Grand Ballroom, Alfheim Palace, Faerie

[anarchist_queen]

There were more nobles and dignitaries gathered together here since the end of the war. Lord Dagos of the Merfolk, King Thane of the Dwarves, the Matriarch of the Dragons were in attendance along with their immediate families. All the nobles of the lands of Faerie, even some from Unseelie Lands were there as well.

And then there were those Leda was meeting for the first time. The Dryads, Pixies, Kitsune, Nunnehi and Menehune had all sent representatives. And countless others.

Though naturally no Diplomats from the Human realms could be present, the Elven ambassadors to their countries had sent greetings and gifts from them.

"Furachoque of Iguaque!" the herald announced another arrival. A woman in rather elaborate golden attire entered. Her people inhabited a tropical land rich in metallic ore. They traded regularly with the Dwarves, though they were best terms with the Nunnehi and had ancient ties with the Merfolk. Their capital had become known as El Dorado out in the world. She resembled the Elves save for one difference, her feet faced backwards.

[For those invited. The herald is moddable on hand to announce you as you wish.]

Comments

[heromaniac]

Momoko had spent almost as much time researching the Royal Introduction she had to hand to the herald as she had trying to find the perfect outfits for her and Jaime to wear... Which had been a long time.

As she handed the small card to a distinguished looking elf and waited to be announced, she wondered again if she should have warned Jaime more than she had...

"Announcing. First Daughter of the Akatsutsumi clan of Nihon. Ambassador for the Royal Glacian courts of Sidra Kaeleer. Hero of the Final Battle for the Throne of Faerie. Lady Momoko of the Hyper Blossoms..." He gave a small pause and Momoko took a short step forward. Not that it was easily noticed, considering the dress she'd finally chosen for tonight.

The Herald spoke again as she stopped, his timing impeccable: "and her escort, Lord Jaime. Head of the Clan of the Beetle. Hero and Protector of the Land of the North Pass of Tey Has and its bordering people."

Yes, she had translated Japan and El Paso and Texas... They didn't want to associate themselves too closely with the human world if they could help it.

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime stepped forward to her side and tried to look passive rather than staring around at everyone. He rather suspected that would make him stand out a bit more than they wanted. He took a deep breath, and then offered Momoko his arm, trying to fit in.

He wasn't especially good at it.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

All eyes turned to them at the announcement. These were not lands they were familiar with, though the sly smile on the face of the Kitsune hinted that perhaps she had an inkling. But it was that "Hero of the Final Battle" bit that really got their attention. Many of those in attendance had been present then, and had not seen hide nor hair of any of their latest folk heroes since then.

So there was a murmur of conversation in addition to the attention. And naturally the band struck up the strains of Iranon's epic composition. They didn't have a vocalist on hand though. More's the pity.

Leda, naturally as the hostess stepped forward to greet them. Far more reserved than she'd like of course. Tomorrow if Momoko could stay there would be glomping.

"My dear friends," she smiled, "Welcome! I'm so pleased you could come. I would make a grand round of introductions but that could take all night. Best we take them as they come I think."

[heromaniac]

She'd remembered that she was a sort of legend, but she hadn't actually thought it through... that her suddenly showing up after a hundred years (their time, of course) would cause a sensation.

"That is a lot of eyes..." she murmured in an aside to Jaime, her fingers tightening on his arm as they moved forward.

Momoko's smile grew wide at seeing Leda. "Your Majesty!" She gave a quick twinkly-eyed wink, and curtsied. "It is indeed our pleasure. My apologies for being so long away!"

HI HI HI HI HI!!

"You remember Jaime?"

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime offered her a mostly-decently-executed bow. "Your Majesty," he said, sounding quite a bit more restrained than Momoko. Which was to say: at all restrained. "Lady Momoko was quite excited when she received your invitation."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda did indeed remember Jaime, though admittedly mostly as Momoko's boyfriend. She thought it was kinda cool having a human get to see Faerie, who had so little connection.

"Welcome Lord Jaime." she said. "It's a pleasure to renew our acquaintence." Ah, so formal. "It has been far too long since I have seen you and your Lady."

So many sarcastic things went through her mind in regards to the staring, subtle though it might be. Too bad she had to be on her best behavior.

"How are matters in your protectorate My Lord? And yours Lady?"

Don't laugh, if you do you'll set Leda off.

[heromaniac]

OMIGOSH OMIGOSH LEDA LEDA LEDA! Momoko passed ALL her subjects at school! SHE'D PASSED!

"Well indeed. My family wishes I would attend more matters closer to home, understandably. The War in Glacia has been concluded and Queen Karla's coronation held no assassination attempts, I am happy to say." Momoko was going to have to tell you ALL the stories from that weekend tomorrow, Leda, or you'd be giggling the rest of the night!

"I do bear possibly sad news. Her Majesty, Karla, may be unable to attend tonight, due to matters of court. She was not able to give me a definite answer." And Momoko had refused to bring you any of the horrid and gaudy statuettes, Leda. You're welcome.

[b-town-girls.livejournal.com]

Meet some Old/New Friends

I miss being able to put subjects on our posts

Everyone might be new to Jaime, but surely Momoko remembers Leda's cronies. Sai, Wiseguy, Leander and Strider are here, as are some of their less rambunctious children. Including I might add, a certain Elfling named Karla Momoko. Who was mostly still too young to cause much trouble anyway.

[heromaniac]

"And now, I do apologize, but I see some people I must greet." Momoko was MORE than happy to escape the conversation she was having with a rather fanstruck dyrad about the Corwyn War to greet her old friends.

She made her way over and bowed her head. "Lords. Ladies. Greetings of the season," she made her voice as stiff and formal as possible. She couldn't stop the smile on her face, though, so her friends would totally be able to tell she was messing with them. The others... probably would too. Sorry Leda!

[b-town-girls.livejournal.com]

It was okay, this group was well known to have spent time in Bordertown, so people expected them, and those associated with them to be a little, let's say eccentric.

And while Leda had to maintain a certain decorum as the Queen, her Ladies in Waiting didn't need to worry so much. So Momo was getting hugs from Wiseguy and Sai. Leander and Strider could get away with handshakes.

But then Wiseguy called over a young woman who was hanging back. "Nissa, bring your cousin over here would you?"

"The one I'm holding yes?" she asked hopefully. "Because uhm..."

Leander sighed. "That boy. I'll find him."

Nissa was holding a young Elf Girl, who looked to be at most, a year old.

"Lady Momoko," Wiseguy introduced, "May I present my niece Nissa, and my daughter, Karla Momoko."

Nissa managed a flawless curtsy while holding the baby, who looked at Momoko with wide eyes. Then put the tip of her own ear into her mouth. This was an Elven variant on sucking one's thumb.

[heromaniac]

Momoko could totally do eccentric! She laughed heartily as she hugged her friends. "I am so mad at you for not changing at all in so long! We have so much to catch up on!"

Wiseguy was totally catching her attention with his introductions, though. "What's this? A new baby to meet?" She smiled at Nissa. "Hello! Nice to meet you."

Ah! So cuuuute! She reached out to tap those cute little cheeks. "Wait, this little cutie is named... what?! Wiseguy!!"

[b-town-girls.livejournal.com]

K-Mo, as Nissa was prone to calling her, gurgled, and bashfully hid her face in her cousin's shoulder at the attention.

Wiseguy beamed at her friend. "She's only the first of many as I understand it. And her brother, who we should have known better than to bring to this event is named after your friend James."

"But he hates being left out of anything." Sai explained. "He'd either never have stopped crying, or snuck down here on his own."

"Or both." Sai grinned.

Momoko may feel a tugging at the back of her dress. It seems the topic of discussion thought it would make a good hiding place.

[heromaniac]

Momoko was blushing hard. "No way!" But smiling. "I'm truly honoured. I just... wow." She tugged lightly at a lock of the little girl's hair. "Hello little one! We have the same name! I'm Aunty Momoko! Will you say give me a smile and say h - eh?"

The skirt was rather large, but that had most definitely been a bump against her back end she felt... and was that sniffling?

[u-s-of-leda.livejournal.com]

Talk To Strangers

There are certainly plenty to choose from (okay maybe the Dragon Matriarch doesn't qualify as a stranger for Momoko), many of whom Leda has only met for the first time tonight herself. Like the Kitsune or those whose people were mostly known to American and Island peoples before Faerie left. Others, like the Dwarf King and Lord Dagos of the Merfolk she had renewed her acquaintance of.

And I know there were others I was gonna mention but as soon as I got to my keyboard, they left my brain.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

James found a quiet corner to stand, beverage in hand, scanning over the assembly. Old habits died hard, and he struggled against long habits of surveillance.

He shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts, and gazed down at his drink. He didn't quite remember the name, but it was certainly tasty.

Open for whoever!

[u-s-of-leda.livejournal.com]

A man with piercing blue eyes approached him, a young woman with eyes the same color as Momoko's at his side.

"Ambassador," the girl said, looking a bit like she was trying not to laugh. The effect was doubled given the stiffness of her companion. "I'd like you to meet my Grand Uncle, Lord Dagos of the Merfolk."

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"Pleasure to meet you," he said, bowing slightly. He extended his hand to OMG IS THAT BILL NIGHY? the man.

He he did pick up on the young woman's expression. He avoided checking himself for spilled drinks or checking his teeth for food.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

That actually was Sila's usual expression when things got serious, but the fact that she was pretty sure James would not recognize her helped.

"Likewise." Lord Dagos said, shaking his hand. Dagos' palms were slightly damp due to a minor spell that kept him from drying out. "I must admit I've been curious to meet one of the 'Heroes of the Final Battle'. Tales of your adventure have even spread to the Undersea kingdoms."

"I helped with that a little." Sila admitted. "What can I say, I like bragging about my Mom and her friends."

Yes it is. My favorite part of all this is casting the NPC's. Well and the PC's.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

"Really, I'd like to hear the tales," he said. No, he was not inwardly facepalming. He did, however, manage to almost completely disguise a snort at Sila's response.

Niiiice!

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

James, dressed in a mixture of Midkemian court garb and Fandom finery and standing outside of the entrance, debated trying to sneak in rather than have his arrival announced. (Also, he had forgotten to bring a card. Possibly deliberately.)

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

While the herald (bearing a slight resemblance to Paul Bettany) rather enjoyed these occasions to read off fancy names and titles (especially when he was unfamiliar with the lands), he would only give James a bit of a kicked puppy look if he tried it.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

Well, never say that he would disappoint one so; in fact, he reminded James of someone back home... After a quick word with a staff member and a few moments with writing utensils (Really, one does think better by chewing on writing utensils), James presented his card, and presented himself. "Ambassador of the Kingdom of Midkemia, Head Squire to Heir Apparent and Leader of the Western Army Prince Arutha con Doin, Hand of the Guild of Mockers, and Valiant Defender of the Realm, Squire James of Krondor."

James tried not to blush as he strode forth. Just a teeny bit of stretching for his titles, really. He was sure he could find a few more, if pressed, but anything else he would leave up to the discretion of the staff and whatever Leda could torture him with, though that would never happen, right?.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"And Hero of the Final Battle For the Throne of Faerie!" the herald added. He'd recognized the name and then the face, deciding to act a bit on his own initiative.

Naturally most eyes turned to James as he entered. Be warned, as he came unescorted there may be some eh, groupies about.

"Welcome my friend." Leda smiled as she greeted him. "It's been too long." Yes yes it's only been a few months, it's just one of those things people say at formal occasions.

[squire-hand.livejournal.com]

Oh. That. He stopped himself from glaring at the master of ceremonies. Instead, he gave a look-through to the crowd, offering a slight wave and a few nods of the head.

"It is always too long," he said, a smile flashing across his face. "Looks like a wonderful party."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Why thank you. Everyone worked very hard. I'm afraid we have so few of these events that people start champing at the bit. You have no idea how hard the planners found it to keep their Elven composure when I suggested it." Seriously she thought for a minute she was going to get group hugged by decorators. It had been at once cute, and slightly creepy.

"And how are matters in your realm?"