❀ 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

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Well, yeah. But now I'm kinda worried about you, Ashura-san. You don't look like you're having a fun time.

[wishmadeinfire]

I suppose I am still tired from the expedition is all. It has been awhile and perhaps I am not as young as I used to be.

_{[ Liar, he's a young adult by his standards. He should have nothing but energy. ]}

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie is no fool either, she could tell there's something he's hiding. But she chose to respect his privacy and leave the topic alone]

If you say so... Just know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm all ears! I still remember that you were there for me when I needed someone.

Oh, right! I've been meaning to give this to you.

[Chie pulls out a patterned bracelet that matches the one she's currently wearing.]

I made them myself with some materials I bought from town. I could have just wished for them, but there's nothing beats a little hard work to get something done.

[Chie smiles at Ashura, handing him the bracelet that rests on her open palm]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He is honestly surprised and touched at the gesture. He had not expected it, clearly, or even thought that Chie thought enough of him to bother with such an act.}

He smiled as he took the delicate thing, regarding it with a sweet smile. He held out his wrist to her, eyes somewhat brighter behind his mask. ]

Would you put it on me, Chie?

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Sure thing!

[Chie puts the bracelet on Ashura's wrist, trying to tie both ends but her fingers were apparently being too clumsy at the moment. She chuckles each time she fails, but she eventually got it]

Haha, there we go! We call these friendship bracelets back home. Look, it matches with the one I'm wearing!

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He looked at hers and was surprised to see she was right. He had never had a friendship bracelet before, had not even known of the concept, but he found it... sweet. Matching bracelets, a small piece connecting them even when apart. Yes, he could see the attraction. He smiled, bending to kiss Chie's cheek again, a tender gesture. ]}

Thank you, Chie. It is lovely, and I love it.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie blushes at the compliment, and she's feeling shy when it comes to showing off something she makes]

Heheh... I'm glad you like it, Ashura-san!

[Chie hugs Ashura when he leans forward to kiss her cheek. She pats him in the back while she's hugging him too]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ The hug takes him by surprise. He was used to being embraced by Felix, but though he huffed Galadriel a few times, he was not really a hugger. Growing up a royal, it had simply not been a thing he did accept with his parents.}

But he did give her a gentle squeeze back after that moment of surprise. ]

Of course I like it. How could I not?

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie just blushed and chuckled. She may not have a reply in words, but she's glad he liked it]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He released her and sat once more, fingering the trinket on his wrist, settled next to gold. And yet, somehow, it was the more precious of the two. ]}

I'll treasure it always, Chie.

To end

[pint_sized_carnivore]

[Chie gives him a warm smile in return. Ashura looks upset so she chose to spend the rest of her time hanging out with him]