#fenixtj

Imbolc proper is a grand event! A flood of citizens come in, and wave at the balefire. Who started this trend is not sure. But they seem to think it's lucky

Jessica maybe surprised that she's not the draw. Oh folks wish her well, but as hostess that's expected.

Jess is not surprised or bothered in the least. The Balefire as the center of the celebration of light is as it should be.

The cooks have out done themselves, with some help from DeBuke supplies they've made enough so no guest goes away without a plate if they want it

And indeed, often if they don't.

Guilty there.

Diego meets and greets so Jessica doesn't have to, praising the people and their sense of community. He can be a cheeseball at times, but he also has some fantastic oratory skills ...

no doubt, his calculated sharing of the increasingly good wine and liquors helps

Jess is not above deploying talent where it best serves.

Dame Ash has by now recovered most of her lost glamour. Troubadour Bevera ap Gwydion keeps things lively.

And a redcap enters in that she vaguely recalls though he's not a local. He's a brute of a wilder in his late teens, bigger than some men ten years older when it comes to muscle. The fact he wears a jackett with Rivervale's symbol on it might catch her eye

It does indeed, and she makes her way over to greet him casually. "Hail, Rivervale, and welcome."

He looks about then says "Need me to bow?"

"No." mildly "Jess King." she offers a hand.

"Dirk Lee" he shakes hands "Peacemaker of Rivervale" his grip is firm "I got asked to pass on your family's regards and well wishes this Imbolc. Got a care package and shit if you like."

She may recall seeing Dirk around now and then indeed.

She nods. "I recognize your name Peacemaker. Welcome to Renaissance. I'll take the gifts, with pleasure."

He nods, goes back a bit, and offers up a crate wraped in foil meant to look like shimmering balefire "Siv wanted to do this herself but she's recovering and stuff but everyone put something in. They got duties, the big three that is, this being our imbolc too so they wrangled me into it."

"Don't break the box under the foil, it's part of the gift"

She tucks the crate under one arm, with care. "Siv's recovering? From what?"

OOC AFK a bit

"She got jumped on some mission, cut up some" he shrugs "They healed her but she's still on recovery. I don't know all the details. You know how trolls are. Even Siv, who isn't like a super trolly troll, tends to shut up about wounds. Me? I wonder if she got cool scars. Like Tats for Caps"

"Mm." Jess makes a mental note. "Will you stay a while? You might like to see The Pitt."

"Can't linger long" he says "I got fam, they'll want me to go back for Part of Imbolc at home. Nothing personal. Pitt sounds cool"

"Come by another time, then. Standing invite."

"Cool. " He says and looks about "I may grab some grub before I go as a snack for the way back"

"Enjoy the box." He adds "Happy Imbolc" And he walks by a table, "Okay if I have some?" Someone nods, and Dirk grabs a chicken, a WHOLE chicken, and walks off. Leaving the person who nodded startled.

Clearly they don't know many redcaps

"Of course." Jess is not at all phased by this. Par for the course.

And off he goes. While she has a ...crate.

"You need us to make sure the crate is safe, boss?" Demos offers

Jess gives him a small smile. "I think I'll take care of it myself, but thanks." and she goes to find a spot where she can open it.

Not hard to do as the party goes on.

Removing the foil reveals the wooden box is hand carved by Brekke! It's definitely her style

A soft smile, tracing the carving... and she opens the box gently.

Opening the box's lid, she finds a folder of pictures, chimerical ones. Siv must have borrowed Dagmar's camera. There's dad waving from the truck! There's mom, carving that very same box with a look of concentration on her face. A selfie of Siv and Vali's kid, Theon. A picture of Gerd wearing a black lace kitchen apron. Picture also of Dagmar leaning over to tend to a horse while back from college. Sylvi applying make up. Uncle Jaymes and Tove and CJ... And a picture of the lodge itself. She had some chimerical photos, but these are newer.

That's not all though...

Carefully contained, her favorite dessert! Still fresh.

And a spinning top, beautifully painted. One side has images from New Jersey, another part has California, another has the area around Firnost, and the last Fenix!. SPin it and watch her tour whiz about

in fact, there's a bit of glamour in the top

Jess packs everything up, carefully positioning herself so the room can't see her expression, and carries it to her room.

She takes a moment before returning to her hostess duties.

Diego has handled things for a bit, but now is taking it easy "Hope things are okay?"

"Absolutely. Here?"

"Excellent" He smiles "Ellie is charming many, others come to see the balefire, and even the Nunehi seem to be enjoying themselves"

Jess glances around to note how the Nunehi are doing.

One flayed woman is dancing to music .

Probably a sight to see... or best left unseen.

More the latter.

otem approaches