Tea's on the agenda

[Mazarine Barzaghi]

Unlike most meetings held by the L’Ordine, this meeting, in particular, was one where Mazarine Barzaghi was more vocal about her opinions and the opinions of her people than usual. But, it was that time of year again, and if it was one thing the Crearites knew how to do, it was throwing a party. And celebration season would be upon them before they knew it.

The Litha celebration, Kupala Notte would soon be upon them, and planning was needed. In fact, Mazarine expected the L’Ordine meetings to shift to once a week, as the planning process would soon take place. But maybe she was thinking too far ahead…after all, they were still in spring. But one mention of the celebration had Maz sitting up in her chair for once and those tarot cards had ceased their shuffling.

Aside from Carneval, Kupala Notte was her favorite holiday. The meeting was adjourned, and she rose to her feet. Stretching her arms above her head as she stretched, sighing a bit as she did. The motion had her blouse rising and her midriff showed for a brief moment before she lowered her arms and collected her Tarot Cards. Placing them in her small satchel before she placed the strap over her shoulder, and headed towards the exit.

Each step she took, the sound of her bangles jingled with each movement, and she practically bounced next to her favorite lawyer’s side. “That wasn’ too mad don’ you think? Things have been rather tame as of late.” And of course as she said it she reached out to knock on the wooden door as she and Celio Durante passed through. “I think we should spice things up for Kupala Notte this year.” As per usual, Mazarine instantly pulled Celio Durante into conversation whether he wanted it or not.

The two had certainly had a rocky start, but they eventually grew on each other. Now Mazarine would consider the giant, broody lawyer a good friend. It was an odd pairing, what with Maz’s colorful personality and Celios monotone color scheme. Something she tried to get him to change on more than one occasion. She was bound and determined to show him color theory one day, and that anyone could learn it. Even him.

Her dark eyes glittered with that mischievous excitement she was known for as they flickered up towards Celio, waiting as patiently as Mazarine of all people could, for his opinion.

[Celio Durante]

Celio had been glad to see Ms. Barzaghi sit up and take an interest in the planning for Kupala--though he'd noticed since she became Exemplar, that holidays and parties would always get the woman's attention. It was the one thing that was sure to get a comment out of her.

He should have, therefore, been expecting her approach after the meeting, but her appearance at his side as he packed up his papers still made him jump. Her superstitious 'knock on wood' moment, however, was commonplace--to the point where he'd actually caught himself doing the silly gesture once or twice when someone said something jinx-worthy.

"Spice? Ms. Barzaghi, that word, coming from you, might be considered a threat," he commented mildly.

He meant it, though--most people thought that the general mingling of people from all the districts, the drinking and dancing and laughter...that was plenty of 'spice.' To add more excitement than that could get out of hand, especially with this particular exemplar at the helm. Perhaps it was a good thing she'd brought the idea to him; Celio might be able to help temper the idea before it got out of hand.

With her at his side, he automatically drifted toward Caffe Vittoria, where the two were known to sit and 'energetically discuss' matters when the mood struck them.

"What did you have in mind?"

[Mazarine Barzaghi]

A scoff of offense came from those nude colored lips as Mazarine took offense to Celio's threat comment. All joking of course, if anything it put more mischievous fire in her eyes. Still, she swatted playfully at his shoulder. "A threat? Darling Celio, if I was making a threat you would know! I'm as harmless as a kitten." She defended. But even sweet little kitties had claws now didn't they?

Still, she was humored and the mirth showed in her eyes as the two walked out, falling into step beside him easily, even if he dwarfed her with his tall height and broad shoulders. Mazarine had a tendency of always having a slight bounce in her step, especially when walking next to the giant lawyer. She did what could be described as a skip, to get a few paces ahead before twirling around, her skirts flaring slightly at the motion as she held her hands behind her back and started to walk backwards so she could look up at Celio's face easier. "Oooooh nothing to threating, I assure you." She smirked.

"In fact, I think it would be good for everyone. Helps with intercommunity relations, letting the districts further break down the stereotypes." She waved a hand as if it was simple. "A dance of course," Now the gleam that entered those dark onyx eyes, was most certainly threatening, as she twirled around to look in front of her so she wouldn't tumbled down the steps. "We start it early in the morning, one everyone knows, with lots of exchanging of dance partners, and once the music ends, whatever dance partner you end up with, you have to spend the whole day with. All voluntary of course." Of course no one would have to stick with a person they weren't comfortable with, but it could be fun right? 

[Celio Durante]

Celio nearly rolled his eyes at her antics, but instead, almost against his will, the corners of his mouth began to creep upwards as he watched her walk backward so that she could look at him and talk to him at the same time.

A dance, hm? The proposal seemed simple enough. They'd simply need an open space and some musicians. They could set up a few events or games during the day, too, to keep the pairs busy.

"Well, I suppose that's doable. We might have to set up a few groups to keep like-aged people together--one for teens, one for adults, perhaps. Or three? Teens, twenties and thirties, and one older? I suppose it depends on the number of participants…"

One idea suggested and he was already plugging away at it, working out the logistics, wondering how they'd arrange the whole thing, who might complain, how they could beat the complaints before they were even made… A lawyer and a strategist through and through. He was silent for the next part of their walk, turning over all the details in his mind, mentally arranging the right space, right music, right attendees… If Mazarine said anything to him during that time, he didn't hear it. He was deep in contemplation.

"Oh, and you'd need to announce it ahead of time, spread the word so enough people showed up," he added, slowing to open the door to the cafe and hold it open for his companion. "Are you planning to propose this soon? We'll need to work out the details before we suggest it to the others if you want the vote to go smoothly."