Log:Spring Retreat 2017
| Spring Retreat 2017 | |
|---|---|
"This was brilliant." | |
| Participants
Brittany, Crystal, Cardinal, Basil, Amber, Oberon, Ian, Isolde |
2017.05.28 Isolde Garreau hosts the Spring Retreat for 2017. |
| Location
Fair Weather Falls | |
| The Spring Retreat had been a weekend long event at a pretty posh getaway called Fair Weather Falls. 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. Oberon arrived a bit too early, set a chair aside from the table in a corner and there he sits and plays his violin to greet the other courtiers. He is executing 'Viva la Vida' in a very surprisinly way (Enchanting Performance) bring to everyone that listens his music intense joy. The Fairest has his Mask up, though. But it is still a very good view. An entire weekend free? Of course. Does it matter that Brittany can afford to do this on her own? Not at all. She takes full advantage of the offer of the free retreat. None of the food from the dinner buffet is taken, but she does partake of a drink before finding herself a place to sit outside, sighing contentedly. Even on vacation the sable deity was working. He was dressed to teh nines even in casual attire but only tot eh point of a nice shirt with the top collar unbuttoned and a saffron waistcoat with it, and, let's be honest someone ironed his blue jeans. Though the Fairest's mask was buttoned up tight there were elements that poked throuhg leaving fragments of small motes of constellations that spun idly around him like motes of dust ahnging in the air around him, and those eyes that could stare infinately past anything. One could only hide so much Wyrd and that gentrified stature so much. Still though for whatever reasons he had he joined his court on the retreat, Scotch in hand, and joined Brittany on the deck noting of Oberon's choice of music, "I swear some days I feel that should be my theme song." Amused tones from an implacable origin, but not bearing judgement. Amber may be relatively new to town and the freehold, but she's been here all weekend -- how better to get to know your fellow courtiers, after all? Business, and the stuffy attire that goes with it has been left at home; instead, she's been wearing sundresses at most when not taking to the nearest pool or hot tub in a bikini. Today's dress is a brilliant green that seems to have been picked out to match the bed of moss that grows beneath her feet as her mantle makes itself known in the world, her sile bright as she heads over to claim a drink before finding a place to sit. "And thank you, again, for inviting us all," she offers to their hostess. Some people can afford this kind of getaway. And others take shameless advantage. Here in the latter category, one Crystal Dorian -- the weathergirl on most weekends, but not on this one. She's got a plate that's more like a platter from the buffet, and a drink so shamelessly fruity and embellished that it simultaneously qualifies both as knockout drink AND fruit cocktail. Crystal's starry eyes are hidden by mirrored sunglasses, and even in a fairly modest tankini swimsuit, she's still wearing all her jewelry; rings, including the claddagh, a glass heart necklace, bangle bracelets. Shamelessly indulgent in the things she likes, though as one who's yet unsworn to the freehold and a fairly new face, there's definitely something a little watchful about her; she ends up parking somewhat cati-corner and behind Amber to watch the others. Cardinal can do posh. Just because she's decidedly not posh at the moment--tee shirt, cut off jeans, shiny rainbow leggings, chucks and gumball machine jewelery--doesn't mean she hasn't managed to look the part at least once this weekend. There's been at least one--very probably entirely unnecessarily--fancy dress this weekend. But now, she's wearing the same tee shirt she came in with, the one reading BAD CHOICES MAKE GOOD STORIES across the chest, perhaps in hopes of hearing what stories the crew's going home with today. Spying the buffet, she presses to her toes to kiss Ian's cheek before peeling away to set to work constructing an impressive dinner that a skinny thing like her almost certainly can't finish. Oh, but she's going to try! She fills her plate with popovers, turnovers, fried treats, chocolate-dipped fruits and way too many deserts before making her way out to join the others, her smile bright, her exceedingly pink drink waggled in wordless greeting. Ian's own mask has been strengthened for the weekend, which has dampened the presence of the Fairest a bit, allowing him to more comfortably blend in throughout the weekend. He smiles as the kiss is deposited on his cheek, watching as Cardinal heads off to beign filling her plate. He takes a moment to watch the others gathering. It had been a weekend of relaxation and spending time not thinking about all the things that need thinking about back home. He wanders out to the edge of the patio to look out and take everything in for a moment before turning toward the buffet himself to make up his own modest plate o goodies from the things on offer before heading back to the table, giving Cardinal a little hip-bump on the way by as her mound of food grows, grinning. When she finds a seat he plops down next to her, stretching out his legs comfortably. Isolde raises her glass as everyone starts to settle in. A wiggle of her fingers in greeting to her Garreau family member, Brittany. Then Amber's thanks makes her smile, "It's my pleasure. I've been without a good mini vacation given work and I said what the hell, I want to enjoy it with the Court." she tells the gathered. "I'm hoping that all of you had fun this weekend and got into something impish at least." the Bright One smiles. "And if there's been any problems be sure to let me know and I'll box someone's ears properly before I leave." she muses. When 'Viva la Vida' comes to an end, Oberon enlaces it in the next music that starts low and raises as the music goes. This time, the man executes Sia's Cheap Thrills. Another well executed performance. While his fingers move, his eyes glance around, catching those that Oberon knows that receive a very discreet nods of the Fairests head in a greeting. Brittany gives a single finger-waggle wave to Isolde, "Fabulous idea." She points out to her, smiling before she leans back, legs crossing and the straw of her drink gets tucked into one corner of her mouth. Amber is a pretty good choice to hide behind; between the horns, the flaming hair, and the fact that she's apparently built like an Amazon, who's going to come through her to get to someone using her as a shelter? She does glance back over her shoulder toward Crystal as the other woman settles, grinning as she lifts her own fruity drink in salute before twisting back around. She laughs then, her own eyes dancing. "We'll have to see about rotating this sort of thing. Maybe not full weekends all the time -- I know those are hard to take off, for some of us -- but soon as my place is finished, it's definitely large enough to host a party for the lot of us now and again." Cardinal takes that raise of Isolde's glass as a toast, lifting her own and taking a sip. And then a swig, until a good third of the pastel concoction is gone. As she sets the glass down, she signs something to Ian once her glass is down, bracelets clattering quietly with the motion. When those digits settle, she steals a treat from his plate only to replace it with one of her own a moment later; certainly, it can't be called theft if she paid for it, right? While she eats, she watches, staring openly at the others, maybe even catching some of what they're saying. It's hard to tell. Crystal, surrounded by the powerful and the glittering, is an odd duck. Legs tucked up underneath her, she's eating most of her dinner with her fingers, licking them delicately as she watches more than contributes. Maybe trying not to catch too much attention, even though her manner isn't shy, exactly; just quiet, not as eyecatching as most. But maybe someone built so much around mirroring spends a lot of time watching others just like this. Ian watches as Cardinal signs to him and he nods in agreement with whatever it is that she signed, a little smile curving the edges of his lips, tugging them upward. There's a little dip of his head as he begins sampling rom his plate. Then he says to Isolde, "This was a nice respite from the business of late. Thank you for hosting." He then looks over to Amber and says, "I look forward to it." Basil looked to Ian and greeted, "Ian, good to see you again. Dr. Darreau? Lovely to meet in person. This? This was a fantastic idea. How are things at the hospital treating you?" Because he followed these things apparently. It was to Crystal, quiet, sitting near him that the avatar of Time in all of its moments seemed to regard her. He pointed to her plate and offered, "Have you tried to pair that with the Moscato? Terribly interesting flavour combination. Shouldn't deprive yourself of that." Brittany gives Isolde a look, then she flashes a smile to Amber, "If you are willing to do that, I imagine that there might be a way for us to use the family's ballroom sometimes. I had a party there recently, although it wasn't just...strictly...us, you know?" Isolde gives a smile as others start to speak up and there's a nod to Brittany, "I'm glad you've had fun." she admits. Then there's a look to Amber, "I'd definitely be happy with it being revolving. Given the holiday and my lack of work until tonight I wanted to just...go all out." she muses. "And I appreciate everyone showing up and enjoying themselves. It's why I scheduled it." she smiles to them. Then she lifts her glass to Ian, "It has been a bit stressful as of late with things going on in the Freehold and outside, so I understand." she tells him with an understanding look. She then looks to Basil and there's a grin, "They let me out sometimes. Like this weekend." she muses to the Fairest. To Brittany, "That would be a wonderful idea." she agrees. Then she stands up, glass in one hand and then the free hand smoothing down her skirt, Alright, some introductions." she smiles. "For those that don't know me, or haven't seen my face before, I'm Doctor Isolde Garreau. I work at Riverside Hospital as the resident Trauma Surgeon, but they let me out sometimes to remember what sunshine and alcohol taste like." she chuckles happily as she settles down. When Oberon sees Isolde standing up to talk, he mutes his violin slowly and watches with attention the woman talking while he sips from a dry martini eventually. "Basil," Ian says, liting his glass in Basil's direction when he is greeted. "It's been some time. What have you been getting up to?" His attention then shifts over toward Isolde and he nods his head slightly, acknowledging his agreement with her assesment. "I am thinking of hosting another get together at the commune as well. The Egg Hunt seemed to go well, and I am thinking that an event to see Spring of into Summer might be in order as well." Amber watches the interplay between Crystal and Basil almost warily, though the smile never leaves her face. She turns back toward the flow of conversation, though, giving Brittany a quick grin before lifting her glass in turn toward Isolde. "Definitely have to have a talk with those administrators, make certain they don't leave you to wilting too much kept in those sunless hospital corridors and all." She then takes a small, almost measured sip from her glass. "In that spirit, though: Amber Watson, of the Hallowed Garden." She lifts her other hand, then, to wiggle the green-tinged fingertips in extra emphasis. "I'm drinking the wrong drink?" Crystal asks Basil with an air of innocence that may be quite ersatz, but it's effective enough. "I'll have it after this...thing, maybe." She studies her fruit cocktail a la booze, regarding the company through its pinkish depths, particularly eyeing Basil himself for several seconds before lowering it and just drinking. "Is this introductions?" she wonders aloud, head cocked to the side. Cardinal is probably listening to all the chatter. Probably. Given the way her gaze flits frequently between the speakers, it's almsot certain. But she's also paying an awful lot of mind to that pile of mostly grease and sugar that's set out before her and very enthusiastically trying to find the bottom of the plate by making everything that's on it disappear past her lips. As introductions start making their way around, though, she finds a napkin to wipe her fingers and lips clean before pushing to her feet. And saying nothing. Not with her mouth, anyway. Her lips remain still, closed, not even bothering to shape the words which her fingers form in American Sign Language. Whether anyone other than the man beside her understood her or not, she smiles brightly at her fellow courtiers then plunks her butt right back down. "Don't forget the cooking competition." Brittany reminds Ian, "Although that is a bit different, too. But, who cares, right? More parties and reasons to get people together the better." She then lifts a hand, giving a wave to those gathered, "Brittany Garreau, to those I haven't gotten to meet yet." Ian can't help but chuckle a little bit at Cardinal's signing. He nods to Brittany and says "And the cooking competition." Then he says, "Cardinal says: My name is Cardinal. I've lived here forever. My sister didn't kill me. I make the best ice cream in town. Well, city. I think we should be doing something way more fun /now/ than talking about parties that we might have some other time later." He leaves off some small bit of what else she signed, but only those who can understand sign language and Cardinal would know what bit he left off. Cardinal nudges Ian with her elbow, brows pitching up high, as he omits the last bit. She signs something again, but her smile suggests she might just be teasing. Then she's back to her drink, already scoping their surroundings for signs of someone who might be able to provide a refill despite not being finished yet. "It's nice to meet the new faces and get to see familiar ones again." Isolde states with a smile. Though something that catches her attention is said by Amber, "Do you have interests in growing plants? I'm not sure if you've heard of the Greenies." she explains. Then there's a nod of her head to Ian, "I think a Spring Into Summer event would be lovely." she agrees with that. Then there's a look to Crystal and a smile, "I just figured introductions would be good if people were unknown to each other." she admits. Basil lifted his glass to Ian and whispered in a conspiratorial manner, though with zero attempt at any actual covertness back to Crystal, "I think it seems to be a catching trend, yes." It was to Ian that he answered with a bright and winning smile, "That, sounds like a fine and capitol idea, mate. Myself? Looking at taking over my family's hotel and giving it a top down renovation. Bringing Mina on as a design consult. Full spa, polish up amenities and such. Thugh when that happens and it is up to my standards? I'll be delighted to close it down for a weekend for our convenience. Really though we were looking at a way to create a glamour resivoir for the Court in such capacity. A...work in progress. It's a beautiful hotel but I hate it. It has so much room for improvement so we're doing so. I heard nothing but lovely things of the Easter hunt though. I'd love to come see the grounds. Hell I'd love to talk to you about comissioned landscaping." His eyes watched Cardinal's introduction with a spark of amusement. ""I'm certain you're correct, Cardinal." Perhaps an agreement to the end part? He kept his introduction brief as his notoriety carried far. "Basil Utridge; high finance, Retired Satrap of Pearls, and apparently now Hotelier." He left off the other sundries. Oberon, forgotten in the corner, writes down his name in a bright pink post-it, licks it and puts it into his forehead. In case anyone is wondering who he is. The new ones, at least. The rest of the Freehold know very well who he is and why he's not chatting along with the others. On his thin lips there is a silly and charming smile to anytone that dares to look at him. Crystal shrugs. "I know hardly anyone. Probably because I haven't settled on whether or not I'm sticking around in the freehold. I'm Crystal. Or Dorian. Or vice...versa? It's complicated." She waves a salute to the others with her very fruity glass. "Just don't ask me what the forecast is, because I'm off-duty for at least the next thirty-six hours." Though as she is not a Freeholder, Oberon's effort with his post-it note only garners him a slightly skew glance over the top of her mirrored sunglasses. Cardinal signs something toward Oberon, too, when she notices the post-it note. And in case that doesn't help, she pulls out her cell phone--the glittery pink case plastered with stickers in no particular pattern--and gives it a little waggle. There are always loopholes. Amber flashes a quick, sheepish grin, and rolls those powerful, smooth shoulders of hers. "Despite the color, I'm actually useless among the pots and plants and soil and seeds; my gardening is more...metaphorical. Planning commissions, architectural firms, all that sort of thing." She looks around as introductions are made, noting names as they're given one by one, until finally she lets out a laugh at Crystal. "Never fair, to ask people to work off the clock." Ian is nudged by Cardinal and grins over to her, lifting both of his eyebrows as he takes a sip of his drink. He nods to Basil as the man speaks about the hotel and his plans for it, though he glances between he and Cardinal when it seems that the man caught that last bit that he didn't share. Then Cardinal is signing at him again and he laughs outright, unable to contain the laughter. Then he look sover toward Crystal and says "Ian Brennan, of the Hallowed Garden, Grandmaster of the Greenies, Cult Leader, Eater of Midnight Ice Cream, and apparently Cardinal thinks that I am just about the best thing ever and that I squirm deliciously when my stomach is kissed." He lofts a brow at Cardinal to see if she is satisified or not, though there's both mischief and amusement in his expression, and no shame whatosever. Cardinal nods firmly when Ian offers up a collection of titles and merits, including what she may or may not have contributed. She clearly agrees with it and accepts the attribution either way, her glass lifted, the last of its painfully pink contents swallowed down. Basil, for all his prettiness, isn't precisely easy to look at, unsettling as his Otherness is, how like Them he seems, but she makes a point of staring once she's finished that first glass of liquid courage, considering the hotelier as she nibbles on a little fruit tart. Basil watched Cardinal sign back to Ian and just grinned like he was some greatly amused lazy cat. He sipped his Scotch and just lifted it to Ian. Yup. He caught that. It was to Amber his attention was won with a sharp grin, "Oh, dear lady, I could not agree with you more. Ganbei." With that he knocked his whole Scotch back after the traditional Chinese toast. Here's to those asking others to work off the schedule to get what you want! To Crystal, who was perhaps Crystal right now he said, "Not everyone is We don't all take points off for this." Oberon grins to Cardinal to make sure he accepts her idea. But instead retrieving his phone to start typing out messages to people around, he returns to his violin and adjusts it back into his left shoulder. He tries it once. Twice. After a second or two, he finally starts playing again. This time, he brings alive Rihanna's Diamonds. After that, DNCE's Cake by the Ocean. And so on and on until people kicks him off of the party, he gets drunk enough to lose track his his musical abilities or the party comes to an end. Amber slowly blinks, one brow arching sharply as she listens to further discussions. She actually ends up silently mouthing, 'cult leader?', only to end up distracted and flashing Basil a white-toothed smile before lifting her glass to return the toast before draining her own drink. SHe looks at it almost reproachfully as she reaches the bottom, then finds her feet and starts wandering to retrieve a refill. "Anyone else for something while I'm up?" Isolde gives a nod to Amber's response on Greenies and there's a chuckle, "Aww, I was hoping." she tells her. "I think it would be neat to have one in the group." she admits. Then she settles back in her chair to soak up the conversation around her. When Oberon continues to play there's a nod to him and then a look around to the others, "So we've got a few parties to plan. I think that will be brilliant for the court to do." she grins. "Do you have 'cult leader' on your business cards?" Crystal asks Ian without missing a beat. "Or is there some gentler way you put that for introductions' sake most of the time?" And then she ducks her head. "Sorry. Not even a little polite. But it's not something you hear every day." And yet she doesn't remark at all about the delicious squirming; it's filed away for future reference, maybe. She grins at Basil, although there's a sense that she's trying not to look at him too directly. Maybe that's why the shades. The company's so bright. Cardinal taps the edge of her glass when Amber offers to go hunting for goodies away from this island of decadence and party planning. It gives her a fine excuse to look away from Basil for a moment. But then he is looking at her and... well, she really can't be blamed for squirming or for tilting toward the familiar flower at her side. Just in case Basil really does mean to enslave or eat them all. She speaks to him the most comfortable way she knows how--with her hands--trusting that he'll be able to keep up, given that he seems to have managed well enough so far.
Ian glances over to Isolde curiously and inquires "To have what in the group?" Then he says to Cystal and Amber, "I don't have business cards, but it's well known enough in town, and it amuses me more to simply tack it on to the list of things than to pretend it isn't a thing. It's reflexive at this point. Apologies." He gives his shoulders a small rise and fall, Then he glances over toward Basil and Cardinal, watching the signing going on there. This time, however, he doesn't seem inclined to translate.
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