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 }

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[ She moves closer to trace patterns on his armrest, eyes cast downward. ]

Then the throne's call is too strong to ignore?

[ He shakes his head, following the movements of her finger. ]

It is just a chair I must sit for the day. [ The chair does not make a king, though many kings had fought over the Iron Throne. ] A momentary rest is all I desire, I am not used to dancing so much.

[ She turns back to him, mischief in the corner of her lips. ]

Was it la volta? You should have told me you wanted to stop.

I did not say because I did not want to stop. [ It is honest, perhaps a bit too honest, however they are alone on the dias and many cannot hear the words from his mouth over the music. ]

[ She smiles gladly. He is kind to say so even if he was not honest. ]

My brother was none too pleased, but even he would not harm you.

Your brother? [ He blinks confused, only to remember the story a moment later. Diana had a brother, a brother who did not approve of the love between the goddess and the hunter. It was her brother that tricked her into shooting her love and killing him. ] Do I have to thank some for my safety?

[ She might have meant both, this one and the real one. Either way she takes that as invitation to lean against the throne, reaching out a hand to trace his jaw. ]

Some? No. Only one I think.

[ His head tilts to keep track of her, jaw falling from her touch as a result. ]

How do I thank you? Nothing I can think of seems sufficient enough.

[ She draws her hand back with a bashful smile, dropping her gaze. But when she looks back at him, there is something else in her eyes. A challenge. ]

They say an eye for an eye. A life for a life.

[ Confusion traces his lines, hand moving up to remove the mask from his face. It easier to see her without it. ]

Aye, they do. What would you have of me?

[ Lucrezia smiles wider once she can see his face. There it is, handsome indeed. She doesn't reply immediately, moving to stand and twirl in front of him instead, playing coy. ]

I did save your life, though that seems much to ask for in return.

[ He watches her curiously, she is like a riddle given flesh. ] Not at all, if you ask me to save your life in return than I shall do so without hesitation.

[ She moves to stand before him then, offering him her hand as if for a kiss. As if they are only now greeting each other. ]

I could ask for less.

[ Blue eyes flick from her face to her hand, he shifts forward and takes a hold of her hand though unsure of her intent. ]

What you ask for is your decision and yours alone, whatever it may be I will provide you with it to the best if my abilities.

[ He hesitates for a moment, a short moment, before placing a short kiss to her hand as if that is what she wished, ]

[ Lucrezia giggles at the kiss, thoroughly enjoying his bemusement, because it means she decides how and when the conversation ends. Not yet. She doesn't let go of his hand even after, holding on for balance as she steps even closer.

Her other hand reaching to catch his jaw may just be a distraction as she rests most nonchalantly on his lap. ]

I would ask for that which even kings find scarce. Company. Time.

[ His mind all but stops, eyes going wide in surprise. A bold move for a bold lady. And one he does not quite how to react too. He clears his throat, falling as still as humanly possible. ]

If... that is your wish.

[ Perhaps she is drunk? If she is, she doesn't show it aside from her bold move, now even reaching to take his chin between her fingers. It helps that he is keeping so still, and she falls quiet too. ]

If I closed one eye, I might mistake you for my brother.

[ He is suddenly keenly aware of her, of how she sits, of her fingers holding his chin, of the heighten place they sit upon. Any could see and think the worst. Robb thinks of Jeyne and his stomach twists uncomfortably.

Their hair looks similar. ]

Is he a good man, your brother?

[ Lucrezia, for her part, cares not for scandal. One reaches a point eventually where it ceases to matter. She was born a bastard to one who should not have children at all. Everything is permitted.

Does a good man kill his own brother to save his nephew ~~and earn his place~~? ]

The best I ever knew.

[ His marriage is a scandal, the very thing that lost him the war (as much as he loves her). Yet he was never raised in it, he was raised with honor by a man better than any who had ever graced King's Landing after Aegon's Landing.

It bothers him, needlessly perhaps, but it does. ]

It grieves me that you are not by his side.

Not as much as I grieve.

[ Her eyes are watching him intently, daring him to move, but she draws her hand away to rest it against the throne's back. ]

Is there one you love?

[ Of course, no one would grieve as much as her.

His gaze drops for a moment, before he looks at her again. ]

I had a wife, but she is lost to me now as I am to her.

[ Till death do they part, as the vow goes. ]

Was it she who left?

No.

[ It was I. The words do not make it past his tongue, but the implication hangs heavy in the air. He had spoken to her about his war, about his betrayal. He had told her of his wounds, but never mentioned the sword stayed by Paradisa, the sword aimed for his heart that would surely kill him. ]

[ Perhaps another similarity to add to the list. She lets her hand hover near his face, framing it in her sight but not daring to touch, as if he is but a phantom now. She knows how to connect the dots and sometimes it is better not to know for sure. ]

My brother said he would die young. Great men do.

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