[ 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

[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?"

[unshut]

"A certain Ambassador with a great affection for making a nuisance of himself and, evidently, some talent with a fiddle."

This, Fitcher punctuates with a small tip of the head in the general direction of Byerly Rutyer sawing away at the aforementioned instrument.

"We often play cards together, though it's been some time since I made a real evening of it. I don't suppose you're much for the vice, are you? I'm afraid I've taught him the finer points of an old Antivan game played in teams too well, and now find myself in need of an able partner to appropriately thrash the man with."