[AW] [Welcoming Party] The Shadows of House Vogelstein

[Sebastien]

As evening settles upon the proud desert city of Solterra, a hum of liveliness soon sweeps through the streets surrounding the Vogelstein estate. There is excited chatter spilling out into the city of the Sun about a celebration taking place. Entertainers begin their journey beyond the yawning doors of the ostentatious abode of the Vogelsteins. Caterers bearing extravagant food and drink come sweeping through the streets and into through the back of the looming estate. Lights flicker all across the courtyard of the house. It is illuminated by the magicians who have turned up to earn their coin. A grand banner made of spun gold and white ink with delicately written words that read “Welcome home, Jane” is sprawled across the entrance.

The Solterran’s are right, there is a celebration. A feast and welcome for the newest arrival of House Vogelstein, Jane. 

But not all is pleasant… There is something strange afoot amidst the bustle of the celebration, for Caligo’s alleged touch is never very distant from this cursed noble kin.



There is a celebration happening to welcome the newest arrival to Novus’ House Vogelstein, @Jane ! This is strictly an IC party and everyone is welcome to join in whether you have a member or not. If you have a character in a specific position and would like for them to be hired for the event you all have my permission for that. Plots are completely open. The Solterran Vogelstein estate is completely open for characters to get together. During the event, there will be something sinister making an appearance, this will occur about two weeks (April 26th, 2021) after the event has started. Feel free to reply to this thread, or start your own. This event will NOT earn EXP, it is explicitly an IC party/event hosted by House Vogelstein. 

Characters are free to notice the following strange things while at the estate: 
☾ Doors that are slightly ajar leading to cold, empty gray rooms. 
☾ A stale smell that lingers beneath the floral arrangements or scents of food. 
☾ The feeling of being watched
☾ A shadow drifting through the corridors of the estate

[Jane]

JaneThe house glowed, and Jane knew that she was home. She had never felt that way in Avalon, not even in the house of her parents. She had been more like a piece of furniture in case they had lacked a son. Then she had sent everything to Hell. 

But the story of her misdeeds had not followed her here. This was a chance to start anew. Jane shivered a little, the white cape fixture wrapped around the nape of her neck did nothing to protect her from the winds that came in from the desert. It had been a few weeks since she had moved out with Veil, and things were better. Her eyes glowed with a mixture of excitement and intimidation.

Life had been busy in Solterra. Her aunt and uncle had had no room for her, but then this came. Sebastian’s help was appreciated.

A nameless noble entity in another land. 

Vogelstein. It was not her name officially. Not that she had talked much to her mother, but the story went that Jane’s grandmother had been a Denocte maiden who had fallen for a travelling ambassador. Lenore (for that had been her name) had not lived past the birth of her very much Avalonian daughter, and none of the lore had passed into Jane. No stories, no abilities. Jane had grown up as little more than a lady-in-waiting through tradition of gratitude. 

When Jane had been born, the question had been raised as to her parentage. She looked like neither; her mother being a brazen chestnut and her father being buckskin. But as she stepped into the hall of Vogelstein with adult eyes, it was obvious. Her mother had harboured the gene inside it, and Jane had taken it out of her. She had left nothing for her brother, who had apparently been born a pale buckskin, with blue lines over his skin.

Jane moved into a corner, a bit of bad conscience in her chest. How could she deserve this? But it felt good. For the first time in her life she had something solely for her. 

Jane stopped at the top of the staircase and looked out onto the people. Her people. They didn’t come from her- she came from them. And they were taking her back, into the bosom which her grandmother had left so long ago. 

Her ear twitched back. Something, somewhere, was trying to tell her something. The sensation of a realisation was in her chest, but it didn’t have a name. But the moment she noticed it; it dove again, like a kelpie sinking back into the waves. Jane sniffed, disappointment and frustration lasting only a moment before she focused back on the party. 

OOC: this is so exciting...
tagged; @Sebastien

 

  i've never felt more alone
it feels so scary getting old
 

[Sebastien]

Jane stood atop the grand staircase of the Solterran Vogelstein estate. Her coat shone and was neatly groomed, or at least it appears that way to Sebastien. He has pulled out all the stops to welcome his cousin home. They were not especially close, but he felt much closer to her than many relatives. Still, those same relatives who shunned his parents came in droves to welcome their newest family member home. They only believed she was new, they did not know that Sebastien and Jane had met as children. The house rarely paid any mind to children, and even less to those who lived beyond the borders of Novus.

None of that mattered now, what mattered was that Jane enjoyed the party that the Vogestein's were throwing in her name. That Sebastien was throwing in her name. He was immaculate, and the scent of fresh lilies lingered on his skin. His ivory mane was cut in a nearly perfect line, as were the ends of his tail. The white of his tail cascades down the length of his back limbs. It drags across the floor near the now-straight edges.

Sebastien approaches Jane, who seems lost in the study of her family, and the swirls of mingling bodies from the Solterran's who have joined the soiree. He comes to a halt beside her and peers down at them. He wonders if she is nervous, or there is something more going on in her head.

"Are you going to keep them all waiting all night, Jane?" Sebastien teases her, but his words offered a gentle prod to go and immerse herself in the family who will honor her as greatly as he has tonight. "Tonight is about you, and I am sure our family is eager to welcome you. If anything is amiss, even slightly do not hesitate to find me. I will be sure to make everything as perfect as possible." He vows silently as he turns his gaze back on the crowd. He takes one step down the stairs and glances back at her. It is a silent offer to escort her into the swathes of bodies mingling in the estate.

@Jane /Open!

[Jane]

JaneThe place called her name. Vogelstein. The word had never felt so rich on her tongue, like a full-bodied wine.. She couldn’t fight the awe in the back of her head, at the vision of all these people who shared her blood.. Her name had been a rare one, where she came from. The Vogelsteins had always been an insular group, and she had never been fully integrated. Her father’s name was the one registered.  

But she had barely interacted with her father growing up. He was a kind fellow, but irrelevant to Jane’s upbringing. 

 But there was a slight ease at the vision of the crowd. All people who were welcoming her home. Home, what a strange word. Had she ever felt at home, anywhere on this earth? Had the court been home? 

Sebastian’s voice rang out and she turned her head to look at her cousin. Gratitude bubbled in her chest. He was the one who had arranged all this. No one had ever done something this kind for her before… “Thank you. I’m already having a wonderful time.” She nodded and started to follow him.

@Sebastian




 

  i've never felt more alone
it feels so scary getting old