OPEN: Satinalia

[faderifting]

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: SATINALIA
WHEN: Firstfall 1
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Party hard, use content warnings, move explicit content to inboxes.

Named for Satina, the smaller of Thedas' two moons, Satinalia is a celebration of freedom, marked by wild celebration, pranks, the donning of costumes and masks -- not the fine, delicate masks of Orlais, but animals and caricatures and playful horrors -- and the exchange of gifts both sincere and satirical.

There is no party at the Gallows, but those who can be spared on Satinalia may be given the night off to join Kirkwall's celebration, which spans the entire city and will take several days to peter out. Hightown plays host to lavish balls—but you'll need an invitation, and the unlucky guards posted at the stairs leading into the nobles' district are especially on guard for mischief-makers. There's no such crackdown in Lowtown, where masked revelers spill out of taverns and into the streets, often bringing barrels of ale along with them. Even Darktown gets involved, in its own way: anyone who can afford a celebration goes to Lowtown, but some of the roving bands of thieves in the tunnels don animal masks for the occasion.

And near the docks, enterprising children draped in white cloth are selling admission to a "haunted" warehouse for one copper. Adorable—except that some of the partiers exiting seem genuinely terrified, with one unfortunate man even having wet himself. Taking the children up on their offer will reveal that they have a genuine haunting on their hands. Doors slam, objects fly, footsteps appear in the dirt floor. There's laughter at the edge of hearing and movement on the edge of vision, and brief snatches of a sea shanty sung in a monotone. Make a hasty exit, or try to find the source.

Comments

[universal_charm]

"It's a good trait to have. I'm sure it makes your job a lot easier," he nodded. "Work smarter, not harder, as they say." He raised his glass to her as if in congratulations on mastering this particular skill. "You know, we haven't played Wicked Grace in the longest time. I think it was at a festival you first taught me, actually."

[el_tybs]

How could he not know how handsome he was? Both Jim and Cyril made an effort to point it out all the time. He just didn't act on it... much.

When Kirk reaches for the cup he makes sure he has a hold before giving up possession of the drink. "I cannot deny that." That Jim was a covetous man. "That's very hard to give a suggestion of something to do if you're fighting with yourself on how to have me in public."

[universal_charm]

"That is true. And honestly, we should probably check on the animals. So... head home? After stop for a few snacks," he said, not wanting to miss out on the delicious treats being sold at the vendors while they were still there. He especially liked the sugary treats or the sweet ones if he could get them. Normally he wasn't much one for a sweet tooth, but special occasions? Absolutely. And he was sure he could find something fun to use them for as well, where Sam was concerned.

"That is, if you've had enough of the festival for tonight."

[el_tybs]

Ah-huh. The animals. Sam gives Jim a knowing look all the while stealing back the drink and actually taking a sip from it. "Sounds like you want the more intimate event of the holiday. Covetous indeed; already stealing him away from the crowds.

"So long as we get a few snacks that I like... and a couple more cups of this drink, I can call it an early evening from public."

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

"Well of course not - you're a gallant sort, yeah?" He grins at him. "Do I owe you another drink?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Well, that has to change!" Korrin takes a lengthy swig, then stands up. "Save my seat and I'll bring back a deck. It's about time we put an end to that dry spell, right?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

It seems that some kind of... something might be in order, even if it's just having Inquisition members go around to figure out how many thin places there might be. If that's even feasible. But that's a question for another time.

For now, there's a creepy spirit to deal with, and it really is enjoying this chance to get up close and personal. As the glyph takes effect, the spirit's motions are slowed down considerably, until it's not moving at all. That seems to be holding it for now...

"Are there more where this came from?" He looks around the room uneasily. Already, some random items in the room are starting to move around, seemingly of their own accord.

[circleprodigy]

"It seems so. Get the one trapped in the glyph, I'll draw in the rest." Quite literally; Inessa casts Pull of the Abyss, to draw them to a central point so knock them down with Veilstrike. Garahel can overwhelm what's left.

[aforethought]

Hooves, riders; her heart jars sudden, she bites on her tongue — and if you try hard enough at not thinking, sometimes you succeed.

Isn't that the whole point of a holiday? Not the ritual, but the meat of it: Time off from needing to be yourself a while. Streets stretched full of masks, of plausible deniability; this will never have happened tomorrow.

(Maybe that's how Orlais gets away with it.)

Melys draws the pipe back to herself again, conjures warmth into blood gone sudden-cold. It's a poor shield for wintertime: for these days, bad days, when the old days twist near. Ice'll be in the streets soon, skimmed over half-puddles of grime. It's never a proper winter in the Marches, only the wind comes calling, the storms do.

Sleet and memory will chew their shivery teeth.

"Could be worse," She murmurs, loud enough to catch, quiet enough she can't quite hear herself speak — "Could conjure family."

Better they aren't here with him. Better they aren't in fucking Kirkwall.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Good... that ought to hold them for the time being." Kain does exactly as she says, eager to be rid of these creepy spirits. He draws his sword to strike the trapped spirit. It's so much easier to handle them when they're not wildly flying all over the place. That one dealt with, he looks to see where the others are being drawn to, heading over to help out Garahel with dispatching them once Inessa's spell takes effect.

[universal_charm]

"You know me far to well," he said, not that he sounded displeased by this fact as his gaze scanned the stalls, looking for something for them to snack on as he had promised.

He turned his gaze to Sam after a moment, just smiling to himself as he watched the flicker of light across his features, half hidden by the mask. God, he was lovely, wasn't he? Sometimes he had to wonder how he had gotten quite so lucky as to snag Samouel, how he managed to keep him around.

"We'll get a whole gallon of the stuff if you like."

[el_tybs]

"Very well," he mutters in agreement, sipping at his drink.

While Jim looked at the stalls from afar, Sam's eyes were more intent on watching what was in front of him. His lips quirked up into a small smile behind the cup, taking in the profile of Kirk's bare face, watching how intent he was in finding their 'supplies' so that he could get them home in a quick manner. Course as soon as he saw Jim turning his gaze towards him, Sam directed his sight elsewhere, pretending that he was equally looking. Honestly he didn't know why he did, just out of habit to not get caught staring at someone. So after a moment he looks back, noticing Jim looking at him and gives a smile in return.

"A whole gallon? Not sure that will last, but I suppose I shouldn't get too spoiled."

[universal_charm]

"Saved!" he called, throwing his legs up and into the chair when she vacated it in a universal sign of 'saving' - or just being an asshole, but as he was definitely doing the latter so he felt utterly justified and didn't mind throwing a gesture to anyone who protested.

[universal_charm]

"I think you owe me a few more, but I'll just take the one for now," he chirped back. "Speaking of, did you want to come for a ride soon? On Atlas, I mean."

[el_tybs]

"Course you'll have to be the judge on whether it's 'good off the rack'. I suck at wines." Still not a wine drinker at all, so sorry James, can't really leave it up to him to know that.

[el_tybs]

Yeah, that is a most familiar face, scowl included. "Beleth?" Regardless of saying she seemed familiar it was still surprising to see who was behind the mask - probably because a certain Templar had been moping to him that he couldn't find her.

"Well... wha- why were you trying to pretend you were... not you?" A pause with a thoughtful frown. "... And the Templars don't take care of everything around here." You had to give Kirkwall's city guard credit that they did deal with stuff. Not to mention other Inquisition members dealing with issues - don't get him started about the dogs, the bandits, and the group of children.

Re: Lowtown

[meds4sale]

Kirk was getting a Look. It wasn't a particularly descriptive Look - the Medicine Seller didn't really do things like feelings or expressions, but there was something flatter about the flat stare that spoke volumes.

How does it feel to have a man dressed like a walking acid trip judge your life and your choices, Captain Kirk?

"Space ships," he repeated. "I see." That's a little much, even for him.

Recalling Kirk's original order, he examined his stores. "The ingredients have changed a little since last time, though they are more common," he explained. "The price will be a little lower. Have you had any unpleasant reaction to the medicine of Thedas?"

Re: Lowtown

[universal_charm]

He let out a little laugh at the look, honestly expecting it to some degree. He knew it was hard for most anyone to believe, but especially those from time periods where man had not even made it to the moon.

"Or starships, if you prefer. My job in my world was traveling the stars and discovering new worlds and people," he clarified, or perhaps just muddled it. It was always hard to tell.

He shook his head to the Seller's question. "No, not as of yet. Still being careful, but everything you sold me last time hasn't triggered a reaction. So you're my favorite medicine seller for it." He cracked a new smile, though he has a feeling if it's returned it won't be in quite the same way of the man found humor in any way like a human might.

[arlathvhen]

"That's the point of Satinalia, isn't it? Wearing masks and hiding your identity." She's pretty sure that's not quite it, but she doesn't want to get into the nitty gritty at the moment. Mostly because it's horribly embarrassing.

"And I know Templars don't take care of everything around here. I was trying to act like..." She waves her hand in the air, frowning. "...Someone normal, I guess. Isn't that what normal people think? They all like the Templars." Maybe she should spend more time studying how normal Kirkwall elves act. "I'm still going to call some Templars to take care of this, though. But not just them. It's still probably for the best we didn't try dealing with it by ourselves."

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

"I'll be sure to make sure we even out the drinking amounts then." He smirked back, as he made sure as he poured another ale. Then his gaze brightened, "I do! I will!"

[judgemewhole]

"Trust me, I shall taste as I can." He smirked as he ambled on behind him, his walk slow and considered.

[el_tybs]

Sam nods at that. "You have my complete trust." There's a moments pause as he works out continuing to walk, but bending over to Interceptor. "And what about you? I take it wine isn't your thing either, right?"

[judgemewhole]

"Good. When it comes to this, I am a master." Interceptor woofed an agreement, as James smirked an arched an eyebrow. "In fact. I prefer wine, my friend. And I have a remarkable palate."

[el_tybs]

There's a moment where all Sam does is stare with a raised brow at James, working out what he just said. After a moment it seems to click that the man was 'interpenetrating' for Interceptor.

"Well aren't you two fancy."

[el_tybs]

Beleth's explanation certainly has Sam blinking at her for a few moments. First about the hiding your identity bit, and then the 'normal' person part. It didn't quite make sense, but it looked like she was trying - just perhaps a little too hard?

"Ye-ah? To a certain extent? Pretending is part of the fun, but I don't think you need to go... that far." Certainly explained why technically no one had seen Beleth, it was because she had been 'hiding'. "And I honestly cannot say I know what 'normal' people think, but... most towns do like Templars, however I think it might be slightly different for people in Kirkwall? There was that whole issue some years back..."

Mages, Templars, Ferelans, Qunari... the Inqusition. There's been a long list of things he's heard the residents complaining about.

"Ah... you know," he starts, realizing something. "I could make the call for help. Um... Ja- Norrington, was looking for you a bit ago."

[OoC: Sorry for taking forever. More then welcome to wrap it up.]