[ 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

[overharrowed]

If the hug surprises him, he doesn't seem to mind it; he returns it readily.

"I think you're forgiven for not keeping up with it, under the circumstances. What with the poison frogs and the giant snakes and the generally alarming fauna." He smiles, and adds, "And here I was initially annoyed about being sent with the team falling back to the Gallows."

[sulahnan]

"Don't forget the hallucinogenic berries and pollen," she adds, lightly. Like listing amenities they took advantage of on vacation. "Though I think everyone else slept worse than I did out there. Kinda forgot how much I missed being in the woods."

[overharrowed]

"I suppose it's a matter of what one is used to. I like sleeping outdoors, generally, but it takes a night or two of adjustment. So, do you recommend the deadly jungle, then? For the next time I need to get out of Kirkwall."

She probably knows him well enough by now to clock that as a joke.

[sulahnan]

She hums thoughtfully, making a show of weighing the pros and cons.

"Hmmm....no. Definitely not worth it when there are less deadly patches of moss to nap on closer to home," She laughs, toeing the rug idly. "Even accounting for the bears. You know, we found some blue moss up there that would slowly eat you? Clothes and all, if you let it."

[overharrowed]

"Maker, that sounds unpleasant. Who had the unfortunate experience of discovering that particular hazard?"

[sulahnan]

"That would be me. Very uncomfortable."

She doesn't sound at all upset about it.

[overharrowed]

"Well, you seem to be in one piece," he deadpans. "I confess, I'd have been put out to lose a student to carnivorous moss."

[sulahnan]

"Guess it's too late to do the hand in the sleeve trick, huh," she says, quite aware that she's not even wearing sleeves for the gag. "But yeah luckily Richard was there to heal any damage and I had Lazar carry me until the paralysis wore off."

Ah, fun, fond memories. "When should we get back to lessons, anyway?"

[overharrowed]

"As soon as you like. Well, as soon as you like with at least a day's lead time; I do actually need to prepare. But I'd be pleased to get back to it. I suppose I should ask if you've already resumed with Senior Enchanter Rowntree, to see if I'm running behind."

[sulahnan]

"Hell no I haven't resumed with him, yet, are you kidding?!" She has to laugh, even incredulously. "I'm keen but not that keen."

She almost mentions that she hasn't even properly slept since getting back, but decides against it. Best not say too many things that warrant pity, yeah?

"Let's give it a few days."

[overharrowed]

"That sounds reasonable," he says with a small grin. "I think you've earned a short holiday, under the circumstances."

[sulahnan]

"Now if only we can get Corypheus and company to take a break, too. Gents, ladies, demons, and otherwise: we're all a bit knackered, so let's all agree to stop fighting for a few days to get some rest."

[overharrowed]

He laughs. "I suppose it hasn't occurred to anyone to just ask for a temporary cease-fire. Long enough for us all to catch our respective breaths."

[sulahnan]

She laughs, too.

"Something tells me they wouldn't go for it, but we can dream."