Wedding Gifts from the Sidhe

[Orladdin]

A one (or two, even three)  free "Babysitting" ticket.
To the why... Since everyone else got the babymaking part covered, the smart move would be what comes next. A baby, and the promise not for merely a item but a act. To watch over their child for a set time period, even if Heaven or Hell is about to thump its parents.

And such, it does several things that benefit both Maeve and the parents. Like for Maeve, it puts her in the child's life. Which could prove profitable later once the child is grown. For the parents, having such a haven for your child if things go all crazy and world-ending. Plus its practically, which can only bring a smile to Maeve.

Brilliant idea, yeah.
I like it.

[Silverblaze]

My opinion:

Lara would have some sort of contract in place not allowing the couple to take gifts directly to keep them out of debt from the Sidhe.  Lara is that smart after all.

Something equal to or greater than Summer.  A little competition. Something that benefits Winter.

I like the Malk kitten idea : hear me out - if they bound it to the family for protection they'd have a protector, but Winter could likely still spy on them with it. 

I could see a mild insult underlying the gift.  Maybe an expensive furniture set that is stain resistant or a camcorder.  Hinting at their respective pasts/heritages. The card possibly having a good divorce attorney business card in it.

The ice statue is a rather nice but likely harmless gift.

I think something like a new kitchen set complete with the latest in refrigeration technology.  Several years of service of some fae critter that can act as a living central air conditioning unit.


Idea I do not like: the babysitting one.

Lara is throwing the party yes?  She'd be all over that trap as protective as she is.  She's too shrewd to let the one family member who finally was cured/escaped get pulled back in.

I could see winter or summer giving Lara a crown ( publicly or otherwise - likely in secret), letting her know they have an inkling of who really runs the White Court. 

[amberpup]

Idea I do not like: the babysitting one.

Lara is throwing the party yes?  She'd be all over that trap as protective as she is.  She's too shrewd to let the one family member who finally was cured/escaped get pulled back in.

I personally consider the Summer Court gift more of a trap, since it enforces fertility. The Valkyrie gift is a close second, for at least it gives you a choice... yet it may be more devious because you could get one or the other taking sips where the other one doesn't know (like the movie 'She's having a Baby).

And for the paranoid, baby = future hostage.

But my babysitting idea has a few finer points;
1. First shows Mab (or Maeve) being a forward thinker, able to guess what the others would give and not being stuck in the past herself. I mean, magical fertility gifts in this day and age... just go to the clinic if you're having fertility problems!

2. The happy newlyweds can either use the coupon (for a free babysitting) or not. Its their choice, and shouldn't put Mab out if they never do have children. Which double-up fertility gifts would, because its kinda hard to miss that... You know, no kids running about.

3. While I guess you could use the line (Just when I thought I got out, they pull me back in!), it does show that the Winter Court is not only interested in the newlyweds bloodline (ie children), they're also interested in protecting the child's future (if only for a brief period).

4. And the funnest part is, Mab or Maeve can be totally delightful babysitters with no ill intent and still benefit. Its a total win/win for them, since they can spoil the child like a grandparent and have great fun while doing it. I mean, what Fae won't take delight in a afternoon with a mortal child.... tis so storybook like.

5. And for the future parents, they got a super safe place for the kid if things go real bad. In fact, I wouldn't include a age cut-off since Mab could see a benefit having the same child somewhat older showing-up at her door with the coupon.

But I will say, there is a pretty big downside for Mab in getting involved with whomever the pair pissed-off so much that they actually need the Winter Court to protect their kid. But then, she may actually enjoy that since she gets to belly-up to the table and get involved in a affair she normally couldn't.

6. Its a very usually gift, even a bit scary which fits the Winter Court perfectly.

7. Its a future hook, which might drive the player characters nuts as telling themselves they won't ever use the coupon (It's a sucker bet!), then end-up using it when things go to hell.

[Mr. Death]

Well, the mead the valkyrie's giving isn't enchanted or anything--it's just good old Norse tradition, is all. Where do you think the term "honeymoon" comes from?

Also, as I mentioned before, the newlyweds are Inari Raith and Bobby, not Player Characters, so whatever they get isn't going to be much of a plot hook for the PCs.

But yeah, Lara would defend against any gift that she sees as a "gotcha" toward Inari (and at the pre-wedding supernatural party, she made a speech with the clear undercurrent of 'If any of you mess with my sister, you'll regret it.'). She might allow the Malk kitten, provided she got a good, hard look at the contract involved, first.

One idea I had was an amulet of some kind for Inari that is meant to preserve and enhance her natural beauty, which Bobby likely won't mind and is a reference back to Inari's previous nature as a White Court virgin...but at the same time, will make others notice and become interested in her, potentially promoting jealousy on Bobby's part.

[amberpup]

As to the kitten, I'm not really hot on that since its a smart little beast who might decided to just up and kill the kid no matter how many enchantments you have on it. Then of course, you have the whole issue of people thinking that was your plan in the first place.

Hmm... you know, if you're just going for show. The old flash and bang to impress the guests (and pcs), the most romantic thing I can think of is Maeve freezes their vows into ice and then forms them into a snow globe for viewing. I would think its pretty neat to watch your words floating within months later curled-up with your wife on the beach.

Kinda flash freeze your words forever....

But if that doesn't work, then maybe something with a more autumn theme. But that's a little hard for me, since the only thing I could see dealing with Autumn/Winter themes that isn't sort of a insult is a gift that suggests their love being forever. Yet I guess, you could do a x-mas theme gift as well, since it has its roots in a pagan holiday.

[Taran]

I like the baby-sitting thing but mostly because I have kids and any time I hear "free" and "baby-sitting" in the same sentance, I get a little giddy 

[Silverblaze]

I personally consider the Summer Court gift more of a trap, since it enforces fertility. The Valkyrie gift is a close second, for at least it gives you a choice... yet it may be more devious because you could get one or the other taking sips where the other one doesn't know (like the movie 'She's having a Baby).

And for the paranoid, baby = future hostage.

But my babysitting idea has a few finer points;
1. First shows Mab (or Maeve) being a forward thinker, able to guess what the others would give and not being stuck in the past herself. I mean, magical fertility gifts in this day and age... just go to the clinic if you're having fertility problems!

2. The happy newlyweds can either use the coupon (for a free babysitting) or not. Its their choice, and shouldn't put Mab out if they never do have children. Which double-up fertility gifts would, because its kinda hard to miss that... You know, no kids running about.

3. While I guess you could use the line (Just when I thought I got out, they pull me back in!), it does show that the Winter Court is not only interested in the newlyweds bloodline (ie children), they're also interested in protecting the child's future (if only for a brief period).

4. And the funnest part is, Mab or Maeve can be totally delightful babysitters with no ill intent and still benefit. Its a total win/win for them, since they can spoil the child like a grandparent and have great fun while doing it. I mean, what Fae won't take delight in a afternoon with a mortal child.... tis so storybook like.

5. And for the future parents, they got a super safe place for the kid if things go real bad. In fact, I wouldn't include a age cut-off since Mab could see a benefit having the same child somewhat older showing-up at her door with the coupon.

But I will say, there is a pretty big downside for Mab in getting involved with whomever the pair pissed-off so much that they actually need the Winter Court to protect their kid. But then, she may actually enjoy that since she gets to belly-up to the table and get involved in a affair she normally couldn't.

6. Its a very usually gift, even a bit scary which fits the Winter Court perfectly.

7. Its a future hook, which might drive the player characters nuts as telling themselves they won't ever use the coupon (It's a sucker bet!), then end-up using it when things go to hell.

As to the kitten, I'm not really hot on that since its a smart little beast who might decided to just up and kill the kid no matter how many enchantments you have on it. Then of course, you have the whole issue of people thinking that was your plan in the first place.

Hmm... you know, if you're just going for show. The old flash and bang to impress the guests (and pcs), the most romantic thing I can think of is Maeve freezes their vows into ice and then forms them into a snow globe for viewing. I would think its pretty neat to watch your words floating within months later curled-up with your wife on the beach.

Kinda flash freeze your words forever....

But if that doesn't work, then maybe something with a more autumn theme. But that's a little hard for me, since the only thing I could see dealing with Autumn/Winter themes that isn't sort of a insult is a gift that suggests their love being forever. Yet I guess, you could do a x-mas theme gift as well, since it has its roots in a pagan holiday.

Defensive much?


Malk:

Critters can be magically bound by their "choice" sure Mab could in theory force it to agree tothe contract, but there are plenty of stories where things serve faithfully even if they don't want to. 

Yeah in some of those they get loose and cause some righteous vengeance, but that in itself could be plot material no?


To be honest I like this idea best.

One idea I had was an amulet of some kind for Inari that is meant to preserve and enhance her natural beauty, which Bobby likely won't mind and is a reference back to Inari's previous nature as a White Court virgin...but at the same time, will make others notice and become interested in her, potentially promoting jealousy on Bobby's part.

[Mr. Ghostbuster]

I like the idea of an everlasting ice sculpture but I have a completely alternative route to offer you:

Maybe none of the Queens could make it (for whatever reason, you could play around with it) so they send either The Winter King, Santa Claus in their stead or maybe...the court's new Winter Knight. Both would be easier to decide gifts for, I think.

[Mr. Death]

I like the idea of an everlasting ice sculpture but I have a completely alternative route to offer you:

Maybe none of the Queens could make it (for whatever reason, you could play around with it) so they send either The Winter King, Santa Claus in their stead or maybe...the court's new Winter Knight. Both would be easier to decide gifts for, I think.

Interesting idea, but I'm establishing Maeve as a major player in the city, so she had to be there. Plus, the game takes place when the new Winter Knight is still convalescing.

The party and distribution of gifts were last week, and I ended up going with the amulet idea. But the rest of it has given me some thought for future plot lines, so thanks for the suggestions everybody.

[archmagelite]

An enchanted mirror that shows only the subject of her husbands desire. That's a winter court gift

[Ophidimancer]

An enchanted mirror that shows only the subject of her husbands desire. That's a winter court gift

Damn, that's spiteful.  I like it!

What I was thinking was something that emphasized Winter more as the ending of things.  Is the couple mortal?  How about a bed/icy coffin that they can both go to sleep in when they're old that will keep them alive indefinitely, together in their dreams forever?

[Lavecki121]

i liked that amulet idea. The one that kept her young and beautiful forever, but what if it also stopped certain thing from happening such as her reproductive organs. Since she is not getting older really, it would act as a sort of birth control, which would also be in opposite of the Summers fertility flower

[Orladdin]

I love how this thread just pops back up to the top every couple of weeks with more spiteful unseelie goodies. 
^_^

[amberpup]

I love how this thread just pops back up to the top every couple of weeks with more spiteful unseelie goodies. 
^_^

I don't think of it was 'spiteful' so much, more just a price unknown due to a lacking of they are indeed, are not human. And any gift, promise, or kiss, needs more then just a single reason.