⇨ THE SUMMER COURT

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone in the Summer Maiden's entourage.
When: Day 129 - Day 131 (Subjectively experienced as only one day.)
Where: The Summer Court
What: The Summer Maiden returns to the Summer Court for the first time in eons, leading a posse of carnival workers and Summer Fae. The Summer Queen has initiated a peaceful Elysium for discussions to take place, with dozens of the Court in attendance, but the true tone of the negotiations has yet to be unearthed.
Warnings: Fae being bitches.

SUNSET OF AN ERA↴ The phase shift takes few minutes to complete, when it's time. The Summer Maiden gathers everyone together - her guard of Summerland Fae, and her carnival wards - and activates the spell to bring them to the Summer Court. It's been planned with the Summer Queen, she says, and they should have her cooperation. Nothing has been settled in terms of negotiations, but at the very least, the Queen was not willing to shut down the opportunity to see her daughter for the first time eons, along with her lesser children, Ignatius and Gild. The Summer Maiden has recommended that everyone dress formally and conduct themselves with respect, but she is not forcing anyone to do so. It simply seems like the best way to make an impression. When they arrive in the Summer Court, they are in a courtyard. The Maiden's light magic fades and they will see themselves in a garden of alien trees, with golden towers rising up around them in all directions. Two Summer Court fae are waiting for them at an ornate gate, but it isn't until the Summer Maiden has claimed her role as an adjudicator or the present Elysium that she breaks the barrier surrounding her party. She tells everyone that it is safe to go forth but to be cautious. There is no way of knowing what direction negotiations will take. The guard leads them in, and they will find themselves in a spacious and life-filled throne room, with massive trees that function and supporting pillars and the throne itself. A variety of True Fae that the carnival has never seen before are scattered around the room, waiting with a thick air of tension. As the Summer Maiden leads them in, she will announce herself to the Queen, and claim all those present as under her protection. The introductions are brief, and after the Maiden is done, the Queen will ask to speak with her privately. There is a clear nervousness beneath the Queen's veneer of control. As the Maiden joins her at the throne to speak about personal matters, everyone else is free to explore the throne room and mingle - if they dare. ► STICKING OUT: There are some notable reactions going on as the Maiden's entourage arrives. In general, the Court Fae respond strongly to Ignatius's presence - both the fact that he's turned up as an ally to the Maiden, and his curious magical transformation. Ignatius, for his part, holds back and tries to keep to himself, looking like he's trying to hide a significant amount of stress. To the Gilded Mark, there is a particular note of resentment, which she mostly seems to ignore and focuses on staying close to the carnival folk. The Starlight, the Whirling Rainbow, and a few other Summerland Fae have come along, and they all hold back as the Summer Maiden discusses things with the Queen privately. In general, the Court Fae eye the carnival with a mixture of curiousity and disgust. ► TOUGH CROWD: There are dozens of Summer Court Fae here that no one will have seen before. They mill about the room as if this is an uncomfortable formal engagement, eyeing up the Maiden's entourage an gossiping with one another. The opinions they hold of the situation vary wildly - some seem more of the attitude that the Court would be better off if the Summer Maiden were to die and be replaced, where others are openly optimistic and excited about the potential of reparations being made. You are free to make up/NPC any of these fae as long as they aren't doing anything radical, like trying to break the Elysium. Some of them will treat the visitors as threats, while others may even attempt to ask them questions about the situation. ► ACCOMMODATIONS: There is food and drink provided while negotiations endure. Normally you may want to be cautious about accepting this kind of thing, but given that it's part of Elysium, they are obligated to not harm any of those present. So, if you want, you will be able to enjoy faerie ales and other luxury foods that have the capability of being distractingly tantalizing to mortals with low self control. If you need some space, you are free to go back out to the courtyard where you arrived. There are few fae out there, but it is still covered by the Elysium. Take some time to settle in - this could take a while, and there's sure to be drama before it's over. Later on, there will be public discussion.

Comments

⇨ SUMMER COUNCIL (MEGATHREADS)

[npcarnival]

Not too much longer after the Rose Queen's interruption, but long enough that people can get in their arguments and discussion, the Maiden and Queen will conclude their talk. They stand at the foot of the throne together, regarding the rest of the assembly and silently demanding their attention.

"The Summer Maiden and I have spoken long of days past and days still ahead. We have concluded that there is the hope for the two splintered halves of the Summer Court to reunite - but it is not without compromises. Before any changes can be made, we first must rise to meet our mutual enemy... the Huntsman of the Wyld and the Winter Queen herself."

"This is no small movement," the Queen goes on, above the murmurings of the crowd. "To declare all out war on the Huntsman, and by proxy the Winter Court, could shake the very foundations of Arcadia, and the multiverse with it. As such, I am not prepared to act upon these warnings without full witness testimony, and the understanding of the Court. As so it is you, Wyld Kin, that I ask for the truth. What is worth the upheaval of our civilization?"

She spreads her hands to the assembled carnival folk, the High Fae of the Summer Court watching at her sides.

"Speak before us now."


[OOC: Much like the Summerlands Council, multiple threads can be branched off of this starting one, with people delivering testimonies and arguments the court. You can reply to add to other people threads, and NPCs will respond as well.]

⇨ the heart of the matter

[lmpatientdefense]

"Summer Queen, Summer Maiden, and all of the Court," Beau says, looking a semicircle around the gathered people before fixating back on the Summer Queen's face. "Ideally, you will resolve this without going to war. But what we've seen and heard tells us, war is coming to you, either way."

"What you're choosing now isn't whether to believe that Winter has hoarded iron - your ancient weakness, kept in spite of all your treaties. It isn't whether to believe that the Winter Court secretly captured, tortured, and experimented on one of your own - or whether they would, if given the opportunity, do so again. We have proof of these things."

"What you're deciding is how you'll respond to the threat. And, believe me," she says with a forced, casual laugh, "it's easier to fight a war that you've prepared for, than a surprise war, where you're always on the defensive. What's worth the upheaval of your civilization? Keeping your civilization, when people are plotting against it."

[npcarnival]

The Queen's eyebrows raise, and there is some murmuring in the crowd. She doesn't seem completely surprised, but she's a bit surprised.

"In what context was this iron found?" she says. "The Winter Court utilizing iron against their fellow fae would be nigh impossible. Iron refuses to bend to our will, even as tools and weapons."

[lmpatientdefense]

"This iron was found in the stronghold of the Mother of Invention, experimenter for the Winter Court. She had a stash of iron in her labs - a mix of rough blades, and smaller fragments, for testing on the mortals and changelings in her charge."

A polite way of saying, the people that MoI had kidnapped and changed so they'd also be more vulnerable to the metal. The idea that mortals might deserve any agency or respect from the fae's still too much of a sticking point between the Summer monarchs to be worth harping on.

"This wasn't a single piece," Beau instead emphasizes, "found by chance, for some idle curiosity. This was a collection, intentionally gathered over time, for reasons I can only assume were nefarious."

She glances towards the others, those with more scientific background and those with the stored memory, for backup.

[npcarnival]

"Stockpiling iron is usually thought to be forbidden," the Summer Queen says. "Yet, somehow... I do not doubt your words. The Mother of Invention has always been a dangerous and uncouth being. Is there any reason to think that her corruption touches the rest of her Court? It would be simple to conclude that her experiments were independent from her Queen."

Huntsman is a Traitor

[chronosynthesis]

"Because they are as much a threat to you."

Syrlya steps forward then, looking to Ignatius for a moment before he sets his attention square on the Summer Queen and Maiden.

"When the Hunt pursued us, Ignatius attempted to reason that himself and those who were under contract with him to be spared as members of the Summer Court, who should not have been his target. Instead, his hunters were set to tear him apart limb by limb. He would have been killed by the Huntsman's ilk under his direct watch had the Mother of Invention not wanted to take Ignatius for her own ends along with us. And he gave Ignatius up to her easily."

"As well, the Huntsman killed the Ringmaster, whom you know as the Great Beast, with a black snake that turned to a spear--and it only took a single hit. He chanted something about winter and shadows... but it seems unlikely that he received that from the Mother of Invention if it can defeat the Ringmaster so swiftly, doesn't it? The Maiden seemed to believe it must have come from the Winter Queen herself. She has loose ends to clean up that know she orchestrated the entire murder of the previous Queen, after all, in her bid for the throne."

"If the Huntsman will trade your people to the Winter Court while armed by them, how long will it be before it is actively turned against you?"

[npcarnival]

The Maiden glances up at the Queen, nodding to confirm that the weapon being from the Winter Queen directly was her suspicion. The Summer Queen considers that before speaking.

"It would be unlike the Huntsman to imprison a captive," she says. "Only to enslave or kill. He has no use for anything he can't control. Was Ignatius handed to the Mother of Invention as a part of a contract? Was it said what his life was in exchange for?"

She speaks impartially, despite the graphic information. Words may be too abstract for it to break through her practiced exterior.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya expects poise from royalty. A reaction isn't exactly what he hopes for as much as actual agreement and action.

"Nothing," Syrlya shrugs. "After his hunters left Ignatius too wounded to move, the Mother of Invention asked if she could have him. The Huntsman said that he laid no claim to Ignatius, and she could do what she would like. Those in the carnival were the original bargain, that she could have us while he took away the Ringmaster himself."

Syrlya glances back briefly. "Some of us witnessed the entire altercation, including Ignatius' request to simply leave with his charges and return to his own Court. If you would like we can share that memory directly with you so that you may hear the Huntsman's words yourself."

[anti_nonsense]

It's here that Rita steps forward, holding up a single gold coin to show the Queen and her Court.

"I've used an enchantment to imprint some of my memories into this coin. They can be viewed simply by touching it." She holds out her palm with the coin rested atop it, as if to offer it. She waits to see if and how the Queen would prefer to receive it. Rita might not be all that familiar with courtly proceedings, but she knows well enough not to waltz up to a ruler without being invited to do so.

"Included are what I witnessed of the fight with the Huntsman... his rejection of the Summer Court, the precise method he used to kill the Ringmaster, and the manner in which the Mother of Invention took Ignatius as her prisoner." Those are the parts Rita expected the Summer Court to be most interested in, after all.

The Mother of Invention managed to weaponize the Void

[atouts]

Childermass will offer a retelling of the final battle with the Mother of Invention, as someone who managed to watch it from the outside. He will make particular note of how she used the Void against them during this time, which, based on how he has seen the fae act towards mortals touched by Creation or the Void themselves, seems unusual for the High Fae.

She ran experiments regarding the Void and he can only assume she applied her findings to herself as much as she could. Even before the carnival ever ran afoul of her, he suspects, considering how much of the Void's Darkness she was able to command.

[npcarnival]

The Queen will explain that while it's not unheard of for Winter Court to tamper with the Void, that sounds more extensive than they have had previous experience with. She will ask if they have any physical evidence of her Void experimentation, though she will be giving Childermas a particularly focused look when she does.

[scientificist]

Herbert takes a moment of consideration, as there were other people who went through Void experimentation, but inevitably, he does remove his fancy Summerland jacket and walk forward from his previous station behind a refreshments table. Once he's properly visible, he rolls up one of his shirt sleeves and pulls off the long black glove he's wearing to show off the near entirety of one of his void metal arms.

(He'll admit to himself a small amount of satisfaction at being unsettling to fae.)

He explains that while he was previously touched by the Void, the Mother seemed to have experimentation ready to access it, and tap into it with this particular metal. He doesn't go into depth on his reagent, but he does point out that the substance she was able to replace his blood with indicates she has prior experience working with the Void. She was aware of how to balance the Void against regeneration on her first try when replacing his arms.

[atouts]

And there's a long, drawn-out moment where Childermass has what is, essentially, a staring contest with the Queen because he knows that she already knows. Any faerie in this room can tell, he's sure, same as the ones from the Summerlands could. It's just before it might start to be considered rudeness — cutting it rather close but still — that he'll answer.

"She used several of us in more recent experiments with the Void," he admits. He nods towards Herbert as he comes forward and adds, "Myself included. She..." He'll falter for a second or two before squaring his jaw and forging on ahead in the most disinterested voice he can muster. "The experiment involved injecting some essence of the Void directly into my heart, enough that I am able to tap into it to fuel Void magic of my own now."

There's also the useless Void blood wings but, honestly, he hasn't figured out how those work and he isn't about to ruin his clothes trying.

Winter Queen's Hecked Up

[whattaprick]

Once the majority of the Carnival's evidence is out of the way, Lambert will step forward again, mainly to relate the main points of Joker's encounter with the Winter Queen's vision in the Athenaeum. He'll briefly explain the nature of the Athenaeum means that this vision of the Queen must be rooted in events that really happened. Based on how she addressed the Carnival member she encountered, his best guess is that she thought she was speaking to Frost, who also claimed to be a witness to the Queen being killed by the Beast.

He'll offer to share the exact vision through Rita's magic, if desired, though he'll also add his own thoughts, reluctantly.

"The way the Winter Maiden talked seems to line up with the idea that she was impatient, but she still thought she was saving more people by using the Beast," he begins, "But obviously, that wasn't what happened when she took the throne. Whatever her goals were, she's lost sight of them now."

The witcher looks to the Summer Maiden, frowning, then admits: "I'm not sure about how power between Queen and Maiden works. All I know is that a Maiden killing a Queen to take her place hasn't happened before ... which means it doesn't make sense to treat it like the same fight it's always been. Whatever's driven the Winter Queen to be like this, it needs to stop."

[npcarnival]

The Maiden takes her turn observing Joker's memory, her face falling with disappointment and sadness when she witnesses it, but not exactly shock.

"Frost..." the Summer Maiden will say aloud as soon as he's mention, frowning and falling into deep thought. She's obviously familiar. "Frost had been a personal servant of the previous Queen, but... I did notice that as time went on, he spent more and more time around the Maiden. The Ringmaster told me that he had been there to help her access the Queen's throne room during the assassination..."

"Complications aside, I see that the Great Beast did willfully contribute to the death of the late Winter Queen," the Summer Queen says, with a note of suspicion to her tone. "Which is as we understood it."

"Yes," the Maiden says, somewhat impatiently. "But it should be no surprise to us that a Wyld Fae would strike back against the Courts, with our history of cruelty against them. She was given a method and encouragement by the Winter Maiden. From her perspective, this was the only way to secure the safety of our followers..."

"As I recall, it started a war," the Summer Queen says. "One that resulted in the extermination of many of her own kind. In her name, no less."

The Maiden casts the Queen an unappreciative glare.

"She is aware of her mistakes. She was ignorant, but so was the Court."

Perhaps their private conversations has aspects that were not completely resolved.

[chronosynthesis]

"But there is a difference in the responsibility between a soldier and a general." He gestures to the coin. "Would you not say that is clear proof that the Winter Queen was in fact playing around the Ringmaster and the Summer Maiden to achieve her own goals? Of course the Ringmaster acted willingly, but the Winter Queen manipulated all the stakes to make it possible, so she could ascend."

He glances around the throne room. "And some of you suspected as much, did you not? But instead of confronting the Winter Queen's responsibility in the murder and war, she has been allowed to reap her spoils and expand her power uncontested. Do you think she is going to stop before it reaches your doorstep?"

[npcarnival]

"I would not consider proof in the form of a storyteller's visions undeniable," the Queen says. "While it seems to fit our understanding of events, we have no way of fully understanding the mechanisms of the Athenaeum you describe. Surely, you must understand that we can only take this information with a grain of salt."

"As for the Winter Queen, it is presumptuous to assume that her expansion went uncontested. Ignatius himself could have plainly told you otherwise... though I am not surprised that he refrained." She glances at Ignatius as she speaks, who looks away in turn. "Since the ascension of this Winter Queen, political relations between Courts have been especially volatile. With our numbers divided, we have been in no place to make demands."

Balance of the Courts

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's not very talkative as people detail the dangers of the Huntsman and the Winter Queen, and everything in Polaris. Partly it's that some of them have more direct experience and a more valuable testimony. The other part is his uncertainty if he wants to appeal for change with war.

He waits until the end, when every other topic tapers off before he speaks up. "I... I have something else I want to ask about. About the Courts."

He takes a deep breath before moving forward to address the Summer Queen, giving a respectful bow before continuing. "About changing your civilization. You're worried about a war, but... aren't you already in one?"

"I know the Fae believe that the Courts have to balanced to the whole universe falls apart. That's why you take over worlds, for the power in them. And then the people in those worlds get hurt, and your people get hurt fighting with them and the Winter Court! You're both trying to get more power, but neither of you can actually win. The suffering that happens trying to stay balanced by fighting each other won't end, either."

He spreads his hands wide. "I know something has to be done about the Winter Queen and the Huntsman's actions, first. But is continuing to war and conquer with each other really the best way to try and keep things in order?"

[npcarnival]

At this, the Summer Queen subtly seems to stick up her nose. Questioning her entire way of doing things isn't something that seems to sit well, but that's probably no surprise.

"We would require the full cooperation of the Winter Court before any more pacifistic efforts would ever have the chance of sustaining Arcadia..." she says, doubtfully. "The Courts have struggled for dominance since the beginning of time. Wishful thinking will not change that."

[hippocarnival]

"I know, but... not trying won't change it either." He looks to Ignatius then, not openly asking for support but hoping, just a little, for some sort of faith in this. Or at least an anecdote about how the balance of winter and summer court in him feels like.

"And I know it won't be easy, because you've been fighting for so long. But I thought, looking at the Miracles... didn't bringing both sides together make something special?"

[npcarnival]

Ignatius will meet Yuya's glance, but he seems pretty cowed - like the pressure of being in the Court again has made him afraid to speak up. There's a softness to his expression that makes it seem like he wants to, but speaking against the Queen is obviously very difficult for him.

Especially when he kind of has an awkward tie into the magic of the Miracles now, too.

⇨ Taking the Stand

[npcarnival]

At some point, Ignatius will finally take the chance to speak. He'll allow the carnival to all say their pieces first, feeling more and more apprehensive about stepping up the longer he absorbs the Court atmosphere. In the end, it won't stop him, however. He steps to the front of the group, and all eyes fall on him.

It feels terrible.

He delivers the tale of his captivity and escape from Polaris with the distance of a military report. For the most part, he is confirming information that others have already said, with only brief diversions to emphasize the threat to the Summer Court. It's clear that his heart is in this, that much of his inspiration comes from a simple desire to see his home and family safe.

"...In her time alone with me," he explains, with trepidation, "the Mother of Invention seemed to take particular sadistic pleasure in punishing a member of the Summer Court. It was not personal to me in specific... only the idea that she could seek vengeance for what she considered to be the Summer's arrogance. I'm certain now that she would have happily done the same to any Summer Fae that she could get her hands on, an attitude that was being supported by her Queen."

"She attempted to use her technology to... to infect my soul with the power of the Winter Court, with a relentlessness she hoped would force my body to assimilate it. She was trying to blend the elements, like the Miracles themselves, and she was using samples from those touched by them to do it. Her attempts her unsuccessful, and it was only the power of Creation that brought my body back into balance. A power we had access to only due the fact that Peridot already had the favour of Creation."

He falls silent for a moment, reflecting upon it all. It's obviously difficult for him to talk about.

"...For the first time since the Queens of Light and Darkness, the magic of the Courts has been combined anew... and it's within me. At times it has felt like nothing but a curse, to have the magic of Winter, but... it can't only be that. Does it not seem odd that the power of Creation would return in the hands of a mortal, instead of the Summer Court itself? Those who would call themselves the first of Creation's children...? That I would receive its power, but only due to the care and trust of those that we would rule over with so little regard?"

"Maybe I have simply gone mad," he says, with an uneasy laugh. "But... I can't help but think that we have treated the life in this universe with such carelessness, that Creation would no longer speak through us. It gave our Queens the power to sew the seeds of the universe, but all we've done is destroy the fruit of our own labour. Shouldn't we take pride in the diversity of life that our presence has created, instead of being envious of its wealth? Should we not care for the beings that are Arcadia's own children?"

"My Queen," he says, sounding helplessly vulnerable. "You have always been so kind to me. It was the gift of your own power that brought me to life, and I know full well that everything you have done has been for the safety and power of the Summer Court. It is because of this compassion and strength that I want to believe that the Summer Court can be more than Winter has forced it to become. That we can reclaim our birthright as the children of Light and Life."

[npcarnival]

The reaction to Ignatius's plea is... uncomfortable. Both to witness, and evidently for those judging to experience. Some courtiers seem outright offended, while others seem uncertain and pensive. Many look to the Queen directly for her thoughts.

At first, the Summer Queen struggles to look at him. She is silent, while the Summer Maiden looks to her expectantly, obviously agreeing with her kin's words. Finally, after what is obviously a very painful silence for Ignatius, the Queen speaks.

"You ask much of me, Ignatius," she says solemnly. "Some would consider your words heretical."

Ignatius inclined his head, looking to the floor.

"Just as my Queen, I speak only with the future prosperity and greatness of the Summer Court in my heart," he says.

"...I have heard enough," she says, moving to retake her seat at the throne. "I will take this time to think. You may return to your affairs as I consider."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya, like the Summer Maiden, feels firm support with his position. As Ignatius talks, he offers him a brief smile whenever he catches his gaze. Otherwise, though, Yuya chooses to return to silence in the discussion.

Not everyone takes well to Ingatius' stance any more than they took to the Summer Maiden's, but the Queen's lack of firm support is disheartening. Especially to mark the end of the discussion on Ignatius' statement.

Yuya furrows his brow, raising his hand and looking at Ignatius like he wants to offer him reassurance--he stops just short of actually reaching him, though.

⇨ Conclusion

[npcarnival]

Everyone will be left to wait and mingle for what could be hours, though the time that passes will vary between individuals. During that period, the Summer Queen will speak with the Maiden again, as well as several of her Courtiers. A while into the pause, she will also ask Ignatius up to speak to her privately, though he isn't quick to share the contents of the discussion afterward. He mostly seems very overwhelmed by all of this.

Most of the time, though, will be spent with the Summer Queen alone and quietly observing those in her throne room. Much like the Summer Maiden, she is hard to read when it comes to her deeper emotions, so it's not clear what direction she is leaning until the very end.

Finally, she stands, lifting her hands to gain the attention of everyone waiting.

"I have made my decision," she announces her voice level and firm. "From the information presented to the Court, I find that the need to intercept the Winter Queen's plans are irrefutable - starting with keeping the Queen's Miracles out of the Huntsman hands." She falls silent for a moment, a hesitant sadness in her voice as she speaks next: "There are many disagreements to be had between the halves of our Court, but Summer will never be fit to defy the Winter unless we find a way to overcome them."

"There will be a time in the future to discuss justice, and to decide the true destiny of our Court. Now is the time we must take action. I ask for the aid of the Summer Maiden, and of the Great Beast's kin, to bring an end to this chapter of Arcadia's legacy. Go forth, and you will have the Summer Court's support."

It's clear from the moment she finishes speaking that not everyone is happy about this - some Court Fae can't seem to believe what they are hearing. Beyond that, though, there are others that wear expressions of profound relief. Clearly, the Summerlands aren't the only ones wishing for change.