paradisa | ❀ May Day Masquerade ❀

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❀ 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 }

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[ A ways off from the dais and the food is a large Maypole, with long ribbons mirroring every color of the rainbow and more that billow down to touch the grass below. There may not be a ribbon for every person, but there's quite a lot, and with such a towering tree post, it might take some time to finish.

But while this is meant to be a celebration, there is still a rhythm to the movements (under, over, under, over), and the resident Kings and Queens of May will no doubt show everyone how it's done while Anne plays the music on a lute. Don't want to give the Maypole a try, then feel free to stand around and mingle while watching! ]

[ Near the Maypole is an expansive wooden dance floor, completely open-air and not lacking in room. If one does find it too crowded, there is no lacking in beautiful green grass to dance merrily on. There are a few musicians from the city nearby, these souls made braver by coin, and they will wait for the May Queens and Kings to step onto the platform before they begin to play their first song.

Should any wish to join in once they've observed for a minute or two, the dance moves can be mimicked by any couple brave enough to try, and indeed don't be surprised if they're offered help. In fact, throughout the night Anne might randomly reappear to show others how to begin and continue Renaissance court dances for entire groups to join in on, but people shouldn't be afraid to do their own thing, either.

But first; La Volta! ]

[ Not hungry, or just feel like getting some food in you before you put on your dancing shoes? Well, there's no shortage of interesting looking foods! There is nearly every kind of seasoned meat, including mutton legs, pheasant, veal, turkey, roasted pigs, and plenty of fish like salmon and shrimp. There are even meat pies, if you can get past the stuffed fowl on top. If you're sick of meat there are strange tasting jelly dishes, and the more familiar breads, cheeses, fruits, and tarts. There may be some vegetable dishes scattered about, but you'll have a much easier time finding wine and ale, both of which are plentiful; even for the children, though some adults might want to cut their wine with water.

The tables have been connected from end-to-end, snaking around the circular maze nearby. The labyrinth itself has been lit up with twinkling lights, though they won't be as visible until the sun begins to set, when the candles and torches will also be lit.

The Queens and Kings will initially sit at each end as is their right, but otherwise there is no seating arrangement. If you get up, prepare to risk losing your seat! ]

[ Although the musicians have been hired to play throughout the afternoon and night, their jovial music easily carrying in the warm spring air, it's only expected that they should be allowed to take breaks! Especially when they're apprehensive enough about being this close to the castle.

Perhaps you would like to try your hand at an instrument or even singing a song? Or maybe you can't stand such old-fashioned music and wants to and want to set your iPod up with some modern tunes for a bit? Maybe you want to show off a skill to entertain the crowd in the break.

Nobody's stopping you! In fact, it's encouraged. Any tips/donations that are collected in the large urn here will be used in the City Royale reconstruction efforts. ]

[ The ample maze might be easy to get lost in normally, but today things are a little different. Well, one could still find themselves at a dead end if not paying attention or just wanting to wander, but should any enter, they'll find that small banners with arrows have been placed at certain forks, guiding any curious soul towards the center.

And why find the center? Because that's where the wine fountain is, of course! Mingle, drink, lounge on a bench, and drink some more! Just don't go swimming in it too early; other people have to drink that wine, after all.

For people who aren't in the maze for the wine, well there are plenty of nooks and crannies for children to play hide-and-seek. At night it will be even more beautiful, with twinkling lights decorating the labyrinth, and even nearby topiaries and trees. ]

[ The sun has set, but the gardens have been illuminated with white lights woven around trees and bushes, the scattered torches and candles lit. But there needs to be more light, more heat! This is not only the celebration of lovers, but also the initiation of summer.

It's now that the children would be ushered back into the castle or city (though who's to stop a few from sneaking back into the party?), and the giant bonfire lit. By now people have had their chance to eat, drink, and dance. What state are they in? Do they feel like sticking around to keep partying (possibly to make fools of themselves), or do they want to run off with their chosen May Day lover? ]

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MAY POLE