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

[illithidnapped]

“Anyone? Oh. No. Luckily I wasn’t here for any of that nonsense and feel quite refreshed. One of the benefits of living in Lowtown, far enough from the eye of the storm.”

Demure, that reflective answer. Soft and amused, perfectly content to confess his own absence when so many of their own fought bravely— and likely suffered under the weight of— two encounters he could’ve been there for.

But he’s never been anything but transparent in what matters to him. Where the limits lie.

“Andraste? A farewell ode to the dead. He did love her dearly, after all. I think he’d have been pleased to know she showed up at last.”

[indissection]

"If only my heart was far less burdened by the notion of helping people," Sidony shrugs a shoulder. She throws herself into the middle of things because it feels as though her heart will break if she doesn't - which is a great deal different from the woman she had been when she had first fled Nevarra and arrived here on the doorstep of the once Inquisition.

Twisting with him, her head tilts as she offers a very soft, gentle smile.

"A lovely farewell, truly," she nods. "I am sure there are more than a handful of people who would rather you hadn't. I quite rate your boldness."

[illithidnapped]

“I knew you’d understand.” He sighs almost wistfully, possibly even bolstered by the notion that he’s giving more than a soul or two in the Gallows a little sight-related grief.

Her hand earns the smallest of squeezes, punctuated by a wink.

“What else do we have but our sense of humor? Our unwillingness to let anything be a touch too sacred.”

[indissection]

"I grew up in a society where mummification was the norm and the most wonderful way to end your life. I doubt I could find much offense in this." While Sidony might have a natural born belief in the Maker and Andraste, she is hardly the most devout of people at Riftwatch. Her concern is with the living, not with those already gone to their deaths.

(Not unless she can use their bodies for study, of course).

"Has there been anyone who has taken it to heart? Any threats or words, my darling?"

[illithidnapped]

“If I’m honest, that just sounds lovely. I’d go for it myself if I ever planned on dying.”

Alas. He’ll live forever— or do his damndest to make it so.

“Here? Thankfully no. Kirkwall proper was less than pleasant, but that’s just Kirkwall, my darling, and I tend to take everything they say or do with a grain of salt. The drunks however were particularly entertaining tonight: fairly certain a few of them might never take to spirits again after nearly falling into the harbor in shock of seeing Andraste herself.”

Fun. Good fun.

[indissection]

"I'd recommend it. The Mortalitasi are some of the best skilled mages that Thedas has, when they're not overrun with other things." Her latest trip to Nevarra had not necessarily been the most beneficial of experiences, not considering how poor things had been for her countrymen at the time.

At least she doesn't have to worry about it right now.

"It is often the best thing to do. Have you seen their fashion sense? It's as if they've never seen a single thread of decent fabric in their entire lives. It's truly shameful."

[illithidnapped]

"Alas, we can't all be so fortunate as to be Nevarran." The most lamentable of sighs let out as he sinks into her hold, dancing strides running a touch longer to make the effort look graceful rather than gutted. A little teasing joke made without sacrificing dignity— though not one he'd be making in Hightown.

"Still, you should come out with me sometime. For fun. Let your gorgeous hair down a little, if you know what I mean."

[indissection]

"Perhaps not in birth, but the spirit is there all the same," Sidony laughs softly, letting herself move with him. There's no real hesitation - she might not necessarily trust him as she does people she is closer to, but there is certainly a sense of camaraderie between the two of them that is undeniable.

It keeps happening to her.

"Where, exactly, would you take me?"

[illithidnapped]

She’s smart not to trust him. Astarion wouldn’t trust himself, that much is certain.

His grin is incorrigible. Whatever their rapport is, he’s clearly enjoying himself at present.

“Oh...around. A scenic tour of all the places the Kirkwall guard forgets about on the regular. Disgusting taverns, dockside gambling hovels— the red lantern district, if you’re feeling particularly conversational and want to incidentally overhear a local Templar drunkenly spilling his heartfelt woes.”

His head cants slightly, lifting.

“You know. Normal nonsense.”