[Saoire Event 723] Eliza to Balthazar

[Winston]

Some time before The Gifting

It was the beginning of a new trial as Eliza awoke after a long night of dreams. As the world came into focus and the light around her dispelled the shadowy corners of the Dream, she spotted something beside her bed.

It was placed delicately atop whatever she usually slept beside. It had a bow on top and a little note that read...

"Me taught yuh might find dis 'elpful for de coming season. Jost mix et wid yuh paint an' et will make yuh paint glow at night an' will nat fade en de son. An don't tell anyone dat dis did nat come fram yuhself."

Included in the box was enough mixture to paint one drinks cabinet, with a little to spare for experimentation. When used, once dry it would glow in the dark (whatever colour you mixed it with) and was unusually resistant to fading or bleaching from the sun.

The specifics of the item above

A solvent of sorts that can be mixed with paint. When used, once dry it will glow in the dark (whatever colour you mixed it with) and was unusually resistant to fading or bleaching from the sun.

This is delivered at some time that would be convenient for you and the acquisition of the gift you are giving.

I know you might have powers that might prevent people sneaking up on you etc., so please assume that this gift appears in such a way that either it a) does not trigger defences as there's no ill intent or b) only serves to wake them to see the gift (as it's not there one moment but is the next).

Gifting Trial Arrives!

In the run-up to the Gifting, one Winston Millar had all but become a recluse as he spent his trials ferreting away at the preparations for what would come. A great many trials went by as his forge was operated by Cho as the Cadouri was nowhere to be seen. "Yup, dere... Noh, jost to de right a lit... STAP!" He commanded

Smokie

with an excitable energy he could barely contain.

As the gifter and giftie both passed through the doorway they chose to use to get to the Gifting, a world of enchantment was revealed as they stepped into what appeared to be the grand, stone-walled hall of a castle. A kaleidoscope of colors greeted them. The air was thick with the sweet scent of their favorite foods and the gentle melody of ethereal music played by invisible musicians.

For those able to see them, Fairies (Spirits) fluttered all around, placing decorations and plucking at musical instruments in a way that made the music feel like it was coming from the walls themselves.

The banquet hall stretched out before them, a dazzling display of festive joy. Glistening crystal chandeliers made of green and gold leaves hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow upon the room from their luminescent bulbs. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of ancient legends and mythical creatures from Idalos and the Dreaming, making unleavable scenes of heroism and gift-giving.

A long, banquet table stood in the center, covered with a rich, emerald-green velvet cloth that cascaded to the floor. On the table, an array of dishes awaited them. Plates were made of delicate leaves, and glasses were of sparkling daffodil cups with an otherworldly iridescence. The air was filled with the tempting aroma of dishes both familiar and exotic – Strawberries as red as the setting sun nestled in leafy bowls, their succulent sweetness wafting through the air. Beside them, well-done steak, perfectly seared and adorned with enchanted herbs, awaited the discerning palates of the guests.

Amidst the fragrant feast, the air bore the intoxicating scent of vanilla, drifting from delicate pastries and creams that cradled the essence of dreams. The combination of strawberries, well-done steak, whiskey, and the lingering aroma of vanilla painted a gastronomic masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that danced on the taste buds of those fortunate enough to partake in the enchanting banquet.

At the head of the table, a ferret known to some as Winston stood, placing some finishing touches to one of the many dishes.

"Welcome, nobal guests, tuh de Gifting!" he declared, his voice full of a thick accent of the tiny creature's upbringing. "Com-com! Com en! Feast, dance, sit or talk. Dis place es yars totrial, as we celebrate de magic that binds us all and builds relashunships new an' old trough 'giving'." He gestured to the room around them. "Once yuh are done, yuh cun return 'ome, noooh prablem. Ontil den, yuh jost let meh know ef dere es anyting me cun doh tuh 'elp."

The words were undoubtedly practiced

, but delivered with the most genuine joy and intent. He was obviously uncontainable excited to be here, but with that, without leaving the room,

Winston adeptly made himself seem politely busy as his guests meet and greet each-other without his interference

.

Just then, the banquet hall erupted into a symphony of laughter and giggles. The fairies (should you be able to see them) gathered around the table, watching and listening as events unfolded. The air was alive with the fluttering of wings, the tinkling of laughter, and the soft susurrations of a great many playful beings.

As all of this sunk in, a figure made themselves apparent, a very finely dressed butler of impeccable manor bowed slightly to one side. They held a tray with daffodil glasses filled with delightful nectar and bowed.

Shinwa

gestured towards the tray to indicate that a drink could be taken, if so desired, after which he offered to unburden their guests of their coats or cloaks.

!

Message from: Winston

Welcome to your Saiore Gifting Event thread for 2023! How does this work? - So, this is your thread (the two of you) and you can get here via the magic portal, from where-ever you are and will be returned there once you decide to leave (unless I say otherwise! SHOCK! Secrets! AAAAAAAH!). This thread will be eligible for both skill points and knowledge, as long as the usual review requirements are met. It can be whatever you want, of course, but it is a modded event and so I control the surrounding and NPCs, so please don't assume control of them (unless, of course, they are yours). You can bring anything with you that you could reasonably be assumed to carry or BE carrying and of course your gift comes with you You may bring with you any flavour NPCs if you wish, but please either avoid making these a 'mass' of actual physical people (if you have a child or someone that you really feel like bringing, please do). Diri's, Spirits, small creatures/pets on your person, etc. that usually hang around you are also all fine. A 13 foot dragonling or horse, not so much What should you do? - Please post your first post in two sections: 1) "Some time before The Gifting": A section that describes the making or acquisition of your Gift. This can be anything from "Jeoff picks up the gift he made." To a fully fledged description of the shopping/making process. This can/should be a creative and enjoyable writing experience. Write something you enjoy, in any style you enjoy, IF it's something you will enjoy! The emphasis is on FREEDOM not requirement. Don't feel required to make a lenthy section here, but certainly feel free to (rewards will be issued for creative or well crafted gift sections). 2) "Gifting Trial Arrives!": Post your arrival! If you post first, you are there first. If you post second, you can assume you spot your companion on entering and respond to anything they provide for you in their first post. 3) When you have completed this thread, please place it up for review as normal. Once it’s been reviewed, post here to claim your event medal! Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Eliza Soule]

It was a wonder that Eliza slept soundly enough, and long enough during winter to do any dreaming at all. Her bed, piled high with soft, thick blankets was deep and wide by design. But just one giant, snoring wolfhound sprawled on his back, long spindly legs and feet stretching up and out in all directions like the flying buttresses on some Dali-esque cathedral; made difficult the task of finding just a little bit of available space to curl comfortably into. She'd inevitably wake to find herself teetering precariously on the edge of the bed, while Smudge the cat had settled herself in at the small of her back.

She'd never had the heart to order them off the bed to make room for her and truth was, it made for a cozy sleeping arrangement that she'd grown accustomed to by now. She was no stranger either, as it happened, to waking up to mysterious packages placed at her bedside. Whoever, or whatever had left it there in the night would have been stealthy indeed to have escaped Darwin's notice. Eliza had smiled and sat up on the edge of the bed, pulled a blanket around her slim shoulders, pulled off the bow and opened the box.

What was inside, was a wonder. It was as if whoever had left it here, had a mysterious sort of insight into what she'd been planning for a time, and working on for almost as long. Whoever it was, just might be the same one responsible for the sense of knowing she'd felt while creating a gift for someone who she didn't know. Not even their name. And yet somehow she'd been made privy to a sense of what this person might enjoy, and what they might find useful as well. Some of it's elements she'd spent a great deal of time creating herself, in the downstairs studio at her gallery in Beacon. Others she'd purchased, and then repurposed to suit her needs. She'd been pleased when it all came together, and the small gift she'd found at her bedside added just the right special touch to the creation.

*******

By the time the moment arrived, when she should pass through a place inside her home where she'd done so before, oddly enough, Eliza had carefully boxed up and wrapped her gift, and with some effort, had set it into a small pull cart that she'd repurposed seasons ago, so that she'd be able to personally deliver some creations herself to a few of her patrons in and around Scalvoris. The wagon had been painted a vibrant red color overall, with bronze spokes on its wheels, a similar tint for the trim and again, for the lettering artfully painted on the sides. Soule Expressions, it proclaimed. She might have done without it had her gift been a smaller, lighter and less awkward one for her to manage alone. And so the gift was contained inside a medium sized wooden crate, then wrapped thoughtfully in simple brown paper with a green velvet bow and ribbon to finish it off.

As for herself, she arrived dressed for the occasion dressed in bright and festive jewel tones of color. Eliza stopped short, shortly after passing through the doors in order to take it all in. The sights, the sounds, the otherworldly, cheerful helpers, the scents, all of it caused her to smile, her eyes filling with wonder. Of course her tiny primate companion Eberhardt had insisted on coming along. But the monkey apparently had little intention of remaining at her side, and had promptly scampered out of the wagon herself before darting off curiously into parts unknown.

It was only Shinwa's arrival that brought her back to reality in that moment, and Eliza smiled again while allowing her cloak to be lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you, and good evening," she said, and accepted a glass of sweet wine for the tray. But of course she'd also noticed Winston at the head of a very well appointed table. She recognized him, having met him just once before and pparently, he was their host for the evening. "Hello Winston," Eliza said. "It's wonderful to see you again, and a very nice surprise as well. Am I to assume you've arranged all this?" All of it around them, she meant, and added, "It's wonderful...magical."

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

~ Gifting Trial Arrives ~

It doesn't look like a 'Q'. Fuego thought to Balthazar who was holding a piece of parchment and trying to go over common letters with his diri.

"That's because my handwriting is bad." Balthazar said aloud. "It is a 'Q'. Trust me."

What uses 'Q's? Fuego looked up from the parchment to the mage holding it and Balthazar's brows furrowed slightly.

"I don't really have a good example right now..." He said in a somewhat defeated voice before a sudden burst of energy seemed to hit him, "Oh! Quick, quiet, quit, quack- those words. It makes the sound at the start of those words." Fuego's eyes seemed to grow narrow and Balthazar could hear the little diri repeatedly making 'Q' sounds in his head. Fortunately Balthazar was spared from the rest of the lesson when he looked up and noticed his office door was hanging slightly ajar. That itself was unusual but what really drew Balthazar's attention was that the small glimpse of the building he could see beyond the ajar door was nothing like the Black Cats' place.

This will be fun. He thought to Fuego as he set down his practice parchment and stood up from his desk to investigate the strange world beyond his office door.

It was Winston's party again. Balthazar recognized the signs and was more prepared for the overwhelming sounds, scents, and colors. He soothed the sparks that caused his eyes to glow and as a result the etheric cracks receded from his face and arms. He entered the celebration and looked around for his familiar ferret friend while Fuego ran off to chase what seemed to be a tiny primate on the loose.

The mage was not dressed for the occasion but he rarely had the common sense to dress up for things. These trials, he dressed up even less. He wore black pants and black boots but in a rare change of pace his shirt was a dull white. He'd run out of black shirts and needed to clean them. His hands (but not fingers) were wrapped up to his forearms in a thick black cloth but since he'd soothed his mutations the reason for it wasn't apparent.

Balthazar found Winston in a similar place as he had the last time he visited this place only this time Winston was talking to someone who Balthazar didn't know. Balthazar wasted little time in moving to greet the stranger and Winston. "You've outdone yourself, yet again, Winston. One of these trials you're going to make something that doesn't completely amaze me. I'm sure of it." he said to Winston before turning to address the stranger. He offered his right hand as he said, "I'm Balthazar. Balthazar Black. It's nice to meet you."

[Winston]

He chuckled in response to Eliza's question and replied modestly. "Oh noh. Chest provided de space, de fairies helped wid the decorashuns an' Saoire brought us all togedda... Me jost cooked some fud an' helped wid some gifts." There was mostly truth to his statement, as it was not in his nature to flat out lie and he had no agenda to fulfil outside being the best facilitator for Saoire's gifting as he possibly could be... which did not, in his opinion, include taking all the credit.

He grinned brightly. "Me es very glad yuh like et dough an' et es lovely tuh see yuh again. Dat goes far yuh to..."

He said to Eberhardt as the monkey darted around the room.

"Ef dere es someting dat yuh would like, den yuh jost let me know OK? Me cun always cook op sometin' wid a lital 'spirit'." He said with a wink.

Then, without further delay, in came Balthazar. "Mr Black! You are too kind. Me tink me still owe yuh a dinna party? Me 'ope nat tuh disappoint. Bot please, enjoy!" He replied with his usual, cheerful smile. "Ef yuh need anyting, jost let me know." He concluded, making a gesture with his posture that suggested he was 'stepping back' but not 'stepping out' of proceeding for the two of them to socialise.

He let the two of them introduce themselves and, unless Eliza didn't, exchange the gift.

If they explored the food, there would be things they would enjoy and again, should it be Balthazar's preference, there were lunch boxes for taking things home to eat.

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! Please feel free to interact directly and assume things you would enjoy to eat and drink are there for you to have. Anything up to Tier 10 but not extraordinarily rare is up for grabs. Though Winston is more likely to have cooked an inexpensive dish from your fondest memory as a super-expensive dish packed with expensive ingredients. Whatever it is, it would be immaculately well prepared however. Please consider marking up 3 (or more) knowledges in your next post. The fairies around the room are equally as likely to interfere as they are to wait and watch with bated breath. Please feel free to include some inconsequential encounters should you wish to. Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Eliza Soule]

Eliza couldn't help but be delighted by Winston's response to her greeting. More particularly, his animated mannerisms and phrasing, rather than the specifics themselves. As for that? "Well then, amongst the fairies, Chest and yourself, you've outdone yourselves. Sadly I've not had the honor of meeting Saoire face to face, but it's difficult to think she wouldn't be anything but impressed with your handiwork." The surroundings really were magical, otherworldly even and in the coming months, she thought she might just create a painting inspired by this small gathering. Or on second thought, perhaps a vibrant stained glass pane.

The other expected attendee arrived in short order, and Eliza smiled when Balthazar and his diri entered the room. It meant she supposed that Eberhardt, wherever she'd gone off to, would have some company as well this evening. The mortalborn could only hope that the arrangement wouldn't lead to double the kind of trouble that her little primate friend tended to get into without much provocation at all. Nevertheless, she extended her hand in kind. "I'm pleased to meet you as well, Balthazar. My name is Eliza Soule."

Recalling the reason behind the evening that had brought these two strangers together, Eliza wondered, just when was the right time to present Balthazar with her gift? Maybe there was no better time than now, she thought. "I've brought something for you, in celebration of the season. I do hope you'll like it, and don't mind that I've pulled it in behind me in my cart. It would have been awkward to have carried it in myself." A bit heavy, in truth. She'd have been able to lift it and after all she'd packed it in the crate on her own. But carrying it in any sort of dignified fashion would have been quite the stretch for someone of her stature and build.

So gesturing to the crate in the cart, she smiled and said, "Please." The crate had a lid that was held in place with four small nails but she'd thoughtfully provided a small claw hammer suitable for removing those nails. After that the contents could be easily be lifted out of the crate and set on a clear space on the table. At a glance, it was a medium sized cabinet of polished mahogany, the dimensions of which made it suitable to occupy space on a sturdy table, or stand of some sort. It was a bit wider than it was deep and was clearly the work of a master craftsman. Beveled edges and rounded corners, with bronze hinges and stylized bronze knobs on each of the two front panels that could be opened up to reveal what was inside.

But first, the front panes were further the work of the mortalborn herself, rather than than the master craftsman who'd created the cabinet. The outer doors had been made into a painting, done in oils, then covered in thin, twin panes of glass in order to protect the work from the elements, be it humidity, cold or heat. The scene was a small forest glade that was a study in soothing shadow and scattered beams of muted, golden sunlight filtering through the branches, and managing to highlight the two figures meeting there in the glade. Two of them, human, one with hair white as snow and the other's, gleaming as dark as night. Each armed with a scimitar but the way they sparred with one another gave one the distinct impression that this was not a violent contest between them. Perhaps they were only sparring for practice, or it might be that one of the two was carefully schooling the other in swordplay. In either case, the artist had managed to convey a sense of movement in her work that was graceful and fluid. A bout of swordplay in a forest glade could have as easily been interpreted as a dance of body and blade.

Should Balthazar open the cabinet up, he'd discover that the interior was lined in midnight blue velvet. Arranged there, he'd find a rotary style, multi-faceted crystal whiskey decanter sitting on a bronze disc base. The base itself sported an elegant, artful and gilded map of Idalos, while scattered facets on the decanter itself had been painted in order to create the illusion of stained glass. And each painted facet along it's raised edges was subtly gilded, just as elements of the map was. Four crystal tumblers of similar make and design to the decanter were also provided. In addition to those, there was a pocket flask inserted into a double sleeve, the inner one of dark brown leather, and the outer one, stylized broze filigree set with a single, large oval Alexandrite stone.

Lastly? A bottle of purple whiskey situated between the decanter and flask. Eliza had remained quietly watching as Balthazar examined what she'd brought him, only speaking up should he have questions along the way or wanted her input. If not, then at length she smiled, hopeful that the offering appealed to him. "I was assured that the bottle is a very good year by the seller, but since I'm more familiar with wine than liquor, I was obliged to take his word for it."

There was something else that Balthazar might not notice until later, at the end of the evening perhaps once he'd returned home and turned out the lights. Already the painting on the front panels and to an extent in places, might convey a sense of being lit from within; a subtle glow if you will that was part of what was intended to be an elegant and tasteful creation, therefore not overdone. In part, this was due to Eliza's own techniques, her use of light when creating both paintings and stained glass to suggest greater depth and movement. Later, however, Balthazar might come to discover that in the dark, the illumination remained. Soft, subtle, elegant, but definitely still there.

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

Balthazar nodded in agreement with Winston when the host brought up the pending dinner party with the rest of the Black Cats. They needed to organize that still. Balthazar needed to stay still long enough to figure out a party. Thoughts for another time. As he had the time before, Winston stepped back to without stepping out and part of Balthazar wanted to keep him included, but a larger part felt it would be rude not to give the new person all of his attention.

Eliza Soule was a name that sounded familiar but Balthazar couldn't pin down exactly why- or perhaps he wasn't trying to. He was happy to meet a new and already very pleasant person. She got to the point quickly which Balthazar could understood having given his gift earlier. He could empathize with the slightly awkward feeling of being unsure when and what was appropriate. It wasn't as if this sort of gathering happened every trial.

"I don't mind at all." Balthazar replied to Eliza's explanation for having brought the gift in on a well decorated wagon. Eliza gestured to the crate inside the wagon and invited Balthazar to open it. His immediate thought was to just melt the top of the crate with magic but when he saw the small claw hammer he realized that Eliza had prepared a far more elegant solution. Balthazar picked up the hammer and carefully pried out the four nails binding the top of the crate. He set them down, one by one, on the top of the crate before lifting it and setting it on the ground so he could see what was inside the big box.

He had a sense of the shape but couldn't be certain what it was until he lifted it from the box and set it down on the table beside them. He had to fight the urge to let his spark identify all the different materials that had been used to craft the box until he set it down. The mage took a step back and his eyes widened slightly at the scene painted on the cabinet doors. He noticed the forest before anything else- which was odd because he was usually one to pick out the focus rather than the background. I made him think of several different places and times. Then his eyes found the two figures engaged with swords- one with white hair and one with black. Now he saw the details. Little things that showed they were not fighting but sparing or learning.

It made him think of Elisabeth.

He didn't cry. Balthazar was not one to cry. Tear up- maybe. Sweat from his eyes after an emotional workout- maybe. But never cry... with people around. A single tear sliding down the side of his face that he tried to wipe away before Eliza could see it didn't count as crying, did it? He pulled himself together and turned to look at Miss Soule after a long time absorbing each detail of the artwork on the cabinet doors.

"It's beautiful. Did you paint it?" He asked as he stepped closer to the cabinet to open the doors. It almost hurt a little bit inside to open the doors and divide the delightful artwork but his curiosity commanded him forward. He noticed the dark blue velvet like the night sky first and the decanter second. The very tips of his fingers gently traced the edge of the soft fabric. It wasn't soft like silk. Balthazar typically thought of silk when he thought of soft but this... this was better. He liked it more. His spark recorded the sensation at the tips of his fingers and then he pulled his hand back to take a look over what else was inside.

One by one each item found their way into his hands. He turned them over and upside down, examining every aspect in awe more than anything else. Every once in a while he would turn to Eliza and point at something with a surprised look, only to realize she'd already seen it and wouldn't be surprised by her own gift. The last thing he looked at before the bottle of purple whiskey was the map on the bronze disc base because he only noticed it as he was moving to set the decanter back in place. He paused, holding the decanter in his hand so as not to block any of the map, smiled again, and then set the decanter back on the base.

When he arrived at the bottle, Eliza told him she'd been assured it was a very good year by the seller. In truth Balthazar wouldn't have known any better than she would. He'd probably be even less particular since she mentioned some experience with wines. It didn't matter to him. It was the thought. Everything she'd made was so thoughtful. It made him happy.

"Thank you. It's a wonderful gift. I love each part and know exactly where it's going but," He held the bottle up slightly. "It wouldn't be healthy for me to drink all of this myself. Would you like to try it with me? We can verify what you were told." Balthazar could rarely let a good bottle go unopened for very long. Let alone now while there were people he could share it with. Whether that was a Palenon thing or a 'big purple whiskey' fan thing was still up for debate. Either way, he would have to make sure to save some for Winston- either now or whenever they had their dinner party. It would become part of the special collection.

[Winston]

When Eliza metionned Saoire, Winston beamed, waving his arms out wide in a jolly fashion. "Oh! She es de best! She loves tuh be kind, tuh see kind done and will always 'elp yuh out. Me jost try tuh make 'er pleased. Tanks far sayin' soch nice tings." The way he spoke of Saoire was similar to that of a child speaking of a cherished parent. He obviously loved her very much and seemed delighted simply to be involved.

Winston distracted the fairies a little, encouraging them to explore the newly arriving spirits, giving Balthasar a little reprieve from the bustle as he approached the present.

As he explored it, the ferret watched in amazement. It was truly a masterpiece, of that there was no doubt, but as the layers unfolded from the gift's depths, he chuckled in delight. If this was not energy that could remake and mend just about anything, what was? He didn't inject himself into the affair. He was 'there', very much 'there', but allowed the receiver to explore his gift and the giver receive her just admiration as her work was admired. "Dat es spectacular Eliza... really."

As Balthazar offered Eliza a drink, glasses would be made readily available by the ever attentive

Shinwa

.

Meanwhile, there was a game afoot. Fugo and Eberhardt would find that the other spirits of this trial were heavily attracted from the realms of mischief, joy and whimsy and in lue of something more exciting to distract them, they appeared to be setting little pranks.

"No-no! Not that one! THEY can't take it!" Warned the first fairy in a way that sounded more like a dare than an actual warning.

"Duuuuh, that's the point?" Said the second fairy, pulling a long dull face and letting its arm droop to its sides.

"You know that time Winston spoke about tea?"

"Yeah."

"And how you got to ASK if people want tea?"

"Uhu."

"He stood on a box and everything and explained what it means if they say no?"

"Yeeeaaaah. So?"

"Well, what if THEY don't want... Tea?"

"That's OK, cos we didn't ask them, so they didn't say no, so we don't have to not give them tea... Right?"

"UUUUuuuuuhhhhhhmmmmmm... YEP!"

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! In your next post(s), please accept a little (optional) side-quest: The fairies are playful and mischievous, not mean or unkind, but if you don't watch your step you will fall behind. Write some pranks, fun and play, that might be some fun, with you, your spirits or Winston Miller all are up for one. For this, feel free to control a few fairies (if you wish) and even apply a few fairy food magics. Have a little transient fun while you continue your chat. As before, please feel free to interact directly and assume things you would enjoy to eat and drink are there for you to have. Anything up to Tier 10 but not extraordinarily rare is up for grabs. Though Winston is more likely to have cooked an inexpensive dish from your fondest memory as a super-expensive dish packed with expensive ingredients. Whatever it is, it would be immaculately well prepared however. Please consider marking up 3 (or more) knowledges in your next post. The fairies around the room are equally as likely to interfere as they are to wait and watch with bated breath. Please feel free to include some inconsequential encounters should you wish to. Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Eliza Soule]

While Balthazar examined the cabinet, first it's exterior and then the inside, Eliza quietly watched and smiled as she observed as his expression changed ever so slightly with each new revelation and detail. As an artist, this was exactly as it should be. Art ought to inspire, to invite contemplation and wonder, speak to the imagination, to the heart...She rarely made the point of explaining what any particular work of art meant, so far as what might have inspired her to create it. She was happier believing that her work might speak to others in any number of different ways.

And so when he seemed pleased, and perhaps even deeply touched by her offering, she smiled. A little of that was a sense of relief. This was different after all, from hanging a work of art on her gallery wall for sale. In that case, chances were that one of her offerings would appeal to someone enough that they'd purchase it. But in this case, this was a gift for someone she'd never met before, and yet she'd wanted to create something that would be meaningful. "I did," she said when he asked if she'd painted the cabinet and it's contents.

"I have a little gallery just outside Scalvoris Town, in Beacon," Eliza told him. "Soule Expressions." When he thanked her for the gift, she nodded and smiled again. "You're very welcome. I'm so pleased that you like it." She turned her smile on Winston then and said, "Thank you very much, Winston. I experimented with a few new techniques with this one, and enjoyed the challenge to be honest."

As for the whiskey, she grinned a little, realizing that in spite of having lived already more than two centuries, she'd never once that she could recall sampled whiskey. "I'd love to," she said and when Shinwa seemed to appear right on cue with a pair of glasses, she added "Should we sit? There's all this food to sample as well, and it looks and smells delicious." She'd leave it to him pour, of course. "So, where are you from Balthazar?" Meanwhile, there was so many beautiful and interesting dishes put out on the table that she wasn't really quite sure where to start. Perhaps she'd start with something small, sweet, familiar and something she'd rarely been able to resist. The strawberries seemed to glisten under the lamplight and were the reddest, plumpest ones she ever seen. She couldn't resist and so sampled one of them delicately.

Meanwhile, Eberhardt who might ordinarily be seated upon the table, greedily tasting each and every offering arranged there, was instead scampering through the halls alongside Fugo and a variety of other spirits. So much to see, so much to get into, and yet she was made somewhat befuddled by the current stream of conversation. "What can't they take?" she asked, "and who are they? And what's it got to do with tea?"

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

Leave it to Fuego to find a way to get up to something. He was just like Balthazar only smaller, a spirit, and not a tall mage. When he (Fuego) heard the spirits going back and forth about tea he became entirely enraptured in their conversation. He just had to get closer to them. But how does a small flaming rock reach fairies? While Fuego could have floated there, the diri seemed to pick the path of greatest resistance and attempted to climb up to the fairies. Maybe he just wanted tea?

"I know Beacon. I'll have to visit the next time I'm passing through. I have some friends who'd really appreciate the art." Balthazar said thoughtfully. He hadn't seen her gallery when he was there but he'd keep an eye out for it on his next trip. He was sure Robin would want to visit. Robin appreciated fine artwork a little bit more than Balthazar could. He was happy that she'd accepted the offer and gestured towards the chairs in agreement when she asked if they should sit. Shinwa brought the cups so Balthazar opened the bottle and poured for them. Once he'd poured for Eliza and himself, he looked towards Winston and raised the bottle as if to ask if their host would be joining them.

By this point Fuego was on the hunt. He had just climbed the side of the wall and was about to leap from a small overhang towards one of the chandeliers. His large orange eyes narrowed with determination. His stubby feet waddled quickly, he leapt and then-

Woosh!

Fuego landed on the table between Eliza and Balthazar. He looked back and forth between them before scampering off to try and find the fairies again. Balthazar watched his diri a little more closely the second time but he didn't let it distract from his conversation with Eliza. "I was born near Yaralon but I'm living in Scalvoris right now. What about you?" He could infer she was living near her gallery but he was asking if she'd always lived there.

[Winston]

He giggled when Eliza thanked him, waving a hand in a disarming fashion and offering her something from the table that would compliment the whisky. "Oh! No tanks necessary, dis es all tanks tuh Saiore afta all. Me jost 'elped out a lital." He then lowered his voice slightly as he continued. "Me es very glad yuh enjoyed de paint douh." He added, quietly in a whisper, intended to be discreet enough to perhaps escape Balthazar's immediate notice. After all, if was not for him to take any of the limelight, though he genuinely was delighted to hear that the woman had enjoyed them.

When Balthazar offered him to join them, the ferret acquiesced gladly as Shinwa offered a tiny glass for him to use. He was not going to be getting ennibreated, that would not have been good as a host. Equally, it would be rude not to accept just a little. "Oh, dat wud be lovely, thanks. Dough me es both very 'an duty' an' very 'a light weight'.'" He warned with a giggle. "Soh jost a sip tuh satisfy me curiosity. Me neva tasted purpal befa."

He raised his glass in what was a friendly fashion, if not in following any particular tradition and took a very small sip as the warming fluid sent a tingling sensation to his head. If the last time he was here as a guest was anything to go by, it would not take much of this to lay him out flat. "Wow! Dat'll rid yuh timbas af de shivas."

Meanwhile, in a punch bowl not so far, far away, Eberhardt was earwigging on a conversation and fugo was making a rather meteorological approach.

"Hehehe, she took it. I told you she'd take the red ones..." The first fairy continued, before stopping suddenly as it noticed Eberhardt. "...shhh, a spy!"

The fairies listed to Eberhardt's questions, intent to learn what the newcomer had to offer in the form of mischief-making. "Oh. Topic here says that your wlkie-one can't take a prankisky, but I said they could." They answered, as if offering a compliment to the spirit for its good choice in companion.

"Oh! And a confligorative companion!" Announced the Fairy apparently known as Topic with a bright smile. The nature of their words did not align with the delight they showed at the prospect of spies and destruction!

"Wait-wait! Look!" The fairy, basking in the punch bowl full of blue liquid, pointed at Eberhardt's Mortalborn.

While they had been chatting, Eliza's hair, having eaten the Sraw-berry, had turned into straw, like that of a scarecrow. For Eliza, the transformation process was in no way unpleasant and it might even be that she didn't notice at first, but for everyone else, the change was visually obvious.

"Hehehehehe!" There was a little chorus of light-spirited laughter that sounded like bells tinkling in the wind. The sound was gentle, but audible to all present. "Teehee!"

"Oh-kay. Ooo swapped de strawberries wid de straw-berries?" Demanded Winston in a very playful 'who whoopie cushionned the teacher' kind of way. "Meh so sarry, Eliza, de fairy fud was supposed tuh be separated. Don't worry douh, et will only last a littal while." He explained with an apologetic, if mildly amused smile.

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! Mwahahaha! Antics are afoot! Hope you don't mind a little antics. Feel free to react as you see fit of course, or even eat something else... Straw-berries turn your hair to straw... can you make up something else? If you would not, then don't worry, the choice is yours. You can assume Winston can steer you clear of any fairy food if you'd rather, as he can tell the difference. As before, please feel free to interact directly and assume things you would enjoy to eat and drink are there for you to have. Anything up to Tier 10 but not extraordinarily rare is up for grabs. Though Winston is more likely to have cooked an inexpensive dish from your fondest memory as a super-expensive dish packed with expensive ingredients. Whatever it is, it would be immaculately well prepared however. Please consider marking up 3 (or more) knowledges in your next post. The fairies around the room are equally as likely to interfere as they are to wait and watch with bated breath. Please feel free to include some inconsequential encounters should you wish to. Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.