paradisa | ❀ May Day Masquerade ❀

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❀ 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

[It took some time for Gren to find the place, mostly once the rumors and slightly drunken party-goers had both drifted out of the maze itself and drew him in.

He's dressed, compared to most, rather simply, long hair tied in back like usual. As he bends to fill a glass he catches sight of Ashura, who, despite the fog of the hot springs, was rather hard to miss]

Hello again.

_{[ Antlered head turned to peer at Gren, and Ashura smiles softly at
the sight of him. He always enjoyed their little talks, when they had them,
and it was nice to see the other out and about and not through heavy mists
for onces. He inclined his head slightly in greeting, sipping his wine to
mask the falling of the smile he did not really feel. ]}

For once I can see you clearly, Gren, only to have your face obscured.

I can fix that.

[He pushed the mask up onto his forehead. The mask got a bit stuffy after awhile anyway, and this way it didn't get in the way of his wine glass]

_{[ He actually let out a soft laugh at that, sipping his wine. ]}

It is nice to see your face for truth, Gren. I felt like this is the first time, actually.

Hm. It might be. [Though only one person got to see all of him, and he'd managed to keep it that way] There's always something going on that gets in the way of knowing other people here, huh.

It does seem to be, though perhaps on this occasion we might make it different.

_{[ He pushed back his own mask to reveal his own face. ]}

It is even nicer getting to talk to you outside of a bath.

[He chuckled] Unless you want to take a dive into this fountain.

Ah, no, I think I might pass this time. I enjoy my wine, but a bath of it might be a bit over indulgent.

I'll save it for the end of the night then. [Joking. Maybe. The wine is very good, and he's not shy about that fact]

_{[ He blinked. ]}

The bath? I suppose it would be a good idea.

_{[ He suddenly blinked a bit wider. ]}

That was not an invitation was it?

What? Oh...[he laughed]...no. Not to you.

No offense.

No, it is quite all right. The hot springs is one thing, but a bath - well, I think perhaps we both might have someone who would find issue with that.

Maybe. [He shrugged nonchalantly. He wasn't sure what Vicious would have to say about that, to be honest. He'd like to think he would take issue, but he was notorious hard to read when it came to that kind of thing.]

"Maybe", indeed.

_{[ He sipped his wine and wondered if Felix would take offense. He
probably would, but he was unsure now, wavering. ]}

What do you think of the vintage?

[He raises a brow as he takes another sip of wine]

I'm not a connoisseur exactly.

[He came over and sat next to Ashura, dropping his mask on the seat next to him for the time being]

Things have changed since we talked last.

[Not a question]

I suppose they have. Many things have happened.

_{[ He sipped his wine again, being vague on purpose. ]}

That much?

_{[ Perhaps not so much, but it felt that way to Ashura, it felt. ]}

Enough to feel like it is, in fact, 'that much'.

Anything I can do?

Give me something else to think about - and more wine.

_{[ He considered his empty glass almost mournfully. ]}

[He holds his hand out to take the glass]

In my experience, everything can remind you of something when it's upsetting you.

Heh, I suppose it can. The mind is terrifying that way, is it not?

_{[ He handed over the glass to his friend. ]}

[Obligingly, Gren went over to fill their glasses and returned to the seat, choosing this time to sit astride the bench, one leg curled in front of him as he handed Ashura's glass back]

Don't I know the half of it. But ok, let me see...

What do you do around here that isn't bathing?

_{[ He let out a soft laugh. ]}

I like to go riding, go to the library and read the tales of other worlds. I want to dance more, I think, if I can find a way to get my music to play.

Your music?

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