O Kopros - established Yule Feast, Dec. 14th AS XXXVII

Below the scroll awarded to the premiere of the new order, HE Siobhan ni Mathghamhna, Lancer, Courtier, Dragon's Laire

The story behind the creation of this order and HE Siobhan’s induction as the premiere member is a humorous one, yet still manages to have a happy ending for all involved.

(As told by her husband, HE Jacques)

It happened in October of 2002 at the combined Dragon’s Laire/Blatha An Oir Sargentry trials. Siobhan, already the premier Lancer of Dragon’s Laire was challenging for a second rank – that of Courtier. The time came in the opening ceremony when friends and well-wishers could present the candidate with tokens of support for the day. Siobhan received numerous tokens to wear throughout the day from many friends. There were at least a half-dozen different ornaments and badges either hanging around her neck or pinned to her dress. To top it off, I gave her my White Scarf to wear for the day, tying it about her left arm.

Court ended and we had a little time to prepare for the trials. Siobhan being more than ready to go decided to relax in the kitchen area with friends.

“Wow!” Someone exclaimed “What are all those things for?” Referring to the numerous decorations Siobhan was now sporting.

“These are my tokens of support for the day.” Replied Siobhan. “This one is from Ellen, this one is from Tsuruko, this is from Mouse, this is from Gwen…” and she continued to rattle off who had presented her with what.

She seemed to have come to and end, so I asked her “Is that all?” Noticing she had forgotten to mention one very important favor for the day.

“Yes, that’s all of them, I’m surprised I remembered them all.” She told me. “What about the one tied around your left arm?” I asked, pointing to my White Scarf that I had given her to wear for the day as a sign of my love and support. “Uh…whoops.” Was all she said.

Well, the deed was done. She had managed to insert the proverbial foot into her mouth up to the knee at least. “I see where I stand” I said and began ribbing her incessantly about it. It was about this time that HE Tsuruko came into the kitchen and the story was retold. It wasn’t long before virtually everyone at the event had head of Siobhan’s massive faux-pas.

Later in the afternoon, I was approached by Mistress Tessela who was in charge of the “Court of Love” portion of the trials. She decided that Siobhan’s error would be a perfect situation to question her about later in the day. Siobhan continued with her trials – succeeding effortlessly in all of them throughout the day. Finally it came time for the Court of Love. Mistress Tessela called upon Siobhan to answer the following question:

“You have been given a token by your loved one to wear for the day. But, through an admittedly honest mistake, you fail to mention it when asked about it. What do you do to regain favor with your loved one?”

To her credit Siobhan’s answer was honest and profound. She professed her love and begged forgiveness for an error she did not mean to commit.

Well, this seemed to please the judges just as much as the rest of her answers to all her other Sargentry questions posed of her that day. But, the questioning was not over. Mistress Tessela then turned to me and asked me a question – on the pretense that we had no “Court of Love” at my Sargentry trials and I was therefore due for one. The question she posed of me was: “Your loved one has forgotten your favor and begs forgiveness. What do you do?”

I thought about it for less than a moment and gave my answer. “Nothing. I do nothing. For in my eyes she can do no wrong.” Which earned me a kiss from my love.

And that is the tale of Siobhan’s error and the beginning of the plans for O Kopros.

At right Siobhan receives her just reward. Yule Feast 2002

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