open; My girl, linen and curls

[foxsays]

WHO: Araceli Bonaventura; open
WHAT: Beach party
WHEN: Solace 22nd
WHERE: A nice bit of the Wounded Coast
NOTES: As ever, starters in the comments, feel free to make your own. People shockingly having a good time where nothing terrible happens, let me know if anything happens that I need to update for and warn in the headers please! The big beach cookout as mentioned in this post. Also Araceli's birthday, if you want to catch her doing the birthday thing that has a separate starter.

Comments

vitamin sea | birthday | ota;

[foxsays]

[First light finds Araceli slipping away from Kirkwall with Lux on her heels - arrangements have been made to make sure everything gets to where it needs to go for later in the day, only the most urgent of affairs is to interrupt her - and she takes off on her nuggalope and out of the city proper.

It isn't the longest journey to where she wants to go and even if she could do this in Kirkwall, she doesn't need to. She has the choice. So she leaves and eventually makes her way to where a few things have already been set up for later in the evening, the nuggalope happy enough to explore new ground, the fox stretching himself out on the sand as she strips off completely, everything weighed down with her blades and away from the tides, Lux guarding them.

A few people she knows here know that her own don't celebrate birthdays as they do. There aren't gifts, there aren't the big celebrations but there's always this. There's returning to the sea the way you first stepped out of it so long ago. The water here is colder than the waters of Rivain last year but fortune has smiled on her because even if this still isn't the sea of her birth, Araceli's never had to beg an excuse to be away from the Inquisition just for this that perhaps might have been denied.

Taking a deep breath, she wades in then slides beneath the surface, eyes shut, listening to heart pounding in her ears until she eventually has to surface again.]

[eolasemah]

[Though Sina doesn't understand every ritual, Araceli and Korrin came to her bonding, and she'll be blighted if she can't return the favor to some degree. She follows a short while later, allowing her friend a bit of time just to be alone and do her thing, and announces herself several minutes with the shrill yelp that comes of putting her foot in water that is ice cold.
In a similar state of undress, Sina is thin and shivering and hugging herself, but trying. She smiles apologetically at Araceli and puts her other foot in, wincing.]

Da'fen, [she shivers,] I hope I'm not too early.

[foxsays]

[When her lungs burn, Araceli surfaces.

Breathless, tossing her head so her hair falls in a long wet rope down her back hard enough to sting she blinks the salt from her eyes to see-- yes, that's Sina. Araceli swims closer to the shore until she can stand comfortably, the tide pulling at her from the waist down.]

No, this part? This part is done first and early. Alone or with the people we're closest to if they want to come be part of it. [Maybe Sina will mistake the tightness of her voice from just having been under the water for who knows how long instead of the lump there is in her throat. It was one thing when it was Korrin because your lover is always different, but this is such an old thing, and having a friend here is more than she expected.

She swallows hard.]

Once you get moving in the water, the chill goes away, but there's no rush this is time to be with the sea. And the sea is older than all things.

[eolasemah]

[Araceli is under long enough for Sina to start worrying about her, and she exhales a small sigh of relief when that thick curly mane resurfaces. Reassured, she wades in a bit farther, making a face like she's being tortured.]

The sea is older than all things, [she repeats breathlessly, like a mantra. If there's anything that can get Sina behind a ritual, it's reminding her that it's old and far greater than herself or anyone she knows.
The reflection of her anchor in the water sparkles cheerfully, and tints green a small radius around them as Sina submerges her chest. A gasp escapes her, but from the cold, not pain.]

enough food to feed half of kirkwall probably | ota;

[foxsays]

[Remember a few weeks ago when Araceli brought up the whole 'let's have food that's kind of Antivan and kind of Rivaini, kind of somewhere in the middle'?

Remember any time Araceli has ever fed you? Or talked about how she has absolutely no idea how to cook for two people because when you grow up only knowing how to cook for pretty much a whole building the idea of sensible portions is laughable? Yeah, that.

There's a whole variety of food some provided by the Inquisition or whoever else might have volunteered to bring some from home, things Araceli has cooked herself that definitely look more like the Rifter end of the spectrum. It's a pretty seafood based affair with a big bonfire going once it gets late enough for that, and there's obviously booze because what party is complete without it?

Everyone's worked hard since they all came to Kirkwall, they've earned a night off to enjoy themselves.]

[thecookery]

[You know, it's been a hot minute since Avery has really been able to just stop, take a breath, and make some food she likes without having some other big responsibility looming over her, and... it was actually kind of nice. The dish, simple shrimp and vegetable mix that it may be, also turns out quite delicious, so that's another plus!

But once the actual cooking is done and Avery is at the party, she remembers that she is an awkward mess and terrible at socializing. If anyone cares to find her for whatever reason, she'll be off at the edge of things somewhere with a drink, wondering if she should go find some work that needs doing. It wouldn't be hard, and at least then she'd have something to do with her hands right now.]

[foxsays]

Avery!

[From somewhere - Araceli is a little here, there, everywhere, flitting around and trying not to trip over the fox that's just wandering around with his mouth open and head up waiting for food to fall right into his waiting face - she beams.

Are you ready to be pounced because you're probably about to be pounced.]

You came! And you cooked!

[thecookery]

[She is NOT ready, but when and why would that ever stop it from happening anyway??]

Oh, uh, right. I did. As did more, which is... good, yeah?

[See? Awkward.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Actual, physical gifts may not be part of Araceli's birthday tradition but that doesn't mean Korrin won't be hard at work ensuring that this beach gathering is at its best. She'll cart around food and booze wherever it's needed, helping with the cooking wherever Araceli will let her and making sure everyone has enough of what they like. It's true she's been relatively antisocial lately, but for tonight she seems to be making up for that, contributing to the festive atmosphere as best she can.

Anyone who so much as looks like they're thinking of having more booze or food will have a plate and a bottle shoved their way promptly, with a smile.]

Go ahead, indulge. Tonight's not a night to do anything half-assed!

[foxsays]

[At some point, eventually, Araceli emerges from wherever she's been tonight flitting here, there, everywhere. It's been a long day already but this is one of those days where she can keep going until the very last person drops and use tomorrow to catch up on the sleep she's missed. After all she disappeared so early without even bothering to wake Korrin to let her sleep soundly and then she was running around organising things so she's kind of finally clapping eyes on her properly now.

An arm wraps around Korrin from behind, a slightly sweaty forehead pressed against wherever she reaches then she's there.]

Looking forward to tonight? [No she's not checking up on you at all why would she be doing that?]

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin would joined Araceli of course, no hesitation, but truth be told a little extra sleep is exactly she needed. Her attempts to distract herself from the pain of losing Kas the way they did means exhaustion comes to her more often these days. When it will ease up, who knows, but it's the way of things now.

Upon feeling Araceli's arms wrap around her, Korrin smiles and pauses what she's doing to savor this moment.]

Of course, kadan. You're saving some of those dances for me, right? And how was this morning?

[justice_is_blond]

[There's so much food. Anders himself has brought a couple of bottles of wine because he's fairly certain you don't come empty-handed to parties. He'd be more sure if he'd been invited to more, likely, but mages getting to come to parties... He cuts off that thought path before it gets too far. He's been invited here. He's welcome. It makes all the difference in the world.

With that thought he seeks out Araceli, managing to pass by the food despite his grumbling stomach.]

Happy birthday.

[His smile and voice are both warm as he holds out the box with the bottles in it.]

I wasn't sure what you'd like so I brought you something that you could use.

[foxsays]

[Any time Araceli has ever mentioned the whole 'I don't know how to cook for one or two people thing'? She wasn't lying. She doesn't. This wasn't all her of course but cooking for her has always been knowing how to make enough to feed a whole building so that's what she does best.

Anyway she turns quickly from whatever she's been doing, probably making sure Lux doesn't attempt to eat enough because foxes don't explode but he'd give it his best shot and grins.]

Gracias Anders. [And now for the awkward part because here's what happens when people know your birthday but not your culture.] Useful things are always appreciated though gifts aren't necessary on birthdays. Well, I know in Thedas most people do that but we do the presents bit for babies, maybe to about Lucci's age.

[Not that it's not appreciated, the smile and warmth in her tone say that it is but she feels very awkward because she didn't know how many people actually knew what today was for her personally.]

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders shrugs, giving her a slightly sheepish smile. This is a rather mild case of what happens when he assumes without asking; he's just glad she's not mad that he's done the wrong thing here.]

I'm still relatively new to the whole birthday thing. At least I've not apparently insulted you, and I can remember for next year. And I can assure you that I don't think you're a baby.

[All's well that doesn't blow up in his face, really.]

So what is done for birthdays? Feast, clearly. And they've both been near the water, too.

[theexile]

Though there was plenty of food here, Kattrin had brought the dried fish she'd been making. It was true she could have saved it for her own stores when winter came to them but she felt it more appropriate to share here.

So she was setting it down among the other food now, the flavor smoked just a little and with just the right hint of salt to it. The perfect food for grabbing to snack on as people were walking about. An Avvar staple really.

Of course she was curiously looking at the rest of the food as well. There was plenty in the lowlands she hadn't seen before and she was still getting used to the food that was served here.

[justice_is_blond]

"Ooh. What's that?" He's just made his way to the table and he leans over, looking at the dish. "Fish? It smells delicious. May I?"

In theory he could because it's on the table, but he doesn't want to presume.

[theexile]

She looked up at the voice, recognizing Anders. A little smile and she nodded, sliding some over to him.

"Please. There is plenty for everyone. Though I'd originally dried them for winter I feel that this is a better purpose for them." She picked up a piece herself and tore off a bit to put into her mouth. Just as delicious as her childhood self remembered.

"Preparing foods by drying them is something I learned as a girl so it is one of the most common things I eat now."

if it's been too long, disregard no worries <3

[aforethought]

If there's on thing that Melys can be counted upon to do, it's skulk after the lure of free food.

Picking at the Rifter fare with what can't be disgust — she's been shoving too much else in her mouth for that, with little seeming regard for recipe or origin — but evident puzzlement.

Maker if she knows anything about cooking. But she knows plenty about drinking, as may be evidenced a few hours in, when she approaches Araceli with a few scavenged hot peppers in hand (picking them out of the dish isn't precisely polite, but polite's never really been her wheelhouse).

"How many of these can y’eat at once?"

never too long ssh

[foxsays]

At least most of the food is finger food because the thing is that spending a lot of your life up on a rooftop or running around docks, you tend to get more comfortable with a lack of cutlery in your life. Unless the cutlery is edible.

If you can eat it with your hands, why not eat it with your hands unless the company demands otherwise? It's a beach, the crabs, the gulls, whatever other scavengers come won't mind.

(Lux, for instance, is doing his best to give some enterprising soul the inspiration for a roomba.)

"Of those?" If Araceli's bothered or surprised by the question or what's being offered, it doesn't show but she's been up since first light and she's half-drunk at this point so this seems like a great proposition. "All of them. Comfortably. I don't know if there's anyone here who would cry watching me do it like last time."

Precious memories of the Western Approach.

music & dancing | ota;

[foxsays]

[What sort of beach party is complete without a sing-along when the party is run by a bard who happens to be the daughter of a pirate captain?

A shitty party, that's what. You know you want to get up and sing. Or dance. No one's going to judge. Everyone's drunk enough or you can claim you're working off the embarrassing amount of food you ate, c'mon, it's a party.

What's the worst that can happen, no enterprising souls have developed FadeBook yet, your shame can't be tagged for the masses.]

[aceso]

There are two types of dances. Yes, only two. There is the type that has memorized steps that you repeat over and over that were created to accompany certain songs. Christine loves those. The perfectionist in her loves showing off how she can do each one perfectly, learned in Montsimmard Circle where dancing was just one of the many languages in which Orlesians spoke. She'd always found it the least malicious.

The other type of dancing is the kind made up on the spot, where a person sways and twirls to the beat of any song and they create something new and unique. Christine loves those even more. On any given day, she's led by practicality; whatever makes the most sense, gets the job done in the most beneficial way, etc. But there is a small part of her that thirsts for creative expression, and this is how she achieves it.

As voices and the sounds of instruments drift across the beach, Christine lifts her arms into the air, rotates her wrists, twirls in a circle, twirls back, and creates a dance all her own.

[foxsays]

Plenty of people Araceli know would disagree with that sort of assessment of dancing Christine but since it hasn't been voiced, there isn't actually anything to object to as it stands. Araceli knows the ones with rules but prefers the ones without or the ones where you make them up as you go because you're so busy laughing you can't bring yourself to care, drunk on life as much as whatever was in your glass.

Handing the lute off to someone else that she trusts it to - how long she's had it now, she'd be upset if it was damaged - she watches Christine just long enough to join her, matching how she moves as she reaches out to take one hand.

"You don't know how happy I am to see you enjoying yourself."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's not sauced enough for belting out drinking songs just yet, but working off her appetite sounds like a wonderful idea. And since there aren't too many people dancing at first, she'll take the lead. It's nothing practiced, just a spontaneous moving in time to the beat, showing off her toned body to its best effect. There's no self-consciousness here, and she can only hope that sentiment is contagious. People need to let go of their inhibitions once in a while.

Once there are enough people to keep it going, she concerns herself less with the beat itself and more in finding a partner to enjoy it with. Araceli is first in mind, of course, but anyone who seems as thought they might need some encouragement will be greeted with an offered hand an a smile. Time to live it up a little.

[theexile]

Kattrin wasn't familiar with any of the songs and dances here but she was enjoying herself from where she was sitting. A smile was on her face as she laughed at the antics of others. Honestly this had been the most fun she'd had in months. She was glad she came here to celebrate this new friend and teacher of hers.

Of course one could convince her to dance, it wasn't like it would be that hard. It wasn't even the drink that would convince her really. Mostly she just needed someone to approach her.

Though, she was content to keep people resting from the dance company as well.

[gatheringstorm]

"Kattrin!" Waving, Korrin calls out as she catches sight of her and weaves around the dancers to reach her friend. It's easily done since no one wants to get in the way of a larged horned woman, even one known to be friendly.

"Care to dance? This is too good a beat to just sit on the sidelines. C'mon, I'll teach you."