[ open: all arise! ]

[vorbratta]

WHO: you. yes, you there. you're invited
WHAT: Sonia is throwing a big party, because everyone needs an excuse to get good and drunk together right now. And dancing. There is always dancing.
WHEN: Justinian, shortly after the return of the jungle crew
WHERE: The suite at the top of the mage tower
NOTES: ♫ have some party jams ♫

The month in the jungle was a long one, made longer by the total lack of any alcohol to mitigate the experience. Utterly unthinkable. Sonia is addressing a public need by throwing a grand party -- a public service, even. Besides, it's what she does. When was the last time she got to plan a party, anyway? Granted, this is not a Denerim soiree for the young nobility, but the venue doesn't matter. Only the people and the drinks, and Sonia is assuredly rich in both. It is also a fantastic excuse not to think about any of the bad things that have happened since she was last in Kirkwall.

The decoration in the residential suite at the top of the mage tower would be best classified as improvisational -- one of those drapes tacked along the wall for ambience may be a bedsheet -- but it's the spirit of the thing that counts. One makes do with what one has. In one corner are a few tables laden with spirits, some provided by Sonia, others by generous partygoers. There are a few Barra vineyard vintages in the mix, highlights of her personal collection, a testament to the celebration she considers tonight to be. There's a small selection of food nearby, mostly for snacking to go with the drinks, though guests are free to bring whatever they like to share.

And there is, of course, music. Someone here has brought a fiddle or a flute or a bunch of pots masquerading as a drum set. Maybe you've brought your very own a capella choir. Whatever the accompaniment, there's something to dance to. Sonia makes sure there is dancing.

Tonight is not for licking wounds or swapping grisly stories of terror and survival. Tonight is for feeling alive, getting properly and delightfully drunk, and having a good god damn time.

Comments

sonia | ota

[vorbratta]

Sonia is throwing this party for everyone, because everyone deserves to be drunk. But seeing as she was kidnapped before she got around to having a birthday party, it's a little bit of that, too. A little gift to herself, as it were. She likes to see people happy, drinking, dancing, just as much as she likes it herself. It replenishes a warmth in her, something that had gone frighteningly cold after the Crossroads.

But now that she's back here, back home, she's fine. There are no more Venatori kidnappers dragging her around, no more dank, humid jungle or its myriad of insects. She is here, back among friends and family, and she is fine. Everything is normal now! This is a testament to her normalcy! She doesn't need to talk about that at all. She only needs to drink, lots. And dance.

the three stages of drunk sonia
i. tipsy hostess
Sonia loves playing hostess, even when the space is a borrowed one, but she lives in this tower, too, so isn't it just a little bit her suite, too? She flits around the party with a sunny smile, eager to catch up with friends she's been separated from in the last month. She is as bright as ever, her laughter loud and uninhibited, as though those tropical trials are already funny stories to be told over cups. Sonia is here only to laugh, tonight.

She's ready with a drink if yours is running low, or if your hand is suspiciously empty. She's just a good host like that. And it's a terrific time to make new friends, too -- an excellent first impression, she thinks, finally out of the elements and in her element.

ii. the dance floor drunk
A few more drinks, and Sonia is riding high. With grace, of course; one does not get drunk regularly at the Denerim party circuit without learning to hold one's liquor, and Sonia has a deceptively high tolerance. Her eyes are bright, her cheeks are flushed, but she has no trouble holding herself upright -- or dancing, for that matter. She may lack musical talent, but she knows how to move, and more than anything else, takes great joy in doing so. This is the best part of the night for a dance, she insists, and if she sees anyone standing around looking bored or lonely, she won't hesitate to pull them in for a dance. And when she stops to catch her breath on the sidelines, she'll chat up just about anyone standing around. There's no better place to make new friends than a good party.

iii. the afterparty pre-hangover
The problem with parties is that they all end eventually. As the night winds down and the room starts to empty out, the adrenaline goes out with the guests, and Sonia's unguarded mind is left with uncomfortable thoughts that make her stomach squirm. She hadn't considered the possibility that being alone with her thoughts after drinking would be the worst position to put herself in, nor had she considered that a month without alcohol might cut into her tolerance some. The night is almost over, and she feels like she might cry or be sick or both. And it was such a good party.

wildcard
[ hit me at runawayballista for planning! ]

ii

[bouchonne]

Mid-swing through the dance floor, a hand grabs hers and pulls her in. Byerly pulls her in close and begins dancing with her, energetically, cheerfully, almost manic in his enthusiasm.

"A brilliant party, dear cousin," he says. "You've lost your touch not at all."

[vorbratta]

Sonia lets out a noise of surprise that turns into a laugh as Byerly's face whirls into view, her eyes brightening into a smile. Byerly was home in the jungle, and he's home here, too, and especially at this party, a fond echo of the nights they used to spend in Denerim. She leans into the swing and lets the momentum carry her, moving easily with the music.

"I'm delighted to hear it," she says, almost singsong. "It's been so long, I was worried I'd forgotten what a real party looks like."

[bouchonne]

"Not a single monkey - " He plants a kiss on one cheek - "Nor a leech - " A kiss on the other cheek - "And we both smell heavenly." The third kiss ends up on her forehead. "A vast improvement over the sorts of parties we were having out there."

ii

[highborn]

It's been a while since he's been to a party -- a proper party -- and he'd been initially a little reluctant. Something about a strange new place, wanting to keep his wits about him, all that. That hadn't stopped him from dressing as nicely as he could manage (all trim and tailored clothes in dark colors; he has a theme to keep to), though, and those concerns drain away quite quickly, lulled into sleep by the music and the dancing.

The hostess in particular has caught Vanadi's eye, and tonight, for the first time in a long time ... he's feeling charming. It shows in the warm smile as he approaches, preemptively setting his drink down on a nearby table.

"You're quite good," he says, with a brief but admiring flick of a once-over. "Perhaps you might be willing to show me the steps?"

[vorbratta]

Ah, and Sonia is in the perfect mood to be flattered. There's nothing like a few days of rough captivity followed by a full month of jungle camp living, where everything is perpetually covered in three layers of sweat and grime and insects. But she's since bathed -- many times, mostly for assurance and comfort -- and she feels more herself again, and here is one of their charming new Rifters here to liven up her evening. And he does look the part, with that exotic Rifter air, all the more for being an elf. Yes, Sonia is very interested in being entertained by him.

She finishes off with a half-twirl and smiles, her head tilted. "I'd be pleased to, though I'll warn you, the footwork is on the tricky side. It's a popular court dance these days." She grins, looking more mischievous than aloof. "Are you sure you're sober enough to learn?"

[highborn]

He waves off the warning with an unconcerned hand.

"I learn best when I'm not sober," he says dismissively, which is probably not true but accurate enough for tonight. "And such a skillful teacher can't hurt, I'm sure. How does it start?"

wildcardish

[indissection]

Sidony is far less tipsy than the rest of her fellows; she's had a glass of wine and is mulling over her second now, sipping at it absently as she makes herself comfortable. Her dress may be a little more formal than most might expect, but she had scraped it together and she was pleased to have more than just a moments chance to show it off - beyond Byerly, who she is sure would give her acclaim no matter what sort of dress she planned to wear, or Athessa who would rather have her out of it.

Putting her glass to one side, likely to be forgotten, she steps out to take Sonia's hand, laughing softly.

"It's been some time since I danced, cousin."

[vorbratta]

Sonia is grinning, her face shining as she pulls Sidony in for a dance. It's lively, but not too fast; hardly difficult to keep up with, and well-suited for a social moment. Sonia takes the lead with ease, one hand at the small of Sidony's back.

"But you do know how to dance," she says with utter confidence. "It's only a matter of memory. Your body surely remembers the steps. Besides," she adds, her eyes crinkling in a laugh, "if you slip and fall, I'll catch you in a dip, and everyone will think we have just pulled off the most elegant of dance moves."

iii.

[coquettish_trees]

It is a shared feeling, and one inching towards "both" with enough determination to have made Alexandrie slow to begin her movement away from the window she'd been blurrily staring out of for the last...

She doesn't know, actually.

Enough time to make it possible to steel herself to turn away from the sky and catch sight of the hostess looking much as she feels.

"A party well worth the name, Lady Barra," she says, setting down the glass she's only now realized she's still holding with exaggerated care on the nearest horizontal surface. "Do say you have servants here to pick up after us."

threadjacking early to be in the background, feel free to disregard

[sulahnan]

That's when Athessa, far too clear-headed, breezes by and replaces Lexie's spent glass with a fresh one of water, then disappears to fetch something else. Hopefully hangover cures. Or a bucket.

Her efforts are haphazard but executed with good intentions.

iii

[windyvoice]

Wow, that chick is a whole ass mood. Like the ass end of a bad high. The worrrrst. And going through that shit alone sucks, so Jenny Lou does that thing you're supposed to do when you see another waster person going through some shit.

"Hey, you smoke?"

[vorbratta]

Sonia is seated -- on the floor, her back against the wall and legs half-gathered to her chest, while she stares idly at the last bit of wine circling the bottom of her glass. It is most definitely not the look of the dignified. Usually parties end well -- in someone else's bed, or asleep on someone else's comfortable chaise, at least -- but this one had followed the script only until just before the end.

She looks up with bleary eyes and recognizes the lively girl who'd been so excited about the party in the first place. She smiles slightly, if a bit queasily, as though she is genuinely glad to see Jenny Lou.

"Are -- " She has to clear her throat, suddenly clogged. Perhaps she should drink some water. "Are you offering?"

i

[bloodandsand]

Poesia had come more out of curiosity at the noise and the flow of people than the actual announcement. The wine is a bit lacking, but then it is difficult to find wine that matches the richness and depth of wine infused with dragon's blood. Still, it's sweet and the girl who hands her a new, full glass looks even sweeter, so Poesia smiles sweeter still, brushing their fingers together when she takes the glass.

"Goodness, aren't you lovely," she says, "This is a very exciting event after all of the jungle business."

[vorbratta]

Ah, the perfect night for flattery. Sonia had been hoping for it, perhaps counting on it a bit, but new attention is always welcome attention. She smiles back at Poesia, at the artful way she makes contact when she takes the glass.

"Ah, you're too kind," she says, with only half-feigned modesty, but her smile is knowing. "I should say the same for you. I think we're all appreciating each other more now that we can bathe again, hm? Besides," she says, gesturing around the room at large with her own glass, "everyone needed to blow off some steam. Too much stress is terrible for morale."

i

[keenly]

Colin had been content to tell himself noble parties are only for nobles, but then Athessa made him leave his apartment and come here. He'd barely had enough time to whip up a batch of doughnuts, which are still warm when he offers them to the hostess with an awkward, slightly harrowed smile.

"M-my contribution to the...?" He jerks his head toward the refreshments.

[vorbratta]

It's a good thing Athessa did, because if Sonia knew that Colin didn't feel like he wasn't welcome at her party, she'd have marched over to his apartment and dragged him out herself. There is no mistaking the look of delight on Sonia's face when she sees him.

"Colin! Oh, I'm so glad you could make it! Please, please, come, let me get you a drink!" Her eyes fall on the doughnuts, going wide with even more delight, and there's even a little gasp. "Oh, these smell heavenly. How lovely of you! Where did you get them? Is there a bakery in Hightown I've been missing out on?"

i.

[unshut]

At some point as Sonia flits from one familiar friend to another, she is intercepted suddenly by a large hand at her elbow and a warm introduction: "Lady Barra. Allow me to congratulate you on a most excellent party."

That low honeyed voice belongs to a strikingly handsome older woman, dressed in a deep chocolate affair which might be relentlessly modest (given how it begins just below her chin) were it not for the rather fabulous window of cleavage just below the embroidered neck.

"And for a happy return, of course. Fitcher," she says. "At your service. I believe we have a mutual friend."

[vorbratta]

Sonia's attention is effectively captured, and she turns her sunny smile on Fitcher, her face aglow and pleased.

"Why, thank you!" she says, with genuine delight, clearly happy to make a new friend to talk to. "It was my deepest pleasure to throw one. We were well due, I think. And thank you for not being afraid to step up the dress code." Her look at Fitcher's ensemble is admiring and the appropriate slight shade of envy, but largely, Sonia just appreciates the craftsmanship of a good pretty dress. "If only everyone at Riftwatch would set such fashion precedents, we might be able to polish our image a little. You must tell me where you had it made."

Instantly, Sonia decides that she likes Fitcher. A lady who knows how to dress, who knows how to use a voice like that and approach a hostess -- yes, she likes this one.

"Please, just Sonia is fine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madam Fitcher," she says warmly, raising her glass in a toast. Her eyebrows arch delicately. "Oh? And which friend would that be?"

iii

[degenere]

"Will you take another drink, madame?"

Val has been here to enjoy himself--at least as much as one might enjoy one's self at a party, when one's standards for parties are quite high. He had not found the jungle to be so great a trial. Greater would be to suffer an event boring or tasteless, so how lucky it was to have found this party to be, truly, neither of those.

His second purpose had been to surreptitiously look for something. This is why he is still here, as the guests are wandering off, or draping themselves in each other's arms, or laying themselves down upon sofas, or carpets, or simply the floor.

He has been drinking from a bottle of wine as he has looked. Now he wipes it, delicately, with his shirtsleeve, and holds it out to the miserable madame.

"It is good, I think. Not excellent. I mean no offense by this, only to say that it is difficult to compete with Orlais for wine. I commend your effort here."

[vorbratta]

Sonia peers blearily at the label as she takes the bottle from Val. She is perhaps less embarrassed to be in this state around Val, someone similarly intimate with the party scene and how they tend to end, and so her expression is somewhat less guarded as she sniffs at him.

"You're lucky my family name is not on this bottle, or I'd be gravely offended." Ah, Orlesians. She takes a drink from the bottle, knowing that this will probably not help, especially after a month dry in the jungle, but water seems so plain and so ineffectual. "Difficult to compete, yes. Impossible, never."

iii

[heorte]

"Here, drink some of this."

Just water, but it seems as if now is the time to hand it off to her. He eases down to sit beside her, watching the stragglers milling about the room.

He'll make his own escape soon. Just after he's sure Sonia is steady enough to at least get to bed on her own.

[vorbratta]

Oh, this is embarrassing, she thinks dimly, even though she knows this is hardly the worst she's looked lately. But there's a little extra layer of eesh when you're drunk and sad at the end of your own party. When it had been so successful, too, overall. She ought to be passed out comfortably on a bed somewhere, preferably cuddled up against someone whose company she enjoys. But no, she has no such luck or dignity here. She smiles sickly up at Ellis as she takes the water, drawing her legs in close under the skirt of her dress. Well, at least she'd gotten to wear the dress.

"Thank you," she mumbles, wincing when her voice rasps, and water tastes so flat in comparison to the wine, but she drinks it anyway She hopes Ellis will take the redness in her cheeks for the wine and not the embarrassment. "Really, I ought to be the one fetching water."

ii

[sohighandwild]

Ket doesn't seem particularly bored or lonely, but Sonia does catch her on her own with the party in full swing. She's chatted with a few people, but she can't truly claim to have made any friends in Riftwatch yet (friendly acquaintances, maybe). She's happy enough to sip her drink and watch for now. When the party brings her hostess nearby and temporarily without someone else occupying her attention, however, Ket volunteers: "Well done, on the party. It was an excellent idea."

[vorbratta]

Sonia turns on her with a bright smile, looking delighted. She is holding a rich glass of some kind of red in one hand -- that glass has not been empty all evening -- and she gestures with it while she talks, the bangles on her wrist catching the light.

"Oh, I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying it! That's all I wanted, really." Oh, she loves attention, and she loves throwing a good party, but the best part of a good party is everyone else having fun. She tilts her head slightly, smiling inquisitively at Ket. "Do you dance, or do you prefer to simply watch?"