Samhain's Greetings Report
General Summary
Hilda stares down at the little frog within her desk. Using her House Aesin ability, she croaks softly at the amphibian, though it proves unnecessary as the frog opens its mouth and begins to speak in English. The frog explains that it is a prince, cursed to be a frog until he can be kissed by a princess. Unfortunately, the frog-prince cannot remember his name or who he used to be. As the teacher calls the class to settle down, Hilda closes her desk softly. But as soon as the bell rings, she rushes off to show the other motley members the frog-prince. They begin to try and think of what they can do to help - some suggest going to New York City, to see the princess of the Kingdom of Apples. Or maybe the princess of Pacifica. Frank suggests that maybe the curse can be lifted by something more pedantic, like a girl named Princess instead of having the actual title. With that thought mind, Skulde tries experimentally to kiss the frog-prince - a queen is similar enough to a princess, right? Unfortunately not for this curse. The frog-prince remains stubbornly a frog. The motley decides to visit the baron, to see if he can offer any advice. When they arrive at Ashby Manor, they find the baron's wife, Hannah Veneer, working busily to prepare for the next night's Samhain festivities. They explain the circumstance of the poor frog-prince, and when Skulde explains that she's a queen, which they thought may work on the curse, Hannah seems quite amused by the middle schooler's assertion of her royalty. This infuriates Skulde, but Hannah seems unbothered by her rage. Instead, Hannah picks up a crystal figurine, cut to show a pirouetting ballerina. She comments that they may find what they're looking for tomorrow night. Frank immediately catches on: maybe a girl dressed as a princess could break the curse. They thank Hannah and head on their way. As they walk, Charles asks about thallain, thinking of the spriggan who kidnapped him. Skulde is happy to fill him in on the monsters that go bump in the night, even revealing that she's killed on before. Satisfied, Charles speeds up to walk beside Frank, leaving George and Hilda alone. Hilda admits quietly to George that as much as she and Frank fight, she wants him to remain the pure and optimistic childling she knows. George promises to help her in that endeavor, and the two make a silent pact. Frank happily and obliviously takes them to Taqueria El Vaquero, where his family serves a fantastic Mexican feast, closing out the last day before Samhain with warm laughter, music, and good food.
It is Halloween! Samhain, for the fae. Everyone is all dressed up for such an occasion, and Hilda immediately goes in on Frank, teasing him about dressing up for Tiffany . Whether it's a joke or not, everyone is starting to suspect that she might actually be trying to set the two up as a pair. Frank, meanwhile, lets out a whoop and attempts to play some mariachi, but trips and eats pavement (botch). As the motley meanders around the Town Hall Halloween festival, Hilda experimentally tries a meat on a stick - and almost immediately chokes on it. Thankfully, the day is saved by George and the celebrations continue on without issue. Hilda uses her mastery over Winter to freeze out Frank as a prank, and Frank yelps at his whole body is covered in a thin layer of frost, much to Hilda's amusement. Frank, somewhat inspired by the cold gradually seeping into his costume, tries another mariachi jig to warm up and this time doesn't do so bad! It is about this time that Hilda gets bored of the human celebrations and suggests that they go up to Ashby Manor to partake in Samhain. George decides to join her and they set off together, while Frank and Charles bum around the Town Hall event a bit more. As they pass through town, Skulde and George notice Derek Buford, the school bully, dressed as a pirate. They decide to pause and get some glamour from scaring the boy, and successfully lure him into an alley where they absolutely scare the shit out him. The sight of George's true face when Skulde invokes the Wyrd makes Derek drop his candy and run. The two childling laugh as they collect his candy and continue to Ashby Manor themselves.
Character(s) interacted with
- Derek Buford
- Hannah Veneer
