OOC Notes:
1. Most images used are AI-generated. I’d rather be upfront and respect anyone’s wish not to further engage/interact.
2. Keep the thread and posts IC as much as possible, but please use ((if you have questions OOC and/or need clarifications from me or anyone else.))
3. Please do not control/write another character’s actions, thoughts, or emotions.
4. No use of OOC knowledge about another character in IC posts unless you have clear consent from the character’s player first. Sorry telepaths, empaths, or whatever, you still need clear consent.
5. This is a fun and light RP. Everyone is welcome. Light flirting is fine, but respect RPR rules for posting in an open public forum and keep it PG-13.
6 No injuring/harming, harassing, or killing another character. I have put mechanics in place to warn you, and I will ask you to leave if it continues.
7. Have fun and meet new characters or reunite with old ones.
8. I work full-time during the week, but I will post as often as I can. This RP will most likely last until June 30th.
8. Alban Hefin (often spelled Alban Hefin) translates from Welsh as "The Light of Summer" or "Light of the Shore". It is the neo-druidic name for the Summer Solstice. A celebration in my part of the world, held a few days after the summer solstice, shares similar ties. I have adapted it to fit the lore for this story and my character.
The menu inspirations come from @MyMoonstoneKitchen
______________________________________________________________________________________
Summer Soiree: Light of the Shore
Alysann hadn’t done her duty and reported the mysterious portal that had appeared four days before the Light of the Shore Festival would officially start. Was this a sign and blessing from their ancestor Ayen Grewynn, or something much darker? Perhaps it was all just a fluke? Should she investigate further? She eyed the fluctuating, odd, silvery glowing sphere that hovered only a foot above the ground and expanded between two to six feet in circumference before contracting again to about two feet. Even a fairly enormous creature might come through if it were flexible enough, and that thought was worrisome. Portals from what she had learned from her mentors in Ancient History and Mythology courses, when she wasn’t dozing off, could appear every hundred years, but without a very strong source of magic, either from a sentient being or magical constructs could not hold for long. Still, what if she could convince those that might come through that they could visit for a short time if they wished?
The idea took hold in her mind. She took off her knee-high leather boots and gear and cleverly hid them with a marking only she or a fellow scout would find. Once satisfied that her cache was secure, she rushed off as though one of the great drakes, only glimpsed from very far away, were hot on her heels. She jumped partway along the shoreline and swam expertly out in the cool ocean waters until she reached the pier and pushed herself up, slightly winded. Not caring that her green linen attire and dark red hair were wet, and that she was collecting strange looks from the guards and dockworkers, she continued to race on until she reached her humble one-room lodgings in the scouts' and hunters' barracks. Using her key looped through a simple leather string around her slender neck, she unlocked the door to her tiny room where a small hearth lay unlit in the corner with a log stand already stacked with logs and kindling. Along the wall near the hearth was a single bed covered with clean linens, a blanket and pillow, which she ignored. Alysann ignored the chest at the foot of her bed that contained most of her belongings, instead, she focused on her wooden desk and chair, which held the two thinning green embroidered pillows her mother had made for her on the day the town scout patrol accepted her as a member.
The ray of light from the one small window over her desk shone bright enough, so that she did not have to light a candle on her desk. She took the pile of parchment normally reserved for letters to her mother or her few close friends, or for formal scout missives. She then carefully took her black quill from the ink fountain to write in her short, clipped script.
Otherworldly beings, you are welcome to seek beyond the portal for the duration of the summer solstice eve to dawn. Following our tradition, we will establish a small bonfire on the beach's outskirts within a peddled circle, keeping it discreet to avoid undue attention. I will also set up colored lanterns to mark the area. Please, for your own safety, do not approach the town in the near distance. You are welcome to swim in the more secluded area near the cave’s entrance.
I will have food and beverages set up for this gathering. Here is a list of foods and beverages that will be available and laid out on simple wooden crates;
Midsummer Appetizers & Mains
Marigold & Goat Cheese Tartlets: Crispy puff pastry shells filled with whipped chèvre, topped with honey and bright yellow marigold petals.
Sunberry Caprese Skewers: Alternate cherry tomatoes, yellow sunberries, and mini mozzarella balls on rosemary skewers, drizzled with basil oil.
Fey-Ring Stuffed Mushrooms: Baby bella mushrooms stuffed with wild herbs, garlic, and grated hard, granular cow's milk cheese, arranged in a circular "fairy ring" pattern.
Sun-Ripened Sweets
Honey-Lavender Shortbread: Delicate, buttery shortbread cookies baked with culinary lavender buds and stamped with sun patterns.
Midsummer Berry Pavlova: Crisp meringue nests filled with whipped cream, topped with fresh blackberries, raspberries, and a dusting of edible gold glitter.
Glazed Rose Petals: Fresh, pesticide-free rose petals dipped in organic egg white and superfine sugar to create crunchy, crystalline treats.
Luminous Elixirs (Alcoholic)
The Color-Shifting Spritz: Vodka, lemonade, and a float of butterfly pea flower tea that changes from deep blue to vibrant purple when mixed.
Meadow Mist Mimosa: Sparkling white wine mixed with a splash of wild elderflower cordial and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.
Sunstone Sangria: A bright blend of white wine, peach brandy, sliced mango, and starfruit slices floating like celestial bodies.
Enchanted Refreshments (Non-Alcoholic)
Solar Flare Lemonade: Freshly squeezed lemonade infused with spicy ginger syrup and garnished with a rim of hot pink chili-sugar.
Woodland Dew Water: Ice-cold water infused with sliced cucumber, fresh basil leaves, and edible pansies frozen into the ice cubes.
Hibiscus Sun Tea: Herbal hibiscus tea cold-brewed directly in the sunlight, sweetened with raw honey and served over crushed ice.
All are welcome to attend to swim, chat, dance, sing, play instruments at a reasonable level, drink and feast, but musicians would be most welcome!
As the daystar rises at dawn and the embers of the bonfire glow dimmer, I would ask that you honour one of our traditions and jump over the glowing embers before you depart back to your own world. The act of jumping over dying coals ensures good luck, fertility, and a bountiful harvest.
Your host,
Alysann
She rolled the scrolls and tied them with simple leather strings before she put them into a leather satchel. She took the long way around back to the beach and to the cavern entrance, where the shimmering portal lay further inside. Opening her satchel wide, she stood slightly back, opened her satchel and then cast her invitations through the portal. Who knew if they would land anywhere or catch the interest of a sentient being, or that any would understand her words. Still, a tiny smile of hope curved her cherry lips.
She turned back and made haste, for she only had a couple of days to organize everything as she had planned.
Alysann enlisted the help of two friends she believed to be trustworthy and simply told them it was to try to secretly impress someone she was sweet on. Whether they believed her story was another matter entirely, but by the eve of the summer solstice, everything was ready. Not perfect, for perfection was not of this world, but ready.
After discreetly changing into a simple green and brown dress laced in the front with interwoven knotted patterns of bronze at the collar, hem, and sleeve cuffs. She kept her dress cinched at her trim waist with a wide leather belt. A loose side braid held her dark red hair, though curly wisps escaped, refusing to be tamed. She hid her spellblade in her right leather boot. Uncomfortable, but she would make do for the night until dawn.
The young woman shooed her friends away, saying that her shy romantic interest would not come if they discovered others nearby.
Alysann finally permitted herself to admire her and her friends’ work. On both sides, the long and wide, high cave entrance opened onto a sandy beach. High, tree-covered cliffs surrounded the naturally formed tunnel. The pebbled circle she and her friends created was clearly visible. Thankfully, the other entrance was not so easily visible from where she stood. The rising, near-full moon illuminated the scene on the eve of the summer solstice. The docks and the elegant, walled town were visible in the distance. Ethereal mists rose around the island, stirred by a cool, unnatural, ever-present breeze, and a bonfire stood already lit. Bright lanterns of many colours hung on high wooden poles in a wide semicircle. On wooden crates, a summer solstice feast awaits, blending mortal comfort with magical, ethereal flair, featuring vibrant, bite-sized portions and enchanting cocktails lending a dreamy charm to the mystical atmosphere.
1. Most images used are AI-generated. I’d rather be upfront and respect anyone’s wish not to further engage/interact.
2. Keep the thread and posts IC as much as possible, but please use ((if you have questions OOC and/or need clarifications from me or anyone else.))
3. Please do not control/write another character’s actions, thoughts, or emotions.
4. No use of OOC knowledge about another character in IC posts unless you have clear consent from the character’s player first. Sorry telepaths, empaths, or whatever, you still need clear consent.
5. This is a fun and light RP. Everyone is welcome. Light flirting is fine, but respect RPR rules for posting in an open public forum and keep it PG-13.
6 No injuring/harming, harassing, or killing another character. I have put mechanics in place to warn you, and I will ask you to leave if it continues.
7. Have fun and meet new characters or reunite with old ones.
8. I work full-time during the week, but I will post as often as I can. This RP will most likely last until June 30th.
8. Alban Hefin (often spelled Alban Hefin) translates from Welsh as "The Light of Summer" or "Light of the Shore". It is the neo-druidic name for the Summer Solstice. A celebration in my part of the world, held a few days after the summer solstice, shares similar ties. I have adapted it to fit the lore for this story and my character.
The menu inspirations come from @MyMoonstoneKitchen
______________________________________________________________________________________
Summer Soiree: Light of the Shore
Alysann hadn’t done her duty and reported the mysterious portal that had appeared four days before the Light of the Shore Festival would officially start. Was this a sign and blessing from their ancestor Ayen Grewynn, or something much darker? Perhaps it was all just a fluke? Should she investigate further? She eyed the fluctuating, odd, silvery glowing sphere that hovered only a foot above the ground and expanded between two to six feet in circumference before contracting again to about two feet. Even a fairly enormous creature might come through if it were flexible enough, and that thought was worrisome. Portals from what she had learned from her mentors in Ancient History and Mythology courses, when she wasn’t dozing off, could appear every hundred years, but without a very strong source of magic, either from a sentient being or magical constructs could not hold for long. Still, what if she could convince those that might come through that they could visit for a short time if they wished?
The idea took hold in her mind. She took off her knee-high leather boots and gear and cleverly hid them with a marking only she or a fellow scout would find. Once satisfied that her cache was secure, she rushed off as though one of the great drakes, only glimpsed from very far away, were hot on her heels. She jumped partway along the shoreline and swam expertly out in the cool ocean waters until she reached the pier and pushed herself up, slightly winded. Not caring that her green linen attire and dark red hair were wet, and that she was collecting strange looks from the guards and dockworkers, she continued to race on until she reached her humble one-room lodgings in the scouts' and hunters' barracks. Using her key looped through a simple leather string around her slender neck, she unlocked the door to her tiny room where a small hearth lay unlit in the corner with a log stand already stacked with logs and kindling. Along the wall near the hearth was a single bed covered with clean linens, a blanket and pillow, which she ignored. Alysann ignored the chest at the foot of her bed that contained most of her belongings, instead, she focused on her wooden desk and chair, which held the two thinning green embroidered pillows her mother had made for her on the day the town scout patrol accepted her as a member.
The ray of light from the one small window over her desk shone bright enough, so that she did not have to light a candle on her desk. She took the pile of parchment normally reserved for letters to her mother or her few close friends, or for formal scout missives. She then carefully took her black quill from the ink fountain to write in her short, clipped script.
Otherworldly beings, you are welcome to seek beyond the portal for the duration of the summer solstice eve to dawn. Following our tradition, we will establish a small bonfire on the beach's outskirts within a peddled circle, keeping it discreet to avoid undue attention. I will also set up colored lanterns to mark the area. Please, for your own safety, do not approach the town in the near distance. You are welcome to swim in the more secluded area near the cave’s entrance.
I will have food and beverages set up for this gathering. Here is a list of foods and beverages that will be available and laid out on simple wooden crates;
Midsummer Appetizers & Mains
Marigold & Goat Cheese Tartlets: Crispy puff pastry shells filled with whipped chèvre, topped with honey and bright yellow marigold petals.
Sunberry Caprese Skewers: Alternate cherry tomatoes, yellow sunberries, and mini mozzarella balls on rosemary skewers, drizzled with basil oil.
Fey-Ring Stuffed Mushrooms: Baby bella mushrooms stuffed with wild herbs, garlic, and grated hard, granular cow's milk cheese, arranged in a circular "fairy ring" pattern.
Sun-Ripened Sweets
Honey-Lavender Shortbread: Delicate, buttery shortbread cookies baked with culinary lavender buds and stamped with sun patterns.
Midsummer Berry Pavlova: Crisp meringue nests filled with whipped cream, topped with fresh blackberries, raspberries, and a dusting of edible gold glitter.
Glazed Rose Petals: Fresh, pesticide-free rose petals dipped in organic egg white and superfine sugar to create crunchy, crystalline treats.
Luminous Elixirs (Alcoholic)
The Color-Shifting Spritz: Vodka, lemonade, and a float of butterfly pea flower tea that changes from deep blue to vibrant purple when mixed.
Meadow Mist Mimosa: Sparkling white wine mixed with a splash of wild elderflower cordial and garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.
Sunstone Sangria: A bright blend of white wine, peach brandy, sliced mango, and starfruit slices floating like celestial bodies.
Enchanted Refreshments (Non-Alcoholic)
Solar Flare Lemonade: Freshly squeezed lemonade infused with spicy ginger syrup and garnished with a rim of hot pink chili-sugar.
Woodland Dew Water: Ice-cold water infused with sliced cucumber, fresh basil leaves, and edible pansies frozen into the ice cubes.
Hibiscus Sun Tea: Herbal hibiscus tea cold-brewed directly in the sunlight, sweetened with raw honey and served over crushed ice.
All are welcome to attend to swim, chat, dance, sing, play instruments at a reasonable level, drink and feast, but musicians would be most welcome!
As the daystar rises at dawn and the embers of the bonfire glow dimmer, I would ask that you honour one of our traditions and jump over the glowing embers before you depart back to your own world. The act of jumping over dying coals ensures good luck, fertility, and a bountiful harvest.
Your host,
Alysann
She rolled the scrolls and tied them with simple leather strings before she put them into a leather satchel. She took the long way around back to the beach and to the cavern entrance, where the shimmering portal lay further inside. Opening her satchel wide, she stood slightly back, opened her satchel and then cast her invitations through the portal. Who knew if they would land anywhere or catch the interest of a sentient being, or that any would understand her words. Still, a tiny smile of hope curved her cherry lips.
She turned back and made haste, for she only had a couple of days to organize everything as she had planned.
Alysann enlisted the help of two friends she believed to be trustworthy and simply told them it was to try to secretly impress someone she was sweet on. Whether they believed her story was another matter entirely, but by the eve of the summer solstice, everything was ready. Not perfect, for perfection was not of this world, but ready.
After discreetly changing into a simple green and brown dress laced in the front with interwoven knotted patterns of bronze at the collar, hem, and sleeve cuffs. She kept her dress cinched at her trim waist with a wide leather belt. A loose side braid held her dark red hair, though curly wisps escaped, refusing to be tamed. She hid her spellblade in her right leather boot. Uncomfortable, but she would make do for the night until dawn.
The young woman shooed her friends away, saying that her shy romantic interest would not come if they discovered others nearby.
Alysann finally permitted herself to admire her and her friends’ work. On both sides, the long and wide, high cave entrance opened onto a sandy beach. High, tree-covered cliffs surrounded the naturally formed tunnel. The pebbled circle she and her friends created was clearly visible. Thankfully, the other entrance was not so easily visible from where she stood. The rising, near-full moon illuminated the scene on the eve of the summer solstice. The docks and the elegant, walled town were visible in the distance. Ethereal mists rose around the island, stirred by a cool, unnatural, ever-present breeze, and a bonfire stood already lit. Bright lanterns of many colours hung on high wooden poles in a wide semicircle. On wooden crates, a summer solstice feast awaits, blending mortal comfort with magical, ethereal flair, featuring vibrant, bite-sized portions and enchanting cocktails lending a dreamy charm to the mystical atmosphere.
Flux was looking for a place where they could lie low for a time, given some trouble they’d recently gotten into. They had taken a job to pose as an elven noble’s son to gain some critical information for blackmailing, but through either sabotage or poor luck the very elf that Flux had been duplicating appeared when he should have been otherwise occupied. The noble, a powerful wizard, had forced Flux to change back into their natural form clad in the shiftweave suit.
Even if the changeling had managed to escape, the guard had been alerted and they had formed a perimeter around town with mages at every exit. And they didn’t have the money to bribe their way out of any of the more secretive exits guarded by thieves guilds or other entities. Damn it all. Whenever the portal appeared near their hideout, Flux wasn’t sure if it was sheer good luck or some kind of elaborate trap. The note that came through an hour or so afterward was certainly appealing, even if Flux couldn’t entirely understand the dialect. This could be their perfect chance to get out for a while, maybe the heat would have died down by the time Flux returned.
The portal had appeared within a derelict building adjacent to the one where Flux was laying low. It was only a matter of time before it was detected. Flux donned the disguise they used most often, an androgynous half-elf bard. The shiftweave suit took on the look of a bright blue tunic with brown trousers with knee-high boots. Long back hair cascaded down their back, cut short at the sides and the back of the head. A red sash was around their waist, and they held a suitcase that had their instruments within, in addition to their pack. Their facial features adopted a human face with more pointed ears, a smattering of freckles across their nose and green eyes. Once the guise was complete, Flux strode through the portal. Their manner was cautious, hesitant.
Once on the other side, their eyes and mouth opened with joy and wonder. They were in a cave, and just outside of the cool darkness was a beach. Off in the distance, Flux could see docks and a city that they did not recognize. Their eyes drank in the details of the beach, of any fauna they could see. Was this a different world entirely? The same world but some farflung paradise? Looking upward at the stars, the constellations were unfamiliar. Flux did stop to remove their boots and socks, rolling their trousers so they were just above their knees. Strapping their boots to her pack and stuffing their socks within the boots, they strode along the beach with more confidence.
Ahead, they could see quite the spread that had been prepared, slowing just a little bit. This just felt too good to be true. They couldn’t conceive of how someone might have set this trap up, but they also thought they must be having a fever dream. Seeing the woman that was there, who seemed to have prepared everything, Flux was impressed. “Hello! Can you understand me?” The shapeshifter did know several different languages, and adapted to new ones easily. They approached the pebbles and lanterns, admiring the scene. “I’ve never seen drinks of such an unusual or appealing color.”
Even if the changeling had managed to escape, the guard had been alerted and they had formed a perimeter around town with mages at every exit. And they didn’t have the money to bribe their way out of any of the more secretive exits guarded by thieves guilds or other entities. Damn it all. Whenever the portal appeared near their hideout, Flux wasn’t sure if it was sheer good luck or some kind of elaborate trap. The note that came through an hour or so afterward was certainly appealing, even if Flux couldn’t entirely understand the dialect. This could be their perfect chance to get out for a while, maybe the heat would have died down by the time Flux returned.
The portal had appeared within a derelict building adjacent to the one where Flux was laying low. It was only a matter of time before it was detected. Flux donned the disguise they used most often, an androgynous half-elf bard. The shiftweave suit took on the look of a bright blue tunic with brown trousers with knee-high boots. Long back hair cascaded down their back, cut short at the sides and the back of the head. A red sash was around their waist, and they held a suitcase that had their instruments within, in addition to their pack. Their facial features adopted a human face with more pointed ears, a smattering of freckles across their nose and green eyes. Once the guise was complete, Flux strode through the portal. Their manner was cautious, hesitant.
Once on the other side, their eyes and mouth opened with joy and wonder. They were in a cave, and just outside of the cool darkness was a beach. Off in the distance, Flux could see docks and a city that they did not recognize. Their eyes drank in the details of the beach, of any fauna they could see. Was this a different world entirely? The same world but some farflung paradise? Looking upward at the stars, the constellations were unfamiliar. Flux did stop to remove their boots and socks, rolling their trousers so they were just above their knees. Strapping their boots to her pack and stuffing their socks within the boots, they strode along the beach with more confidence.
Ahead, they could see quite the spread that had been prepared, slowing just a little bit. This just felt too good to be true. They couldn’t conceive of how someone might have set this trap up, but they also thought they must be having a fever dream. Seeing the woman that was there, who seemed to have prepared everything, Flux was impressed. “Hello! Can you understand me?” The shapeshifter did know several different languages, and adapted to new ones easily. They approached the pebbles and lanterns, admiring the scene. “I’ve never seen drinks of such an unusual or appealing color.”
He had never been described as a suicidal person – one who chased adrenaline or the thrill of danger. However, having a piece of metal stuck to your face for forty-nine and a half years will drive someone bonkers to the point where they might just do the reckless thing that had never appealed to them before. This was the current state of mind of this particular Fae male and the reason why he was more willing than normal to follow his long-time friend through a maze of caverns and underground passageways as a way to escape their current oppression.
Escape, as they had found out the hard way, was not actually something they could do as the evil in their land had snared their magic and put a physical “leash” on the Spring Court fairies as a whole. They would be tormented with masks until someone broke the curse. And the breaking of the curse wasn’t as easy as kissing a frog or finding some gullible female to fall in love with you. No, the type of curse breaking was old and lay in the hands of beings far more powerful than this particular Fae male. Then again, they weren’t setting out on any kind of quest to find the cure. What this guy and his friend were seeking was something far more obtainable – a party.
For beings of light, getting stuck in the dark just plain sucks. Add an annoying mask to that and you have a recipe for the sanest fairy to lose their faculties. Which is why, two High Fae males were trudging through a cave system to try and get a little time away from the stress and drama. They wanted food and drink and company. Nevertheless, the more they thought they were on the right path, it turns out they had gotten themselves utterly lost. Instead of pointing fingers and blaming each other, their first instincts caused them to laugh at the absolute absurdity of it all. As they laughed there was a bluish glow and a piece of paper fell out of what seemed to be a solid wall. He grabbed the piece of paper and read it out loud:
Otherworldly beings, you are welcome to seek beyond the portal for the duration of the summer solstice eve to dawn. Following our tradition, we will establish a small bonfire on the beach's outskirts within a peddled circle, keeping it discreet to avoid undue attention. I will also set up colored lanterns to mark the area. Please, for your own safety, do not approach the town in the near distance. You are welcome to swim in the more secluded area near the cave’s entrance. I will have food and beverages set up for this gathering.
He looked at his companion and said cheerily, “I think the party found us, my friend.” He looked down at the note in his hand. There were no instructions on how to open this portal thing. Still looking down at the note, he began to walk towards the wall. He reached out his hand and meant to touch the wall, but his hand passed directly through what appeared to be a solid wall. Feeling rash and wild he glanced at his friend and stepped into the portal. Suffocating black wrapped around him. He couldn’t fathom which way was up or down, backwards or forwards. Then, when he thought it was never going to end, he was standing at the edge of a sandy beach. He could see a bonfire up ahead – the note had mentioned a bonfire. He waited to see if his friend had the stomach to follow him through an unknown portal. Should he arrive as well, they would venture to the bonfire together.
Escape, as they had found out the hard way, was not actually something they could do as the evil in their land had snared their magic and put a physical “leash” on the Spring Court fairies as a whole. They would be tormented with masks until someone broke the curse. And the breaking of the curse wasn’t as easy as kissing a frog or finding some gullible female to fall in love with you. No, the type of curse breaking was old and lay in the hands of beings far more powerful than this particular Fae male. Then again, they weren’t setting out on any kind of quest to find the cure. What this guy and his friend were seeking was something far more obtainable – a party.
For beings of light, getting stuck in the dark just plain sucks. Add an annoying mask to that and you have a recipe for the sanest fairy to lose their faculties. Which is why, two High Fae males were trudging through a cave system to try and get a little time away from the stress and drama. They wanted food and drink and company. Nevertheless, the more they thought they were on the right path, it turns out they had gotten themselves utterly lost. Instead of pointing fingers and blaming each other, their first instincts caused them to laugh at the absolute absurdity of it all. As they laughed there was a bluish glow and a piece of paper fell out of what seemed to be a solid wall. He grabbed the piece of paper and read it out loud:
Otherworldly beings, you are welcome to seek beyond the portal for the duration of the summer solstice eve to dawn. Following our tradition, we will establish a small bonfire on the beach's outskirts within a peddled circle, keeping it discreet to avoid undue attention. I will also set up colored lanterns to mark the area. Please, for your own safety, do not approach the town in the near distance. You are welcome to swim in the more secluded area near the cave’s entrance. I will have food and beverages set up for this gathering.
He looked at his companion and said cheerily, “I think the party found us, my friend.” He looked down at the note in his hand. There were no instructions on how to open this portal thing. Still looking down at the note, he began to walk towards the wall. He reached out his hand and meant to touch the wall, but his hand passed directly through what appeared to be a solid wall. Feeling rash and wild he glanced at his friend and stepped into the portal. Suffocating black wrapped around him. He couldn’t fathom which way was up or down, backwards or forwards. Then, when he thought it was never going to end, he was standing at the edge of a sandy beach. He could see a bonfire up ahead – the note had mentioned a bonfire. He waited to see if his friend had the stomach to follow him through an unknown portal. Should he arrive as well, they would venture to the bonfire together.
There was nothing more suffocating to a creature of light than endless darkness.
For years, Eli had been trapped beneath the mountain, buried beneath stone and shadow while a cruel woman ruled there with a cruel hand. The darkness itself had never frightened him as much as the silence, the separation, and the inability to know what had become of the people he cared for beyond the mountain’s walls.
Spring Court had always weighed heavily on his mind. The masks. Cauldron, how he hated those masks. Gold and emerald and jewels fused to skin. Beautiful enough to be mistaken for works of art by anyone who didn’t understand what they truly were. Every glimpse of one beneath the mountain had felt like a knife twisting between his ribs. Because every mask reminded him of the friends he could not see, could not reach, and could do absolutely nothing to help.
There was, however, one friend who had been down there with him. They had schemed, planned, had plans fail, and now, 49 and a half years later, he was done. He was done with the darkness, the cruelty, the blood, the pain, and he just wanted out. It was reckless, and both high Fae males agreed, but both had stopped caring when they found themselves wandering around the endless caverns of the mountains.
They had been mid conversation when a note suddenly flew from the wall. Eli watched his friend pick up the note, and read it aloud. Curiously, his dark eyebrows furrowed. “Or it’s a trap, but…” He shrugged because…what could be worse than their current situation.
Before Eli could say much else, he watched Evander disappear through that portal, and admittedly, it startled him. He couldn’t take the loss of yet another friend, so with only a quick look over his shoulder, he let himself hit the wall. Except, there was no wall. He too was swallowed in black and shadows; with twists and turns and no end. Just when he thought he might suffocate, the void spit him out somewhere. He stumbled on the unfamiliar ground, relieved to see his friend was a till alive and whole, his hand reaching out to touch another cave wall. But this wall was different. It was…wet. Like it was near and ocean, and he smelled fire, air, water and…something else. “Where….are we?” He asked as he then followed Evander out of the cave and towards the bonfire.
Near the cave they left, he could see many coloured lights, tables, food, and one or two people who had converged towards each other. Together, they moved through the sand, but Eli heard the question from the other person there. He then looked at the woman, his eyes rising in some kind of excitement at the beautiful red hair. He took a glance at Evander, knowing he would know, but Eli also didn’t want to interrupt any conversation. He would wait for a natural break in conversation before smoothly, he asked: “Excuse me, but….what is going on here?”
For years, Eli had been trapped beneath the mountain, buried beneath stone and shadow while a cruel woman ruled there with a cruel hand. The darkness itself had never frightened him as much as the silence, the separation, and the inability to know what had become of the people he cared for beyond the mountain’s walls.
Spring Court had always weighed heavily on his mind. The masks. Cauldron, how he hated those masks. Gold and emerald and jewels fused to skin. Beautiful enough to be mistaken for works of art by anyone who didn’t understand what they truly were. Every glimpse of one beneath the mountain had felt like a knife twisting between his ribs. Because every mask reminded him of the friends he could not see, could not reach, and could do absolutely nothing to help.
There was, however, one friend who had been down there with him. They had schemed, planned, had plans fail, and now, 49 and a half years later, he was done. He was done with the darkness, the cruelty, the blood, the pain, and he just wanted out. It was reckless, and both high Fae males agreed, but both had stopped caring when they found themselves wandering around the endless caverns of the mountains.
They had been mid conversation when a note suddenly flew from the wall. Eli watched his friend pick up the note, and read it aloud. Curiously, his dark eyebrows furrowed. “Or it’s a trap, but…” He shrugged because…what could be worse than their current situation.
Before Eli could say much else, he watched Evander disappear through that portal, and admittedly, it startled him. He couldn’t take the loss of yet another friend, so with only a quick look over his shoulder, he let himself hit the wall. Except, there was no wall. He too was swallowed in black and shadows; with twists and turns and no end. Just when he thought he might suffocate, the void spit him out somewhere. He stumbled on the unfamiliar ground, relieved to see his friend was a till alive and whole, his hand reaching out to touch another cave wall. But this wall was different. It was…wet. Like it was near and ocean, and he smelled fire, air, water and…something else. “Where….are we?” He asked as he then followed Evander out of the cave and towards the bonfire.
Near the cave they left, he could see many coloured lights, tables, food, and one or two people who had converged towards each other. Together, they moved through the sand, but Eli heard the question from the other person there. He then looked at the woman, his eyes rising in some kind of excitement at the beautiful red hair. He took a glance at Evander, knowing he would know, but Eli also didn’t want to interrupt any conversation. He would wait for a natural break in conversation before smoothly, he asked: “Excuse me, but….what is going on here?”
@Flux
She had been sitting cross-legged in the sand and had averted her gaze from the fire, not to blind her night vision when her ears picked up very soft sounds of steps on sand. Alysann’s eyes widened and turned a dark green in joyous trepidation as her minor nocturnal vision glimpsed the approaching figure on the beach with dark cascading hair and rolled-up trousers. Was it one of her own people? It was strangely disappointing to think it might be o, but no… She understood the words when the stranger spoke, though they sounded foreign to her ears. Yet, whatever language her ancestors had brought to this world bore enough resemblance for her to understand the stranger. Their history tomes documented that her High Fey ancestors explored different worlds via portals and gateways. These ancestors brought knowledge and possibly non-native plants and fauna to this world.
She nearly bounded up in her excitement, glancing about guiltily. “Aye, I mean, yes, I can understand you.” She waved around a slim hand, graciously gesturing towards the food and drinks. “The best for our Summer Solstice Festival!”
Her eyes shifted to a darkening grey before she spoke with care. “Um, I can try them first if you need proof that I have no ill intent towards poisoning you.”
Her hands then brushed at her dress to take off any remaining grains of sand. She couldn’t help but notice the pack the stranger carried, and…was that an instrument case they carried?
“Ah, welcome! I’m Aly or Alysann, but I gather you might know that if you received my invitation.” She finished, somewhat embarrassed by her babbling.
The cool night breeze carried the hooting of a hawk owl from a pine above the cave and cliffs. The scent of evergreens above, the shrouding mists, wood smoke from the driftwood bonfire, and brine permeated the air. Gazing beyond the first being's arrival, Alysann heard the male voice speaking.
@Evander and Eli
Her eyes widened to amber as she took in the newcomers, both male though different in colouring and possessed of otherworldly beauty; long of limbs and with lean athletic builds, though she couldn’t completely make out the golden-haired one’s features because of the exquisite ornamental mask covering his face.
As to the dark-haired male’s question. “Ah, a festival, that of our summer solstice. We celebrate the duality of fire and water and it seems that for the first time in a very very long time in this world, the thinning of the veil between worlds has proved to be at its peak…” She then proceeded to clamp her mouth shut. Crap!
She took her thumb and index finger of right hand and pinched the skin of her left forearm below her sleeve, hard. Was this truly real or had she fallen asleep on the sand? “Ouch!” She yelped out. She wasn’t dreaming.
She had been sitting cross-legged in the sand and had averted her gaze from the fire, not to blind her night vision when her ears picked up very soft sounds of steps on sand. Alysann’s eyes widened and turned a dark green in joyous trepidation as her minor nocturnal vision glimpsed the approaching figure on the beach with dark cascading hair and rolled-up trousers. Was it one of her own people? It was strangely disappointing to think it might be o, but no… She understood the words when the stranger spoke, though they sounded foreign to her ears. Yet, whatever language her ancestors had brought to this world bore enough resemblance for her to understand the stranger. Their history tomes documented that her High Fey ancestors explored different worlds via portals and gateways. These ancestors brought knowledge and possibly non-native plants and fauna to this world.
She nearly bounded up in her excitement, glancing about guiltily. “Aye, I mean, yes, I can understand you.” She waved around a slim hand, graciously gesturing towards the food and drinks. “The best for our Summer Solstice Festival!”
Her eyes shifted to a darkening grey before she spoke with care. “Um, I can try them first if you need proof that I have no ill intent towards poisoning you.”
Her hands then brushed at her dress to take off any remaining grains of sand. She couldn’t help but notice the pack the stranger carried, and…was that an instrument case they carried?
“Ah, welcome! I’m Aly or Alysann, but I gather you might know that if you received my invitation.” She finished, somewhat embarrassed by her babbling.
The cool night breeze carried the hooting of a hawk owl from a pine above the cave and cliffs. The scent of evergreens above, the shrouding mists, wood smoke from the driftwood bonfire, and brine permeated the air. Gazing beyond the first being's arrival, Alysann heard the male voice speaking.
@Evander and Eli
Her eyes widened to amber as she took in the newcomers, both male though different in colouring and possessed of otherworldly beauty; long of limbs and with lean athletic builds, though she couldn’t completely make out the golden-haired one’s features because of the exquisite ornamental mask covering his face.
As to the dark-haired male’s question. “Ah, a festival, that of our summer solstice. We celebrate the duality of fire and water and it seems that for the first time in a very very long time in this world, the thinning of the veil between worlds has proved to be at its peak…” She then proceeded to clamp her mouth shut. Crap!
She took her thumb and index finger of right hand and pinched the skin of her left forearm below her sleeve, hard. Was this truly real or had she fallen asleep on the sand? “Ouch!” She yelped out. She wasn’t dreaming.
Flux was indeed holding something that looked like a primitive guitar. They set their pack down, it looked like any other nondescript bag for carrying travel supplies. It looked very well used. The case was kept in pristine condition, and the disguised half-elf was very picky about where they would set it down. The pack could go anywhere. In the crook of their left arm, however, the primitive looking guitar rested.
It was difficult to tell if they were a masculine woman, or a feminine man, and their voice was also a mix of the two. They tilted their head in a show of trying to interpret Alysann’s dialect, delighted that their languages were similar enough. Looking at this woman with a shrewd and critical appraisal, there was a half-smile on their face. Not out of romantic interest, though Flux was impressed with her beauty, but some kind of deeper intrigue. Something about the eyes, the very demeanor, reminded Flux of his people, the fey.
“Perish the thought!” they waved a hand when she mentioned poisoning them, striding forward to help themselves to one of the Color-Shifting Spritzes. “I don’t abide by superstitions about red-headed women,” with a tone that implied those who did give in to superstition were ignorant. Giving it a stir, their face lit up when they saw the color change. “Is this chemistry, or magic? Or maybe both?” They took a drink and enjoyed it immensely.
“Alysann, an absolute pleasure to meet you.” Flux set their drink down, holding out a tentative hand, a questioning look on their face. As if to ask if this was their custom as well. “My name is Tyll.” Afterward, they played a quick, energetic crescendo on their lute to add some flair. The arrival of the gorgeous men was certainly interesting, especially since one of them had a mask on his face. Though Tyll looked as handsome as anyone with elven blood, he knew he didn’t compare to these two.
Their host speaking about the portal did catch the bard’s attention. They looked over at Aly, an eyebrow raised. “So these things happen naturally once in a while? Or did you create the portal since the conditions were ripe for it?” Picking up their drink and taking another sip, the half-elf gestured toward the spread that had been prepared for them. “Fate has blessed us, my good sirs, with the thinning of the veils allowing us to find this. Unless such things are secretive and should not be spoken of?” their gaze slid over to Aly as they lifted their glass, their eyes cutting over above the top of the rim in an almost devious way.
(Added in an image for a reference for Flux's disguise)
It was difficult to tell if they were a masculine woman, or a feminine man, and their voice was also a mix of the two. They tilted their head in a show of trying to interpret Alysann’s dialect, delighted that their languages were similar enough. Looking at this woman with a shrewd and critical appraisal, there was a half-smile on their face. Not out of romantic interest, though Flux was impressed with her beauty, but some kind of deeper intrigue. Something about the eyes, the very demeanor, reminded Flux of his people, the fey.
“Perish the thought!” they waved a hand when she mentioned poisoning them, striding forward to help themselves to one of the Color-Shifting Spritzes. “I don’t abide by superstitions about red-headed women,” with a tone that implied those who did give in to superstition were ignorant. Giving it a stir, their face lit up when they saw the color change. “Is this chemistry, or magic? Or maybe both?” They took a drink and enjoyed it immensely.
“Alysann, an absolute pleasure to meet you.” Flux set their drink down, holding out a tentative hand, a questioning look on their face. As if to ask if this was their custom as well. “My name is Tyll.” Afterward, they played a quick, energetic crescendo on their lute to add some flair. The arrival of the gorgeous men was certainly interesting, especially since one of them had a mask on his face. Though Tyll looked as handsome as anyone with elven blood, he knew he didn’t compare to these two.
Their host speaking about the portal did catch the bard’s attention. They looked over at Aly, an eyebrow raised. “So these things happen naturally once in a while? Or did you create the portal since the conditions were ripe for it?” Picking up their drink and taking another sip, the half-elf gestured toward the spread that had been prepared for them. “Fate has blessed us, my good sirs, with the thinning of the veils allowing us to find this. Unless such things are secretive and should not be spoken of?” their gaze slid over to Aly as they lifted their glass, their eyes cutting over above the top of the rim in an almost devious way.
(Added in an image for a reference for Flux's disguise)
Evander stepped out of the tent like he knew exactly where he was and exactly what he was doing - in short, stupidly. Emerging out of the cave, he was thrilled to be anywhere but under that gods damned mountain. "Who cares?" the blonde High Fae laughed as he smacked his friend on the chest and headed out of the cave and into the sand. He lifted his arms towards the sky and tipped his head back, letting his eyes close. "Feel that breeze. Listen to those waves." His words held an edge of almost sinful pleasure in them.
Arriving at the bonfire Evander spotted the red-headed female and, quickly after, the knowing look from his friend. Eli loved redheads. A devious smile adorned his pink lips as he took in the set up. Eli had engaged the redhead, which caused Evander to shift his gaze over to the minstrel. He would have engaged them in conversation but all eyes seemed to be turned to the hostess of the soiree, causing Evander to hold back a little.
Golden hair falls in soft, unruly waves, framing sharp green eyes that seem to notice more than they should, always carrying that quiet, unsettling awareness. His features though far from perfect still captivate, even half marred with the presence of the gilded mask that hid all from his nose to his brow, except his eyes. His build is lean and defined from use, with sun-warmed skin and an ease of movement that feels controlled without effort.
Black rose-vine tattoos wind from his shoulders across his chest and down his ribs and arms, fine-lined and organic, shifting naturally with him rather than sitting neatly on his skin. He was dressed in thin, airy fabrics of deep greens and muted golds, soft linens and light silks that move with him, catching the light like sunlight through leaves and barely covered his torso. His pants were of a soft, worn leather that ended right at the ankle. Bare tanned feet traversed the shifting sand. Nothing about him was rushed; every movement was deliberate, every glance measured. He looks like something soft, something beautiful, and possibly a little naughty.
Never wanting to step on anyone's toes, he waited for both of the others to say their piece and make their plays. He knew Eli's playbook and his friends craving of redheads so Evander would try all that hard to steal the spotlight...but his ego would require him to do something.
Standing just behind Eli's right shoulder, on the side the minstrel was, he knelt down on one knee in the sand as fisted a handful of the rough grains. He rose, his cupped palm of sand facing up. As he gazed at the sand in his hand, a smile spread his lips. A rose, white and pure, and wrapped in twin honeysuckle vines twisting themselves up the thornless stem and coming to rest on either side of the perfect blossom.
Evander plucked the small bouquet from the sand in his palm and then let the sand fall back to the earth. He stepped past Eli as he gave his friend a wink that said, 'Game On.' He approached the red-headed female and presented the rose and honeysuckles. "A thank you present from the Court of Perpetual Spring, my lady." He pressed his offering to into her hand and then stepped away to make room for his friend.
Evander ended up at the refreshment table and eyed the color changing beverages. He looked at the minstrel, "I see you have one of these. Is it... he rised a mischievous eyebrow, "delicious?" The way he said the word 'delicious' hinted undoubtedly at something that would inspire great pleasure. He plucked one of the glasses and examined it, cocking his head to the side. He licked his pretty pink lips and touched the lip of the glass to his mouth. He sipped cautiously, not from distrust but from the possibility of not liking it. He bit his lower lip as he looked at the minstrel, "Oooooo....it is indeed."
Arriving at the bonfire Evander spotted the red-headed female and, quickly after, the knowing look from his friend. Eli loved redheads. A devious smile adorned his pink lips as he took in the set up. Eli had engaged the redhead, which caused Evander to shift his gaze over to the minstrel. He would have engaged them in conversation but all eyes seemed to be turned to the hostess of the soiree, causing Evander to hold back a little.
Golden hair falls in soft, unruly waves, framing sharp green eyes that seem to notice more than they should, always carrying that quiet, unsettling awareness. His features though far from perfect still captivate, even half marred with the presence of the gilded mask that hid all from his nose to his brow, except his eyes. His build is lean and defined from use, with sun-warmed skin and an ease of movement that feels controlled without effort.
Black rose-vine tattoos wind from his shoulders across his chest and down his ribs and arms, fine-lined and organic, shifting naturally with him rather than sitting neatly on his skin. He was dressed in thin, airy fabrics of deep greens and muted golds, soft linens and light silks that move with him, catching the light like sunlight through leaves and barely covered his torso. His pants were of a soft, worn leather that ended right at the ankle. Bare tanned feet traversed the shifting sand. Nothing about him was rushed; every movement was deliberate, every glance measured. He looks like something soft, something beautiful, and possibly a little naughty.
Never wanting to step on anyone's toes, he waited for both of the others to say their piece and make their plays. He knew Eli's playbook and his friends craving of redheads so Evander would try all that hard to steal the spotlight...but his ego would require him to do something.
Standing just behind Eli's right shoulder, on the side the minstrel was, he knelt down on one knee in the sand as fisted a handful of the rough grains. He rose, his cupped palm of sand facing up. As he gazed at the sand in his hand, a smile spread his lips. A rose, white and pure, and wrapped in twin honeysuckle vines twisting themselves up the thornless stem and coming to rest on either side of the perfect blossom.
Evander plucked the small bouquet from the sand in his palm and then let the sand fall back to the earth. He stepped past Eli as he gave his friend a wink that said, 'Game On.' He approached the red-headed female and presented the rose and honeysuckles. "A thank you present from the Court of Perpetual Spring, my lady." He pressed his offering to into her hand and then stepped away to make room for his friend.
Evander ended up at the refreshment table and eyed the color changing beverages. He looked at the minstrel, "I see you have one of these. Is it... he rised a mischievous eyebrow, "delicious?" The way he said the word 'delicious' hinted undoubtedly at something that would inspire great pleasure. He plucked one of the glasses and examined it, cocking his head to the side. He licked his pretty pink lips and touched the lip of the glass to his mouth. He sipped cautiously, not from distrust but from the possibility of not liking it. He bit his lower lip as he looked at the minstrel, "Oooooo....it is indeed."
You are on: Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Summer Soiree: Light of the Shore (Open)