If you weren’t able to join us for the Masque or weren’t able to stay for the Pageant, you can view the video here:
Tag: video
Video: A Quiet Moment – Cyrille nó Alyssum writes to a lover
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My dearest Amelie,
You do not know how much your letter warmed my heart and brought joy to these chilly nights. There is much happening in the Court and amongst us flowers but you will have heard all the gossip by now and you know I am not one to share other’s secrets but do know I have heard most of the current whispers as always. What you will not have heard about is my health. I am unwell and we do not yet know the cause so you do not need to worry about something too well known. Most days I am alright and am able to maintain my duties and loves as I wish and on the days I am not my darling Amarante steps in and helps care for me. I could not ask for a better Second. The rest of my news can keep until I see you on the Longest Night but I do beg of you that you keep me in your prayers to Eisheth.
With all my heart,
Cyrille nó Alyssum
Video: Welcome to Dahlia House
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I’m Jocaste nó Dahlia the Dowyane of Dahlia House. And I suppose you’re here because you want to learn more about us you want to understand more about what makes us feel very special.
Well, to understand us you need to understand that many of us come from other Houses, originated somewhere else. We were chosen for this House because we demonstrated an ability to lead; we demonstrated a bigger vision; we demonstrated a deeper understanding of the allure of power.
Now, our friends at Mandrake and Valerian definitely understand that. But we’re talking about political power. We’re talking about the ability to lead people…into movements, into abundance, and into fulfillment.
And in fact, a night at Dahlia House is simply a chance to be to have an audience with us, to be part of that environment of power crackling with electricity, crackling with anticipation, with tension or flirtation and courtly love. To have the opportunity to be noticed. And the opportunity to be chosen, among many.
Every adept in the Night Court, regardless of your House gets to choose their own patrons. But in Dahlia House, we have many patrons that we can choose from any given night, or we can choose none at all.
And that itself is satisfying that itself is the tease, and the play, and the intrigue, that we inspire.
For example, I should have been in Gentian House. I should have been a mystic and a seer – a dreamer of dreams. But I wanted to change the way that they approach things. And at the tender age of 10, I tried.
And that is how I got chosen for Dahlia. That is how I was fostered into leadership of this House. Because bringing out the best in our lovers and making them earn that opportunity to see the private “us”, to have that pedestal of acclaim and achievement is seductive in and of itself.
Who doesn’t want to take credit for a queen, inviting someone to her bed? A king, recognizing you in public, and giving you his favor?
We are no stranger to those who have been locked out at the court and their ambitions have been thwarted one way or another. They get to play out that fantasy with us to earn our attention. And it’s no mistake that we are often called upon to be advisors to the court.
So, House Dahlia will definitely surprise you. Yes, we hold our heads up high. Yes, we all have imaginary crowns on our heads. And you will want us all the more so for it.
Please enjoy this Longest Night’s Midwinter Masque, the biggest event in Terre d’Ange. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you show your worth.
Video: Petrea’s Offer
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PETREA NO CEREUS and MARCO DECIMUS, her lover, lie in bed in her private chambers after an intimate evening.
PETREA
I wish your time in the city were not so short. Your visits come far too rarely for my tastes. You scholars – how you do wander. It’s a wonder you visit me at all, what with you jaunting from one end of the world to the other.
MARCO
(chuckles)
You know that I always make my way to you, no matter where my travels take me, dearest.
How go your plans for the Midwinter Masque? I know from your letters that Aliksandria tasked you with the preparations.
PETREA
(groans)
MARCO (CONT’D)
You have concerns of the ball? Or is it this scandal you have written about that troubles you?
PETREA
Oh the ball, itself, will be spectacular. But I fear there shall be no joy for me on the Longest Night. You know the City of Elua loves nothing more than a scandal. And I hate nothing more than a scandal – so tiresome.
(annoyed)
The gossiping grows worse by the day. One can no longer avoid the rumor mongering. There is even a whisper that I am humiliated by the thought of another Second being chosen over me – when nothing could be further from the truth. It has gone too far. The foolish stories are on the lips of every person in every shop on every corner throughout the city, not to mention in every chamber of every House here on Mont Nuit.
(angrily)
There is literally no one I do not hate right now.
MARCO
(laughs, then his voice turns serious)
You seem less and less content each time I see you. And this..this seems too much for you.
He pauses briefly as if something has occurred to him.
MARCO (CONT’D)
(thoughtfully)
Would you ever consider leaving the Night Court?
PETREA
You mean retire? It is not…it is not done.
(sadly)
One does not retire for the simple fact that one is unhappy in one’s place and dislikes courtly gossip.
MARCO
No, no, of course not. But there are other reasons for leaving. Marriage, for example. Others who have made their marque have married and left the Night Court. Left the City. Left Terre d’Ange, even.
PETREA
(thinking out loud)
Marriage? Well, yes, that does happen. But who would I marry? I have dear friends, it is true, but not any who would agree to a marriage of convenience and certainly not any whom are not entangled in..oh.
She pauses as his meaning dawns on her
PETREA (CONT’D)
Oh.
She is silent for a moment, realizing what he is suggesting.
PETREA (CONT’D)
Are…are you proposing marriage?
MARCO
I am.
PETREA
But surely you wish to marry for love, and not simply to take pity on an unhappy woman.
MARCO
I do wish to marry for love. And I would be.
PETREA
Oh.
MARCO
I love you. I love you more than any words in the world can express. Why do you think I come back to you time and again?
PETREA
I thought you enjoyed my company. That I was a stop along your way back to Tiberium from…wherever it is you go.
MARCO
Well there is that, but you are so much more to me than that. Marry me. Come to Tiberium with me. I have a home there. Perhaps not quite as lavish as Cereus House…
PETREA
(laughs)
MARCO (CONT’D)
(his words coming faster)
..but it is comfortable. Let me take you away from here. Away from this life that you do not love. We could travel if you like. Let me show you the world. There is so much more than what you have seen and experienced here in the City. Or not. We don’t have to travel. We can stay in Tiberium. We can have children if you like. Or not. You can study at the university if you like. Or not, if you do not wish. It matters not.
(more gently)
All that matters is that you come home to me at the end of each day. Whatever you want, I will give you.
(quietly)
You can return as often as you like. Whenever you like. I know that there are people here that you love and could not bear to be separated from forever. I know that this is your favorite time of year, and I promise that we’ll always arrange any travels so that you’re here at Cereus House for the Midwinter Masque. What do you think?
Video: Odilia Gets The Letter
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SCENE: [ODILIA is looking out the window, pensive, worried, something weighing on her mind.]
ROSANNA: (offscreen) Odilia?
[ODILIA turns to look at ROSANNA waiting by the couch, she manages a smile]
ODILIA: Rosanna.
[ROSANNA knows her friend, she knows better than to believe the smile.]
ROSANNA: What is it?
[ODILIA crosses to the low table and hands ROSANNA the letter lying there.]
ROSANNA: The royal seal…
ODILIA: Read it.
[ODILIA sits at her couch and sips her wine, watching ROSANNA read. She sits slowly too as she reads aloud.]
ROSANNA: (reading aloud) “Dearest Odilia, In these uncertain times when I have more on my mind than ever, I find my thoughts turning to you more and more.”
(breaking off) Odilia, this seems personal…
ODILIA: Keep going.
ROSANNA: (reading aloud) “The loss of my beloved brother weighs heavily on me, nearly as heavily as that weight that I never thought to bear. As the nights grow longer, I have more time than ever to consider that which lays before me. Mon coeur, I long for your arms and for your advice as to what is next for me. For us. I must take the crown and my mother has warned me that the weight of it will change everything. I stand at the precipice of something new, knowing now more than ever I will need guidance. And so I have made a choice. The Longest Night celebrations will soon overtake the city but my heart is not in them. Instead, I will stand Cassiel’s Vigil through the night, praying for Elua’s guidance and blessing. I regret I cannot share the evening with you as I had wished but to that end I ask for your assistance. As I cannot attend the fete at Cereus House, go in my stead and speak with my voice and represent me among your peers and other guests-”
(breaking off) Odilia, this means something.
ODILIA: Yes, it does.
ROSANNA: Has he asked you to be….?
ODILIA: No. Not yet. I thought he might but then the plague and the loss of his brother…there was no time.
ROSANNA: (reading aloud) “I can trust this to no other for no other is the queen of my heart the way you are, no other knows my heart and mind the way you do. I have every faith in you and place my trust in you completely. I miss you and pray the spring will bring us together again. Yours ever devotedly, Gustav.”
[She sets the letter aside and looks at her friend. ODILIA is valiantly trying to keep her composure but ROSANNA knows her friend too well.]
ROSANNA: Are you alright?
[ODILIA stifles a laugh. ROSANNA takes her hand.]
ROSANNA: Are you ready for this?
ODILIA: I have to be.