Dec 21, 2024
"A winter tale", 1917
- Alphonse Mucha
" In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone "
- Christina Rossetti, A Christmas Carol
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"A winter tale", 1917
- Alphonse Mucha
" In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone "
- Christina Rossetti, A Christmas Carol
Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy Characters: Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy Additional Tags: A winter tale, wild magic, Mythology References Summary:
Some love stories are written in flowers and letters, others are bound in fire and snow.
1917 A Winter Tale
oil on canvas 124 x 99 cm
© Alphonse Mucha Estate/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris
Cottage Hills : A Winter Tale, End of Book 6
A Town to Fight For
It's a calm snowy morning at Rosenberg Hall, the old venerable house that's been in the Rosenberg family for generations. A Rosenberg has always been mayor, going all the way back to one of the town's founders, Tobias Rosenberg. Today, the house is expecting a visitor.
It's the next day after the events at the square. An expensive looking car drives up to the house. Gourmand sits in the car quietly for a while. Looking up at the old house of his good friend, Thomas, thinking about what to say. He slowly gets out of the car. He finds Thomas sitting in the back garden, on his favourite stone bench behind the arbor.
Mayor Thomas :
"Good morning Gourmand. I've been expecting you."
Gourmand :
"Yes..... Well you know why I am here then. I trust you've seen the headlines. Here's a few of my favourites : 'Swindleton A Swindling Bully?', 'Town Rallies Against Unjust Landgrab!', 'Town's Youth Expose Swindleton's Swindle!', 'Divadonna Distances Herself From Swindleton', 'Mayorhood Returns to Rosenbergs'.
Gourmand sits down defeatedly next to Thomas and sighs deeply. He looks down at the snow at his feet. They sit in silence for a while before Thomas speaks.
Mayor Thomas :
"That's not what I think of you, Gourmand. We've been friends for so long... I hope you know none of those headlines mean anything to me."
Gourmand :
"Sigh... I'm sorry for what I did, Thomas. I really thought I was helping. I feel like such a fool. I saw you struggling with this town and I had all these ideas to make it better... I thought my ideas could save this town but I was wrong... I don't understand the community at all. Now everyone hates me."
Mayor Thomas :
"No one really hates you, Gourmand. I know you were just trying to help, you've always been there for me, but Gourmand, I see now that this is my town. And it's my responsibility. I'm mayor. I will need to see the town through it's difficulties. I was wrong to have relied on you as much as I did."
Gourmand :
"You're right, Thomas. I'm sorry, I guess I didn't help at all..."
Mayor Thomas:
"That's not true. You did help. I think you made the people of this town see that what we have here truly is precious, and worth fighting for. I think they realised what we have to lose now. You helped me to see that too."
Gourmand:
"Thomas, your town really is quite special... And it truly is precious. The world outside is changing fast. Too fast, and not for the better, if you ask me. I don't know how long your town can remain the way it is but perhaps the time to fight for your town will come sooner than you think."
Mayor Thomas:
"Well, we'll be ready, when that time comes."
At the Train Station...
On the edge of town, a train has pulled in at the town's train station, to whisk away a certain diva, who is preparing to make her exit. But not without her usual drama and flair, of course.
Contestina :
"Adora! Farewell my friends! It has been a pleasure! But alas, it is time for me to travel to Saqhaba! To begin my tour of visitation!"
Doug:
"Thank you for visiting our inn, Madam. It was an honour to have you. We hope you'll come back... Uh... Ahem... Soon!"
Cliff:
"Goodbye, Madam Divadonna! All the best on your tour!"
Contestina :
"Ahhh! Belisa my herrrro! My saviourrr! I will never forget you or this town! Don't worrrry ill definitely return! But for now, a Sheikh awaits! CIAO REVOIRASIMO DARLINGS! GOODBYE!"
As the diva boards the train, and everyone watches and waves. Ann, standing next to Cliff, turns to him with a fretful expression. One that she's worn for a few days now.
Ann:
"Hey Cliff.... Um... So you appeared in the papers didn't you? Um Echo Dela Mode? With Gourmand and Madam. Do.... Do you think someone from your past will see your picture and... You know, come get you?"
Cliff:
"Ann.... Is that what you've been worried about these few days?.... I can't say, Ann...maybe someone will?"
Ann:
"Heh heh worried? Me? Why would I? I mean that's good for you right? Maybe you'll be reunited with your family, those people in your old photograph...you can go home....where you truly belong."
Cliff:
"Maybe.... But maybe I belong here. In Cottage Hills. With.... With you, Ann."
In the Misty Woods...
Far outside town in the misty woods, Kano is lost, hopelessly lost. All around him, he's surrounded by mist, ice and forest. He's been lost for who knows how long now, and things are starting to look bleak.
Kano:
"Ohh why did I have to follow that man into these woods!? I'm lost! Its freezing, how am I going to get out of this one? Looks like this is it! This is how the great Kano Kandidi will finally meet his demise! Perished while searching for a mystery.... Perhaps in time people will begin writing about my disappearance too....I wonder if anyone will care to look for me... "
As he's mulling over these grim thoughts, he hears the loud, mournful howling of a strange creature. It sounds like it's sad, in pain. It also sounds like it's nearby. Very near. What is it? It doesn't fully sound like a wolf, but what else could it be? Perhaps the big black dog he was told about?
Kano can't help but feel he's being watched. As he looks around, he suddenly hears a twig snap behind him. He whips around and is horrified by what he sees. A low, gruff voice barks out at him.
Voice :
"Who are you!? What are you doing here in my woods!?"
Meanwhile...
Wally has been walking through the very same woods, following his guide, Bramble. He's leading him to his home in the forest, and to the fabled Tree of Life. Wally wonders if the tree is real, what it could look like or if maybe Bramble is referring to something else, maybe just a really old tree? Wally is so deep in thought that he doesn't notice how warm its gotten. There isn't even any snow on the ground. Suddenly, Bramble's jovial, booming voice breaks his train of thought.
Bramble:
"We're here, Master Wally! The Garden of the Sprites! And home of the Tree of Life!"
Wally looks up and is in awe of what he sees. The rest of the Sprites usher him in. And before him, in the dead of winter, stands a garden, warm, bright and sunny, growing in the midst of some ruins. And right in the middle, a massive, ancient tree with golden leaves, just like the one he saw in his dream.
Wally:
"Oh my.... Bramble.... Is that... Is that the Tree of Life? It really... It really exists!"
A Few Weeks Later...
In distant Saqhaba, in the shady recital pavilion of the Palm Palace, the city's most exquisite luxury hotel, Contestina has finished her private performance. The Skeikh and his son stand up to applaud her warmly. They congratulate her and thank her for her performance, and the usual round of shmoozing and pleasantries ensue. They're watched meanwhile by a man in a white linen suit, dark green shades, neat short hair and a well trimmed beard.
Contestina walks up to him and he greets her warmly but with cool restraint. He kisses her hand. His voice is rough and throaty. His words roll out in a cold, almost hypnotic drawl.
Contestina :
"I trrrust you enjoyed my performance. Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful establishment! Gala Adora! The Palm Palace truly is the pride of Saqhaba!"
Man:
"Divadonna. You are a welcome presence in my hotels always. The Palm Palace is the best of all my Palms Luxury Hotels. It is the pride of not just Saqhaba, but the world. Anywhere you go in the world, my hotels will be waiting to accommodate. So, Madame, tell me about your travels. I hear you and Swindleton are no longer.... Associates?"
Contestina :
"Yes... Gourrrrrrmando and me are.... Journeying in different directions for now."
Man:
"How sad. His fiasco in Cottage Hills is so very typical of him. He has money, no doubt, but what he lacks, Madame, is that... killer instinct. But alas, what more should we expect from a candy peddler? Now, why don't you tell me more about that town? It seems such an unusual little place to have attracted his interest."
Contestina :
"Cottage Hills? Ohh, t-there is much to tell, p-perhaps over lunch?"
Man:
"But of course. And Madame, you will tell me... Everything. "
A Winter Tale
Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860-1939)
oil on canvas
1917
Conte d'hiver (Éric Rohmer, 1992)
Cottage Hills : A Winter Tale, Part XXII
A Little Birdie
It's been a few days since Elli started learning to fly, after their first lesson was cut short by the blizzard. Firethorn Castle looms large over the winter landscape. As the cold wind brushes past her, Elli stands high up on the ramparts, looking out over the snow covered tree tops. She can't help but shake off the feeling that something bad is going to happen.
Just then, she hears a sqwaking noise behind her.
"Awwkk! SO COLD SO COLD Awwk!"
Elli turns around to see her magic teacher, Won standing there with a strange dark clump in his arms. As she looks closer through the falling snow, Elli can see that it's a crow!
Won:
"There you are, Elli. Come on, it's time to teach you how to summon your familiar. This is my familiar, Wuya. Remember, I told you you'd meet him soon when you first came here. Except he's been flying around and only just got back today. Isn't that right Wuya?"
Elli:
"Oh, right, sorry! Was that today? Wait I thought Moguai was your familiar?"
Won:
"Moguai is the Grand Familiar of the Moshus, a familiar that is passed down in the family line, like Elmsmere is to your family. But you can still have your own familiar, which is just as well since Moguai's disappeared. Come on let's go, what are you doing out here in the cold anyway?"
Elli :
"I... I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen tonight. I don't know what it is. I've never felt this way before."
Won:
"Ah... Witch's Intuition. Or the Witch Hunch, often a precursor to the gift of prophecy. Trust your feelings, Elli. Try to clear your mind. What do you -"
Before Won can finish his sentence, Wuya flies off suddenly, cawing loudly as he flies away.
Wuya:
"KAAAWW WITCH HUNCH WITCH HUNCH KAAW!"
Meanwhile...
Back in town, its quiet as people try to stay off the streets due to the cold. Except for two figures. May and Stu have decided to visit their tower for one last time before its torn down. They slip through the old rusty gates and head on up the tower.
May:
"Do you think they'll really tear down the tower? There has to be a way - "
Stu:
"That fat lady nearly got killed. I don't think there's any way Gourmand will let this tower stay. He's mayor now, remember?"
May :
"Then... we better say our last goodbyes. This place has so many memories, doesn't it? It's where you and I first met... I can't bear to see it go."
Stu:
"Yea... Just this fall, we lit our first lantern together here during the Goddess Lights Festival. I'll always remember that."
May:
"Let's watch the sunset together. Like old times. It may be the last time we can do it from way up here."
They stand on the stone parapet and it shifts a little, probably damaged from the blizzard. The tower is undoubtedly old and a little wonky now after the blizzard, but it's still full of memories for them.
As the sun sets, they stay close and hold hands to stay warm. The setting sun bathes the town in an orangey glow, shining mildly through the winter clouds.
May:
"Guess tonight is Gourmand's big performance...Will you go watch? I heard a bunch of gorgeous movie stars will be there."
Stu:
"Pfft, as if... I'd rather stay here, with you... Except brrr...its getting really cold. We should go soon. You wanna go to the inn for some pie or something?"
As Stu heads over to the door, May stays behind a little to make her final goodbyes to the tower. She had always been more attached to it, it was always her secret spot where she used to come hide. But as she looks back at it, she realises the tower has given her all she needs now. She smiles.
May:
"That sounds really nice Stu. Well goodbye tower... I guess after all, it is just a building, we still have each other, right, Stu? Stu? "
Stu:
"Unghh Yup! That's right...things will always.... Ungh... Change.. Ungh but....we'll always..ungh...uh oh."
May :
"What is it, Stu? What's wrong?"
Stu:
"Um... Don't panic or anything but looks like the pie will have to wait... I think the door is jammed or something. We're stuck here."
Cottage Hills : A Winter Tale, Part XXI
The Ballad of Shalabar
The silvery rasp from a lone flute fills the hall. It is the only sound, echoing solemnly around the space. It plays a haunting, yet beautiful melody. The stage is lit only by candles. Then a disembodied choir of women's voices chant out the name of Shalabar, setting the stage for the pure wonder that is to unfurl.
A spotlight hones in suddenly on the flautist, illuminating the scene around him. The audience gasps at the magnificent set appearing around him from the darkness. The flautist sits on an ornately carved marble dais, surrounded by a richly decorated archway, flanked by two elephant statues, surrounded by banana leaves, palms and the vibrant orange of fresh marigolds. Through song, the choir tells the prologue of the tragic tale of Shalabar, the handmaiden who won the Maharaja's heart, but also the queen's jealousy.
As they sing, the steady, hypnotic beating of drums swell effortlessly over the flute. The tempo picks up and the choir begins chanting rhythmically. As their chanting reaches a climax, dancers burst onto the stage with a shower of flower petals, moving energetically in rythm with the music. The melancholy song transitions seamlessly into a lively dance number.
Chorus :
"Shalabaaaaaar! Vanti vanti vanti, Shalabaaaaaar!
Hear us oh Sri Vama, the tale of our Queen, Shalabar! Shalabaaaaaar!
Queen of our hearts, she reigns, with wisdom, grace and love, Shalabar!
Heaven's light in the dark, unmatched in splendour and in fame, Shalabar!
Come adore our loving Queen, with beauty like the dawn, Shalabar!
The Maharaja's heart, his love, his prize his reward, his Shalabar!"
As the pounding drums swell, the dancers move vigorously yet gracefully around the stage. Their dance moves are exuberant, mesmerising, festive and trance-like. The whole scene is just pure fantastical spectacle, a riot of visuals for the eyes. Flower petals fall from the rafters and pool around the floor, as the dancers excitedly weave around them. The colours of the set before the audience is truly stunning. Clearly no expense was spared.
As the dancing and music reaches a fever pitch, and the singing crescendos pulpably to a climax, the stage suddenly goes dark, and the dancers fall in unison, reverent and prostrate, to the floor. The door at the back of the stage opens and, it's the moment the audience has been waiting for; Shalabar herself arrives!
As the dancers leave the stage, the music dies down and the soprano begins to serenade the gathered dignitaries as the crisp lull of a harp rings out, clear and calm. Thr soprano's powerful voice fills the church. Her costume is richly appointed and she dazzles the audience with her Goddess-like beauty, resplendent and regal. The audience erupts into applause and cheers to welcome her onto the stage.
She steps down from the dias and walks out onto the floor, into the light. As flower petals fall gently around her, she starts singing the song “The Queen's Lament". Its an emotive, deeply expressive number about longing, mortality and lost youth. Contestina absolutely sells the piece, drawing the audience in, and her moving rendition is such an immediately jarring transition from the boisterous exuberance of just a few minutes ago that the audience is spell bound.
While Contestina emotes intensely in the halls of his own church, Rev Carter can't help but feel that such a grandiose high octane spectacle is just so grotesquely disjointed from everything the town is, and from everything Music Night was supposed to be. He watches sadly from the side, as the gathered royalty and celebrities fawn over Contestina. He eventually decides he needs to head outside for some fresh air.
As he walks out into the winter night, he thinks of why he put together Music Night at all. Was it also for fame and recognition? After all, is Gourmand's production any different in principle from what he did? To transform a once somber night of religious hymns into a secular jazz appreciation session? As he mulls over these thoughts, he hears a scream in the distance, coming from the tower. He looks up and is horrified by what he sees.
Inside, Contestina is about to reach the most moving portion of the song and hit her highest note, when the door of the church bursts open and Rev Carter comes through looking flustered and in a panic. Divadonna sqwaks, botching the high note in surprise.
Gourmand :
"I say, what is the meaning of this, Reverend!"
Rev Carter:
"Somebody help! Everybody come quickly, the tower, we have to do something! The children! They need help!"