❀ 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

[heal_theworld]

[Much to the disappointment the spies in the balcony... She gives him a little smile.]

More like if you tried something. [You're the outrageous one here, Reborn.]

[greatesthitman]

[Yup, too bad they can't see that smile he gives her as he's ducking his head down and tilting it away from the balcony.]

Now you insult me, I never would do that while something like this is happening.

[heal_theworld]

Something like what? At a party, or dancing with me...?

[greatesthitman]

Coming to a party with you. I could have made this entire thing far worse for Tsuna.

[heal_theworld]

You know, I told you I would have gone by myself. [In fact, she had intended to.]

[greatesthitman]

And I needed to bring Tsuna to this, it seemed only fitting to come with you. [Keep telling yourself that, Reborn.]

[heal_theworld]

Or you could have just come alone. Bringing Tsuna has nothing to do with inviting me along. [Reborn, that logic doesn't make any sense.] He's not even enjoying himself, you know.

[greatesthitman]

Why let two quiet people come alone when I can bring you both? [...If you don't stop Martel he's going to turn into a sap.] And that's because he refuses to ignore the mask the castle put him in, or to stop acting like a hyperactive skittish chipmunk.

[heal_theworld]

Who says I'm quiet? Anyway, last time I came alone. [Go ahead, Reborn, be a sap.] I told him to ignore it, but he's not listening. He doesn't actually have to tell people what it means.

[greatesthitman]

Quieter than most, even if you are demanding. [Sob.] Because the boy doesn't know how to deflect, he'll learn in time. He needs the practice of either taking ownership of it or hiding it.

[heal_theworld]

Me, demanding? [She's not demanding!] Well, a lot people here don't actually pry, either. If he just pretended they probably wouldn't ask.

[greatesthitman]

Hugging ambushes, making me talk to Tsuna...[There's a bit of a look with his eyes there, so demanding woman.] Precisely. He needs the practice, he'll learn.

[heal_theworld]

That was not an ambush and you needed to talk to him eventually. You couldn't just ignore him forever. [She would have her hands on her hips if they weren't dancing.] Hopefully. Though [A thoughtful frown.] ...Most everybody he knows in the castle knows anyway. Even if I don't even know what the big deal is.

[greatesthitman]

That was an ambush and I could do what I want. [Yes he could have avoided Tsuna forever if he wanted to, but he hadn't. And now he's leaning in just a little closer as they talk, keeping the back of his head towards a certain balcony.] For the best, I doubt you would approve of what he's being groomed for, even if he is the best chance at it being better for all.

[heal_theworld]

[She gives a little frown at that. Reborn, why must you be so difficult.] So you've said. Though, is that why you want him to change it? To make it better than it is right now?

[greatesthitman]

[Because it's Reborn and being difficult is what he does.] Of course. We've been working towards it being better, the Ninth and I and others, but with Tsuna...[Sigh.] You remember how I said he gives me hope?

[heal_theworld]

Yes, I do. [She pauses.] Everything can be changed, you know. If one wants to, they can change the world. For good or for worse.

[greatesthitman]

I know, it's why I'm hoping Tsuna eventually understands it. [And that's the truth really. He's putting a lot of faith in a teenager.]

[heal_theworld]

He will. I hope...he always seems to want to have nothing to do with whatever it is. [She looks thoughtful.] And yet, he hasn't run from it. He told me that he owed you a lot, you know. Before you came.

[greatesthitman]

Because he's afraid of failure. [And oh no, feelings again. He spares a glance up at the balcony then back to her, shaking his head.] He still has a long ways to go before he can say such things.

[heal_theworld]

Isn't everybody? [She watches him glance up at the balcony, curiously for a moment, before she focuses back on him.] And yet, he already said them. I asked him what his home was like, and he mentioned you.

[greatesthitman]

Indeed, something he needs to learn. [He's plotting something now though, but he won't do anything with it for now, instead just learning closer to her ear now. They're just talking you stalkers.] As he should, I moved into his home when his mother hired me.

[heal_theworld]

[Martel glances curiously at him at getting that close.] He didn't mention that. He mentioned he had to go back and save you, though.

[greatesthitman]

Which he will, knowing what I do of his plan. [He'll point out the balcony later, right now he's just keeping close.] They were looking for a new batch of Arcobaleno, Tsuna almost became one.

[heal_theworld]

Good. [She blinks, though, at that information, before she processes it.] You mean...he almost became like you? Why would he even put himself in danger like that?

[It's more frustrated than anything, because she knows exactly why he would do it. To save Reborn.]