Red Team for Challenge #1

[The Lady in Red]

Stepping to the middle of the Red corner, the familiar shape with golden red curls made a twirl around till she was sure she caught everybody's attention, announcing loudly "Ladies & Lords, we need a plan de campagne¹. Now surely, we have the best and brightest mind amongst us. We can come up with something entertaining."

A lascivious grin appeared "I think we can manage a satire, or a more innocent poem if you prefer." She looked around to see the reactions "Or do people have other things to offer? Come, don't be shy."


OOC: 1. Plan of action

[Sanguine]

Having drifted in just before the announcement was made, Sanguine moved towards the corner that was to house the red team. "Bon Soir," he offered in a non-native French voice. Either he was an Englishman pretending to be a Frenchman, or a Frenchman pretending to be an Englishman pretending to be a Frenchman.

"I am Sanguine." He offered a bow and kiss of her hand, if she was so inclined. "If you have a pretty voice, you might sing something about how grand the color red is," he offered with a smile. Poetry seemed a bit hard to compose on the spot. Of course, the same could be said for a song. Perhaps others would arrive with ideas of their own.

[Lavinia]

"I am 'Lavinia' and bid you welcome." She inclined her head gracefully. "You are a most welcom'd presence here Sir" She added. Wondering if he might be a fox amongst the hens!

To The Lady In Red she replied "It is as I have said Madam - I shall be useless on my own yet shall endeavor to help US all so that we shall indeed Win this competition. For I should hate to lose to any there ...." She waved her hand lightly in the general direction of the other Color's.

"What say you to this new arrival and his 'suggestions?" She queried cautiously. If only she had the gift so many of her acquaintance's had of 'Talent' her confidence would shine. Now she must hold back yet still be a part of them all and prayed that her contribution would merit approval.

[The Lady in Red]

"Welcome," the Lady in Red bid him, she tasted his name upon her lips as she offered her hand to be kissed "Sanguine... at once both bloodthirsty and cheerful." She wondered how apt it was to this gentleman, for did not most revellers choose something they either thought descriptive or strived for. That is, if he was aware of the connotations of the word. Perhaps he had chosen it merely for its smooth French sounding syllables and the associations with scarlet. "I am the Lady in Red," she thought superfluously to offer, with a little chuckle, for it humoured her. She herself had chosen the title to poke fun of all this pageantry.

The redheaded lady was not at all intimidated by the prospect of the competition, and laughed at Lavinia's dismissal of other colours. Did groups form this swiftly? The sense of an upcoming battle was already thick in the air, even if just figuratively speaking. "It all depends who you are loosing from," she told the enthusiastic lady cryptically "Sycophancy might demand you do so most prettily. Ah, but for now, let's assume we have more talent in our pinky, then the rest combined in their entire hand and are not afraid to show it. Are you both very daring Lavinia? signeur Sanguine? Then what do you offer to do with the challenge?" There was after all a task at hand and they'd better get to it.

[Red Jester]

The Jester eyed Sanguine as he made his appearance, and thought it to be a very creative costume.

"Alas....I have no talents," he said dramatically, "My singing is horrible, my acting is worse than that, I am a poor excuse for a jester. Perhaps a dance though? I'm not inept at dancing. How are the rest of you?"

[Lavinia]

She swept The Lady In Red a cool appraisal then stated "I am as good as you yourself claim to be - perhaps better! Let us to it then!"

She turned to The Red Jester adding "I am better at dancing then singing so mayhap we shall pair up? I do not think there is time enough to actually compose a 'play' but we could take a trick from My Lord Rochester if all are agreeable - limericks perhaps? using this event as inspiration?"

She crossed over the Line and into territory she knew little of. So be it.

[Sanguine]

The Lady in Red had red hair. Sanguine knew only two ladies at court with red hair. Looking at her pale skin, this courtier began to look for signs that would confirm her identity. Lavinia was unknown to him, though he looked to see if her hair might have been dyed, and to judge her eye color. The Red Jester got a look as well to see how old he might be and how he carried himself.

Sanguine wore no wig, his hair was dark. It was possible that it had been dyed, but it looked natural enough. His eye color was dark as well. The uniform of a trooper fitted him well enough. He was a tall man. His face was youthful.

"I can dance," he admitted, "but I should think ordinary dancing would not be entertaining. How about a storytelling then, of tall tales. We would have members of other teams shout out words and we would have to use them in our imaginative story. Each of us would take turns adding to the story using random words cast at us," he suggested.

[Red Dragon]

Red Dragon listened as others began to step up to the challenge issued. The red hair and familiarity that the Lady in Red had shown made her almost certain that the woman was known to her. When attention was turned to her, she introduced herself with a small bow. It was likely obvious, with her height, that she was no petite flower of the Orient. No, she stood tall as she straightened, the heels on her feet giving her added inches.

"Red Dragon," she said as introduction, then looked at their group. "I have a decent voice and have never had any complaints about my acting or dancing skills. I would think, Sanguine, that your idea is novel, though has its drawbacks. If we were all actors, it likely would flow quite well and be utterly amusing, but it has been noted that acting is not everyone in this group's forte. A story, though, or perhaps a poem," she said, glancing at the Lady in Red, "with maybe not quite dancing but synchronized movement, passing the story from one member to another, might be interesting."

[Barathrum]

Belatedly joining the group was Barathrum, dressed in deceptive innocence, stubble of feathers attached to his burgundy frock coat.

He noted that in each quarter of the ballroom clustered groups were talking amongst themselves, a most curious sight; courtiers plotting things this way. Strolling over to the red conspirators, he listened in on the strands of conversation. It seemed like some sort of dancing impromptu poem was on the agenda.

"Are we to involve the judges?" he nodded towards the rather blandly dressed persons on their chairs, "they look like they haven't had any fun for weeks." Taking a sip of his hipflask he turned to eye up the ladies present, "our scarlet ladies seem to be faring far better..." Women looked fine in that colour, the colour of daring and passion.

[Temperance]

The man bearing the coat showing all four masque colours looked up as the lifeguard said something and nodding. Thumping his staff, it really was a most useful way of gathering everyone's attention, he called once more across the hall. "There is five more minutes until the first performance!"

[Lavinia]

She was about to say "Involve the Judges? Why yes indeed! But how do you propose it?" Directed towards the newest arrival Barathrum in quiet sarcasm but was stopped by the announcement of TIME ....

"Well, - so here we all are and the sand seeps ever out. Just what then is the conclusion? Madam." She turned to The Lady in Red. "Shall we not take up the idea put forth by Red Dragon ..... Singing and dancing with some kind of 'story' thrown in to mark the occasion of the Wedding mayhap?"

She wanted to win truly but their numbers were few and the ideas even less. "Let us just Pray that WE are not chosen first ....."

[Red Jester]

"My friends," The Red Jester said, "Time is running out. It is my thought the idea presented by the Red Dragon is the best out of all of ours. Now, what kind of story shall we tell? Perhaps a humerous tale about a wedding of some sort?"

[Lavinia]

A brief closing of her eyes then she look directly at the speaker.

"Indeed, I am in agreement. And what think you then of using Master Shakespeare fro inspiration on the very topic that has brought us all to Windsor? Weddings of course! And we might even include some 'Religious' passage as well ..... I mean it is a solemn occasion and done before God ....." .

She was already thinking ahead ......

"The Tempset". A passage from "John." Oh what else??

[Blackguard]

Another in red stood near. An older face that had not thought to introduce himself. He was already finishing the first of many drinks behind a plain burgundy mask with golden trim. He had a burgundy frock coat to match.

Hearingthe call for a passage from some literary work, he stepped forward into the group, suddenly deciding to become a teammate.

"I think we should perform an ode to Hymen, Greek God of weddings. Shakespeare wrote:

'Tis Hymen peoples every town;
High wedlock then be honoured.
Honour, high honour, and renown,
To Hymen, god of every town!

Or perhaps the Greek version of the wedding song from the 5th Century ... Aristophanes ..., Peace :

Trygaios: Come, wife, to the fields and seek, my beauty, to brighten and enliven my nights. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios (Hymenaeus)!
Leader of the Chorus (singing): Oh! thrice happy man, who so well deserve your good fortune! Oh! Hymen! oh oh! Hymenaios!
Chorus (singing): Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios!
Trygaios (singing): What shall we do to her?
Chorus (singing): What shall we do to her?
Trygaios (singing): We will gather her kisses.
Chorus (singing): We will gather her kisses.
Leader of the Chorus (singing): But come, comrades, we who are in the first row, let us pick up the bridegroom and carry him in triumph. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios! Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios!
Trygaios (singing): You shall have a fine house, no cares and the finest of figs. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios! Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios!
Leader of the Chorus (singing): The bridegroom's fig is great and thick; the bride's very soft and tender.
Trygaios (singing): While eating and drinking deep draughts of wine, continue to repeat: Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios! Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios, Hail, hail, my friends. All who come with me shall have cakes galore.""

"I think we need to highlight that the bridegroom's fig is great and thick," he laughed.

[Sanguine]

Sanguine wore the uniform of a Life Guard ordinary trooper. His gaze was lost as he watched actual Life Guards assist in policing the festivities. Killigrew has gone too far to order about the Guard for his amusements.

His attention returned when he realized they were almost out of time and without a solid idea. It could take hours to compose something. Fortunately it was nothing but a game. A bit of dancing and singing might be entertaining, but what to sing?

Then, some older man recited plays by heart. What sort of man might have that ability? The part about the fig sounded rather libertine and the reference to the King was obvious.

Feeling rather bold behind the mask, the younger man laughed and declared to the ladies "well don't expect me to show a fig, at least not in public."

[Red Dragon]

Red Dragon looked at her companions as they discussed the merits of her idea. The fact that The Lady in Red seemed rather silent had her questioning her earlier assumption. But since the lady's identity was neither here nor there, she pushed the question out of her mind. The one man who suddenly spoke up had her regarding him closely. Then, glancing at Sanguine, she said, "I think you're safe in that regard." It was delivered in a very evenly moderated voice.

Back to the group at whole, she said, "Is there a wedding story we all know by heart? A thought, combining Sanguine's idea with mine. As we pass from partner to partner in the dance, the story pass from teller to teller, until we have made up an entirely new story. Male, female, male, female, the tale gets passed to the next person, they make up some part of it until they pass it off to the next, until completed. We would just need to come up with a basic premise and a set amount of time each person would have to speak per turn."

[The Lady in Red]

The redhead had been momentarily distracted, musing over the man in the scarlet uniform before her whom she was sure to have seen before. His observation of her would only learn that she boldly looked back with a curious look in her eyes. Even His Majesty barely knew how to differentiate between redheads, why should Sanguine?

Shaking her golden red curls the redheaded lady dismissed the ideas on the table at least in their current state "We are going from left to right and back again without hitting gold. Come now we do not want to be the laughingstock of the room." She certainly didn't want to be. She had ambitions in this regard. She found the Hymn to be hideous but just barely refrained from saying so.

"How about in a twist I make up a poem on the wedding," the lady suggested with a confidence born from experience "and you all act it out. I like the addition of the audience offering before hand say three words and I shall improvise on that." She nodded to Sanguine. She gave a small smirk "I shan't make it too bawdy."

OOC: Thank you kindly for not assuming any actions on my side by my inaction. Not even minutes have passed since the Red lady spoke

[Lavinia]

Some little thought was creeping its way about her memory, causing her to take another longer look at The Lady in Red, yet still unsure enough to make anything know.

She was sure that the 'Lady' was known to her but from where ..... Distracted by her own thoughts she did not at once hear the announcement. Words said of 'Poem and all of you act it out' penetrated and she at once was against it. There was too much attention being directed to this one woman - by her own hand - that was making it seem very one-sided! Too cool and confident of her prowess which make it hard for any of them to shine - but did she wish for that? No, she did not.

So it was a rather subdued participant who quietly voiced "I think that tis best - you seem Madam, to have some experience in ... Theatrical's ... So by all means set forth!"

She turned then as another announcement was made and then back to her own 'group' to see if any would heed the call .....

[Blackguard]

"I have an abundance of experience in the theater," the older man declared. Looking at the Lady in Red, he gave her a staged frown. "Am I to believe that you will refuse to use classic works and that, instead, we should simply place our hopes on your ability to compose a poem on the spot? That is asking a great deal of faith milady. Perhaps you could give us a preview as to your poem?"

Time had expired and one color was to be named imminently. Fortunately, it seemed that no team was especially ready.

[Sanguine]

It seemed as though they were out of time. "Let the Lady in Red go forward with her poem," he conceded in the heat of the moment. "What role would we have, if any? I'm content to have none." He was no performer.

[Red Jester]

"I agree with my friend here," The Red Jester said as he motioned towards Sanguine, "But as we are out of time, I will do whatever needed to ensure we win here."

[Lavinia]

Upon a sigh of resignation she stepped to where the two Gentlemen stood.

"My Lord's - let us put aside discourse and apply to the Task at Hand!" She said quietly and with a touch of firmness.

"Might we all turn attention to The Lady In Red and await her instructions - for I too wish a win and as it seems we are 'lucky' to be chosen first it behooves all of us, limited in numbers as we are, to come together. Now, what would you have me do Madam?" Asked of the other woman.

[The Lady in Red]

The redheaded lady was possessed of a temper and she was ready to depart the setting all together if the people around her thought her not worthy of her offer. Indeed she gave the old man an arch of her eyebrow, a gesture lost behind her mask, as she regarded him, her green eyes flashing angrily " And what of you sir, we have but your word that you are indeed a talent and not an old bore who would repeat the classics. No reassurances there except the certainty that all will secretly roll their eyes at the easy way out."

Angrily she clutched the folds of her dress and made as to go, but she paused as a few members called on her to make good on her offer. She took a deep heaving sigh, letting know her exasperation to all involved. Swishing around to her "supporters" she declared "I shall do Fain I would have a Pretie thing with a twist. I will mention you all in the first line of a couplet and expect you to act upon it."

[Red Dragon]

Red Dragon became a wee bit riled when the man questioned the Lady in Red's ability to deliver off the cuff. If her brows could have been seen, it would have been noted that one rose fluidly in a hint of anger. "I have absolutely no doubt that with our good Lady in Red helming the task with her wit that we shall win hands down," she said in smooth, modulated tones. "Lead the way."

[Blackguard]

There was no time to debate the niceties of the classics versus improvisation. "Very well. Go ahead," he waved the woman, wondering if she was indeed the lady he suspected.