Let’s make this day the best in the world | Valentine's Day Concert

[saxsongs]

🧙 WHO: Anyone and everyone
⚔️️ WHAT: Valentine's Day Concert
🕒 WHEN: February 14th
🗺️ WHERE: At the theater in Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: None that I can think of, will edit if needed.


Backstage

Backstage was a busy place during the whole concert. There were people getting ready, people helping people get ready and even just friends visiting them to wish them good luck (or to break a leg) or just help relieve some of the stage fright. Each artist or group had access to a room of their own if they needed some alone time. All they had to do was put up a sign that the room was in use.

On the stage

The theater stage was decorated with appropriate Valentine's Day decorations - roses, hearts and other simple, but meaningful things. The curtain would come down whenever someone needed time to prepare the stage to look different and there were several talented musicians helping out to bring live music to the stage.

As they say, they stage is for the performers to take as their own, one or several at a time.

In the audience

The audience has seatings for those who desire it, but there is also a space for anyone to stand and dance. There's plenty of space even if there is a section of the audience sectioned off for a... pool? Why was there a pool in the theater? Well, it certainly wasn't for just anyone to casually swim in but instead it was reserved for a special guest making an appearance at the concert.

The Lady of the Lake had been invited by Ren to watch the concert. To be fair, he had also invited King Arthur, Merlin and the Lady Morganna, but only the Lady of the Lake had accepted the invitation (although looking at Merlin's instagram afterwards may prove different, as he was there but just under a disguise).

Snacks and beverages are also being served at the theater lobby. Of course, since it was Valentine's Day, there was plenty of chocolate to go around.


After-party

While the after-party was mostly aimed at performers to celebrate a successful concert, no one was turned away from it. Anyone wanting to visit the party to congratulate on the success or to just chat with the performers was definitely welcome to.

The party was hosted at the theater too, since why not use the space you needed to clean up the next day anyway. Anyone was also welcome to join the clean up process the next day as well, but Ren certainly wouldn't force anyone to help out.

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Oh, hey! Darin recognizes her! She's the person in the Lake he keeps fishing people out of! At least she's nice enough to give everyone Everwarm potions. He approaches, a little surly about how he and so many others keep making entrances into Avalon when he notices she's in a pool.]

[His two braincells seem to briefly connect and suddenly he realizes why he hasn't seen her anywhere but when he made splashdown. Well, that takes away a little of his bluster.]

[Regardless, he's going to clear his throat and make a proper introduction.]

Hey there. My name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith. I've been by the bay where everyone seems to drop in from several times and I haven't seen you. I wanted to thank you for helping me out when I first arrived.

[avalonmods]

[ Yeah, it feels like she spends half the month making enough for all the newcomers. It's nice to get invited to a show and get a break from it. But no one here's proficient enough at potions yet to help her out. But she doesn't really stick around that area outside of it- she has other things to do than hang around waiting for people to pop up and talk to her. ]

I'm the Lady of the Lake. I'd offer to shake your hand but you don't have a towel.

[ And she doesn't either, since she's always covered in water. It's a moot point. She even flicks a bit of water off of her finger at him to make her point, but it's a playful gesture. ]

Do these happen often?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You mean the concert? This is the first since I've been here but we had a bunch off tournaments last month.

You know, I come by the lake pretty often. If there's any cool events coming up, I could bring you a flyer or something. It must be kinda lonely being in the lake all the time with people literally dropping in unexpectedly all the time.

[avalonmods]

Merpeople aren't that bad company that I just wait around for you all to show up.

[ She laughs. People are so funny that they think she just sits in the water waiting for them. ]

The phones don't work underwater long-term. If you bring Archimedes bottles of new sauces, he'll summon me.

[ He does, in fact, not know anything about sauce bottles nor care, but it'll piss him off, and then he'll call the Lady of the Lake to ask why people keep bringing him sauce. So same effect. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Merpeople? Huh, I had no idea there were people living down there. Do they prefer to keep to themselves?

[He rubs his chin thoughtfully.]

Sauces, huh. I'll have to remember that.

[Poor Archimedes.]

Actually, I do have a question about the people that arrive in the lake...if you don't mind?

[avalonmods]

They eat human souls. I asked them to stay away from the White Cliffs for a bit.

[ She shrugs, relaxing down in the water. The music hasn't started yet, so it's not like she's got anything better to do. ]

What's your question?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[You...have to give him a minute. Because the idea that there's something out there that eats human souls has literally drained all of the color from his face.]

[After about a minute of stammering and staring dumbly, he manages to get his thoughts together enough to form his question.]

Do you know if there's...um...any rhyme or reason to who gets pulled here from their worlds...?

[avalonmods]

Oh, easy one!

[ She flicks the water a little and a little visual show comes up. The water takes shape into a person and what looks like a dolphin with wings. ]

Familiars can't bond with just anyone. They have to find someone whose being they are compatible with.

[ The dolphin heads toward the person and goes right through it, turning around in confusion. The water bursts and forms into three sisters, one stirring a cauldron and switching off with the other. ]

The Three Sisters normally are charged with keeping watch over time itself, but with it frozen, they're using their ability to peer through time to work with familiars to find those who match.

[ The dolphin comes back and peers over the cauldron, then a little heart pops up above their head. ]

They find one, the familiar forms a spiritual bond, and I can pull you into the enchanted waters of the Lake of Avalon through it.

[ The person reappears, then all the water falls back into the pool. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin watches the display with rapt attention. Honestly, if he could physically have stars in his eyes, he would have them. It was a very engaging way to explain why they were brought here! However, while this answered a number of his questions, it did raise some newer, concerning ones.]

[This information about 'The Three Sisters' warranted looking into but the familiars piqued his interest even more.]

Wait, so the familiars are the ones choosing? Are they all from Avalon?

[Then, something dawns on him.]

It sounds like they all need different things in a partner they bond with. ...What if the thing that draws them to their partner is...a bad thing? Something dangerous?

[avalonmods]

No. Familiars usually have at least a toe in the spiritual realm. It's much easier to travel here from there as it exists outside of the flow of time to begin with.

[ She's just playing with the water now, forming a tiny 1-foot whirlpool in front of her. ]

No one actually benefits from the death of the entire multiverse, it's a risk worth taking. There's a very good chance at least some of the people here are very, very bad by your standards.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Doesn't that concern you though? I mean...if someone comes through and grows powerful enough...

This is the last bastion of...everything...isn't it? We're here to help the multiverse? Aren't you guys...worried?

[avalonmods]

Very few people think of themselves as the villain of their story. Why should your or my morals decide who has the right to fight for everything they have left?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

['Very few people think of themselves as the villain of their story.']

[It's a true enough sentiment. But, in Darin's case, he knows he's the villain of his. And being here...even technically de-powered, there's still the looming thread of Diomuhr. Was he still in his body in its de-powered state? Or did his familiar seek him out because of the power he carried?]

[Regardless, he'd be a fool to divulge this to his companion at the moment. So, he does what he does best. He puts on a mask and tries to fit in with a world that would be better off without him.]

[He bows politely.]

You're...You're right. I really appreciate you taking the time out to help me wrap my head around all of this.

[avalonmods]

No problem. Though now you owe me a drink. I can't go get one on my own.

[ Go get her one!! You can't drink alcohol under the lake water and she can't reach the bar from the pool. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He snorts.]

Of course! Where are my manners? Is there a particular drink you'd like to have?

[avalonmods]

Archimedes only ever has the hard stuff, and pirates only ever have the same. Surprise me with something new.

[ He smiles at him, wondering what he's going to bring. She does like surprises. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Something new...Something new...

...Ah! I've got an idea!

[Darin runs off to one of the drink vendors. He carefully explains what he wants and after a few minutes he returns, presenting the Lady of the Lake with a freshly made strawberry milkshake, garnished with heart shaped strawberries. Not that Darin knows why, he doesn't get the concept behind Valentine's Day.]

Here you go. Try this!

[avalonmods]

That looks... sweet.

[ Like, really sweet. And pink. ]

Is it fruity?

[ She looks like she's investigating it before she tries it. Almost cautiously. She's had fruit and fruit dishes before, but it's not like there's a cafe near the White Cliffs that people are bringing her stuff like this all the time. Underwater fare doesn't include milkshakes. Though there was a pirate one time that had a Margaritaville machine, but this is very different. She makes a face and pulls her head back reflexively after taking a sip. ]

Oof, sweet.

[ ..She tries it again. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin laughs.]

Hope it's not too sweet. I tried one of these the other day and just about fell in love.

Don't drink it too quick, though. You'll be in for a bad time. I never had a headache that bad in my life!

[avalonmods]

Are you human or something else?

[ She only asks because she's pretty sure she could get away without brain freeze, but if he's not human than maybe not. It's so hard to tell sometimes. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin actually turns pale, completely caught off-guard by the question.]

W-Wha?? What? I'm—pft..! I'm human! Of course! What else could I be?? Certainly not anything dangerous or like...demonic. Archfiendish. You know? None of that! All human here!

[He's also very smooth, can you tell?]

[isleofnpcs]

That got way too specific way too fast.

[ She doesn't press him though. She looks amused and flicks a little water at him. ]

You can unclench your cheeks. I'm not human. I was trying to figure out if the brain freeze is a human reaction.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Y-Yeah well...still...

Back where I come from, 'non-humans' aren't really looked favorably on.

And...it might be? I've never encountered it before.

[isleofnpcs]

Where you are now, most of us aren't human. Avalon is a land of fae. Though Camelot hosts a fair number of humans, both from here and other worlds, the majority of this island is not.

[ She shakes her head, smiling. ] I'll be careful just for you, then.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin offers her a bow.]

Then that's twice I owe you.

I have to say, with all of the new people I'm meeting, I'm thankful Camelot is at least somewhat reminiscent of home. I'm considering just staying here permanently.