SATINALIA 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.

[deuselfmachina]

WHO: All
WHAT: A second crack at celebrating Satinalia, because we deserve nice things.
WHEN: Mid-Firstfall
WHERE: The Gallows, in the gardens.
NOTES: n/a

It's twilight when Second Satinalia is in its fullest swing. The weather is unseasonably warm, and so they've made use of the gardens as the site for partying. Carefully placed lanterns shine through the odd tree or hover over bushes that have since lost their flowers.

However, decoration makes up for the lack of springtime flora. The space is decorated in shining garlands of gold and silver ribbons, paper flowers, and hanging ornamentations that flip between moons and suns. (If they look a little used, it's because these are second-hand decorations from slightly more affluent Satinalia parties been and gone, borrowed or donated.) There is also a firepit, providing a source of warmth and light.

In the invitations that went out, everyone was encouraged to come in costume as they'd intended to, but noted that for those whom their costumes were ruined or they would simply like to wear something different, there will be masks available, along with some costume pieces—fake jewelry, big hats, faux-velvet and harlequin coats, and so on, though they must be given back, s'il vous plaît. Florent will also offer his abilities in face painting and makeup prior to the party beginning, and will talk you into going spooky in case more skeletons come and they need to blend in to throw them off. (He can be found with his own stylish paintwork, a skeletal design in silver and white and grey.)

Everyone has also been invited to bring along some food and drink if they have it, as their budget is run a bit thin, but there will definitely be enough wine to go around, and some fruits and sweet pastries purchased from the market that day all offered on a table.

There is some music, a few local musicians (who have been promised, variously, tickets to shows, or work opportunities with certain prominent Orlesian playhouses, which may or may not be legitimate) set up with a fiddle, some percussion instruments, something that resembles a very elaborate xylophone, all playing a diverse array of up tempo tunes that allow for a bit of dancing in the more open area of the garden, but otherwise suffuses the shadows and fractured conversations with pleasant noise.

Drink, be merry, don't kill anyone.

Comments

[arkitect]

The perimeter is definitely where Emet-Selch seems to prefer to be, for a decent amount of this party-- for the most part, he's just watching as well, keeping an eye on the festivities (and maybe joining in here or there, just not too terribly often.)

Dante's face isn't a familiar one to him yet, which is what leads him to be loitering in the same area. His outfit is slightly on the fancier side, cloak hanging off his shoulders, with golden scaled accents; there's a wine glass held in one gloved hand, the glove itself bearing the emblem of Tevinter. There's little better excuse to steal some of the enemy's aesthetic than a second Satinalia, after all.

"Is this your first gathering here?" he asks, taking a moment to look Dante over. "Either that, or we've simply missed each other thus far."

The latter can certainly happen, in an organization of any size-- but he's feeling things out a bit. Seeing if this person recognizes him at all, for one thing; it'll be a lot more convenient if the answer is no.

[rebellionyell]

It's not very often Dante meets someone he can have an eye-to-eye conversation with, not entirely rare just incredibly unusual, but this world seemed to be filled with unusual. Dante has seen plenty of demons in his time, so his interest in them hardly went beyond slapping them around. Elves, dwarves, and enormous ab people were all new to him and that included mages and templars as well and part of him couldn't help but to wonder when he managed to roll wizard in some random table-top game.

"Something tells me you'd be difficult to miss," it was honest, the other man stood out, not in a way that was obvious, but in a way that was accessible if one was doing more than casually observing. Dante was sizing everyone up, and if they happened to engage him in conversation he put in double the effort, "but you're not wrong, fresher than a daisy. I haven't quite got the hang of the cultural norms yet."

Not that Dante put much store in that sort of thing, but still.

[arkitect]

It's rare for him to meet anyone of a similar height, as well-- but it's much easier on his posture, for one thing, so he's absolutely not going to complain. Emet's mouth quirks in a little smirk at that first comment, glass raised briefly to him.

"I expect you will learn them, one way or the other... though I do suggest that you not make it the hard way. Such things are sometimes difficult to overcome later."

[rebellionyell]

"The call me low key, though I hear someone has already capitalized on the name," he's awful, he really is, "so I guess I'll have to settle for Dante."

Which he follows up with a slight flourish, bowing and all artificial manners.

"I'm not particularly interested in starting trouble as long as I'm allowed to be myself without being slapped with a pious bulwark," meaning he's expecting something to happen at some point, because as well intentioned and laid back as Dante is, it has come to his attention that he's not entirely welcome.

[arkitect]

The flourish is matched with a bow on his own part, one arm held behind his back, the other hand pressed against his chest. "Emet-Selch," he offers in turn, "of the Research Division." He straightens his posture before continuing, though he moves a little slower than one might expect. "I have not been here as long as others have, mind you, but if you require a resource... well, you could certainly do worse."

It might be needed in the future, but that's just a guess based off the man's general attitude.

"If you find that 'being yourself' tends to ruffle feathers, you may fit in just fine-- or you may end up causing more trouble than you expect. We will have to see which."

[rebellionyell]

Dante nods his head by way of recognition of this exchange of names, no nice to meet you or anything of that sort, it wasn't exactly on brand for him to be that sunny in his disposition in spite of his irreverent, laid-back humor. It wouldn't be the worst idea he's ever had to have an open line of communication with someone in the research division, depending on the research. He knew where he was strong and when it came to assessing people and spatial awareness Dante had intelligence. He was a cerebral fighter as well.

When it came to more academic subjects, it wasn't his area of expertise and he was more than open to picking the brains of others for their experiences. There was usually a benefit to be had in it.

"A lot of people are uncompromising about a lot of different things; it makes it difficult for the gray area."

Dante has experience with the gray area.

"So, the Research Division, is there a specific kind of research you focus on or is the research you do research for the collective good?"

[arkitect]

"Oh, you know." He waves one hand, vaguely. "A little of the collective good, a little personal interest-- well, primarily the collective good, naturally. The two are not entirely separate, fortunately."

There's a brief pause there, just long enough for a sip of his drink.

"A lack of familiarity with the local languages has proved something of a hindrance, but I do not expect that will last for long."

[rebellionyell]

"I guess not, I suppose whatever research you get up to is monitored by the organization on some level," something that would make sense to Dante since he highly doubted Riftwatch would want rifters running roughshod all over the place with secret experiments, "and some things are just frowned upon."

Magic, demons, the unfamiliar. Maybe it was because he was so new to things, but there was an overwhelming degree of paranoia and persecution. Demons he could probably understand.

"You mean like deciphering relics and tomes, that sort of hindrance?"

[arkitect]

"Some things are, indeed," he says, with a detached sort of amusement in his tone that he definitely doesn't bother to explain. He's one of those things himself, technically, but he's hardly going to go and point it out to anyone who doesn't know that yet.

"But yes, something along those lines. Fortunately, I'm a fairly quick study when it comes to such things; fluency, however, is never as fast to gain as one would like."

[rebellionyell]

"And some things fly under the radar," Maybe there's some leniency, there would have to be considering the personalities involved. Limiting the ability to independently research would probably go down about as well as swallowing a hot coal. At least he would probably have something to say if his own autonomy was infringed on beyond reason.

"Do what you're good at is a pretty good rule to live by," Dante wasn't an academic, he wasn't an idiot, but his cerebral skills were better put to use elsewhere. Sitting with his nose in a book for too long would only make him antsy.

[arkitect]

"So it is."

That comes with a considering hum, a slight pause while he takes a moment to look Dante over once more-- with a more piercing gaze this time, more focused. Analytical.

"And what would you say it is that you are good at, then?"

[rebellionyell]

Dante could tell when he was being sized up so he held his arms out to the side, a gesture that invited the scrutiny while the other man attempted to figure him out.

"Me? Nothing nearly as impressive as learning different languages. I'm built for hitting things...hard," an accurate and honest assessment of himself, but he wore a thoughtful expression as if weighing what else he was good at, "I have a small talent for music and dance as well."

[arkitect]

"Do you, now? Well, then I suppose you are hardly out of place, at an event such as this."

The man certainly looks the type, for his given skillset, but any talent with the arts-- that's a little less expected. Any other time, he might ask him to prove it... but even with that claim made, he doesn't offer, seemingly content enough to do without for now.

[rebellionyell]

"I don't know about that; I think my skillset might not be on brand for this kind of party."

The instruments he played and the dances he knew were a little less...folksy maybe? Not that this wasn't charming, but it was entirely different. Regardless the assessment wasn't completely off, Dante's appreciation for things like music and dance did seem to be at odds with what he looked like he was built for.