The Festival (February 15th) CLOSED TO WEREWOLVES AND EAST END ALLIES

James has been anxiously anticipating this holiday ever since last year. Not out of excitement. But terror instead. Ever since their Alpha's abandonment of the pack, James has been steadily rising in the pack's esteem as the next potential Alpha and it has not been easy to do so. Greenwich went over well with the pack and he was hoping the good will from the territory claim would allow him some liberties with this festival but... as it is, he's afraid of falling out of their good graces.

Lupercalia is about change. Growing up and sacrifice are the themes but it's a surprisingly jovial holiday for anyone who has grown up with the tradition. James is not one of those few but he wouldn't dare try to change things too much.

For those that have been waiting to activate their curses; those that would oppose or hunt werewolves have been gathered and held for the express purpose of killing them. Up until now, they have been well taken care of and even before their death they're plied with drink and food and generally they're too drunk to fight back. It's considered good manners to make sure they're well fed and plenty sloshed before being killed.

Vampire allies, the few humans involved in the organization of the rave and werewolf hunters are all game. Traditionally, the elderly of the pack would be included in the list of sacrifices. Especially those directly related to the young wolves who are activated their curses, in the belief that the closer relation would be better for the sacrifice. In the interest of modernizing an already bloody holiday, James has arranged it so that is off the table. The move hasn't gone over well with the more conservative and traditional pack members, which makes James even less likely to step on toes today.

The activation of ones curse is considered to be a highly intimate moment and in the interest of keeping it more private, the sacrifices are taking place inside the house. When the time comes those with inactivated curses are ushered inside along with their sacrifice and they're left alone to complete it together.

Once the new werewolf emerges, they're integrated back into the festivities as a full fledged member of the pack.

The festival is also meant to honor those who have activated their curse since the last festival. And for just one night they're treated like kings and queens. (It isn't exactly kosher for women to activate their curses as natural born werewolves are hard to come by, but should it happen they are not frowned on).

Games, food and dancing are accessible to anyone who is eligible to attend. In the interest of safety the festival is being held in the courtyard of a beautiful home - some say it belongs to one of the oldest members of the pack, but no one is really sure - and there is enough security to ensure that only those that belong are present. Allies of the pack are welcomed just as easily as werewolves might be but if you're a vampire or even remotely smell like one you'll be getting grilled before being allowed in.

Wake (February 16th-17th) OPEN

In honor of the dead and their sacrifice (willing or not) James has elected to have there be a wake of sorts after the festival. It's in the same courtyard as the festival was but it's far more upbeat than any wake was thought to be, thanks to the liberal amount of alcohol and food. But should one wish to pay their respects to the dead, there is a less frivolous corner of the courtyard that has many candles and pieces of paper meant to write good wishes to the deceased. A candle can be lit in their memory and there are a few objects strewn about that look like offerings to their memory.

This little change from the norm is teetering on not going over well with the more established families in the pack. But so far everything seems to be going swimmingly...