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 DANCING

[ensorceler]

No free space is off limits for dancing, so long as one can hear the music. Musicians have been hired again, more than a few to take their turns, bringing flutes, violins, tambourines, and even drums at times, making the music both light but resonating. Most of the time it will carry a medium to quick tune, encouraging a cheerful and playful mood. When it gets darker, more slow songs will be incorporated. They aren't all from the renaissance - some are quite modern, thanks to one party-loving pony.

Should any wish to join in once they've observed for a bit, the dances can be mimicked by any couple brave enough to try, and indeed don't be surprised if they're offered help. In fact, throughout the night Anne might suddenly reappear to show others how to begin and continue Renaissance court dances for entire groups to join in on, but people shouldn't be afraid to do their own thing, either. Anne won't stop any actions so long as they aren't overtly inappropriate.

Which might be a strange thought considering the first dance before all that is meant to be La Volta. While Molotov and Brock are obvious dance partners, Ben will have Anne to dance with.

[molotov]

Molotov participates to the best of her willingness in the Volta dance thing. That is to say, she actually boredly mirrors Anne's movements and doesn't kick her own husband in the knee every time he picks her up.

Thank god these old dances are short.

Once that mess is out of the way, she lingers on the dance floor with wine, because Molotov only dances while intoxicated, but she's mostly there to be the center of attention with her crown and her sexy gown and her bad-ass mask.

[samson]

Brock is doing his best to mingle (read: for as long as his patience allows, he is mingling), occasionally coming back to Molotov to refresh her drink. Because she's a lot easier to deal with when she's lubricated, basically.

He's holding two glasses of red as he comes over, jerking his chin toward her in a very bro-y sort of greeting. "Hey. You getting along with everybody?"

[molotov]

She looks slightly offended as she takes her drink, holding it close to herself as if it were a defense of some kind.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she asks, clearly finding a barb in his question. "I am queen, everything is good, what are you trying to say about me?"

So... yes. Getting along with everyone except her own husband.

[samson]

Wow.

Brock rolls his eyes, gesturing vaguely with his own drink, the liquid sloshing around in the glass with the motion.

"I meant... is everybody treating you nice," he says, unable to keep a little bit of a sneer out of his voice.

[thebestseller]

Parties were one of Castle's favorite things- and this time, he had his two favorite girls to accompany him. After watching the festivities a bit, he decided to throw himself into the dancing- rather exhuberantly. He's actually pretty good, and will even dance with a partner if he's asked.

[pompous_today]

Simon had arrived at the party dressed in his usual vest and jacket- the professional as always- along with a simple gold-colored mask. Not really wanting to dance quite yet, he lingered along the edges of the dance floor, hoping to bump into someone he knew to talk to. He wouldn't be opposed to dancing, either- though his repertoire tends toward formal slow dances.

[raisingdad]

Alexis had wished for - and gotten - a fancy May Day dress. Thank you, castle. This one blew her prom dress out of the water. Her mask was a little more straightforward, at least in that it didn't hide her face very much.

She recognized Simon because.. he was dressed as Simon. Guess he wasn't one for dressing up. There was still a lot for her to learn about this guy and he kept his cards rather close to his vest. Alexis approached him on the dance floor, giving him a smile.

"Hey. Having fun?"

[pompous_today]

It took Simon a moment to recognize Alexis- her flaming red hair was what finally tipped him off, and he smiled back.

"Nearly," he replied. "I do wish my girlfriend or my sister were here to dance with, but it still promises to be a nice party. Your dress is lovely."

[raisingdad]

She did look rather like a walking pastry covered in flowers, but how often did she get to wear a dress like this? Basically never. So she might as well have fun with it.

"Thanks. One good thing about this place is that it will give you whatever you want, outfit wise." She smiles shyly. "Are you.. looking for someone to dance with?"

Otherwise why stand staring at the dance floor?

[ensorceler]

It might be hard pressed to find someone who spends more time dancing than Anne. It might help that she doesn't wear painful high heels like so many women, but her dress itself can be rather constricting, especially in such warm weather. But even when she takes breaks to rest on a bench, or go grab a snack, she'll find her way back to where the dancing is until the sun sets.

Though she is used to her court dances from France and England, she seems rather keen on watching other styles and mimicking what she doesn't find too ridiculous. Should anyone catch her gaze, they may find this phoenix-themed masked woman smiling and curtsying in invitation.

[hellofist]

As hard as she tries, Cass can't remember if she danced with Anne last year. Maybe she hadn't wanted to get in her way, considering how busy she was, but it seems like a shame to waste the chance now.

So okay, maybe she's not tall, but she's got the dark partially handled with her dress and her mask is pretty instead of handsome, but she doesn't think she's a bad alternative to a man to dance with. In her experience, dancing with girls is more fun anyway.

When she approaches Anne she still bows, though. Curtsying feels weird.

"Haven't practiced dancing... since last year. Want to help refresh me?"

[ensorceler]

Anne doesn't actually recognize Cassandra right away, needing to hear the voice before connecting the masked face. She should be embarrassed, really, since she's even seen the girl in her bat costume. Maybe she's more surprised to see her in a dress, is all. Can she recall ever seeing Cassandra in a dress before?

"Little else would pleasure me more, sweetling," she chuckles out, one foot sliding behind the other as she curtsies gracefully and then extends her arm. If it had been a year since Cassandra's last dance, then that was a lot of pressure. Hopefully pressure that won't land on her toes. Her shoes are soft, and easily crushed. "But your dancing role may have been different."

[secondchances]

Stephanie doesn't have a partner (ouch, way to be a downer, brain), but she's here because Cass wouldn't let her not come. So, she's in an appropriately purple dress, with a matching mask, and though she's still feeling the sting of Tim's absence she's not sitting at a table or sulking off to the side. Okay, so she's a little bit to the side--and attentively listening to the music, watching the dancers.

She'd probably dance if asked. Thanks to her Renaissance pals over the years, she's not absolutely clueless when it comes to these old school dances. Let her tell you how she danced with Cesare Borgia.

[hellofist]

But Stephanie does have a partner, as much as Cass counts. The last few weeks have not been easy, but she's done everything she could think of to keep Steph from spiraling too far into depression.

There has been a lot of snacking, but in Cass' professional opinion Stephanie is the prettiest person at this party so who even cares? Cass has been here long enough for things to overlap and she can't help but remember this party last year, when she came up behind Steph and covered her eyes... just like she's doing now.

"You look pretty," she says, like she didn't have anything at all to do with helping Steph find something to wear. "Gonna dance with me?"

[secondchances]

Cass did most of the work when it came to Steph looking like she was supposed to be here. It's both endearing and annoying how Cass doesn't let her wallow in her sorrow for too long. She knows she needs to bounce back like she usually does, but a part of her is bitter and selfish and feels justified in that wallowing. Losing Tim was a heavy blow.

But here she is, dressed up and not having a terrible time. She even gives Cass a lopsided grin.

"What happens if I decline, huh?"

[hellofist]

"You wouldn't," Cass says as she moves around to stand in front of Stephanie, reaching for one of her hands just to hold it.

For now, at least. Maybe she'll be dragging her out to dance in a second, who even knows.

"Or would, but would... change your mind, when I looked sad."

[freeslider]

Wade loves to dance. Not necessarily because she is particularly adept at it, which she isn't, but because it's freeing. She tries any dance she has the energy for, no matter the style, turning and spinning and laughing, her beautifully simple orange dress flowing in the air around her like a goldfish. Or a butterfly, as her mask is meant to invoke.

[givetheslip]

[Maria doesn't dance so much as hover; wearing a dress for the first time in years, she's obviously a little uncomfortable. Why has she even come? Well, it isn't as if her schedule is packed.

Still, the music is rather beguiling and the atmosphere merry. She finds herself nodding along with the tunes, and if someone asks, she might be persuaded to give it a try...as long as they don't mind risking squashed toes.]

[akweks]

[Connor is dressed a little less conspicuously than was probably intended by the whole masquerade thing, but whatever. It's about all he'll deign to do in terms of 'costuming.' He also has a cane, which is probably not part of the costume, judging by the pretty consistent limp he has.

This woman looks familiar to him but he can't quite place her, and he approaches cautiously. One can never be too careful.] Excuse me...

[givetheslip]

[Maria isn't expecting to be approached by anyone, much less a handsome stranger, but it's in keeping with the festive nature of the day, she supposes; they're all friends here. She gives him a nod, then frowns slightly. There's something...]

I'm sorry, have we met?

[akweks]

[He's just as confused as she is, really, and it shows on his face.]

I believe so, though I cannot recall who you might be. [Which probably doesn't make sense, so he gestures vaguely in front of him.] I went missing near a month ago and while a fortnight passed here, it was years for me. If you knew a boy named Connor...

[sworn]

Vereesa isn't dancing, but she is watching on with interest, and even taps her toe to the music. Watching the others have fun is enough for her that she doesn't need to seek out a partner to dance with. After all, she's only here because it's another one of Anne's events, and at this point she feels obligated to attend them.

She continues to watch others behind her mask. She isn't wearing a dress, but rather a somewhat feminine suit; it feels more comfortable, and her feet are thanking her for not wearing heels. If anyone does manage to persuade her to dance, at least she will be comfortable.

[ensorceler]

While masks and outfits might do a decent job of hiding the identities of some, there is little to shield Vereesa's unique appearance from Anne's gaze, and her own cover was of course blown when giving her speech at the beginning of the party, but who really cares? It's a slight comfort for Vereesa to attend, trusting her to handle a situation should violence break out.

But she is pleased that doesn't seem to be necessary yet, and so the General must have some fun if Anne has any say. When she twirls into view, Anne has both arms spread out in her flamboyant curtsy, before she stretches one out in Vereesa's direction upon straightening. The beat of this song is quick enough there should be no lacking people in the dance.

[sworn]

She can't help but chuckle at Anne's spirit while dancing, but when Anne reaches out toward her, it takes her by surprise. In fact, Vereesa casts a glance behind her and around her to see if perhaps she means to dance with someone else.

Immediately she puts a hand up and shakes her head. "I couldn't." Surely there's another whose company Anne would prefer.