02 ~ written

[kingkilvas]

Out of curiosity, can anyone familiar enough with these events explain to me the purpose behind masquerade balls?

Is there cultural reasoning behind it, or do they really find the false illusion of pretending behind a mask and costume to be fun?

Perhaps I just don't understand the significance. Beorc nobility have the oddest ways of doing things.

[In preparing for the Naval ball this weekend (and all the fun restricting his wings under a cloak and pretending to be human for a night, oh goodie), Naesala's been wondering about the event itself.

That, and he's bored up in the crow's nest, currently avoiding most of the crew's new pets that seem to be cropping up day after day. Baby chicks and a cat and he's pretty sure there's a dog around somewhere? No thank you.]

Comments

Audio;

[hiken]

It's 'cause people wanna be able to do messed up things or commit crimes without being implicated, normally. They figure if everybody's doin' it at once and nobody knows who the other is, it's OK.

That's kinda why I think it's weird the Navy even wants to do that.

Audio;

[kingkilvas]

I can believe that. The high-and-mighty are rarely the paragons of righteousness they believe themselves to be.

Though I meant more in the context of the celebration itself.

Audio;

[hiken]

Nah, I don't think so. The styles are usually just from religious designs or things from peoples' myths.

They don't really tie in with the celebrations other than for, y'know, aesthetics.

Audio;

[kingkilvas]

Right, right. Because they think it's fun.

Well, it's the most normal explanation, at least. More than I've come to expect.

Audio;

[hiken]

It's normal, 'cause it's lazy. These people worry so much about makin' time with one another to stress the proper details.

[homelesswargod]

Humans do a lot of strange things in their cultures. Probably it's meant to be fun. They've been happening for years and years.

Written

[kingkilvas]

Believe me, I know. And nearly every time something like this comes up, I continue to fail to understand why they feel the need to over-complicate things.

Written

[homelesswargod]

I could see why it's not easy to understand. I don't quite get them myself and they don't change all that much generation to generation. I don't see the appeal of gathering and dancing in a ball but I've never been to one either.

Written

[kingkilvas]

I'm not opposed to dancing and frivolity in general during celebration, but some practices just plain don't make sense.

Given your words, I should be correct in assuming you're obviously no human either, yes?

Written

[homelesswargod]

I'm not human, no. I'm a God, in fact.

Which practices don't make sense to you? I believe this is the festival where people eat a ton of chocolate eggs. It's a good time of year to go searching in a park for chocolate.

written;

[keyworddouble]

If I'm not mistaken the history of a Masquerade lies in carnival festivities from the 15th Century, which would explain the use of masks and costumes. In current times I believe the purpose is primarily for fun and perhaps to add an air of mystery to a formal event.

written;

[kingkilvas]

The 15th century? [what time period are you people from] I see.

Well, not entirely. I must wonder how much mystery it can add when the events are clearly meant for like-minded military and noble figures who would recognize each other regardless of masks.

written;

[keyworddouble]

I have wondered that myself. It seems a bit trivial, but perhaps that is the intent.

written;

[kingkilvas]

I'd have thought important military officials would want to socialize a bit more seriously. After all, costumes only make it easier for less than exemplary individuals to get in on it.

written;

[keyworddouble]

Then perhaps part of it lies in the challenge? I'm not too well-versed on military folk, but they do on occasion seem a touch haughty about their ability.

[Written]

[thewatchdogswife]

It's for fun of course! For a little while you can dress up as anything you like and no one will judge! You can be a prince or a fairy or just someone you look up to or like your favourite character in a book. It's not real, of course, everyone knows that and no one really extends the pretenses of being someone else further than their costumes and masks.

And it's also fun to try to guess who is who when everyone is disguised like that!

[Written]

[kingkilvas]

Therein lies the problem I have, I suppose. The only time pretending to be someone else is fun is if you're planning espionage. Or a child.

[Written]

[thewatchdogswife]

But if you do it for espionage it's not fun, it's work. I guess you could say that masquerade balls are also a chance for everyone to be a bit like a child again? There's nothing wrong with indulging in it for a bit.

[Written]

[kingkilvas]

You've obviously never done the right kind of espionage.

Adults acting like children is hardly dignified. But then again I can't say I particularly care how this navy comes across. It's just a little ridiculous.

[Written]

[thewatchdogswife]

Actually, I have never done any espionage. The right or the wrong kind. But I still think that's work, you need it to gather information about your enemies, or even your allies, to be able to prepare and have the upper hand should anything happen, right?

I didn't say that it was dignified, but what's so wrong about relaxing for a bit?

written;

[bloodheels]

I guess they are suppose to be something fun, but I've never really been to one to really know. I mean I like the idea of not knowing anyone, but at the same time in this case that can be a problem as we wouldn't know who is who.

written;

[kingkilvas]

I could have sworn knowing your guests was the entire point of social functions.

written;

[bloodheels]

People may introduce themselves if they are asked, but it's not always the case. This is mostly a guess on my end by the way.

written;

[kingkilvas]

That's fine, I've mostly gotten the gist by now. I can only come to a conclusion based on guesses, myself, unless I see firsthand.

written;

[bloodheels]

So are you planning on going yourself? To find out what it is like?