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 takes it without having to be told and steps towards the dancers]

You might have to show me the steps.

We can dance the ones you know. Waltz?

That will do. [He starts the steps then, hand resting lightly on her hip as they move, gentlemanly for the time being]

There are other dances I would like.

The ones you have yet to learn?

[That isn't what he meant and he suspect she knows this]

How many do you know?

[ She chuckles, still playing. ]

I have never counted them. Enough, I should say.

Then I'd say you have some teaching ahead of you. Or are you busy. Who else do you dance with these days?

[ She smiles at him, biting her lower lip. A lady never tells! ]

Hmm. I thought as much. Your charms know no bounds, it would seem.

What would you do to find out?

I always do whatever it takes, if I desire it enough, though some methods are more fun than others. As long as, in this case, the cost was not the loss of your favor.

Then, you value my favor?

[He tugged her closer a moment as they moved]

Was that not clear?

[ She just laughs and tries to twirl away. ]

Perhaps.

[He lets her, if only to twirl her right back]

And if I asked you to give me freedom in exchange for my favor, what then?

[He spins them both together a moment, smirking as he seems to think it over]

Then you could go with my best wishes. Only don't leave your moon in the dark for too long.

[ She smirks. ]

Is it tales you want or something more?

I will take a tale for now.

[He doesn't intend to be discarded by her or anyone else for that matter]

Once upon a time. [ As all stories should begin. ]

There was a princess who loves her golden ball above all her other possessions.

[He halts their dance and holds her lightly around the waist, keeping their bodies a mere handspan apart]

And what was so special about this ball?

One does wonder.

[ She lets him, biting back her grin. She does like her riddles. ]

But one day her beloved toy fell into a deep, dark pool and so she wept, there in the middle of a forest, until a little frog came along to offer his help. And on this little frog's head is a little golden crown. Can you imagine?

I imagine this frog was royalty, yes?

Yes, a frog prince. She promised him a kiss in return for his finding her golden ball and he went to dive down deep into the pool, and found her treasure. So she kept her promise, and then--

[ She twirls about him for effect! ]

There stands the most handsome prince. And he said to her, "I want not your pearls, and jewels, and fine clothes; but if you will love me, I will take you home to my castle, and keep you warm and love you forevermore."

[He smirked]

What did she say?

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heloise - 2013-05-29 12:16 (UTC) - Expand

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