a feast of friends and foes [open]

[Folie]

As Fia left, Folie cast her a mournful look before taking the Queen's hand and bowing over it with the sudden evidence of an ancient, courtly gesture. Glamour wrapped around him then, turning his clothing to an old, elegant suit in the same white as his previous outfit, making him a perfect match for the lovely Queen. Glancing at the pixies who were playing, he cued them to a traditional song and started the dance.

Their disparate heights meant that there were some moves he couldn't accomplish - namely, anything that he needed to raise their hands very far above them - but he did his best with a little half-smile. It had been a long time since he'd danced with another Sidhe, and this was an old dance indeed. A traditional one for the Seelie Court, however.

They finished with a final twirl, and just as the music fell silent, the garlganger arrived. Folie released Annette's hand with another little bow, an odd, crooked grin twisting his lips. The illusion fell away from him as he stepped back to allow the Queen her time to interview this new entrant. That had been fun! Not the dances of the mortal world, but something old and different and silly. He'd have to see about taking her to a rave next. Or introducing one here! How to get the glowsticks, though...

[Adele]

A smaller pixie had come to her in an altogether unexpected manner. Adele had been busy mending a dress, whittling away her time with whispers and gently sung songs as she often did. Fabric fluttered, curtains curled, and the pixie tip-toed in. She had been called to see the Queen of the Seelie Court - and wasn't entirely sure what that even meant. Adele rarely, if ever, paid any mind to the goings-on of the Courts, or much of anything besides the things with which she was already familiar.

But it is what it is, what's done is done. She was called, and she would go. It wasn't as if she had much to do in any case, and Adele had been cooped up for quite some time now - something of new interest was certainly in order by now.

Merise hovered to her shoulder, flitting about her hair, nearly disappearing. Together they swooped up Adele's work, storing the dress in a wooden trunk by the foot of her bed. Her cozy, one bedroom living area was messier than she liked it, but for now cleaning would have to be suspended.

Adele and her hummingbird departed, floating down the large tree dormitory together after the pixie attendant.

--

When she reached the palace, Adele was uncertain on how to present herself. She glided through the trees, observed her fellow pixie players with a gentle nod of the chin, and fluttered forward to the far end of the oak table. It was a sensation she was very familiar with, but she suddenly felt particularly small, even with her wings holding her up in the air. The table was long and huge, the statues gigantic, the trees forever growing. A large looking man, who she took to be possible kin, only accentuated her small size. The Queen herself dwarfed everyone with her aura and spirit alone.

Adele was afraid.

A sidhe in a white skirt pranced about merrily, and that soothed her. It seemed there was little tension here, perhaps, but it was hard to say...

She flowed forth, her simple, silver gown rippling and flicking at her hair. Her wings hummed quieter than she thought possible as she approached. Merise darted through her hair, swirling about her with an unforeseen amount of energy. She wasn't sure how to take his spirit, but hoped it was encouragement.

[Eoghan]

”A warrior, indeed.” Eoghan said with a bit of defiance, his nature colored eyes never leaving the sidhe queen’s as he spoke. He held himself with a haughty stance, nose to the air and shoulder blades pinched back with a tight abdominal, he meant for his posture to echo the sentiment he spoke., Eoghan did not realize that arrogance and pride might not have been the best way for a garlanger to gain respect. Alas, the pixie had grown up knowing only of prejudice, and thus carried the weight of other’s scrutiny with him wherever he went. He knew if he didn’t have confidence in his skill then no one would.

Eoghan heard and felt the presence of another. He felt the need to turn, his emerald hair sweeping over his shoulders as he glanced back at the pixie who had stepped forward. He didn’t know if she was a part of the servants or the bands, nor did he know if she had been there when he had arrived. However, Eoghan couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed with the idea that his race was so insignificant that not even he cared to note their presence. In that moment Eoghan also came to another realization: he was the center of attention.

The white sidhe stood alongside them, watching. The queen’s full attention was focused on him and for the first time he felt intimidated. Still, he kept up the façade of courage in place; he could not show weakness in the face of the court. ”And…I seek a demonstration of your power, Princess Annette, my blade goes to no ruler unless they are tested.” His words might have been foolish, might have reflected arrogance, and could get him killed, but he expected nothing less. He would not pledge himself to a weak monarch no matter what society said.

[Julian]

Julian wasn't quite sure what the pixie messenger meant when it told him to go see the queen, but it sounded like a fancy party. And fancy parties were the best. The nimbus let his mind wander for a bit, piecing together the perfect outfit in his head. His daydream was cut short by his mantel's pawing at his feet.

"Misha! Stop that! Bad bear! I'll have you know those shoes you nearly tore apart were handmade in Italy!"

His sharp gray eyes were met with his mantel's saddened expression. He patted the bear's head twice before walking towards the throne room.

"Come, Misha. There's a party waiting! I'll have to make due with this casual suit, but everyone will love us for sure!"

Misha snorted disapprovingly, but nevertheless bounded after him. Julian's walk was somewhat relaxed, yet his body language suggested that he was overflowing with confidence. If there was one thing Julian did well, it was to pretend like he was the most important person in the room. At least, when there wasn't actually someone with real status. His happiness was crushed with disappointment when he walked into the throne room, seeing that all of the guests were flocking towards the woman in red. Julian did admit defeat, however. She was stunningly beautiful, and he would have to at least get her name before the end of tonight. He also needed to find a way to get some lion statues for his room.

He made his way toward the queen. His eyes now sparkling blue, smiling a half-smile that gave Julian an old Hollywood charm. He had barely heard the words that the male pixie had said to the queen, but it was enough to meddle.

"I can't help but wonder what sort of gentleman challenges a lady to a duel. If you're itching for a battle, I'll gladly accept your challenge."

[Queen Annette]

Annette looked warmly at Folie. Despite him possessing the highest degree of magic a faerie could possess, being extremely old, and being of sidhe lineage, she admired him in a sense that was infantile, almost a way a child would admire a toy. She delighted in the faerie’s antics, his unpredictability and at the same time also delighted in the power he held, the terribly powerful creatue he could be. Annette mused that if she could harness the power that the sidhe held he could be a terrible weapon. However, that was easier said than done and Annette would have to ponder the idea further. For now, she allowed the sidhe to return to his business. Whether he chose to dance with the servants, partake in the feast or join in the politics, it was his decision.

The garlanger male was brazen, and it could be said that he was confident in his abilities, but what was taken as confidence by one could be taken as insolence in the Seelie Court. There was a fine line between pride and impudence, and the pixie was toeing the line. Not that Annette minded it at all; in fact, she was surprised there was a garlanger in her court that would act this way. Perhaps she was more ignorant to the lesser faerie than she thought. But what amused her one moment could easily become something that annoyed her next, and that was what the Red Queen was waiting to see.

The next words bordered on being annoying. She raised an eyebrow, ”You seek a demonstration, garlanger?” She said garlanger as if it were a curse, something wretched that left a horrible taste on her tongue. She turned fully, the lions following suit in a fashion that was meant to be intimidating. But before she could continue a nimbus arrived.

The nimbus offered no introduction but instead challenged the garlanger to a duel. She smirked, her red lips pursed as she looked from one male to another. ”Yes, then defend my honor, nimbus.” She drifted towards him, placing a pale finger on his chin and running her ruby red nails over his flesh. Slowly she pulled away, still looking over the second male before finally turning her gaze to the whole court. For the first time she noticed the pixie female who had entered.

The shy creature stayed away from the conversation unfolding in the midst of the court yet at the same time separated herself from the servants that made up her palace’s staff. Immediately she moved towards the girl, her long strides and sweeping folds of her dress carrying her towards the little pixie. She took the girl’s hand and gently pulled her towards the throne, ”The winner shall have her for their bed for a night.” The queen didn’t think much about her offering of the girl to the men, for she had appeared to be a young servant, one who made the mistake of distancing herself from the group long enough to be noticed. She assumed the girl would follow her orders and thus without another word she added, ”And I shall gut you for your rudeness if you lose, Eoghan.”

[Adele]

Adele delicately plucked her hand away from the Queen's, bowed, and stepped backward. "I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but I don't plan on sharing a bed with anyone." Her voice was like water against a river's bank, soft but strong. She observed the group before her, but wasn't sure what to think of any of them. Clearly, everyone here was on the edge of tension, itching for any kind of confrontation, and the Queen undoubtedly took pleasure and amusement in this. Adele was not entirely surprised by anyone's antics.

"I'm much too fragile for such brutes." She smiled, fluttering her wings and moving higher into the air. Merise battered to and fro, slipping past her ears and circling around the others only to return to her again.

Although Adele was fairly certain that the Queen would not listen to her arguments, she had to make an attempt to even hint towards her position on the matter. Of all the things Adele held dear, it was her relations. She was not as fragile as she let on, and she had more than dabbled in these things before - she was much too old to not have - but it was something she approached with dignity. The general situation went against many of the things she stood for. Regardless, she would not start an uproar - she would simply not let any bedding (of her, at least) happen to pass.

[Julian]

Julian shivered at the sidhe's touch, his entire body aching for more contact. Where her hand trailed away, Julian's skin tingled, leaving him the hope that he would get to see more of her one day, preferably behind closed doors.

He shifted himself into a defensive stance against the equally tall Eoghan, ready to defend the hell out of the queen's honor, but it was the sudden announcement of a "prize" that changed his mind. He glanced at Adele, noting how perfect and fragile the pixie was. She was probably beautiful by other standards, but to Julian, she was just not his type. At all. Nevertheless, there was no way that he was willing to leave Adele's fate up to chance, especially if it meant that he would have to win a fight involving fists and whatnot.

He was ready to defend the poor girl, but it seemed as though she didn't need his help. At the very least, Julian finally realized that he was in the Queen's presence by Adele's words. He was, however, highly upset as being described as a "brute". Julian had to prove that he was not some overly tall, club-waving oaf. No, he was the perfect gentleman, and he was going to show off just how wonderful he could be.

"I apologize, my dearest Queen, but as an honorable man, I will not take her as a prize, especially since she is so unwilling. While I may be conceding this duel, I also cannot stand idly by know that this belligerent man will his way with her. It's been fun, but I believe it's time for me and this," he moved towards Adele, taking her hand gently (not the mention staring at the pixie with his eyes and flashing her that beautiful smile of his), "lovely lady to continue our evening elsewhere."

He started to walking in a direction generally away from the throne, hoping that it was the right way. Exits had to be dramatic, and having to backtrack would be downright embarrassing. After a few feet, Julian turned to take one last look at the queen, "By the way, I'm not a numbskull, or nimbutt, or whatever. My name's Julian. I hope we will meet again under better circumstances."

[Folie]

"So rude, to your Queen," Folie purred, eyes narrowing first at Adele and then at Julian. "So haughty, so self-confident. You seek her favor while offering her words of rebuke?" The Sidhe began a slow, feline prowl toward Julian, long hair swaying behind him with every step.

"Silly, silly!" He shook his head quickly then, and skipped for a few steps as he circled about them. His blood-red lips stretched into a wide smile, and he placed himself between them and the doorway. "Don't go, the party's just begun! No one's eaten anything! We must enjoy the repast until it is past, or until the past comes again, to make it a repast once more. A re-repast." Fluttering little hands gestured at the pair of them, herding them back toward the tables that were laden with food, the seats along the tables still standing empty and waiting.

Folie hummed to himself as he played sheep dog and circled and stared and gestured everyone in the room toward the tables, though he offered Annette just a slightest bit more courtesy than the others. Playing sheep dog. He was a Border Collie! An all-white one, because he didn't have black fur or brown fur, and Borders were black-and-white and sometimes brown too. Why were they trying to leave now, when things had only just begun? The challenge had just started! There was so much fun to be had!

[Adele]

Adele felt mildly overwhelmed by the combination of Julian's demeanor and Folie's overall... Folie-ness. She nearly stumbled as Julian led her away, and with the following excitement she felt the only way to steady herself was to fly up again. She skittered back and forth between the chairs, avoiding close contact with Folie as much as possible. "I don't know if you're talking to me, but I did not mean to be rude--" she began, shrinking back from one of his - it was a boy, right? - hands. "And I seek no one's favor but my own. This is just how I live--" Adele had to duck as Folie reached out again, and bumped into a chair. Quickly, her wings hummed and buzzed, flitting her back up into the air. Faltering, scrambling, she soar over the table and grabbed Julian by the collar. He wasn't exactly someone she could carry - or hardly even drag along - but Adele had her mind made up.

With a kick and a grunt, Adele hauled Julian from his chair (which then toppled over) and jerked him along several feet before he regained his balance. She then let go and allowed him to lead the way, the throne room a jumble behind them. Merise, with some anxiety, shook himself and jabbed his beak towards Folie before fluttering after Adele and the man.

[Eoghan]

Eoghan turned to face the nimbus who had foolishly challenged him. His hands fell to the hilts of the twin daggers at each of his sides, green emeralds narrowing in on the perpetrator. The words he had spoke sounded ridiculous. The rules of chivalry did not apply in courtly politics, and this creature didn’t seem to understand that. The queen held more power than any member of the court, challenging her did not mean he was challenging a lesser being—as was implied by his “challenging a lady statement”—but in truth, it meant challenging the most worthy opponent. Though Eoghan hadn’t challenged her to a duel, he had wished to see a display of her might so that he could confidently give her his loyalty.

The queen reacted favorably, at first. She seemed to like the idea of a duel between the men and she even offered them a prize. But the queen’s words quickly turned on him as she promised to gut him if he did not win. He glanced in her direction, simply nodded, and turned back to the nimbus. He drew his daggers and spoke, ”You run from a challenge?”He took a step towards the man but his attention turned to the pixie that was moving away from the queen, protesting her being offered up as a prize.

The pixie’s objections surprised the man, and inwardly he felt a sort of happiness that she did not allow herself to be thrown around at the whim of the sidhe. However, he feared for the girl, she hadn’t the power to stand against the red queen. If Annette felt disrespected there was no telling what the queen would do to her.

As it was, Eoghan made no movements to stop the pair from leaving. Instead, he turned back to the queen, allowing Folie to shepherd him towards the throne. ”Do not worry, Queen Annette. I will punish him for his rudeness and his cowardice.” He spoke, of course, of the nimbus. Who had spoken rudely to the queen and exited the palace once faced with a challenge he himself initially proclaimed.

[Queen Annette]

Though the queen wasn’t pleased with the way the faerie of the court had acted, she resolved that it was because she had not been firm enough with them. The uppity Seelie faerie would learn the hard way that insolence would not be tolerated. The display of arrogance Fia had shown had likely set off the rest of the faerie here, and she would not have anyone disrespect her, especially lesser fae. She allowed the pixie and the nimbus to leave, not speaking a word and simply smiling as they went about their business. Whatever words Julian spoke to the queen didn’t matter, for they garnered no reaction. Although, she did learn his name.

The male garlanger, who she had accused of rudeness before, was now starting to impress her. She had been right that his ambition could be mistaken for arrogance, and perhaps that was exactly what she had done. His rudeness now looked more like pride, and he seemed eager to prove his skills with the blade. She moved back towards the throne, he eyes last lingering upon him before she turned. When she sat again she looked back to Folie, Folie, my dear, it just seems they don’t care for the same fun you or I enjoy.”[/b] She sighed, ”Folie…Can you teach the rest of the court to play your games, to delight in the things you delight in?She asked curiously as if she might have just discovered the answer to all her problems.

While Folie would never be a warrior or a guard, she did imagine the faerie could be instrumental in corralling the unruly, teaching the insolent lessons. Amongst the insane creature Annette saw a wickedly frightening jester, one who would snap the neck of a creature should they prove too great an annoyance.

Finally, he gaze fell back to Eoghan. His words interested her and though she’d offer him no smile or coddling tone. She did offer him words that she imagined he would welcome, ”Do so and you will be rewarded. My lion will guide you.”[/b] As she spoke the lion to her left simultaneously rose and made its way for the exit. The weight of the creature crashed forth, echoing throughout the entire palace as its marble body bounded out the door, not waiting for Eoghan to follow. The lion would lead Eoghan to the nimbus, and from there the battle was Eoghan’s. [/color]

[Folie]

Folie frowned and pouted as the two left the indoor-outdoor building, dancing aside lightly to allow them to leave without further interference. And then Annette's lion - living stone, breathing marble, and were the dark veins through the marble like veins in bodies? If he cut it, would it bleed black-grey stone blood, ashes falling to the living floor of the Court to produce granite droplets of blood. It would be fascinating. He eyed the remaining lion with a speculative gaze, but the Queen was here and watching, so it probably wouldn't be the best of ideas to test that out just yet. No, he could wait until there were fewer people, fewer witnesses around.

Could stone lions tattle-tale? Ha. Tattle-tail. He'd have to be careful that it didn't go running to Annette telling on him.

His attention was once more distracted by the Annette's request. Teach the games he played?

"Well, I suppose I could," he said doubtfully. "But charades isn't that hard to do." Turning to what few Fae were remaining - were any remaining? - he bounced cheerfully, clapping his hands together like an overly-perky exercise instructor. "Alright! You put your right hand in, then you put your right hand out, then you put your right hand back in, and- Wait." Folie frowned down at his outstretched right hand, which was dangling limply from his wrist. "That's the Hokey Pokey."

[Queen Annette]

One would imagine that a person such as Annette would become frustrated with Folie after a certain amount of time. While that at one point would have been true, Annette had grown in the many years she had sat upon the throne, and now her patience rivaled anyone’s. There was a reason the Red Queen had been given the title “Reticent Fury”, a contradictory phrase in itself. She reserved to keep her anger quiet, reserved until the point where patience could no longer keep it from bubbling over. Annette didn’t think Folie would be the faerie to unleash her anger, but then again the only thing she knew for certain was that she didn’t envy the faerie that was the target of her fury.

She lay outstretched in the throne, her legs crossed as she draped a hand over her head. She watched the little faerie dance about, sing his nonsensical child tunes and wondered what made the creature tick. Finally, she called to him. ”Sit with me Folie. I am in the need of a friend’s caress.” She beckoned the sidhe towards the throne, looking at him with tired eyes.

[pan]

A considerably intoxicated satyr came tumbling out of one of the back entrances of the kitchens, the cooks laughing and yelling affably after the drunkard as he sprawled, rolling, and coming to a stop on his back in the middle of the Seelie Court, a guitar held loosely in one hand, a dark bottle full of some strong and strange liquor in other, downing the bottle swiftly, Pan let it roll from his fingers across the floor as he staggered to his feet, and started playing an old Irish ballad, his sweet voice following shortly behind.

"OH DANNY BOY" He bleated, in a loud, but low and surprisingly beautiful bass, "THE PIPES THE PIPES, ARE CALLING! FROM GLEN TO GLEN, AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SIIIIIDE!" In his sheer drunken haze Pan took no notice of his surroundings and continued his song as he often had for the Seelie court on night's of revelry. "THE SUMMER'S GONE AND ALL THE FLOWER'S ARE DYING, TIS YOU, TIS YOU MUST GO, AND I MUST BIDE!"

Spinning with a drunken elegance on one hoof he came to a stop facing the Queen herself, and was not quite so inebriated as to fail to recognize her, but certainly piss drunk enough to make a fool, and possibly a deadman, of himself. Falling to one knee he continued, as if serenading her alone, his voice climbing several octaves into a high keening tenor, with a swift grace and beauty, whatever else this fae may be, he was a fantastic musician. "BUT COME YE BACK WHEN SUMMER's IN THE MEADOW, WHEN THE VALLEY'S HUSH, AND WHITE WITH SNOOOOOW. TIS I'LL BE HERE, IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHAAADOOOOOW, OH DANNY BOY, OH DANNY BOY, I LOVE YE SOOOOOOO!"

[Queen Annette]

The queen waited for Folie to come forth, but before the sidhe could move, the garlanger entered. The man, a satyr, a lycanthrope bred from a faerie and a ram. The idea repulsed her, but man dancing before her was not repulsive, per say, but odd. Though the man seemed to have some type of musical ability, it was certainly lost in translation due to the alcohol that he smelled so heavily of. The guitar he held had overstayed its welcome and she no longer enjoyed the twine of it. She called to her hand of power, Striae. With a flick of her wrist she severed the strings to the instrument, cutting them with audible twangs. The music stopped and the satyr sung his last line.

Annette chuckled lightly, clearly not too offended but still not entirely won over by the ballad. ”Brilliant. What is your name?” She asked, and she felt as if she had been asking the same question for days now. Still, Annette never grew tired of mingling with her court.