A Bloom to Remember is the first episode of season 14, A Court of Fey & Flowers.
Intro[]
“To the churlish Captain K.P. Hob, venerated soldier of the Goblin Court. To the master of ceremonies, Delloso de la Rue, pride of the Court of Wonder. To the illustrious Gwyndolin Thistle-hop of the Court of Wonder. To the tenebrous Prince Andhera, scion of the Unseelie Court. And to the notorious Lords of the Wing, Lady Chirp Featherfowl, Countess of Cluckingham, and Lord Squak Airavis, Earl of Peckersberg. Honored archfey, we are delighted to welcome you to A Court of Fey & Flowers.”
Synopsis[]
At the palace of the Unseelie Court, paladin Prince Andhera is finalizing their preparations to head to the Bloom. Advisor, Andhera’s chaperone and advisor, checks in on Andhera to lecture him one last time and remind him of who he represents. Advisor says that the prince and his sister, Suntar, need to do their best, as their mother, the Queen of Air and Darkness, will not make an appearance at the Bloom. His mother rarely debases her form with corporeality, but the news that his sister will be attending surprises him, as he was under the impression that Advisor and himself were the only members of the Unseelie Court in attendance. Andhera mentions bringing their yeth hound with them. Advisor nods, and walks away to finish getting ready. Once Advisor is out of earshot, Andhera reacts to the news that his sister will be there by kicking a piece of luggage into the ether, and then casts Dancing Lights to retrieve it. The scent on the wind lets them know that their mother is here, as the wind circles around them and tousles their hair. Andhera tells his mother that he will make her proud, and the wind leaves him. They then continue to get ready to leave for the Bloom.
At a courtyard in the Court of Wonder, rogue Gwyndolin Thistle-hop is holding her invitation to the Bloom. Her legendary sister, the Blue Fairy, is tearing apart Gwyn’s sitting room in fury at the slight of not being invited. Gwyn moves through the courtyard, and tastes lemon in their mouth, a notification that Mika is reaching out to them. Gwyn finds a dark corner and opens her mind to communicate, and finds essentially a voicemail from a distressed Mika. Gwyn uses Message to tell Mika to wait till the next moon. Mika accepts, disgruntled but not panicked. Gwyn hurries on board to travel to the Bloom. Members of The Chorus, the leaders of the Court of Wonder, regard Gywn and move on to their places of honor.
In dense woods, goblin fighter Captain K. P. Hob stands watchful guard as members of the Goblin Court dance around a bonfire. Several small, rowdy salt goblins climb up Hob’s body to shove cooked chicken into his face, and the Goblin King gets a live quail into Hob’s mouth. Hob salutes the Goblin King, and they discuss the Bloom. Hob’s assigned mission is to accompany and guard Lord Blemish and Lady Boil at the Bloom. Hob assures the Goblin King that he shall follow the code of goblin chivalry despite his rigid manner. The king tells him to prove it. Trying to lean into this goblin mayhem, Hob stabs a nearby goblin, then immediately rushes over apologizing. His thoughts turn to the politics surrounding the Goblin Court: their political power gained from Hob’s military victories over the Unseelie, and the wedding of Viscountess Grabalba and the Court of Wonder's Prince Apollo, which was abruptly canceled. Hob’s personal mission at the Bloom is to investigate more into who was responsible for taking his hard-won political victories. Hob catches Vicountess Grabalba’s eye, tells her he will avenge her honor, and jumps back into the rumpus.
In an island palace, bard Delloso de la Rue is overlooking all their hard work. As the emissary of joy and a member of the Court of Wonder, Rue was specifically requested by the hosting Seafoam Court to plan the Bloom. Rue’s assistant, Wuvvy, approaches panicked about the Lords of the Wing running late, and Rue calms her. Wuvvy also passes along an anonymous note requesting Rue’s presence on the northern lawns for a small gathering. Rue is intrigued at this mysterious note, but says their schedule is quite busy. Wuvvy offers to take some things off their plate, and sprints away to take care of them. Rue pauses and takes everything in: this Bloom is the culmination of years of work, and everything is right on time and right in line with their expectations. They take a breath, and slowly make their way to their destination.
In the shadow of this palace on the northern lawns, Andhera, Hob, Rue, and Gwyn find themselves standing amongst a dozen or so archfey. The four sit around a mushroom table that has sprouted out of the lawn, and talk amongst themselves. Rue does not quite recognize Gwyn aside from being of the same court. Hob and Andhera regard each other, and Hob explains to the table that the last time they “met” was during the Battle of Briar Falls. Rue remembers that during this famous battle, rumors were spread about Hob knocking the young prince from his mount and at Hob’s sword point, declined to finish them. Deflecting, Hob proposes a toast. Gwyn suggests that it be a toast to new friendships, and Andhera adds on a toast to getting better at a double bladed scimitar, subtly threatening Hob.
As they sip from their glasses, they begin to notice in the distance a large flock of birds block out the sun. They’re carrying a massive nest belonging to the Lords of the Wing through the sky, and set it upon the northern lawn. Cousins bard Lord Squak Airavis and wizard Lady Chirp Featherfowl emerge on chariot ostriches being carried by doves and land onto the center of the lawn. They introduce themselves to everyone, and announce that despite their past reputation, they have matured and are each seeking a love match.
From the back a woman shouts, “I demand satisfaction!” Squak scans the audience, and sees Capacea stomping her way over, who slaps Squak across the face. He recalls that he had a one night stand with her two triplet sisters, Leona and Thymor, the night of the failed wedding. Squak profusely apologizes and insists that he has turned a new beak, offering only his word. To prove it, he invites Capacea to his nest once it is established. She blushes, curtsies, and silently walks away.
Hob stands to greet Chirp and Squak, and forcefully suggests that Capacea was referring to an event that never occurred, denying the existence of the failed wedding between Viscountess Grabalba and Prince Apollo. Rue dismissively tells Hob that it was in the past and not to dwell on it. Hob aggressively disagrees, and all party members except Squak cower to this intimidation. Hob reminds the assembled guests that the engagement was never formally announced, and therefore all of this is speculation. Andhera hops up to diffuse the situation by greeting Chirp and Squak, and gifting both of them with drugs. He says he looks forward to them partying together. Chirp and Squak reiterate that they aren’t supposed to be partying this year, and tuck the crystals away.
In a flashback prior to their Bloom arrival, Chirp and Squak are scolded by their Grandfather, who says this year must go differently. The House of the Wing are the only unincorporated major family left in the fey realms, a decision made centuries ago by Grandfather, the leader of their house. He believes their noble house is crumbling because of their misdeeds, and instructs them to settle down and find a love match. Squak mentions the mortal realm and sees his grandfather’s countenance darken. Squak tries to backpedal, and Chirp assists by casting Gift of Gab to make Grandfather forget any mention of it. Grandfather threatens to deal with Chirp and Squak as he sees fit if they return from the Bloom without partners or with any stain on their reputations.
Back on the northern lawns, Squak recalls that he and Chirp know Andhera from previous Blooms. They knew them as awkward “Pillar Boy,” however now they are the most eligible bachelor at the Bloom as they are set to inherit the throne of the Unseelie Courts. Squak turns to Rue and apologizes for his cousin’s and his own behavior from past events. Rue is somewhat disappointed, as they were expecting the Lords of the Wing to cause a fun scene. Rue suggests a wager: if the fairy court at the Bloom can tempt Chirp and Squak into misbehaving, then Rue will give them as much gold as they possibly can. If Chirp and Squak make it through the Bloom without incident and find a love match, they will be rewarded greatly with a mystery gift. Chirp and Squak agree, and Wuvvy appears to present the contracts. They sign the contracts, and a pulse of energy is felt by the archfey, as fey deals are quite powerful. The Bloom has officially begun.
Locations[]
- The Unseelie Court
- The Court of Wonder
- The Goblin Court
- The Seafoam Court
- The Northern Lawn
Characters[]
Players[]
- Lady Chirp Featherfowl
- Gwyndolin Thistle-hop
- Captain K. P. Hob
- Delloso de la Rue
- Prince Andhera
- Lord Squak Airavis
New[]
- Advisor
- The Queen of Air and Darkness
- Mika
- The Goblin King
- Viscountess Grabalba
- Wuvvy
- Capacea
- Grandfather
- The Chorus
Mentioned[]
- Suntar
- The Blue Fairy
- Lord Blemish
- Lady Boil
- Prince Apollo
- Leona
- Thymor