Masquerade Mingle

[thespaceopera]

[The night has finally come--the Gravity Rush is nearly upon us! What normally serves as a large performance hall has been gutted, emptied of its boring furniture and rigged up into a fantastical mismatch of technology and old culture. No matter where you go tonight, you're encouraged to move around, dance, play games, whatever helps you sleep in late tomorrow morning.

If you aren't one for scurrying around a ballroom all night, there's always plenty of people-watching to do. After all, so many people are wearing extravagant costumes and elaborate masks. How can you even tell who is who? Get lost in a crowd of sequins, chatter with a sun and a moon, or try to beat the guy in the monster-mask at a game of cards. Meet your friends or make some new ones--this masquerade party has begun!]


[[ooc: All sections are up now, have fun! A related ooc post is HERE for any questions or plotting you'd like to do.]]

Comments

[bryces_pup]

Yes.

[Shoving that guilt down and shoving it down hard. It was to save their lives, like he said. But damn it, she made that call. If she had been able to do it herself, she would have. And then the burden would be hers.

In its place comes an overwhelming feeling of sadness. It hadn't ever occurred to her before he said it that his first time would have been with Morrigan. Riona likes her a deal better than he does and even that prospect makes her skin crawl. She knows all too well how it must feel to him. And then there's the unfairness of it all.]

I... Maker, I'm sorry Alistair. It really isn't fair. [She leans back against a nearby tree for support, taking off her mask as she does.] You should be able to know what that's like. To do that with someone you love. Or just even like.

[theirinurpants]

It's not your fault. Like I said, I'm just - glad to know that - you're happy, and - he's happy. If anything, I'm - sorry I'm not him. You probably miss him a lot.

[ He shrugs. He knows she wishes he was her Alistair, and even if he gave into these feelings, he'd just be a substitute. Again. Like he's a substitute king. ]

[bryces_pup]

["I'm sorry I'm not him."

There are a few ways to interpret that statement, but given what he says afterwards, she thinks she knows. And she's left speechless for a long moment.

What does she say to that? Of course she misses her husband. But only in a way. She misses their history and what they've shared. The rest of him is standing right in front of her. Beverly told her to treat him like a different person. And maybe she's right. But Leliana thinks of him as one and the same, just with a different set of memories. And perhaps she's right too. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between.

If there's one thing she's certain of, though, it's this:]

You have nothing to be sorry for. You are YOU. Remember what I told you? I am happy I have gotten to meet you. I... am only sorry you are not as happy as you deserve to be. What I'd give for you to be able to have such...

[theirinurpants]

[ He nods vaguely. ]

It's fine, really. I'll be fine. I got to meet you, didn't I? [ He puts on a smile for her. ]

[bryces_pup]

[Oh no you don't. Don't you do that.]

Alistair. [She pulls off her mask as she walks up to him. It's tucked into the side of her halter top for safekeeping. By the time she's reached him, she's looking up at him with her arms crossed.] Don't bury this and push it aside. You don't need to put on a brave face for me.

[theirinurpants]

What else am I supposed to do? It's not going to change. I just have to - deal with it. Move on.

[bryces_pup]

[Maker, she wants to hug him. Just, something. Anything than pull out useless words.]

You don't know that. There's no telling what will happen. Happiness always comes when you least expect it. You just have to be willing to take the chance and grab it.

[theirinurpants]

What do you think I'm doing here?

[ He shrugs. ]

I try to have fun where I can. But it's not fair to anyone for me to want something I can't have.

[bryces_pup]

It's part of human nature. [There was nothing unfair about it; it's just how people are.] And you...

[She hesitates, the words stuck in her throat. What she wants to say may not necessarily be the morally right thing to say, but it's how she feels. And it's what she knows.]

You deserve to be happy. However you want, with whomever you want. Yes, I know you're engaged to Anora, I get that. But it's an arrangement, one of convenience. If love isn't there or expected on either side, then it's not... It's not right to demand both parties to be miserable and not try to find happiness.

[This might be a weird off shoot of her upbringing more than anything else. She heard countless stories over the years of married lords and ladies who carried out quiet affairs. Some were done maliciously, yes, but many were done with the - sometimes unspoken - agreement that as long as the affair didn't jeopardize the accord brought on by the marriage, the other spouse was willing to turn the other cheek. So long as they were allowed to do the same, naturally. Was it right? Perhaps not, but that's how it worked. It was the only chance people in Alistair's situation could find happiness.]

[theirinurpants]

[ Alistair frowns down at his shoes. He still doesn't like it. Even if most people think it's okay, it still doesn't sit right with him. The thought that he'd just be another in a line of unfaithful Theirin men bothers him.

But at the same time, the thought of only being with Anora for the rest of his life - it's a chilling thought. Sure, he supposes it's possible eventually they'll warm to each other, find some kind of common ground, maybe even get to like one another. But love? Romance? Sex? He has a hard time picturing it. ]

She told me once, you know. Amell. That everyone should look out for themselves. I want to be king, you know. I want to learn how. I want to be a good king. But I don't want to hurt anyone because of my own selfishness.

[bryces_pup]

[It's hard to argue with him on that. He's a good person, a selfless one. Far more than she is. How many of her actions were dictated by her own selfishness? Enough to keep her up at night at times.

But even now, knowing that, a part of her just wants to shake him and scream that he's allowed to be selfish every once in awhile. That he needs to think of himself, too, and not others all the time. Enough people in his life always put others above him. She hates seeing him do it to himself.

She does the only thing she can think of: force a smile and nod. Much in the same way she'd scolded him for just a minute ago, but no one ever said she wasn't a hypocrite sometimes.]

I understand. You need to do what you feel is best. [If nothing else, the least she can do is respect his opinion.] You're a good man, Alistair. I hope Anora sees that some day.

[theirinurpants]

[ He shrugs. ]

I mean, it's not like my life is horrible. What have I got to complain about? And I don't want to waste it moping around.

[bryces_pup]

[There's plenty to complain about. But no need to drag him down when he's trying to be optimistic.]

No, you're absolutely right. And, I'm - I haven't been helping with that, have I? [She laughs derisively.] I always have to make everything so serious.

[theirinurpants]

I guess. I just don't know what you would want me to do. Except maybe play more paint ball, which, you know. I'm fine with that!

[ There we go. Let's brush it off and make it a joke! ]

[bryces_pup]

[I'd have you do something for yourself, for once. More unspoken words, kept to herself.

He's not selfish like you are, a little voice shoots back. It cows her, and her resolve crumbles with it.]

I - well, that's a start. As good as any. [She forces a laugh.] Perhaps with a bit more to protect yourself from the shots next time.

[Yes, let's run with the joke and pretend the problem isn't that big of a deal. Like it's not eating at her.]

[theirinurpants]

Shall we continue elsewhere?