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

[indissection]

[ It's an easy enough offer to make, and Sidony nods her head, already planning up a few things in the back of her mind. ]

I'm sure I can find something that will need carrying at some point.

[armd]

(This gets a chuckle out of Abby.) Okay.

(It's true that she is good for that. She holds out her hand, gesturing toward Sidony's cup. Can she have another sip? Also,) We should probably address the elephant in the room, huh.

[indissection]

[ Which immediately has Sidony frowning, tilting her head. ]

The… Elephant?

[armd]

The elephant in the room.

(You know?

Oh! She suddenly looks like she's about to laugh, shoulders hunching.) It's- just a figure of speech. Means that there's a problem that's obviously present but you're talking around it.

[indissection]

Ah, I see.

[ Sidony sighs. She can imagine what it is, but she is hardly so forthcoming, so - ]

Feel free to ask.

[armd]

(Well, that killed the vibe.

Abby chins her hand, looking at her. She says, simply:) Adra's gone.

[indissection]

[ Ah, well. Sidony smiles thinly. ]

She has been, for a little while. It has been an adjustment.

[armd]

We don't have to talk about it. (Not if Sidony is going to make a face like that at her.

Abby looks sheepish.) Sorry. I... wanted to know if you're okay.

[indissection]

No, no, it is quite alright.

[ She sighs, taking another sip of her drink. Grounding. ]

I was not, for some time. But I believe I am doing a little better now.

[armd]

That's good. (She kinda feels like an asshole for having brought it up at all but oh well! Can't take it back!)

If- you ever want to hang out, you can message me. I was kinda hoping to spend more time with you.

[indissection]

[ It's not the worst thing she could've brought up, really.

That does make her eyebrow raise, though, lips twitching up coyly. ]

Abby. It almost sounds as though you are flirting with me.

[armd]

Does it? (Haha. help

Abby rubs the back of her neck, shrugs. Honestly,) I don't know if I am. But I really would like to hang out with you more. Is that okay?

[indissection]

[ Abby. You're so cute. ]

Of course. I find myself short of friends, the numbers that keep leaving us.

[armd]

(She's embarrassing. She is so embarrassed right now. 'I don't know if I am', who says that!!)

Yeah. Me too. (Abby's had a few leave her lately. Doesn't get any easier. She stares at the fire for a moment, and then seems to jerk herself out of it, looking to Sidony.) Do you want to dance?

[indissection]

[ Sidony, at least, doesn't seem at all upset, and she looks over at the dancers with a smile before she slowly pushes herself to her feet. ]

It would be a shame to waste my dress. [ It's not as if she's going to demand her husband entertain her. She offers her hand - the one without missing fingers. ] Can you lead?

[armd]

Kinda. (She takes Sidony's hand, and it's warm from where she was holding that cup of mulled wine. Not soft, not exactly, because she obviously works with them, but Abby still hopes Sidony doesn't mind her own calloused palm.) Might have to go slow at the start while I remember how to do it.

[indissection]

[ Sidony clearly has no problems with whatever Abby's hands might be, smiling as she slips closer and allows herself to be led away from the fire and closer towards where the other people are dancing. Looking up at Abby, she smiles fondly, genuine warmth on her face.

Clearly, she has no problems with being close with Abby at all. ]

We can go as slowly as you like. I don't mind.

[armd]

Thanks. (Looks like most people are going slow anyway. Night's winding down. She lifts their clasped hands, and draws her other hand to Sidony's back. She can feel the boning of her bodice against her palm. She smiles, awkward, earnest, and has to glance at her feet to start a slow waltz box, clearly finding her rhythm.

It's nice, though. She does actually like dancing, even if she isn't great at it.)

[indissection]

[ It's nice - Sidony cannot remember the last time she danced for the sake of it, especially with someone she genuinely liked. Abby is tall, and pretty, and strong, and it's just good. Isn't that enough? She can't really ask for more, the position she is in, mournful and broken.

Laughing a little, she glances up at Abby with a small smile. ] You're better than you think.

[armd]

Yeah? (She's a little shy, maybe, and hasn't felt that way in what feels like a long time. Might have forgotten how. But Sidony is patient, and she allows Abby to take them through a few rounds of steps before she starts to lead, properly, in a circle.

She can't help but be reminded of Loki. Abby misses him. She would have danced with him by the fire too, if he were here. She still wakes up with things to tell him. Her brow furrows, but she allows the ache to settle, and soon, it lessens. She inhales, slow and careful.)

Thanks. A friend taught me.

[indissection]

I'm not one prone to telling lies. [ Not in something like this, at least. Sidony is able to slip closer and dance, and there's no risk of her feet being completely trodden on - which might be devastating in her silk shoes. She ought to have worn her leather ones, given the cold, but her outfit...

Lifting her head, she watches Abby carefully for a moment. It's nice, to be lead, to dance, to give in to the urge to be herself without trying to hide, and she's a little nervous - but no one here will judge her for dancing with a woman, a woman who is her friend. That would be foolish.

Right?

Nodding, she keeps the smile on her face. ] They taught you well. You should be proud.

[armd]

(Abby scoffs but doesn't say anything. She really hasn't done much of anything to be proud of, including tonight's lame circle waltz, but it's nice that Sidony said so. She's a little closer now, maybe, and looking up at Abby as they dance. She's about the right height to lay her head to Abby's shoulder.)

We used to do big dances back home, (she recalls, her voice softening,) in the- there were these open hallways in the place where I lived. One was the mess hall, and you could push all the tables and benches back to make room for everybody. There'd be food and drinks and music... the WLF wasn't huge on morale or anything, but they could put it on like once or twice a year.

[indissection]

That sounds absolutely charming.

[ And she doesn't even mean it dismissively: she means it genuinely. It does sound charming. It wouldn't compare to the extravagance of a Nevarran ball, of course, nor the nobility and their outfits, but it sounds nicer. Sidony enjoys a good ball, but...

It would be nicer, to be surrounded by friends. ]

What is the WLF?

[armd]

(Well, let's not use the word charming while we describe the WLF, huh. Abby grimaces, but it's good-natured. Honestly, it's been long enough since she was with them that she finds she can finally stand to talk about them. When she first arrived she'd felt wounded, guilty and angry, and she didn't bring them up at all.)

The Washington Liberation Front. It was a military organisation that I used to belong to, before I came here.

Much stricter than Riftwatch, I gotta say.

[indissection]

Ah, I see. I suppose Riftwatch is quite lenient, considering how they could be organising us.

[ Sidony lifts her head, looking up at Abby with a small smile. ]

I hope you are able to use that experience well, here, and that you are happy.