may day masquerade {OPEN!}

[ensorceler]

what; may day masquerade!
who; Anyone and everyone!
where; Just inside and outside of City Royale.
when; May 1st, early afternoon until late evening
rating; PG to PG-13 to start! If a thread goes into adult territory, please put a warning in the subject.
note; Prefer brackets? Go for it, whatever is most comfortable for you.



Though the May Day of last year had been a grand affair, there had not been enough people attending, because she could not convince more than a few city residents to venture near the castle. This year Anne has brought the party to them, and though a location would have been written on the invitations, there is even more assurance that one won't become lost along the way from the castle. The road is already clear enough, but when it branches away there will be markers, indicated by flower carpets and banners carrying the Tudor rose that will be lit with torches by nightfall, creating a path that leads to the city's outskirts. Here the celebration is spread not only over a grassy incline but also leads into a small square in the merchant's district. Here, free masks decorated with seasonal flowers will be offered in baskets to any who might have arrived without one. Though it is a masquerade, the masks are truly optional.

Light and playful music will begin early in the afternoon, the musicians moving about but most often remaining in the square where the dancing is meant to be, and where merchants are taking advantage of the crowd to sell their wares. The large dais in the center is sturdy but beautiful, with the rose theme continuing in banners that are strung around the base and up into street lamps that won't be lit until dusk arrives. On the dais are makeshift thrones, the same from last year should anyone remember, though they number three instead of four.

Once it seems the majority have shown themselves, Anne will depart from greeting people and lead three masked figures up onto the dais. Even behind ornate masks and striking dress, some might be able to recognize Molotov Cocktease, Brock Samson, and Ben Paul even before she names them. Anne herself is dressed as a phoenix, covered in reds and golds, even in her braided hair, but she is hardly in disguise as she introduces herself (a custom she has gotten used to). Her speech might confuse a few city-dwellers who don't quite understand (or remember) some of what she talks about, but she keeps it as light as she can. ...Which means it's still a mouthful.

"Welcome, beautiful denizens of Cair Paradisa and the City Royale, it is I, Queen Anne. And you are beautiful. All who gather here have come for one reason, and I hope it is for the good of it, as there is not one soul here who does not deserve merriment. This is not only a celebration, but a rebirth! Look around you. Here we are, together as one and still separately unique even after many sufferings. Such different and powerful peoples carry various forms of character, and yet you come together not only against conflict but also to celebrate peace. This gathering is only possible because of the good spirit and hard work of those that hail both from this city and the castle.

"May has come, and as we grow accustom to the changes that have surrounded us, I am reminded that not all surprises must carry fear for us. The year last we were shaken and the ground with us, but in this year the city flourishes in merriment as if untouched. There is much here that is still unknown to us, but some of it is beautiful, and that is what we appreciate now. Spring flourishes, lovers are born, and while we are always aware there to be mystery about, we also discover new truths and these have shaped us. As this city was reborn, so too are we. This will be a year of promise; of a babe's curiosity and scholar's wisdom, but never without God's love.

"Here to lead us in this celebration of newness and adventure is not I, but our May royalty. So many were loved, that again there cannot only be two."

Finally to the point, Anne backs up so that she can motion for each person to sit when she lifts a crown, one woven with roses and other colorful flowers, and two twisted and bent with branches. She names each as she settles the crown upon their head, curtsying after each announcement to playfully show deference to them.

"Queen Molotov. King Brock. And Prince Ben. You honor and delight us, as we defer to you this day."

When they have all been crowned, she'll curtsy again and back off of the stage, allowing them to announce the official start of the partying!

{ Maypole Dance || Dance Floor || The Dais || The Feast || Bonfire }

Comments

THE MAYPOLE

[ensorceler]

This year the Maypole has been set up away from the grass, instead at the center of the 'dance floor', which is really anywhere the music can reach in the cobblestone square. Before any other dancing can begin, it must be finished! It's tall, with long ribbons mirroring every color of the rainbow and more that billow down to touch the ground below. There may not be a ribbon for every person, but there's quite a lot, and many people will be required to finish it.

Anne herself will join this time, helping show others that there is a pattern to follow (under, over, under, over), and the resident May Royalty has been asked to assist, but it's up to them if they actually will. If you don't want to bother with the Maypole, then feel free to stand around and mingle while watching, or find something to purchase from a nearby vendor. For the true wallflowers, it's not difficult to find alleyways or alcoves to skulk about in, or even merchant shops to duck into.

[toyboat]

Where and when Jenny is from, maypoles are banned. So, although she's heard of them, she's never seen one, and that means there's a little girl staring in awe at the giant structure. She wants so badly to grab a ribbon and join in, but she doesn't know how the whole thing works. Do they just go in circles? That doesn't seem altogether right.

Jenny shyly gets her hands on one of the ribbons, pink to match the flowers on her dress and mask, and just holds it, watching the others as they gather ribbons of their own.

[ensorceler]

May Day may be for lovers, but such fun events like this are fantastic for children, and Anne is delighted to see one here supposedly enjoying herself. She can tell it isn't a girl from the city if only by her differing clothes, but otherwise she seems more fitting in a party than many other children she has seen here.

If only she didn't look so lost.

With her own ribbon in hand, Anne stops behind her with a smile that she seems to save only for children, carrying a warmth that is hardly false as she leans over a bit to speak to the girl in a low tone.

"Have you ever done this before, sweet child?"

[toyboat]

It's with a start that Jenny glances behind her, so focused on the ribbon that she's surprised to hear anyone sneak up on her. She shies back a bit, embarrassed, and shakes her head.

"No, they haven't got maypoles where I'm from," she says, and offers her ribbon to the woman, immediately deferent to an older, clearly noble woman. "I've heard of them before, but I don't think anyone in England does them."

[ensorceler]

Anne has to laugh at that, though she keeps it soft so as not to startle this clearly shy girl.

"They most certainly do in England! If they are not present in your time, for that I am sorry, but you can learn now." She shakes her head and motions for the other girl to keep hers, then steps in front of her while carefully wrapping her ribbon over.

"You must not be too slow or yours will hidden. Walk in the other direction, and weave through people as if you were practicing needlework."

[toyboat]

Jenny frowns, confused, and tries to follow along after the woman, though she's too distracted by watching the ribbon wrap around the pole to keep up properly.

"Wait, wait!" she demands, holding up her skirt with one hand as she tries to catch up. "They're going to cover my ribbon up!"

[willrememberthat]

Clementine's in something Lucrezia brought over once, a dress too pretty and too fancy to be worn anytime but now. It's a little funny how out of place it looks in her closet full of t-shirts and jeans (dresses have long been ditched), but she's glad to have it.

She doesn't wear dresses often, and she doesn't see girls around her age here much anymore. She thinks about Sarah, and how awkward it had been talking to her. Maybe this girl will be easier. Clem's older then her, anyway. That has to help.

"Do you know how to do this?" She asks, grabbing a ribbon of her own.

[toyboat]

James had said before that there were girls about Jenny's age around, but she hadn't believed him -- they were never anywhere around to play with. She can't help but to stare at the older girl for a moment, somewhat unnerved that the girl isn't an adult. Everyone is an adult here.

She peers at the ribbons and then back at the girl. "No. I think there's a special way to it, but I don't know what it is."

[willrememberthat]

Clementine doesn't really play much anymore. Ever since Duck, things just weren't as fun--talking to Sarah had been painful, and Clementine somewhat doubted her ability to connect with kids that hadn't seen the things she'd seen.

Still, she had to try. Lee would want her to.

"I guess... we could try going in a circle. See if that works."

Or pretend they know what they're doing and hope for the best.

[toyboat]

"No, there's a pattern, see?" Jenny points at the pole, at the way everyone is starting to move. "We have to see that it wraps right, or else the colors won't look right."

With another glance at her pink ribbon, Jenny's expression changes to one of determination, half-hidden by her mask. "We'll figure it out, they won't hide our colors with their own."

[unmanned]

"Don't be shy, now," James says, approaching the girl from behind and giving her a gentle nudge with his knee. This is a time for children to have fun, few of them that there are, and a girl like Jenny deserves to do whatever it is little girls do--like dance around with ribbons.

[ex_pissoff757]

Edward was watching Jenny earlier; if it wasn't him keeping an eye on her, then it was Anne or Mary or anyone else they know. He always made sure to keep an eye on his young daughter who normally was never one to be so shy at approaching others. As shyly as she stood now with the ribbon in hand and looking at the other children.

He approaches just as James is giving Jenny the nudge with his knee, dressed in a simple dark vest with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows to show off the tattoos on his forearms, the long heavy coat left behind. His mask is as plain as his clothing. Or rather dressed down.

"What are you waiting for?" Edward says in turn to James, giving the back of his shoulder a nudge with his while giving Jenny a wink.

[toyboat]

Jenny turns to look balefully at the both of them from behind her mask, fidgeting with the ribbon and her skirt.

"I don't know how to do it," she says, looking off to the side and pouting. "I've never seen a maypole in real life before. I don't want to do it wrong, they'll laugh at me."

[unmanned]

James turns his head just enough so Edward can see the look. Serious it may be, but there's no denying that James is starting to bend to the little girl in front of them. The plan, at first, was to remain nice and disconnected because kids were not for this Kidd, but the more time he spends around Jenny, the more endeared he is to her.

He was doomed from the start.

"And so? Laughter ain't all bad."

And if it is, someone's father can deal with it.

[lord_wizard]

Felix stands at the inner edge of the crowd as the people gather to the maypole. As a matter of principal, the wizard is dressed to impress and attract attention. He wears an elegant tailcoat made from a pale green brocade, embroidered with spidery chrysanthemums. His waistcoat is a soft, sunny yellow stitched with trailing vines in green. He wears a mask to match his coat, standing out sharply against the red of his hair, which has been braided and decorated with green chrysanthemums and jasmine.

He looks aside to the man at his side, that has probably managed to outshine him again, although he's hard pressed to care too much, and says with a smile, "Well, what do you think?", gesturing vaguely towards the maypole.

[wishmadeinfire]

"I think the colors should be brighter," said man responded, sliding his arm through Felix's, nails painted gold with tiny white lotuses outlined on them stroking the brocade.

Ashura had come to the celebration dressed in kingly finery, gold and white with hints of palest green, the stitching on his robes emulating lotuses and lilies rather than fire as he normally did. A live lotus blossom was pinned into the knot at the back of his head, trailing pearls down the length of his hair. His ears were dotted with gold, diamonds, and pearls, his eyes rimmed with painted gold. The belts at his narrow waist were knotted into flower shapes on golden rope.

"Or we you asking if we should join in?" he chuckled. "In which case, I do not think I wore the right robes for that."

[lord_wizard]

It's been a long time since they were like this - side-by-side, arm-in-arm, and wearing matching outfits besides. As if they were a proper couple again. It's a well-crafted illusion, and Felix knows it, even if it's halfway on the way to being true. He wonders faintly if Ashura knows this.

Not ready for heavy thoughts, he leaned closer and smiled as he replied, "I hope you at least wore the proper robes for dancing, or I'll be very disappointed."

[wishmadeinfire]

He looked down the other, his eyes drifting to his lips and telling himself to stop that. Yes, as Felix knew, this was an illusion. They were beautiful together, and oh they liked making an entrance, didn't they? He loved to dress like this, he loved to have Felix on his arm and know he had the most beautiful man in Paradisa beside him. Even if the man was no longer his. He didn't dare let his heart hope to much from this single action. He had learned better by now.

But he smiled all the same, not letting such thoughts flicker across his face as he leaned in so that his lips could brush Felix's ear. "I would hate to disappoint! I think I can manage a reel or two."

[akweks]

Connor is in the shadows of one of the aforementioned alleyways, watching all... this. He's not really sure what this is, having never seen anything like it before.

He'd been told a costume was necessary and, thinking his robes would maybe be a little too obvious, he's opted for something else, though he hides behind the shadow of the hat instead of the robes' hood all the same. He's still at the moment, just watching, but he has a cane tucked under his arm for better mobility. It irritates him, the cane, making him think of the old man Achilles -- but he's using it largely to humour the people around whom he knows would give him hell if he were seen without it.

[ensorceler]

It isn't until Anne is through playing with Jenny that she realizes this same person has been lurking near and just watching for quite some time. Such a thing may not be so noticeable when there's a whole crowd watching, but it's quite a nagging feeling to look at someone and almost think you recognize them, but can't figure out how. Then again she has only ever met Connor in passing moments, and not only was he younger but he certainly wasn't in this costume. She hasn't a clue when she approaches him, hoping that bringing up conversation will jog her memory.

Either way, if somebody is standing around for that long at one of her parties, they're either being suspicious or not having any fun. As the hostess she must take responsibility for this, which she does with a bright smile and offering of wine.

"And who are you to be for this masquerade?"

[akweks]

He doesn't recognise the woman approaching him beyond a fleeting, niggling sense of familiarity. But he's starting to get used to that; there were so many faces here, in this world, that must have been familiar to him when he was here last. Not that he had to know any of them intimately, but he at least knew who they were.

Now it's all lost, and he only sees shadows and ghosts.

Connor politely waves off the wine since he isn't really one for much in the way of drinking, and gestures to himself. "Captain of the Aquila, Ghost of the North Seas."

Which is also what he is all the time, but. Masquerades aren't really his thing.

[ensorceler]

Whether it is or isn't a costume, it's impressive enough to receive a nod and smile from her, hiding the irritation of having the wine turned away. Now she has two glasses, but she'll quickly discard of the extra on a nearby table so that she doesn't look like a serving girl or drunkard.

"An eagle and a ghost? Such stories I can imagine."

[molotov]

"Lurking at a party is generally considered rude," Molotov murmurs into Connor's ear from behind, having snuck up on him for no real reason other than because she's a bitchy spy and also the queen, so she can do whatever she wants.

"Hiding for any real reason?"

[akweks]

He doesn't really start at her appearance, just sort of glances back over his shoulder. A little close there, lady.

"If I am lurking or hiding, neither is intentional," he says in a way that implies he's not doing either of those things. He's observing! There's a difference.

[molotov]

Close is fine, look at how hot she is! Look at how hot... guy she knew when you were a child. Think about her boobies in that Christmas picture.

Molotov snorts. "It seems intentional. You are dressed for the party and limping around out of the clinic, so clearly you did not just stumble upon it unexpectedly."