EnGarde #4 Weekly Newsletter: A Night of Drama and Society at the Opera
A Night of Drama and Society at the Opera: The Opening of The Hourglass
The recent opening night of The Hourglass, an ambitious opera produced by the renowned GiS, was nothing short of spectacular. With its opulent stage design, talented leads, and extravagant props, the production promised to be a resounding success. Despite a few disruptive moments from a group of raucous spectators, the performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
GiS, ever the man of taste, had reserved exclusive box seats for prominent figures in Daglagan society. Among the guests were MdR, CC, and RSJB, the latter of whom attended without his usual companion, creating whispers among the crowd. Phillipe Porcine (PP) had also reserved box seats, hoping to share them with RSJB, only to find himself sitting alone in what was described as a rather pitiful sight.
Jean-Pierre D’Atonville (JPdA) and his mistress, Loup Chevalier (LC), arrived fashionably late and made their way to RSJB’s box. However, they were informed that the box had been reserved by GiS for special guests, with JPdA’s name notably absent from the list. RSJB simply shrugged, leaving JPdA scrambling to the opposite side of the theater in search of Jean Neve de Suisse (JNdS), who had been expecting him. JNdS, accompanied by his mistress, graciously received JPdA, who casually remarked, “Just saying hello.”
Elsewhere, Jacques Roussel (JR) and his mistress, AD, shared their box with Jean la Batt-Bleu (JBB) and his fiancée. The air of elegance and whispers of intrigue kept the audience buzzing throughout the night.
Following the performance, GiS hosted an afterparty at the exclusive Blue Gables. Attended by Ravenor’ crème de la crème, the night was full of revelry, with the likes of Gaston Avon Rolliere (GAR), Santana d’Schwing (SdS), and Raymond Panplunder (RPA) in attendance. GiS, ever the generous host, ensured that the drinks flowed freely, much to the delight of the guests. The night was a smashing success, with the city’s elite mingling and celebrating late into the night.
However, not everyone was in high spirits. Over at The Frog and Peach, William Swift (WS), accompanied by his mistress, BE, along with ReH and ChG, enjoyed a quieter evening. ChG, ever the gambler, placed some heavy bets but walked away breaking even. Newcomer JLP made a brief appearance at Hunters, choosing to drink alone as he observed the nightlife.
The following week, the social calendar took a downturn. Nicholas St. Martin (NsM) quietly attended Red Phillips and immersed himself in the local newspaper, while Joachim d’Arcy (JdA) and Frederic Robichaud (FR) spent their evenings in solitude, quietly nursing their drinks at their favorite haunts. Raymond St. John Balzup (RSJB), expecting another party at the Blue Gables, was turned away at the door. The week passed quietly, with few events or festivities to draw the city’s more sociable residents.
But the third week brought a return to excitement. The most coveted invitation of the season was the grand reopening of Garde deLion, the legendary villa of Ravenna on Île de la Cité. The extravagant baroque-style celebration marked Ravenna’s return from wintering in the New World. The villa’s décor—described as “complex and tormented” —evoked mixed emotions from guests, with some even fainting due to its overwhelming design.
Among the attendees were Santana d’Schwing (SdS), Raymond Panplunder (RPA), and Guilbert de Rouillai (GdR), alongside other notables. RPA appeared withdrawn, quietly keeping to himself while the rest of the guests reveled in the grandeur of the night. Jacques Roussel (JR) performed a dissonant Tonal Poem, accompanied by his own harpsichord, which baffled some guests but intrigued others. As the night wore on and the champagne flowed, JR and other guests indulged in a spontaneous “jam session,” using strange musical instruments Ravenna had brought from the New World.
Amidst the revelry, Ambrosius d’ Godde (AdG) tried in vain to discuss the history of the Knights Templar, only to be drowned out by the noise and the strong scent of his cigars, also imported from the New World. Meanwhile, JPdA once again found himself on the wrong side of the velvet rope, as he was denied entry to the villa, much to the embarrassment of his companion.
Despite the distractions of Ravenna’s party, The Hourglass continued to draw patrons. Henri du Mordante (HdM) attended alone, purchasing a box seat and quietly observing the opera. Unfortunately for Henri le Elegant (HLQ), his search for a rumored Cards & Cups event at Bothwell’s led to disappointment when he discovered that no such event had been planned.
Capital Ravenor, with its dazzling nightlife and dramatic social circles, remains a city alive with intrigue, excess, and the ever-present whispers of scandal. Whether at the opera or in the salons, the month was filled with moments of grandeur, quiet solitude, and, above all, a reminder that in this city, one must always be prepared for the unexpected.
A Quiet Turn in Daglagan Society: Drama Unfolds at Hunters, The Frog & Peach, and Bothwell’s
As the month continued, Daglagan society experienced a noticeable shift. The quiet solitude of some contrasted sharply with the ongoing intrigues and subtle tensions simmering beneath the surface.
One evening, at Hunters, CC was spotted sitting alone, sipping his drink in quiet contemplation. Despite the somber mood, the solitude was interrupted when Nicholas St. Martin (NsM) tried to gain entry, insisting that a Cards & Cups event was scheduled for that night. The proprietor, unimpressed, shot back, “Get your week straight, man. That’s next week, and since you’re not a member, be gone with you.” NsM slunk away, muttering to himself, his ego bruised.
The real action, however, was happening at the Frog & Peach, where a lively group had gathered. The bustling club saw attendance from William Swift (WS), Guilbert de Rouillai (GdR), Jean-Pierre D’Atonville (JPdA), Joachim d’Arcy (JdA), Rene Scroll (ReS), Paul de Rivière (PaD), Henri Requin (ReH), Jean Neve de Suisse (JNdS), Jean Baribeau (JB), Jean-Baptiste Friloux (JBF), Gerard Bazille (GB), Pierre de Richemont (PdR), Gilroy Solieri (GSt), Phillipe LaVaillere (PLN), and Charles Gagnon (ChG). Despite the robust attendance, the proprietor was left frustrated. While the crowd was there, few were in the mood to spend lavishly or carouse, leaving the night’s profits underwhelming.
The following week, the Dragoon Guards attempted to throw a party at Bothwell’s, but the gathering was a disappointment. With sparse attendance, only Xavier de Saint-Claire (XSC) and Paul de Rivière (PaD) showed up. Jean-Baptiste Friloux (JBF), mistakenly invited despite not being an official member, also attended. When XSC was informed of the error, he responded with a resigned tone, “It’s obviously an oversight someplace. You were on the invitation list, and that was only for DG officers. I’ll look into it.” The party itself was a sober affair—few drank, and the atmosphere was notably subdued. Jean Baribeau (JB) attempted to crash the party, claiming he had applied for a position with the Dragoon Guards, but was reminded that simply filling out the paperwork wasn’t enough—he actually had to turn it in. With that, JB was turned away at the door, much to his frustration.
Cards & Cups, however, was the success it always promised to be, hosted by the ever-gracious Jacques Roussel (JR) at Hunters. Accompanied by his mistress AD, JR was the perfect host, despite his anxiety over living up to MdR’s legacy of grand C&C soirées. The evening was well-attended, with FdR, PdR, CC, Santana d’Schwing (SdS), Gaston Avon Rolliere (GAR), JNdS, Frederic Robichaud (FR), JR, WS, JPdA, JdA, Jean-Christophe Gerard (JCG), GB, Ambrosius d’Godde (AdG), MdG, and Haur de Quin (HdO) in attendance. Although CC, FR, and HdO remained largely quiet throughout the night, blending into the background, others were more active.
AdG took part in side betting at the club, walking away with a tidy sum, though not without a few losses along the way. However, the real winner of the night was Frederic Robichaud (FR), who walked away with an impressive 190 crowns—an enormous haul for any Cards & Cups game.
Meanwhile, Phillipe LaVaillere (PLN) mistakenly headed to the Horse Guard’s Club, convinced that the Cards & Cups game was being held there. He ended up in a heated argument with the proprietor, insisting on its legitimacy until he was blue in the face. In the end, PLN left disappointed, grumbling about his wasted evening.
At the Frog & Peach, Pierre LaTreille (PLT) quietly drank alone, too shy to disturb Rene Scroll (ReS) and his mistress, who were deep in conversation and oblivious to the rest of the room. Eventually, PLT, growing increasingly inebriated, impulsively declared, “I’ll bet it all!” to the astonishment of those nearby. Surprisingly, PLT won big, but before he could enjoy the fruits of his luck, he passed out, his winnings clutched tightly in his hands.
Elsewhere, Henri du Mordante (HdM) kept to himself at the Red Phillips, drinking in solitude as the city’s social circles shifted and spun around him.
As the month came to a close, Ravenor remained a city alive with intrigue. Some, like those gathered at Cards & Cups, found luck and celebration, while others—like JB and NsM—faced quiet rejection and disappointment. The highs and lows of Daglagan society continued unabated, promising more excitement and drama in the days to come.
