Today was the day. She'd even painted herself for the occasion, in shades of blue and indigo for her mate, her beloved, Trot of Sorrowed Fox. She'd painted stripes and swirls over herself, and decorated her body for the occasion.

A crown of flowers sat atop her head, their stems twined with each other, shards of bone poking up to create a proper crown. Blue streaked down her mask, as well, in a line from the bottom lip down her chin, and down one eye, too. Her necklace of teeth was around her neck, and more flowers were wrapped around her arms and throat, with more lines and patterns painstakingly painted across her body and legs.

She tossed away the last of the berries and hid them before clasping her hands together, her heart racing.

"My fellows!", she cried, turning to face down the tunnel, towards Cepheus, "I've gathered you all here for a reason... I wish for you all to reveal yourselves from whence you hide, and join me!"

Her blonde hair was done up in a bun, tied with twine done in a bow. Everything about her appearance was made to be beautiful, elegant, and yet dangerous. Bones jutting up from her crown, the teeth carved into charms around her neck. She'd taken care in everything about her appearance, and the Queen of Lies looked every bit like her title suggested.

"My friends," she said softly, "Today is a day of celebration. For today is the union of us fae folk, a union of benefits and protection. We unite together in bondage today. Six Stripes, I ask you to join me y my side. My mate may not join us, and if they do not, their spirit will remain by my side as well."

The Queen breathed out slowly and closed her eyes, waiting patiently for everyone to appear. She only hoped they would.

This thread is open to all potential Court members! If I forget to tag you, please let me know. :))

@Rain @Jasmedai @Matthieu @Marshmallow @Not

Marshmallow was dressed up for the occasion too! She made sure to try and match what Arwen was wearing. A large single flower sat on her head, a small semblence of Arwen's flower crown. All the bones were too big for her to try and wear, so she had just settled for getting some berries and dying her fur several colors. Arwen helped her with all of this of course. She was not exactly the smartest gembound.

Perched happily on her caretaker's shoulder, she flapped her little wings to make noise, as if trying to clap.

Rain had been haphazardly tucked away beneath a cluster of roots they were already starting to get too big for, brown body nearly invisible against the wood and dirt and stone. It had been easier than finding one of the hidden dens, especially since they didn't mind twisting up into a pretzel, and they even had a scrap of old, ragged, stained-and-mothbitten cloth they used to throw over their head when they were underneath. It was an ugly thing, but it hid the flicker of blue from any who might have been passing above so long as Walks-Like-Rain sat very, very still.

Her friend, ally, leader? called out for her, and her eyes lifted before she began to wriggle out of her prison. The scrap of cloth was left behind because Rain didn't really care about it, and they began to shuffle across the ground to approach the Queen. Violet eyes scraped over her appraisingly, and then she folded her legs underneath her. "You are different. Your face has changed, but not in the way that it usually does." Rain sniffed, taking note of the display of color with what would have been a frown if their mouth could move.

Rain had always felt a little... jealous. Not because they were interested in Trot of Fox or the Queen, but because they had a very close relationship that seemed borderline unattainable. And more than that, they'd even hatched together. They were something predestined; Rain was not so lucky. Not that she was really all that interested in a romantic relationship, but being able to trust someone and be vulnerable with them... well, that was the height of intimacy for a faerie.

"Looks like Foxtrot," they offered, knowing that they were saying the name wrong. It was only kind of on purpose.

Blue was late, but that didn't mean they weren't going to show up.
the reason they were late?

Blue had, for a good portion of a lovely day, been hunting for the appropriate berries, feathers, gems and such to make the right color of brownish-blackish grey. eventually, they gave up and settled on pitch black. they considered not bothering with yellow, given the fact they already had a fair amount on them already, but they were not one to halfass a job, and they were gonna be late anyway. might as well get fancy.

they spent about an hour, 23 minutes and 34 seconds crafting their appearance for the occasion, finding the art of such absolutely dazzling. they had even bothered to slightly paint the tips of their hair and feathers different shades of yellow and black. they had gone for a short walk, gathering different types of flowers and such to tie into their hair with small vines (thorned of course), yellow and black roses, aswell as some carnivorous plant they picked and had fashioned into quite the lovely leaf-braid choker, the plant being the centerpiece, similar to how one would fashion a gem into an actual choker, except its a venomous, toothed plant. the usual, yknow?

they were almost ready, when they paused. they looked at the empty canvas of the keratin growing around their torso and, by this point, trailing down their arms and coiling delicately around their fingers, which were now stained with shades of yellow and black. they had decided to paint around the gem, swirls, spots and polka-dots lines across the wood-like surface. once they were satisfied, they went off to the event, knowing they were a few minutes late, but they hoped they had something to show for it, flying carefully to perch at arwens side.

"I hope i'm not late" the harpy spoke, harmonizing with themselves. satisfaction in their voice, was what it was.

looking at arwen made them smile a big and toothy grin. seems they had the same idea. their face flushed, from under all the dye. "gorgeous as ever..."

Dashes of bone dust across their cheeks. Berry juice and blood. The Twins knew of what was to come, a reunion of fairy folk from all corners of the caves. The Twins prepared. 'Dead rabbits run. The cat howls in fear.'

Delicate fingers, dipped in ivory dye, ran over their faces and painted elaborate patterns. A pale skull shape, painted teeth sitting over the lips. Little stripes ran up like butterfly antenna. Then came the red stuffs, little bloody dots under each eye. When they were done, he curled down and she leaned up to place the same patterns across their second head. Smoothed out her fur, rubbed their shared stone.

They admired their reflections in a crystal. Perfect. Powerful.

This was a new place. Not truly a cave, but a passageway, narrow and tall and brooded over by towering branches. Not as crowded as the Spire-room. Not as... unpleasant... as the Mirror-room. It was a silent crossroad, one where golden leaves drifted and dark soil sat and each breath was filled with the promise of wild. No pompous or megalomaniac others will disturb them here.

Matthieu rested along a hidden nook in the oaks in wait. They knew The Blue One was somewhere here. They figured it was best not to interact yet. Walks Like Rain was also resting along the roots, and Marshmallow's chitters gave away her location long before they could see her. More misfits surely rested just beyond their vision. The Queen had been busy meeting people.

And here was the fated lady herself! She was far more dressed than the either of them were ('I should've made a crown') and her voice just as angelic to match. The bones tinkled with every movement. The fairy listened to her words with a strange excitement, and at the cue, slipped out of the tangle and approached her side. Claws padding gently against the ground. Two twin splendors of gold and black, side by side.

Despite the great honor of being chosen to co-lead, the two of them felt nothing. Just stoic, analytical thoughts. Blue hurried into the scene ('late.') dressed in an even more splendid display of colors, perching by Arwen's side. Boy turned to look at the smiling harpy briefly. They didn't say anything.

"We all join together today." Scratch that: they did. "Fae Folk." Twin voices, childlike and monstrous, harmonizing together. "The others do not trust us. Not fully. But we can trust each other. Death and blood and all sorts of wonders! We will commit them together."The end of their impromptu speech morphed into a haunting giggle. They were finally together.

Jasmedai was not as dressed up as her peers. She was plain, her natural color, though red had begun to bloom at the tip of her ever growing bud. She carried with her a collection of knick knacks. Sticks blooming with fungi, and oddly shaped stones. And, clutched tightest of all, was the box. It was even more worn, a solid chunk missing, and shedding splinters.

She'd arrived at the tunnel early, but would be one of the last to arrive at the meeting. It fascinated her. The ways the tunnel shifted. It widened and shortened. It expanded and twisted and moved as she. The voices of her peers drew her from the deep recesses of the tree maze.

Her developing petals would peek first. Then, tendrils of her vines squeezed through. She quickly slithered into the small gathering. Her smile widened, the dark glint of black teeth visible. "Fae folk..." She rsaid. Then laughed. What a silky name to choose! But it was the name of her peers.

It was what she would be called too, now. Her eyes were alight. Verging on manic as she listened. Blood and death. Things she'd not experienced yet. And found herself yearning for. "Siblings. All of us, together." She laughed again, not a malicious one. But a genuinely joyful one.

Not

The bright white and berry red painted bird had watched each person who had answered his queens summons with an eerie eye, having wanted to get dressed up for the occasion like her. Not had had happily accepted her help dressing himself - well okay, more like he'd asked her to help him look his best, and the flowers... they were completely her idea.

He wasn't sure how much he likes the half dead things draped around his shoulders, especially since they would flake apart and shed like his feathers as he moved up and down the Tunnel, finally coming to rest once it seemed everyone had arrived. Red dye had been dripped, or more likely dabbed, on his head within the ring of his crown, and had run slightly down the sides of his face and down the back of his neck, with a red line having been drawn down his throat and splattered into his stomach and chest feathers.

All in all, he likes how he looks in the moment, frayed feathers aside. The albino raven is proud that he stands out like a beacon in the low light, the green and brown around him serving as a fitting backdrop for his vibrant appearance, and even more so for the more flashy ones in the group.

He awaits his Queen- and wonders if she means him when she speaks of family. Whatever that may mean. There's always time to learn, he thinks to himself, and settles down to wait for the beginning of her speech. Crown of blood on his head and running down his feathers... yes okay he's well aware that it's berry dye but thats not the point!

Anyway.

Crown of blood and true crown of bone, the bright white in the Queens hair makes his eyes crinkle in glee. Let it begin.

"We wear colors," the Queen hummed, "We decorate ourselves to elevate our appearances. For what is a faerie if they are not vain? Perhaps not in looks, like yourself... which is why I've brought you something. Your interest in innards will become useful, I know it."

She turned to greet her mate as he arrived, chittering softly, words of gooey love as she bumped their heads together, eyes drooped. Weakness to some, but they didn't see how her magic roiled within, protectively, how her emotions grew hardened. Powered by affection and devotion.

"You look lovely too," she mumbled, before stepping back to reveal the deer she'd been sitting on.

A white deer, taken from Cepheus, "I give you a gift, my deer. I can see your doubt in me, but I assure you, I only lie to protect, and there is no need to protect from friendship. I wish for you to take this deer apart... and I want you to turn its skin into a covering, to wear its head as your own, to trick and deceive those stupid enough to look closer."

The Queen of Lies pushed it closer and offered a leaf full of crushed berries, both red and blue, and straightened, inhaling softly as she gently stroked Marshmallow and held out an arm for Not, wanting him to join her and Marshmallow, peering at the two beside her.

"All of you!", she said, "Are my friends! My family! Today... we become each other's family. Friends. I don't expect you to love each other, but as one, we will respect one another and we will work together. We don't need to prove anything to anyone but ourselves anymore. We've been given looks and glances of disgust, even horror. Today we acknowledge that the acceptance of beloved friends, and most importantly ourselves will grant us happiness."

Finally... she turned to Matthieu, eyes down. She reached forward, putting a hand on Bee's head and holding one of Boy's.

"It is time I tell you my name," she said softly, inaudible to anyone else except Marshmallow, who already knew, "As my left, you ought to know. My name... is Arwen."

The Queen whipped back around and leveled everyone else with an even stare, "You will be my Court of faeries... I am your Queen, and Trot of Sorrowed Fox and Six Stripes are your leaders too. They choose their own titles."

She turned to them and breathed out, "We've always been scattered and cluttered, and I ask of the both of you to try and find a way to help us unite permanently. As one Court... but perhaps two factions."

She couldn't help but smile. This was going well.

@Redwood @Matthieu @Not @Jasmedai @Marshmallow @Rain

Rain shifted, visibly uncomfortable if you were perceptive enough, as everyone showed up in different colors and costumes. Even Jasmedai sort of had something, even if it was just sticks and rocks -- Rain was just as they were, and they felt somewhere between angry and embarrassed that they hadn't known. A blank face and empty eyes turned towards the Queen, feeling something hot and ugly rear up at the suggestion that they did not have vanity. Of course they did; they were beautiful. They just hadn't known that they were supposed to dress up. But the Queen kept talking, and Rain's interest was piqued despite their suspicion.

There was Queen and Fox again, cooing over each other, and Rain felt another pang of something distant, but this one was more hollow. They wondered what it felt like to have someone love you like that. They eyed the deer as Queen moved away from it, and narrowed their eyes at her -- they searched for the trick, but she was smarter than to lie to a faerie, and after another moment their entire demeanor changed. This one stunt was enough to put someone who had been teetering on the edge of disliked firmly into Rain's good graces, and their mandibles clicked together excitedly as they pulled closer the deer and the berries.

Careful wrists and fleshy scythes ran over the pelt of the creature, barely even mussed from its travels. Soft and short and absolutely pristine... it was perfect. They barely remembered to mumble a "Thank you!" before starting to push lightly at the joints, testing to see if the creature was long enough dead to have gone stiff and no longer be pliable. They nearly vibrated with the possibility -- finally, they'd get to know how to take it apart. And this way, nothing would go wasted -- they could use all the pieces to make things, one way or another. It had barely started to stiffen, and Rain would need to work quickly if they wanted the joints to move through this whole process. They glanced towards Marshmallow and Not, and then politely shifted their body between them and the deer before starting to very, very carefully cut into it with their mandibles. Rain didn't think very highly of them, and assumed that they'd feel weird about seeing another food-type animal being cut open.

"I'll follow you," Rain finally said after the first incision had been made, eyes alight with possibility. "Also, I will need some time to get in a costume." They glanced back at Arwen. "I want to do this first. But I might need the help of some hands."

The Queen's words. Delicate. Harmonious. Deadly. 'White lies and rabbit eyes.'

The gathering crowd. Hopeful faces. Unfamiliar faces. Shifting vines and squelching flesh. 'Crystal thrones and rotten bones.'

Fresh, fresh forest air. The arch of roots beneath their feet. 'Spire light and strangled fright.'

It was all coming together.

The Twins stood still as their leader spoke, children steady and emotionless amongst the dark trees. Quiet breaths in and out. Surely enough more came (a tangle of leaves and child's laughter. A bird as pale as magic.) and listened to the grub speak. Matthieu did not react. The only thought in their heads was the ambitious vision of a family ahead of them. Wonderful. Delightful.

The Blue One came, and the slightest frown tugged at the corner of his lips. They may have been on tentative new terms, but they still weren't leaping for joy at the thought of having to lead alongside them. 'Wish I could just eat them.' But it was gone just as quick, their rosy eyes turning to watch Walks Like Rain scramble over the deer. The mantis sure was fond of corpses. Matthieu was too.

And then came the whisper: Arwen. 'Arwen. Arwen.' The faerie had to lean in to hear it. A true name, a sacred, personal name. Quite the honor to be able to hear it. Their brains fired, thinking of how to repay the favor. "Matthieu." The human head murmured back, squeezing her hand ever so slightly. Unnoticeable to all but the Queen herself.

And the final act of the night: they, along with Redwood, had to unite the fairies together. Not necessarily as one group (both of them knew how bad that would go) but two. They already knew what they would announce. They already had this planned.

"We will lead those of blood." Matthieu's childlike voices intertwined, the last word a monstrous growl. "Deceit. Agression. The protectors, the executioners, the agents of vengeance. We will lead a court of Lies."

End quote.