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Player Event: A Very Merry Unbirthday — TO YOU!
A MERRY UNBIRTHDAY!
One day, you discover a delicate invitation quietly slipped beneath your door. If fortune smiles on you, it might brighten your mood — just enough to spark a bit of celebration in your heart as you read it. Maybe, just maybe, it will tempt you to join the festivities. After all, what's there to lose?
Friends and Companions,
We gather not to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate our mastery over it. You are cordially summoned to an UNBIRTHDAY — a sanctuary of cake, champagne, and tea, and an homage to unbreakable friendship forged through story, song, and battle.
There is no cause required for a party, and no birthday needed for cake. However, for all who are Born of February, a tribute of respect awaits. Step forward and claim your due without hesitation. No queues will stand between you and your glory.
Where: Hearthsong Salon (duels and "barbecue" to be held at Dawnfield Grounds)
When: The twenty-second day of February
Come. Together, we shall make this a day of triumph and legend.
With Honour and Light,
Monoco
Constable of the Crown's Atelier; Guardian of the Royal Warrant; Chevalier
in service to House Dessendre
and
Verso Dessendre
Comtes de la Lumière
THE FESTIVITIES
After a whirlwind of preparations, a flurry of favors called in, and the generous dash of help from some talented advisors and friends, the Very Merry Unbirthday bursts to life right on time and place. Not only are you encouraged to mingle and make merry with the castle's residents, today's festivities also serve as playground to show off and sharpen your Bloomcraft skills!
More than just a celebration of unbirthdays (and birthdays, too!), it’s an open invitation to come together, make memories, and strengthen the ties that bind this very, ahem... eccentric community.
There'll be tasty bites to nibble, drinks to savor, music that invites you to sway, and a variety of activities designed to delight both introverts and extroverts alike.
To make everyone feel at home, there are two distinct spaces waiting. Each space has its own special charm and atmosphere — feel free to settle in where you like or flit between them as the mood strikes you!
Hearthsong Salon
Entering Hearthsong Salon feels like you're being pulled into a daydream. Sunlight dances through the stained glass in a kaleidoscope of colours, chasing the scent of rose sugar and settling softly on the tables set with mismatched teacups and freshly made treats.
The air hums with cheerful conversation and pleasant music, but the real stars are the tables scattered throughout the room. Guests are greeted by piles of savory delights and — did someone say cake? — a positive avalanche of sweets. Standing as the crown jewel of the spread is a decadent chocolate cake, hand-baked with care by Ena from Forget-me-not.
But for those seeking the warmth of a home-cooked meal, look no further than the Winter Kimbap. Here, Yoojin from Tulip has worked a different kind of magic through the careful selection of crisp winter vegetables and perfectly seasoned rice. For the younger guests (and the young at heart), he has taken the extra step of battering and pan-frying select rolls into golden, crispy bites.
Meanwhile, Archer from Hydrangea brings us his Budwake Antipasto — a hearty pasta salad assembled with a careful eye for balance, utilizing a colourful array of ingredients gathered from the recent Budwake festivities.
Our hosts, Monoco and Verso, have curated the space with a dash of "orderly chaos." The layout ensures two very important things:
- You can vanish from a chat as swiftly as a Cheshire Cat whenever the mood strikes by excusing yourself for more treats or drinks.
- Waiting in line is strictly forbidden. Monoco and Verso will tell you (quite fondly and with much gesturing) that queues are for regular birthdays, and we simply won't have them today!
While Verso tickles the piano to lighten the air with nonsense melodies, keep an eye on the walls. Shimmering ripples of light chase each other across the ceiling, subtly turning the salon into an underwater tea party where the "water" is made of liquid starlight.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits you:
❀ WARDROBE WIZARDRY
For those swept up in the festive spirit, a "dress-up" alcove awaits near the entrance.
Here, temporary charms from Archer or any fellow volunteers proficient in Meramancy are available to weave your hair, outfit, or silhouette into a playful new persona. Should your glamour begin to fade, simply flag down a practitioner for a quick "recharge" of your finery — or perhaps a total redesign. After all, at an Unbirthday, you are never required to be the same person twice!
For those Born of February: Expect to receive a finely-crafted top hat! But this is no ordinary headpiece; cinched around the crown is a delicate silk ribbon, embroidered with shimmering silver threads and inscribed with the following delightful nonsense:✨They ate with a runcible spoon.✨
or
Flowers deserve cake too! 🎉
When donned, the enchanted hatband works its subtle magic, gently lifting the wearer’s spirit and sparking a flare of creativity that lingers for hours. It is a souvenir of warmth and friendship — a tiny, wearable anchor of joy to carry you through the festivities.
✿ LEAVES & LIBATIONS
Sip on brews that defy the mundane at this temporary tea and cocktail bar, from pre-mixed tea blends that change your hair color or alter your voice, to pink champagne that leaves you feeling pleasantly giggly. Or maybe you'd like to practice a little Infusery while preparing your own tea? Just ask!
Archer has joined forces with Verso to challenge your senses; here, Infusery and Meramancy mask the truth of every glass, turning each sip into a playful game of "Taste vs. Sight" as you try to guess the true flavour hidden beneath a drink's glamoured disguise. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available, featuring a selection of delightful concoctions, including (but not limited to):
♥ Midnight Sun: A pitch-black, swirling mixture that tastes of sun-ripened strawberries.
♥ Frosted Rose: A steaming cup of hot tea that strikes the tongue with the chill of peppermint cream.
♥ Gilded Shadow: A clear, sparkling water that carries the heavy, rich warmth of dark chocolate.
♥ Half-Bloomed Lotus: A steeped, chilled tea topped with forged honey droplets that drift across the surface like golden pollen.
Every glass and porcelain cup is a toast to the "here and now"... where things aren't always what they seem, but are somehow exactly what they should be.
❀ MORSELS OF MAGIC: Today's selection features experimental Petit Fours crafted by Ena, who has been refining a specialized infusion technique. These tiny cakes are designed to carry happy echoes of the heart. As she is still perfecting the craft, the intensity of the "memory-flash" may vary. Maybe it's like a gentle whisper. Maybe it's a sudden, dazzling spark. Maybe nothing happens, and you just get to enjoy a yummy treat! You never know... and that's what makes it fun!
You are warmly invited to use these sensations as a spark for conversation. Share with your companions what the feeling reminds you of, letting your own stories add to the day's magic.
There are only so many to go around. In the spirit of the day, take what you need, but leave enough for a friend to find!
❀ THE GIFT OF TODAY
Take a piece of the day with you, or leave a piece of yourself behind. This station offers materials for both the Bibliomancers and the Imprintworkers to create small tokens of affection, along with easy volunteer tasks for Meramancers.
- For the Makers: Choose from scraps of velvet, silk, or wool to craft a simple "sentiment token". Whether it's a friendship ribbon to ease nerves or a stitched square that carries a pocket of warmth, your hands can weave a tangible comfort to give away... or keep for a rainy day.
- For the Poets: Select a slip of fine parchment to scribe a "blessing note". Infuse a short poem or a simple "Thank You" with a minor enchantment of joy or contentment, or anything else you might want to try. Meramancers are kindly asked to help keep them glowing with a gentle light, patiently waiting for the perfect person to claim them — before they release a burst of affection to the first reader.
Dawnfield Grounds
The crisp February air tingles with an invigorating chill as you step onto the wide, open expanse of Dawnfield Grounds. Here, the manicured lawns stretch toward the horizon, bordered by what Monoco calls "brave-blooms" — winter-hardy flowers that seem to lean into the wind with defiant, soft colors.
Though these fields once echoed with the stern clash of knights' blades, the "battles" held here today are of a much merrier sort. The grounds now hum with the laughter of friends in mid-chase and the quiet, focused grace of Bloomcraft practitioners showing off their skills.
Stone steps curve around the open spaces like a natural theatre, inviting you to rest and survey the joy, while enchanted lanterns wake with a faint shimmer as dusk approaches, casting a glow that feels like a warm invitation to linger just a little longer.
Near the steps, Verso’s polished gramophone spins with rhythmic elegance, weaving gentle melodies into the breeze. Beside it rests a simple wooden case brimming with music records — each setting its own mood, ranging from nostalgic and rowdy to a mixture of melancholic and light — waiting patiently for a hand to pick the next chapter of the evening's soundtrack.
If you're lucky, you might stumble upon dinner and a show. Follow the scent of woodsmoke to find Bulat, who is busy hauling fresh catches all the way from the ocean and grilling them over an open flame. It's the perfect place to warm your hands and enjoy a rustic, fire-kissed meal under the vast winter sky.
✿ THE PETAL-POP EXTRAVAGANZA
Practitioners of the flickering arts are called to the field for a display of pure, unadulterated flair! Those with a handle on Meramancy are encouraged to "pop off" with their own illusionary confetti cannon effects. While Gleamspeakers might favor swirling clouds of multi-colored flower petals to keep with the Bloomcraft theme, Glamourcrafters and Flickerhands alike are invited to get creative.
Whether you summon a cascade of shimmering scales, a burst of starlit motes, or a dramatic gust of wind to carry them aloft, the goal is simple: raucous cheer. Don't overthink your technique. You're using your magic to cheer for one another with as much spectacle as you can muster. Step onto the grass, find a friend, and let the "confetti" fly!
❀ THE BREEZY BOOK NOOK
Tucked away in a quiet curve of the stone steps is a sanctuary for the studious and the soulful. Here, the air is thick with the scent of cinnamon-bark incense and sun-warmed paper. The subtle perfumes here wrap you in a gentle warmth and sharpen your mind, keeping the winter chill — or even the wildest festivities — from breaking your focus.
Instead of rigid shelves, books overflow from weathered oak crates and brass-bound trunks nestled against the stone. Each container is lined with thick scraps of wool and silk; these soft layers protect the leather bindings from the damp winter air, transforming the collection into a hoard of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. (These volumes are the cast-offs and favourites of the local Bibliomancy guild, kindly lent out for people eager to learn — works that have been "read into" so many times they’ve developed personalities of their own, practically begging for a fresh hand to turn their pages.)
Of course, you are just as welcome to skip the spellcasting altogether. Simply curl up with a heavy blanket and a book of your choosing, letting the outdoors be your only companion. But for those looking to stretch their Bibliomantic wings, the Nook is the perfect place to see just how much life you can breathe into a single sentence.
Some possible things you can do:
- Tier One: Try to "translate" the physical warmth of your tea or the scent of the incense into a written note, so the next person to hold it feels that same flicker of cozy comfort.
- Tier Two: Close your eyes and touch a closed book. Instead of reading with your eyes, try to "sense" the story's soul. Can you tell if it’s a thrumming adventure or a quiet tragedy without opening it?
- Tier Three: Find a description of a hero or a mythical creature. By touching the text, try to "borrow" a specific trait — their sharp wit, steady calm, or lyrical voice — and wear it as a mantle for the hour.
❀ BLOOM & BIND
In a sheltered corner of the grounds, you'll find baskets overflowing with preserved blooms and sun-dried vines. Beside them, you'll also find spools of hand-dyed silk ribbons, silver embroidery threads, and strips of soft velvet. At this Imprintwork station, the thread is the conduit. You are invited to weave these fibers together with the dried flowers, using the stems as a frame for your magic. As you stitch and knot the fabric into your crown or bracelet, you "bind" a specific intent into the weave, turning a simple accessory into a magical keepsake.
Guests are invited to weave their intent into personal crowns, circlets, or bracelets. As you braid the stems, "bind" a specific feeling into the weave: serenity, vitality, or perhaps a bit of unbirthday mischief.
Suggested Imprints:
- Tier One: Braid a strip of thick wool through your floral crown. Infuse the fabric with a faint, cozy heat. While the enchantment is fleeting and will fade by moonrise, it offers a brief, soft comfort against the February chill.
- Tier Two: Use sturdy silk thread to tie your flowers into a bracelet. Try to infuse the fibers with a sense of calm or a shield against anxiety. This Imprint could hold potentially hold its charm for days, keeping you self-assured long after you leave the grounds.
- Tier Three: Weave an intricate pattern of embroidery thread and dried vines. As you work, "sew" a cherished memory of the day directly into the knots. If you're skilled enough, this creation could carry immense staying power; whenever the fabric is touched, the wearer will feel the memory replay with vivid, emotional clarity.
✿ THE DUELLING STAGE
Beyond the quiet of the Book Nook, the old training grounds have been transformed into a grand arena for a more spirited display. Under the watchful eye of Monoco, guests are invited to cross blades... but with a dramatic twist. Whether you're here to settle a friendly score or simply flaunt your footwork, the Stage is open to anyone with a weapon in their hand and a bit of fire in their heart.
The Catch? We want a show. Participants are encouraged to let their inner theatre-kid run wild! A duel is just a dance with danger, after all. Make it magnificent: Be a moustache-twirling villain, a virtuous hero of legend, or a dramatic rogue. Your hosts have provided a Crate of Curiosities filled with props — top hats, stick-on moustache, and monocles — to help you find your character.
For those who want to truly "dress the part," practitioners are on hand to weave temporary Glamours, turning your everyday attire into shimmering plate armour or billowing capes. And for the faint of heart (or those who just want some harmless stage-fighting shenanigans), a rack of toy wooden swords is available for a bloodless, high drama romp.
Some suggestions of how to play the stage:
- Deliver a soaring, over-the-top speech before the first strike.
- Incorporate props into your combat style.
- Use your Bloomcraft not to win, but to make your "defeat" look as spectacular as possible.
As Monoco likes to say, "It's your time to shine." Now... En garde!
THE AFTER PARTY
As the main festivities wind down, the afterparty drifts into the Stag's Rest Lounge — a dimly lit sanctuary of dark wood and soft, enchanted light. The air is thick with the comforting scents of spiced wine and smoldering cedar from the hearth, while plush leather chairs beckon weary guests to sink in and finally unwind. Gentle shadows dance across hunting prints and trailing ivy, creating an intimate space where quiet conversations, subtle magic, and shared stories flow easily into the night. Here, time slips away beneath heavy velvet drapes, and the world outside feels pleasantly distant.
Sit and stay awhile. Sample a warm nightcap and let the day's excitement gently melt into a comforting, peaceful tiredness. It's been a long adventure, and the hearth is warm enough for everyone.
Did you have fun?
(Oh, and—if you haven't already, do sign the guest book, so we can all have proof this wasn't just a well-dressed fever dream.)
no subject
I told you, if you want to take 'im, you'll have to do better than that!
[ A lancing pain shoots through her head, forcing her eye to close and her mouth to twist in a grimace.
"What are you talking about?!"
Ah, of course the other one would pay attention now. He's still in the audience, isn't he? Is she embarrassed?
'I'm being dramatic. Just roll with it.'
"Why bring him up??"
'He was cheering her on too. Isn't that cruel? Shouldn't we be the only one cheered for?'
"Oh my god, get in the back!"
'Not yet.'
"NOW!!"
The Voice sighs and tosses the axe off to the side of the stage. She reaches into her cape to take out a fake sword and a fake dagger before rushing toward Kyoshika. ]
Haha...seems my time is limited after all. Let's go, heroine of love!
[ "I'LL ACTUALLY KILL YOU!" ]
no subject
[ oh, oh no. kyoshika had done such a good job of blocking out the audience, and now she's not just being forced to reacknowledge there's an audience, but also that there is someone loudly cheering for both of them!
and kyoshika's eyes widen. ]
N-no! That--
[ auuuugh! ]
V-verywell! I'll finish, in one strike!
[ after that jumbled sentence comes out, she makes her own move to finish the voice in one strike! except it's more that she's now swinging the sword a bit wildly, so it's probably more than one strike after all. ]
no subject
"Shut UP!"
With both their strikes swinging wild, wood clashes on wood in raucous, ugly smacks. Despite the increasing frequency and intensity of her wincing as Lucy mentally claws her backward, the Voice keeps laughing in antagonistic fashion. ]
I'll destroy this entire battlefield to kill us both before I surrender my treasure to a thief!
no subject
...ah.
...
well. regardless, she can't lose! she has a plan, but she can't let up on the attack. ]
You're wrong, I'm no thief! As you said, I'm the heroine of love! By defeating you here, I'll protect your love as well!
[ oh god where is kako. someone please snipe her now. ]
no subject
Then show me that one strike! Fell this curse from this princess' body if you're so strong a champion for love!
[ Again she dashes forward and leaps, swords ready to bear down on Kyoshika's head. ]
no subject
kyoshika steels herself, eyes focused on the mask, waiting for her to get close, and-- ]
Hyah!
[ she swipes up at the voice, aiming to pluck that mask right off of her face at any cost, even her life...! in story. ]
1/2
She's smiling as she falls back and hits the stage, toy weapons clattering helplessly aside. Her head's taken plenty of bumps before, so this is no different. Lucy takes over, but she keeps her eyes shut, stays silent, stays still. Her face burns in humiliation, and she wishes she could just fade away into the ether. ]
2/2
Nyuu's eyes pop open the next second, and she stares up at the sky with her head throbbing and her memory fuzzy.
She shrieks and jumps up to her feet. When did she get on stage?! Who are all these people! Is that Kyoshika there? Why's she got a sword!? ]
HEEEH?! How long was I sleeping?!
no subject
that smirk quickly fades when the identity of her opponent becomes clear. the woman disappeared so deep into the role that she had no idea, and as she stands and exclaims, kyoshika drops her wooden sword onto the stage. ]
L-L-Lady Nyuu?! Eh?! Why is-- was that villain...?!
[ SHE'S SO CONFUSED. ]
1/3
With a flourish, he dismissed that cloud of bats and lowered himself with a tender touch rested on Nyuu's cheek before he whispered--]
2/3
3/3
You called her a villain, you so-called hero? This noble creature?
no subject
Nyuu goes still and stares up at Dante with wide eyes. She still has no idea what's going on, but...that touch was warm, familiar. She feels...safe? ]
Uh...uh, 'kay!
[ Pardon her she's gonna just...hop backward toward safety and flop down again. Play dead, indeed! ]
no subject
[ wait. is the stage play still going? did the script get changed? was there a script to begin with? but, also... that look on his face.
she couldn't mistake that face at all for anything but anger. so, it was like that? ]
...She was corrupted, but I freed her from that. Take her and leave?
[ her voice cracked. still acting? hopefully?? ]
no subject
Admittedly, though, Dante blinked and hesitated. Wait, she asked it like a question again--ahem! He cleared his throat and lifted up one of those little wooden practice swords they were using, turning it over in his hand and lowering it into his hip, stretching one knee forward in a low stance--iaido.]
Where's your motivation? Don't think you can handle a devil who's lost everything?
no subject
a twinge hits her as he speaks however. "a devil who's lost everything."
she stands and gets into her own stance, again very ill fitting for anything that isn't a samurai. ]
I'm more than capable of felling a devil! Y-you will not defeat or corrupt me...!
no subject
When he came at her, it was with a wide arc of a swing. One of Nevan's bats stuck to the handle of that sword, flashing and offering her perfect insight as to where that deceptively strong strike was coming from so she could find her mark against him.]
Hmph! Die.
no subject
very, wrong instinct most of the time, but either way.
kyoshika's eyes follow the bat, catching the hint in order to attempt a counterattack. to quickly dodge and bonk him in the ribs with her sword, swiftly. she hadn't gauged what dante's strength even was, but she wasn't planning to find out. ]
no subject
On top of that, the bats shredded his coat and blouse, leaving a gaping hole that exposed pristine, chiseled musculature.]
Grrk--! [He stumbled back, planting a hand on his side and gritting his teeth with faux outrage and projection--almost as if he knew precisely how to work a crowd.] ...You got lucky. Best not blink or I'll skewer you, hero!
no subject
]
The presentation--!! You're lookin' great out there, babe! Show 'er those moves!