wynn: (| i will learn to survive.)
ƜуηηєfαƖѕнσηɗ ([personal profile] wynn) wrote in [community profile] knightsoflegend2012-02-10 10:24 am

feast & after-party ♔ empty my heart | i've got to make room for this feeling



Can't Take It In - Imogen Heap

WHO || Wynn, the new Squires, any and all Knights
WHAT || Squiring Ceremony Feast & Afterparty
WHERE || Knights Headquarters, the Dining Hall & Ballroom
WHEN || February 9th, 2012, 7:00PM / 9:00 PM
HOW || Prose OR Actionspam

While every dinner served in the Knights' exceptionally large Dining Hall manages to have a sense of occasion, given the sheer quantity of food necessary to serve the hundreds who take their meals there, the 'feast' Wynn's ordered for after this squiring party outdoes the norm. It's not a problem to produce so much food at the drop of the hat when mages can magically summon up entire banquets, and so the room teems over with the smells and spices of hundreds of unique dishes. Centerpieces built with peacock feathers and sweet smelling flowers dot the table at intervals. A silver cage in the very middle of the table includes several live birds, their feet and tufts each appearing to be silver as well. A banner hangs from the top of the cage, with the Knight's symbol of a black dragon on a silver field.

The food has a distinctly medieval flair to it today, which several of the older Shadowkind Knights express their boisterous appreciation for as they dive in. The first course consists of a civet of hare, a quarter of salted stag, a stuffed chicken and a loin of veal, the latter two covered with a German sauce with gilt sugar-plums and pomegranate seeds. At each end of the table is an enormous pie, surmounted with smaller pies, which form a crown. The crust of the large ones is silvered all round and gilt at the top; each contains a whole roe-deer, a gosling, three capons, six chickens, ten pigeons, and one young rabbit. Serving as seasoning or stuffing, a minced loin of veal, two pounds of fat, and twenty-six hard-boiled eggs, covered with saffron and flavoured with cloves.

A second course follows: aroe-deer, a pig, a sturgeon cooked in parsley and vinegar, and covered with powdered ginger; a kid, two goslings, twelve chickens, as many pigeons, six young rabbits, two herons, a leveret, a fat capon stuffed, four chickens covered with yolks of eggs and sprinkled with spiced powder de Duc, and even a wild boar.

Next came wafers and stars; a jelly, part white and part blue. A fourth course of cream with Duc powder, covered with fennel seeds preserved in sugar; a white cream, cheese in slices, and strawberries; and, lastly, plums stewed in rose-water.

Besides these four courses, there's a fifth, entirely composed of wines, and of preserves, which consist of fruits and various sweet pastries in the shapes of dragons.


---------------------------

Following this, assuming anyone is still capable of moving at all is the after-party:
a black-tie affair in the lavish, opulent ballroom, every new Knight's chance to mingle and meet some of their new brothers in arms. Per usual, a couple hours are provided following the feast for everyone to change, do hair and makeup, and choose from the vast array of formal attire in the closets of the balcony "dressing rooms" located at the top of spiraled staircases on either side of the ballroom. A separate dressing room exists for men and women, and they include full bathrooms (with, thankfully, very modern plumbing).

The squires are usually among the last to arrive, and the ballroom is full to the brim with a fancy array of people, of all shapes, sizes and species.

Hope none of you are shy. They're all here to meet you. 


All open feast threads should be made under the FEAST heading below. Any other threads below will be for the after-party. Feel free to make your own open threads for people to come congratulate your newly pledged knight.

attollores: (pic#2420314)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-26 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[She grabs two over-sized mugs, milk and a spoon, and the hot-cocoa mix from the cupboard while she waits for the water to boil. She pulls out her own chair across from him and sits, nodding her head.]

Y'know, I think that's something we should definitely bring up at the next all-staff meeting. It's a great cause for concern, not knowing if your fellow Knight would be willin' to sit and have a cup of hot cocoa with you or not. Just doesn't feel right. [She shakes her head in a dejected manner, but can't keep the smile from busting through again.]

Okay, so we've yet to establish what we really want for the Tongue. I guess that a pinata would be out of the question. [The pot lets out the first high-pitched notes of steam and she gets up to flick the stove off, mixing a cup up for each of them, making sure to add a good amount of milk to make it creamy.

She turns, proffering one towards Mark carefully, then setting her own down to cool a bit.
]

But I do have to say that I really like the pinata idea. Can't get it outta my head.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551896)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-26 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[He takes the cup gratefully] Thanks.

[And then looks down at it as it cools, thinking hard] You know, we should maybe writing all these down...

[because he already can't remember all the ones they've already said...] I'm sure we could find a way to make the pinata think work. Where there's a will...
attollores: (pic#2420107)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods her head, taking a sip of her cocoa to test the temperature, then sighs as the warmth of it rushes down to her belly.]

There is definitely a way! I'll just give my pinata guy a call tomorrow and have him make up a few. [She screws her nose up, looking around for a pen and paper but coming up with nothing.]

We should be writing this down, though I don't have my PDA on me at the moment. I have writing stuff in my room...
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551690)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
In your... [He stops himself, as if he can't even say the word, and then looks down at his cocoa again as if holds all the secrets of the universe]

Do you wanna, uh... go get those and I can... watch our hot chocolate?
attollores: (Orly?!)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Her eyebrows raise and she takes another drink of her cocoa, setting it down once more. Did he think she had plans to off him if he came to her room? She leans back, totally at ease and shakes her head lightly, a teasing smile playing on her lips.]

And leave ye here with my cocoa to drink it all for yourself? Ye just confessed how much you love it. I'm onto you, Sir. [She says this all in an overly-dramatic fashion like she's a detective and she's figured out the suspects motivation.]

Nah, I was just considering how mad it'd make Fede to have her bring it here. Definitely not mad enough that I'd leave my cocoa unattended!

[With that she turns her head away from him to try and conceal her eyes somewhat, not sure how he would take it. They flash gold briefly as she sends Fede the message to bring her tablet to the kitchen, then turns back to him slowly as they fade back to green once more.]

She'll be here in just a moment.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2324205)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[He totally misses the change in her eyes, awkwardly shifting his mug back and forth before taking a tiny sip and wincing at the heat of it. He blows on the liquid and looks back up at her, looking a little surprised] Your uh.... that's your bird, right?
attollores: (And your point is?)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[She nods, taking another sip of her drink.]

Aye, the very same. [A few seconds go by before Fede comes soaring into the room to land on the table between the two of them, Alainn's tablet in it's case still clutched in her talons. She looks up at Alainn and prawks, very obviously put out about having to bring it here.]

I know, I know I owe you one. Thank you love, you can go back to get your beauty sleep now. [Fede prawks again but instead of leaving the room she flies up to perch on top of the fridge, tucking her head inside of her wing.

Alainn shakes her head, then reaches for her tablet, taking it out and beginning to type quickly on the keypad.
]

Okay, so we have so far: One, scales for the Dragons Hide, check.


nosdacaraid: (pic#2551688)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Mark's eyes are fixated on the bird, even as she starts talking again. It takes a moment for him to blink and come back to the conversation.]

... Right! Scales.

... Or we could use like ... a set of scales, like those little balances. Get it? People love puns, right?
attollores: (pic#2420106)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[She follows his gaze up to Fede, then back again.]

That they do! I think I like that better than just a big...animal scale hanging out. Much less morbid looking. It could be something that has to do with "weighing their worth...blah blah blah."

[She types that in, then looks back up to him. She nods at Fede on the fridge, cocking her head to the side.]

Are ye bothered by her? I can send her out if ye like...
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551619)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
Oh no, no, no. [He waves a hand dismissively] She's fine. Just... big.

That's a... big bird.
attollores: (pic#2420086)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Aye, that she is, but she's gentle as a lamb... For the most part. Here, let me introduce you two.

[She chuckles, then lets out a shrill whistle. Fede lifts her head up imperiously, shaking out her feathers and stretching. Alainn holds her arm up and the bird flies down to it gracefully. She still looks a bit put out, but swivels her head in Mark's direction, cocking her head to the side much like Alainn had moments ago.]

See? She's a big love, really, she just has a big ego too. Her name's Fede.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551693)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Hey there, Fede. [He obviously doesn't know whether reaching forward is a good idea or not, so he just looks at her from his side of the table] ... Does it mean something?
attollores: (pic#2420144)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
She won't hurt ye, I promise. You can pet her if you'd like. [She extends her arm out towards him slowly so she won't startle him, smiling encouragingly. Fede just looks at Mark, head still cocked to the side curiously.]

Fede means "Faith" in Italian. I... when we came here I couldn't remember her name and neither could she. I guess perhaps she never had one, but I... [She pauses, remembering vividly landing here and not having a clue about who or what she was, but Fede had been there, more familiar to her than her own self. She hadn't wanted both of them to be nameless for so long as they had together, so her bird became her Fede.]

I didn't want both of us to be nameless. She was the only thing I knew, so when I learned this language I sought a word that represented what she was to me. [She smiles lovingly at Fede, reaching out her other hand to stroke her along the back with a single digit.]

Faith.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2369842)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Faith. [He smiles a bit at that, unable to help himself.] I like that. [He reaches out an index finger crooked towards her head very slowly, reaching for under her beak. (handle animal 13)]

Hey there, Fede... Who's a good bird?
attollores: (pic#2420178)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Fede turns her head regally to the side, allowing Mark to stroke under her chin, leaning into it after a few moments. She hops from Alainn's hand and onto the table between them, a bit closer to Mark so that he will keep lavishing her with attention.

Alainn picks the tablet up idly, not typing on it but watching the two of them interact with a soft smile on her face.
]

Aye, it suits her well enough. [When he talks to Fede she gives him a look that clearly translates as "Well of course I am." She nips playfully at his finger, hardly with enough pressure to even be felt. She seems completely content to allow Mark to stroke her as long as he is within reach.]

Do ye like animals much?

nosdacaraid: (pic#2369826)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-27 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Love 'em. But uh, don't really get to keep any... pets so much around here. I used to have a-- [And his enthusiasm seems to get away from him, his eyes bright and the smile coming easily as the bird noms on his finger, but he stops himself very suddenly.]

... A... dog. [It doesn't sound remarkably convincing] Just you know, your run of the mill... dog.
attollores: (pic#2420085)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-27 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[As his eyes light up with Fede and he begins to open up her smile grows with his words. Her face falls with his, her eyebrows furrowing just the slightest as she watches him back-track. She knew that wasn't what he'd meant to say, but why he would have to hide what kind of pet he used to have made no sense to her. It couldn't be about the animal itself, it was obviously something else. But by the lack of information she wouldn't be able to figure it out though she was curious, and concerned.

She knew exactly what it meant to be guarded, to have secrets even if no one else would really understand why they were kept. It wasn't her place to pry, as much as she wanted to, but she knew that more than likely it would only serve to push him even further away from her than he already was.

Her eyes fall, allowing him his moment, and when she replies her voice is guarded, tentative. She tries to convey with her mannerisms that she know's he isn't telling the whole truth and she is more than willing to listen if he wishes to talk about it, but she allows him his privacy by not coming right out with questions.
]

...Dogs are nice, I've heard. Good companions, though Fede there would argue she is a better listener. I've never really... pet a dog before. Guess that's something I'll have to try sometime, hmm?
nosdacaraid: (pic#2324204)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-28 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
[If he catches her silent invitation, it's not clear, because he's immediately distracted by her pronouncement, and does a double take, distracted from petting the bird] ... You're serious?

You've never met a dog?
attollores: (pic#2420255)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-28 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
[She gets a sheepish look on her face, shaking her head in the negative.]

I mean, I have seen dogs before, but it was always the neighbors mean little thing and no one could pet it aside from her, and Patty is allergic to them so we never had them in the house. And then Callum's dog was-- [And now it's her turn to choke on her words, her mouth moving as a few sounds come out. She quickly snaps it shut, looking down at her own mug and taking a quick sip.

She swallows it down, looking back up to him after a moment, then finishing her sentence.
]

Well, he was more of a hunting dog than a cuddler, he was. Not too nice, in the end.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551898)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-28 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
Didn't realize hunting dogs couldn't be friendly dogs, too. [Annnd he's going to change the subject now] ... Who's Patty?
attollores: (Thinking)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-28 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Changing the subject sounds like a good idea to Alainn right at this moment. She takes in a deep breath, looking down at her hands as she answers.]

She uh... Well, she's part of the family that took us in when we landed in Ireland. She's like a mother to me, I guess, though I haven't seen her in near-about four years.

[She looks back up at Mark when she realizes it doesn't hurt so terribly much to talk about Patty, and her smile grows warmer.]

She's the most wonderful person I've ever met. Now I realize I don't have too many years of memories to make a really good comparison some would say, but I don't need to. She is amazing.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2551689)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-02-29 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Mark watches her expression carefully as she talks about the woman, caught up in wondering what she's not saying.]

With some people, it doesn't take very long to draw that conclusion.
attollores: (And your point is?)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-02-29 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Her eyes flash to the table when he says that. She has a huge problem with getting caught up with other people very quickly. When she makes an opinion of someone, it is immediate and it very nearly never changes, and with Mark she had already begun to realize that her opinion of him was anything but neutral. She thought he was amazing too, but she also knew that telling him as much would more than likely scare him away.

Instead she kept them on this subject. He at least seemed interested in her story, so she would continue with that. She looks back up to him as she begins to talk again.
]

Aye, really the whole family was that way, all amazing people. It didn't take me long to realize just how lucky I was to have been found by them. It could have been so much worse had it been nearly anyone else in that area of Galway.
nosdacaraid: (pic#2552193)

[personal profile] nosdacaraid 2012-03-01 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
A whole family, even. A lot of people show up here with nobody at all. It must be kind of hard... leaving that behind to come here.
attollores: (pic#2420091)

[personal profile] attollores 2012-03-02 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
[She swallows, nodding and taking another sip of her cocoa. She had realized just how much having them meant to her once she joined the Knights, but she hadn't been able to admit it to herself until just recently. She'd certainly never spoken about it with anyone else but Fede, but she trusted Mark. She didn't know how she did, but wasn't going to argue with her gut feelings about him either.]

Aye. It was more painful than I had really... let myself realize until recently. They were the only thing I had known when I came to this world but I... [She swallows deeply again, fidgeting with her mug. She licks her lips nervously, then pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.] I messed up pretty badly before I left home. I didn't think they'd... want me to be there anymore. So I um...

...removed myself from the problem. I've only begun to realize just how much of a chicken I was. Still am, actually.

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