Beltane

[Guest]

Olivia

I had almost made it. The voice had stopped me. I turned around and looked at the man the voice belonged to. A drink? I could use a lot of drinks.

I accepted the goblet and without asking what was in it, took a large swallow. "Thanks. I needed that. I have never done anything like this before."

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"Oh, they're nothing to fret over... Stay, won't you? Would you care to dance, perhaps?" Jacen said as he purposefully shifted his stance to be between the door and her. However, it looked completely natural in the manner that he did it. He smiled winningly at Olivia, offering his arm to her. Liz had been looking over the sceen. When Jacen looked up, he noticed her watching. He gave her a quick nod and a wink, letting her know he'd hopefully kept a guest from leaving prematurely.

 

[madeline]

Tara slipped in the backdoor and into the kitchen. She liked to make herself useful at parties- helped her get the lay of the land. She caught Liz as she hustled into the kitchen and asked what she could do to help. "Refill the mead!" Liz instructed as she scurried around looking for napkins. "But then, get in there and mingle- no hiding behind the banquet!"

Tara did exactly that- and as she was lifting the heavy container of mead, she felt two hands take it from her grasp. "Here- let me help you with that" a deep male voice intoned. She looked up into the eyes of a guy she'd never seen before. She wondered where Liz had been hiding this fox. "Oh thanks" she replied. And then found herself momentarily tongue tied. All of a sudden it occured to her what kind of party this might become. She could very well find herself entwined in this man's arms within the hour. The realization sent a little thrill though her- and she eyed him with renewed interest. "I'm Tara" she offered. "I babysit for Liz. Nice to meet you."

 

[Neale]

Gerald

I'd decided to hang back a bit... the bard's love for making a grand entrance, don't ye ken?

I'd dressed in my finest Celtic traditional clothes, with a flowing black velvet cape over my linen bard's shirt and soft leather pants.

I crept up to the big bay windows, tall enough to walk through, opened now to let in the cool evening air... standing in the shadows, I began to play my mandolin. Evidently, someone heard my playing, for I heard the inside music being turned off. Now that I had no competition, I began to sing a song especially for our hostess:

LORD OF THE DANCE (PAGAN)

When She danced on the water and the wind was Her horn
The Lady danced and a universe was born
And when She lit the sun and the light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me
And I'll lead you all in the dance, said He

I dance in the circle and the flames leap on high
I dance in the fire and I never, never die
I dance on the waves of the bright summer sea
For I am the Lord of the waves' mystery

I sleep in the kernel and I laugh at the rain
I dance in the wind and through the waving grain
When you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain
In the spring, I'm the Lord of the Dance once again

I dance at the Sabbat when you dance at the spell
I dance and sing that everyone be well
When the dancing's over, do not think that I am gone
To live is to dance so I dance on and on

The Lord and the Lady cast a song across the plain
The birds took the notes and sang them back again
'Til the sound of Her music was the song of the sky
And to that song, there is one reply

They danced in the darkness and They danced in the night
They danced on the Earth and everything was light
They danced in the darkness and They danced in the dawn
And the day of the dancing still goes on

I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
And I feel the pain of dying and rebirth
And I lift my head in gladness and in praise of the day
For the Dance of the Lord and the Lady gay

I see the maidens laughing as they dance in the sun
And we count the fruits of the harvest one by one
We know the storm is coming, but the grain is all stored
So we sing to the praise of the Lady and the Lord

We dance even slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of Her horn is the wailing of the wind
The call of the Hunter as He rides across the plain
While the Lady sleeps 'til the spring comes again

The Sun is in the southlands and the winds they will chill
And the sound of Her horn is fading on the hill
The herd stands in the stillness as we move in a trance
But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance

The Sun's in the southlands and the days lengthen fast
And soon we will sing of the winter that is past
But now light the candles and rejoice as they burn
We dance the Dance of the Sun's return

The snow is slowly melting and the clouds bring the rain
The Lady wakes, for the spring has come again
We dance in the meadows and we dance in the groves
And rejoice in the Lord's and the Lady's love

 

[madeline]

who could resist?

Just as the stranger was about to reply, Tara heard the familiar strains of "Dance, dance, wherever you may be-" Gerald was here! She impulsively grabbed the strangers hand and pulled him outside. "Come on" she encouraged- and ran out onto the grass. Sure enough, there he was with his madolin, wrapped in a cape and looking for all the world like the lord of the Dance- eyes bright and red hair already wild with the enthusiasm of his playing. Her feet couldn't have stayed on the ground for anything. Shyness forgotten, she opened her arms to the stranger and invited him to join the other couples already whirling about.

 

[Earthgoddess]

Leaning out the window I caught my dearest bard's eye-and gave him a warm smile. His voice flowed over and through me as always. How many centuries has my blood sung these songs of May?
"Here my love have a tankard of mead-sweetened by the lips of an old friend,"sipping first I handed the heavy hand thrown tankard out the wide window.
Turning I catch sweet Tara as she swirls about with the easy grace of a fawn-or faerie, hard to tell with her dainty feet.
Jacen had the shopkeeper turned out-she was starting to relax and join the feast. Mead and magic what a wonderful adjunct to any hostess.
Now for the fellow in formal wear-I need to get that strapping youth out of some of those clothes.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I had accepted the dance... and I was glad that I did. He was a wonderful dancer. But part of me still ached to run for the door. I needed more to drink, maybe then my heart would stop pounding and my stomach would be rid of the butterflies that plagued it.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"A woman's lips are like wine... They can turn a man into a desperate fool..." Jacen whispered in Olivia's ear, it was something he was sure he had been told once... A very long time ago. He lifted his head to see how she reacted to his words.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

"And do you think mine will turn you into a fool?" I couldn't believe those words had come out of my mouth. It must be the excitement of this unknown celebration. I gazed at his lips, then licked mine in response to the feelings they inspired.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

Giving Olivia a bright smile, Jacen said. "There is only one way to find out for sure..." And with that he slipped his hand into her hair, along her neck as he leaned in to press his lips to her's. His lips were warm and not completely gentle as a summer's breaze, but not harsh either.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

His lips touched mine, and I melted into him. My arms crept up and around his neck, as my body molded into his. Everything and everyone in the room seemed to disappear. Liquid heat seemed to flow through my body. I wanted this to go on forever........

 

[Neale]

Gerald Branscome

Laughing wildly, I played my mandolin and watched as my friends, some of whom I'd yet to meet, danced around the lawn. This would be a Beltane to remember, 'tis true!

The song came to a close, and I paused. "Merry met, t' all o' ye! Sure'n there's a glass o' mead to be had fer a t'irsty travelling songster? Whilst I wait to wet me whistle, would t'ere be any requests from ye lovely folk?"

 

[Earthgoddess]

I slipped down the kitchen steps and brought the merry bard a cold tankard, since his hands were too busy with the music. The party was gaining a wonderful momentum, and the mead flow as free as honey from a ravaged comb.
I whispered as I passed Gerald the mead," Will you need other refreshment too?"

 

[Neale]

Gerald Branscome

I smiled as the lovely lass passed me the tankard, "A kiss from yuir lovely lips, milady, twould not be amiss, I think... On such fare as that, a man could sing for e'er!"

 

[Earthgoddess]

"Well Good Sir thou had only to ask," I softly pressed my lips to yours and gently tasted your mouth. Drawing back I smile at you, and catch myself ruffling your hair.
I am far too attracted to you for this, I have been for years. Out of this crowd I have known you the longest-yet never truly known you in the manner that my kiss suggests.

 

[Neale]

Gerald Branscome

I sigh a truly Irish sigh, and smile to my dearest friend, "Sure'n ye know how to motivate a bard like meself! Have ye any requests, love? I figure to play quite a bit, whilst the eve wanes, and t' time for the ritual arrives..."

I sip at my mead, and allow my eyes to wander over Liz's form. She was still an enchanting creature, 'tis true, and I was fair delighted to have her as my friend. Our paths had wound together for many a lifetime, but we'd nae been intimate in this one... yet. She was as a boon companion as a wee songster like meself could desire.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

Scrunching a hand full of her hair in the palm of his hand, Jacen supported her slender form in his arms. His breath played agaisnt her tongue as he captured her lower lip between his own. He pulled away slowly, letting her moistened lip slip from his sensual grasp. His eyes sparkled as he gave her a look of mischief.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I blinked a few times. Looking straight into his eyes, my body still hot and not wanting to return to reality. Slowly the conversation and the surroundings seeped in. I pulled slowly away. I noticed a few people staring and a blush now stained my cheeks. I had lost control. Who knew how much further it could've gone.... and I would've let anything happen.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"So, m'lady, care for some more mead?" Jacen offered with the same sly smile he'd given her before. He stepped back, giving her room to cool down as it were. He cast his eyes about the gathering of people fondly.

 

[madeline]

Breathless from the dance, Tara stood mesmerized by the scene around her. Liz's sometimes's paramour Jacen stood with the lady from the bookstore wrapped in his arms "Lucky girl" she thought, smiling. She looked up at the stranger she had dragged out onto the grass. "Thanks so much" she said, still catching her breath. "You're a wonderful dancer. But did you tell me your name?" As she spoke, the crowd moved again to the music and they were separated, and when she looked again, he had disappeared. "Ahh, well- I guess I can always ask Liz."

She spotted Liz with Gerald over by the french doors and went over to say hello.

 

[Guest]

I smiled up at him. "Yes, that would be great. Dancing makes me thirsty."
I let my gaze wander slowly around the room, briefly halting on our hostess and the man she was conversing with, and then to the lady that was approaching. I noticed that everyone was attractive, not one had anything unpleasant about them.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

With a nod, Jacen made his way to the kitchen to retrieve a flagon of mead for Olivia. While he filled the flagon he looked over the dishes Liz had prepared. All of them looked exquisite. "That woman's something else." Jacen muttered to himself, not noticing the flagon starting to over flow until the brew spilled off the lip of the flagon. He quickly let go of the spigot and splashed a little of the mead to the floor from the over filled vessel. "Drats!" He snapped as he looked about sheepishly. There was a puddle of mead at his feet and some of it had gotten on his shirt, which wasn't all that bad, he hated to have wasted even a drop of the brew though. Lifting the flagon to his lips he sipped enough away to make it safe to set on the counter next to him. He looked around for some paper towel, finding it on a roll attached to the wall. He wadded three sheets up and dropped to his knees to mop up the puddle.

 

[Earthgoddess]

I smiled at Gerald, and kissed him again, my lips barely grazing his own.
" Sing your soul's desires dear bard, sing your soul for tonight the faeries call us out to dance." I wistfully stroked your cheek.
"I had best return to my duties as hostess-" I saw through the billowing curtains that Jacen was kneeling on my floor.

I strode into the kitchen my skirts swirked about me and I walked in on Jacen delicately mopping up a spill-what a nice boy. I cleared my throat and he whirled about-his shirtfront damp from the liquid he was carefully wiping ino my floor.
"Jacen, what got spilled?" I used my best Mommy voice despite my inner monologue which was far more(OOH baby come to MOmmy)'I ofered a damp sponge and a smile.

 

[Ravenloft]

Jacen:

"Liz, oh, uh, hi there!" Jacen said with a sheepish smirk, he felt like a school boy caught in the middle of some mischief. "I was just looking over your spread here and got a bit distracted from the mead pouring buisness..." He realized only AFTER spitting that entire sentance out that he'd refered to her *Ahem* spread, quite unintentionally.

 

[Guest]

Olivia

I walked outside to the lush gardens outside. I needed some air and I figured this was a good time to get it. I walked along a small path, careful not to stray too far from the house.

I sat on a small bench overlooking a fountain with a statue of a nude couple in an interesting postion. I leaned back and breathed in the air. Trying to calm my nerves after almost giving myself to the gorgeous man on the dance floor.