SATINALIA

[incaenstrix]

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.

Comments

[favoriteanalyst]

"It's a party. I'm holding up fairly well." Hasn't been snubbed too much. Hasn't had much chance to fumble anything out of his hands. "So long as there isn't some unforeseen disaster that happens, everything should be fine."

He holds up a mug, new gloves sported. "Thank you, by the way."

[thereneverwas]

"Course." Raising his own mug, he taps it against Mobius' cheerfully.

"That's the thing about unforeseen disasters, and all. You don't foresee them," he muses, "but, in fairness, I do think we're overdue for an easy time."

[favoriteanalyst]

"From your mouth to the Maker's ears. Maybe everyone should consider putting down their arms for the winter, take a breather."

[thereneverwas]

"Would that we should be so lucky." Barrow drinks.

"It's already too late for that, knowing us. And as I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one whose dreams have been fucked lately, I suspect we won't be in the clear for a while."

[favoriteanalyst]

Mobius considers this, the reasonable and rational take, taking a moment to lean back and watch the sky, breathe deep the cool air made warmer by firelight.

"I can take the evening for a holiday and pretend otherwise."

[thereneverwas]

"Good man." A decisive nod, and, after a moment, Barrow lifts his mug again.

"To pretending otherwise."

[favoriteanalyst]

"To pretending. And hoping we can stop pretending someday." Because he can keep that hope tucked close, even if it seems very far away.