❀ 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

[hellofist]

[That gets a laugh from Cass, but it's not a very amused one.]

Yes. Other things, too.

[It's dark, but Cass doesn't particularly mind if Lucrezia sees her back. She's seen the other scars before, getting a better view of them won't really change anything, so Cass slips her shawl off and sets it on the ground. She doesn't want it to rip, after all.

The first few strikes to the bag are just to get it moving, they aren't that impressive on their own. It's abrupt, when that changes. Cass hauls her hand back and this time, when she hits the punching bag, it splits and sand explodes out of it. A spin, her foot lashing out, and the chain snaps. The bag flies across the lawn and the stand wobbles a bit, but stays upright.

Her demonstration over, Cass rubs a hand through her hair and keeps her head ducked. If there's going to be rejection and fear, she doesn't really want to see it yet.]

[heloise]

[ She fears violence as much as she revels in it, when it suits her purpose. Once it was used against her and she would take any means possible not to see it repeat. Yet fascination for power, greatness, is ingrained in her, and she knows the difference between hostility and affinity.

Cass would not use her strength to hurt her but to protect her, so she certainly deserves an appreciate clap at the display, even as she looks over her shoulder to see if anyone witnessed the display. ]

I did wonder how you managed to carry me home that night.

[hellofist]

[The applause is surprising, but not exactly unwelcome. It's easy to smile when Lucrezia speaks, though.]

Knights carry princesses. Friends help friends.

[heloise]

And you are both a knight and a friend, Cassandra?

[hellofist]

[Batman is the Dark Knight and one day, he wants her to take up that name. She's stronger than Batman now, so why shouldn't she be a knight now? She nods to answer, but then frowns a little.]

I think... you have to agree, though. For the friend part.

[heloise]

[ She moves to link her arm with hers, all smiles. ]

I do agree.

[hellofist]

Then, answer is yes.

[heloise]

[ That makes her laugh. ]

This sounds much like wedding vows. Are you to marry me, Cassandra?

[hellofist]

[She grins.]

Joshua might not... appreciate that.

[heloise]

[ She smiles to herself and shakes his head. ]

I will not marry. Him or anyone else.

[hellofist]

Why ask, then? If I would... marry you?

[heloise]

Because... [ There's no chance of it anyway. It would always be her father's choosing and for the sake of politics. ]

I might change my mind.

[hellofist]

Then yes. If you... change your mind.

[Because why not? Cass has never seen a marriage in action, she doesn't even really know what the actual point behind one is, but why not say yes if it will make Lucrezia smile?]

[heloise]

[ She reaches to touch Cass's hair. ]

With proper dress, you would make the handsomest bridegroom.