2019.12.25

December 25, 2019

A Wonderful Christmas Gala at The Palace of Ages

(Yes, the Palace actually has a name. Who'd have thought it?)

Yes, the day finally arrived! However, I have a few notes to make before I delve into what I actually remember of the party.

I spoke with Reggie concerning the servo for Revelation's Baby. It would seem that repairing it is within his capability, but he needs to speak with the Boss. Honestly, I'd like to know what Bruce Springsteen has to do with my servo being repaired, but stranger things have happened. Anyway, I will have to follow up on that matter. I didn't drag that damn thing halfway across Chicago just to be a 50 lb paperweight up in my office. While I am at it I probably should visit Not Him Again to acquire a second canister of 7.62 mms. I am not really sure how much remains in the current canister, but it usually best to have a backup. Hah, at the rate I am acquiring heavy gauge weaponry I feel that the Howitzer is not totally beyond reach.

I also managed to speak with The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) on the subject of the presence back in the cellar that we were unable to deal with because of our low level of ability. She said that the entity could be healed and I could do it. The question is should I do it now and risk injury to myself or the party if they choose to assist. Those spirits have joined and turned to evil because of the pain in their memories. I can't allow them to remain in that state of pain when there is a chance for me to relieve them of their pain. She indicated that I could do it with more certainty in the future, however, I don't like the idea their being in pain while I simply wait for this action to be less painful to me. They are the same as the Lilies of the Field whom I ministered to back in Arcadia. I must do what I can, even if means injury to myself. I can't wait on this. I'll present it to the party. They will be under no obligation to join me... though I have a feeling that mental defensive capability would be easier when handling spirits.

I am happy with the progress that I am making with the Briarwolf. Connell has proven to be quite resourceful in navigating the dangers of the city and living on his own. I feel that he is close to taking the next step and being more in control of his own life. While I have been spending time with him I have learned more of his abilities. I know that he can act well as someone who could watch my back as we fight. I spend more time than I should on the front line in combat. In that respect I have improved to a point where I can hold my own. However, it should be plainly obvious to all that I am no Danno. My attacks need to be more targeted rather than acting to hold the line. Still though with Connell at my side I feel that could be more productive in combat. I am not saying that he would have to risk to himself just to protect me, nor be a mere tool in combat. What I am saying is that he has useful combat skills. It may help him to adjust as well. He will have that familiarity of fighting in a 'pack' while being exposed to individual personalities. He will learn that he has his own. In addition to that, and probably more so, he could act as a proficient scout. A little more military training and he could be terrific at recon.

What else? I am glad to see that everything seems to be settling down with my companions. They seem to be more accepting of my change. I hope that this can continue. Their visit to the Winter Court appears to have calmed their attitudes towards Changelings. The Court's withdrawn and non-provocative demeanor was good for the meeting with them. I don't understand the attitude of the Winter Court though. They should know the Autumn Court and how we see using the tools of the Fay against them. Even if it were not My Lady being at the center of the controversy I would have made the same decision though with far far less emotional baggage. I would never have killed in cold blood. I would have bound the Fay in a contract and I would have learned as much as I could to use against the Gentry while sharing the information with my court. I am not blind to the evil of the Gentry and I simply don't hold to the convention that all True Fay are evil as a blanket term or that all are beyond salvation. Nobody is beyond salvation. It is one of the central tenets of Christianity. Even if I am not currently holding to my vows I took as a priest that part of my philosophy has never changed. The fact that it was My Lady made the matter of her personal salvation one of my essential goals in life.

So the day of Lylith's Christmas Ball arrived. I must say that I truly looked forward to this day. It was something tangible and familiar that I could hold onto. I have always loved Christmas with my family... (I really wonder how they are doing. My being caught up in this whole saving the world I haven't really thought of them. I'll have to check in on them. Well, by saving the world I am saving them too so I guess that I am in the right place at the right time to positively effect their future in the best way that I can.) It was going to be a little respite of escape before the long cold Winter. After New Years Eve it will be January in Chicago nothing but snow... and football... hmm... Coach Ditka may have to visit Soldier Field one last time. Hmm... that I will have to hold in reserve. But anyway, yeah, I have been really looking forward to this day. The fact that I only remember half of the night is a little sad. I wish that I could have seen Lylith receive her present.

The days before the event were controlled chaos for most of the other. I know that Cygin was running around preparing things. Just getting into the Palace was insane with all that Lylith was doing. She really had the whole Palace turned upside down. I don't know the politics of how The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) ended up in her room. I feel it was more a retreat and offering the floor to Lylith rather than Lylith forcing her up there. I really don't want to see a test of wills between them, neither do they as far as I can tell. So, it is very beneficial that The Lady Abigail's (PBUHN) demeanor is so easy going. I never imagined an Angel to be anything but an A-Type personality. This is really quite relieving. Ohm disappeared for awhile. (Though I did get to speak with Ohm and he was quite amenable to training together which is good. I generally like Ohm and I think we work battles well together. I wonder if we were to combine tactics if we could be more effective in melee combat.) Red and Danno seemed to be much more laid back going into the party. Well, we all go into these engagements differently.

Now I know that one question would be who is going and who is taking who. People don't think I like Cygin, I actually do because when I have to figure out things he is usually obvious to figure out. I will propose something and he will shoot at it. I will propose bringing in something helpful from Arcadia and he will propose teleporting into a volcano. So it was obvious that Cygin was taking Kat. Ohm would be taking Malcanthet even if I had to kill him and have Danno take over his corpse. (The trouble is I didn't quite feel that way until a few days before the Gala and I didn't get Mal anything. I don't like that, so I will have to get something belated for her.) Danno was taking Brianna (whom I really don't know anything about - like the portal downstairs and this Reggie character). Annie, I really wanted her to go. This was going to be a fun event and I wanted her to feel that she was not forgotten. Honestly, if I wasn't otherwise, involved, I probably would have taken her. I really do see her as a little sister. Someone to whom I am partly responsible for their well-being. Honestly, part 2, I feared for the safety of any female I had chosen. I have this flash of memory telling me that Telluviel was killed because she was competition of some sorts. I don't know the truth of it or what it meant, but that weighed heavily in who I took to the Ball. I couldn't take any chance of Annie being targeted. I do have to admit that My Lady does have a slight vicious streak which I am sure that can be rectified with the proper discussion of rights and wrongs in the Human World. So, I was OK with the decision that Red made in taking her. If Red ever hurts her I will load that Revelation's Baby with silver bullets and use him for target practice. I am sure that it will not come to that point. So I took Oopie and it seems that he had a grand old time.

The Gala was a fun event (for what I remember of it.) Harpies? They are called Harpies! The only harpies I know tend to want to claw your eyes out and serve you papers. So there we were two Arcadians out on the town. Oopie and The Padre - sounds like a bad TV show or movie. Right Turn Oopie! LOL... We ought to try that one day. It was nice being announced. Granted it would have been better if I were announced with My Lady at my side, but that just isn't possible. I have to admit I was jealous of everyone else, but it is my choice. I am going after someone who is more than likely completely unattainable and the likelihood of her conversion completely impossible. I am not completely ignorant to these facts. The bar! I must have ended up at the bar and drank myself completely under it. Yes, that is the most likely explanation. I remember dancing with the ladies then wanting to see Jericho to hang for a bit.

I truly am glad that everyone liked their gifts (in addition to Mal I really should have gotten something for Jericho. He has been really good to us and to me, in particular. Yes, I will do something special for him as well.) I really worked hard to get the money to pay for everything. Bagging groceries! Yep, not quite. I think that I may have hooked up every supernatural in Chicago with a date though. Hopefully, some good will come out of all those match-ups. I really tried to think of something practical that everyone would like. I am also happy that The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) blessed all the gifts. I believe that I forgot to mention that at the party. I really should.

I must say that I am very pleased with Lylith's Watch gift. I love pocket watches! She explained how to use it, but I am not totally sure what happens if I turn the minute hand all the way around. She was explaining it, but I was thinking - Shiny! However, I did understand that I hunt Arcadian stuff and that 60 minutes equals something good. I see hunting in the Arcadian wilds in my future. The Lone Padre and his trusty Briarwolf companion, Connell! Yeah! (It is only going to be me and him, probably, since the others are too chicken to go into Arcadia!)

I did get a chance to meet with the Lord of the Winter Court. I don't think that he or they were expecting me to be so bold. Good, it is best to keep one step ahead of them. He didn't seem so bad. I can't say that I trust him though. I will have to keep my eye on him. I know that he doesn't appreciate or understand what I have done. I could try to explain, but I don't think that he will hear of it. Winter, being what they are I really don't see them interfering with my plans. If anything, if they are true to form they will retreat the Court and Changelings in city further back to avoid any possible retributions from other True Fay if they were to go after her. They may hate the Fay, but openly confront them (and the Autumn Court), no, they are Winter not Summer.

Dropping my Fay Mein in public was quite refreshing. I can totally empathize with The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) in wanting to 'feel normal'. I know that must be spreading rumors around the courts. I must admit that I do have wingspan envy in comparison The Lady Abigail (PBUHN). I wonder if Mal can fly? I feel that I can fly in Arcadia. It would be fun to go flying together. Would that be fun! The three of us going out for a fly! LOL! I guess we'll see how quickly Cygin can whip up a fly spell. There is no way that his ego can handle not flying as well.

Malcanthet and I are going to have a long talk in the future about a few matters. Not yet though. I am not entirely ready for that conversation.

Dancing with The Lady Abigail (PBUHN)... dancing with an Angel. Truly how does one compare? She glided though the air. I am skilled at dancing and even with the glamour and will I was putting into my ability she just kept up with grace and almost no effort. I feel that if she had taken the lead I would have been left behind. Ahh, yes, should we ever dance again I shall humbly ask her lead. Even if she breaks me in two, learning Angelic dance moves direct from One who talks personally to God. Yes! It is worth the chance of serious injury (more than likely to my ego... but still it is worth the chance.) The best I can write to describe it is to say that is was dream-like. One can not fully describe the feeling in words, one can only experience it.

My performance of the ballad for The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) was my gift to her. Honestly, what do you get an Angel? It was absolutely perfect in execution. I think that I may have stunned the rest of the guests with the accompanying sensations. It was not only a song it was visions, feeling, sounds, tastes and smells. As I performed I never felt so creative in my life. I felt like I opened another world for them. After using all my glamour and Will to pull it off I have never been more drained in my life. (Probably another reason I got drunk so easily). I truly hoped that everyone liked it. I must say that while I enjoyed being the total center of attention I never felt so open. Performing like that can get addicting. I hope that my ballad was understandable. It was meant to be mysterious and 'Arcadian', however, I did not just want to sing to the glory of Angels and the heavens. A) I didn't want to call all the attention to the Angelic status of The Lady Abigail (PBUHN). B) I wanted to include the others in my performance the Fay and the Demons, particularly. I have a feeling that they are all somehow the same. There is an interplay of them all running this world.

What of this gift which The Lady Abigail (PBUHN) gave to me? An amulet? Follow my heart? I have a feeling of where this may lead. I must say that I incredibly nervous about this development. She had been very quiet when I presented my theory to her.

I am seeing clues pointing to something. This I will tell no one.

I really wish that I could have seen Lylith open her gift.