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

[notathreat]

"In another life," Ellie says, lightening her voice to make it sound playful: "I had a big brother, and he was a dancing instructor."

They go through another turn, and now that Ellie knows the steps it's easier, smoother.

"Every time I visited him at his place, he'd badger me until I practiced with him. Couldn't avoid picking it up after a while."

[altusimperius]

"Sounds like a decent sort." What would it be like, having a sibling, or something resembling one?
He supposes he has Edgard, not that it pleases him to admit it.

"He taught you well."

[notathreat]

"He was more than decent," Ellie says- that seriousness creeping into her voice. But she carries it off with a slight smile at the compliment.

"Gene would be really happy to hear that," Ellie admits. "He always swore he'd make a dancer out of me."

It worked, all told.

[altusimperius]

"Gene," Benedict repeats, wrinkling his nose slightly and ruining anything sentimental about the exchange-- what kind of name is Gene, anyway-- and as the dance comes to an end, he spins Ellie away one last time, extending his arm with a little customary bow.

[notathreat]

Ellie leans over to echo his bow -- she's not sure if it's meant for women to do that and really doesn't give a shit -- and pokes him in the ribs.

She doesn't know what he's thinking but she's sure it's sarcastic.

[altusimperius]

"Ow!"

He straightens immediately, with an incredulous snort-- it didn't actually hurt, but that's beside the point. "See if you ever find a wealthy match," he adds, with a toss of his hair; right, as if either of them are in the market for a heterosexual marriage.

[notathreat]

"It's fine, you can have him," Ellie retorts, raising both eyebrows.

She sees you, bitch.

[altusimperius]

"Deal," Benedict shoots back, waggling his eyebrows. Alas, poor Praxilla back in Minrathous-- if her sights are still set on him, she's in for a surprise.