faderift | SATINALIA

WHO: Everybody!!
WHAT: SATINALIA!!
WHEN: Backdated to the first day of Firstfall
WHERE: Gallows courtyard
NOTES: Drunkenness and shenanigans. HALLOWEENMAS!!

This Satinalia is, perhaps, less grand than in years past. Blockades are still limiting access to luxury goods, after all, so the fine liquors and dainty foods that have been featured before are nowhere to be found. And Tertia, the temporary Morale Officer, doesn't have the connections or deft touch of organizers past, so things are rougher than they've been before - the musicians are less polished, the ale a little more watered-down, the decorations somewhat haphazard.

But you know what? It's still Satinalia. Nothing can really screw up Satinalia. Especially because there are some rather lovely touches, the best of which might well be the ice skating rink. A section of the Gallows Courtyard has been roped off and frozen over with magic, leaving a (largely) smooth sheet of ice covering it. Skates are available to borrow if you don't have a pair. Of course, some injuries are definitely going to result (if you skate off the edge, you're smacking into stone instead of a soft snowbank, which can be disastrous), but hey, it's fun.

Other perks are the bonfires, with mulled wine and cider being served out of cauldrons around them, where people might sit and reflect while watching the flame. There's also dancing, of course, with the musicians basically being any band that's been recommended by members of Riftwatch - so there are lots of half-competent cousins-of-friends playing here. What they lack in skill they make up for in enthusiasm; this is the first gig for a lot of them, and they're thrilled to be here.

One thing that's missing is the Satinalia fool being named ruler. Tertia wasn't familiar with this tradition and didn't arrange it - so there's a last-minute campaign being held, in which people can either nominate others or self-nominate to be named Riftwatch's greatest fool to be celebrated.

Enjoy yourself. Exchange presents. Get drunk. Have a blast. Don't lose any teeth.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The poor fool with his neck exposed is in for a treat when the cold fingers brush. Mobius jumps practically a foot out of his skin with a yelp, slapping a gloved hand over the area and rubbing.

"Andraste's frozen tits, get your hands to the fire!" Like right now, woman. "You'll stop a poor old man's heart that way if you don't lose those fingers to cold first."

Gela withdraws her hands instantly, snickering, and tucks them neat and tight up underneath of her arms. "A thousand apologies, friend! Couldn't help myself."

She even knocks her knee against his, to indicate that she is very very sorry. Her eyes, by the light of the fire, are bright. "Are you havin' a good evening?"

He pouts and pulls his jacket tighter to him. "I was." He isn't actually petulant; he only sounds that way. Though he knocks his knee right back. "Seems like you're having a great evening. What other trouble have you gotten up to?"

He sounds petulant enough that for half a second Gela's smile slips, and real, tangible anxiety washes up the length of her spine, dispelled instantly by the knock of Mobius' knee on hers. She might have made her a-thousand-and-first apology right then if he hadn't asked her a question to answer.

"Lots," she breathes, shivering. From the cold, obviously. "I've done some dancin'. And I was on the ice before, but I wasn't causin' trouble there," said cheekily, "honest."

That's when he finally breaks out into a grin. Sure, maybe it's a little mean of him, but it's all in good fun. "I think the ice is going to give everyone enough trouble as it is that they don't need any extra trouble on top of that."

"Don't I know it," she agrees, glancing over her shoulder at the rink. Dusk is falling. The ice is lit but not completely, and she hopes the less experienced folk have stepped off of it for now, so that they don't crash into each other by mistake.

"I think there will be a lot of scraped knees about the Gallows tomorrow."

"Busted elbows, knocked out teeth, headaches. A proper morning after for Satinalia, all told. People hocking their hangover cure-alls in the streets. People waking up in strange places or strange beds." He smiles fondly. "If only we were doing this in Antiva; they know how to really party."

"Antiva," she repeats, looking at him up and down, "Is that true?" She wouldn't have thought him the partying type. He strikes her as quiet, and of an easy nature.

"I've been to Antiva, around the same time. Missed the party, and arrived in time for the fast. My luck has always been bad."

"Mmmmmmmhm." He notes the look, smiles slyly. "They can go for weeks."

Though maybe he should be nice and shed a little light on the circumstances: "I was with this group a few months back, and there was a long party for the ruler--a birthday or something. So I can only imagine how hard they must go during a proper holiday."

Weeks! Gela can't imagine it, she thinks that she would get tired within a few days- or that something would trip inside of her, and transform her. Overwhelming situations are probably dangerous for her self-control. Right?

This thought causes her to put her cup of cider firmly down...

"What was your group doin' in Antiva? If you don't mind my askin'."

"Trying to convince merchants to stop trade with Tevinter. Kind of behind backs, trying to be subtle. Schmoozing." It worked, in the end, though frankly it's nothing short of a miracle that it did. "And spreading the good word about Riftwatch. Was funny to see the less social try to pretend to be more."

"I'll bet," she says, conversationally, "I was just tryin' to do much of the same out west. Pamphletin'... in Orlais! Can you imagine?"

In case he cannot, "We were run out."

"In Orlais, yeah, that'll happen. Maker, tell me you weren't trying to schmooze with the upper crust and their delicate sensibilities! Be happy you were only run out and not strung up."

"No," Gela says fervently, "I went to a chantry, in Orlais, with a man hailin' from Tevinter on my arm who decided to pick a fight with a chapel sister five minutes after crossin' the threshold."

And then she bursts out laughing. Because said aloud like that-

SATINALIA

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject