2019 Matadero Christmas

[Delahada]

Introduction

For the sixth year in a row, Salvador Delahada is hosting a small gathering for family and friends, and those people of favorable acquaintance whom he knows otherwise have no family to spend the holidays with. This event takes place December 25, 2019, actually on Christmas day. Since we are all well aware that nobody is likely actually going to be online and role-playing that day, we have opted to make this a board only event in which participation is encouraged.


The Setting

With an ever expanding guest list and the good fortune of having won his first barony, this year Salvador has decided to move the location of the gathering from his personal apartment at Matadero to the Seaside Baronial Manor. This fortified manor on the sea was once originally the property of Cletus and Arane Ganderfald, legendary names of the Arena and Duel of Swords. In 2005, the estate was acquired and opened up to be occupied by any future holders of the 10th Baronial Ring. The mansion boasts ten bedrooms and a grand parlor that overlooks the ocean, and is rumored to contain a dungeon as well. Guests are welcome to explore and claim a room for themselves should they wish to stay the night. (See link to "fortified manor on the sea" for more information.)

The tree this year, found in the grand parlor, is a live evergreen that is wrapped in a singular strand of white christmas lights and decorated mainly with biodegradable bits and baubles, beribboned acorns and pinecones, cinnamon sticks and sugared holly, dried fruit and flowers. The garland is made of cranberries and real popcorn threaded on a string, for old time’s sake, and because it’s edible.


The Rules Both In and Out

• 1. Characters participating in this event are by invitation only. Was your character invited? If your character was a participant in years past, their invitation still stands and they are welcome to attend again this year. If you are uncertain, here is a handy dandy guest list. There are some new additions this year. Apologies to anyone I missed. Please message me if there is any question.
  
  • Crispin Ashwood, Josiah Aubrey, Sabine Aubrey-Gabrielle, Evelyn Augusta Bell, Bettle, Nat Candle, Saila DeFortes, Salvador Delahada, Canaan Devillier, Sheridan Driscol, Aoife Duggan, Effie, Nehivena Erede, Penny Escobar, August Evans, Isaac Evers, Sinjin Fai, Gallo, Rhys Germain, Rekah Illyriana, Koyan, Eri Maeda, Mallory Maeda, Mesteno, Lucy Mitford, Nila, Olaf, Yeardley Owens, Eden Parker, Benjamin Piers, Jodie Quimby, Jewell Ravenlock, Faye Random, Patrick Richie, Melanie Rostol, Skid, Ishmerai Ta'Neer, Taneth, Cassandra Tyra, Lucas Walsh, Suliss’urn Xukuth
  2. Please note that if your character was not invited to this event that it is practically impossible for your character to enter Seaside Baronial Manor. Though not as extensively warded as the grounds at Matadero, the manor itself is surrounded by high walls and is only accessible from a main path through a gate. The property will also be heavily patrolled by faerie creatures loyal to Salvador, whose sole purposes of the evening will be ensuring the safety and security of his guests. (Though do please let me know if you want to have your character fight a forest giant.)
  
  3. In the past guests were asked to prepare a single dish that reminded them of home and bring it along to share with the other guests during a grand feast. Should your character decide to follow tradition and bring a dish to add to the potluck, it is suggested you post pictures and include a recipe in any potential descriptions.
  
  4. Additional story bits such as collaborated writings, edited live play logs, or personal character reflections of the event are encouraged to be posted to this thread.
  
  5. Images and hyperlinks to videos or other relative imagery that you think might additionally reflect interactions at this event are also encouraged to be posted to this thread.
  
  6. Did your character bring any gifts for anyone? Feel free to post about that here too! Bear in mind that gift giving or exchanging while not frowned upon is never expected nor required.
  
  7. If you do not post something to this thread, we will assume your character was not present for this event. A placeholder post stating something as simple as “my character was there” is acceptable, so long as you pinky swear promise to edit it at a later date into something more substantial.
  
  8. There is no deadline to post, though it is suggested that you post something before the end of the year. Characters are likely to talk about who was and was not present for this event in follow-up live play and collaborative writing sessions. If you don't get to it until after the New Year, though, we completely understand. This season gets busy for everybody!

These rules and other storyline information are subject to change at any time.

*** IMPORTANT STORYLINE NOTE FOR THIS YEAR ONLY ***

When writing any posts to add to this thread, be advised that Salvador himself is nowhere to be found on the premises.
Where is Salvador? What a mystery! What do you think? Maybe Cane will know.

[Canaan]

Early on Christmas morning, long before the sun made itself known, and when it seemed he could not steal another moment’s rest from the Sandman, Canaan reluctantly rolled himself out of bed and disappeared from the songbird’s watchful gaze to ready himself for the day. Together, he and Aoife Duggan traveled across town by the light of the moons to Salvador’s Seaside baronial manor where they met Rekah, who was already busy in the kitchen filling the grand house with a sweet scent that made the Cajun’s mouth water.

After a few hours helping the two women compile a mountain of sugary Christmas treats, complete with three near-disasters and a delicious instance in which a bowl of cookie dough never made it to the baking sheet, Cane took a break, alone, to watch the sun rise over the house from the beach. Rekah disappeared to take a long nap in one of the many bedrooms the manor house had to offer. Aoife left briefly, only to return with a spoiled rotten great horned owl who was set loose to hop and skitter about the house until people began to arrive. He was then transferred to a high roost in the corner of the living room where he could sleep and not be in the way.

Guests who happened to arrive early enough in the morning to witness meal preparation were in for a treat. Unlike previous years, when Salvador had blessed the gathering with his fine chef’s skills, the duty of crafting the main dishes fell to Canaan, who decided to fish and forage the coast for ingredients. There was an open invitation to join him in the endeavor, to actively participate or to simply observe the process.

Aoife combed the beach for wild edibles like sea rocket and kelp while Cane and the others caught fish and dug in the sand, resulting in a bucketful of unearthed cockles and clams, and as the tide went out they were able to relieve the rock pools of just enough oysters and crustaceans to feed their humble gathering.

The afternoon was spent in the kitchen cooking up the sea’s bounty, a task Nila shared with Cane after she stocked the manor’s liquor cabinet and the fridge full of Silver Mark and Mad Fairy brand beers. The kitchen island was arrayed with glassware and dinnerware, set up buffet style for guests to help themselves to anything they like, including those dishes they brought themselves.

The Cajun’s contribution to dinner was pan fried sea bass in a lemon garlic herb sauce, smoked oysters, clams, and cockles linguine, and a delicious nod to his cajun roots with a seafood Jambalaya and oysters on the half shell with blood orange-cognac mignonette. Though the food’s presentation lacked Sal’s artistic eye, it was all of it good and in the end that was all that mattered.






Whenever possible, and especially after dinner, Canaan entertained Seaside Manor’s visitors with music. Though he was lacking a piano this year, he played a variety of holiday themed songs on his guitar and violin. He took requests from anyone and everyone, and was sure to fit in one of his favorite Carol of the Bells arrangements somewhere into the evening in guitar form.

But where is Salvador?! When asked, Cane’s facile response will be, “Oh, he’s away with Sin.”


((OOC Note: I have been given permission from the player to write Aoife’s presence into my posts, but this does not mean she is my own character and therefore I don’t feel comfortable having her engage in public interaction. She’s a shy, skittish thing who prefers solitude, but at the moment her company is necessary to Cane--whom she will remain close to throughout the day. You are welcome to assume Aoife acknowledges your character, but physical contact is a hard no and if they are a stranger to her, she won’t do much more than observe with quiet, doe-eyed curiosity.))

[JewellRavenlock]

Jewell showed up later in the afternoon, the iron cut across her face standing out all the more as she appeared pale and tired despite the smile, the santa hat on her blue hair, and the ridiculous "Festive AF" sweater she was wearing. If anyone asked, she'd admit to having spent the better part of the week working on cleansing Overlord Isle (a work still in progress), but she didn't linger on that or her injuries. Instead, she insisted on cracking open one of the bottles of wine she had brought (from Faerie of course) or something she said was the fae equivalent to scotch only better, and was her engaging, pleasant self throughout the evening as much as possible. She ate, drank, and sang along at times to the music but retreated for quiet conversations here and there to in order not to overdo it.

She did ask Canaan about Salvador at some point, but she merely smiled when he gave his answer, "Oh, that's nice."

[Koyan]

Koyan arrived mid-afternoon, attired not in pajamas or some other questionable article of clothing, but a black suede vest and ash gray slacks. His boots were a cleaner, more distinct pair: black with brogue detailing and arcane carvings in the steel at the toe and heel. Masculine cologne replaced the usual leather oil and sandalwood that often clung to his skin.

He brought with him a platter of Baklava, the pieces arranged neatly on a covered tray. That was his contribution of the food variety, although he hadn't made the dessert itself.

Koyan spent several hours mingling and talking and generally having a good time. He was quite relaxed although he never drank anything alcoholic; his mood remained pleasant, cordial.

Just after dusk, after a round of well wishes to the host, he took his leave.

[BardGallant]

Former Governor Sheridan “Dris” Driscol made an appearance! Having retired to the countryside some time ago, the moment he stepped foot in the city turned out to be a big to-do. He found himself bombarded by adoring fans who chased him through the streets and demanded selfies. He was more than happy to oblige the numerous photo opportunities, and therefore showed up at Seaside fashionably late. Though he did remember to call Canaan and inform him of the delay.



Dris apologized for his tardiness upon his arrival, never mind there hadn’t actually been a deadline to meet. If asked about the goatee, he was certain to inform anyone that he was trying on villainy for size. But he came bearing gifts, of course! The most tangible of these was a mountain of cherry cordials. He assured anyone asking that he did not make them himself and that they came from a trusted source that he promised reduced the risk of poisoning to absolute zero. Knowing full well people were going to ask where he had been all this time, he had fully prepared a wide range of stories, all of which differed in details but ultimately involved the company of a gorgeous bronze dragon named Icarus.



When inquiring about Salvador’s whereabouts and receiving Cane’s facile reply, the bard seemed reluctant to let the subject immediately drop, asking after the health of both infamous Spaniard’s. He was easily redirected like a dog chasing after a squirrel when prompted to sing a song, or ten. Mr. Driscol was more than happy to indulge in what was otherwise an entire playlist of Christmas classics.

Of course, he made his rounds, schmoozing with anyone and everyone he might know, and even anyone and everyone he didn’t know at all. (Please do not hesitate to DM me if you want to write a short little something to include here involving that.)

Though he did not eat much of the actual food, he was solely responsible for eating at least two dozen of the numerous cherry cordials and making himself sick on them. The copious amounts of alcohol he imbibed while present did not help out much. He stayed through the day and long into the evening, eventually finding, not a bed, but a chaise somewhere in an upper level parlor to pass out on.

[Benjamin Piers]

It'd been a while since Benjamin's work schedule let him off around the holidays, and he gladly took up the standing offer of a party and feast. He arrived early, casual in jeans and a gray sweater, and was happy to help with the foraging. He took out a small box of salt and soon had a few dozen razor clams in a bucket along with cockles and clams. Wild garlic and onion were chased down along with dulse and seagrapes, all added into the forage.

Benjamin brought a beautiful goose to share, roasted with apples and perfectly crisp skin. He set that with the buffet, carving it into slices and drumsticks for ease of eating.



Though prepared to go pantsless in Rekah's honor, Benjamin mostly remained clothed, and was thrilled to run into Dris once more. He would drag the former governor off to hear all what the man had been up to, and would cheerfully help clean up any disasters. Listening to music was something he clearly adored and would lend voice now and again to the choruses and suggest old classics.

Somewhere along the line, Benjamin brought the owl a piece of fish, offering it to the animal reverently before bowing his head and speaking a quiet prayer to the animal. After that, he returned to a cheerful wandering, glad to meet people. He asked Cane about Salvador and simply nodded with a smile.

[Rhys Germain]

Rhys arrived sometime in the afternoon, looking a bit more polished than he usually did in a trim black blazer and crimson v-neck, which he wore with new-ish jeans and boots. The tiny rubies he wore in the cartilage of his ears flashed whenever he turned his head, glinting from within his loose, dark curls.

He brought with him three dozen boozy cupcakes in three different flavors: strawberry margarita with strawberry-tequila filling, Kahlua chocolate with a salted caramel drizzle, and rum-spiked egg nog cupcakes. The boxes these cupcakes arrived in read “Naughty Nibbles” on the top, and though Rhys had not made them himself, he insisted the owner was a friend and that each time he ate one he was reminded of another time, a time when “home” meant something different.

As the day wore on, he made his rounds, talking, laughing, and teasing with most anyone who was amenable. At some point, he asked after Sal; Cane’s answer earned him a long, considering look from Rhys. The pretty little bird with Cane earned a considering look from him, as well, though he left her alone otherwise.

By the time the musical instruments were brought out, he’d had enough drink to make him loose and warm, and he joined in to sing along—quietly, but at least he was in tune. He was loose enough to flirt like a mother, too, but somehow managed not to get himself into too much trouble.

Shortly after nightfall, he felt himself starting to turn introspective, so he said his goodbyes and excused himself. He needed to walk a bit—and sober up more—before he went home.

[KhaoticBliss]

Saila thankfully missed the sugar-fueled baking bonanza, but still arrived early enough to get in on the fishing and foraging adventure. While these weren't necessarily skills that would be immediately useful to her, it never hurt to be prepared for all eventualities, and anyway she liked learning new things. Poor Cane was saddled yet again with a purple-haired shadow who asked a million questions, but she took the task seriously and eventually, inevitably, developed something of a knack for it.

Pretty elated to see Aoife again, she tried not to disturb the rare songbird with conversation or even noise, but she did pay sharp attention to what all she brought back when she rejoined the group.

She was dressed for the adventure in one of her now-customary home made jerseys, with black jeans and black boots that she quickly traded for black Converse when she realized they were getting in the water. This time, in lieu of a name, the white lettering between her shoulder blades where her name should have gone said, "#6. (Don't worry, I'm legal)".



While Saila couldn't exactly prepare a dish that reminded her of home for several reasons, that didn't mean she couldn't participate. It was something of a well known joke at this point that the girl had previously misunderstood both cookies and Christmas, making the association only that you were supposed to give the one to people that you liked on the occasion of the other. With no real need to cook and less than zero interest in food in general, she had somewhat famously gotten it wrong on previous occasions, delivering such delights as garlic-laced chocolate chip.

So it should be no surprise, then, that this year's offering was, um, cookies made with Flamin' Hot Cheetos.


(cred)

As people dug into their dinners, Saila first gathered and arranged the presents she'd brought. This year's offerings were entirely homemade: for each of her Deathcake team mates, there was their own personalized Deathcake jersey like the ones she'd been sporting all season. In lieu of a name, each of the jerseys had "Part of the Deathcube" written on the back, and she'd taken some pains to make sure they were all in the right sizes -- even a tiny one for her favorite goblin. She'd also done a large illustration of the entire 2019 team --each face rendered in painstakingly lifelike detail-- in vivid colors to hang up in the gym for posterity.

With that out of the way, she took up the musical mantle for a short time so Cane could actually enjoy the fruits of all his labors. She had learned dozens of Christmas songs in all different languages for the occasion, and while her guitar playing was nowhere near as talented or as innate as his, she did okay as a temporary substitute.

In between, she mingled. She drank wine with Jewell, and tried possibly in vain to learn Koyan's actual name (Vogue Arabia worked fine for her purposes, but maybe he wanted to be called something different). She was thrilled to see Dris--she would never forget the true kindness he showed her back in the beginning--and engaged him in conversation on several occasions. She even tried one of his cherry cordials, coaxed on the promise that it was more booze than food, deciding that the headache would be worth it for the experience. She never missed an opportunity to hug Benjamin, grinning brightly as she told him what a rare treat it was to see him twice in the same week. Seeing Lucy and August again for the second time in under a week was also a nice surprise, and she took advantage of the opportunity to follow up on some conversations they'd been having a couple of days ago. She didn't know Rhys really at all, but that didn't stop her in the slightest from getting into conversation with him, asking at least a dozen questions, and maybe even trying to encourage him to sing a little louder when he joined in on the caroling.

Pretty much everybody got encouraged to get in on the singing.

When it became clear that Sal would not be joining them, she changed from one jersey to another she'd worn previously, the one that proclaimed her "Not Sal. Not Cane, either." She did ask about it, because Saila asked about everything, accepting the answer on face value. It wasn't particularly shocking to her at all that Sal would bail on his own party, because Sal. She had additional questions, naturally, but she didn't ask any of them, because party.

[Yeardley Owens]

The landscaper arrived late with a tray of fresh blueberry muffins and the fixings for some kick ass bloody mary's- seemed fitting for the current setting. Like the Turk, she did not arrive in PJs, instead she wore a boho style dress that was built for comfort rather than dress up. She was, of course, curious where Sal had vanished, odd since it was his own party, but Sal was Sal and who could really explain why the man did anything? If Cane wasn't worried the landscaper sure wasn't!

Mid-afternoon she made her way to the kitchen to leave a small palm tree that Sal could plant to leave his mark on the Barony, with a card that thanked him for the invitation. While everyone continued with the merriment she let herself out the back.

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy and August were delighted to attend the Christmas party.

They brought with them a few food items to share. Since Lucy perennially didn't have any food that reminded her of home, she brought what reminded her housekeeper, Martta, of home. August carried the big pot of spicy sausage and white bean soup. Lucy brought the accompanying crusty bread and the fresh spinach that would sit in the bottom of the bowls for wilting once the soup was ladled over.



Both Lucy and August readily confessed that they hadn't made the soup. But they did make the cookies together. The recipe for the cookies was pretty simple, pretty no-fail, but Lucy and August had decorated them together, having fun with the colors and the different shapes they chose.



They arrived in the afternoon, and stayed through the meal and some singing of Christmas tunes. Lucy had a fine voice, nothing spectacular, but well enough to carry a tune. She sang relatively quietly, but was comfortable enough (after a few glasses of wine) to join in. They left before the hour got too late, but not before Lucy finally delivered the Christmas gifts.

For Cane:



The note that accompanied the antique compass read, This should work properly to help you navigate here on Rhydin, but it can also help you find anything you seek by simply speaking the enclosed incantation. I hope you find it useful. xoxo, Lucy

For Sal, the gift was self-explanatory. A set of new kitchen knives:



But of course, Lucy noticed Sal's absence. Not at first. But when he still hadn't arrived by dinner time, Lucy was confused. She tried to get Cane alone, though finally gave in and asked quietly to both him and Aoife, with a tender smile for the young woman. The answer she received was reassuring, if a little curious. But she accepted it with ease and smile.

[Perpetual Motion]

Evelyn and Olaf were there with bells on!

Literally. Both the mad scientist and her trunkish companion arrived in a heap of sleigh bells, which Evelyn dismissively explained away as the result of “traffic on the 405.” She was dressed in a festive red dress trimmed with white fur, and he in a gallon hat adorned with blinking Christmas lights.

“Festivus for the rest of us!” was Evelyn’s go-to greeting, paired with an exchange of cheek kisses for anyone who would take them. Olaf waddled along after her, giving out a variety of dinosaur-patterned “hand”-knit scarves, mittens, and hats.

“With Sin?” The madwoman blinked at Cane’s explanation, then offered him a Christmas stocking full of knives. “Okay. Well, these are for him!”

By popular demand (or no one’s demand, and therefore a complete surprise), Olaf von Trunk brought a large bowl of his specially brewed Uncle Samsonite’s Spiked Christmas Punch:

• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 6 lemon zest strips
• 6 thin lemon slices, each studded with four cloves
• 3/4 cup raw sugar
• 40 oz boiling water
• 1 750mL bottle Uncle Samsonite’s Neo-Gaelic Quantum-Proof Whisky

In a heatproof bowl, muddle the lemon zest with the sugar. Let stand for 1.57 hours +/- 3.14 minutes. Muddle again, add 8 ounces boiling water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Strain into a warm heatproof bowl and stir in the whisky. Add the remaining 32 ounces of boiling water and garnish with the studded lemon slices and nutmeg.

Avoid eye contact with time vortexes for at least 256 seconds after drinking.

((Recipe altered from here.))

[Eden Parker]

Eden was happy to come and join in the holiday celebrations at the Seaside baronial manor!

She came wearing a festive sweater, jeans, and her usual converse sneakers. She had with her a pot of goat stew and a couple loaves of crusty bread. If asked for the recipes for each of them she'd just look confused for a moment, and then start explaining the process, going into detail about how she found a meat that's sort of like the meat she uses at home, but the spices were harder to figure out so she uses a combination of dried and fresh spices and root vegetables and she would go on and on for however long the person seemed remotely interested in her cooking processes.



She didn't know any of the Christmas music, but she enjoyed the food and festivities. And before it got too late, she said her goodbyes and made her way home to Nat.

((Although Eden doesn't have an exact recipe, this is the goat stew recipe and the crusty bread tips are here.))