oo4. | oh I know that something good is gonna happen

[kantikoy]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Adrasteia
RECIPIENT: Entirety of Riftwatch
NOTES: Satinalia on the DA Wiki

Hello, Riftwatch.

This is Warden Adrasteia, your morale officer. I wanted to let those of you know who might not otherwise (and remind those that do) that Satinalia is coming up in roughly thirty-one, thirty-two days. It is on the first of Firstfall, which is not the month that begins the day after tomorrow but the month following, when winter truly gets started.

Satinalia is marked by feasting, revelry, the naming of a ruler for the day, and the exchange of gifts between friends and otherwise. Considering the state of trade at the moment, and the state of everything else, I thought that perhaps a head start on the obtaining of gifts might be considered a good thing.

Let me know if you do have any questions; there will definitely be a banquet for Riftwatch, but it seems likely that all of Kirkwall will celebrate as well.

Comments

[notathreat]

So, no flying reindeer?

[kantikoy]

Are reindeer supposed to fly?

[notathreat]

Only on Christmas. And apparently if you hung a sock on a fireplace mantle there was a guy who'd break into your house and put presents in it while you were sleeping.

But only if you were good.

The flying reindeer came in because the guy doing the reverse raids had to visit everyone in the world in one night.

To be fair, Satinalia sounds way less bonkers.

[kantikoy]

I have never heard of this Christmas. I don't think it would be popular here, with someone breaking into your home while you slept, good or not.

Sounds like an excellent way to get yourself killed.

[inkindled]

Why a sock?

[illithidnapped]

Wait, he broke in to give you more? What an utterly stupid concept.

[He gasps there, voice lilting with delight:]

—I love it.

[armd]

What does 'ruler of the day' mean?

[kantikoy]

Nothing, legally.

Otherwise it depends a great deal on the people who have gathered. Perhaps they listen to their ruler, perhaps they just parade them around all evening. It varies.

[armd]

Oh. I'm the ruler and so I say you have to... tickle the person on your left, or whatever. That kind of thing?

Sounds like fun.

[sparklequeen]

Sounds like fun. Dunno what I'm going to do for gifts, but it'll be nice to have an excuse to relax a little.

[kantikoy]

Holidays are helpful, in that way.

[sparklequeen]

Yeah, they are. This is a new one for me, but it sounds really nice.

[cozen]

[ With cheerful faux-despair: ] Oh, no, that is too soon! Maybe you could write to the Chantry about changing the calendar.

[kantikoy]

Mm.

[ As if she's considering it. ]

I somehow doubt that a Warden elven mage who avoided Circles her entire life won't carry much weight in the eyes of the Chantry in regards to the calendar. Amongst other things.

[fairforce]

We had a rule in my family: gifts had to be made by hand. My parents started that as a tradition when I was small and we've always done it since. I suppose it might seem, oh, I don't know--mawkish, somewhat--but I've always enjoyed it. Still a good idea to get a head start.

Will you be organizing Riftwatch's banquet?

[kantikoy]

I am not as skilled as all that, I'm afraid to say. [ She can't quite imagine making a gift for, say, Ellis, with her own two hands. ] Probably, yes, in conjunction with the seneschal's office. Did you have a request?

[fairforce]

Oh, don't worry. That wasn't me bragging. I'm not skilled at craftsmanship either. None of us are. That's half the fun of it.

But--have you ever had those Satinalia cakes--the spiced ones? Apricot jam and dried cherries and currants and candied orange peel... They're so good. It isn't Satinalia unless I've had at least a dozen. I know there's shortages and all so I won't hold it against anyone if they don't make it, but--if it's at all possible, I'd love for those to be at the banquet.

[molineux]

Are there any unspoken rules about the sort of gifts we exchange with each other?

[satinet]

Rules? Hardly. Suggestions? Always.

I seem to recall some superstitions regarding colors. White for new beginnings; green for devotion; orange for friendship; red for—

[Well.]

[molineux]

[ she waits to let him continue before a gentle prompting: ]

...for passion?

[kantikoy]

No, not really, as far as I know, though I see the Seneschal has already answered some of your questions.

↣ private

[molineux]

If it's okay for me to ask, what's your favorite gift you've received thus far?

[muckspout]

Have a question, Adrasteia. Are we friends? How good of friends would you say we are?

[kantikoy]

You don't have to get me anything, if that's what you're asking. But we are friends. Good friends, I think.

[muckspout]

[Laughing]

Was always going to get you something, Adrasteia, just wanted to hear you say that!