faderift | SATINALIA 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.

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.

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Ellie watches her right back, a sort of searching softness in her eyes, a wonder. Derrica really is incredible, and she squeezes her hand even before she finishes talking, hoping to reassure her.

"It kinda-"

Breaking off with a breathless laugh, Ellie shakes her head, shrugs one shoulder.

"It's actually a relief. To get it all out in the open. And know that you're not like- waiting for me to be ready, or- putting anything on hold. And that we're not fucking up our friendship."

That's the biggest relief, probably, awkward as this is. Getting to acknowledge the mutual care, the mutual attraction, and just... have that be okay.

"I dunno where I'll be at in a few months. But I don't-" Ellie pauses, stumbling over her words. "It's not a no."

As long as that's okay, they'll be okay. And what a wonder that is.

"I don't need you to be anything other than yourself," Derrica promises, with a small, soft smile and a quick addition of, "And happy."

Because that's the important thing, isn't it? All the affection and intimacy and care they've built between them matters more to Derrica than anything else.

And it is a good thing too, being plain about the yet-unshaped thing that sometimes sparks up between them. But Derrica doesn't need Ellie to want her that way to care this deeply.

But, now that the matter is more or less settled, Derrica squeezes her hand and asks, "Will you dance with me if we go back inside?"

Easier said than done, but she turns to her with a tired smile, winks at her, and bumps her shoulder against Derrica's.

She cares about her, wants her, even if she can't pull those feelings into a distinct shape. Maybe that's all right.

"You bet," she says, and gets to her feet, bringing Derrica's hand with her to help her up.

SATINALIA 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO.

thanks for patience, brain is mush

who among us does not have mush-brain i ask

gently places a bow on this