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

[judgemewhole]

Oh, and now, he's blushing again. He breathed out, sharply, before he set his shoulders. "I am ... looking at her to have a dance. With me."

He has absolutely no idea what will happen after that.

[el_tybs]

"... You're looking for her so you can ask her to dance," he says, not asking, just restating it... less awkwardly. Obviously he wasn't quite expecting that for an answer, wrapping his head around that for a moment.

He notes the red on James's cheeks.

"James," he starts, a grin slowly spreading on his face. "Are you... and Beleth...?"

[judgemewhole]

"I. Ah. No. No we have not ... done anything." He let out an aggravated breath, as he looked around again, "It is near impossible to get there if I cannot find her. If I could find her, then maybe then you can mock but ... not right at this moment."

[el_tybs]

"'Done anything'? I was just curious if you were just seeing each other." You know, like taking first steps; the innocent stuff. Mostly because he's never seen James just ask anyone to dance. "And I'm not mocking you. When have I done that? Amused." And perhaps a little surprised.

"Have you tried calling her crystal and asking where she is?"

[judgemewhole]

"Well that is what I ... meant as well. I mean, I am trying to talk to her to see if she would like to be seen. With me. In an informal, formal sort of way." He sighed, "And yes, I have. No answer."

[el_tybs]

So 'no', but it looked and sounded like James was interested. "Hm, no answer, huh?" Perhaps she couldn't hear it or had turned it off?

"Well... can't say I've seen her, but then again there are a lot of masks and I haven't been on the lookout. I could give you a call if I do see her. Could see if her brother knows where she is." As soon as Sam says that he makes a bit of a face. "Or... maybe you could call Cyril and see if he knows." Probably better/safer chance there.

[judgemewhole]

He sighed and shook his head, then glowered at his crystal as if he had done a personal wrong. Interceptor went and bumped his leg, just to make himself more comfortable.

"...I. Er. No, no I think I would rather him ... not knowing." And not because Sorrel Ashara would have so much on his mind right now with Sina taken so ill.

[el_tybs]

Sam nods at that. As soon as he had said it he realized that probably wasn't a good idea. Sorrel wasn't a bad guy, but it still seemed he struggled with certain things with humans, which probably wouldn't mix well with... interest to his sister. "Yeah... yeah. Maybe someone from the scouting division would have an idea?"

[judgemewhole]

"... that would be a more ... viable idea." He stated firmly, as he looked around for one of the familiar green uniforms. He already had been threatened when he had gone with Pel for a few months. After that ended - twice - he was ... more than willing to be paranoid about it.

[el_tybs]

He doesn't blame James in the least in being wary. Sighing he gives his friend a pat on the shoulder. "How about I buy you a drink? Who knows, maybe Beleth will be there as well."

[judgemewhole]

"I - yes. Yes, that would be good. I would like that." He sighed, patting Sam in turn. "Perhaps it would be best if I stopped looking like a desperate foo."

[el_tybs]

"Hm. Definitely not worth tying yourself in knots. It'll work itself out, I'm sure. I find sometimes what you're looking for shows up when you don't necessarily look for it." He doesn't put his mask back on as they walk, leading James to one of the stalls. "I think they still had wine at this one."

[judgemewhole]

"... well you make a good point there." He mutters, putting a hand down to stroke the dog at his side, who was leaning in for comfort and giving support. He sighed, and nodded. "Probably more of the better stuff, now that they've gone through most of the cheaper."

[el_tybs]

Sam makes a note that they should get Interceptor some water and probably a treat; dogs shouldn't be left out of the Satinalia spirit.

"That's the spirit!" he laughs at the bit of optimism. "Maybe something even better if you actually flash a smile." A pause. "Of wine. I'm talking about wine." Just clarifying, that's all he was referring to, especially since James as looking for someone.

[judgemewhole]

There's a reason Interceptor likes you best, Sam. Well not entirely best but you are up there in his doggy estimation for your kindness and liberal attitude towards treats.

A faint smile, than turned into a laugh. "... I doubt that my smile will get us a better vintage, Sam."

[el_tybs]

He would not be disappointed if James was in fact the 'likes you best' person. And of course, he was Fereldan, he had a soft spot for dogs. Besides being able to turn into one himself now.

"You sure about that? There was one woman giving me a lot of extra stuff... up until Jim came along though." He chuckled lightly in return. Alright, maybe it wasn't just the smile, but had to start someplace.

[judgemewhole]

Well, such things aren't beyond James's notice, but he would never think of himself as the fellow that everyone 'liked best'. Of course being Fereldan wasn't a bad thing, or the other thing.

"....Yes well. Between the two of you I assume they don't need more stiff charm from me." The smirk on his face was a warm one.

[el_tybs]

No, not everyone, just your mabari; their owner should be the person they like best.

"Between the two of us, maybe. Together? They find you less charming when they realize they don't stand a chance. Should have seen the look Jim got when he collected me from this one stall." Not that he was intentionally misleading people of course.

[judgemewhole]

Well that is fair - and it is true. Interceptor is absolutely mad about James. You can tell by the way he looks up at him.

"...Ah-hah. So I would have a better chance because - I have yet to be - taken." Er. Yes. Right. Hrm.

[el_tybs]

Sam sighs and gives James a shove in the arm. "Not 'yet to be' - you're working on that." The actual status of 'taken' and 'not taken' is not what he's getting at here, James.

"All I'm saying is that right now it's just us, give the lady a nice smile, try to have a little holiday spirit, and maybe she'll have something better on the rack for you to drink."

[judgemewhole]

"... I am working on that." He sucked in a breath, looking around again. "....but yes, I suppose I can manage one smile at least. For something good off the rack."

[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.

[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."