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 }

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He'll do his best to keep up, and he might just be enjoying himself a bit. At least he's sort of smiling?]

[ She takes her time, seeing no reason to rush into anything. She'll even stay quiet for the entire dance, waiting until they move onto another before speaking up. ]

What of the Mistress Ino? Do you know whose lover she has become this day?

[Oh wow, he was not expecting that, he frowns a little, confused]

...Uhhh probably Gale? That's kind of his job as her boyfriend.

[ She looks just as confused! Ted had used that term, too, but a boy that's a friend doesn't seem like he should be any threat. ]

Are you not also her friend?

Yeaaaaah, she's one of my closest friends here. But I don't see what that has to do with anything.

[ She waits until they're close, so as not to embarrass him. ]

Ted informed me of your feelings for her, and of her breaking into your chambers. Did you think to keep her a secret lover? You ought to court her openly.

[...Ted, boy you are so grounded. SO. GROUNDED. He looks flustered for a moment trying to find the right way to...go about explaining this]

She's not my- we're not like that. We're just friends. She has Gale, and I'm glad she does, he makes her happy.

Gale?

[ Who the fuck is that. Can she stab him? Anne slows the dance, lifting her hand and waiting for him to place his so their palms can barely touch as they circle.

Her voice drops low. ]

You could make her happy. He need not be any issue.

[He meets the motion and oh my god did the queen just suggest Gale be removed from the picture?]

No! No, look, I like Gale, he's a good friend. I really couldn't make her anywhere near as happy as he makes her. They belong together.

[ She purses her lips in thought, watching him carefully. ]

Perhaps he could. Perhaps they are meant for one another. But if that is the case, there is still a great love out there for you to know.

[And it doesn't help his mind has been heading off in that direction lately, fighting it though he is. He's quiet for a moment]

I don't really deserve a great love. Or even a medium or small love. I'm not worth it.

[ Her eyes narrow a touch, and her hand clasps tightly over his then. They're no longer following the dance; just slowly turning. Though her voice is firm, her gaze commanding despite her short stature, she speaks with passion. ]

You will look at me, and you will listen. I am to hear no such words out of your mouth ever again. I have deemed you worthy, and to call a queen a liar is of the gravest of insults.

What you have done, what you have not done, is of no consequence here. I am only interested in what you will do, for the people and for yourself. For what good is any artist if he is too pained to believe in himself?

Edited 2013-05-03 02:04 (UTC)

[There's a slight hint of panic in his eyes as her hand tightens on his]

...Right. Not calling you a liar, duly noted.

[He still has such little faith in himself. After all, having faith in himself is what gets people hurt. But he's a little worried about what she'll do if he voices that]

What I've done stays a part of me if I like it or not. But I can still make things, that's not an issue.

No, but it is... For I consider you my friend as well, have I not said? Your eyes reveal your soul to anyone who seeks. And I watch you, my friend, and I see your broken heart, the wounds you cover with your accomplishments.

[ Her grip relaxes, and she pulls her hand away, only to spin and then lift her other hand. ]

For did you know that Psyche means 'soul'?

...You see a lot, then. [He often wonders if his heart was ever even whole to start with. Probably not. It just steadily got broken more]

I didn't know that.

Because I am looking. But the ignorant cannot be faulted for not knowing how to open their eyes. Naïvety is both a gift and curse for them.

For Psyche, as well. When she was finally allowed to look, to see her husband, he fled from her. She had been married to the God of Love and not even been allowed to know.

[He offers her a small, confused smile]

I don't really know much about Earth mythology, I'm sorry. She was married to a god?

He felt obligated, for his own arrows had doomed her to a loveless life, despite her beauty being so great as to make his mother Aphrodite envious. He tricked her into marrying him, but the life she led was the life of a goddess.

In the day she was alone, but at night he visited and lay with her and whispered sweet words in her ear, but she was not to see him.

He had...magic arrows? And she could never see him because...what? It'd hurt one of them? [EARTH IS WEIRD HE DOESN'T GET IT]

[ She can't help but split a grin at his ignorance, and she clasps his hands tight and brings them close to kiss his knuckles. ]

They are the arrows of love, for he was the god of love, as his mother was Aphrodite, goddess of love and pleasure. You see? Psyche could not escape love, really. And yet she was so very alone.

[ Her smile lessens, but stays plastered on with practiced ease as they continue to dance. ]

What sort of love is that?

[He kind of looks confused at that gesture. Why are you kissing his knuckles?]

...Well, that's a pretty depressing story.

[ Poor Once-ler, he just needs more knuckle kisses if it seems that alien! ]

Do not fear. Their love blossoms to something divine by the end of the tribulations.

So you're telling me there's hope underneath it all?

Hope, yes... If one fights for it. She was rewarded for her loyalty and tenacity.

❀ May Day Masquerade ❀

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wow html fail self

i forgive you this time!

you are good to me

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject