❀ 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

[secondchances]

I'm not. You're beautiful and fearsome. I think that often goes hand in hand.

[heloise]

I think the word you seek is "awesome."

[secondchances]

[For some reason that makes her sad, but she smiles anyway.]

Very awesome.

[heloise]

I think you look sweeter.

[secondchances]

[She taps the crown on her head. Look familiar? It should.]

Thanks.

[heloise]

[ Maybe it does, but she feigns ignorance. That should make her sad too but she is determined now not to let herself feel that way again. What's the use? ]

If we are to dance, we must choose which of us becomes the man.

[secondchances]

[No reaction. So, that's how it is.]

Which one of us is manlier?

[Free shot, Lucrezia.]

[heloise]

I am the fearsome one now.

[secondchances]

It still doesn't answer the question.

[heloise]

Should a woman not be loved, a man feared?

[secondchances]

It works both ways.

[heloise]

Then you choose.

[secondchances]

You can be the man.

[Whatevs.]

[heloise]

What of your dashing true love?

[secondchances]

What of him?

[heloise]

[ She goes to take the lead in one of the slower court dances where, really, the parts for both are near identical. ]

What did he say of you today?

[secondchances]

The right things.

[She pays attention to Lucrezia's movements, picking up on them surprisingly easy.]

He enjoys dressing up. [Costumes ;) But she's not saying much else about Tim, since she's pretty sure Lucrezia doesn't care.]

[heloise]

He enjoys seeing you dressed up?

[ She isn't making up her own moves this time, at least. ]

[secondchances]

Yeah. This was his idea, actually.

[heloise]

And what does he say of your crown?

[secondchances]

He likes the whole package.

[heloise]

I might too. [ She even smiles. ]

But your crown is out of place.

[secondchances]

[The smile is nice, but Steph's not eager to let her guard down. Not after their last conversation.]

It is?

[heloise]

Yes. Old loves do not belong in new ones.

[secondchances]

What am I supposed to do with it, then?