New Character Introductions: Cheng Huifen (twisted from Fa Mulan) & Hu Longmei (twisted from Mushu)
Summary: Chinese New Year has begun and this year is the Year of the Dragon, which means that every dragon has been personally and cordially invited to the Land of the Red Dragon.
Our story starts one crisp February day over at Sage’s Island. Classes had finally ended when every draconic fae or otherwise received a beautifully decorated red envelope, inviting them to attend the New Year’s celebration in the Land of the Red Dragon.
Malleus of course was especially delighted in receiving an invitation. His mood improved when Lilia explained that depending on zodiac year, various people relating to that zodiac are personally invited. Since this year is the Year of the Dragon, anyone with a draconic heritage is personally invited. Plus, the invite says that loved ones and close friends are invited as unofficial honored guests.
Meanwhile over at Ramshackle, there was a tad bit more chaos than normal. Because of how many of the students are draconic, there were several invinations that were sent to the diverse dorm. Luckily, Freya was able to call a dorm meeting before walls were destroyed. She had created a simple enough system: the draconic students would be choosing who they would be taking with them as their plus ones. Anyone that is caught trying to persuade their opinions gets duct taped to the ceiling for the rest of the week.
The day of the invitees and plus ones were supposed to arrived has finally arrived. Malleus, Nile, Zhenwei, and the other met up alongside their plus ones. After some explanations on who invited who and banter (mainly from Mallory and Malleus), everyone took off to the Land of the Red Dragon, where they were all personally welcome before entering.
At the entrance, NRC ran into Nyla and some of the other girls from White Ash and Charm Garden. Nyla explained that she was invited as well being part of the Drake family. Huifen and Longmei, two students from House Meihua in Charm Garden Academia. Longmei, a descendant of the legendary Red Dragon that helped save the nation, and Huifen, a direct descendant of the Warrior Maiden who helped the Red Dragon, are personally invited to the New Years Festival and were personally tasked to act as a tour guide for the honored guests and their plus ones and take them to the hotel.
But before the tour could start, everyone needed to change into traditional Land of the Dragon outfits for the festival. After getting dressed and admiring each other's outfits, they all were lead to their hotel that they all shared with enough rooms for everyone.
For a majority of the festival, everyone spent time shopping for souvenirs and snacks, learning about the country's history and culture, watching dragon and lion dances, trying the nation's food, and so much more. One tradition they all did was help sweep the Emperor's palace because they were from out of the nation. Enter Several Twistunes Here.
On the last day on the festival, Malleus and the other dragons were tasked to set off the first fireworks of the festival (Mallory got a firecracker instead because he's still a child). Enter Twistune Here. Before anyone of them left, the students were all given red envelopes that were filled with money. Huifen explained that this was a tradition that the older generation give a monetary gift for the younger generation.
Nyla is currently the only granddaughter of Lord Drake of Briar Valley. Now that she is of age, her family, especially her grandmother, is adamant about her finding a suitable match. Preferably a fae nobleman.
Nyla has an older half brother, Henry Edwards, from her mothers first marriage. Their mother remarried when Henry was young and had Nyla right away. The whole reason they are in town now is because Henry has since taken over his late father's estate as the new Lord Edwards and will host his mother and sister for the season. Naia came along because she is adamant that Nyla not betroth herself to a human like her son did.
Nyla has always known her mother was unhappy in her second marriage, despite it being a love match. Naia was a miserable mother in law to her and her father tries to keep the peace, which often does more harm than good. Their mother doted on Henry out of guilt for bringing him to Briar Valley, and Nyla was left to the wayside in all of this. Despite being an accomplished young lady in her magic studies, languages, and the arts, being the perfect daughter never got Nyla the attention she craved, especially from her mother. Her grandfather ended up picking up where her parents lacked.
Before leaving on the trip, her grandfather wanted to ensure they traveled safe while abroad. So Lord Drake called in the favor of an old friends grandson, Sebek, to guard his only granddaughter. Sebek could not give him a reason to refuse and agreed to guard Nyla while away.
Sebek was not looking forward to guarding Nyla. He knew her when they were children, and all he remembers is a spoiled brat that thought she was above him, and seemed like Nyla had grown into just as vile a woman. But he gradually sees how Nyla is treated by her family and how it affects her, along with her more gentle side that others seldom get to see.
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“One of the new faces this season is that of Lady Nyla Drake of Briar Valley. Miss Drake appears to have already caught the attention of many gentlemen in the ton, though it seems none have been able to stand up against her critical eye. However this author is certain many gentlemen are willing to face such a challenge. That is, if they are able to get past her grandmother or her imposing guardsman first.” -Lady Whistledown
Her grandfather, Lord Fontus Drake. Out of everyone in her family, Nyla has the best relationship with her grandfather. As his only granddaughter, Nyla always got spoiled by him. He helped her practice her magic, instilled in how to be confident and proud, and shower her with gifts.
Nylas mother, Poppy. A generally bubbly and upbeat woman, her sunny demeanor charmed River Drake many years ago. However their marriage didn't last more than a couple years before Poppy came to the conclusion that she did not like living in Briar Valley, she hated living with her mother in law who did not hold back on letting her know much she didn't want her there. River tried to keep the peace and get Poppy to stay, but she left him and remarried a couple years later. She currently works for a fashion brand in New Spell City.
In the Drake estate, there's a tapestry Nyla always liked. Apparently it was commissioned by her grandfather after the war as a wedding gift to his wife. It depicted a bunch of water nymphs that resembles Nyla and her grandmother Naia. Naia always always loved that tapestry, but she never told Nyla the story behind it, and Nyla never brings herself to ask.
Nyla always knew the tragedy behind the tapestry. During the war, Naia lived in a lake with her many sisters. Until the human army went through the area and destroyed it. Naia was the only one from her family that survived. She managed to get away after her eldest sister got her headstart. She fled until she found a camp of Briar Valley soldiers, and there she met her future husband,Fontus. Naia doesn't like to talk about the tragedy, and ever since shes harbored a hatred for humans that led to the horrible resentment of her daughter in law and granddaughter.
One of the largest and most famous cities in Twisted wonderland, often dubbed the Big Poison Apple. New Spell City has a reputation of being seen as a hub of activity for fashion, art, and everything in between and is a major tourist destination.
Nyla Drake is a resident and local of NSC. Her mother was born and raised there, and where she would later meet one River Drake. Even after the divorce, River bought an upscale apartment for him and his daughter to live in instead of Briar Valley, and it's where Nyla stays when not with her mother in the affluent suburbs outside the city.
Basically here is Twst Ne York and some mini ideas for events and or for fun side plots.
Vil mentions to Yuu and Dreary that he has gotten and invitation to go to New Spell City. It's the anniversary of a famous play, the Beast of the Opera, and the playwriter himself, Allan Nevermore, invited him. He goes on to say it's likely because they want to cast him for a new play that will be debuting on Mageway with summer and this is away to spark his interest. Dreary says she also received this invitation, she's a follower of Allan Nevermores work and has seen every one of his plays.
Vil: I didn't know you were a fan of theater.
Dreary: I mean, I like the theater. But it's more so a personal reason. Allan is my brother.
Vil: Wait, what!?
Dreary: My brother Dismal, he writes under a pen name.
Cue Dreary and Vil bringing along Yuu, Grim, and other friends to the city to go sight seeing and prep for the premiere. Meet Drearys older brother. And goof around backstage.
Lilith Crewel comes back once again to whisk her beloved adoptive grandchild to the city for fashion week. It happens to fall on Yuus Spring Break. So she figured it would be a special treat to take them to see some fashion shows up close and meet some of her friends and business associates. Of course they get to bring a couple friends along, and at one of the many events with the rich and famous, Yuu runs into Nyla and the rivalry ensues as they both get invited to be in an upcoming fashion show and take part in photoshoots for a future issue of Divine.