IO, SATURNALIA! | OPEN

[vitaelamorte]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: THE BALLROOM
When: THREE WHOLE DAYS - 12/17-12/19
Rating: PG-13 (or higher depending how rowdy you guys get)
Summary: IO, SATURNALIA! The party has arrived and it is here to stay for 72 hours straight of good food, gambling, dancing, drinking, singing, and so on and so forth!
The Story:

A few days into Ewaymas, on December 15th, everyone will wake up to a scroll outside their door. This scroll is an invitation to a Saturnalia celebration in two days, and everyone is welcome! If asked for clothing for the party, the closets will provide synthesis – brightly colored Roman robes – for the occasion, but the dress code is mostly just colorful and fun, if you choose to abide by it.

Starting on the 17th there will be a lavish feast in the ballroom, and food and drink are never in short supply. Drunkenness is encouraged, but there will be non-alcoholic beverages as well. There will be tables set up for gambling and dice games, music from a wide variety of worlds (specifically to encourage loud singing along and dancing all night - some are holiday remixes but others aren't), and areas for dancing and playing other games. The decorations are all in a rainbow of bright colors like the synthesis, with suns hanging up and candles floating in the air. Laurels and pileus will be available at the party for everyone to wear on their heads.

It's the kind of party that will get increasingly louder and rowdier...and it literally won't end for three whole days. Those prone to gluttony, greed, or even just escapism will find themselves not wanting to leave the party at all. There's always something to do and you can always just pass out of the floor when you're tired, right? Right! No one knows how to party like the Romans did. At the end of the day on the 19th though, all of the decorations and food will vanish and the party will abruptly come to an end.

Prose or [Action Brackets] are more than welcome, and if you have any questions please send them over to the FAQ thread for the event!

Comments

OPEN for the duration of Saturnalia!

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan hadn't been so certain about the invitation they'd received to this celebration. For one, it was for a holiday he knew nothing about - this place seemed to have a lot of those - and secondly, he was worried about Dorian still recovering from whatever illness had befallen him over the past few days.

His lover had other plans however, and considering the miraculous recovery the mage had made in the span of a day, Brennan indulged him.

So here he was, dressed up in strange garments of bright royal blue and gold, matching laurels perched behind his ears. Despite being not quite certain what they were here celebrating, he was all for mingling and enjoying himself, especially when Dorian seems to have taken to the partying wholeheartedly.

He partakes in the feasting (and definitely the drinking) and will happily mingle or drag companions out for a dance or two - even if he's not quite sure those moves the rest of you are sporting can be called 'dancing'. Anyone who wanders up to him will find him in excellent spirits, happy for the distraction the party offers from the things that have been troubling him lately, and leaving him determined to make sure those around them are enjoying themselves as well. ]

[magisterium]

[Dorian is hardly about to let his previous ailments keep him from enjoying a party, stubbornly insisting that he's more than well enough to go about business as usual-- and while he knows nothing of Saturnalia itself, there's something about the celebration that reminds him distinctly of home in a very good way, and he could certainly do with more pleasant reminders of what he loves about Tevinter rather than their ill but well-earned reputation.

He opts for brilliant red and gold when it comes time to dress for the party, and after a couple of drinks, he's more than happy to adorn himself with the laurels that have been provided as well. Excess has always been the Tevinter way by reputation, and in Dorian's case, it's always been exceptionally true, especially in his youth, though he'd like to think that he's gained a certain degree of self-control thanks to age and experience. Still, there's no turning him away from drinks and feasting and gambling, and he's glad to drag Brennan along to all of it, taking his companion by the wrist and giving him an insistent tug towards the nearest dice game.]

Come, it's no Wicked Grace, but it's been ages since I've had anything worth betting on.

[As he'd said back at Skyhold, wagering money can be both fun and habit-forming.]

[outofthebreach]

And there's something worth betting on here?

[ Brennan's mostly teasing him, letting himself be dragged along by his lover to whatever catches the mage's eye. ]

For the record, my clothing is staying on and not available for wagering.

[magisterium]

Are you willing to waver on that policy at all?

[Seeing Brennan lose all of his clothes during a game of chance isn't quite as thrilling as seeing Cullen lose everything during Wicked Grace, however-- largely because he knows Brennan wouldn't be anywhere near as mortified as their Commander had been, and that had certainly been the most entertaining part.]

Trying to spoil my fun before I've had any at all.

[outofthebreach]

That's me, the spoiler of all things fun and entertaining.

[ Brennan chuckles as he speeds his pace subtly to fall in beside his lover, lifting their entwined hands to press a kiss against the back of Dorian's palm. ]

Besides, it wouldn't be near as fun to get me naked in this bunch. I wouldn't be bright red over it. If you want a recreation of that particular bit of fun, I suspect you should be luring our not-yet-King of Ferelden to the gambling tables.

[magisterium]

Perhaps you wouldn't be embarrassed, but you'd certainly be a sight for sore eyes.

[He's just saying, Brennan.]

He does seem like the blushing type, doesn't he? Do you think he'd come? [He smirks.] He might be a touch wary, what with my being a villainous Tevinter and all.

[outofthebreach]

Sore? [ Brennan lets out a laugh as he shoots the mage a mock offended look. ] It's a sight you saw last night. How is that sore?

[ Still, he leans in and presses a kiss to his lover's cheek all the same. ] Oh I'm sire you could find your way around that easily enough, if you wanted. You never let that stop you for long. Anyway, he certainly seems an interesting sort. You might have better luck than you know.

[bloodmagics]

[Much like Brennan, Hawke has no idea what this is actually about, but that's not going to stop him from feasting and drinking. So when he finally sidles up to Brennan, he definitely has a drink in his hand and a massive grin on his face.

He still isn't sure how he feels about the Inquisitor, but he's too drunk to care right now, so all he does is grab Brennan's wrist with his free hand.]

Brennan! Dance with me!

[outofthebreach]

[ The demand catches him by surprise but gets a laugh from him as he turns to face the Champion with a bemused look. While he's not drunk himself, he's definitely well and truly tipsy, a pleasant buzz of warmth from the alcohol he's consumed. ]

Dance with you? I don't know, Hawke. Are you going to traipse all over my delicate toes?

[bloodmagics]

[Sorry Brennan, you don't really get a say in the matter after all. Hawke begins to drag the other man towards the dance floor rather insistently.]

I'll try not to, if you promise not to step on mine.

[outofthebreach]

I'll have you know I've become a master dancer. Had to, actually. I survived a month with an Orlesian dancing instructor and let me tell you, those are terrifying, even without three women watching and judging every move you make.

[ Still, he's grinning as they make their way out onto the floor, where he turns and gives Hawke a flourished bow in invitation with an aplomb that would have had the Orlesian court twittering and gossiping for days. ]

Shall we?

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke looks at the people already on the dance floor and back at Brennan with a raised eyebrow.]

Somehow I doubt knowing Orlesian styles of dance is going to help you here. Besides, Ferelden, remember? I wouldn't be caught dead dancing like an Orlesian.

[Still, though, he accepts the invitation with a matching grin.]

I suppose you can lead this time.

[outofthebreach]

I'm not sure anyone in Thedas would call what half those people are doing 'dancing'.

[ Brennan casts the room a bemused glance as he tugs Hawke in for a dance all the same. ]

Don't give me that. I've seen Fereldens dance as well. Probably have more fun doing it. Hard to tell. Orlesians and their masks are damned disconcerting.

[bloodmagics]

Isabela being the exception. She seemed rather fond of it.

[Plus she'd gotten Hawke to do it, so...

Hawke settles into the dance rather quickly, keeping time with Brennan.]

At least Fereldans can dance without looking like they've sat on a rod, and fortunately, Orlesians tend to avoid both Lothering and Kirkwall.

[outofthebreach]

Oh-ho. Isabela did, did she?

[ Brennan glances over at the mage at that, a grin curving across his lips as he arches an eyebrow. ]

If only I could say the same of Skyhold. Ever since we set up a base there, we've had them in and out all the time.

[bloodmagics]

I've no doubt you've heard at least one of Varric's stories about her, is it really so surprising?

[Which Hawke is gonna ignore the slight pang of loneliness that hits him when he says Varric's name. Instead, he grins in response to Brennan's arched brow.]

To beg for the Inquisitor's help with trivial matters, no doubt.

[ivehadbetter]

[Isabela saunters up to him after leaving Hawke at one of the tables feasting. Her smile is coy as she crosses her arms and takes a sip from her glass. ]

Hello handsome, has your lover gone off and abandoned you to the wolves? [ Wolves being her. ]

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan turns at the sound of her voice and gives her a crooked smirk. ]

Hello to you too, Isabela. And alas, I'm afraid he has. He's been lured away by the gambling tables and I find myself quite bereft.

[ivehadbetter]

You poor dear. However will you cope. [She squirmed her lips up into a smirk at him.] Is he in need or rescuing or can I steal you for what vaguely resembles dancing?

[outofthebreach]

Alcohol? [ He supplies the answer with a cheeky grin as he holds up his glass in a wordless toast. ]

He's most definitely in need of rescuing, if only from himself, but there's no reason you can't have both. And I'll have you know I didn't survive a month with a snooty Orlesian dancing instructor to achieve something that 'vaguely resembles dancing', my lady. You'd best prepare yourself to be impressed.

[ivehadbetter]

Ah. A man after my own heart. [She returns the cheeky grin and clinks her glass against his gently.]

Oh, you were taught by an Orlesian? Well then I'll just have to up my game. I once spent a long weekend with an Orlesian duchess. I might have picked up a thing or two, but I'm prepared to be impressed, Inquisitor.

[outofthebreach]

I had to dance with a Duchess. [ He makes a face, because that night hadn't turned out pleasant for anyone. ] One misstep and I would have ignite a new civil war. My advisers made very certain I knew what I was doing.

....Although now I certainly hope we don't have a Duchess in common. I wouldn't wish her on anyone.

[ivehadbetter]

[Isabela grins a bit mischeviously and a bit amused.] Did you dance with the Dutchess or dance with the Dutchess. Because I danced very well with her. Did you avert civil war with your dancing skills, Inquisitor?

[outofthebreach]

[ Brennan makes a face. ]

Trust me, there was only platonic dancing involved. Especially because she later tried to murder me. I might have avoided a civil war, but I was more interested in seducing someone else into my bed that night.

[ A pause, and a smirk. ]

I danced very well then, too.

[ivehadbetter]

Some of my best dancing was with someone who later tried to murder me. None of them ever succeeded. Honestly, don't sleep with someone you intend to kill, you hesitate and then the other person wins. Amateurs.

[She smirks at his words though.] Oh? A certain Mage who also happens to be in Wonderland?