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

[lumelume]

When Ellie stumbles, Mado is quick to rush to her rescue, gently bracing both of her arms with his hands and offering an apologetic smile.
"Dispiace, amica," he's quick to say, "you looked ready!"

But when it comes his turn, he very much is, giving a laugh of delight when Ellie takes the lead.
"You're a natural," he remarks, offering no resistance.

[notathreat]

"No prob, you didn't even step on me," she says, glancing down at their feet to make sure she won't immediately step on him.

As they go into another turn she laughs under her breath. "I had a friend who was a dance instructor. He had a devastating puppy face."

So to speak.

fifty years later

[lumelume]

"Puppy face!" Mado enthuses, clearly desiring to know more. "What constitutes a puppy face, aside from the face on a puppy?"

<333

[notathreat]

Ellie laughs aloud, like he's startled the sound out of her, and it sounds younger than the rest of her.

"It's like, this pleading face -- big eyes. Innocent, irresistible. Makes you want to give a person whatever they want."

[lumelume]

"Delightful!"

He thinks on it a moment as they dance. "Perhaps I ought to learn to do it when I'm not a dog," he muses, with his usual guileless cheer.

[notathreat]

"You're gonna be almost too good at it," Ellie predicts with a sigh.

She's definitely gonna have trouble with it, she already knows. Mado's just- really sincere, and she's never been able to deny that type.

"Have some mercy in how you use that mug of yours."