Log:Spring Retreat: September

Spring Retreat: September
"Eat. Drink. Be merry."
Participants Agnes, Pilar, Cian, Regina, Reggie, Etsy, Billy Ray and Isolde	2017.09.03 Isolde hosts the second Spring Court retreat for 2017. Fun times to be had!
Location Fair Weather Falls
The Spring Retreat had been a weekend long event at a pretty posh getaway called Fair Weather Falls. The same place that the retreat was held earlier this year. People could have arrived whenever they wanted to during that time. Rooms were free, as was the food and drink. That included the alcohol. Basically it was a weekend away from the rigors of everyday life and to sit back and relax. Or indulge. It all depended on the person's preference. The weekend was ending with a casual meeting of the Springs and any of the Goodwill holders that had decided to come to the weekend away. Dinner was a buffet affair that people could partake of and then have a seat at the table that's been set up outside on the patio of the main cabin. Isolde is seated at the table already and sipping from a glass of wine that she's procured for herself. The doctor doesn't always have weekends open so she wanted to share her joy in having a few days off with her fellow courtiers. There's a smile as people start arriving, "If everyone wants to get something to eat or a drink and have a seat. Thank you all for coming out this weekend." she states with a radiant smile. Regina pretty much only just arrived in the area, so it's fortunate that she even found out that this retreat thing was going on. Etsy probably told her, or something. It's not like she's one to pass up an opportunity go sample (or devour) food, and the chance to meet people is also definitely appealing, so she shows up for the dinner, fills three plates with a good deal of everything, and then takes all of them (with a bit of skillful balancing) to a seat at the table. "Why wouldn't I come?" she asks with a big, gregarious, and rather frighteningly toothy smile. "Aside from if I hadn't found out about it in time, or I was out of town, or something like that, it's a great opportunity to meet some people. Speaking of which, I'm Regina Hazard, I'm a Spring courtier if the mantle wasn't already a giveaway, and I'm a Knight of the Knowledge of the Tongue. I just got to the area this week." Valid or not, there is a stereotypical image of a Spring -- charming, sociable, perhaps hedonistic. Some use these characteristics for good! Some use them for ill. But no matter their intent, they tend to be creatures of the Id. Agnes? Weeeell. There are the black sheep in every bunch, right? She can be counted as one of them. Many here are dressed in finery; she is not. Olive-green rain boots. Rolled up trousers. A shirt so wrinkled that the creases have creases. Her drab, mossy hair is pulled back in a ponytail that doesn't even get minimal marks for effort. Little white mushrooms spring up where she walks -- except when she is near the strongest mantles -- and the air around her wafts of organic rot. The grumpy Wizened makes her way to the buffet line, shoving a few things onto a plate before the set up is cleared away; she missed dinner, possibly by design. Stuffing food into her mouth like a squirrel storing nuts for winter, she is employing a tactic that makes it impossible for her to speak to anyone without spraying crumbs in their face. Trudging over to an empty seat, she plops herself down there -- womanspreading -- and eye-twitches at anyone who might sit too close. Pilar has been around for most of the weekend, but has spent as much time staying out of sight as socializing with everyone else. While Spring might be full of sociable, outgoing, extroverted people for the most part, Pilar is definitely not any of those things even if she's still certain that Spring is where she belongs. At the same time, Pilar isn't opposed to spending time with people, and doesn't even have a problem socializing with them when she does. Just not all the time for a whole weekend. Dinner? Dinner she can do. The diminutive clockwork wizened comes out of hiding for the buffet table, where she quietly serves herself a plate of food, trying a tiny bit of everything, and then silently makes her way to the table to take a seat. She looks up and down the table at the others there, settles her gaze on Regina for the ogre's introduction, and then looks at Isolde. "Thank you for putting this together," she says in Spanish accented English. "Since I know I don't know all of you, I'm Pilar." Isolde gives a grin, "I just like to thank everyone. Time is a valuable thing these days and I know that sometimes it's nice to know that you're appreciated for making an effort." the Bright One states. Then there's a smile to Regina, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Isolde Garreau, Master Goldspinner and Sylvan Emissary." she offers in way of introduction. There is a smile given to Agnes, though with her shoving food in her face she doesn't want to interrupt her. Then she looks to Pilar as she introduces herself and she smiles, "It's something I enjoy doing. While I usually hold it once a year I figured the holiday weekend would be a great time to hold a second one." she admits. "And it's nice to meet you, Pilar. We've got a lot of new faces coming into town. It's a good thing." she admits. The sneakthief's been about, drifting between things as a Wisp ought to. Cian's dress has been simple, loose sweaters in varying shades of grey as well as britches to match. Usually bare footed, so much for modesty or fancy dress. He's made sure to introduce himself to everyone and sundry through whisper or sign language, which ever is convenient. He is Cian, that's all that really gets shared beyond his constant Mantle that washes in motes of shadow stuff and the scent of rut. Silence washes in his wake most times, turning the volume down on the world behind him. Like a cat he seems to gravitate towards the person he will annoy the most. That's right miss grumpy Spring, the quiet Spring is trailing after you like a haunting ghost. Big dark eyes staring around at the buffet as, ignoring food for the moment. Womanspreading or not, the lanky pale creature able to still manage the seat beside her without touching. Also remaining quiet so she doesn't have to spray bread at him. His gaze wanders over the others and he waves when he catches the sight of someone new. Regina is a large person, and even for her size her mouth is disproportionately big. She was modeled after a leopard seal, after all, and they do have big mouths. That's the only possible explanation for how she manages to put away an entire plate of food in the time that it takes to have the brief conversational exchange that has happened so far, and she has already started on the second. "Ah!" she replies after swallowing another bite. "Well, I think I've made more of an effort than I have, arraging this. Do you want me to cater the next one? This food is pretty good, but I suspect that I could do better. Then again, I'm not sure if they'd allow me to take over their kitchens." She turns her toothy smile on Pilar and says, "hi there! Nice to meet you. And you two as well," she says, her big brown seal eyes looking at Cian and Agnes. "Well, assuming that I happen to find out who you are, which would probably be a pre-requisite of meeting and not just seeing." She shrugs then, like it's okay with her either way, and returns to devouring food. Pilar quietly looks around at everyone again, then pipes up with a bit more in the way of introductions. "I'm a Pilgrim of the Endless Road, and a member of the Full-Automated Luxury Queer Space Communism motley. Or Space Communists, if you reasonably feel the need to shorten it." The tiny, clockwork woman is wearing jeans, a black v-neck tee, and a flannel shirt over that with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. She's not really one for fancy dress either, much like a many of the other Springs who seem to have turned up. "I would be happy to help you in the kitchen," she adds to Regina, almost eagerly, like the idea of helping someone do something productive is the most entertaining idea she's heard all day. Oh god lord. Agnes slides a sidelong glance over at Cian as the wisp takes up a seat near her, pausing in mid-chew to form a scowl. She slings an arm protectively around her plate -- MINE! -- in case he gets an ideas about 'sharing'. Not going to happen! If he's hungry, he can get his own damn plate: that is what her body language is telegraphing. She starts to say something to him but her mouth is still at 90% capacity so she just ends up puffing out a spray of soggy crumbs. She holds up a finger -- hang on a sec. She chews -- nom nom nom. She swallows and starts over: "Don't get any ideas, buster." The Wizened slides her plate away from Cian and snorts faintly before turning her attention to .. "Holy shit, you are enormous." This is said to Regina, Agnes' eyes going up, up, up, still going uuuuup until she finally reaches the woman's face. Grabbing a piece of bread, she gnaws on it thoughtfully as she considers Ogre. Is she .. is she going to introduce herself? Eventually, she does although it lacks a smile. "Agnes." That's it. Just Agnes. Now, Agnes /has/ been around for a bit, just over a year. But she has mostly kept to herself; does anyone know her? Maybe. But probably not. Cian blinks upwards at Regina when she speaks and calls him out in particular. There's a slight fading of his cheeks in the heat of what might be a blush, do Wisps blush? He does. The tall woman is looked up...up...and up at until he meets the jaws and big brown eyes. She's given a partial smile, quirked some before turning to look over at Agnes. Her warnings only get a Puckish smile in return, the Wisp not promising anything. Conditions being what they are and all. Looking back up to Regina he offers a polite nod and strains his throat to manage a word above a whisper, "Cian," that's it as well. He's not being curt, it just clearly hurts him to talk louder than volume 2/11. Reggie is late to the party, but he makes up for it by sheer shmaltz. He's dressed in a red crushed velvet smoking jacket, complete with an ascot around the neck and a white monogram kerchief in his breast pocet. He's wearing satin lounge pants and open toed slippers that let his tiny toe claws breathe. His hair is roguishly mussed, and a pair of aviator glasses rests on his nose. He's even carrying a cognac glass in his hand to accompany the cigar in his teeth; really driving the look home. He waddles in as though his waddle were a swagger. It is very much not. But don't tell him that. "Good evening, wondrous friends!" Isolde gives a look over to Cian and Agnes when Regina looks to them and calls them out with the introductions. "It's nice to meet you, Agnes and Cian." she tells them with a warm smile and a dip of her head. Then there's a look to Reggie as he arrives and there's a smile, "Good evening. Come on and join us." she motions to those that are just getting in. "Hah!" Regina's laugh is like the barking of a seal, which makes sense given what she looks like. "That I am, Agnes. And this isn't even my final form!" She does not seem to be offended by the obvious being pointed out about her, and takes it in stride. "Nice to meet you all." To Pilar, who said more to her than the others, she says more as well. "I wouldn't object to some help." Then Reggie arrives and her wide mouth breaks into an oversized smile. "Reggie Danger! Aren't you looking sharp." "Sharp as an ant's rapier, my dear. Delightful to see you. My aren't you a Wagnerian dream made reality." Reggie waddle-swaggers towards Regina, swirling his cognac in his glass as he does so. Once he's reached the seal', he dips the tip of his cigar in his drink and returns it to his mouth. There's a broad smile, which causes the light to catch on one of his teeth with a glint, followed by an audible *ting*. "Making friends, are we? You should introduce me around, I'm sure they're dying to meet me." Pilar quietly nodes when told by Regina that it would be alright for her to help, and she turns her literally wooden expression toward Reggie when he comes ini. She briefly looks him over, gives him the faintest hint of a smile, and says, "good evening to you as well." It's possibly the least lively group of Spring courtiers ever, with a few notable exceptions. Isolde gives a smile to everyone as she looks over them, "So did everyone have fun this weekend?" she asks. "I know some were not able to attend the whole weekend but that's how life goes sadly." she admits with a soft frown. "Anything that you didn't like or that I need to report to management?" she asks. Then there's a look to Regina, "If you'd like to cook next time I'd be fine with that. We can actually rent the kitchen." she offers. "I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean. Hah!" Regina says, but since she's laughingabout it she doesn't seem to be bothered by her own ignorance. "I'm glad to introduce you, though. My new friends, this is Reginald H. S. Danger of the Sacred Band of the Golden Standard, Captain of the Adventure, and an all around fine gentleman." Who would have guessed that Regina Hazard and Reggie Danger would be friends? Probably anyone who knew them. "Reggie, this is," and she gestures to people as she introduces them. "Isolde, our lovely host. Agnes, Cian, and Pilar." She gives Isolde a grin. "Perfect. There's rarely a time when I wouldn't love to cook." Etsy arrives from Temp RP Rooms. See? If there was a recruitment poster for Spring, Reggie would be on it. Not Agnes. Not the sour-faced mushroom lady. The Wizened, after gawping at Regina, has gone back to eating her plateful of food and squinting narrowly at the other people here. Even Cian! Who actually seems to know her. People chit-chat. Folks make friends. Springs create connections. Not this one. Newp. She watches. She waits. She eats her bread. Isolde gives a dip of her head to Reggie, "It's nice to meet you, Reggie." she tells him. Then to Regina, "I own a fine dining restaurant if you'd ever like to come in and use the kitchen or anything, feel free." she offers. There's a beep somewhere close to the women and she digs around in her purse until she pulls out a red beeper. There's a sigh, "Excuse me, I need to call the hospital." she offers as she stands and heads for a corner to speak privately. A siren is heard and not seen. At least, at first. The singing comes before the tiny mermaid. Etsy came up to the spring retreat with Reggie, left to go deal with some Greenie business, and now is back. She drifts into the room, the sound of her humming some sort of big-band tune, something Sinatra-ish, if not indeed Sinatra, well preceding her, as one would expect from, well, a siren. A tiny bit of pretty flotsam in layers of thrift-store dresses, tatty silk slippers, she hums to herself as she drifts -- like a that bit of flotsam caught in a particularly strong current -- right toward Reggie, whose free hand she takes up with both of her own, and spins herself around to the rhythm of the song in her pretty little head. "My true thanks to our most gracious hostess. Thank you so much, Isolde. It's been lovely, getting away from my life of leisure to this leisure life. A transition as smooth as a baby dolphin's bottom after a hot shave and lanolin scrub." Which is probably quite smoothe. "And very good to meet you as well, Pilar. Aren't you fully reticulated. Marvelous! And Agnes. Hello. Enjoying your bread, I hope?" And lastly there's Cian. About whom Reggie manages a cheerful, "Ha! Look at you! Good to meet you." There's even a toast of his cognac glass to be had. He then seemlessly spins Etsy about, passes his cognac off to Regina, and winds up leading Etsy into a few dance steps. "Hello, my water lily. Fancy meeting you here. Have you met everyone? Regina was just introducing me." Billy Ray arrives fundamentally and unfashionably late - he's pulling a cooler behind him with Bud on ice, Coke and atop the cooler a peach pile and in a container with dry ice, vanilla ice cream. He's talking to a phone pushed against his ear and his shoulder as he drags. "Look Phil, ah'm already two hours late to this thing on accounta these meetins'. It's simply, y'all got y'selves a materials issue. Now ah did some digging while y'all were blabbing. Check the Gun Tube M3 Symposium, oh twelve. It talks about fabricatin' silicon nitride based ceramics with in-situ rifling fer a barrel liner. They used it on the one oh seven," he says before pausing and listening, "Overcoat it with titanium, Phil. Look, yer the lead scientist fella with the fancy titles. Jes' don't call me 'till y'got a dadgum barrel that won' fracture under testin. Uh huh. Ayep." he says before he hangs up, grumbling as he pulls the cooler in. "Dadblasted guv'mint scientist Ivy league asshole folk," he mutters under his breath. Isolde gives a smile to the incoming and there's a wave to Etsy and to Billy Ray as she comes back, "Good evening you two. I am sorry that I cannot stay longer but there's an emergency at the hospital and I'm the closest trauma doctor." she frowns at that. "Please. Eat, drink and be merry. Have a wonderful night." she wiggles her fingers at them as she heads out. Regina does take the offered glass of cognac from Reggie, but if he thought he might get the glass back with cognac in it he was sorely mistakken. It's not in her hand for five seconds before she has drained the contents of the glass and put it down on the table, then started in on the third plate of food she had in front of her. "Oh yes, Reggie. It's so very surprising to see Spring courtiers like our dear Etsy at a Spring event. Fancy that!" She rolls her eyes, though since they're just big brown eyes where you can't really distinguish their shape it's hard to tell, and she follows it with a barked. "Hah!" Then she grins at Agnes and Cian, the quietest of the quiet Springs, and asks, "so what do you to do? Aside from the usual things people do, like eating bread. And hello to you!" she calls Billy Ray. "You seem like you need a drink."