[Litha, Main] Prophecies of Midday

The Twilight Dancer knew an appearance was needed. The weeks leading up to Litha had been a challenge for Riley. The public scrutiny, the rumors, and backlash from Beltane. A younger Riley perhaps would have tried to find any reason not to go to Litha and let it all blow past, but they knew that was impossible.

Riley wore a nontraditional masculine look with high-waisted grey pants, a button-up white shirt, sheer bottom half, and some heeled boots. Their hedgespun gauntlet on their right hand and their hair is pinned back with their Golden Hairnettle, which takes the form of a golden lance, in honor of the ruling season.
The Bright one made a note to make sure not to arrive too late or too early but let Dani take the lead on their arrival. It was after a summer event, so Riley looked to Firebringer in taking the lead.

Upon Arriving, Riley lingered around their partner for a while. Once feeling settled, Riley gave Firebringers hand a small gentle squeeze.

"I am gonna swing by the tree to give my sacrifice" They flash a smile before moving to Spring Effigy.

The Passing of Spring was always an interesting feeling for the Pale Dragon. It meant the end of Spring's Bargain and the possibility of more problematic troubles, yet for Vegas some semblance of sanctuary remained due to the wards. Ivory, herself, was no stranger to occult, but had done little in the way of inquiry regarding their nature and the Dragon of Spring had no reason to insofar as she was concerned. What she did understand was that the rituals of each coronation were tied to these protections.

As such, Ivory had not come merely out of obligation, but out of duty and traveled first to the effigy meant for Spring courtiers, pausing only to listen to the roiling thunder above and look upon darkened clouds. In her hand was a single rifle cartridge, held loosely in her fingers. To those in the know, the meaning was likely clear. The Victory symbolized within had been the one Ivory achieved over Maria Melnyk's men. A bullet had been fired and death or further maiming all but promised if not for Ivory's weaving of the Wyrd. Thus, did Ivory attain victory not through force of arms or intimidation, but through Deceit. It was a victory all the same.

It was a victory that had wrought an important lesson. Ivory had long sought protection for herself and her family, but the incident proved to her that she was more capable than she had believed. 

Riley it seemed was also present at the pools, but, given the public nature of the event, the Pale Dragon simply granted her a small nod and smile, though a certain sad look lay in her gaze. The Fairest felt for the Darkling's circumstances, wrought as they were by the machinations of another in her motley, but Ivory was not in a position to help them. Associating with Afterparty could be detrimental to Ivory's own burgeoning ties with Summer until an apology had been rendered. Until then Ivory was best served by caution. 

The Pale Dragon knelt, reaching out and allowing the cartridge to roll quietly from her hand and into the pool. So it was that Ivory returned to the crowd, leaving the Darkling to their reverie The sacrifice given, Ivory seemed possessive of some peace as she floated through the masses. And float she did.


The Pale Dragon flowed through the crowd with an air of noble countenance, weaving from place to place with kind words and a great deal of inner warmth as she socialized with the varied courtiers. At once graceful and conscientious, Ivory took care to pay particular attention to talks with the Summers themselves should they have her, signaling her understanding that they were ascendant and affording them respect. Nonetheless, the dragon did afford courtesies to her patron Nimbus, Knight of Rains, as well his lover and Esquire Piper. She did not forget her fellow Springs either, taking the opportunities to speak with those who might seek her even as she socialized with the Iron Spear. 

Sadly, the Pale Dragon knew few among the Low Seasons, but nonetheless hoped to maintain her approachable - if regal - air, in spite of her more subdued attire, consisting of a white dress and sandals. The dress was simple, but well cut. The dragon, it seemed, had no intention of outshining those whose ascendance was nigh. 

Fire had arrived with Riley and gave a sweet smile and a nod as they moved off to offer the tree their sacrifice. Dani had hers in her pack, but she wasn't ready yet. Soon. There's something emotional that goes with it and she just needs a little more time. 

Today, she is wearing a simple white dress with cutouts on the sides to give a bit of a spunk to it. She lets her bare head show, though she has drawn on brows and managed to glue some falsies to feel semi normal. These events are the only times she feels the need to dress up, so when she does, she likes to make it count.

She takes stock of everyone in the room, seeing people already beginning to pair off. It makes her heart quicken a little bit with an anxiety. Lately, well, ever since the Hedge, she's been more reclusive. She just doesn't go out as much anymore. There is a spunk missing to her that she just hasn't found again quite yet. It's frustrating, but she's getting there. Being out and going to parties is good for her, getting used to bearing everything out is good for her. At least, she thinks it is. She hopes it is.

Her eyes peer around, looking for the 'interesting' and mainly, she notices Rowan talking to Ivory and... is Lucas asking someone out? That's juicy info to poke at him about later.

Instead of engaging with people just yet, she takes a long moment just to take in the scenery, the blossoms, the heat. This is her Season, yet she feels disconnected. She needs to reconnect somehow. I feel like I'm losing myself bit by bit. 

Her eyes gaze over finally to Summer's effigy, hand reaching to the sky and she can't help but just look up to the sky. There is a temptation to just lay, suddenly, and just feel the burn of the sun, of the sticky heat, of strength coming over the horizon, but she doesn't. She just stands there existing for now and that's okay.

No retreat.

Beltane left a bad taste in her mouth. She still feels like she’s on the outside looking in on all this ritual and significance. And she sure as hell doesn’t feel like she’s earned any victories over The Enemy. But no retreat. She’s not going to withdraw from the space she’s chosen as her own, the people she’s chosen to associate with.

Wayland helped prepare these grounds. It might be the most she can say of her newly redoubled service to the Freehold, but it’s something. She emerges back into the fields, the anthropomorphic foliage more familiar now than it once was, less disturbing. She’s dressed in some garb she usually only breaks out for SCA events or ren fairies; a sleeveless off-white tunic and light grey trousers, both of linen, secured with a high-quality leather belt with a steel buckle and several pouches. The belt also holds a bearded hand-axe, and her shoes are wrapped leather. Her hair has been pulled into a messy bun at the back of her head. A pair of silver fangs hang from a leather cord around her neck.

As she approaches, she looks upon each of the effigies. Trying to focus on the ritual, and pick out any details she can, placing them along with what she’s seen and heard from Mary to try to puzzle out the next steps. But nothing comes. Only this, the first step. She proceeds to Summer’s pillar to make her offering.

RIley came back from their thoughts as another came to the Pool. Their eyes traced to the side to see Ivory. The moth gave a soft smile, and even for a moment considered starting a conversation, but the pool was not the right place. It was the sad smile Ivory gave them that hit hard.

The darkling couldn't tell what bothered them more, the sense of pity or the social distancing. RIley knew their reputation was in the gutter, and with the recent breaking of an oath, those around the Moth felt a chilling reminder of the wyrds discomfort.
It made sense others would distance themselves from the twilight dancer. But it hurt non the less. It wasn't a new feeling however, they had experienced it time and time again in the mortal world. Many were all to willing to enjoy Rileys talents in the moment, but quickly distance themselves to not seem unsavory.

In part the moth was bitter, even a bit angry. But could they blame Ivory? Slavers, Oathbreaker...who would want to be seen with that?

Riley kept the smile as Ivory went to speak with Rowan. Turning they took in the field, observing all who were arriving in time. Lucas with Eurydice, Archie standing with their Knight of Coins, wayland at the Effigy of summer, Firebringer who seemed to be taking her time to adjust, Riley wanted to join her, but then a wave of shame came over them. Was it fair to put Dani under that sort of spotlight at the summer ritual?
Perhaps it was Cruel, but the thought of being alone in all of this felt to heavy.
The Darkling stepped away from the Effigy of spring, moving deeper into the field back to Firebringer.

“Done. You wanna grab a drink?” They smile warmly, as if nothing in the world was a problem.

Perhaps it was time for a drink.

Once she had finished her ceremony, the Polychromatic slid on up to Ivory and Rowan, giving the Darkling a two-finger salute and offering a handshake.

"What's up, y'all? Long time, no chat, Rowan. How've you been?" Her eyes flicked to the left and she glanced over, seeing nothing as she panned her head. It was an optical illusion, created by the enhanced Mantle. "Either I'm seeing shit, or Autumn's blessings are upon you more deeply now."

She flashed him a smile.

"Nice. Congratulations. You end up swearing into a chain?"