sound system set up for background tunes.
Off closer to the garage and workshops, Thistle TINKERS. It's not quite the 4th of July yet, but why not use the occasion to practice? Citrine buzzes about curiously, and a few other brightly colored Nevers flit back and forth, examining the cake, the decorations, etc before being drawn back to Thistle once more.
Though the party is not for them, the resident children are not forgotten, having a table all their own with crayons and crafts! Construction paper and ribbons to make their own mortarboard caps, and... well, they look like cat toys, fanciful sticks with colorful ribbons and sparkles, but the childlings also have an important job as Never Distractors if the little flittertigibits get too annoying with any guests.
In the lee of one of the trees at the edge of the garden lurks a shadow within a shadow - Lizbet is as far from the speakers and the childlings as possible, scarcely even present if one doesn't know where to look.
Managing it all, the Mistress of the Manor is resplendent as always, flitting here and there with poise and aplomb, and ensuring that all elements of the gathering are well within Nadeen's capable hands.
