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

[indissection]

"Contentment?"

The words make Sidony pause, though her body keeps moving with the dance. It seems as though it is a somewhat difficult question for her to answer, and after some thought she manages a soft laugh, leaning closer to Ellie as if sharing a secret.

"Contentment is a word for it, I suppose. I may work, I can enjoy the most satisfying of marriages and I am free to do whatever I please. I doubt I could demand more from the situation."

[notathreat]

"What word would you use for it?" she asks, leaning in just a little, as Sidony does. Her hands are steady but unsure -- a tiny bit nervous, maybe, being so close.

Still curious enough not to spook, or maybe disciplined enough.

"I mean, there's a lot of 'em. There's got to be one that fits."

[indissection]

"Settled, I suppose, or something along those lines. We can hardly ask for perfection, so it is as good as it might be, being on the brink of war and not knowing what tomorrow might bring."

It's a simple enough thing for Sidony; she is fine where she is and has no real complaints, other than wishing for things she cannot change. She is making an active effort to think less on those things.

"I don't think a worse word would work."

[notathreat]

"Settled can be good or bad," Ellie points out, shrugging one shoulder, then pausing, looking at her. Really looking at her.

Maybe perfect is too much to ask, but she gets the sense that there is something lacking, here. People who say they're comfortable rarely are.

But then, that's none of her business.

"If there weren't a war going on, I'd travel all over the place. You guys are lucky, the most dangerous things you've got on your roads are bandits, and there's barely any darkspawn."