Team Library Begins, The Teacup Kaiju, Spring Equinox Planning
Chocobo Breeding Research
Valkaenar has amassed chocobo breeding records for over 16,000 years, filling hundreds of books. This research is relevant to Venril’s pigeon flock, and Valkaenar plans to share portions of it while keeping proprietary findings private for a competitive edge.
Erevan’s Housing Request
At dinner, Erevan asked to build a third house on the property in the spring. Averon denied the request, saying Erevan must wait until Valkaenar “gets his head out of his ass,” which caused tense silence as Valkaenar was present.
Valkaenar’s Concerns
Valkaenar is upset he was not told about an incident with Daryndel until after Daryndel was safe. Queen Mab had sent Daryndel into the past to attack T’Ryndiel in the mortal realm. Valkaenar is deeply worried about whether a fae can be resurrected without a body. Ryn can protect his own worshippers, but Daryndel is not one.
Library Reorganization Project
The family library is nearly ruined, with books and fragile research scattered and only 5% organized after weeks of work. The contents are personal rather than standard wizarding texts, so Valkaenar is selective about help. Amber assists by putting pages back into books—even upside down—helping at least keep materials together.
Lord Blackwood’s Visit & Strategic Planning
Arrival and Offer of Assistance
Blackwood arrived with 30–40 people after hearing a six-year-old was helping with the library. Valkaenar declined outside help but accepted Blackwood’s direct assistance. His staff was reassigned to other estate projects.
Social Integration with the Family
Blackwood stayed at least a week, dressing in blue and green instead of black and white to blend in. Amber asked about his usual colors, which were explained as part of his “brand.” Valkaenar arranged conversations so Yaria could become more comfortable with him.
Yaria’s Artwork
Blackwood was shown Yaria’s enchanted paintings and gave genuine praise for how her sorcery infuses the work.
Regional Politics & Future Plans
The Unseelie Queen is unstable, cruel, and expected to be replaced soon, which will bring chaos. As a Tier 1 lord, Blackwood expects to be targeted. He needs a secret new estate in the Equinox for safety and plans to move 300 soldiers there.
Consultation with Zeromaeus (Zero)
Blackwood pledged himself to Zero as future king. Zero is developing law books based on Seelie law, adjusted for fairness. They planned careful placement of Blackwood’s new territory to avoid threatening growth.
Averon’s Mandate from Zero
Zero told Averon to formally claim the territory he has been running. Zero also introduced the idea of underlords to manage land, a northern practice not common in the Equinox. Averon intends to borrow Valkaenar’s army to enforce authority.
Property Search and Strategy
Valkaenar and Blackwood reviewed maps to find safe land for Blackwood near Valkaenar but without conflict with Averon. The goal is to expand allied presence in the Equinox.
Equinox Celebration and Scheduling Challenges
Averon is frustrated about being forced to leave for vacation right after the celebration despite heavy work. Rivvin must stay available to manage questions from underlords.
Pre-Event Preparations
Averon will personally inspect fortifications before the equinox celebration, joined by a new underlord.
Overlapping Responsibilities
Everyone feels overburdened, but such overlaps are considered normal.
Academic Pressures and Personal Stakes
Final exams are at the same time. Nox is extremely anxious—failure means losing his apartment plans and repeating the year. His determination to pass is intense, driven by the fact that the apartment is already purchased.
More Detailed
Chocobo Breeding Research
Valkaenar has an extensive collection of chocobo breeding research, spanning 16,000 years and hundreds of books.
This research will be shared with Venril, as its systems and data sets are relevant to managing his own pigeon flock.
Valkaenar plans to eventually review and create a shareable version of this research, while keeping proprietary findings private to maintain a competitive edge.
Erevan’s Housing Request
At a family dinner, Erevan requested to begin construction on a third house on the property in the spring.
Averon denied the request, stating Erevan must wait until Valkanar “gets his head out of his ass,” causing a tense silence at the table as Valkaenar was present.
Valkaenar’s Concerns
Valkanaer is upset he was not informed about an issue involving Daryndel until after Daryndel was safe. (Queen Mab had sent Daryndel into the past to attack T'Ryndiel in the mortal realm)
He is worried about the potential inability to resurrect a fae, especially without a body. While the god Ryn can protect his own worshippers, Daryndel does not worship Ryn.
Library Reorganization Project
The library is chaotic, with books and fragile, sensitive research materials strewn about and beyond disorganized. Only about 5% of the project is complete after weeks of work.
The contents are highly personal and not standard wizarding research, so Valkaenar is selective about who can help.
Amber, his six-year-old great-granddaughter, is helping by putting pages into books. Although she sometimes puts pages in upside down, her help is valued for keeping pages with their correct books and identifying missing pages.
Lord Blackwood’s Visit & Strategic Planning
Arrival and Offer of Assistance
Lord Blackwood (Malakai) arrived with 30–40 people to help with the library.
His arrival was prompted by a report from his informant that a six-year-old was helping, leading him to believe Valkaenar was severely understaffed.
Valkaenar, concerned about the sensitive nature of his research, declined help from Blackwood’s people but accepted Blackwood’s personal assistance in the library.
Blackwood’s staff was assigned to other projects on the estate.
Social Integration with the Family
Blackwood is staying for at least a week to help.
At dinner, he changed from his usual black and white attire to a sky-blue shirt and forest-green pants to better fit in with the family.
Amber was curious about his black-and-white appearance, which was explained as a “brand thing.”
Valkaenar facilitated a three-way conversation between himself, his wife Yaria, and Blackwood to help Yaria become more comfortable with him. The conversation covered personal opinions and ideals, revealing Blackwood’s sense of humor and adaptability.
Yaria’s Artwork
During an evening of playing cards, Blackwood was shown Yaria’s enchanted paintings.
He expressed genuine and thoughtful appreciation for her work, which is created by imbuing her sorcerous magic into the paint as she works.
Regional Politics & Future Plans
Unseelie Queen’s Instability
The current Unseelie Queen’s behavior is increasingly cruel and irresponsible, as shown by a recent dangerous assignment she gave.
Her reign is expected to end soon, likely due to a rival lord or a fatal mistake.
The transition of power is expected to be chaotic, with the new queen likely targeting and replacing all Tier 1 lords to establish dominance.
Blackwood’s Need for a New Estate
As a Tier 1 lord, Blackwood is a primary target for the incoming queen.
He needs to establish a new, unknown property in the Equinox as a safe haven during the political upheaval and plans to move at least 300 soldiers there.
Consultation with Lord Zeromaeus (Zaro)
Blackwood met with Zeromaeus to declare his intention to serve him as king and align on future plans.
Zeromaeus is creating law books, largely based on Seelie law but adapted to be fairer and more efficient.
They discussed strategic placement for Blackwood’s new territory to ensure it is effective but not expanding too quickly, which could be seen as a threat.
Averon’s Mandate from Zeromaeus
Zeromaeus confronted Averon about not formally taking control of the territory he has been unofficially managing.
He instructed Averon to officially assume his role as lord and introduced the concept of establishing underlords to manage the territory, a practice common in the north but not in the Equinox.
Averon plans to borrow Valkaenar’s army to enforce his new authority.
Property Search and Strategy
Valkaenar and Blackwood planned to view potential properties, including some previously considered by Elara.
The goal is to find a location that allows Blackwood to be near Valkaenar while providing a strategic base for expansion.
They reviewed maps of Valkaenar’s and Averon’s territories to ensure Blackwood’s new land would not create conflict and would strengthen their allied region.
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Equinox Celebration and Scheduling Challenges
Averon is frustrated about having to leave for vacation immediately after the celebration, especially given a heavy workload and reluctance to go.
Rivvin must remain available during Averon’s absence to address any questions from the Underlords, highlighting a dependency and coverage challenge during key personnel absences.
Pre-Event Preparations and Leadership Involvement
Before the equinox celebration, Averon will personally inspect the nearest fortifications—a task previously delegated to Rivvin.
The tour and inspection are scheduled for the day before the equinox celebration, allowing both Averon and the new underlord to participate in their respective celebrations.
Narrative Summary – Pinebrook Arrivals
Averon is irritable from the start. Forced into both a vacation and new responsibilities with underlords, he wears a thin mask that does little to hide his frustration. Nox, in the carriage with Zendral and his mother, chatters anxiously about exams the whole way, but when he sees Averon’s expression on arrival, he shuts down completely, slipping away to avoid conflict. Zendral notices everything—the aura, the cracks in the mask—and feels guilty for upsetting Nox, though he hides it. His mother Rose tries to comfort him, new to this kind of gathering herself.
Aethon arrives at Pinebrook with Yaria, Estrelle, and Prism the dog. Prism whines at Aethon and clings close, wary of the tense atmosphere. Averon voices his resentment openly, muttering about being trapped in obligations he never wanted. His bitterness startles not only the dog but also his family. Valkaenar half-jokes with him, but the undercurrent of unease lingers. Aeris offers Averon some relief later, though rougher than usual, and the strain in his aura remains.
Inside, the extended family trickles in. Erevan greets warmly, even Prism seems to approve of him. Rael gathers the twins, Vale and Vasta, who are surprised to be allowed here at all, expecting the rules to exclude them. They banter about their housing, apartments, and shifting family arrangements, showing how much has changed. Conversation shifts to larger matters—Lordship, territories, obligations—Averon warning the children that Valkaenar is officially Lord Silvaeari now, and he is furious. They are urged to be on their best behavior.
Elsewhere, Vale tries to coax Nox into joining games, but Nox retreats, sketching intricate patterns and muttering about his exams. The weight of failure terrifies him, not just personally but for how it would derail family plans. He insists he must pass, his anxiety clear. Vale and Quetzal try to lighten his mood, but he cannot let go of the pressure.
Through it all, there’s an undercurrent of visions, politics, and family tension. Averon is brittle, Nox is wound tight, and Valkaenar looms in the background, carrying both authority and expectations. Amid arrivals, greetings, and the first night of settling in, Pinebrook feels full of restless energy: a family gathered, but with strain at the seams.
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