In Litha's light (invite)

[Zodiac]

She had made a call to those she felt might be interested in such a thing. Near midnight, the colorful mini bus parked along side a deserted stretch of back road flanked by deep forests. She had been out here before many times. Zodiac grabbed her bags and locked the vehicle and stepped over the road side fence and walked into the darkness. Behind her, Ginny followed like a dark shadow in blackness along the marked path. Strips of iron and steel could be seen in the dim light slightly raised from the ground. The fae detested metal as the norm and rarely crossed a line of it (unless totally provoked). The girl had worked long evenings laying in a safe path to a place she had used many times before.

She entered a clearing where an alter she had made sat waiting. In this place she had held several rites and her handfasting had taken place here before those who came that night. She stood in the circle made of metal for a few moments and then walked on. Now the ring of protection had a second path made off of it-leading deeper into the darkness. She paused near a group of rocks sitting just outside the new path and knelt. To any who saw them, they were simply rocks, but they marked a special grave. Her hand rested on them as the girl mouthed a silent prayer before getting up and continuing on.

The path emerged into a second clearing. Leading to a point well away from the tree line, allowing the area to be exposed fully to the moon above. In the center, a huge pyre of wood sat pointing up into the sky. Soon it would burn, but not before the others arrived.

Just shy of the circle, Zodiac turned off her cell phone and left it and her other toys in her purse. Her shoes were also removed and left behind. Only the bundles she carried joined her in the ring.

"The Summer Solstice," she smiled as she basked in the moment. For the next few days, the world would be bathed in Litha's light when the moon came finally full. After tomorrow, the light would begin to slip away again. Some of her fellow night feeders would like that idea, actually. Shorter nights left less time to accomplish things, but with return of time to more darkness came the cold and ice eventually. For her, a problem. To others, a blessing.

From one of her bags, she pulled out a festively decorated tambourine and weighed it in her hand for a moment before she began to shake it. Zodiac struck the instrument against her hip and began to dance clockwise around the soon to be burning pyre. Her movements graceful and flowing. She had done this since she could walk with her Nana and others who followed the Craft. Her change from living to something other than living made no difference as she saw it. Life was to be celebrated, and creatures such as she was now were still slaves to life itself. Be it humans or animals-the living gave sustenance to their kind. The world was their home too to protect and encourage and enjoy. Those would consider themselves masters of the world and above all that dwell upon it still had to bow before the simplest of gifts. Life itself.


Her inner clock told her Midnight had passed. The Solstice has begun.

" Today is Litha, called Alban Heruin by my ancestors." she sang out to the darkness and the stars with her thoughts. Smiling brightly now as the celebration began.

"A time for celebration.
Tomorrow the light will begin to fade
As the Wheel of the Year
Turns on and ever on."

She continued to dance and sing as she waited for the others.

[Elizabeth]

An invitation arrived for the woman, with a location and time. It seemed her ritual friend was embracing her true calling yet again. Elizabeth looked at the invitation as she sat in a high back eggshell coloured chair in the living room of the home. The invitation spun between two finger tips as Elizabeth allowed her mind to wander over her calender of events for the date. Nothing much, outside of her usual trip to Honeymead station and a few buildings she needed to investigate to find some items needed for crafting a few items.

That could always wait. The woman's mind exited out of her calender program and entered the text messaging system. I shall see you there. Zodiac had her number and would know who sent it, so the woman did not expand on her thoughts or signed her name as she would have, had it been an email or a letter.

Knowing that the event was going to be in the woods, which made Elizabeth cringe a little in thought of the fae that lived there, she knew most of her wardrobe was not appropriate. Elizabeth frowned and then pondered what was appropriate. She thought of all the things Zodiac wore and while Elizabeth found nothing wrong with the woman's attire, to wear something like that might send a wrong message. It could be insulting. Not something Elizabeth wanted to take part in.

Her mind wandered the internet for dresses, the woman finding many formal dresses and something known as cocktail dresses. Those would not suffice. Finally, something different caught her attention. She clicked on the words and was brought to a new page of dresses varying in colours. Elizabeth bypassed all the white coloured dresses, because while she could buy new dresses on a whim due to hard work of saving her funds, the woman did not like purchasing new things. Unless they were shoes. Clothing was meant to be worn more than once, so going in the woods in an all white dress seemed silly to her.

After many minutes of searching, Elizabeth found a light blue and pink dress that fit her mood at the moment and perhaps summer itself, to her. Elizabeth ordered it and put in an order for a speedier delivery (( 2 days)), for a substantial fee, then ordered a pair of flat, decorative sandals to go with it. Once the order was confirmed, Elizabeth's mind closed off from the internet and the woman went about her nightly business.

The Night of...

The woman used the train system to get her as close as it could to the designated wooded area. When the train dropped her off, the woman closed her eyes and focused on Zodiac. From her clothing, to her talents, down to some of her characteristic traits until Elizabeth could "see" the gypsy woman. Once Elizabeth verified that Zodiac was there and that all was well ((not that she suspected a trap, just that there might be an issue with Fae)), Elizabeth progressed to the wooded areas. Since the dress dragged on the ground, Elizabeth had it bunched at her right side as she walked. One of the disadvantages of being so short and not wanting to ruin a good pair of heels in the woods. Slightly irritating, but again, the woman did not want the dress to last just one evening.

There was a slight problem with tracking Zodiac down once Elizabeth was deep within the woods. Everything looked the same, to the woman. Again, Elizabeth focused on characteristic traits of Zodiac, personality traits and then who Elizabeth believed the woman was. The image of Zodiac was replaced with a colour; violet. No more did the woman focus on the person Zodiac, but the colour of Zodiac and soon a thin, curved line drifted from where Elizabeth stood to where she suspected Zodiac was. The blonde vampiress weaved around trees, climbed over fallen branched and logs until the sound of a musical instrument invaded her ears. A smile grabbed the corners of her lips as she kept walking.

"Zodiac." Elizabeth dipped her head cordially to the woman once the two women were as close to face to face as they could be. "You have outdone yourself. Again." Elizabeth raised her head to take in the full view of everything and to note any new or familiar faces with the gypsy woman. When none were seen, her eyes moved back to the woman. "Was I to bring something? I must admit, I have never been to such a thing..." At the time Elizabeth spoke those words, it was true in her mind and to her, the truth.

(The dress )

[Zodiac]

She turned at the sound of her name and looked at the woman in a measure of shock.

"Oh goodness. Shamus is going to think I am corrupting you or something!" She looked over Elizabeth's attire with a grin. An audible squeak escaped her lips as she inspected the dress. "I never knew you had a sense of flair and style like this! I take the credit for this, of course. Best watch yourself later. I may have to beat you up and steal that dress." she put on a mock scowl and tired to look tough, but broke into mental laughter again.

She took Liz's hands in hers and made sure she stepped over the metal rails in the ground and pointed them out to her. Explaining their purpose as well. "Hopefully, as long as we don't provoke them, they will leave us alone long enough to finish what we have started." She glanced behind the woman and smiled. "Besides, you had an escort."

Sitting outside the metal line was Ginny, who watched them both in silence. "The fae and her play a game of sorts. She chases them with intent to hurt them and they run away from her."

She began to explain as the pair walked around the waiting, unlit pyre what was to take place this eve.

"Litha, or the Summer Solstice. Today when the sun rises it will be the longest period of daylight of the year. After that, we begin to loose daylight again with each new day. Litha's moon will be upon us in two days time as well. Very special magicks can be done at those times as well under that particular light of the full moon. Personal magicks, I guess you could say, but there are no magicks tonight. Simply a celebration of the return of summer and life itself. Tonight we dance, sing praises to the Lord and Lady. We rededicate ourselves to our beliefs and causes and ask for their help. It is also a second part to what we did on Beltane. On Beltane, we blessed the gardens to grow strong, fruitful, and many. Tonight we give thanks to the things that will make that so. Life is part of us, even though we are no longer alive ourselves. We need life to continue living this form of shadow life we are trapped in. As Stoker said in 'Dracula' - the blood is the life. If life itself falls, then so do we."

Ginny growled low, causing the girl to turn her attentions back to the cat. She was crouched low and her tail was twitching like a furry whip for a moment before she bolted off into the underbrush outside the circle. "Well now. Current score: Ginny whatever. Fae zero." she smirked. She honestly was not sure why they feared the cat. Was it cats in general or just hers she couldn't say. It was just one of those things Zodiac just accepted.

"Okay, shoes off. No electronics. Leave your cell on my purse there and turn it off. Some bring an offering to be tossed into the bonfire near the end. The offering is usually symbolic of what you hope the Lord and Lady will help you with as the year goes on." Zodiac picked up the small bundle she had brought and opened it for Liz to see inside. Some plants and flowers laid on top of a business ledger. Some cash as well and several other objects that could be interpreted in various ways. Oddest of the lot was a picture of Einstein. "Help me be smarter. Einstein was supposed to be one of the smartest people ever. Figured out all kinds of things, yet was smart enough to still see 'God' was part of it all no matter what, so I use his image to make that request. The rest is gifts are symbolic to the gods as well given in thanks or have personal meanings to me in my hopes and wishes."

[Zaphyra (DELETED 153)]

Zaph stood at the edge of the water, her eyes drifting to the sky. She had only just over an hour to get ready and meet Zo. A smile pulled at her lips, it had been so long since she had done any kind of ritual with anyone. Going to work for her friend was exactly what she needed. Not only did she come to have a friend she could truly trust, but a mentor of sorts. One that was just as interested in Zaphs history and practices as Zaph was hers.

Humming low to herself she took a couple steps into the river, letting the light waves move against her calves. Her eyes closing as her arms moved toward the sky. In one hand she held a lone eagle feather, the one her father had given her over five years ago. Still just as good as it was that day.

In her head her humming was over taken by the ghostly voice of her fathers tribe. Pushing away of the image of her mothers uncomfortable face as she sat in on her fathers tribes ritual she let the rhythmic beat of drums long since silenced take her. Under the sound of drums and soft singing, she could her the voice of the elder as her called for the spirit of the sun and summer. Even in the darkness she could feel the heat in answer.

Kneeling down in the water, her eyes still closed, she touched the feather to her forehead, her body rocking slightly in time with her humming and the ghostly voices. Lifting the feather in both hands her head dropping as she silently prayed to be cleansed by her ancestor and the ancestors of her father.

Still on her knees with the feather held high, she slowly bent backwards. Starting with her hair, the water engulfed her, until all the could be seen was that of her arms and the feather. Just as slowly she righted herself, water cascading down her newly cleansed form. In the words of her tribe she whispered her thanks to the ancestors and that of the spirit of the sun.

Standing she walked to where she left her belongs, placing the feather in its case for safe keeping. Dipping her hand in an clear oil that smelled like jasmine and eucalyptus. Drawing the oil from her forehead down her nose then repeating the process along her cheek bones. Reaching over she grabbed a worn and old looking bow, with newer arrows.

After only twenty minutes she knelled next to the body of a white rabbit. Her hand brushing over its body as its eyes fixated on her, its breathing labored. Drawing a curved knife from its sheath on her side, she spoke softly to the creature. "Thank you for your sacrifice. I honor the spirit of the swift and vital rabbit spirit" With that she pushed the blade into the animals neck, ending its suffering.

Picking up her reward, she moved quickly to gather the rest of her things making her way to the location Zo told her meet her at. Still in the light brown deer hide tribal skirt and top, her hair loose about her shoulder except for a small braid on each side of her head. She smiled as her friend along with one other came in sight.

[Iris von Drol]

Iris stood with a simple grey cloak wrapped about her body and curling over the top of her bare feet. No button up vintage boots or eyeball high stockings were to be found beneath her cloak. Her fingers held it closed lightly in front of her shielding the sheer but tasteful white cotton strapless gown beneath it. It was certainly far from her normal attire but fitting for the occasion. She chose the soft summery material that was in the dress she fashioned herself as soon as she had received the invitation from her sire. Tonight there was no vintage hat or flowing layers of dark excessive material. Even her strawberry blonde hair flowed down her bare back free from the usual confines of tight wrap and hair pins. She would appear as she had that night not so long ago to Harper Rock. Fresh faced with curious eyes full of wonder.

Iris stood in the darkness and took pause for the beautiful night and that which surrounded her. Sounds of the creatures that moved beyond the eyes reach could be heard making their way in the distance. A soft cool breeze moved about her and told of what awaited her should she venture further. Overhead the sky was a ceiling of obsidian and shimmering gems beckoning reverence and attention to its infinite watch. All of this was a blessing that not even she could fully understand. Not yet. There was so much she had yet to learn.

A passing year was upon her and it happened to coincide close to the time she had arrived to Harper Rock. Though her awareness had increased considerably she still had so much to learn. That is why she stood quietly watching with wide eyes as dark haired woman moved about in the company two others. She recognized Zodiac easily but the others would be a first meeting perhaps. Her left barefoot stepped forward which was softly followed by the right. With each foot in length gained another reason to be grateful came to mind. So blessed she was for the woman ahead and for that which she had brought to her young world. A warm receptive smile formed on her lips. Her oversized grey tote brushed at her hip beneath the material as she continued to approach the two. Within was fresh Bluehearts, Monks Hood, Moonstones, a rare Monkey Hand , old coins and a waist length strand of hair that was tied with a sparkly thin ribbon. Each item held a significant meaning or represented desired change.

Once Iris arrived in the outer perimeter of where Zodiac stood with the women she recognized Zaphyra from the shop. She dipped her head in greeting once to her sire, to the blonde haired woman with her then to Zaphyra. She was nervous somewhat but so honored to be included in this intimate gathering and in the company of the women in front of her.

“Good Evening.” Her voice was gentle and serene like the woods about her.

[Alexandrea]

It had been a lovely surprise to run into Zodiac at the Metro a few days ago and after they had a chance to chat, Zodiac gave Alexandrea an invitation. She was pleased to be able to accept right away and sorry she couldn't stay longer. But she had a business to run now and so far her only employee was in security, which meant Alexandrea was making all the stock herself. Thankfully, the cost of materials was zero when could steal whatever you needed.

Alex was in and out of the Jewelry store in just minutes. She had a sack of items she would take apart and use to make her own jewelry to sell in her shop at the Mall. She ducked into her new hideout to use the washer and dryer and stash the loot in one of the holes in the walls before heading out again to go shop for something new to wear for Zodiac's event. It would be in the woods, so she would get a new pair of boots too.

Her and Zodiac had been talking clothes before and Alexandrea said commented on how much she liked the Gypsy's look, which seemed to embarrass the woman. Alex had been sincere, however. Maybe Alex should look for something similar but with her own 'feel". She found the boots she wanted first. They didn't have heels and were the softest leather she had ever touched, dyed a dove grey with black laces going all the way up to her knees. The soles were suited to walking in the wilderness, and thick enough to give the short blonde an extra inch.

The dress much took longer to find. A few days went by and it was almost time for Alex to get ready to go when at the last possible moment, she saw something in the window of the Moonlight Fashions shop at the 8D mall. It was a vintage dress that just felt perfect to Alexandrea. And it fit like it was made for her. Which was a very good thing, considering she had no time for it to be altered.

She left the shop in the dress, and hurried into her own store to change into the boots. Alexandrea gathered up her offerings for the flames then used celerity to run to the location given in the invitation. The sounds and smell of the wilderness made her a little sad, being in the woods always reminded her of Odin now.

She clutched her two bundles against her chest and hoped that Goddess would answer her requests. To either free her to be fine with just being friends again with him or to bring them back closer together. The other bundle represented Serenity. Alex's intention was simple enough but she had been unable to really let go of the anger and bitterness she felt towards the so called healer and was ready to admit she needed the Goddess help.

Alexandrea freed her mind from her thoughts and tuned into the nature that was all around her as walked down the path, watching the shadows around her while she went Alex could have sworn she saw a black cat dancing in and out of the edge of darkness a few times...

Eventually Alex found herself in a wide clearing that boasted a magnificent view of the moon over ahead, the moonlight flooded the area and shone down on four other woman. Two, Alex knew. One she swore she had met before but couldn't recall her name. She stepped forward with a wide smile to all of them and slight nod of her head.

"Greetings Ladies, Thank you for including me. It is an honor to be here."

[Zodiac]

As she waited for Elizabeth's input and ideas, a soft sound caught her ear. Turning, Zodiac smiled as Zaphyra appeared looking like some tribal princess. She bowed her head in respect and stepped forward to embrace her friend.

"Hello, Pocahontas." she giggled in the girl's mind before kissing her cheek. "You are welcome to this circle and thank you for coming." She was already curious about what the woman brought to offer. Native American ways were not totally strange to her, but she never had the times in her travels to stay in one spot long enough to learn anything in depth, so hopefully this would be a deeper glimpse to learn from.

Zodiac had to look twice at the grey specter that stepped softly into view to be sure it was Iris. The girl was like an onion in ways. Every time the mystic thought she had her figured out, another layer fell away to reveal something new. Her apprentice looked the part now. Her normal attire of suffocating Victorian garb was not displeasing at all, but this seemed so much more in tune with what she hoped to impart to her childer.

"Greetings my childer, my acolyte, my beloved." she returned the bow before embracing her. " You are welcome to this circle and thank you for coming. May this be another step in the paths I have put you on and you have chosen."

The third arrival she had not expected to accept her invitation, but she was pleased the woman had. She grinned as she looked over the four women's attire.

"Okay, if you all gonna start dressing like me, I want a commission or dresses in my size." She laughed. "Oh, we don't spend enough time together, girl." She hugged Alexandrea the same as she had the others. "You are welcome to this circle and thank you for coming." she took the woman by the hand and turned to face the others.

"So I will do this. This is Alexandrea Quartermain." she pointed as she went along. "This is my childer and apprentice- Iris. One of my best friends and workers at Pandy's- Zaphyra, and last but not least we have Elizabeth Naarc of Deux Corbeux. And you all know me-the Amazing Zodiac. No autographs, please. Ladies, welcome to you all. Some more may be coming or not, but we have time before we should begin. Any questions on what we are doing here tonight, now is the time to ask."

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth listened to what Zodiac said and then smiled. In some sense, she was certain Zodiac had given her a compliment, Elizabeth had to think about it to be certain. Compliments were a strange things these nights; hidden or veiled. While Zodiac may have made the woman abandon some of the things she loved, her mind could do a great many of things with a mere thought. Knowing that if there was trouble and she needed something and her mind could handle it, Elizabeth followed the desires of Zodiac. No shoes, no cellular device and anything else that might pose a potential distraction was discarded. New faces appeared not long after, though some of them were not that new. Elizabeth knew the woman that came first, vaguely. She had met her a year or so ago. The woman that appeared next was someone close to Zodiac, as Elizabeth had seen her once or twice in passing whilst giving away ritual ingredients and the other was a friend; Alexandrea. She had not seen the woman since she was pregnant with a fadebeast. A secret that had remained between the two of them. Elizabeth smiled to see that Alexandrea was here and well, her head dipped in greeting to them all as Zodiac introduced them all properly.

Iris and Zaphyra. That were their names. This time Elizabeth would not forget. "Good evening, everyone." Elizabeth said a few seconds after there was some silence between the group of women. Her eyes rested on Alexandrea, the woman she knew the most of, after Zodiac, as she spoke. "Thank you for inviting me." Elizabeth had only recently decided to expand her knowledge on things such as these, realizing that some rituals were important or required. And with so few wanting to practice such things for whatever reason, Elizabeth made the decision to venture down that path. Through all the bumps and bruises, she was not sorry in her decision to pursue this course. After a few more months of hard work, she would know all it is she needed and wanted to know. At least, so the woman believed. It was something she would discuss with Zodiac later.

Blue orbs went to the cat, Ginny. A being that had become a constant in her life, as had Zodiac. Elizabeth smiled at the thought. Cats, was something the woman adored for some strange reason, even though she had grown up with dogs as a child. And from what she remembered, before the holocaust, dogs had been a stable fixture of sorts then too.

"What is expected of us? Some of us are quite new to things such as this." Elizabeth removed a necklace from around her neck, something that she would give as an offering. The necklace had a silver bird's claw holding a black onyx gem in its clutches, nothing that was too expensive, but held some personal value to it for obvious reasons. "Regardless, I am ready." For some reason, Elizabeth found herself excited. This was a new, different world to her, something that always excited the woman and being she trusted Zodiac and the fact that the woman knew what she was doing, only excited her more.

[Zaphyra (DELETED 153)]

Zaph paused for a moment staring at the woman with Zo. Something tickled her brain, giving her a feeling of a headache approaching. She felt like she knew this one and could only assume it was from the time before she had died. A brow rose as she studied her, some of a memory trying to come to the fore front of her mind. Shaking her head and smiling once she noticed others walking up.

Returning the hug from Zo. “I was not sure if everyone cleansed themselves for rituals, but I brought sacred oil to apply to everyone. I also have an offering for swiftness for all and longevity.” Releasing her friend from the hug, her smile grew bigger. “You look lovely Zo.”

Her gaze falling once again to Elizabeth. Her head giving a slight bow. “ Hello. May the suns warmth find you in the cold of night.” It was a simple greeting of her fathers changed slightly for the way their lives were lived. She gave her a genuine smile. Though she couldn't remember her really, she felt like they had been friendly in the past. Deciding once thing were complete this night she would make sure to talk to her. A large part of herself hoping that it would opening up the blockage in her memories.

She smiled as each of the other women approached repeating her greeting as Zo introduced them. She had seen both around, though she did not know them really, but she could not hold the smile back at the thought of possibly leaving tonight with more friends. Jareth and Zo had been wonderful. The possibility of her friend base growing and those that Zo clearly thought highly of, gave her renewed appreciation for this night.

[Iris von Drol]

Iris watched as the women around moved towards one another in exchange of greetings. She was lacking awareness in who was who. Some of the business dealings brought her moments where she became acquainted with a select few who came to the office for contracting her for transportation and delivery needs. Outside that her time was spent much to herself with her ritual alter and she felt out of her league so to speak already as her wide eyes took in each female briefly trying to place where she might have seen each before this gathering. Her arms returned Zodiac's embrace and felt the warmth of her affectionate introduction to those she would hope to know soon.

"Nice to meet each of you." She spoke gently, pressing her lips together firmly when she went quiet.

Slightly rubbing the flesh frame of her mouth together to keep from saying anything that would reveal how new to all of this she truly was did little to hide her nervousness. It was not incredibly high but she was enough so that she knew she appreciated the honor of being in the company she was currently in. She was growing into her place but time and training would see to it that she would earn it. Her eyes and mind were open and she intended to absorb everything around her like a sponge.

Both blonde women looked very familiar and seemed quite comfortable with new faces. Likely they were highly social and if she herself was out more she would recognize them. A hermit was likely more social than she. Especially the one called Alexandrea Quartermaine. Her face was radiant from just sporting a warm engaging smile. It was a delightful one at that and impossible not to smile in return. Elizabeth Naarc of Deux Corbeaux. Now that seemed to ring a bell somewhere. It definitely sounded important and equally worth remembering. Zaphyr she recognized by name as her sire spoke of her often and quite fondly. It was her face that was more familiar than the rest. All in all, it appeared she would be having the pleasure of expanding her self-limited list of those she knew personally in Harper Rock outside business. She was relieved to hear Elizabeth ask what was expected of them. She wasn’t sure if the woman was new to this celebration but Iris was convinced she herself was more so than the rest.

In keeping with that thought, Iris slid her hand so that it disappeared into the tote beneath her grey cape and withdrew the fresh Bluehearts flowers. Only way to be a part of this gathering was to participate with an offering of her own. This offering from her would be about growth, preserving the relationships she had and those she would hopefully gain in the year ahead. Bluehearts reminded her of eternity and promises kept. They represented something old down to the earth and the roots that sustained them, something new as they burst to bloom revealing their centers and value, something plucked and borrowed from a midnight field and in the end so vibrant and blue. She held them gently in her hand and smiled slowly as she did.