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

[weldedtomyspine]

"It is not that I do not appreciate the Lady's tastes, you understand," Jaime explained. "But she had already spent so much time picking out the perfect outfit for herself, I hoped that she wouldn't spend the same amount of time on me."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Are we talking time concerns or are you feeling guilty about how much effort was put into you? Because I will let you in on a little secret that I've discovered Jaime, sometimes people like to have life-size dolls to play dress up with. I swear the seamstresses who made this dress saw me as a very pretty mannequin half the time."

[heromaniac]

"If only! He'd never sit still for me to dress him up." Now dress shopping he'd totally do. But then, he got perks for that.

[weldedtomyspine]

"I don't sit still very well," Jaime admitted, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"I've gotten better at it." Leda admitted. "But I get a lot of practice in meetings." Lies. She paced like a champion. "There will be dancing later if that helps."

"So Jaime is this your first time in a Master of the Bracelets type world?" Once she learned that Tolkien had been heavily influenced by Norse legends the books similarity to her world made so much more sense.

[heromaniac]

Momoko's eyes glittered at the mention of dancing... and then her face fell at the mention of the Bracelets .

"Ugh. Faerie is totally not as boring as that movie."

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime laughed, poking Momoko lightly in the shoulder. "Hey."

He shook his head and turned his attention to Leda. "Yeah." Some of the other places he'd been were close in some ways, but not quite the way she meant. Alien space elves were a bit different.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Well let's face it that movie was pretty much just scenery porn." Not that Leda objected to scenery porn. "But the fight scenes were rather impressive." As it was based on one of her favorite books she could probably go on, but didn't want to bore Momo.

"Well I don't mean to alarm you," she smiled. "But there's a dragon in this room." There would have been two, but Ember was helping get the orphanage ready for tomorrow.

[weldedtomyspine]

Jaime's eyes swept the room. "Ah," he said, smiling slightly. "That explains it."

He shook his head. "It can be hard keeping track of what all the various things are that set people apart in here. Everyone's just so different." And the Scarab was having trouble categorizing most of them.

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Depending on how familiar the Scarab was with Human mythology, that was hardly surprising.

"I'll be honest with you, I sometimes have trouble keeping all the races straight in my head. The lady from El Dorado for instance, I can't remember the name of her race, and until I saw her feet, I thought they were just like Elves. Sometimes the differences are subtle you wouldn't know till you were up close, some are obvious.

"And then there's the Dragons who typically take humanoid form when dealing with us." She pointed out the Matriarch of the Dragons, who at the moment was a regal, statuesque red haired woman.

[weldedtomyspine]

"It's a lot to keep straight," Jaime agreed. "And I bet most people aren't very thrilled if you get it wrong, huh?"

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Some are more easy-going than others. I think sometimes it depends on how often the mixups happen. I know Dryads and Nymphs hate getting mistaken for one another. And I have to admit I get a little irritated at how often humans have gotten Elves, Pixies and Gnomes mixed up."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Nobody likes it when people don't recognize them, I guess."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Unless that's what they're going for. I hear Leprechauns deliberately present themselves as other races."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Yeah?" Jaime shrugged. "I guess it takes all kinds."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Might have something to do with the whole pot of gold thing." Leda shrugged as well. "But if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask."

[weldedtomyspine]

"Will do." Jaime smiled. "And thanks."

[heromaniac]

"There were fight scenes?" Momoko was confused. "I don't remember any fight scenes?"

Possibly because they had happened while she'd been asleep.

"Ah! I warned Jaime there would be dragons and other shapeshifters. I can't wait to see his face..." She tiptoed a little to look about the room. "How is the Matriarch? Ember's mother? Is she here? I should probably greet her next..."

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah she's here. Ember's helping set up for the party back home tomorrow, so if you make it to that one you can see her there." She pointed out the Matriarch where she was chatting with the the Dwarf Thane.

[heromaniac]

Momoko finally caught sight of her and tugged at Jaime's arm. "I see her now."

She glanced up at Leda, not quite sure. "She is the next one I should greet, right? Next highest in rank?" She was getting her Protocol down! "Oh! Or is your grandmother here?"

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

"Grandmother's also back home. She claims she doesn't have the energy for dealing with a bunch of Nobles and foreign dignitaries. Dealing with kids is much more relaxing. As for rank, as hostess I guess I'm highest, but there's several rulers here so it's up to you. The Matriarch, then there's Lord Dagos, " she pointed them out in turn. "The Thane of the Dwarves, Marx of the Eshu, he's awesome by the way, the...shit I forgot her title but the, uh, mayor, of El Dorado..." she searched the room to make sure that was all.

"I think everyone else are Ambassadors, so 'just' Lords and Ladies." It was a lot to keep track of.

[heromaniac]

"Then the Matriarch and the Thane, first," Momoko smiled as she leaned forward to break Propriety and give Leda a light hug. Let everyone stare, this was her friend. "And then this legendary hero will just wing it. Are my ears still okay?"

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Ah 'twas okay. Queen Leda has a reputation for being a bit eccentric anyway, and it was well known that they were close friends.

"They're good." she assured Momoko. The glamour gave them a distinct point, but they were by no means as long and pronounced as an Elf's. Leda was pretty sure the eyes would have done it anyway, but just to be on the safe side...

"I don't think you need an introduction to the Matriarch, but for the Thane it might be best if I introduce you." Leda was getting better at the whole protocol thing apparently.

[heromaniac]

And if anyone noticed the glamour, Momoko would totally admit she was armed; she was the eldest of a 'warrior clan' after all.

(Her dad would probably be proud she was finally claiming their samurai heritage... though not so much the why she was doing it.)

"My regrets, my lord." She turned to Jaime: "Off to pay my respects as a diplomat; come save me from the politics when the dancing starts?" Momoko gave him a reassuring smile in answer to his slightly off chuckle and eyeroll, then bowed her head briefly in his direction... to hide the kiss she blew him... before stepping to Leda's side.

"Your Majesty," Momoko gathered her skirts, and in her most haughty voice... "Let's go schmooze!"

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

The Matriarch (Leda never had learned her name, everyone just called her Matriarch or Mother) smiled when she saw Leda and Momoko approach.

"Well hello Little One." she said. She called most people that. "How long has it been?" She was genuinely asking. Dragons perceive time differently, but she was able to do the math so to speak. For her it seemed like literally yesterday that she had last seen this friend of the Elf Queen. But she knew it was different for other races.