❀ May Day Masquerade ❀

[ensorceler]

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 }

Comments

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate smiles at his bow, then shakes her head, still smiling.]

I'm sorry, no. I'm saving all my dances for my boyfriend.

[thebestseller]

[Castle straightens up and pouts a little.]

Well, am I your boyfriend or not? Unless my cunning red mask is that good a disguise...

[He gives a sly wink.]

[not_nikkiheat]

[Kate puts on a look of completely fake surprise.]

Castle, is that you behind that dashing mask? I hardly recognized you.

[thebestseller]

[Castle gives Kate another wink before grabbing her hands and lifting them into position.]

I could also be Jason Bateman for all you know.

[not_nikkiheat]

[She lets him lead, for once, at least for right now.]

Great! I've always had a crush on Jason Bateman.

[thebestseller]

So either way I win. Score.

[Castle's actually not all that bad a dancer, and he's not going to let his hands wander. Yet.]

You know, I could get used to these parties if they happen regularly.

[not_nikkiheat]

You, liking a party? How out of character for you.

[She lets her hand trail up to the back of his neck, playing with his hair.]

You're usually such a homebody.

[thebestseller]

I know, right? None of the glitz and glam for me. I am a solitary artist, only rarely venturing into the public eye.

[He briefly closes his eyes in pleasure at the touch, his bliss evident on his face.]

This place has done wonders to turn that all around.

[not_nikkiheat]

[She smiles at the happiness on his face, happy that she could put it there. As an experiment, she rubs the spot at his hairline gently with her fingertip.]

It's remarkable how outgoing you've become. You went from Salinger to Patterson.

[thebestseller]

[Castle makes a small noise of pleasure in reply, then laughs aloud.]

You know, Patterson used to come to my poker games. Key word being "used to". He's churning out so many books nowadays, it's a wonder he does anything but write. Makes me feel like a slacker.

[not_nikkiheat]

[She tries to remember the last time she made Castle laugh, and she comes up empty. It's a sound that makes her happy.]

No offense to Patterson, but his books lack the...quality of yours. So don't feel like a slacker.

[thebestseller]

Quality, eh? [Oh look, you've stroked his ego.] You flatter me, Detective. I may just have to kiss you for that one.

[not_nikkiheat]

Oh please, you've been looking for an excuse to kiss me since you walked in.

[thebestseller]

[Castle thinks briefly of making another smart remark, but then decides to mentally say "screw it" and leans in for said kiss.]

[not_nikkiheat]

[She grins against his lips, tightening her grip on his hair to bring him closer.]

[thebestseller]

Mmmm... [Another happy sigh once they pull apart.] You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that...

[not_nikkiheat]

[She laughs, pressing another quick kiss to his lips.]

Since you walked in the door?

[thebestseller]

It was such torment, you know. Seeing you, waiting for you to be free for a dance...

[not_nikkiheat]

Yes, my dance card has been quite full this evening. You're lucky I had an opening.

[thebestseller]

I'll cherish it, then. [He leans in for another kiss, still guiding her around the floor.] You do make quite an irresistable figure.

[not_nikkiheat]

It's the dress, it drives men wild.

[She presses close to him, her cheek against his.]

I'm a vision in purple.

[thebestseller]

Mmmm... that you are...

[His voice is dreamy now.]

Detective Beckett, I believe you're trying to seduce me...

[not_nikkiheat]

[She grins at that, rubbing the back of his neck gently with the pads of her fingers.]

Do I have to try very hard?

[thebestseller]

[That touch sends a little chill through Castle.]

Mmmm, you've got me there. [He then takes Kate in his arms and gently dips her, stealing another kiss in the process before pulling her back up.] So, let me ask the blunt question- shall we continue or take the party someplace a little more private?

[not_nikkiheat]

[In a way, she wants to keep dancing, keep the light touches and the heated looks going until neither of them can stand it. However, as she's rapidly reaching that point anyway, she gives him a smile.]

I get a private party with Richard Castle? Why, I am a lucky girl.