Act III: The Olden Days and The Next Generation
Scene iii: The Summer Cotillion
Present Party: Boris, Venus, and Sylyeras. Yera also makes a short appearance.
Setting: Briefly Kisstad, Midtia and Rugathore, Aldea. Mostly the Summer Court in the Feywild.
The session began with Boris, returning to the capital of Midtia with his temporary adventuring party after his fight with Maelyn Writes. They returned what ashes they could to Thaedrus Beck's older sister, who was thankful to have them but distraught over the loss of her brother.
They reported in to Confidence Milton, who apologized for their loss, and would let them know if anything else came up. Boris and Arlo parted ways after that, with a promise to write.
Over the next few days, Boris took time to rest and grieve. However, his time was cut rather short when Celorfin (more affectionately: Finn) Lihtaur, the diplomat and former adventurer that the party had been travelling with, came to him. He was tired, looking like he hadn't slept in several days. Finn confessed that today, June 19th, was his last day before the Summer Cotillion began in the Summer Court of the Feywild. Finn is an Archfey Warlock. His patron is The Summer Queen. One of the terms of his pact is that he must attend the celebration that the summer court holds on the solstice: The Summer Cotillion. Normally, this is an event that Finn finds at least a little entertaining. However, he expressed that he was afraid to go, on account of some weird dreams he'd been receiving. He anticipates something bad happening at the Cotillion this year and, despite his experience as a seasoned adventurer, he doesn't feel comfortable going alone.
Boris agreed to go with him on the principle that they were always meant to protect Finn; it was part of the reason they were sent to go with him in the first place. Finn thanked him, and took Boris to go find Venus and Sylyeras.
~~~~~
Venus and Sylyeras were sitting on the front porch of the Milton-Waters Winery with their significant others when Finn and Boris arrived. Venus's boyfriend Civis offered to let them use his bakery to talk a little more privately. Finn informed the two of them about his thoughts regarding the Summer Cotillion.
Venus asked, "What exactly are your dreams about, Uncle Finn?"
"They're... odd. They're flashes of things, but each time, they get... more and more terrifying - more and more vivid. It always starts at the Summer Court, and there's a blizzard that comes in. After that, I'm in a forest, running for my life from something I can't see. It's snowing, and I'm running through the snow and brambles and thorns. A woman is cackling. Then... I'm in a forest with autumn leaves. Standing in front of a waterfall that's falling into a small pool... and someone is whispering to me, but I can't hear what they're saying."
Concerned for his safety, Venus and Syl agreed to join him on his trip to the Feywild as well. The two of them said some quick goodbyes to Venus's family before leaving for Rugathore, where Finn said he'd be picked up. Syl's wife, Ariel, also agreed to come to Rugathore, so she could visit with Yera.
They teleported there, and settled in, waiting for midnight to strike. While they did, Finn went over a few core rules:
- Don't give your name to anyone
- Don't accept any gifts
- Don't go anywhere alone unless you absolutely have to. That goes double for the gentlemen, especially if dryads are involved.
While they waited, Yera's boyfriend Kiln snuck out of the house by turning himself into a rat, thanks to his druid abilities. He's a pirate, and he works for Sylyeras. So, to prevent an awkward conversation and getting fired, he ran. Yera met up with him a little later so he could say bye to her and her daughter Elle before heading back to the ship. They promised to write.
At the stroke of midnight, a satyr the party had met before arrived - a friend of Finn's named Puck. He was there to escort them. Then, they were off to the Feywild.
~~~~~
The party arrived on the shore of a purple ocean under a bright pink sky. Behind them was a big, dense, green forest of oak trees. Ahead of them, across the ocean, was a structure of some kind that looked like a giant, yellow tulip. From the tulip stretched a rainbow bridge down into another grove of trees. Puck called forth a pink boat that looked as though it was made of carnation petals with a bright blue light hanging off the back of it.
Finn pointed at the tulip-like building. "That is the Summer Palace."
The party sailed over, and Puck left them for the time being. Finn led them through the palace towards where he usually stays. On the way, they encountered an eight-foot tall woman with pale skin and golden hair and eyes. Her dress looked as though it was made of sun. Finn introduced her to the party as the Lady of Sunshine. She was The Summer Queen's daughter. She said a very sweet hello to the party, calling them "very cute little mortals" and inviting them to hang out with her at the Cotillion.
Finn told them, "You didn't hear this from me, but if I could go back and do my pact all over again... I'd pick her to be my patron."
They found their rooms and got ready for the party. They also received a visit from Finn's daughter Aurinia, who was happy to see her father's friends. She gave them all flower crowns before she left.
They arrived at a party that was only just getting started. Already, creatures of all kinds were dancing to merry flute music and drinking. Sitting above it all was a woman on a couch or bed of some kind that looked like a white lily. She had tan, sun-kissed skin and hair that started red at the roots but then tumbled down into golden curls. She was topless, but wore a skirt that looked like long, pink carnation petals. Her face was skinny, sharp, but incredibly beautiful. Her eyes were pink, and swirled with golden flecks. This was The Summer Queen.
Finn went to visit with her while Boris stood guard. In passing, he spoke to an anthropomorphic goat wearing a long robe with several swatches of fabric stitched together. He seemed to have an itch for a fight, but didn't act on it. Finn informed Boris that this was the Elder Gruff - head of The Queen's guard. Each piece of fabric on his robe is from someone he's killed.
Venus and Sylyeras, meanwhile, spent most of their time at the Cotillion with Lady Sunshine. She and Venus spoke to each other about how they're both collecting happiness. Lady Sunshine said she'd be willing to share some of her collected happiness with Venus if she was willing to give her a happy memory too.
Venus asked, "Would I still remember the memory?"
"Well... no. That would be the point of you giving it to me. But please don't give me your very happiest memory! That would be so sad! Just one happy one that you can part with."
Venus said she would have to think about it. Then, in time for next session, she and Syl made plans to go and visit the mermaids' side of the Summer Cotillion.
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