[OPEN] Throw some glitter;

[faithstarved]

WHO: Andra, the Surviving Sparrows, and anyone who wants to PARTAY
WHAT: That party that was supposed to happen a month ago let's just pretend the fliers said beginning of this month shhhh
WHEN: Solace 10
WHERE: the Sparrow encampment in the valley
NOTES: post is a little image and text heavy. Feel free to NPC refugees helping out or Sparrows, or if you want me to NPC a Sparrow let me know and I will but they're mostly just moving around here to enhance everyone else's experience. There are only 13 of them altogether, but they move around a lot, and there are refugees helping. Otherwise this is open, have fun with it and party until the booze is gone!

Since the notice went up in early Justinian, the colorful encampment belonging to the troupe of bards and mercenaries has been a flurry of activity, bringing in casks of wine and ale, clearing the open land, and erecting tents even more elaborate than the ones they live in. The week before large fire pits are built up around the area, and merchants stop by regularly and leave with less goods but looking particularly satisfied. Any curious on-lookers attempting to get a look into what the Sparrows are putting together will either be put to work or shooed away and told to come back later.

On the day of, any who turn up are welcomed.

Tents

Two large tents are erected to offer additional shelter from the elements, as well as a place to relax and enjoy conversation or anything else. They are lit dimly with lanterns and candles, and warmed with carefully contained fires. There is seating in both, as many pillows as the Sparrows could beg, borrow, or steal as well as logs stripped and polished to cut down on splinters. A few musicians rotate throughout the day playing music within the tents, and others mill about, offering conversation or drink to any who look lonely or too sober.

Fires

There are several fires built around the area the Sparrows have claimed as their own, flames kept high to stave off cold and offer additional lighting in the evening. People are welcome to congregate around them, and they are regularly tended by one Sparrow or another.

Food

Some may consider the food the main event, anything that can be cooked over a fire pit welcome game, as well as anything the kitchen was willing to pitch in. The Sparrows are a multicultural group, and that is evident in the food being offered. There's a little something for anyone, from Ferelden to Par Vollen. Those doing most of the cooking, oddly enough, are a qunari with broken horns and a dwarf with tattoos on her face.

Music

Throughout the encampment music can be heard. A space has been cleared and stamped down for dancing, and a regular stream of musicians, both from the troupe and not, are featured. If someone wasn't approached or didn't approach the Sparrows prior to this event but feel compelled to join in, they are not turned away.

Dance

During both day and night throughout the clearing if there's music, there are dancers. Several are professional, trained to dance and that is the purpose they serve within the troupe. Those offering performances rather than just dancing to the music as they see fit keep away from what has been designated as general dancing space, although there are a few who will be seen dancing in the crowd as well. If anyone were to ask for instruction, they'd be all to happy to accommodate those people.

Fire Dancers

As night falls a different sort of dancer emerges, with fans and sticks and poi, wreathed in flame and dangerous if it weren't for the grace with which they perform. These performers keep away from anything flammable, and other Sparrows will be quick to drag back anyone who gets too close, as it could be dangerous for the dancer and onlooker both.

Comments

[foxsays]

As much as Araceli did enjoy the party, and the sight of Korrin in her finery (and as much as she damn well knows Korrin enjoyed seeing her in much the same), getting to see Araceli in a more casual number when they don't have to worry about being on their very best behaviour, and when Araceli isn't having to disappear off to investigate things as part of a secret test means they're both enjoying tonight more.

There will be more Orlesian parties. More chances to make Korrin swallow her tongue when she laces herself into a corset.

Tonight they can forget about how Araceli is having to leave very soon, even if it's only for a little while (haha) and actually enjoy themselves after everything that's happened lately. The music changes to something more lively just as Araceli's about to take a sip of her drink and she grabs Korrin's out of her hand too, shoving them on the table as she pulls her with her.

"Come on, come on, this is good, this is like a dance from home!" How can Korrin resist when she swings her hips like that, skirt swaying to and fro so that decorative belted section at her hips catches the light, a cheeky smile on her face.

[gatheringstorm]

That casual number definitely draws Korrin's gaze throughout the party, all of it. She can't deny that there's something about seeing Araceli in the garb of her kind that's very appealing, and the bottom half adds a more personal touch. Meshing the two cultures together, Castilean and Tal-Vashoth, and blending them perfectly. It makes her want to add a touch of Araceli's homeland to her own garb, though it's a bit late for that now. But perhaps she'll get around to asking for next time.

As for how she can resist? She can't, not at all. Those swaying hips and skirt are more than enough incentive. Knowing that it's easier to cooperate rather than make Araceli strain herself, she readily joins her and abandons those drinks for now. "You have my attention, kadan, now and always...but especially now. Show me more of those moves from home."

And of course she'll give Araceli something to stares at, as well. Being at eye-level with her chest always puts Korrin in a mind to show it off in the best light.

[foxsays]

Hopefully in Rivain Araceli can pick out a few more things to round out her wardrobe since everything else is Ferelden or Orlesian for the most part, and nearly all of it entirely practical even down to the fancy dresses she's bought since she'll no doubt have many more parties to attend in the future. Finding this had been a stroke of luck that had involved haggling until her head ached. Definitely worth it for the look on Korrin's face and she knows she's got a corset that matches it too should she ever decide to dress it up.

"It was a shame you couldn't come to Antiva," Araceli says as she leads the way out, picking up the beat easily - it's a fast number, lots of drums, lots of strumming and the antaam-saar might be supportive but it's being put to the test as Araceli moves. "After all it was Antiva, the brothel - there was music there, Zevran was there, it was a brothel so no one would have cared if I'd danced naked…"

People will probably throw them out if they do that here and there isn't music back in their room.

[gatheringstorm]

"Dancing naked? How you tempt me, kadan. Though even in the summer, I know we'd freeze attempting that out in the open." A true shame, for now that Araceli's mentioned it, the image won't go away. She'll get her revenge by likewise moving to the beat and giving her the best fest of her muscles and antaam-saar top that she can, not to mention those hips. If there's one thing Korrin has going for her, it's curves and muscle.

"Though you know, Rivain's a different story. Warmer and people give less of a shit about stuff that doesn't matter." Nude beaches are a thing, and she'll be happy to introduce them, if they get a chance. They should, with extra time taken to spoil the birthday girl.

[foxsays]

"This is what happens when people think it's a good idea to put their Inquisition up a mountain, along with my usual complaints about the food, and I'm sure the fashion comes under that too." Not that she has any complaints about Korrin's attire, not with that view when she pulls her closer to dance against her in a way that someone will surely say is indecent but they're clearly just jealous. Two beautiful women who look like Korrin and Araceli, dressed such as they are and having the time of their lives? Yes, definitely jealous.

"I don't think I'll still be there for her birthday," she points out since it's unfortunately only going to be a short trip to Dairsmuid for some research she can't do while she's in Skyhold. "Perhaps we can both get some time one day when there isn't so much to occupy both of us, I don't think anything like shore leave exists for the Inquisition."

You know since no one knows what the future holds after all, as disappointing as it'll be to be in Skyhold, up a mountain, miles from the ocean on the actual day of it. She'll do what she can before she comes back, swimming every day when she isn't studying but...but for now there is Korrin, and dancing, and she won't let anything disappoint her.

[gatheringstorm]

"It was Solas' idea about the mountain castle, so go blame him. Me, I'd have gone for the Storm Coast or at least Jader. Still in the middle, but less of a pain in the ass to reach." It wouldn't be strictly neutral territory, though, so Korrin can see why the Inquisition leadership chose to remain at Skyhold even after it wasn't as vital. Even so, she can't deny that steep slopes and harsh weather get so very old after a while.

As it is, she'll certainly take advantage of what passes for summer in the mountains. If it makes those looking on jealous, that's a bonus, but really the bulk of her attention is on the woman pulling her closer. She'll take passion and 'indecency' any day over ballroom dances deemed fashionable but devoid of any real sentiment. Speaking of sentiment, Korrin's unable to help herself and leans in to brush those lips against whatever part of Araceli she can best reach and not break their rhythm. "You're right, there isn't. But even if we can't get very far, I'll be happy to kidnap you whenever we can get away with it, kadan. You need time away from here as much as I do, and I'd never refuse you if it could be helped."

[foxsays]

There's a moment that's probably familiar to Korrin, where a thoughtful look flits across Araceli's face for a moment as she recalls the map of Thedas that now lives in their quarters. "The Storm Coast might be better than Jader since Jader is settled, and believe me, you can make sure you're not blockaded by sea but there are so many people here who haven't even seen the sea! Can you imagine that?" Araceli clearly can barely get her head around it from her astonished tone, bordering on appalled since she can't imagine not living surrounded by the ocean her whole life. And Skyhold is still falling apart when they're not really doing as much as they could be doing about some of the holes in the roof or the towers that are in danger of crumbling.

Rising up on her toes, trusting that the bindings of the antaam-saar on Korrin's arms are as secure as those on her own, she uses them for leverage to pull her down further for a kiss, not really caring about the rhythm when she'll be in Rivain on her own for a while. It's not quite her last day but it's close enough, and she'll have packing to do and the last minute things that always take longer than you think they will. "You're so good to me, there are things we're supposed to do. We have to go to the sea and be by the water for our birthdays, it's a cultural thing and up a mountain? There's nowhere very near that I could get to for the day itself. I can do it before, it'll be fine. Everyone must make the best of it, no one can be selfish."

[gatheringstorm]

That map is one of Korrin's favorite things about their quarters, and she'll often point to a spot on it and ramble off about some weird mercenary job or random adventure in some remote or not-so-remote corner of Thedas. She's even been to the edge of the Anderfels, seen the Volca Sea though not traveled it herself. One day, perhaps.

So, she grins. "I can completely imagine that, yes. Hell, I've been to the blasted parts of the Anderfels, with no sea breeze to temper the heat, and the Deepwoods, a forest so thick that sunlight doesn't get through. And endless, flat, boring plains. I could show you it all, but I won't be so cruel as to take you so far from the sea. Not when you've made me appreciate it anew." The sea has consistently played a part in her life to some degree, especially in Rivain, but seeing it through Araceli's eyes is something altogether magical.

Getting tugged down or -in this case- seeing Araceli pull herself up to reach her always gets Korrin to smile. Since she doesn't care about disrupting the rhythm, then the feeling can be mutual as she lingers in that kiss for a moment. She'll miss her greatly even for that short while apart, so that kiss says. "We can be a little selfish. Not much, but we'll snag whatever we can, remind ourselves of what we're fighting for. Morale's important." So is taking the time to let her kadan know just how precious she is to her, moment by moment. It's something she never tires of, wherever they are. "We'll be by the water as soon as we can manage it, and make it count."

[foxsays]

Knowing where Korrin has been often helps to put things into context when she's just seeing names in books as she's studying, same as when she quizzes any of her friends in Thedas but Korrin is always here, and Korrin is always more than happy to answer all her questions for as long as she likes. Perks of having a mercenary for a kadan she supposes, the same way she has such an advantage in life with her parents. (You are the sea's child, her parents would say, the sea had such plans for you, it will always guide you in life.)

"There are parts of Zimevur where it rains but once a year and no one has ever crossed the whole of the desert, or so they say, the dunes stretch too far and no one can carry so much water with them. And Estene has such forests, it's where we get the wood to build our ships where they don't have these huge tracts of farmland on the border with Ebeos, where most of the food comes from. It's how all our treaties work. We all depend upon something from the other." Her eyes light up the way they always do when Korrin says that about the sea, pulling her closer again, hip to hip as best she can manage as her smile turns sultry. "How could you not appreciate it, sirena? The sea is in my blood."

Laughing, Araceli ducks her head and shakes out her curls. "You know, that was the argument we used to get the Tal-Vashoth chefs to come to Skyhold, Beleth and I? Of how they cared nothing for spices, how the Inquisition would care for food then, how it broke my poor kadan's heart each day not to be in a place where the kitchen might have dreamed of saffron." Plus they were all Tal-Vashoth so dropping a tiny bit of qunlat had been a bit of ploy at first just to see how things went, and someone had looked for the dragon's tooth right away but it had worked.

[gatheringstorm]

Hearing about Araceli's home world always makes her smile, almost being able to see them herself given the colorful, detailed descriptions. It puts her in a mind to bring her to places that match those descriptions as much as possible, giving her more of a connection to Thedas. She may not be able to cure homesickness, but she can do her best to alleviate it when the opportunity strikes. That sultry smile brings out one in herself, naturally, turning her thoughts back to the here and now. "Oh, I appreciate it. And I'll show you just how much, later."

Some things are for Araceli and Araceli alone, after all.

That laugh is infectious, and she can't help but share it, casting an admiring grin at her love. "Did you add some water works or perhaps a tremble in your voice? Though even without, you must have been very effective. You and Beleth saved all of us who have proper taste. We're forever in your debt." She'll definitely have to thank those Tal-Vashoth chefs in person, too.

[foxsays]

"A reminder to keep you warm when Skyhold is so cold at night?" Rivain is going to be hot after all, so she can't make the sort of jokes she had about Emprise du Lion the same way back at her this time. "There's always the sending crystal, I can be quiet. Quieter."

Well she can make a valiant attempt and hope that Korrin's grandmother doesn't really care too much about whatever she hears on Araceli's end. It's not as if Araceli's going to care, being raised in a brothel as she was.

"I didn't need to when Beleth thought chocolate was a spice." Hand on her heart, even Araceli had needed to stare at her for a while when she'd heard that one, poor Burly and his gentle broken heart, he didn't flee the Qun to run into yet more sorrows. "No, I did a lot of bouncing and listed off the spices I knew, then Burly let me try the sauce he was making."

[gatheringstorm]

"Oh, Beleth." Korrin shakes her head pityingly at that, glad that Araceli was there to rescue her from such notions and that it'd won them some decent chefs. "Sad thing is, I'm sure she's not alone here in that. With any luck, Burly at the others will turn that around."

Mention of the sending crystal brings forth a mischievous grin. "I'll be as loud as you want me to be to make up for it, kadan. Though I'm sure you can get away with more than you think. She had to put up with two young Tal-Vashoth going at it, and that's anything but quiet. Odds are she won't give a shit."