[ 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

[sulahnan]

Guess I've got my work cut out for me, then.

[bouchonne]

Why this path, though?

[sulahnan]

[ She shrugs. ]

It's what Yseult decided.

[bouchonne]

Really?

[ An arched brow. ]

[sulahnan]

Really.

[ It's the truth, even if she doesn't give voice to her suspicion that Bastien might've had some say in the matter. ]

So you'll have to get the reasoning from her, I'm just trying to do a good job.

[bouchonne]

Hmm.

[ No comment on that directly. Instead - ]

So what happens after the war?

[sulahnan]

Guess that depends on how it ends. But I dunno. More mercenary work I guess.

[bouchonne]

Is that where your passion lies?

[sulahnan]

Passion?

[ She makes a face. Where does her passion lie? What is it? Does she even have a passion? At a loss, she shakes her head. ]

[bouchonne]

[ He twirls her again, and waits. ]

[sulahnan]

[ She laughs softly through the turn, but facing him again she still doesn't know. ]

I don't think I have one. A passion.

[bouchonne]

Hm, that's a pity.

[ He lifts his eyebrows. ]

Since that would make you a completely singular creature upon Thedas, as all living creatures have a passion.

[sulahnan]

What's yours, then?

[ What if she spins him for once? just for the heck of it. ]

[bouchonne]

[ He has to duck pretty damn low to be spun by her, since she's a small thing and he's absolutely willowy. (And unlike a graceful willow, one of his back muscles cramped a little bit as he bent down, making his bend a little awkward. Ah, being in your thirties as a human rather than an ageless elf.) ]

Mine? Why, isn't it obvious? The protection of the innocent and vulnerable, being truly noble from my nose to my toes.

[ He says it with a droll grin, like it's a lie and he wants her to roll her eyes. ]

[sulahnan]

[ She grins too, and does roll her eyes, but also? She believes him. Weird. ]

Okay. So after the war, what's that look like? Vigilante justice?

[bouchonne]

What, riding out into the countryside and murdering people? Do I seem well-suited to that?

[ It's fortunate that she looks skeptical. If she looked like she believed him, he'd immediately retreat from it. But this is okay. ]

[sulahnan]

Hmm. Nah, you're right. Doesn't seem like your kinda business.

[bouchonne]

How dare you. I'm extremely noble.

[sulahnan]

Exactly. Too noble for riding around and murdering.

[bouchonne]

Oh, no, for that I'm just too squeamish. Have you ever killed someone? It's grotesque.

[sulahnan]

[ She gives him a look. They were just in the jungle where they had to fight and kill Venatori to save their friends--his family--soooo yeah. ]

It is rather unpleasant, yeah.

[bouchonne]

There you are. No nobility. Just a weak stomach.

[sulahnan]

But you just said you were extremely noble.

[bouchonne]

Yes, that was obviously a joke, dear girl. I am noble only in the most literal sense of the word.

[sulahnan]

If it's so obvious then how did I miss it?

[ ... ]

Don't answer that.