Editing Helicon House

[[File:Ealing.png|alt=A foggy city with a tentacle wrapped around a lamppost.|thumb|[[Ealing Gardens]]]]

Helicon House is [[Ealing Gardens]]' center for the arts, where [[Rubbery Men]] are free to express themselves<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Contribute_some_extra_practitioners_2|Contribute some extra practitioners 2|Fallen London|}} ''"The Campanologist and the Herald join in enthusiastically. They have [...] limited opportunities to show their talents, in ordinary circumstances."''</ref> and present their ideas to a wider audience.<ref name = "listen composers">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Listen_to_the_compositions|Listen to the compositions|Fallen London|}} ''"The finest Rubbery composers present their art here [...]"''</ref> In Helicon's many halls and salons,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Entrance_Hall|The Entrance Hall|Fallen London|}} ''"Helicon House is the result of an architect copying [...] townhouse [...] redesigning the rooms to be twice as large."''</ref> Rubbery art and culture are given foremost importance:<ref name = "seen sculpture">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Catch_up_on_Bohemian_gossip|Catch up on Bohemian gossip|Fallen London|}} ''"One must be invited to Helicon House. [...] the most prominent Rubbery artists, [...] have you seen their sculpture...?"''</ref> the majority of the artists here are Rubbery musicians<ref name = "listen composers"/> and sculptors.<ref name = "seen sculpture"/> Paintings by [[Bohemians]] are displayed too,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Admire_the_work_of_a_fellow_Nocturnal_artist|Admire the work of a fellow Nocturnal artist|Fallen London|}}''"The Nocturnal Landscape Painter takes his views most often from the top of Aescwine Hill. ... one of his images is a vista looking out toward the lights of London..."''</ref> representing many artistic schools.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Study_the_Portrait_of_the_Tentacled_Entrepreneur|Study the Portrait of the Tentacled Entrepreneur|Fallen London|}}''"It has a distinctly Bazaarine style."''</ref> At its core, Helicon is a celebration of change - both of the changes brought upon by the [[Shapeling Arts]],<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Below-Stairs|Below-Stairs|Fallen London|}} ''"... down an unadvertised staircase, there is a room where extraordinary changes are performed – Shapeling alterations of flesh and bone."''</ref> and of the evolving identity of the Rubbery people.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Listen_to_the_compositions|Listen to the compositions|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] there is a meaning in those dissonances, [...] A sense of purpose and even development, in the way a tune falls short of harmony and then comes very close to regaining it. [...] It is a music of approximation; it offers imperfection as a necessary state, and mutation as inevitable."''</ref>

Helicon was built sometime after the [[Fall of London]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Helicon_House_(Storylet)|Helicon House (Storylet)|Fallen London|}} ''"The building has been built since the Fall."''</ref> Externally, it is a typical townhouse patterned after that of [[His Amused Lordship]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Catch_up_on_Bohemian_gossip|Catch up on Bohemian gossip|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] Helicon House. It is a little townhouse – looks like nothing at all from the outside [...]"''</ref> though its rooms are doubled in size and feature Rubbery-influenced details.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Entrance_Hall|The Entrance Hall|Fallen London|}} ''"Helicon House is [...] architect copying the [...] townhouse of His Amused Lordship, [...] and redesigning the rooms to be twice as large. The banisters have a tentacular curve."''</ref> Its existence is a secret, even among London's counterculture;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Catch_up_on_Bohemian_gossip|Catch up on Bohemian gossip|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] your interlocutor doesn't know how to get into Helicon House. [...] that puts her ahead of [...] those [...] who are so outside the mode [...] they don't even know it exists."''</ref> while Rubberies may enter freely, human visitors are vetted by the '''Keen-Eyed Clay Doorkeeper'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Helicon_House_(Storylet)|Helicon House (Storylet)|Fallen London|}} ''"A Clay Man [...] keeps the door. He admits Rubbery Men without question, but challenges the human visitors."''</ref><ref name = "pay wealth">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Pay_in_the_currency_of_perishable_wealth|Pay in the currency of perishable wealth|Fallen London|}} ''"The Keen-eyed Clay Doorkeeper takes the payments, and collects hats and coats from the human guests. [...] he supplies a hand towel and a [...] guide to etiquette. [...] how to exchange greetings with a tentacled individual. [...]"''</ref> The Doorkeeper provides guidance on proper etiquette towards Rubbery people<ref name = "pay wealth"/> and ensures orderly conduct within Helicon.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Make_polite_conversation_with_a_railway_passenger|Make polite conversation with a railway passenger|Fallen London|}} ''"He [...] starts painting over part of a Rubbery Man portrait [...] the Clay Doorman turns up to discourage further defacement exercises."''</ref> For instance, entering late in the evening is frowned upon, as it is discourteous towards the musicians.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrive_fashionably_late_(Helicon_House)|Arrive fashionably late (Helicon House)|Fallen London|}} ''"At Helicon House, it is a faux pas to arrive too long after the music starts. [...] is understood as a lack of enthusiasm about Rubbery composition, [...]"''</ref>  

Helicon's staff includes [[Clay Men]]<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stay_after_hours_for_a_singular_occasion|Stay after hours for a singular occasion|Fallen London|}} ''"A Clay Footman discreetly asks a few guests [...]"''</ref> as well as Rubbery Men.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_a_Pendant_of_Helicon_Amber_(40_FATE)|Accept a Pendant of Helicon Amber (40 FATE)|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Slippery Secretary explains that this piece of amber was – selected? excreted? – specifically with you in mind."''</ref> Frequent visitors receive an amber pendant,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_a_Pendant_of_Helicon_Amber_(40_FATE)|Accept a Pendant of Helicon Amber (40 FATE)|Fallen London|}}''"It is a token given to those who attend regularly."''</ref> which they are usually required to leave at the door when they enter.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Pay_in_the_currency_of_perishable_wealth|Pay in the currency of perishable wealth|Fallen London|}} ''"The Keen-eyed Clay Doorkeeper [...] collects [...] amber pendants from the human guests. [...] He doesn't take your pendant, [...] "I was told to leave you with yours," [...] "You can turn yours in separately if you like."''</ref>  

== Main Halls ==

At the '''South Parlor''', Rubbery composers<ref name = "listen composers"/> present their music at the start of each evening.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_South_Parlour|The South Parlour|Fallen London|}} ''"The evening begins with music."''</ref> Their works can be unorthodox, using dissonance and shifts in rhythm to convey feelings of development, imperfection, and mutability.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Listen_to_the_compositions|Listen to the compositions|Fallen London|}} ''"The music establishes a beat, and then abruptly deviates from it. [...] there is a meaning in those dissonances, [...] It is a music of approximation; it offers imperfection as a necessary state, and mutation as inevitable."''</ref>

The '''Yellow Salon''' and '''Prussian Salon''' both showcase sculptures and paintings. The former is kept quiet, while the latter is a space for discussion.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Yellow_Salon|The Yellow Salon|Fallen London|}} ''"There's [...] paintings and sculptures on display; [...] in contrast with the Prussian Salon, a polite hush is generally expected."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Prussian_Salon|The Prussian Salon|Fallen London|}} ''"There are paintings on display, and [...] sculptures, but the room is devoted primarily to conversation [...]"''</ref>

== Secluded Corners ==

The '''Mirrored Salon''' is a hidden wing of Helicon, where visitors seek inspiration from the arts of [[Parabola]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_the_Mirrored_Salon|Discovered: the Mirrored Salon|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] place inside Helicon House where the Bohemians seek the inspiration of Parabola."''</ref> The room is marked by flashes of light alien to this world, and the hallway leading to it is [[viric]], decorated with vines and snakes.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_where_illusions_are_being_staged|Discover where illusions are being staged|Fallen London|}} ''"What was that flash [...] a shade of light that should exist in these parts? [...] The door into this room definitely exists. [...] the hallway is papered in viric wallpaper printed in a pattern of interlocking snakes and vines."''</ref> The room's interior is covered in mirrors, and illusionists here stage wonders and visions that would be too intense or esoteric for [[Mahogany Hall]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Mirrored_Salon|The Mirrored Salon|Fallen London|}} ''"This Salon is set aside for illusions and magic. The visions shown here cannot be [...] at Mahogany Hall because they are too esoteric, too intimate, or too challenging [...] The Scoundrel discreetly notes his reflection in all these many mirrors."''</ref>

The '''Upstairs Honey-Den''' explains itself;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Work_out_where_honey_is_being_sipped|Work out where honey is being sipped|Fallen London|}}''"There's a sound of people going upstairs, and less noise of them coming back down again."''</ref> consuming [[Prisoner's Honey|prisoner's honey]] in this hidden room leads to the [[Sea of Spines]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Upstairs_Honey_Den|The Upstairs Honey Den|Fallen London|}} ''"They say that honey-sippers in Helicon House can find their way into the dream-places of Rubbery Men [...] the Sea of Spines."''</ref> a wondrous location reminiscent of [[Axile]]. Dreamers feel as though they are deep underwater in a moonlit sea, with aquatic features suiting their new environment. When they return, they find themselves drenched in liquid.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dream_with_the_others|Dream with the others|Fallen London|}} ''"A recollection of Axile [...] The surface of the ocean is above you; [...] Your limbs retract, your skin hardens to shell, spines extend from your body. [...] The moons have eclipsed one another twice [...] your gills [...] You come back to yourself. Your skin is slime-slick, [...]"''</ref>

The '''Sculpture Garden''' is a refuge for artwork "too radical" even for Helicon.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Be_let_into_the_sculpture_garden|Be let into the sculpture garden|Fallen London|}} ''"Behind Helicon House, [...] a place for art that is too radical even for the interior [...]"''</ref> Here, Rubbery Men practice calligraphy,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Be_let_into_the_sculpture_garden|Be let into the sculpture garden|Fallen London|}} ''"Watch a Rubbery Calligraphist [...]"''</ref> make sculptures of [[amber]] and bone,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Be_let_into_the_sculpture_garden|Be let into the sculpture garden|Fallen London|}} ''"This is a place for art [...] sculptures of bone and amber [...]"''</ref> and tutor Bohemian sculptors. Some of these Bohemians have modified their anatomy using the [[Shapeling Arts]] to further their skills.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Be_let_into_the_sculpture_garden|Be let into the sculpture garden|Fallen London|}} ''"A Bohemian and their Rubbery co-sculptor are working on something together. [...] The Rubbery Sculptor works in amber; its Bohemian Apprentice copies his work in clay. [...] He's uncommonly good at it; [...] you notice one extra knuckle on each finger, terminating in a very fine tip."''</ref>

'''Below-Stairs''' is a basement beneath Helicon and a lab for the [[Shapeling Arts]].<ref name=":0" /> Here, Rubbery Men gather around a massive crucible of amber to produce wonders of shaped flesh and bone.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Below-Stairs|Below-Stairs|Fallen London|}} ''"At the back of Helicon House, [...] there is a room where extraordinary changes are performed – Shapeling alterations of flesh and bone. [...] you might take your own place at the cauldron."''</ref> Visitors may participate as well, though newcomers are closely supervised.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Perform_the_duties_of_a_sous-artist|Perform the duties of a sous-artist|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you can assist one of the others. [...] The Rubbery in charge is also extremely careful [...] about preventing any foreign objects from falling into the cauldron. It discourages you even from speaking [...] lest your concentration be broken. [...]"''</ref>

The [[Tentacled Entrepreneur]] recently took an interest in Helicon. During his campaign to become [[Lord Mayor of London]], he became one of its most generous patrons<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attend_Helicon_House_as_the_guest_of_the_Bohemian_Sculptress|Attend Helicon House as the guest of the Bohemian Sculptress|Fallen London|}} ''"The Tentacled Entrepreneur stands in front of [...] portraits of Rubbery men, writhing his critique [...] "He commissioned those," [...] He's become one of our best patrons [...]"''</ref> and worked to make it more accessible to the general public.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_Helicon_House_as_the_guest_of_your_Rubbery_Bellringer|Visit Helicon House as the guest of your Rubbery Bellringer|Fallen London|}} ''"This is a public night. [...] if the Tentacled Entrepreneur has his way, it will be easier to stay for a time."''</ref> His actions also helped Helicon become a key staging ground for the progress of Rubbery culture.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_Helicon_House_with_the_Dean_of_Xenotheology|Visit Helicon House with the Dean of Xenotheology|Fallen London|}} ''"Several of the Rubbery people are gathered around a sculpture [...] "We shouldn't approach without permission," [...] "Their [...] posture is one associated with... sacred receptiveness. [...] This is a time of extraordinary change for them. A few years ago, Rubbery culture had nothing like this—""''</ref>

After the Entrepreneur's bid for Lord Mayor failed, however, he reevaluated his goals.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discuss_the_Tentacled_Entrepreneur%27s_plans|Discuss the Tentacled Entrepreneur's plans|Fallen London|}} ''"He ran for Mayor and lost. Is he embittered? Planning something new? [...] The old striving was... unsuitable?"''</ref> In pursuit of his new priorities, he commissioned a Rubbery Man called the '''Malleable Sculptor'''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_another_invitation_from_the_Tentacled_Entrepreneur|Accept another invitation from the Tentacled Entrepreneur|Fallen London|}} ''"The Entrepreneur, [...] gesticulates an introduction; [...] this Rubbery is the one responsible for the [...] stone sculpture you touched in this very study, a few evenings ago."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stay_after_hours_for_a_singular_occasion|Stay after hours for a singular occasion|Fallen London|}} ''"Standing before the cauldron, [...] is the Malleable Sculptor – looking a bit more malleable than when you last saw him."''</ref> to produce and showcase unique works of art,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Chiaroscuro|Chiaroscuro|Fallen London|}} ''"The Tentacled Entrepreneur's study [...] Within, a semicircle of guests surround a small sculpture on a dais."''</ref> the first of which resembles a massive jaw that lightly clamps around those who interact with it.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Touch_the_sculpture|Touch the sculpture|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the sculpture [...] snaps shut around your hand [...] It's a pointed surprise, but not painful [...] [...] the object's shape [...] it's a mouth, or simply a jaw."''</ref> The Entrepreneur's further plans for himself and his kin are unclear, but it seems that rather than aimlessly striving for similarity with [[London]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discuss_the_Tentacled_Entrepreneur%27s_plans|Discuss the Tentacled Entrepreneur's plans|Fallen London|}} ''"He, or the Rubberies together, or his progenitors, tried to become worthy-through-similarity to other Londoners, [...] Now, that desire is replaced."''</ref> he is pursuing another path, and perhaps even a new beginning.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_another_invitation_from_the_Tentacled_Entrepreneur|Accept another invitation from the Tentacled Entrepreneur|Fallen London|}} ''"The Entrepreneur [...] looking for images that might explain: bohemians hawking paintings on the street in Veilgarden; hands holding brushes, chisels, and pens; [...] But also stranger images; a tangle of newborn serpents; a zee-steamer cresting the horizon; a single chicken's egg sitting on a table."''</ref>