Saturday was a fantastic day.
Stressful, but incredibly fantastic.
We loaded the car and headed up to King
and Queen's Arts and Sciences Competition. It was Kathy, Lindy,
Katherine, her son Chris, and myself. We took off and had an entire
ride of conversation without a hitch. And not once even faltered in
spoiling the surprise.
Once we arrived, Kathy began setting up
her display and I began crazily running around, gathering people,
making sure we knew which room we were heading into, cleaning it up,
starting to decorate... and then stressing out because the food and
rest of the decorations were running behind. No worries! The place
already looked beautiful with everyone's help and we didn't need the
food right away but I was still stressing. Anyone can attest to that.
I decided to enter my research into
period French phonetics into the Master Alexander's challenge. I
didn't really expect anything to come of it, but feedback was what I
was looking for. I got to see the other artisans and scientists
(there was totally some science entries there) with their displays
and was simply blown away. The East Kingdom is so incredibly
talented. And I ended up adding a few more 'want to try this' to my
list. I doubt I will ever get through the whole list, but I really
enjoy learning so I'm not complaining in the least.
I hung out around Kathy when I noticed
the royals were there. They were going to send her to vigil any
moment and I could hardly contain myself. As they approached and
asked her to explain her pieces, she had this look of 'are you
serious? Are you sending me to vigil?' but explained herself away in
the exact way she would for anyone. Then a sudden court was announced
and she was sent off. I merrily skipped along behind her with my
hands clutched together, giggling. I whispered if she was surprised.
She seemed to have gotten an inkling, but mostly she was surprised.
She got settled in her tent and I
promised her plates of food as soon as they arrived. And they did,
shortly after, with Chris and John and Johann. Everything was brought
in and people actually didn't start coming to see the vigil until
things were nearly finished setting up (another person was being sent
to vigil and I think that had to do for a lot of it).
At that point, the room became crowded
so we shooed most everyone out to stand in the hallway to make merry
and nice and I sat inside at the entrance to her tent to let her know
when someone was here, who, and to hurry up the people inside if it
was dragging and she had a line. I also was there to be hospitable to
everyone that entered the room to wait their turn: offered them food
and drink (and we managed to finish decorating and the food went over
FANTASTICALLY!). People enjoyed sitting next to me and we chatted
about Kathy and about awards and about all kinds of things.
When their Majesties came in, I stood
and offered them a deep bow before letting Kathy knew they were there
(she was grateful as sometimes she really needed to try and get
something to eat in her, and I kept her very well supplied). I
allowed them to take as long as they needed.
I honestly had an absolute blast having
people come in and being the greeter. They would ask about the
decorations and the food. And I would explain how everything that was
there had links to Siobhan. It was possibly one of the most fun
things I have done in awhile. I encouraged quite a few people to
either sign the book or talk to her (as they felt they weren't
important enough to do one of the other). I told them how wonderful
she was and how everyone has something to teach someone. Not to be
nervous. She is one of the easiest people I know to approach.
Eventually the vigil petered out and
people stopped arriving. Kathy was glad as it meant that she could
take a break. I was having fun, but she informed me later how
exhausting it is to sit in vigil. I suppose it is different than jut
playing hospitality for everyone.
We started packing things away before
court as much as possible. I grabbed my book as I was asked to also
take care of music and decided we should all sing the song I wrote
for Kathy as we marched into the hall with her. This was when I
became super nervous. I was hoping I could fill the hall and
annuciate okay. I was hoping people knew or understood why we sang
what we did. And over all, I was just hoping it would go okay.
We all started gathering and talking
about how we were going to process and do things. I had to sneak out
into the hall where people were waiting as I was watching court to
let them know Lady Ose Silverhair won Queen's Champion of A&S! We
are all so proud of all her research and hard work! Then I was
surprised with the King's Order of Excellence and luckily not stunned
into total silence because I still had to sing Kathy into court.
Eventually it was time to head in and
the second she was called I began singing her song. She told me,
later, when she heard her song, it made her tear up. It was the only
part of the ceremony that made her that way. In either case, she was
sung in and then we all moved off to the wings in order to watch.
Yoshi spoke as her knight. Hawk spoke as her Pelican. Alethea spoke
as her Lady of the Rose. And Alistrina spoke as her laurel as well as
having text that was sent by Thora Sharptooth.
When Mistress Brid asked for her
apprentice belt back and spoke words about Siobhan, I teared up. It
was hard to hold it back. She was then fitted with all (okay, ALMOST
all) her new regalia. She was given her vivats and everything was
absolutely amazing.
It was such a long day, but such an
important day for me. I got to see someone I care greatly about
receive the credit she so truly deserves and I got to be such a big
help in the process today. To know someone well enough that you can
create the look, the feel, and the taste that you know they are going
to adore... Even Kathy said I work myself too hard, but she
appreciated it all. And everything went so beautifully well, I
couldn't be happier.
And this was my first ever experience
in helping with a crazy lot of aspects of the laureling process.
