❀ 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

[peacockherald]

You can thank my mother - she raised me right, I think is the turn of phrase I have heard.

_{[ He smiled at her, taking her through the steps, pausing sometimes when the dance took a turn he didn't quite know, subtly different from those he usually performed at court functions (when he actually went). ]}

[songsandstories]

She must have been a good woman. [These dances are also different than the ones she knows, but she can follow him along well enough.]

[peacockherald]

She is. She did her best for me.

_{[ She had done her best, though it had taken him some time to realize this and truly appreciate it. Some might say she had been an influence on what he had become, but he thought that a quite ignorant way of thinking.}

The tune slowed a bit to give the participants a chance to catch their breath, and he held Sansa a bit closer as he went through the steps. ]

You look lovely, by the way, especially your hair.

[songsandstories]

I am merely glad there is no dye within it, but my thanks, my lord. [She steps with him, dancing in time to the song.]

[peacockherald]

I admit, the dye was a travesty. Red hair is rare, and yours is especially beautiful.

_{[ He smiled gently as he spun her around expertly. ]}

[songsandstories]

That is kind of you to say, but the castle does not let me dye it. That is why it kept staining my clothes.

[peacockherald]

Why should you want to hide such lovely hair?

[songsandstories]

For fashion. [Though her smile is strained.]

[peacockherald]

Well, I cannot say much for such a fashion, but I understand the need to bend to it.

_{[ It was his polite way of accepting her tale, though he could tell she was lying. Empathy did that, having to learn to read people with magics and his own senses. ]}

Ready?

_{[ He smiled and spun her rapidly as the final flourish of the song sounded. ]}

[songsandstories]

[He moved her quickly, and Sansa spun with him. When the song ended, she turned to clap before curtseying.]

My thanks, my lord.

[peacockherald]

_{[ He laughed, bowing to her in turn and taking her hand in his arm to lead her off the floor. ]}

Just Vanyel will do, my lady. I am no longer a lord.

[songsandstories]

[She gives a small nod.] Well thank you for this dance, Vanyel.

[peacockherald]

Anytime. Feel free to come to me anytime you have a wardrobe issue as well. I learned quite a few things at my mother's knee.

[songsandstories]

I shall remember that. [She pauses.] Was she a seamstress?

[peacockherald]

My mother? No, she was Lady Ashkevron. But, I was often with her and her ladies, so I learned needle work watching them and the importance of certain silks and laces and colors. Then being a Herald has taught me how to handle quick fixes.