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

[bloodmagics]

[You're only old compared to Hawke, Dorian. Let him canon update a few times and you'll be fine.]

Well, it was. Laying in something usually kills the mood.

[That's not even an exaggeration, tbh.

He holds a hand up.]

Help me up? I don't really want to risk it.

[magisterium]

[He holds a hand out without further prompting, offering his assistance.]

Grab on. Let's see exactly how much of a mess you've made of yourself.

[It's mostly teasing-- but if there's a stain, rest assured that Dorian is going to insist he change before resuming his enjoyment of the festivities. There are standards to consider.]

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke takes the offered hand and.. rather shakily pulls himself up. And then promptly plasters himself to Dorian's side so he doesn't fall over.

Fortunately, if there are any stains (which there are, though it's not vomit at least. Wine, likely,) none of them are touching Dorian.]

I'm almost afraid to ask how bad it is.

[Aw, Dorian. You're like the big brother Hawke never had.]

[magisterium]

[The mage frowns minutely, leaning over to examine the damage done as he makes a show of idly stroking his chin with his free hand.]

Well, it's a bit unfortunate; the stain clashes with the rest of the ensemble entirely.

[Such a shame.]

However, on the bright side, it looks to be nothing more than wine.

[bloodmagics]

I don't know if I'd count that as a bright side. Good wine is a terrible thing to waste.

[He tries to take a step, to get himself changed into something a little cleaner and maybe slow down on his alcohol intake when he stumbles, grabbing at Dorian to keep himself upright.]

I hate to be more of a bother, but would you mind helping me find somewhere to change? I'll repay you with a dance once I'm a little more... myself.

[magisterium]

Oh, it's certainly tragic all on its own, but there are worse options at present.

[He agrees, however. Good wine is a terrible, terrible thing to waste, and they must drink in honor of its memory.]

I'm certain we can find somewhere. This place is full of dark corners, the trick will be finding one that's not already-- occupied.

[You know.]

[bloodmagics]

True enough. Given that we're not in The Hanged Man, I'd hope we should be safe from any of the... worse options, at least.

[He'd have to cleanse himself with fire if he ended up face down in a mystery stain back in Kirkwall. So much fire. He makes a face when Dorian continues.]

Yes, I'd prefer to avoid any stains of that... particular nature. Shall we?

[Yes he did a mock bow - as much as he can manage in his current state.]

[magisterium]

Varric did always manage to make The Hanged Man sound exceptionally colorful.

[He might have liked to visit, just once, to see how true Varric's tales actually were.]

He laughs, gesturing broadly towards the doors as Hawke bows.]

We can slip out just long enough to take care of this little problem of yours. We'll be back before anyone can miss us.

[bloodmagics]

Normally I'd say to take anything he says with a grain of salt, but I'm afraid it's likely what he's said about The Hanged Man is all true.

[And he wouldn't trade it for anything. ...Except maybe one of the magic closets from Wonderland.

Hawke loops his arm in Dorian's, careful to avoid any stains in case they're a little fresh and begins the journey to the door.]

I have to say, the way people were acting, I was expecting something a lot worse than a party.

[magisterium]

It sounds delightful.

[Visiting would be like having the opportunity to watch a bunch of wild animals in their native habitat, except instead of things like tigers, they're southern drunks.

He solidifies the linking of their arms, leading Hawke towards the nearest door with purpose.]

From what I've gathered, previous years weren't quite so-- celebratory?

[bloodmagics]

That's certainly one way of putting it.

[He won't deny how many times a visit to The Hanged Man has turned around an otherwise shithouse day.

Fortunately, they don't have to push through too much a crowd, with everyone busy on the dancefloor and at the games.]

It sounds like it? I heard talk of some manner of giant monster last year. I'll admit, it might have been fun to see, but I'm glad we avoided it.

[magisterium]

A dragon, I was told.

[Let's be honest, the Jabberwock is close enough to one.]

While it might have been remarkable in its own right, I think I've seen enough of those for quite some time, thank you. They really do manage to spoil most everything they come across.

[He pauses long enough to hold one of the doors open for Hawke, ushering him through.]

[bloodmagics]

[A slight shudder runs through Hawke at the mention of a dragon.]

I agree with you there. While I haven't dealt with as many as you, one is more than enough for me.

[But it was in the Deep Roads so surely he gets points for that.

As they leave the room, the relative silence of the rest of the mansion is almost deafening, at least for Hawke.]

Been in there so long I didn't realise how loud it was.

[magisterium]

I should think it's more than enough for anyone.

[And yet Brennan saw fit to pit them against ten. No less than ten dragons. ]

It is just a touch deafening, isn't it? Though I suppose that's part of its charm.

[bloodmagics]

[That's as many as five twos and that's terrible.]

I don't know, I'm sure there's someone out there who enjoys it. Not sure I'd want to meet them, but they'd have to exist.

[It's funny for the obvious reason.]

It's a nice break, even if I'm sure my hearing won't be the same once it's over. Between the Blight and the state of things in Kirkwall, parties aren't exactly on the top of anyone's list.

[At least, parties like this.]

[magisterium]

Perhaps if they put parties higher up on their list of priorities, morale might be better.

[Think about it, Kirkwall.]

Actually, I've a friend who fits that very description. You'd likely get along quite well-- though the drink he'd give you after felling said dragon would be like to make you blind, fair warning.

[bloodmagics]

It might ease the tensions in the Gallows, if nothing else.

[It's funny because he has no idea how bad it really is, or how bad it's going to get.]

Speaking from experience? And I shouldn't be surprised the Inquisition managed to recruit a dragon fanatic, should I? [Hawke chuckles, leading them towards the staircase.] My room is on the second floor.

[magisterium]

[Dorian was never close enough to the situation to have any real idea of how bad it was, either-- but if Lady Vivienne was to be believed, Kirkwall's Circle was among the very worst, and given how much she seemed to support the system as it was, he doubts she'd have any reason to lie about that.]

Oh, the Inquisition attracts all sorts. It's a very worthy cause, you know, and worthy causes have a knack for bringing all kinds of people together.

[Right down to making friends out of Qunari and mages from Tevinter, apparently.]

At least it's not a long walk. I'm not certain I trust you with stairs at the moment. How much have you had, anyway?

[Enough to make him pass out on the floor, which isn't, you know, promising.]

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke isn't even completely aware of how bad it is. Considering he does everything he can to avoid the Gallows, but you can't live in Kirkwall and not hear about the tensions continually on the rise.]

A worthy cause that doesn't exist yet. [His face twists into something that's meant to be a grin but falls kind of short.] Is it as strange for you as it is for me?

[He's... curious, okay. His curiosity falters, and he almost sputters.]

... More than I might have been able to afford in Kirkwall?

[That counts as an answer, right.]

[magisterium]

Perhaps even stranger, though I suppose that sort of thing is hard to measure. 'Strange,' in fact, seems to be a very mild sort of descriptor.

[He stops, long enough to heave a sigh, pressing his index and middle fingers against his temples.]

Hawke. I cannot believe that I, of all people, am coming dangerously close to lecturing someone concerning the dangers of excess.

[It's like he doesn't even know himself anymore.]

Fasta vass, I really am getting old.

[bloodmagics]

I think after a party like that, 'strange' might be the best we can do. But, in the interest of not giving myself a headache, maybe we should leave it there.

[But also because he's too drunk to think about it too hard and not unleash his inner most anxieties.

He winces at Dorian's admonishment, a guilty look spreading across his face.]

It was a party! What was I supposed to do, turn it down? [He squints for a moment.] If you take into account the difference in years, aren't we roughly the same age?