[MINGLE] Saints & Sinners Masquerade

[sixthiteration]

WHERE: Corn field next to the inn
WHEN: 31 October, all day and night
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Please warn as appropriate in your subject lines
NOTES: Please make sure you have read and understand the event details! If you have questions, drop them here. RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED: Put your SCRUBS COLOR in your OTA subject line for folks doing bingo. Time your OTA for the harvest feast, the masquerade, or both. Costume matches and details for folks who did not get matched are here.

---

This morning, our intrepid villagers awoke to a surprise of the nicer kind: A bundle of clothing left at the foot of their bed, tied with a bow. There is also a note: Put on your new outfit and join the festivities in the corn field next to the inn.

You may be thinking, what corn field next to the inn? The one that sprung up fully-mature overnight, of course.

In the middle of the field, villagers will find an autumn feast: Tables piled with harvest time food and drink, warm and rustic decorations, the day's sunshine fending off any chill in the air.

Tuck in and enjoy, villagers, but take note: Things often look different in the dark, and you might be one of them.

Comments

[eaglesonofnone]

"I know not of a place called Dorne, but if they are similar to my people, I would hope I am a positive reflection." He gave her a small smile. His family - that was something he was always willing to speak of. "My eldest son was Darim. His younger brother was Sef. He lost his life, unfortunately, to a man who named himself my enemy. He has been gone for nearly forty years." But...

But.

"After Darim's birth, I wished for more children, but my wife was opposed. I believe I was more a parent than she. And as her contribution was greater, I obeyed her wishes."

[thekittenqueen]

"More positive than my memories of them." Her family had always had a rivalry with the Martells, but since her arrival here and the events of her first wedding, she could admire the manners of the people of Dorne and the freedom they enjoyed. It was no different than how she lived her life, though far more open. She could only afford so much while the Dornish didn't care for the opinions of others.

"I'm sorry." It must have been a painful loss, though he didn't seem to give any of his feelings away.

"Why did she not wish for more children, if I may ask?"

[eaglesonofnone]

He smoothed the worry with a gesture, fingers splaying. "She did not want children at all when we first wed," he answered. "In fact, I doubt she even cared for me, but being my wife gave her freedoms she could not have otherwise. Our caring, I believe, came with time. And children... followed. As nature insists.

"She knew the dangers of carrying and birthing a child, and two were enough for her. And who would I be to insist?" Altaïr shook his head. "I loved her and I wanted her to be happy. So I cared for our two, loved them with all I was. As they grew older, being a parent became easier for her, as did our love."

[thekittenqueen]

The sort of marriage that she should have been content with in her life, but it was power she loved more and her ambition that she was truly married to. Now, looking back at it all and having actually known love, everything before seemed to be built on ash. It all crumbled in her hands, intangible and frail.

"I envy that happiness." She admitted softly, her eyes distant. It was all so overwhelming, being here and being surrounded by others. But as much as she wanted to socialize, the reminder of her past and of those she lost had proven to be too much. She needed the darkness of her rooms and the silence that waited for her there.

"I should return home."

[eaglesonofnone]

"Sayyida-- my deepest apologies," he said quietly. "I can see my words have hurt you. Please, I would sooner leave than deprive you of an enjoyable evening."

And he suited action to word, beginning to stand up. There was much on her mind, and an evening like this - a feast, a gathering - was the sort of thing that could take one's mind off of troubles if they let it. And as it had been he that had brought painful memories to mind, perhaps it would be best if he let her be.