07.01: The Seventh Winter

The goings on of courts
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Joshua
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07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Joshua »

In the seventh winter of Amber, the end of the sixth year and the start of the seventh year of reality (or so they claim). The winter festival is set to begin at sunset on the last day (December 31st, listed as part of year 7 for sanity's sake), and Dworkin has hinted about a large surprise for everyone. Preparations have taken weeks, and castle Amber has been transformed into a shining example of warm tapestries and ice sculptures.

The grand ballroom has been converted to a large feasting chamber with seven fireplaces going and keeping the large chamber warm in the winter cold. It's only about 5 in the evening, and the sun has just finished setting. Tir-Na Nog'th has materialized, visible out on the balcony, and the servants are moving similar preparations into it for the later evening. In front of the balcony is a small raised stage/platform on which rests three thrones, with the center one a good foot larger than the others.

The party has not officially started, yet dozens of merchants and socialites from the city Amber have already arrived. They are dressed in various finery, many with ceremonial dress-swords. (Although, very few look like they know how to use them.)

Towering above them, Morgana is checking the enchantments keeping the ice cold. The large orge slowly making her way through the conversations, as much of the humans avoid her.
Wyvern
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Wyvern »

At one of the side entrances, the sound of chatter heralds the entrance of two rather early arrivals.

"Well," comments Alystrakos as she rounds the corner, "I've always been interested in Sorcery, but I never really had the time for it..."

For the festival, Alys has acquired a modestly cut but tight-fitting dress in shades of red and orange, with gold trim and a golden tasseled belt. The colors shimmer and shift as she moves, forming abstract patterns reminiscent of dancing flames; careful examination will reveal that the natural properties of the silk have been augmented with minor illusions.
Benabik
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Benabik »

Benabik rounds the corner a moment later, replying "Well, it seems that time is less of a problem if you can travel the right paths from Amber. And in some places, magic comes easier than others... True Sorcery though requires a regular commitment if you want to keep spells ready."

Benabik is wearing his typical formal garments: a ruffled shift and tailored pants under his runed stole. The gold and silver threads seem to shine out more than they should and match a tracery of abstract red-gold and silver lines that float around the crystal of his staff as if attached. The crystal atop the staff is the mostly transparent blue of flawless ice but has a flickering glow from inside as if it contained a candle. The "candlelight" reflects off the lines and the runes of his stole despite the fact that it should be completely lost in the general illumination.

He nods in recognition at some of the staff as he passes, who bow politely in return. Friendly smiles at some other guests elicit polite gestures in response.

Edit: (9/9) Minor wording/grammar fix. It bugged me when re-reading the thread.
Brian C
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Brian C »

"Lady Eretria, Guide to the Court of Tir'na Nog'th!" announces a herald, as Trina twirls into the room, showing off a fiery red dress that's almost (but not quite) scandalously short. Sparkling lattices of ice adorn her wrists and ankles; along with matching earings, they clink like windchimes in counterpoint to her humming.

She dances about, greeting various courtiers with a nod or a touch on the shoulder or a bit of small talk - and those she encounter seem a bit more relaxed when she moves on.

Despite never seeming to hurry (or even to move in any particular direction), she reaches Benabik and Alystrakos with remarkable rapidity.

"Benabik? It's been a long time since we've had your company. Welcome home! Perhaps later you'll favor me with dance or a story?"
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Joshua
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Joshua »

Both Benabik and Alystrakos are greeted by a waiter and shown to their table, a fancy set round deal with an ice sculpture in the middle. It is near both the balcony and the set of thrones that sits on a slightly raised platform in front of the balcony. (A set being a large throne in the middle, and a smaller throne on each side. They're made out of some unidentifiable hard-wood.)

Lady Eretria follows shortly after with her entrance.

Leads to First Seating.

(In an effort to make conversation faster and not to clog up the main thread... side conversations are going to be moved to sub-threads. This main thread will be used for entrances and a post of which conversation you will be joining. This way, we can have multiple conversations happening at once. Also added a bit to the initial post description.)
(Again, post your entrance to the ball in this thread, then join one of the existing conversations or I'll make a new one.)
misfit
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by misfit »

Nuall casually strolls into the room. He is grandly dressed in various shades of green with intricate geometric patterns embroidered in silver thread.

We wanders about the room with no apparent goal in mind. He greets the various nobles and guests as he passes them with many a kissed hand or elaborate bow, but stays to speak with each for only a moment or two. Before long his path crosses that of Quin...and this time he stays to talk...
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Joshua
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Joshua »

Quin nods to Nuall. The Jester is standing with a small glass of champagne by one of the fireplaces about midway down the room.

Leads to Fireside Chat.
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Veyska »

Whether Asai conspired to evade the notice of the herald or was simply overlooked is hard to tell. Knowing Asai, it's likely the truth lies somewhere in-between. She simply pads into the ballroom, tail gently waving in the air behind her, its tip visible above the heads of most of the party-goers. Her formal clothing is much simpler than most, a finely worked decorative harness that echoes the Celtic-knot-like patterns and blue-green-gold of her collar and a series of thin golden hoops linked by equally thin chains running the length of her tail - Asai finds the notion of putting clothes on a creature who already has adequate skin-covering with her fur silly, but tasteful ornamentation is not an unreasonable cultural foible to adopt. Once fully inside the room she rears up on her hind feet to better look around and see who all has already arrived.
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Joshua
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by Joshua »

Quin gestures for Asai to join the Fireside Chat.
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colomon
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Re: 07.01: The Seventh Winter

Post by colomon »

Renny blows in without giving the herald a chance to properly announce her. Taking off very functional leather gloves as she enters, she looks as if she just arrived in town, an impression which is only strengthened when she makes a beeline for the hors d'oeuvres.

She's dressed for the occasional in a lovely pale green dress that flatters her nicely. Its only drawback is that it is not particularly close to the current style in Amber; it's more an awkward imitation of the hot style six months ago.

Once she has gobbled down several pieces of cheddar and thrown back a glass of white wine, she pauses and looks around to see who is here already.
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