When you work on a character, you learn to love and become the character you have made. "Marina", a Done d'aigua from Spain came to visit Petite Lyon (The setting of the STL Ren Faire is France in the 1400s) after hearing about a party that was hosted by Lord Pan. Though the satyr is present, the language mix up has Marina thinking there is a loaf of bread (Pan is Bread in Spanish) that is so amazing that it was given the title of Lord.
After many laughs, heartfelt moments and "Octopus dances" (that was fun to make up and have people do), Marina seemed to evolve. The character was able to connect to kids with shinnies, "Pearls" in this case. When Marina came to France, she began to cry and cry. The Done d'aigua's tears become pearls. After the flow of tears had stopped, Marina noticed that all of the pearls had little names. Every child is asked what is their name and given their special shiny with the fact that it must have been a happy cry because Marina was so happy to have met them. The smiles and warmth in children and adults when told that they were special was almost as magic as the characters that inhabit Le Guilde du Fae.
It is amazing to see all the different fae, Hasle and Lady Tinkles enjoying the music at the Front Gate. The Brownie cleaning after the muddy Bridge Troll, Glomp while the Autumn Lady, Annonas and the Winter Lord, Govnu stroll down the streets of Petite Lyon. The Summer Lord, Somhairle catching sunshine to make a shiny while Ember Fireheart watched the flames. La Dame D'Lyon and Asti asking for tribute from travelers as "RUSSE HAS ENTERED THE FAE WOOD!" Marina and Tavi (The Fresh water fae) arguing over whose dance was better while Twiggy and Lady Searfine blowing bubbles. Gwennith running away then catching the fae hunters. The Two Fae Kings of Oak and Holly play chess with mortals and the Fearless leader, Karidwen keeping everyone as in line as possible.
There were more fae whose stories I could tell but the morning grows closer and my eyes grow heavy. To those who would like to enjoy a part of what I have told, there is one weekend left. Come and visit Petite Lyon. If not, so be it. I have no problem enjoying this magic for you. The friends I have made these past few weekends have been wonderful and have enriched my life even though our time together has been short. I hope that the time does not stop there and that when the gates open next year, we can welcome more children and show them the wonderment that the fae have shown me.
In the words of a new friend,
(From Facebook)
