The Court of Aurora (Afina and Moore)

[Anastasia]

This one's going to start with an OOC note. Appearance and setup is important in fey courts. I'd like both of you describe the outfits you'll be wearing, as well as any special things you'll be doing for it. Once that's done, I'll move you along a bit and we'll get going into it.

[Nephrite]

Moore would find out ahead of time whatever colors or symbols Illsenine's court uses and make sure he has those on hand. He'd wear something with those colors -- likely a vest with a matching shirt and pants. However, he'd also make sure to continue wearing his hat, as it's in Erathaol's colors, and he wants to be sure those are represented. Unless wearing a hat like that would be bad form (for the actual hat, anyway) in which case he'd make due with the same pattern on the vest pocket or something similar.

Basically a slightly more formal "bard outfit."

Beyond that he'd brush up on his formal court etiquette.

[Ebiris]

Even if she doesn't like it, it's happened often enough that Afina has a system worked out for such things by now. So she arrives early for court dressed in a leafy patterned orange dress befitting her status as baroness rather than general, the skirt taking the image of pale petals falling over her legs clad in black leggings spotted with little green and blue discs and squares as her little rebellion against coordination, effectively discrediting the 'burnt flower' motif she has going on with little hints to water. Atop her head she sadly lacks her customary hat and wears instead a floral coronet made up of myriad flowers, no two alike in shape nor hue.

Upon arrival she pays homage to her Majesty as is her due before taking position to the side at a respectful distance her to lend any support or deal with any threats as are needed.

[Anastasia]

The hat's fine, Moore. See Afina and her hat.

Like this the two take their places. Afina takes her place near Ilsenine's side. Moore takes position back a ways, in the general crowd for now. It's full of fey of all types. Pixies flutter in the air, satyrs laugh and talk, nymphs simply being seen and far more fey and odder creatures yet. The outfits of the court are outrageous, a endless clash of color and design. Cloth - and odder things as a few nymphs wear leaves or tree bark woven into an outfit - is cut in ways Moore's never seen before.

Crystal stands near Afina, clad in a gown of misty white-gray that matches her white hair. The top flows into a ceremonial breastplate, tiny bands of clear silk wrapping around her wings from it. Her hair is done up in an elaborate bun, topped by several white daises. Her longsword is sheathed at her side. She glances sidelong at Afina and sighs ever so slightly, but then smiles to her.

Lady Skye stands before Queen Ilsenine, the two sharing a few quiet words. She's dressed in a bright red dress with a long trailing hem, bright blue and yellow flowers decorating her hair and joined with a silver tiara. She clears her throat loudly and steps aside, silence coming to the court.

But it is Queen Ilsenine that speaks. "First, let us mourn the lost," she announces, "Lief was a friend of this court and fought bravely for Lifasa." Her voice is soft but carries well, better than it should. "A moment of silence for him."

[Ebiris]

Afina clasps her hands before herself and bows her head, acknowledging the loss of Lief and hoping the time soon comes when she can put an end to whatever mockery Lixer has made of him.

[Nephrite]

Moore likewise bows his head and stands in silence of the one he never knew, but hopes to somehow aid in rescuing.

[Anastasia]

The court goes silent. Crystal bows her head, lips silently moving. What she says is unknown, perhaps a prayer to the Court of Stars. Lady Skye is likewise silent, head down and eyes closed.

"But as winter comes, so does spring. We have a new member of our court," Queen Ilsenine announces, "His name is Moore and he will be one of our diplomats. We find him worthy and he will help in the overthrow of Hell on Lifasa. Know that he has already helped us find more aid from the plains and strengthened Aurora and this court. Soon our generals of war," A sweeping gesture towards Afina and Crystal, "Will be better equipped to end this mockery and restore our precious world."

[Nephrite]

Moore raises a hand in greeting to everyone, but doesn't say anything, as Her Majesty is still talking.

[Anastasia]

A murmur runs through the crowd, eyes turning to Moore. Being seen, sized up, looked at and altogether studied by dozens of eyes, most of them at least friendly.

Crystal nods slightly when Queen Ilsenine draws attention to her.

"Let us mourn and celebrate as we will," Queen Ilsenine declares, "For so long as we live, there is still hope for Lifasa. We are diminished but grow anew, for our spring comes as winter comes for the devils."

[Ebiris]

"Even now new weapons are being prepared, and new allies rally to our cause," Afina speaks up as the Queen concludes her part. She's not great at the public speaking bit, not like Moore claims to be, but she knows the ins and outs of the Crusade and can at least speak with authority. "Perhaps we grew overconfident, and this is a timely reminder of the threat we face. It's a hard lesson but one we'll face up to, and we will overcome all that Hell sets before us and our goal of a free Lifasa."

[Anastasia]

"Yes. Even Lief's sacrifice holds a greater purpose. Even now, it furthers our struggle against Baator." Crystal says, "We will avenge him. I swear to Queen Ilsenine and the Queen of Stars that we will do so."

[Nephrite]

Although Moore could do a lot of talking, for right now he's content to just see how things go and if anyone comes over to introduce themselves to him.

[Anastasia]

At this the event starts to move. Music is played, conversation fills the air and jesters come out to juggle and jest. A small crowd immediately comes over to Moore - nearly a dozen, he can see.

Meanwhile, Crystal goes and gets two flutes of champagne and heads over to Afina. She offers one and says, "Do you feel like mingling?"

[Ebiris]

"It's the done thing," Afina says, hoping she might be able to reassure some of her fellow fey or lift some spirits with her presence. Losing Lief was a blow, but it's important they pull together in these circumstances. Accepting the flute but not drinking she decides to let Crystal determine the pace of their mingling at first, since she's more adroit in these settings.

[Anastasia]

Crystal isn't so restrained, drinking hers as you go along.

> roll 1d20+40 diplo Crystal, this is right up her alley
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+40 diplo Crystal, this is right up her alley --> [ 1d20=9 ]{49}

At first it's just a blur of faces. People you know in passing, comrades you've trained or fought with. Court people you're familiar with through work. That sort of thing. Soon you're talking to a pretty nymph - to state the obvious - named Virylle. All blonde hair and a devastating smile, clad in a weave of leaves that serves as a scanty dress. "My goodness, I'm glad to see more pixies," she says, "Though isn't it funny that our Queen is a pixie? I would think a nymph would come out on top, of course."