paradisa | ❀ May Day Masquerade ❀

may day!

[ The castle grounds holding the gardens have been transformed into a spring party sensation. Tall banners carrying the Tudor rose have been arranged in a representation of a border surrounding the celebration and events, but there are no real walls or barriers. It might make guarding difficult for the few in her employ, but that's hardly Queen Anne's problem. Nobody will be kept away unless they arrive with no mask (or representation of a mask), and although it might be hard to tell considering it's a masquerade, there will be some people (not many) from the city who have decided tentatively to accept Anne's invitation, helping fill in the crowd.

The theater stage has been covered in flowers of all sorts, as are the four wooden thrones arranged in the center. Each seat is taken, a tie for both King and Queen making for double the fun! Robb and Lucrezia have dressed as Orion and Diana, while Zelos and Galadriel have chosen Odysseus and Penelope (with a little help). The tops of their heads have been left bare, at least for the opening ceremony.

In front of them stands Anne in her costume, and she waits for the crowd to quiet before she speaks. ]

Good citizens of Cair Paradisa and City Royale, you come here today to seek pleasure and company, and I have never seen a finer or more unique looking peoples. I know you may find it difficult to smile in the wake of such recent tragedy. All here have known loss, but we have not let it conquer us, have we? God is with us. Brave souls here risked the unknown to discover the cause, while other remained to help rebuild. I am fiercely proud to see such dedication to one another, and I can only hope such unity continues to blossom! The work on the city will continue, as will the rehabilitation of the survivors most affected by calamity.

But today we spread our arms wide and heartily welcome summer. Today we make merry and keep our loves close. Today we celebrate an unprecedented event, two Queens and Kings!

[ She turns and walks over to the thrones, where the ladies hold crowns of roses in their laps and the men crowns of wooden antlers. She names each as she settles the crowns atop their heads. ]

Queen Galadriel. King Zelos. Queen Lucrezia. King Robb.

[ In playful deference, Anne will lift her skirts and curtsy to the four of them when they stand to announce that the festivities begin! ]

{ Maypole Dance || Dance Floor || The Feast || Music & Donations || Maze & Wine Fountain || Bonfire }

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, I thought that might've been you, but I wasn't sure... [better explain that] About a year ago, Kensei's spirit came to Paradisa for a celebration that honored warriors. I tried talking to him but all he did was bow at me.

[He arches an eyebrow at that]

That sounds vaguely disturbing. Do spirits and ghosts pop up often?

Aside from the ghosts that act as our helpers, no. But the thing about Paradisa is that you learn to expect the unexpected.

I believe I'm slowly discovering that. So where is your lovely wife? I would love to meet her in person.

Saying hi to our friends. One of the elected queens is the woman who married us, actually.

Really?

[A slight tilt of the head]

Which one?

The tall woman dressed as Penelope. We did a handfasting ceremony, and Galadriel acted as the high priestess.

Oh, she's lovely.

[Wait...He recognizes that name]

Galadriel as in...?

Lady Galadriel. She's an elf from a place called Middle Earth.

An elf?

[Definitely fascinated at that concept]

Yeah. We have aliens and demons here, too. It's pretty strange.

This place is definitely a melting pot of species.

Tell me about it. Three years later and I still can't get used to it.

I'm beginning to rather like this place.

It hasn't even gotten exciting yet. You missed the earthquake and everyone's regrets becoming visual.

Regrets becoming visual?

[He's glad that he missed that one. He had far too many regrets]

I was covered in blood. My hands were bloody up to my elbows, I had a cut across my forehead and two cuts on my chest.

[This was really cheery drinking talk. Adam emptied his glass and stared at it remorsefully before looking back at Peter]

Bloody hell, Peter. No pun intended.

... Yeah. You missed a lot since we parted ways. Now you know one reason why I seem so different.

Yes, yes I can.

You should get out on the dance floor. I'm sure there are ladies who would love to dance with you.

[He smiles faintly]

Who's to say that I haven't already danced?

Did you? ... Well, now I feel like a wallflower.

I've danced a couple of times. A lot of the ladies here are very good dancers, something that isn't too common where we're from.

Makes sense, though. Some of them are from earlier time periods, where dancing was more of a thing. I'm a little glad Mom made me take lessons or I'd be completely lost.

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