Lá Bealtaine Kickoff Party at the Governor's Mansion

[Strawberry]

The year's most anticipated festival is here! With May Day comes the opening of Beltane and with it, an all day kickoff event at the Governor's Mansion. Gates open at 12pm and the kickoff party is family friendly until the 8pm fireworks show ends. The expansive grounds of the mansion will have an assortment of arts and crafts booths, including face painting, hair braiding, flower crown weaving, and more. The most open part of the yard is home to a tall May pole, around which children can weave brightly colored ribbons.



Attending children and teens can enter a contest to be named the Mini Marquis of May. Age brackets for the Marquis crowning include 0-3, 4-8, 9-12, and 13-17. Two winners per age bracket will be named and each winner will receive a crown of their own as well as a prize basket full of goodies sourced from local small businesses. The two winners of the 13-17 bracket will additionally each receive a 5,000 silver scholarship bond to use toward a college or trade school of their choice after finishing their secondary education.



An assortment of food and drink vendors have constructed a Renaissance Faire styled market on the far end of the mansion grounds, hawking everything from turkey legs, scotch eggs, and deep fried everything, to mead, wine, and ale. Be sure to grab a s'more on a stick to round out an assuredly dense meal. All food and non-alcoholic drinks are free to party goers. Alcoholic drinks are discounted and many of the food vendors offer prepackaged drinks to take home at the end of the day. Enjoy the sounds of Rhydin's own Gaelic Fire, consisting of Pearl and Velen Ilnaren, Mairead Harker, and Doran Ilnaren.


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At 8pm, turn your eyes to the skies as they light up with the coming fires of Beltane. Flowers and flames illuminate the sky over the city to close out the early part of the party, set to coordinated music that can be heard all over the mansion's grounds.



As the fireworks come to a close, those adults wishing to stay can migrate inside for music, libations, and decadent eats. The private party to follow promises to be the perfect start to Beltane. Be sure to bring an offering in from outside to add to the Beltane altar. Splendid offerings to the altar include acorns, antlers, baskets, blooming flowers and herbs, candles, floral crowns, sticks, leaves, and wreathes.



Those staying after midnight are treated to birthday cake and raucous singing and dancing to celebrate the birthday of the evening's hostess. Before you leave for the night, add your ribbon to the Governor's Beltane tree for blessings all season long. For those wishing to stay a bit longer or who aren't quite stable enough to get home on their own, the entirety of the mansion's opulent bedrooms on the upper level are open to those attending the latter part of the party, with the exception of the master suite, which remains locked.






((Just an event Karma will be throwing for Beltane. Board only, feel free to use it in play or post here, whatever you wish. Feel free to add to it if there's something missing. My only request is you don't bring violence or damage to the settings or characters there. The afterparty after the fireworks is adults only (18+) due to Beltane-esque themes, copious amounts of alcohol, and other adult activities.))

[BardGallant]

The Minister of Culture, and Baron of Dragon's Gate, Sheridan "Dris" Driscol was absolutely in attendance throughout the day. He showed up not long after the festivities kicked off, in the company of his life partner Rhys Germain and their goddaughter Maybelle IvyGreen with plans to enter her into the Mini Marquis of May contest in the age 9-12 group. Tangled around their ankles as they explored the market were leashes belonging to their dogs Gussie and Tommy, and riding on one shoulder or another was their barn owl golem Pelia.



Some time in the early afternoon, students from the Dragon's Gate Dueling Sword arrived to help the bard put on a demonstration of a traditional maypole dance. After this performance, they mingled back with the crowds. Naturally, Dris stopped to gossip with anyone he knew, always wearing a smile and happy to introduce his little family to anyone new. At the Beltane altar, the bard left an offering of a crow's feather and a cherry blossom from their home gardens.

They allowed Maybelle to stay with them for the fireworks, but as soon as they were over she was escorted back to her regular family to return home with them. Dris and Rhys stayed long into the night to celebrate Karma's birthday. When given the opportunity, the bard presented the Governor with a gift contained in an impeccably packaged box done up in a bow. Once the wrapping was torn free, and the box opened, an elegantly carved music box would be revealed. Should she allow it, Dris included a pair of cheek kisses and a hug in addition to this trinket, wishing Karma a happy birthday before he and his beau ventured off to hang their ribbons on the tree (the bard chose red).


Always With Me/Youmi Kimura

At the end of the evening, the Double Dukes and their animal companions slipped back through a portal to Twilight Isle to wind down their evening in their Gloaming District mansion with anyone else who happened to tag along.

[Delahada]

Salvador waited until after the fireworks to really make his presence known at the Governor's Mansion that evening. He and his companion, the man known as gatito had found a quiet place to watch the sky light up together, unseen by the crowds until they were over. Then they emerged to (sort of) mingle. If anyone they knew caught them roaming the grounds that evening, Salvador did stop to say a quiet hello, but he was intent on zeroing in on Karma herself to deliver a not-gift to her and tell her happy birthday.



They stuck around for a little while after that, merging indoors for the private party. Salvador allowed his companion to do most of the talking, as usual, and wore a quiet smile while watching him socialize. It was unclear when precisely they made their quiet escape. For a while they were present, and then they were not.

[Snack]

"Would you like a drink, m'lady?" - "No! She wants my drink!" - "No! Mine!"

Srishkashkayi stood there while three individuals were busy bickering among themselves to see who would be the one to give her a drink.. one of which went spilling off to the side as the cup is slapped away. This wasn't much of a fight, more like a shoving match to try and push past one another to see who delivered their drink first. With only one having a remaining cup, though currently occupied trying to squeeze between the other two, they seemed to catch Srishkashkayi's attention.

"Sssure! I'll have a drink." the nagini said as she reached to take one of the remaining cup of the suiters and began to walk away while sipping on it.

The moment continued as it seemed like they hadn't been able to look past their own allure-triggered senses to realize the girl had walked away; until a good minute later when all three were left blinking in confusion beside the turkey leg stand.

"I like Beltane." she said cheerfully while eating a turkey leg.

[Rhys Germain]

Rhys arrived early with his partner, Dris, ready to spend the day with their godchild, Maybelle, and celebrate both the beginning of Beltane and Governor Armstrong’s birthday. In addition to their dogs and their barn owl golem, Rhys’ spiderbot, Peabody, was also in attendance. She spent much of her time on his shoulder, but could also be seen snuggling against the side of Dris’ neck, and cooing at the young girl spending time with them.



During the traditional Maypole dance, he sat with Maybelle and the animals, clapping and cheering for the students and baron of Dragon’s Gate. And after, he convinced his boyfriend and godchild to accompany him to the Renaissance Faire-styled market to share plenty of fried, sweet, and carbohydrate-laden food with him. While they were there, he did his share of clapping and singing along with Gaelic Fire, and even got Dris and Maybelle to each dance with him.

Much later in the evening, after the air was laden with the smoke left behind by the fireworks, Dris and Rhys tracked down Maybelle’s birth family and delivered their daughter safely to them. Then the pair of them migrated indoors to celebrate Karma’s birthday (and eat cake!)—but not before leaving a small offering upon the altar: a single, pristine flower that seemed to be made entirely of ice.

When they finally caught up with Karma, Rhys wished her happy birthday and complimented her on the party, offered her a hug, and presented her with a small, simply-wrapped gift. Inside was a mug that would be perfect for coffee—or bourbon, on more trying days.



Before he and Dris headed home for the evening, Rhys made sure to tie a ribbon to the blessings tree. A vibrant, violet ribbon that seemed to flutter in a breeze of its own making.

[Abby]

The family at Old Temple West had been cooped up for too long. Having heard about a family friendly event, the children were eager to get out and celebrate. Abby loaded five youngsters into Jameson's van just before lunch, promising them turkey legs and enough cakes to make them sick for lunch. Fortunately, Jameson was more than willing to play chauffeur. Greasy fair food and excess sugar were rewards he was eager to reap for himself!

The children's ages ranged from 3 to 14, and thankfully Abby's dear friend Kaliope tagged along to help wrangle the youngest. As soon as they reached the Governor's mansion and piled out of the van, the two teenagers (Cindy and Ginger) broke free to explore on their own. This left Abby, Jameson, and Kaliope in charge of the remaining Dean children: Gary (3), Warren (5), and Mable (8). Of course they entered all of them into the Mini Marquis of May contest. Cindy (14) had to talk the more shy Ginger (13) into it, and only succeeded because they would be able to compete together in the same age bracket.

Abby, of course, roamed the grounds barefoot, finding herself swept up in the rhythm of every dance. She helped the children wind ribbons around the maypole when there was not a demonstration. She especially enjoyed listening to the talents of Gaelic Fire while they were performed, finding herself fully immersed in the music and dancing to the beat.

After the fireworks, she talked Jameson into taking the kiddos home. The teenagers protested and whined about wanting to stay, of course. Further promises had to be made. Abby and Kaliope stayed to join the indoor migration for the adult party. Before entering the mansion, Abby left an offering of a necklace made of pop tabs on the altar, in memory of someone dear to her heart who she had lost. She also left three wrapped sugar candies and a daisy chain flower crown.

At the end of the night, before finding a place to crash, she hung a pearl white ribbon to the tree and quietly whispered blessings to its boughs. Though she did not know Karma personally, she heard the rumors of it being her birthday. Unfortunately, too late to have purchased a gift. She wished her a happy birthday anyway, enjoyed the cake and celebration, and at the very least offered to share a smoke with her before saying goodnight.

[Partly Cloudy]

After the fireworks had faded from the evening sky, the gatito emerged from the cozy hiding spot he’d been sharing with Salvador for the duration of the show. Before he went inside to find the birthday girl, he made a brief stop at the Beltane altar to leave an offering consisting of a halved apple and the tiny skull of a young rabbit.

Once inside the mansion, he quickly sought out Karma to wish her a happy birthday and offered her a warm hug. In addition to his sweet words, he also presented her with two gifts. In the first box were eighteen macarons in a flavor that he had designed just for her, based upon the Black Demure cocktail that had been served in her honor during the Battlefield Park challenge some months before. The cookies’ midnight violet shells had been painted to resemble the night sky, and each of them was filled with a rich buttercream flavored with fresh blackberries, bourbon, and a hint of orange.

Inside the second box was a small artist’s roll made of waxed canvas. He had taken the liberty of inserting a few supplies inside for her—a set of watercolor half pans, a few soft-bristled brushes, and a few art pens—but there was plenty of room to add more supplies of her own liking, as well as space for a small notebook or journal. Also inside the roll was a handwritten notecard, which read:

So your art can be with you whenever time and duty decide to be kind.
—gatito

After presenting Karma with her gifts, he made sure to grab a slice of cake to enjoy while socializing. He remained in the Spaniard’s orbit, always within reach, while chatting with friends and anyone else who happened to be present. For a while, at least. Before too long, the pair of them had vanished into the night and likely no one would quite remember seeing them leave.




The evening’s threads:




And Karma’s gifts:




(Not exactly like this, but similar.)

[A Reckoning]

Alexander was not a man for parties, and yet, he found himself at one on this beautiful Sunday evening. He roamed the grounds outside of the governor’s mansion, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the fair atmosphere.

Especially the smells.

There was more there than the salty, the sweet, and the fried; there was blood amidst the joy, sin amidst the sacred. He could smell it on the people in the crowd, but it was indistinct. Not strong enough to wake the howling hunger that lurked in the shadows of his mind.

So he contented himself with food and beer, sampling the more savory offerings with aplomb. He watched children run and play, and he watched children and older folk alike dance to the music that curled through the fair. He did not dance, himself, but from time to time, he kept the beat with his hands and his feet, adding his gravity to the strength of the rite.

Later, he stood with his face turned toward the sky, watching the darkness bloom brightly with color and light, and tried to remember a life he had not lived for many years.

As the families began to trickle away, taking with them the soured-milk innocence of the children, Alexander found his way to the Beltane altar. He lingered there for several minutes, studying the offerings left by others and contemplating the energies trapped within the altar itself. Eventually, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and produced his own offering: a pair of glass marbles, each of them like a green eye, and a tail feather tipped in blue and black. He set them carefully down and willed the orbs to be still, then finally, moved away.

The crowd heading inside remained thick and jovial, and it was easy for him to get swept up in their wake. He did not know Karma personally, but he found himself gravitating her way nonetheless. In lieu of a gift, he gave her a quietly- and gravely-spoken benediction: “Happy birthday, Governor Armstrong. May your next year be prosperous, generous, and interesting.”

A bit of crossroads gravel roughed up the final word and gave it weight, and a devil’s charm lurked in his smile and pale eyes.

He did not linger for much longer after that, though he did immerse himself in the crowd for a little while. When he took his leave, those who happened to watch him go might have noticed that the shadows he cast in the firelight did not match the shape of him.

[Death Knell]

Ettyn had been hunting for much of the day, and had come back to the area to follow up on an incident in the Underground with the Ministry of Transportation, planning to drop off Karma's gift later; but the siren song of the celebration at the Governor's Mansion was too strong to resist.

Especially when the aroma of dumplings, fries, cake, roasted almonds, caramel apples, fritters, tarts, strudel, cobbler, doughnuts, creme brulee, ice cream, cinnamon rolls, chicken, shrimp, crab cake, crab dip, pork, steak, potatoes, soup, hot dogs, ribs, sausages, and chili carried on the air.

She changed quickly from her messy armor into spare clothes she kept in her office, a simple tunic and boots and pants, grabbed the weapon and a simple offering from her drawer, and made her way to the festivities.

For the Beltane altar, she offered the long tooth of a behir, wrapped in cord made from its chewed gut so it could dangle among the flowers.

For the hostess, for her birthday, she gifted a flail not as heavy as her own, that could be wielded more like a whip -- relying on the tolling of its enchanted bell to stun and shatter foes.



(( Harbinger's Flail is from The Griffon's Saddlebag! ))

[Pharlen]

For the first time since spawning, Pharlen made a grand appearance with her family. Elegantly Edwardian, Mrs. VonTombs strolled along wearing a gorgeous lace tea gown, complete with button up shoes and ridiculous hat, all in muted grays and creams. Her husband, ever dapper and always armed, wore a black suit accessorized in green. He proudly pushed along the perambulator containing his newest tax break, Cezar. The infant still seemed newborn tiny with a mop of black hair and finally with white skin, and he was garbed in a gorgeous flow of pale green and blue carriage gown, crocheted of course. He was there to pwn the 0-3 category, of course.

Alice skipped along with her parents, adorable in a bright twirly dress and pigtails, but she didn't enter the competition, she was much more interested in raiding all of the craft booths, and she'd be thrilled to catch up with Maybelle do all the braiding and face painting!

Desdenova and Jackie bailed on the 'rents to go and find Maggie and Amaris and Doran and Sylvie if they showed too, to go do teenager things, but, Jackie would insist that Desdenova enter the Mini Marquis for the 13-17 year olds. He would insist they all enter if he had to!

Desdenova did leave a gift for Karma: a little potted African Violet, which was tagged for 'Karma'. No Miss Karma, just Karma. Progress!

Pharlen's gift wasa kooky and fun hooded cat blanket. It was meowriffic!

(I do apologize for the name error >.< Thank you Sal's player for the assist!)

[Anya de la Rose]

Anya arrived early, drawn in by the promise of food. She went with the theme, dressed in a simple shift dress and shawl from her old home.



For the Beltane altar, she offered a bundle of early herbs and root vegetables from her gardens. And for the birthday girl, she brought along a bottle of champagne.



She sampled as much of the food as possible, but found herself particularly stuck on the scotch eggs. After the fireworks, she headed for home, too full for anything but an early bedtime.