The Affair of the Lily Masquerade
Only those invited by Sunset Celia can attend her Lily Masquerade Ball. For the first time, she has offered an open invitation to the exclusive event - for those who can find Crossrow.
Aspects
- Relevance: Sky
- Relevance: Grail
- Incident
Visitors: Sky
| Visitor | Start | Failure | Success | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lic. Enrique Esquivel | Not here for politics this time. Mine is a more personal matter.‘ | I’ve long held an interest in music, you see, and Crossrow is reknown for its berth of musical manuscripts. There are some truly elusive ones I’d like to find there, but that requires finding the place first.‘ | Thanks, Librarian. Any special requests you’d like me to bring back? Kidding, of course. None of these places are fond of thieves… well, thieves who steal from them, not for them.‘ | Senator Esquivel planned to attend the Lily Masquerade to access Crossrow’s berth of musical manuscripts. |
| Sra. Paloma Silva | Many of my contacts’ interests come in conflict with each other. But for once, they’ve all agreed for me to attend on their behalf.‘ | Certain figures of note are almost certain to attend, and if gossip were to thrive anywhere, it would be in Crossrow. And anyone with sense would understand that as well. Concealing my identity will be paramount, but I require measures less extreme than the Spring.‘ | Rather ironic, is it not? We removed ourselves from the world yet still concern ourselves so highly with its politics. You can never escape them, even here. Goodbye for now.‘ | Acting on her associates’ behalf, Paloma found methods to discretely attend the Lily Masquerade to gather intel on its most notable guests. |
| Libreng Ibon | No, Librarian, I do not require guidance to Crossrow; rather, I have been entrusted with designing the means to attain it.‘ | There are those out there who denigrate Birdsong them as a facile Wisdom. So I intend to make riddles the only means of finding Crossrow - to humble them, you see.‘ | If the Haustorium preserves those things which would otherwise not be preserved, then Crossrow garners knowledge which would otherwise be discarded. Our missions are somewhat aligned. Perhaps that’s why we’ve been closer to this place than most. Paalam, Librarian.‘ | Libreng Ibon sought guidance on creating intricate riddles for those who wished to find Crossrow. |
Visitors: Grail
| Visitor | Start | Failure | Success | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Delilah Molotla | Opportunities to meet Names are very rare, Librarian.To those of us who value our lives, that is.‘ | Sunset Celia is a rather enigmatic figure in the Church, wonderfully controversial. I’d like to speak with her, but earning her attention - let alone her time - won’t be a simple matter.‘ | The Maids in the Mirror favor orchids, and Celia has always been likened to them… or perhaps it’s the other way around. Either way, if I’m correct, I should earn a private audience with her. Thank you, Librarian.‘ | Dr Motola discovered a way to garner Sunset Celia’s attention, in the hopes of gaining a private audience with her. |
| Sra. Maruja Mallo | Sunset Celia has always been a favorite of mine. I always wished to do a portrait, but to paint the lady herself is something I refuse to pass up.‘ | The Hours have always been difficult to portray; it usually requires a handful of forbidden knowledge, and even then, it never captures all of them. A Name should be more managable, especially one on our side of the world, but finding the right paints for her is of paramount importance.‘ | Perhaps this could be the start of a series: ‘The Tree’s Protectresses.’ It would be novel, and I’m certain the Dottore would appreciate it. Though I hope she - he? - understands why I must leave her for last.‘ | Maruja departed for Crossrow hoping to create an inspired portrait of Sunset Celia. |
| Prof. Ji Yuan | So it appears T.R.N. hired me out as head caterer of the event. They want me to feature their premier goods. And this somehow fits within the terms of our contract.‘ | I already planned out the menu, I just need to pin down the perfect accoutrements to heighten the flavors to the firm’s standards.‘ | This… this should work. No one will leave unsatisfied… besides me, I suppose. This whole thing seems like a waste of my talents, but if anyone asks, a complaint never left my mouth.‘ | Prof. Yuan was unwillingly hired as the head caterer for the Lily Masquerade, but nevertheless sought to have their cuisine reach its most delicious heights. |
Faculty Consultations
| Faculty | Start | Finish | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robigo | Lovely woman, Celia. We have always had a commonality in our tastes. Well, not just our tastes, I suppose… | When she was the Elagabaline and I the Praetorian, we enjoyed a brief acquaintance. Of course, this was after the strife with her family, but she never spoke of it when we walked amidst the ophrys. She had grown some in the gardens, last I visited. They were beautiful. | Lesson: Orchids & Narcotics |
| Shura the Pythian | The sights and songs of Crossrow… they never fail to stir the world-weary heart. Nothing like gossip to pique the ear’s interest. | The twin-kites - the aviforms of the Witch-and-Sister - always draw one in with their melodious intrigue, of those things most other Hours would refuse to listen to. Who else would keep track of those Nowhere-crossings, those dalliances explored in the shadows of the House? The line between Birdsong and Skolekosophy is far thinner than it appears, Librarian. | Lesson: Applebright Euphonies |
| La Magdalena | The moment ‘Crossrow’ leaves my mouth, she jumps onto the desk to search through its jumble. | A calling card rests in her mouth: black and gold, initialized SC. On the back is an address belonging to one Celia - located upon the grave of a Witch widely-revered. The Hours and their servants have always enjoyed mortal guises, though it often becomes hard to differentiate between them at all. | Lesson: Sky Stories |