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

[She slipped her own mask off, allowing it to dangle loosely in her fingers]

Just a couple of days ago. How long have you been here?

About the same time. We must've just missed each other.

We must have. What do you think of this place so far?

It's the most powerful magical place I've ever seen. It could even put Rumpelstiltskin's castle to shame.

It's a different kind of magic. I can feel it in my bones. It worries me.

Me too. I didn't sign any contract or make a deal, yet I still had to pay a price to be here.

I did as well. What was your price?

Don't know. I remember everything from the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke... I still have my necklace. I can't think of anything else that would be important.

Who were you in the Enchanted Forest, anyway?

Marco's son. But let's keep that between us, okay? I don't think people need to know who we really are.

Pinocchio?

[She didn't say it loudly, but she was shocked]

Oh my...

[And now she's a little skeeved out because she flirted with him]

Hey, hey, not so loud. The journals are magical too.

Edited 2013-05-02 01:45 (UTC)

Someone may eventually figure out who you are. Or if David comes here because we all know that he can't keep a secret.

That... is a good point. [nothing against David, but man he drops info so carelessly]

He's one of Storybrooke's worst gossipers, even more so than a lot of women who come into the diner.

[that actually gets him to laugh a little] Poor Emma.

I know. I hope she doesn't tell him any secrets or else they'll be all over town.

They-- Ruby, there aren't more visitors to Storybrooke, are there? [there is worry in his tone. He knows about Tamara, and she's danger enough]

Only that Greg guy that Dr. Whale saved. Why? Are there more that I don't know about?

I don't know anything about a Greg, but I do know Tamara. She-- [he paused as Ruby's information distracts him] Why did Doctor Whale have to save this Greg guy?

He was the first outsider after you. It was the night that Belle lost her memory because of that Hook guy. He crashed and needed surgery to save his life. Who's Tamara?

Wait, slow down. I don't know anything about what's been happening around town. I think you and I need to sit somewhere and compare notes.

[She nods, looking vaguely confused]

That is a good idea, I think.

[glances around, spotting the maze and nodding in that direction]

That looks like a quiet spot. Tell me as much as you can remember.

[She nods]

Alright. Lead the way.

(no subject)

unvarnished - 2013-05-02 12:10 (UTC) - Expand