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Post by Krakenbox on Aug 6, 2021 14:29:35 GMT -8
A new project founded by Spring, the Hollow is a massive undertaking and a true representative of the Court's growing power in Vegas. At the sanction of Winter with a economic resurrection of Whitney, the joint project was donated to the Freehold as a communal event structure to hold arena competitions, Hedge Duels, and various festivals. Wards protect the attendees from the twisting reality of the Floor, which is utilized as a living platform for Hedgespinning. Archie Hartman, Ivory, Oren, Riley and Agrippa are publicly acknowledged and thanked for paving the way for the last stretch that was preventing its construction. On the back of the building where equipment is shipped, one of the hanger doors is sealed for most of the year with a lock wrapped in iron. The right invitation summons a lone employee, wearing the silver coin of a Saint Anthony. The Hedge Gate is activated, as he pulls the deadly chain of the portcullis, revealing cobblestone bathed by streaks of light in the dense mist. The path is flanked with stone pillars, carved in Gorgon serpents and choking ivy. The thunder in the distance is muffled; roaring water and shrieks of the spirit ground into marble. The grand opening of Olympus is marked by the beginning of by the beginning of the harvest season, and the Tailteann games. Queen Uriel has opened the Hedge to revel in celebration from noon till dusk, offering payment in blood as the Lost gamble over the Freehold's athletic prowess and bear witness to the tenants of the Spear. The mirror reflection of the Arena is opened in a modern colosseum of steel, stone and neon in the dark halls of sacrifice. In the stairwells, water flows down the walls with twisting vines and brightly blooming moss, eroding the manmade structure as metal shifts to sandstone on the edge of one's vision. In public lounge areas, light sources appear natural, coming from high above despite the hum of fluorescents joining the din of runoff. Several Hedge Duelists have placed their mark in the basin to participate in the spectacle, much to the enjoyment of long standing fans and curious subjects. The nobility of the Court gather in their own wings, due to the concentration of their Mantle twisting the Hedge around them. Allowing all four Seasons to carouse in close proximity tends to throw the Thorns into chaos as the environment rapidly spins the wheel of time. The first quarter of the celebration began with a mass handfasting ceremony as a joking nod to 'Vegas Weddings' and honouring the Season of passion and competition. Those who partake take on a light Seal to support one another for the week, with no negative social implications among the Freeholders. A successful union is considered good luck and rumoured to provide an extra blessing from the Wyrd if it ends in a motley or marriage Pledge.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Aug 6, 2021 20:32:08 GMT -8
After a long, tiring summer, it was nice to have something positive to look forward to. The Fairest wasn't known for his athletic prowess but he was in decent enough shape that he decided to give a couple of competitions a go. While he wasn't expecting to win or even earn a medal, he figured he could score some positive PR for Winter and have fun along the way. In preparation for the events to come, he was wearing an athletic ensemble. He had snagged a pair of black and blue athletic shorts with a matching sleeveless muscle tee that was made out of breathable material.
The plan had been to head straight to the competitive area. However, upon hearing the announcement of scoring good luck with the Wyrd if a motley formed, an idea popped into his head. On some level, Lucas recognized that after the public events of Litha, the more gossipy members of the Freehold would be watching what happens next like hawkes. Even if it lead to a fair amount of awkwardness, it was a worthy venture in his mind. Dani and he had touched based about forming a motley to protect each other's dreams. This was a perfect trial run to see how the two of them got along outside of a purely social setting.
Plus, if anyone needed an extra dose of good luck from the Wyrd these days it was Dani.
Lucas gave the elemental a playful nudge with his elbow before tilting his head towards the participants who were lining up for the handfasting ceremony.
"I have an idea. It will either be the best or worst idea I've had in awhile." He added with a laugh and a big grin.
"Want to go do the handfasting ceremony? We've already been talking about doing a motley. If this week goes well and we sign off on it, we would have a motley that's potentially blessed by the Wyrd."
If there was more time he would have confirmed with Dani that they had updated Riley on the two of them becoming fast friends. The participants were getting ready with their partners and neither of them were important enough that the ceremony was going to wait for them to get all their ducks in a row.
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Firebringer
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Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
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Post by Firebringer on Aug 6, 2021 21:01:49 GMT -8
Things have been tiring all summer. It should be a time when she is reveling in the heat, and the strength, and everything that she is, but she's just been exhausted. Today she is going to try and put all of that aside. Today she is going to try and exist and do the best that she can. Maybe try her hand at one of the games.
Danica shows up in a pair of teal biker shorts and a black athletic tank top. She didn't bother putting on any makeup or hair, just through on a bandana for good measure. It would probably fall off in any kind of race, but she didn't particularly care.
The Elemental stands next to Lucas, someone she probably shouldn't be hanging out too much with, but she has come to the conclusion that friendship is friendship and you can't really stop it. Recently they had begun talking about forming a motley and the idea was exciting to her. It was exciting as it actually being something that she has been excited about. She hasn't felt excited about anything in a long time.
Of course, there is the fact that she has not talked to Riley about it at all. Well, she might have tried to allude to it, but the fact of the matter is that she's mostly kept it to herself. Riley has been dealing with so much that Fire didn't want to make it worse.
She feels a nudge from Lucas and she gives them a nudge back, "Oh God, go ahead and dish it."
She listens to his plan and her eyes widen a little bit. Given the announcement made, it made sense. It made even more sense considering they'd already been talking about making a motley. But then there's Riley... At the same time, sometimes you just got to do what you got to do. Right? Riley would forgive her when they came to understand why.
"I say fuck it. Let's do it. The Wyrd's blessing would be killer, just given. Plus, helpful for the games. Also kinda cute in general. A handfasting?" A hilarious joke on marriage. Did Lost really marry at all? She's supposed to some would, but it would be kind of weird. Then again, that's what Oaths are for, right? "We should probably hop on this quick though." That stray thought of Riley slipped away as she becomes panicked about the idea of it moving on without them if they didn't just go for it.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Aug 6, 2021 21:12:17 GMT -8
Dani's enthusiasm ignited Lucas'. These days it was especially hard to get anyone excited for anything so having someone join him in his spontaneity rather than resist it was a huge surge of energy.
"Race you there!"
He added with a laugh before he took off running towards where the rest of the participants were gathering. Regardless of who ended up there first--and realistically that would be Dani--Lucas lined up near where one side of the participants stood. He smiled at whoever else decided to join in the festive fun before turning his attention to Dani while they waited for an officiant to explain the purpose of the ritual and start binding their hands together.
"This is the first time I've participated in this rite. Have you done it before?"
Neither of them were originally from Vegas and the rite was very much Vegas flavored.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2021 21:39:10 GMT -8
Another one of these, it seemed as though the bitter taste of summer just wouldn’t leave. The Chatelaine was present, if only to be in the know. Skirting the public areas and keeping their profile low. Attention being paid to who showed interest in what games, and how decided to partake in the fun little ceremony. So early into things and surprises were already had. Something to tackle later though, no need to make the dogs bark. SK- Archie — Yesterday at 6:45 AM
Summergames whats brewing
Wits + poli
@dicecord-CoD roll 5
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
— Yesterday at 6:45 AM
@sk- Archie rolled 5 dice and got 0 successes. 1 5 1 1 5
Ask for a dramatic failure @sk- Archie, you know you want to!
SK- Archie — Yesterday at 6:46 AM
Summer games whos hanging
Wits + social
@dicecord-CoD roll 5
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
— Yesterday at 6:46 AM
@sk- Archie rolled 5 dice and got 2 successes. 9 4 1 6 8
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Firebringer
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Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
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Post by Firebringer on Aug 7, 2021 5:34:05 GMT -8
Fire stands on the opposite side of Lucas, looking around at all the others who were participating in the handfastings.
He asks if this is her first time and she nods, "Yeah, we didn't do this kind of thing in Nevermore."
Baltimore always was a more traditional 'just punch em' out' kind of city. The events in Vegas are completely unique to anything she's ever seen. But then, this is her second Freehold. She's only known now 2 ways to do things.
"I suppose we'll get a good glimpse at how well we work together. Speaking of which, what games are you going for?" She asks while they wait. "I'm going for the speed. Less direct fighting. Might try my hand at an arrow for the fun, but we know Kai is gonna kick everyone's ass." She could probably toss more than a few people, but she didn't want to. Real fighting was too much right now. A race though? Yeah, she could do a race. The Runnerswifta will probably beat her, but it'll be fun regardless.
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Post by Blaze on Aug 7, 2021 6:12:50 GMT -8
Blaze arrived at the Hollow, taking in the grandiosity of it all. She makes a mental note of the changelings mentioned by name as benefactors - some of them she has already spoken to, some not, and if they are the kind of people who can jumpstart a project this size, the mistake will have to quickly be rectified. The Torrent recognises a few more 'familiar' faces - the ones she only got a good look at during the Summer coronation. Maybe today she will have the opportunity to exchange words with them...
... or maybe everyone will be too bloodied and sweaty by dusk to talk about anything. Regardless, this will be interesting.
Blaze doesn't plan on taking part in any 'contact sports' today, but she showed up in a black and white sports set regardless. Some of the other competitions looked like she could at least compete in, and so the Elemental is already planning for the warmup as she joins the others in the handfasting ceremony.
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Aug 7, 2021 6:47:20 GMT -8
The entire time that the two of them were standing in line, the Fairest had a broad, joyful smile on his face. Regardless of what others thought about what the two of them were up to, he was thrilled that Dani had agreed to the do the rite with him. Joining an actual motley rather than a work oriented Motley was something he had desired for years. During his tenure in Detroit he had only been apart of work motleys. He had never been able to find his people there. While the two of them were signing up for a temporary dream watching motley, if all went well by the time next summer rolled around, they could make an oath with each other to be a long term motley. The friendship the two of them shared was promising with plenty of room to grow.
"Ha, I'm thinking of doing the same two competitions. It's a shame that there's not a soccer competition here. I guess organizers got scared after seeing the Canadian women's Soccer/football team takeout Team USA and didn't want to risk me unleashing that kind of dominance here." He tried to keep a straight face but his smile found it's way on his lips once more and he laughed at himself.
"It should be fun. It's nice to have something lighthearted after everything that's happened recently. Being able to do this rite adds a nice personal touch to it. What are we without our connections to one and other, eh?"
While they waited he attempted to channel the energy that he had seen in Eurydice during Litha. The Summer Dragon had been unapologetic in her thoughts in actions from straight to finish. She epitomized the kind of energy he wanted to bring into a Summer pledge; fearless, daring, and unerringly true to one's self. He straightened up his shoulders and made sure his feet were planted firmly on the ground rather than rocking back and forth on his feet like he usually did when he was nervous or excited about something.
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Post by Wayland on Aug 9, 2021 9:35:07 GMT -8
After emerging from Arcadia, Wayland spent a few years just trying to build a new life for herself. She did that, for the most part. That’s done. Her next challenge was to get herself involved with her court and her Freehold. Get inside, see how these things work, and do her part to keep it all running, make things better. She’s there now. On the inside. Maybe just a step or two further than she was before, but it already feels important to her. More real. More significant. Knowing something about the hows, something about the whys, something about the mechanics of what goes into an event like this. What makes it a rite, and not just a party.
It’s a sense of purpose she’s been hungering for, and finally getting a taste of.
Besides which, there is plenty to marvel at here. The arena is magnificent, she feels like she’s learning things about hedgespinning just from standing in it. The Freehold’s best hedge duelists and fighters will be on display, an opportunity she has no intention of missing. And there’s the chance to compete herself of course; although she imagines she won’t make it past the first round or two. Still, Summer is a competitive court, and the least she can do is take her chances and show some courage.
Which is not to say there’s not still some anxiety. The last two rites had left a bad taste in her mouth. A sense of isolation has been creeping back in, despite the gains she'd started making in the community. A friend has died. Other friends were ostracized and perhaps not who they claimed to be. Superiors in her own court were acting like bullies, but maybe there were reasons behind it? That’s a thorny situation with too many unknowns.
But all of that she’s managed to push onto the backburner. For the first time in a long time, Wayland feels like she has some glimmer of understanding of what’s important, why, and how she can help. She’s seized on that like a drowning woman thrown a lifeline. She’s dressed casually, in her boots and her jeans and a white tank-top, sitting behind a little kiosk displaying some of her wares. Hand-forged knives of steel and bronze and other metals, jewelry of silver and gold, carved wands of yew and rowan, a few weapons, swords and axes and a painted round shield, worked leather bracers and a steel helmet for display, a laminated display-sheet showing her offer for custom kevlar, and another for custom firearms. No cold-iron. Not just sitting out where anyone could grab it. But it’s implied.
She doesn’t have any customers at the moment though, and her personal b business here is less important than her court-business anyway. She’s people-watching from her kiosk on the maenianum summum. Watching the flow of courtiers, with a content smile quirking her lips. Picking out the competitors from the spectators, and watching for anyone who might be a little reluctant to participate in the rite of the season.
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Firebringer
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Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
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Post by Firebringer on Aug 9, 2021 16:10:00 GMT -8
It's nice seeing Lucas smile the way he does right now. Things have been so tense and overall a hot mess that she feels like it has been a while since she's seen him just smile.
She does take a moment to think about the fact that she'll likely be part of her second real motley soon. This is such a different experience than what she had with Cecilia, Cristina, and Erin. Fantastic 4. More like The Hot Mess 4. At the same time, what they wanted to accomplish was good. And they had a decent spread. A Spring, two Summers, and a Winter. When she thinks about it, she always did get along better with Cristina than she had any of the others. Maybe that's why she and Lucas get along well. Although, Lucas doesn't really have the mouth she did.
Fire snorts a little at Lucas' comments, "Dominance, huh?" She shakes her head at him.
"I agree. I'm actually looking forward to this," Which is something new for a change. Lately everything has just tasted like total ash in her mouth. And while this is tepid, it's still significantly more than she's felt in a minute. "You know, between you and a few others, I don't know how I'd be getting along right now. Just know that I appreciate you. A lot."
She's a little bit of a sap sometimes and this felt like one of those appropriate times.
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Post by Kai Rose on Aug 9, 2021 22:59:28 GMT -8
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 10, 2021 13:31:15 GMT -8
No one would have blamed Riley for staying away from Lughnasadh. Some would have even called it wise. The Bright One had taken care to remove themself from most of the public eye. However, whether it was vanity, pride, or something else, they weren't going to miss the games they helped bring to life at the coliseum. The show must go on.
This wasn't Riley's first rodeo, and they dressed to show it. Cowboy boots, accompanied by jean shorts and their favorite cow skull belt buckle. A black cowboy hat sat upon their slick back hair, their golden hairnettle taking the form of a orange glass Lilly blossom. They wore smokey eyeliner, which only enhanced the black orbs of the darkling's eyes. Adorned upon their right hand was their spectacular jeweled gauntlet. A loose white mesh shirt sat beneath a long leather coat. The coat they wore was another piece from the master Craftsmen Wayland . A familiar leather jacket of the late Linden, now fitted to the much smaller Moth, giving it more the feeling of a coat than a jacket. Upon each shoulder was beautiful epaulet's crafted from gleaming metal and deftly shaped to give the impression of hands placed over each shoulder. Running down the sleeves, veins of metal cut through leather, reminiscent of the metal flesh of Linden, coming to the suggestion of reaching hands upon each of the sleeves. Mantled in the protection of their late friend. Riley entered the colosseum with their head held high. Finding their Motley mate in one of the balconies Riley scanned the crowd trying to get a read on the people around them. But the wyrd, their own self-consciousness, and the distractions of the event left them with no deeper insight. “If you keep scowlin' your face will get stuck that way” Riley said with a smile to @archie . It was a small joke to lighten the mood if they could. Standing on one of the Balconies overlooking the opening rites. The Bright One watched over the Handfasting ceremony before a pairing caught their eye, Dani and Lucas. Their partner and their ex. Dani had mentioned she and Lucas had met a few times. Riley hadn't thought much of it at the time, but Dani had not mentioned it further after the Oathbreaking. Riley knew they could not participate, given their status, and it wasn't jealousy that stung. It was the secrecy and lack of trust. They hadn't known the two had become close enough to warrant a handfasting; no one had warned them. Perhaps it was made worse that Dani and Riley had been going through a rough patch with the Oathbreaking , putting a divide between them, especially after Litha. They understood at that moment the pain Archie had felt when Riley had kept secrets from him. Looking away, the Moth presented a roughish smile to Archie. "Wish me luck? I am going to throw my hat in the ring"
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2021 19:57:57 GMT -8
“Maybe when there is something to smile about I’ll consider it. You aren’t going alone.”A nearby door was found, a knock made. “For you I have a guest that will watch over you, and protect you from harm.”With that the door should open to have them joined by the menacing Cerberus, The Dancer’s Privilege. Once that was settled Archie made a subtle motion towards the same couple that was stinging Riley. “How much of this did you know about? And please no bullshit.”He was sick of Riley dancing around more than stages. Not being honest with him resulted in Litha. He also wasn’t interested in what Riley felt about the situation, he wanted the simple fact of just how much the Dancer knew about, or rather how little the elemental seemed to value their partnership. To compound the problem, of course it was the same thorn from Litha. “And why? What are you going to accomplish honoring this?”He made a sweeping motion towards the entirety of a Summer event. Attendance held a value despite frustration, non-participation was its own protest. SK- Archie — Today at 3:06 PM
Bloodsport
A guest who will watch over and protect riley (wyrd 1)
Man per wyrd will
@dicecord-CoD roll 11
Dicecord-CoD
BOT
— Today at 3:06 PM
@sk- Archie rolled 11 dice and got 7 successes. 7 3 6 7 8 3 2 8 5 10(10)(5) 7 Rote:7 Rote:9 Rote:2 Rote:1 Rote:5 Rote:8 Rote:10(1) Rote:6
Masterfully done, @sk- Archie! Krakenbox Riley Sorsa
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Aug 11, 2021 8:34:05 GMT -8
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Nott
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Presence 2 (Animated)
Posts: 25
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Post by Nott on Aug 11, 2021 21:25:00 GMT -8
With a t-shirt tucked into her high-waisted shorts, Nott was the picture of casual as she sidled through the crowd. Her wild curls and burning eyes were almost subtle compared to the Lost she greeted and moved by, but she held her space as well as a low-mantle Winter could. The ability to be overlooked as inconsequential was still a boon, as far as she was concerned; too much attention turned into scrutiny, and there were plenty of examples of where that had gone wrong.
But it wouldn't do to be wholly invisible. Scanning the crowd, she picked out an interesting face and made for them. Leaning a shoulder against Wayland's kiosk, Nott crossed her arms and quirked a brow. "What a spread. This all your work?" Her hand extended, a fingernail flicking lightly against a silver bracelet.
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