#as if Odeline’s life is a play………

[queenofnohr]

Who fights? Who flies? Who falls?

a piece encompassing Odeline’s journey through Shadowbringers by @/inariya3 on twitter!

[faimrpg]

Aude descends on Val Faim with far more energy and zeal than its preceding spring siblings. Without regard for any kind of schedule or urgency in its citizens’ lives, the city is barraged by storms so powerful that water floods the streets and shakes the buildings with the force of the winds. Mages are brought out to attempt to control the weather, but Empress Calandre Valence watches the chaos with a look that can only be described as discerning. She has emerged from her difficult mood into a woman more passive, ever regal, and unshaken. Whatever terrifying display of emotion was on display at the end of the previous month, she has rallied herself in the same way she rallies her advisors.

Trigger Warning: Assassination attempt, violence, death

THE FOURTEENTH OF AUDE, 936

The storm has lasted two weeks. Crosshatched searches for Amelie have found nothing in spite of MICHEL’s efforts, and there is a sense of doom and gloom to the air. “Enough of this! I want some joy, some passion. The Opera. We’ll host an event at the Opera House, with a grand party to follow afterwards.”

In moments like these, it is easier to recall that Calandre was only a child when she took the throne. She seems as young today as she was when she ended her father’s life and felt his blood on her hands. The Empress’ word is law, and her advisors are sent off like dogs on the hunt. Invitations are sent out in record time, and within a week, the news has spread across Val Faim like wildfire, as if to purposefully spite the continuous barrage of rain. The news comes especially as a surprise to LUCRECE, the newest owner of L’Opera Imperial, who is suddenly hard-pressed to throw together a show for the Empress that is worthy of Odeline Herself. They call for MÉLODIE immediately and get to work on throwing something together.

CYRIL finds themselves with an even heavier workload than usual. On top of taking care of the Empress’ pressing fashion needs, what feels like half of the city flocks to the tailor in an effort to attain a piece of theirs, be it gloves, mask, dress, trousers -- whatever CYRIL will give them, they’ll take. By the time the date arrives, their shop has been cleared out of almost all their fabrics and supplies. They are effectively going to have to start from square one after this event is done. This doesn’t stop ISEULT from calling, however, dragging SAVATIER in tow in an effort to make them look somewhat presentable instead of like a hermit.

Another finds themselves with their hands full: EMERIC answers LUCRECE’s desperate call for catering with the kindness of an old friend, and now not only are they going to be in attendance, but La Perche’s cuisine is up on the chopping block as well. For years, the restaurant has wavered between struggling and shining, but this opportunity could make attendance soar. The success of their menu might mean the success of their livelihood, and with such short notice, their palms are beginning to sweat.

THE TWENTY-FIRST OF AUDE, 936

Like a wildfire, anticipation and anxiety begin to spread across Val Faim as the date draws ever closer, until the evening arrives on their doorsteps. Nobles and guests of all import gather together in the front rooms of L’Opera Imperial. ROTH and MEDRAUT survey the crowds for any kind of threat, but the room broils with people stirring to and fro, desperate to get to their seats or get another drink before the fun begins. ADRASTE is given by their mentors to explore, and ends up caught in conversation with HECTOR, who has been dodging LUCRECE all night.

YVON and GISELE dance a strange and uncomfortable dance around each other when their eyes meet across the room, YVON bracketed by their socialite friends and more notably, BEAU. As soon as they’re there, however, BEAU is gone, sent to tail GISELE and see what they do throughout the course of the night.

CECILE and ROSALIND find themselves a little disgruntled upon realizing they’ve been made to share the same box for the evening, a directive from Calandre herself, perhaps in an effort to have them ease the quietly-brewing feud between them. As attendees settle into their seats, anticipation pricks the back of everyone’s necks. They don’t know what to expect. Maybe that’s for the better. An unexpected third guest in their box is CELESTE, having been instructed by LIANE to explore L’Opera Imperial for anything of note or interest.

RÉGIS sees the opportunity to whittle away at DEGARÉ further and attempts to strike up a conversation with them, only to be interrupted by HECTOR, who finds they have little care for the actual subject matter so long as they can appear involved enough that LUCRECE won’t interrupt, their conversation with ADRASTE having finished.

The curtain finally rises. A hush falls over the room. All eyes move to the stage as MÉLODIE emerges, waiting for their cue to break into song. The fanfare for the evening, SYLVIANE realizes, is about a fictional artist coming to the capital city to paint a mural that comes to life and threatens the life of the king. Those sitting around them, HELENE and VASKA, chuckle in amusement as they come to that same conclusion.

MÉLODIE is truly a sight to be admired on stage as they roll their way through the pieces with a magnificent ease that implies they were given plenty of time to practice — even if truthfully, they were not. Up in their own box and seated alongside Calandre’s guest of honor, DAGHAN, SIDONIE finds themselves forced to try and make conversation.

VIOLAINE has other plans for the evening. As MÉLODIE moves into the next aria, they go to approach CASSIAN and ROWAN just outside the entryway to the auditorium to discuss the letter they discovered belonging to Amelie. The Ambassadors and socialite don’t know each other well, but if ROWAN or CASSIAN have future motives against the Empire, maybe a little bit of a nudge in the right direction will see VIOLAINE and their betrothed in better circumstances come the future. The Ambassadors take the letter and tuck it away to look over later. PATRICE notices this odd conversation and listens in, but does not confront VIOLAINE until after the performance is done; they ask PATRICE not to share with GHISLAIN what they have heard, but PATRICE makes it clear they intend to do so anyways. What do they have to lose, in telling the truth? Why should anyone stop them?

On their patrol, ROTH and MEDRAUT see a figure slipping through the shadows around the Opera House. They attempt to pursue, but intermission arrives, and people soon flood into the streets and lobby for a breath of fresh air. They attempt to press through the crowd but are soon swept up and lose sight of their target. When the crowd dwindles a little, they decide to ask LIANE is they’ve seen or heard anything strange, as the Spymaster might be the best resource to ask. Guards are easy to avoid. Spies, on the other hand, are not.

During intermission, some stand to stretch their legs and mill about. Many go to visit AGRIPPINE and discuss the possibility of a new sponsorship, which GHISLAIN takes quiet note of. They try to speak with AGRIPPINE afterwards in an effort to confirm that they’ll stay with him. DEGARÉ overhears and can’t help but have their interest peak in recognition of the conversation, attempting to intervene.

EMERIC spends the majority of their time catering and trying to ensure things run smoothly. This, of course, would be a breeze if it weren’t for MATTHIEU accidentally running into a waiter and sending hors d'oeuvres everywhere. The two have a fiery confrontation before MATTHIEU goes to find CECILE and ZHENYA, leaving EMERIC to pick up the scraps.

The rest of the show plays out beautifully. SAINTE rifles a little alongside the rest of the crowd when the plot implies that the artist’s inevitable, greed-driven downfall was caused by his dedication for Odeline, which brought his art to life in a cruel manner, but ZHENYA, seated nearby, sees them bristle from afar and tries to speak to them after to calm their worries, even if their feelings on the matter aren’t the same. SAINTE eventually goes to leave and stumbles across SYLVIANE in the hall, trying to collect themselves in the wake of what feels like a show dedicated entirely to them, and not in the most pleasant way. Strangely, VASKA is not with their charge.

ISEULT quietly exits the auditorium, feeling something strange prick at the back of their neck. They wander the mostly-empty halls for some time, only to find themselves face-to-face with a woman shrouded in black with shadows at her feet. They hardly have time to recover before there is a knife buried in their jugular. SAVATIER, having followed ISEULT, instead finds their crumpled body in the hallway and realizes they need to hide them, quickly, before they return to life.

CELESTE, however, still wandering, stumbles upon SAVATIER attempting to take care of their bodyguard, unsure of what has occurred. SAVATIER convinces CELESTE to leave them be, but soon runs to LIANE to report back the bizarre event they’ve witnessed.

As the show comes to its conclusion and the encore begins, lasting several minutes, people begin to gather their things and take their leave. Flowers are tossed atop the stage in thanks for such a wonderful performance. The Empress is first to depart, of course, and this is when all hell breaks loose. From the shadows in Calandre’s box emerges Amelie, long-toothed dagger in hand. With smoke swirling around her feet, the remnant of her disguise, she plunges it into Calandre’s back. The Empress lets out a cry of pain before she crumples to the ground. Before anyone has the chance to stop her, Amelie is gone, fleeing as quickly as her legs will carry her.

VICTOIRE, having been stuck patrolling the halls for the sake of security and only getting to enjoy the show in fragments, is sent sprinting after Amelie as she runs out towards the vast doors that will provide her an exit. They pursue Amelie three blocks before they find her in the hands of BASTILE, looking bewildered as Amelie attempts to struggle and break free from the mercenary’s grasp. KARINE, having pursued Amelie on Alain’s command, is forced to involve themselves in the standoff until BASTILE hands her over to VICTOIRE. BASTILE and KARINE are left to balk at each other.

In transit to the Summer Palace, Amelie does her best to escape VICTOIRE, and seems to fail spectacularly all the way up until they are halfway through the Gardens. Only then does she seem to summon a knife from nowhere to plunge it into the junction between VICTOIRE’s neck and shoulder. It is then that MEDRAUT emerges from nowhere, having been directed to follow the Captain by ROTH. They finally knock Amelie out before rushing to get VICTOIRE help.

Back at L’Opera Imperial, people begin to panic upon hearing Calandre’s cry. MICHEL is left to try and direct the crowds, filter them out into the street rather than risk a mishap or fire. MÉLODIE is left horrified on stage, having seen their lover endure what must have been a fatal wound. They are left with a choice: do they try to make their way up to the box, or remain behind among the chaos? MICHEL tries to direct them out of the way, in the opposite direction of Calandre. In the end, it is ADRASTE who leaps to the stage, pulling the singer by the hand back to LUCRECE for their safety.

BEAU, having been told to tail GISELE, find themselves in a difficult position. GISELE seems reluctant to leave, looking for someone, although whether they search for their sibling or Gauthier is uncertain. The spy could stay, to see who they go for, but risk getting caught by the eldest Duval.

HELENE and DAGHAN rush to try and stem the blood-flow before the Empress succumbs to her injury, as dawning horror begins to crest over them that this wound might not be treatable.

SIDONIE goes to join them, unsure of how to help, but is brought to a halt where they stand, as screams of horror and alarm slowly dull as attendees are forced out of L’Opera Imperial. It is as though their entire body has been shot through with an arrow.

It is a feeling so strong they cannot ignore it: miles away, out in The Obsidienne somewhere, something unbidden tears open. Somehow, as if pulled by an unseen force, AGRIPPINE meets SIDONIE’s gaze across the room. There’s only one explanation for it. They felt it, too, but there is no putting to words what that might mean.

SIDONIE comes back to themselves after being jostled by LIANE, who tries to stir them back into awareness. The night moves quickly from there, as those who care for Calandre try to force their way through a torrent of rain to return to the Summer Palace. RÉGIS, eager to forget their awkward conversation from earlier, is close to follow, spurred on by their desire to see Calandre rid of and intent on causing some kind of delay. They run into ETIENNE and are stopped before they get the chance, sparking no small amount of suspicion on ETIENNE’s part. The Empress is taken to her quarters and sequestered away immediately, and in the days that follow, the only confirmation anyone will receive is that she survived. Her condition and state remain total mysteries.

Thus, the curtains close on L’Opera Imperial for now, and all are at odds with each other. Questions begin to raise: how was this allowed to happen? What should they do with Amelie, without their Empress’ directive? Whose head is on the chopping block for such a gratuitous fumble? What are the Ambassadors meant to do, with no figurehead to deal with or guide them? How should they proceed? No answers emerge in the weeks that follow, and in that murkiness, Alain Gauthier sees an opportunity he intends to take. With Calandre out of commission, even temporarily, perhaps now is a better time than ever to prove her incompetence, and that Val Faim — and Celestine as a whole — would thrive with someone else on the throne.

SUMMARY: And there we have it, our third scene! Amelie has attempted to take Calandre’s life, and while Amelie’s been placed in the custody of the Summer Palace, it is unclear as to whether or not Calandre will survive her injuries. You are free to write up to the 23rd of Aude, but for now, don’t go past that date.

At this moment, no one is allowed to visit the Empress in her critical condition. Those unsure of their loyalty to Alain may have to make some crucial decisions in the near future. The new skeletons in this event will be arriving this weekend. If you have any questions pertaining to the event, please drop them in the Discord channel! If you need any help plotting, or getting things started, please reach out and I’ll see what I can do to help. Thank you again, to all of you!

TIMESTAMP: The 31st of Maccius — The 23rd of Aude

SPECIFIC DATES:

The 14th of Aude: Calandre decides she wants to attend the Opera

The 21st of Aude: The Opera Occurs