Session 92: Don't Break the Funny Things
General Summary
As the dances are about to begin, Illevaere heads to Festerbloom to secure a space on their dance card with her.
As the orchestra is ready to begin, Aisling approaches the Queen of Elphame, bowing deeply before her and leading her out to dance. During their dance, the Queen remarks to Aisling that she must had noticed that she had her introduced as a member of her Court when she won the Golden Apple. She stated that this was because she wanted wanted the opportunity to woo her to Álfheimr before the other courts had an opportunity to try to persuade her. Aisling told her that she was flattered by the offer, but it was too early for her to make the decision--the Queen agreed, stating that it should appear as a considered acceptance. She then said that the Courts seemed inclined to have mortals represent them as champions during their challenges. She said that Black Bill would serve as her champion, unless Aisling would like to take that role. Aisling stated that it was still too early, but she would take it under consideration. Aisling asked about a champion of her Court beyond simply the Festival, to which the Queen said that it would be a position that she would consider, but someone with that position would have to be sworn to her Court. As they danced, Aisling did not look to make herself the center of attention, but rather assisted the Queen during her dance, aiding her and making her the center of attention in the dance.
Bolvaic and Aralmeni danced together. Aralmeni mentioned that she was surprised that she was approached by two members of Svartálfheim that asked her to dance. Ljóma and Queen Aibell both asked for a place on her card. Bolvaic pointed out that it was likely because he had asked Dökkálfar to dance, so they probably wanted to get to know her a bit better. Aralmeni also told Bolvaic that she had asked both Narahm and Acacia to dance to keep up relations.
Ilbryen danced with Dan, one of the goblins from the Goblin Court. Since he did not know how to dance, he stood on Ilbryen's feet as they danced together. Ilbryen taught Dan riddles, while Dan appeared to be trying to appear smart and philosophical with Ilbryen. He told her that he believed that the stars were just holes poked in the sky so the wind could see. And that he heard someone say that the pen is mightier than the sword, and he came to agree. A sword, he said, would put your opponent's defenses right up, but their guard would be down with a pen, then you could move behind them, jump on their back, and stab them again and again in the neck. However, he impressed Ilbryen the most with the musing that words were just spells for people who didn't have magic.
Illeavere danced with Squamulose. At first Squamulose spoke of her appreciation for the mortal world since they are inherently a part of the cycle, though is surprised her how many still acknowledge being a part of it, and it is the role of the eternal to guide those in the cycle along it. They spoke about mortal understanding of death and Illevaere's consideration that once they are gone, they will not know exactly how they will help the cycle. As the conversation continued, Squamulose became notably forward, mentioning how the deer sup on lichen to sustain them in the winter, and how she had started to bloom deer lichen upon herself as a courtesy to her hosts.
Levi and Tertius danced the first dance together. Tertius told Levi that since he agreed to come to the villa of the Thrice-Nine Kingdom to see the horses and troika, he wanted to show his appreciation and has taken a slot on his card to sit with Bjørn to get to know the bear part of Levi better. He told Levi that he understood that despite his stepping in to take Boora Coven as his patron, he did not truly free Levi of his debt to the hags, and he apologized for that.
As the second dance began, Aisling took Blue to the floor. Blue said that while she was not instructed directly by the Starborn Lady to dance with her, she realized that her Lady looked favorably upon Aisling, and therefore wanted to represent that by asking for the dance. She also asked to hopefully resolve a matter before it turned into something bigger. She said that the Starborn Lady was certain that Illevaere had stolen a ribbon from her. She said that the ribbon was a trinket and a gift from Whisperwind Tressa that let her hear the last thing whispered about her. She said that it was not a powerful artifact, but meaningful more in sentiment. She asked if she could have Illevaere return it before it became an issue, and that she could give it to her and she would be able to tell her Lady that she found the ribbon. When Aisling asked more about Blue's service to the Starborn Lady, Blue responded, but with gibberish sentences that did not make sense. Illevaere, overhearing the exchange, realized that it was likely a taboo--more powerful than a curse--placed on Blue. Most likely, she is unable to tell anyone about her service to the Starborn Lady and when she tries to speak about it, gibberish comes out.
Bolvaic led Aralmeni to Ljóma and introduced them before taking Dökkálfar to dance. As the pair moved to the waltz, Dökkálfar stepping in closer, pressing a needle hidden in her sash into Bolvaic. He felt the price and the burn as the venom entered her and for a moment, felt the disorientation as if he was drugged. However, Bolvaic resisted the poison, as Dökkálfar told him that it was he who had said that it was brave to try something new. Bolvaic boasted of his ability to resist such things, and he is often given things to eat to see their effects. Despite the attempted poisoning and drugging, the pair finished their dance together surprisingly amicably.
Ilbryen dances with Arsa, the Satyr now much older than he was in the morning. As the pair danced, he made a confession to them. Despite it only being a day, his aging from youth to elder still feels like an entire lifetime to him. He said that while a question posed to him in the morning would be answered with a lifetime of consideration by the evening, it would still feel like an entire lifetime. And, he confessed, that what might have started in the morning as a silly youthful crush becomes an entire lifetime of pining by the evening. He said that he would ask much of them if he could, but that he would not. Instead, he asked simply to end the dance with a kiss. Ilbryen agreed to a chaste kiss on the cheek, which was given along with a deep, warm hug.
Smolder and Illevaere take to the dancefloor together. During their waltz, Smolder said that he had originally asked Illevaere to dance because he thought they would be a fun and intriguing partner, however, since accepting his dance, her compatriot, Bolvaic, had stolen his last dance with the Ashen Lady from him. He states that he burns with fires of jealousy and that he will eventually need to release all of the "heat" built up in him. Illevaere said that while they cannot help him tonight, that they may be able to help another night. Smolder tells them that he will be certain to keep a few embers smoldering to reignite later. Illevaere also notices that Smolder's touch, while seemingly innocent enough at first, was meant to collect spores from Illevaere, seeing them upon his white gloves. Illevaere confronted him, and he was hesitant to divulge why he was collecting them, but wanted to show Illevaere after he completed. Smolder agreed to turn over his gloves to Illevaere and the pair continued the dance with Illevaere being certain that he received no further collection of spores from them. Illevaere realizes that Smolder seemed to be seeking the spores of Psilofyr from their aid in growing the mushroom lord.
Levi takes his dance with Caelum Thunderstrike. As soon as the waltz begins, Levi begins a rage and is able to extend it through the lightning damage that his touch produces. Levi turns the dance into more of a grapple for dominance, as each fights throughout the dance to take the lead. This amuses and pleases, Caelum, who tells Levi that he likes the way Levi dances--such that, if he were a weaker man, he might break a bone. He also tells Levi that he is surprised that the fey are looking for mortal champions, but states that he intends on finding suit. He tells Levi to have him and his friend, Bolvaic, to come to his villa where the pair of them can fight--and the victor will be the champion of his Court. Levi said that Bolvaic would like to spar as well and seemed to accept the offer of the challenge on their behalf. As the concluded, Caelum pulled out dominant, seizing the lead of the dance in the end.
Aisling and Myohn took to the floor together for the third set of dances. The had quickly devised a grand spectacle, involving the two of them vaulting and flying through the room. Their performance, while very un-waltz-like, became the spectacle for the dance, drawing eyes and attention in a very successful acrobatic dance.
Illevaere danced with Stormspeaker Era. As they coupled for the waltz, Era spoke quietly to Illevaere. She said that she serves a tempest not yet loosed, that is held back by her father, Caelum. She said that Eldring Thunderstrike would rise, not as rebellion, but as correction. She explained that any position in their Court can be challenged and won, and that her Lady planned on challenging her father before all during the Trials of Might. She said that she was here of her own volition and not here representing her lady, but asked for a poison that might weaken Caelum to give her Lady an edge. Illevaere told Era of the poisonous qualities of one of the mushrooms on their cloak, telling Era that what she did with this information was up to her. Illevaere then spun in their dance, and though subtle, Illevaere felt the movement as a single mushroom was plucked from their cloak and they continued to dance.
Levi was approached by Anwyn Brookmist for their dance. He noted that the Iron Swan was not actually occupied for the dance. Anwyn was nervous and awkward, stating that though the Iron Swan had dictated that their dance should not be "too handsy", the Iron Swan would probably only expect her to report on very flagrant violations. She awkwardly asked Levi if he had any idea what his secret he would share at the end of the dance would be. She said that she did not lead a very interesting life, so she didn't have a bunch of secrets to tell. She thought that maybe her secret would be that she named her sword. It is called Bramblekiss, but she hasn't told anyone because it sounded silly. She then said that it was the only kiss that she's ever had and began to lean in to Levi, who placed a palm on her forehead and pushed her back, denying the kiss. Levi said that the secret might be best about another person, and hinted at getting information about her knight, the Iron Swan. Anwyn did not have much in the way of gossip, only stating that she was the leader of the Order of Swan Mays, that she could transform into a swan and land in a lake without causing a ripple on the water, and that she stole her feathers that allow her to turn into a Swan May. Levi tried to lead Anwyn to discussion of the Iron Swan and the cold, seeing if she knew of her involvement with the Frost Prince, but she did not seem to know anything, or at least, did not pick up on Levi's hinting. Levi skirted around and avoided several other attempts at Anwyn's first kiss during the dance, including when Anwyn suggested that since neither of them had a good secret to tell, perhaps they could make a juicy secret before the end of the dance.
Having no partner for the dance slot, Bolvaic approached the Fractured Princess and joined her for the dance. He said that he didn't want to see her without a dance partner, and she said that she does not mind dancing alone. Bolvaic said that he dances alone as well, though when he offered for the two of them to dance along together, she said that she wanted to dance like the other people. She mentioned that he and his girlfriend like to fix things, but asked about the things that they break. Bolvaic said that Aralmeni helps to fix him when he is broken. She started to ask Bolvaic about the things that he breaks, saying that the he has broken aberrations and that he should not, because they are the most funny things, and he shouldn't break the funny things. She told him that Levi had agreed to help protect her dollies from from the mean thing in her room that only likes to play unpretend--a game she does not like because it has too many rules. Bolvaic offered to help protect her dolls and she happlied agreed, saying that Levi was also going to help. At first, she said she would give him a Poor-Punch-Gallows, her Punch and Judy doll who beat his wife to death and was hung at the gallows, but at the last moment cast feather fall, so now he dangles on the end of the noose, casting spell after spell, hoping that his friends will rescue him before his magics run out. She then said that she thought he would like Mister Plummetfalls Oopsie Horns, a red doll that was flattened from a great fall and clutches a book in its hand--Bolvaic realized that this was likely a reference to Malthus Normal. When Bolvaic asked about her dollies, the Princess listed them, saying that there was Thistletwitch Tammy, Miss Neverblinks, Cathy Crickety-Crack, Miss Stitchmouth Slumbers, Mister Inside-Out, Penny Patchwork, Nanny No-No-Face, Baby Widdershins, Dolly Drowns-a-Lot, Little Miss Yes-Please-No, and Miss Mabel Too-Many-Teeth. She then apologized to Bolvaic, stating that if they talked earlier, maybe she would have made him her champion, but instead Mirror Moppet already made her a champion named Aisling Hollowthorne.
As the third set of dances ended, the party reconvened for the interval, telling one another what had occurred. Aisling was not pleased on hearing about the Fractured Princess's champion, and told everyone what Mirror Moppet had written in its web. Bolvaic agreed to take Mirror Moppet into his room for the night.
Tertius returned to the party, looking a bit shaken. His dance was with General-Headquarters-Hindquarters-Gives-Orders-Front-and-Rear-Sergeant-Billygoat-Legs, but he was not on the dancefloor. Instead he said he went to meet the General but found out that "pony play is not what he thought it was." The General came in after Tertius a few moments later, apologetic, though still wearing dapple-gray body and face paint and told him, “Duke Greyhall, I offer you my humblest apologies in regard to my presumptuous behavior. It has simply been my experience that due to the presence of one set of hooves, it has been typical that my role would be that of the wild mount needing to be broken. I had failed to consider that you might desire to be the one with bit and bridle.” Teritus refused the change in roles and the General bowed to everyone and took his leave.
Levi Obadiah Kilgore
Chaotic Good Human, Northlander (Marked by the Beast)
Barbarian 11
Barbarian 11
115 / 115 HP
STR
17
17
DEX
14
14
CON
16
16
INT
14
14
WIS
12
12
CHA
9
9
Ilbryen Dorydark
Neutral Good Half-Elf (Sage)
Cleric 10
Cleric 10
63 / 63 HP
STR
10
10
DEX
10
10
CON
12
12
INT
14
14
WIS
20
20
CHA
15
15
Aisling Hawthorne
Neutral Good Half-Elf (Entertainer)
Bard 5
Paladin 6
Bard 5
Paladin 6
75 / 75 HP
STR
12
12
DEX
18
18
CON
12
12
INT
7
7
WIS
14
14
CHA
18
18
Illevaere Solandra
Chaotic Good Wood Elf (Outlander)
Druid 10
Druid 10
83 / 83 HP
STR
11
11
DEX
18
18
CON
16
16
INT
14
14
WIS
20
20
CHA
12
12
Aralmeni Caskhood
None Mountain Dwarf (Acolyte)
Cleric 8
Cleric 8
67 / 67 HP
STR
15
15
DEX
12
12
CON
17
17
INT
10
10
WIS
18
18
CHA
10
10
Bolvaic Boradrak
Chaotic Good Mountain Dwarf (Outlander)
Barbarian 10
Barbarian 10
115 / 115 HP
STR
18
18
DEX
12
12
CON
18
18
INT
9
9
WIS
10
10
CHA
10
10
Tertius Greyhall
Neutral Good Human, Daoine (Noble)
Fighter 6
Warlock 2
Fighter 6
Warlock 2
50 / 50 HP
STR
8
8
DEX
16
16
CON
11
11
INT
15
15
WIS
8
8
CHA
18
18
Report Date
19 May 2025
Primary Location
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