Beltane

[Earthgoddess]

An invitation arrives, a luxurious scroll wrapped with a thin velvet ribbon, and you unroll it to see...

Merry Meet
The Pleasure of your Company is requested on Beltane Eve at the estate of Lady Elizabeth,
Ritual will commence at dusk and continue until dawn, hosted by the Coven of the Harvest.
Please dress to dance the Maypole and jump the balefire.
You are expected promptly at 6 pm.

For all of it's intrigue and magickal implications the request is far more mundane.

Lady Elizabeth happens to be the bookish woman in the local coffee shop-the one toting the toddlers on her aple hips, and juggling a soy latte, most "mortals" call her Liz. Her glasses tend to slide down her nose as she enthuses about the ways of Celtic magic, and her dark curly hair is forever escaping it's constraints. More of a soccer mom than a High Priestess-but hey, she is divorced and does have a winning
opersonality. Her estate is a nice liitle house in the
country-not the sort of plave for a heathen orgy. But you figure that it might be fun, so you decide to attend...

 

[Guest]

Olivia O'Neil

Olivia glanced over the invitation for the hundredth time. She had only dabbled in pagan things, and never really participated in any rituals. She didn't even know why she had received this invite, but she knew deep down that she would go. She could use some excitement, after all, the only thing she had going right now was her bookstore.


She smiled as she heard the door open, and looked up to see who might be coming in.....

 

[Neale]

oops

Computer confusion led to a double post.

[Edited by Neale on 04-19-2001 at 05:44 PM]

 

[Neale]

Gerald Branscome

Gerald ran his fingers through his thick red hair, which was finally showing signs of turning the same silvery-white as his father and grandfathers' on both sides of the family had done, "Blessed be, Liz... sure'n I'll be there, lass! 'Twouldn't do to miss out on Baeltaine with the Harvest lot."

He smiled to himself, as memories of past Baeltaines spent with Liz and her coven came back to him. Was it back in '77 that they'd helped his old friend, Ian Anderson, write:
For the May Day is the great day,
Sung along the old straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley
Will heed this song that calls them back.

He wasn't an 'official' member of the coven, but his Irish blood, Celtic ancestry and heritage, and family traditions of the old ways made him a welcome visitor in all but the most private rituals.

"Think I'll fire off a missive on yon computer to th' luv right now!"

Lady Elizabeth, you have mail!
Liz, luv! 'Tis yuir favorite laddie of t' auld sod here, Gerald! Merry met, milady! I t'ank ye for t' luvely invitation, an' sure'n I'll be t'ere anon.
Blessed be,
G

[Edited by Neale on 04-19-2001 at 05:08 PM]

 

[Earthgoddess]

OCC Welcome all, if you have any questions please, please ICQ or use my other email-
Sacred taste@cs.com...Lit Mail is down...I am soooo looking forward to this rite of Spring!

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

Tucking the invite into his back pocket, Jacen smiled to himself, for what little he knew about Beltane through casual reading and what not, the idea of going to an actual ritual thrilled him to the very core. He'd traced his fingers over the ink embossed letters more than thrice in the last day, since receiving it. He took a taxi to the estate and it was just pulling in as the invitation went into his pocket for the final time. He popped the passenger side door open and hopped out as the trunk swung open and he promptly took out his suit case. His feet crunched along the gravel path to the house's front doors as strands of his long chestnut hair flitted in the breeze.

 

[Earthgoddess]

I rushed into the bookstore and smiled at the wonderful woman at the counter,
" I am so glad you'll be attending tonight-I brought some material for you to lookmat about the ritual. I also need to pick up that cookbook-with all of the Celtic recipes in it." I watched as she deftly grabbed the book and wrapped it-I did not know her too well but my family's penchant for books was reason enough for me to pursue her friendship. I look forward to getting to know her far better before Beltane's magic departs.
"Thanks again-here are the copies of the rite-see you later"
I waved as I left.
I settled into the nook of my kitchen that doubled as an office and found my Celtic cutie had already rsvp'd-yeah!!!
His attendance put me at ease-he was so friendly and would make the newbies so comfortable. Plus he was so irresistible-I knew I could steal at least a nuzzle and some slap and tickle from his big warm arms.

And then there was Jacen-my crush- I hope he didn't think I was too forward-our chats illuminated my day, I doubt he realized the effect he produced. I spent the rest of the day cleaning and cooking-hey a chef has to put on a decent spread. The rest of the coven were due in the early afyternoon so I spent a decadebnt amount of toime soaking in a bath scented with rosemary and honey. I dressed in my best Renn Faire clothes-lots of cleavage-a cinched waist and wide hips-my best look. I spent a few hours as the pagan caterer and set up the ritual area. The I returned to the kitchen for the finishing touches.
"Beltane, Beltane-where is my recipe for those damn honey cakes-",I felt very unLady like as I hurriedly flipped through the ritual book. Guests were expected at any moment and luckily the cottage was clean. The little ones had been packed off to Grandma's for a nice weekend of too much sugar and lots of spoiling.
I glanced around the house and saw that everything was in order, then I peered out the window and saw that my hard work had paid off. The gardens looked magickal-small paper laterns were tucked throughout the flowering cherry trees. The stage was et-let the games begin...

[Edited by Earthgoddess on 04-19-2001 at 06:18 PM]

 

[Ravenloft]

Stepping up onto the cottege's porch, Jacen set his suit case down next to him, threw his hair back and smoothed it back with a swipe of his hand. He leaned in and knocked at the door.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I smiled and began looking over the material in front of me. I read aloud to myself

"In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods "A-Maying," and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health."


I smiled as I quickly walked up to the door and flipped the sign to 'Closed', and climbed the stairs to my apartment above.

I needed to get ready. I had no idea what to wear, but I did read something about jumping over fire, and that loose clothing was a 'no no' if you wanted to do this. I laughed and chose a simple skin tight black dress that came to mid thigh.

I pulled my strawberry blonde hair back into a loose knot, applied some lipstick and headed out the door. I definately didn't want to be late.

 

[Neale]

EarthGoddess You have Mail!

Here ya are, luv. Me ol' gran's recipe for Bannock cakes:

Bannock cakes

450 gm flour
220 gm butter
125 gm castor sugar
125 gm mixed peel chopped
60 gm almonds
Mix together sugar and butter and then knead in flour. Add the peel and almonds and knead until smooth. Wrap in grease-proof
paper or place in zip-bag and leave overnight. Roll into rounds and bake for 30 minutes at about 160 degrees Celsius.

 

[Earthgoddess]

OCC-MAIL? where's my mail? Lit mail is down and there is no mail in my other addy? Sacredtaste@cs.com...hmmm-oh wait it is early maybe the mail was the recipe and part of the story-oops. I will be posting later gotta run to work this morning...I am so excited this will be a wonderful ritual!

 

[Neale]

OOC: *blushes*

OOC: oopsie! Hadn't considered that you might take my previous post as a message to you, irl, that I sent you mail. I was just trying for verisimilitude within my ic post. I'll try to make the difference more distinct in the future...

 

[Earthgoddess]

OCC- I am too literal sometimes-my mistake!

 

[Earthgoddess]

OCC sorry having computer problems...



The door opened and there he was, my heart leapt as I tried to casually smile and welcome him...
"Hello Jacen, I am soo glad you could make it, the others will be here soon. Could I serve you some mead?",Oh dearest Goddesss could I nervously prattle any more???? My hands shake a tad as I poured the goblet. I bite my lips as I concentrated on carefully handing it to you. My fingers graze yours and I catch my breath and look at you.

 

[poohlive]

"Your never going to get away with it, you know."
Adam glanced back to his room mate, lacing up the fine shoes he got yesterday.
"And why not?"
"Listen, Adam. Don't you think it's going to be odd that you, a stranger end up on this person's doorstep. She knows which invitations she sent out."
Adam looked at it again.
"The Pleasure of your Company is requested on Beltane Eve at the estate of Lady Elizabeth..."
Adam looked up, "It sounds like she handed out hundreds of these across the city. So what if one of her intended guests doesn't show up and I do. What's wrong with that?"
"Listen. If it were the case that you just found the letter in a trashcan or something, I would be with you, but you stole this from a mailbox. Come on now."
Adam didn't answer, but his mind stayed the same. He put on his shoes.
"Please, just consider this, will you."
"I have for two weeks now. I am going to this party."
The door closed rather abruptly.
Adam went outside and got into his car.
Beltane eve? Coven, maypole? Those words meant little or nothing to him, but he still thought it would be intriguing. If anything, he could always just get plastered and hit on someone at the party. He might even get lucky too.
He started it his car, and headed towards the address.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"My dear Elizabeth, the pleasure is all mine, I assure you of that. I would sit and chat with you until their arrival, unless you have anything I could help you with..." He considered her offer of mead. "Only if we drink one together..." He said slyly. Matching a grin to his words, Jacen sat the poured goblet off to the side and captured Elizabeth's hand in his. Though his eyes were brightly blue, there was a sort of darkness in them. Some hidden intent as he softly kissed the back of her hand. He shifted his eyes to his goblet. "You will drink with me then?" He inquired.

 

[madeline]

OCC- Hey Earthgoddess- I'm not sure this is still open, but I thought I'd jump in...you mentioned Gerald would be good with the newbies...thats me. If you've already got enough players, just let me know.

IC- Tara looked at her reflection in the mirror- smiled at herself, and thought "I can do this." She'd babysat for Liz for the past two years, since her senior year in high school. Liz had been kind of a life saver during a time when it was scary to be different from the rest of her cookie cutter classmats. Provided a kind of role model- independent, funny, adventurous- and still sexy despite being a mom and nearly twice Tara's age. She'd convinced Tara not to cut her long curly auburn hair into a fashionable bob, but let it tumble down her shoulders, wild and natural. Taught her how anti-persperent was bad for you, and the importance of checking your breasts for lumps. Liz would say these things without embarrasment, and Tara quickly grew to appreciate her candor and honesty. It was Liz Tara first went to with questions about sex- what it REALLY felt like, that kind of thing. She'd helped Tara sew her first costume for a Ren Fair the year before- a tight velvet corset that made Tara's small breasts sit high on her chest, a long dark green skirt that clung to her firm thighs and flowed with her as she walked.

They'd met when Tara came into the bookstore to post an announcement for her troup's dance recital- Tara had been taking Irish dance since she was 9, and was now the de facto leader of the group. She loved the dance- not only did she make tons of friends with other people just outside the mainstream, but it kept her whole body in shape. She dreamed of going to Ireland someday and participating in a real competition with the natives. Or falling in love with an Irish lad...all she had to do was hear an Irish accent and she'd practically get wet. Though that seemed to happen with Scottish and English too...Actually, she was horny most of the time. Liz made her feel better about that- said if she was lucky it would never go away.

And then, for her twentieth birthday, Liz had given her a gift. A book of erotica, with a slightly pagan bent. One of the stories featured an afternoon with Pan, the deflowering of a virgin. And stuck between the pages, almost looking like a bookmark, was the invitation. Liz had added a personal note- a reassurance of sorts. But Tara didn't need reassurance. She would go. She couldn't think of a better way to finally discover what she'd been reading about for years. And Liz had mentioned that Gerald would be there...She'd had a sort of school girl crush on him for quite some time, but had always tried to hide it out of respect for Liz. But it seemed on Beltane, anything goes....

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I straightened my clothes once again as I walked up to the door. I hoped that I wasn't too early. I stood looking at the door, wondering if I should knock, or wait for someone else to show up so I wouldn't have to walk in alone.

Being single wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, and it had been so long since I had been intimate with anyone.

It looked as if tonight might be my night to rediscover myself, or at least I hoped it would.

 

[Neale]

OOC:Time check

OOC:Earthgoddess, hon, could you post the current time? I don't want Gerald to arrive early, and interrupt you and Jacen.
I'm planning to arrive precisely at 6, so please give a warning when it is time for all of us to arrive. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

OOC: Exactly why I am standing outside the door... I don't want to interrupt.

 

[Earthgoddess]

OCC_ this is almost worse than being a realtime hostess-lol.

The ancient clock pealed six as I stared back at Jacen, oh my the others would be here any moment. The timer on the cd player clicked and smoothly my most recent purchase of Celtic music tumbled forth, filling the room with soft melodies.
I broke away from HJacen with the distict imptression that I had just walked through a glen with too many shadows.

My guests were tumbling through the door, I heard laughter and was pleased to recognize so many faces. And pleased that my spell casting for a stranger had been answered so nicely.

 

[poohlive]

Was this the right address? Several cars were parked outside, and there seemed to be people having a good time. He heard music he had never heard before, something that was strangely welcoming.
He licked his lips nervously and stepped out of the car. Well, he never was one to back down. Adam walked up to the door. It was already open and several people were inside talking and laughing. He saw this was indeed something strange and new, the food wasn't anything he had seen before, and a few people were dressed up in some odd costumes.
His formal attire didn't clash that badly. He was glad with his own choice. Standing near one of the walls, he almost wished he hadn't come. He was in safely, and no one had bothered to see his invitation, but still... what was he going to do here?
He took a glass of something he had never drunk before and began sipping it quietly. He wouls stay a little longer, to see if anything good happened. If not, he was outta here.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"Drats..." Jacen thought to himself as he stood and walked casually to stand behind Liz. He smiled at all that entered and offered them a welcoming hand shake. Those he knew through visiting with Elizabeth, he offered the customary "Merry meet" to.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I stood back from the others, not knowing exactly what to do. I guess reading can only prepare you for so much.
Some of the people I recognized, others I had never seen before.

I stayed at the back at the room, waiting for most of the other arrivals to disperse and mingle. I closed my eyes, and thought to myself that I just didn't belong here.

In a split second, I had made my decision. Easing toward the door, I inched it open, intent on escape.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

After the guests had all milled in, Jacen stepped back to take the gathering in for a moment. He'd been to a couple of them in the past. Watching as things settled into a comfortable rhythem, Jacen noticed, what was her name? Olivia, that was it! She was sneeking for the door. Boy, the memories that brough back for him! His first time, he tried sneeking off too! He made his way over to her as natural as could be, collecting his goblet of mead that he had abbandoned only a few minutes before. "Olivia, care for a drink?" He said, just as sly as ever, extending the goblet out to her.