#Mardi Gras lights up the city

[winebrightruby]

hello hello! question for you, hopefully not a bummer: how do you observe Mardi Gras now that you are not living right in New Orleans anymore? (I think of you every year when it rolls around!)

I cry a lot, lmao.

Tbh this year was a bit of a mess because of the single-parenting struggle until husband is back in the country, but I'll answer in terms of general intentions. I start on the night the Krewe of Muses parades, which is the Thursday before Mardi Gras (day). I offer specific hymns and offerings for the relevant deities/spirits as determined by parading krewe:

Muses on Thursday

Hermes and Morpheus on Friday

Iris and Endymion on Saturday

Bacchus (and Okeanos and Athena) on Sunday, Dimanche Gras, the start of my version of Anthesteria

Orpheus and Proteus on Monday, Lundi Gras

Rex and Zulu on Tuesday, Mardi Gras

At this point, I treat it like a semi-festival. I buy king cake and then suffer because it's Not Good. I buy hyacinths; I mix fancy drinks for offerings. In the years to come I'll have our Mardi Gras/New Orleans shrine set up, but right now toddlers render that too risky.

I promised Jo I'll take her to New Orleans next year. She's not old enough to get why it matters, but it's a point of pride for her that "mommy and me are from Louisiana, and I was borned in New Orleans". We'll go for Muses and she can catch shoes to her heart's content.

[itsyagurlchip]

٠ ˚ ※ ๋࣭  ᯓ⚝ ⋆ .˚✰Down in N'awleans ٠ ˚ ※ ๋࣭  ᯓ⚝ ⋆ .˚✰

✰⋆⁺warnings: alastor(!) ace alastor and reader(!) cussing(!) its hell man idk what to tell u(!) very cultural (!) reader has a strong accent(!) reader is more modern than alastor(!) black reader NOT CAJUN SHE IS NEW ORLEANIAN (!) mentions of gore and blood(!) fem reader(!) angst(!) grieving (!) fluff(!) comfort(!)

✰⋆⁺Im so sad that the only new orleans part of alastor we got to see was a few of his music preferences, and the overused dish jambalaya (as good as it is, its referenced too much when mentioning Louisiana and i sorta hate it-) soooo, as an artist i took matters into my own hands 😈 btw, this is long, so enjoy a piece of my culture!!!

fun fact: did you know that Louisiana has about 400 festivals and events annually? (my favs are strawberry fest, mardi gras, and crawfish fest) btw if anyone is struggling to read it: mardi gras is pronounced madi-grahs. (like ice spice grah 🤪🤪/jj)

✰⋆⁺ Oh what a joy!! Your love Alastor is in hell with you!!! After a whopping 58 years after Alastor's death at 33, with you dying barely at 88 before your birthday, you've finally have found your soulmate!! You're a bit different though, you have a stronger accent, and your tone is..."slangy". Times have changed, but has your love? Of course it does! Alastor couldn't love you more, lovers being apart for too long is straining to one's mental afterall.

"His sister's black, but she is sho'nuff pretty. Her skirt is short, but Lord her legs are sturdy. To walk to school, she's got to get up early. Her clothes are old, but never are they dirty. Living just enough, just enough for the city." You sang, walking along the streets of hell. That song by Stevie Wonder had always brought you comfort...

It gives you a sense of memory, deja vu if you will. Not that you could remember. But you being a young black girl, in the struggles of 1916 brings a comfort to your heart.

...

You closed all eight of your eyes, your afro bouncing as you walked. Walking walking walking. Your dark dress would lift up slightly from the ground, wisping away curiously.

It was pitch black, like your gloves that ran from the tips of your fingers, to the upper part of your arm. If you squint, one could see hints of clear web being shown by light.

People would question why you still wore black even years after your husband's death. Now in hell, you had black skin, and spider appendages on your stomach and hips. How ironic.

You still never answered the question.

Alastor had died at the young age of 33, leaving a 30 year old widow to mourn his passing. That man chiseled his way into your heart and croaked years later. All you could do to keep your emotions in check, was continue your dear husbands work.

The radio station he worked at had begged you to host his morning shows. The town was distraught of his absence. And there's a depression? People were sad, now even more broke, and at the hands of phoney mayors and presidents.

Alastor left a big hole in the role he had as the "Darling of New Orleans". And so did the Bayou Butcher...

What else could you do? Each life you blew off was in honor of your amazing husband. Soon radio was bigger than ever! You'd broadcast the annual 8 killings of casualty due to the new 'Wynoriffic Widow.' This had led on for about 20 years before old age came into play.

You killed 162 people in the name of your love. Never caught, yet never forgotten. You became a big shot, killer and announcer.

While you never had the intrusive thought to do so, you finally understood why Alastor felt a rush of righteousness when he came home after his activities with Mimzy.

Damn Mimzy, the hooch she is. (💀💀)

Let's be honest, the name "Widow" hit too close to home due to recent events, but thats why you only killed eight people per year! And to make things even better, you set 8 things that would happen. 8 games. 8 lines all connecting into a web. And to make things worse for the police, your extermination cravings were sporadic, and not so scheduled.

But it all played out the same.

Something subtle. like a box of rotting spiders at the victim's doorstep.

Next would be a missing, or perhaps "disappearing" passport and driver's license...if they could even afford one.

Now there would be 3 warning letters, the classic "i know what you did". Simple as that.

The second one would be more detailed. Writings of the person's actions would be made for a week before the last and final warning was made.

"Im coming" you wrote in squirrel blood, giggling everytime the person panicked, not knowing it was you all along.

Then nothing....for 2 weeks or so. To lower suspicion per say.

Then its the time to strike. Waiting until exactly midnight to knock out and drag your victim to the very same swamps your beloved died in. You'd take the damned soul, and torture them for as long as you pleased. No matter how many screams, how much blood, their life was in your hands and yours only.

Finally, you'd pray. Pray that this offering of love would suffice for being ripped apart for so long. and as for cleaning up your mess, you'd thank the gators and the wolves for "aiding" with your hobby.

But you began getting old, despite exercising regularly and eating the things your body needed. You couldn't go out and fufill your duties. The one thing that made you happy, second to Alastor. And soon enough you died, welcoming your new fate.

The only thing you questioned was your young appearance. You died of old age, so you didn't understand why you looked like you were 30 again.

You hummed, mimicking a trumpet as you continued your short strides. And here you are now! On the way to reunite with your love once more... it's been far too long.

Welp, it won't be long before you see your life again (despite being dead). Adjusting the big puffs and coils on your head, as well as smoothing down your dress, you knocked onto the hotel door.

Your smile was so big! (You cheeks were starting to hurt from subconsciously doing so much, trying to keep memory of something you once lost).

You looked around yourself as you waited. There was a golden fountain of a majestic dragon creature, with building itself huge yet comfortable. Despite the lights in the front being a bit bright, this place pleased something in your mind.

The door opened for you to see...a short blond man?

"Hello? Is this the Hazbin Hotel?"You asked, restraining and chaining the accent you had, not wanting to be perceived as "ghetto" for the first time.

"Why yes~ Welcome my dear, and what brings you to this place?" The half-pint of a man reached for your arm, kissing it three times before hooking your arm. Your face involuntarily scrunched a bit before coming back to that neutral smile you has once before.

"I would like to see the hotel manager. Alastor, correct?" You asked as the man who tried to pull you forward, even though his head barely surpassed your chest. And surprisingly, for his height i mean, he pulled you along easily.

The lobby was a plethora of shades in red accented with bits of gold, black, and white.

"ugh His office is near the top of the hotel or something Can't miss it. The place sorta looks like a swamp."

"Of course" you mumbled. Thinking about the greenery and fireflies Alastor would take you to see.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothin'!" You smiled, already make your way to the prolonged destination.

Thank god there was an elevator, or you would've screamed. If this place was lavish and beautifully decorated, yet no easy place of transportation for inclusivity, or simply to better convenience of the people living here...

Thought pisses you off.

Hearing the elevator dig, you adjusted yourself again before walking out and looking towards the hallways. Ah, you could see what he meant. While every other door looked like a basic hotel door, the one at the end of the hallway was covered in green glowing floorboards.

It made you tear up, knowing he still had some kind of connection to his home. The fireflies danced around the entrance, enticing you to walk quicker in those heels of yours.

Reaching the door made your body paralyze and vision blur for a second or two. You took a deep breath, and knocked 2 times with a pause, knocking 3 times slower.

It was something you and Alastor did to ensure that the police wasn't at the door, back when you weren't interested in killing.

You hear shuffling, then came a fall and a thump. You hear a woman exclaim in worry. With rushed footsteps came an open door, revealing the one you lost so long ago.

He looked much different, much more red ('to hide the blood' you giggled to yourself'). His skin was more gray than that toned brown, you look up to his head to see...

'is this mf wearing a bob?'

"Alastor! Are you alright?" A doll-like woman came out, in a red suit but the brightest aura.

"Love...?" He ignored her, his knees trembling slightly with his eyes watering.

Next thing you knew you were tackled to the wall, embraced with such longing, infatuation, and a whole new level of care.

"Hello sweetheart..." You combed through his hair, brushing over some antlers, making Alastor shiver in your hold. You smiled, embracing him back with a somber sigh.

"Soooo- The Dappa Demon gotta milf for his troubles?" A white and fluffy man in pink stroller over.

"Um Angel- I dont think now's the time for that-" The Doll woman tried.

"And who is you?" You asked, genuinely curious. Alastor was still hugging you, silent, which is disturbing for a man with a voice like his.

"Da name's Angel Dust sweetpie!" He smirked, looking you up and down. "Why you cuddlin' up to Raspberry Daddy(™) like that?"

"Well, Angel, this raspberry daddy is my husband!" You explained, watching the lanky spider (which you now noticed looked like a spider), blanch before guffawing.

The woman, who you keep on forgetting about, gasped with, which you really hoped wasn't, all of her chest and possibly lungs.

"ALASTOR HAS A WIFE!!! WOW! ITS SUPER NICE TO MEET YOU!!!" She bounced up and down, her blond hair flew up along with it. Speaking of, the short man has blond hair too... welp, aint non of yo business so- "MY NAME IS CHARLIE!! THIS IS THE HAZBIN HOTEL!! AND- AND-"

"Charlie, suga mallow, pause pause! Its nice to meet you too baby!!" You started, "Can we just talk about this, as well as the hotel, in a better setting?- I think doeball needs a moment"

You looked down at Alastor, seeing his ears pinned downwards as well as feeling a small damp puddle on your shoulder.

"Oh! um- okay!! That's completely fine!! Yea! Go do your husband, and uh, wife things!!" Charlie said, pushing you towards Alastor's office once more, prompting you to hold your husband bridal style. You would hate for him to have fallen.

"So we aren't gonna talk about how Alastor isn't an edgy inhuman prince of darkness, gifted to the immunity of normal mortal affection?" Angel asked, still in shock.

The door promptly shut. You looked around his office, which was more of a radio station with shelves and a desk. Everything was in tones of brown, red, and burgundy.

The only thing that set it apart was the glowing green floor, with pale green tree moss around the corners. You smiled as a group of fireflies flew past you two.

You walk towards the chair, sitting down with Alastor's body in your lap, head in your shoulders, like long ago.

You move your hands to his ear, running your fingers through his fur, as well as using your bottom row of arms to turn on the radio, sitting so silently on the desk.

Luckily, for the both of you, calming slow jazz was playing.

"You ready to talk now?" You whispered quietly. His ear twitched before he sat up.

"Yes dear..." He said, his voice barely carrying through the air.

"Well... I wanna start with- where'd you go-?...that night i mean."

The room went silent. You continued to rub his back, feeling his boney spine despite the layers of clothing he dubbed.

Soon words flowed out of him. Like a radio host.

The story he told was one of improv, one he hadn't expected to share for a long time. About his killings, the dogs, his last sight. How his last wish was to kiss you one the lips once more.

And once he finished you told yours.

How much grief you were in. The sudden bloodlust you took after you figured everything out. The way you played with the town's mind. How every body you took was in sacrifice for him. The hope that your love would one day be connected once more, never severed again by dimensions.

The night was filled with silent sobs of two deceased lovers.

In the brief morning, you two caught up with each other. Alastor still liked a lot of the same things he did in the past, but you have changed a lot.

You have an accent. Sometimes you'll replace the word 'are' with 'is' and other times you say 'ain't', or nickname drop people. And when you get angry the accent gets even stronger, humoring him to your irritated dismay.

You can cook now! Before Alastor died, he would cook for the both of you. You managed to burn an expensive pan he got from his mother, he never let you lay a hand on the stove ever again.

You also were more...modern. Luckily not to the point where you were addicted, but it still pissed off Alastor that you had some form of flat screen. You listened to rap occasionally, as well as musicals.

But yet, he couldn't judge you for these new qualities you have. You still have that lovey fro, your beautiful and plump lips, and the way your eyes flow across the room almost brings his rotting heart back to life.

Right now in the kitchen, you two were making beignets in coconut oil. As you rolled the dough out, Alastor questioned your uniqueness of cooking.

"Darling, must you stuff the pastries with dark chocolate? Wouldn't the powdered sugar be enough?"

"Don't worry Baby! m'Made these several times!" You replied. You grabbed the strainer, tossing the raw dough into the hot oil.

"And why coconut oil specifically?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. You rolled your eyes with a loving smile.

"Cuz! It makes it taste better! Not sure how to 'xplain it, but it just does." You flipped the beignets, ensuring they were golden brown before placing them on the brown paper.

"If you say so, my Dear."

You began to hum softly, to a jazz song you heard on the streets, swaying slowly as you worked. Your husband then held you from behind, swinging with you.

His head was buried in you neck, ears flicking with each tickle of your hair. His arms came underneath yours, holding and pressing your hips.

Plating the food, you set it down in favor of dancing with your love. Dancing to the silent song of adoration, fondness, and care.

Behind the kitchen door, which was slightly propped open, you could hear the excited ramblings of the hotel's owner, making Alastor groan quietly.

"WOW!! They're so cute!!! Omg, they are so sweet together!! EEEEK!!" Charlie exclaimed, struggling to keep her voice down. this made you chuckle sweetly, making the woman utter an apology before leaving.

This is all that you wished for. Your husband, loving and dancing with your soul again. Even if it took a couple of bluenoses to accept it. (cough cough Angel and Husk)

All you could think about were those bands, the trumpets, the parades, Alastor, the food and feel of your homeplace. All of it brang you back, and now you have even more to appreciate.

Dreams do come true, down in N'awleans. Even if it takes years to achieve it.

btw i gave her lore

thx to @sharkdukes on Ao3, i now headcannon that you can offer a soul to a demon, which is what reader was unknowingly doing. Which is half of the reason why Alastor is so powerful at the start in hell-

heavily inspired by @drowninnoodles 's Sugar and Sinnamon on ao3.

as well as @pheavampire for this hilarious art

(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و tags: @kittykittyanon @radicallxser @oleander-nin @towomatos @thealphagirl @ziipzeepzop-eez @spongejuice @amorisbackandbetterthanever @cyb3r-st4r if you would like to be added, check my blog. if you would like to be added, check my blog. SEE? I SAID IT TWICE!!

as for the playlist, if you couldn't read bc of the font, its titled: Wynorrifcly Widowing. (ik i didn't spell it right stfu) Please lemme know if there are any places where i forgot to finish thoughts.

©KAL pls don't steal, repost, trace, or whatever an art theif does. you can inspire yourself! just tag me to let me know<3

[bullet-prooflove]

Out of sheer curiosity, how do you imagine Ro and Pride spending Halloween? How about the days leading up to it?

Halloween is a massive thing for the both of them. Ro is from Georgia and they do Halloween the same way New Orleans does, big events that go on for days. She kinda loves the pageantry of it.

I think actual Halloween day and night is probably spend prepping the Tru Tone for a huge Halloween themed party. It’s one of the most profitable nights of the year for bars so they decide to take advantage of it. They manage to get on a  few spooky bar brawl tours so the bar stays packed. They hire a mixologist who specialises in smoky, alchemy style cocktails. Dwayne hires an amazing band to do classy Halloween themed songs, stuff like Black Magic Woman, I Put A Spell On You, things that fit the vibe of the bar. He leaves decorating to Ro and she goes all out, we’re not talking cheap streamers, we’re talking getting Sebastian to set up green and purple uplighters outside to give it a Mardi Gras spooky vibe and then play to that vibe within.

Their costumes will probably be a couples costume, white skull  make up with dark hollow eyes. Dwayne would wear a raggedy suit with a top hat, he takes the jacket and the hat off when it gets too warm and rolls up those sleeves. Ro will prob wear a black and white lace dress with limited tulle and a white rose headband that contrasts against her hair.

They’re both work the bar on the actual night so they pack the stuff they want to do into the week before.

Ro is still relatively new to New Orleans (a few years as a transplant) so she’ll probably want to do more touristy stuff that isn’t Dwayne’s thing sometimes. She’d hit a ghost tour with Sebastian and tour a few haunted houses, go to the Voodoo museum. She may go to a psychic reading with Tammy or hit a party with Chris if Dwayne is working.(Dwayne comes home to find her dressed up, passed out on the couch and gets to hear about her and Chris’s antics at work the next morning)

Dwayne would probably have spent some time seeking out the best Halloween decs in the city and would give her a tour in the convertible. He’d buy Halloween cookies for this tour and have a thermos of pumpkin spice ready. Dwayne would ask her about some of her own Halloween traditions and try to incorporate those into the time they spend together.

They would defo do the parade together, Dwayne would love the way she lights up when she sees everything. I also kind of love the idea of them doing a spooky whiskey tasting together in one of the old distilleries. As something very special and probably a surprise Dwayne would take her to one of the haunted restaurants, somewhere that does amazing food and has a rich history.

[cynical-kitten]

Oh! I did the thing!

I WROTE A CHAPTER AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF NOTHING. Check it out if you wanna :) here's a snippet, and the link if you want to read more <3

As a human, New Year's Eve was a night I eagerly circled on calendars the day I bought them, marked with bright ink, some doodles, and a few exclamation points for good measure. The thrill of doing so was edged on by the buzz induced by the New Year's event that had occurred a day or two before, as well as the excitement of planning for the one ahead. As a product of New Orleans, I lived for parties, especially the extravaganzas in honor of a new year. Although nothing could shine as bright as our beloved Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve came very, very close.

Parties in the Crescent City were unique and worth the tourism it rightly deserved. The celebrations were considered to be street parties, and welcomed partygoers from around the world. Restaurants and jazz clubs held their doors wide open, musicians played on every corner of the French Quarter, and vendors were set up as far as the eye could see. Lights were strung from every nook and cranny, creating a blanket of stars beneath the celestial beauties dotting the night sky.

Despite the prohibition, which was alive and well for a decent portion of my adult life, alcohol found a way to flow freely under the noses of the law, fueling the debauchery that loitered within my beloved city. Champagne bubbles tickled my nose as I tossed back glass after glass, and whiskey warmed my insides as it settled in my stomach, igniting a fire against the chill of winter.

But oh, the dancing! The dancing was the highlight of it all and absolutely nothing could compare. Drunk off of the music and the liquid courage burning in my veins, I would twirl among the crowds, uncaring and free. I was alive, laughing and spinning as if all of New Orleans was my dancefloor. As a single woman, I'd flit from person to person, not a care in the world of whose arms had been encircled around me. Boundaries simply didn't exist on nights like these. Everyone was there to have a good time, and if you could cut a rug, you were fair game no matter who you belonged to.

Truth be told, I could have made a dance partner out of a murderer, which, in hindsight, I guess technically I did. After marrying Alastor, who turned out to be the Crescent City Phantom that haunted the streets of New Orleans, I truly expected my free-spirited fun to end. Much to my surprise, it didn't— he only added his dark, eager enthusiasm into the mix. The social butterfly found as much passion for the New Year's parties as I did, never denying me the opportunity to dance the night away as we counted down to midnight. And boy, could he dance! Alastor could dance better than anyone I've ever know, but he never let me stray far. He was very selfish and kept me to himself, his hands possessive as he held me close, which was fine by me. He indulged my every whim and fancy, never complaining unless I got too touchy or became stumbling drunk.

New Year's Eve in Hell, like most holidays, was a vastly different experience than the ones I had up above. It was a twisted version of the affair, lacking the glimmers of hope and eager resolutions that I was accustomed to. The night had one of the most somber atmosphere, filled with a sort of primal dread and anxiety that sat like a gargoyle on your shoulders. It dripped from the pores of every Sinner, the air heavy with fear and anticipation for what the next day would bring.

[vulpes-fennec]

Love on Water Lilies 🪷 (Ch 1)

Summary: Prince Lucien Vanserra of the Autumn Kingdom is all play, no work. Elain Archeron, a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner in the city of Colibri, is all work, no play. Caught in a larger scheme of politics and war, Lucien and Elain are turned into frogs. Will Elain get her restaurant back? Will Lucien ever become Fae again?

Read on AO3

An Princess and the Frog inspired story for @elucienweekofficial Day 5: Nature 🍃

“Fried plantains and fresh fruit salad! Two vanilla golden toasts with honey syrup! Banana pudding!” The line cooks’ voices rang out from the sizzling kitchen.

“Coming right on up!” Elain Archeron plastered on a bright smile and cheerful voice as she dished out plate after plate of breakfast at Roy’s Cafe. The heavenly smell of fresh coffee was barely enough to keep Elain awake—she was exhausted. Elain glanced at the clock. Five more minutes…

Her shift at the Purple Flamingo Cabaret last night had certainly taken its toll, for the Summer Kingdom’s Mardi Gras festivities had begun. The swamp city of Colibri, known for good food and even better music, drew thousands of visitors every Mardi Gras. And this year, a special celebrity was in their midst: Prince Lucien Vanserra of the Autumn Kingdom, who had arrived just yesterday.

Although Elain hadn’t seen this prince yet, she heard plenty about him last night at the Purple Flamingo. The fourth and youngest son of King Beron Vanserra, Lucien was young, rich, handsome…and most importantly, single. He would probably remain that way, too, for word on the street was that Lucien was a total flirt. Gallivanting his way across Prythian’s kingdoms, taking on new lovers each week, partying all night long…

Elain grabbed a beignet to-go when she finally clocked out. Gulls squawked in the distance, green-painted trolleys clanged as they rolled by. Mardi Gras revelers walked by, decked out in chic outfits of green, purple, and yellow. With her food-stained yellow apron, worn ballet flats, and frazzled honey-brown hair, Elain felt a pinch of resentment.

Must be nice to never have to work a day in your life. Every year, the promise of generous tips during Mardi Gras dangled before food service workers like a carrot, tricking them into taking extra shifts.

It wasn’t always this way. Elain remembered the Mardi Gras celebrations of her childhood, the way she and her sisters danced to lively jazz and ate their way through delicacies all night long. The Archeron home used to be in the Marigold District, where all the wealthy Fae lived. But then Elain’s mother passed away, leaving her father depressed. Reginald Archeron rallied himself enough to fight in the Hybern War seven years ago, but lost his leg during one of the early battles.

Elain loved her father dearly, but it was plain fact that he had practically given up on life after becoming handicapped. The familial roles had reversed: instead of their father ensuring his daughters’ needs were met, Elain, Feyre, and Nesta were forced to take odd jobs in order to survive. Nesta delivered and occasionally edited for The Colibri Tribune. Feyre cleaned the art studios and landed the occasional art commission. Elain juggled multiple shifts between Roy’s Cafe, the Purple Flamingo Cabaret, and Emile’s Seafood Bar.

Though her shifts were grueling, Elain tried to view them in a positive light. It was career training of sorts: she paid attention to different management styles, brushed up her conversational skills with all sorts of Fae as a waitress, and improved her culinary skills as a cook. Ever since she was a little girl, a riverfront cafe to call her own had been Elain’s dream. When her family fell from wealth seven years ago, that dream was almost lost.

But now, Elain was closer to achieving that dream than ever. She was fairly confident in her capabilities as a cook and waitress. She had strong accounting skills, enough to ensure her restaurant wouldn’t go bankrupt. And more importantly, she had been in serious talks with realtors for a decrepit riverfront pavilion. The pavilion was a little run-down, but it was perfect in Elain’s heart. She juussttt needed a little more money…which was where the Mardi Gras cooking contest would come into play.

Because in addition to the multiple parades, balls, concerts, and parties, Mardi Gras featured local cuisines in a series of cooking concerts.

Today was the jambalaya cooking contest, which was taking place at Firefly Square. Tomorrow, Elain was slated for the baking contest, where she planned to wow the judges with her peach cobbler. The day after, she would participate in the fry contest, having perfected her fried chicken spice rub.

Elain stopped home to briefly freshen up. It was a tiny, cramped space—an utter downgrade from their old home. She and her sisters had squeezed three narrow beds into a room, the sole closet overflowing with clothes. The living room wasn’t much better: Feyre’s art supplies were strewn across every available surface, and Nesta’s second-hand books tilted in precarious stacks. Only the kitchen, Elain’s domain, remained spotlessly clean and organized.

Elain powdered her face, brushed her curls, dabbed a bit of lipstick, and donned a new dress. She needed to look fresh and proper, and a cute face never hurt.

She then hurried to Firefly Square, wheeling a little wagon full of ingredients and her trusty steel pot. Savory dishes were not her specialty, so Elain needed all the luck she could get. However, she was fairly confident that her jambalaya would at least place in the top three. Her best friend, Vassa La Bouff, and her sisters had helped refine the recipe over the last year, and the ladies could be trusted to give their honest opinion.

“Name?” The event attendant held a clipboard at the check-in table.

“Elain Archeron,” Elain replied cheerfully. The event attendant wrote her name on a wooden placard and placed it on the scoring rack. The five judges, a mix of renowned cooks and locals, were seated under a rich purple tent. Onlookers had gathered on the sidelines of Firefly Square to watch the judges sample each entry and announce their points.

Several other participants were already present, busying away at their own cooking stations. While there was no set “start” time due to the participants’ varying culinary skills and recipes, the judges would begin tasting at one o’clock in the afternoon. So Elain got to work.

First, she braided up her honey-brown hair and donned a flowery pink apron. Then, she began expertly mincing: peppers, celery, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. The heated oil sizzled the chicken and sausage, bringing fragrant notes of paprika, bay leaf, and thyme into the air. The meat was taken out, the vegetables added in. Elain cleaned the rice, poured in homemade chicken stock, and added more salt, pepper, and herbs.

Elain stirred the bubbling mixture, using the time to observe the other participants. There were ten competitors total. Some appeared to be seasoned chefs, others looked like novices. Regardless, everybody was making good progress on their jambalaya. And more importantly, everyone looked like they were having fun.

Elain’s mouth watered from the scents wafting from her pot alone. The consistency of her jambalaya was thick, but not mushy—it was all coming together nicely. Elain did a final taste test and smiled. Spicy, savory, and tangy…it was her best pot of jambalaya yet.

The judges seemed to think so, too, when they sampled her dish.

“Wonderful aromas.”

“The chicken is the right amount of tender, Miss Archeron.”

“Tastes just like my grandmother’s home-style jambalaya!”

This—this was exactly why Elain loved to cook: seeing people enjoy her food made her happiest. She was the last contestant up for tasting, which meant the score the judges awarded would be her final placement for the contest. Elain’s breath caught when she tallied up the judges’ marks. Third place…third place! Oh, she was going to walk away with prize money! Elain ducked her head and tried to squash her victorious beam. One step closer to—

“Excuse me! Excuse me!”

The most beautiful male Elain had ever seen strode into the courtyard, lugging a steaming pot with bare hands. His skin was a burnished brown, his long red hair tied up in a haphazard bun. She found herself eyeing his corded forearms, exposed thanks to the rolled-up sleeves of his white linen shirt. The male’s straight-legged olive green pants accented his muscled thighs, and his shiny black shoes with their gold details indicated expensive taste.

An entire entourage of Fae, mostly female, had followed the male into Ironwood Square, inevitably shoving Elain to the back.

“It’s Prince Lucien,” the crowd murmured to each other. “What is he doing here?”

Prince Lucien? Well…that explained how he could hold such a hot pot without any oven mitts. The Autumn Kingdom’s royal family possessed fire magic, which meant they could manipulate flame and were essentially immune to burns. Elain even overheard at The Purple Flamingo last night that Autumn males—especially the royal princes—fucked with an intensity that matched the fire in their veins.

Elain had practically snorted upon hearing such words last night, though looking at Prince Lucien now, it was certainly believable. But the delighted giggling of several females when the prince stepped up to the podium snapped Elain out of her reverie. Ugh! Prince Lucien was a playboy at best, a heartbreaker at worst, she reminded herself. No, she would not encourage the fantasies that had been surely planted in her mind thanks to his impromptu appearance, lest she turn into a tittering female over a male like him.

“Good afternoon, honorable judges.” Prince Lucien’s voice was rich and buttery, with a slight accent. For some reason, it reminded Elain of sunlight. He turned towards the crowd, and Elain stifled a gasp upon seeing the scar that ran down his face and cut through his left eye, which had been replaced by a mechanical gold eye. Such a brutal injury, yet the prince was made more handsome even with the scar.

“Welcome, Prince Lucien!” The lead judge leapt to her feet, a wide smile on her face. The crowd cheered again. Some females even screamed hysterically.

Prince Lucien gestured grandly to the entourage that followed him, gold earrings twinkling off the tips of his pointed ears. “I am here to enter the jambalaya competition. As there was no kitchen in my hotel suite, I had to borrow the kitchen at Restaurante Genevieve. Chef Michel and these citizens can attest that I made the jambalaya all on my own.”

The prince peered intently at the scoreboard, already stacked with ten other names and numbers. Elain could have sworn his brows raised in subtle surprise.

“Though I see now that I was tardy…” Prince Lucien trailed off as his eyes swept the crowd, as if he were looking for someone.

“The entry period closed thirty minutes ago but ah…we can make an exception, can we not?” The lead judge said quickly, and the audience clapped in agreement. The other judges nodded eagerly, clearly delighted at the presence of royalty. “Well, Your Highness, we would be honored to sample your jambalaya!”

Elain’s jaw slackened. A prince, participating in a jambalaya contest? She had never heard of such a thing. Royals had their own chefs. They probably wouldn’t even know how to boil an egg.

The prince’s russet and gold eyes were still scanning the square with unusual interest. Elain eyed him skeptically from the back, observing the confident smile on Lucien’s face and the swaggering cut of his broad shoulders. There was the off chance that Prince Lucien possessed culinary skills…but he was from the Autumn Kingdom. He wouldn’t know a thing about authentic jambalaya, Elain told herself. Elain relaxed, knowing she was safe and secure in third place as the judges sampled Lucien’s entree.

“Cauldron, this is absolutely divine!”

“Look at the colors on the spoon! So vibrant, so fresh!”

“I could eat this for the rest of my life and die happy.”

“Last call to score…and…first place! We have a winner!” The crowd cheered raucously.

Elain’s mouth completely fell open when the score attendant placed Prince Lucien Vanserra’s name placard on the top of the board, shifting everybody else down. Which meant…which meant she had been knocked off third place.

Elain was in shock. She wasn’t going to make it to the podium, and she wasn’t going to earn any prize money. Prince Lucien bowed, and then turned to the crowd that had gathered.

“Good food is meant to be shared! Please, feel free to finish the pot!” he announced, voice dripping with pride. More cheers and claps rang out as Elain was jostled out of the way in the mad stampede for the winning jambalaya.

This was not possible. This could not be happening.

Elain’s face grew hot with embarrassment, as she hurriedly packed up her wagon. It was time to go; she could not bear to spend another minute in the square with knowledge of her loss. Elain half-wondered if she should join the crowd and really try Prince Lucien’s jambalaya for herself. It couldn’t be that good. But the notion of a rich, playboy prince edging her off the podium in a cooking contest he had no stakes in was too shameful to consider. She could’ve done better. Should’ve done better.

Elain didn’t look back as she wheeled her wagon home, the rusty wheels click-clacking over the cobblestoned streets. Her half-full pot of jambalaya would become leftovers for her sister and father. At least they didn’t have to spend more money on groceries this week.

Some humility would do her good, Elain knew, as she was not a “professional” chef yet, but gods…would she ever be? If a prince could beat her in a cooking contest? If she couldn’t even win a couple judges’ favor, how was she going to draw the Colibri Fae to her restaurant?

—Later that evening—

After a fitful afternoon nap, Elain decided to stop by her cafe before heading to Vassa’s house. Well, it wasn’t hers yet, but Elain had recently begun treating it as such. She sat on a bench, listening to the lapping of the Mayhaven River, watching the steamboats chugging by.

“I’m almost there,” she whispered to herself. “People are going to come here from everywhere, I’m almost there.” The riverfront pavilion was a shabby brick building that had been a mess hall for dock workers in its previous life. The interior’s open layout would be the perfect place to install a stage for local musicians. Each table would have fresh flowers, the walls would be painted a creamy tan, the big windows would offer river views and plenty of natural light… oh, it was all coming together.

The door swung open. Hudson Jennings, Elain’s realtor, walked out with a folder tucked under his arm. Elain leapt up from her bench, ready to bid him hello. But she froze when a head of red hair ducked through the doorway. No…it couldn’t be…

“Pleasure doing business with you, Your Highness,” Hudson said, shaking Lucien Vanserra’s hand firmly. Even without his entourage of fans, Lucien held himself with a regal grace and winning smile.

“Of course,” Elain could hear the prince respond smoothly. “I look forward to establishing a second residence in Colibri.” Elain could only watch in horror as the realtor handed Lucien a set of keys before parting ways. Keys to her riverfront cafe!

“Mr. Jennings!” Elain ran as fast as her little feet could carry her as soon as Lucien had walked away. Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods. This must be a bad dream.

“Oh! Miss Archeron!” Hudson blinked his cat-like eyes in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

“Mr. Jennings, did you just sell the property to Lucien?” Elain was breathless. Please say no, please say no, she begged silently.

“Ah, yes I’m afraid I just did.” Hudson patted the folder of papers. “I know, I know…you have been eyeing that property for some time, Miss Archeron, but the prince showed up with ample cash! We have several other properties available in town for your cafe, though. Let us talk more next week.”

“But—” Elain tried to say, then deflated. Her realtor was already walking away. There was no use. Unless she somehow managed to alter Hudson’s memory, rip up the sale papers, and steal the keys from Lucien, the property was gone. And so were her dreams of owning a riverfront cafe.

It seemed the prince was hell-bent on ruining her life. Lucien had fame and fortune, and got everything Elain wanted because of his name. Perhaps Elain had angered the Mother, somehow. For how else could so much go wrong in less than 24 hours?

Elain tried very hard not to cry as she rode the trolley to Vassa’s house. One, she was in public, and ladies did not cry in public. Two, the La Bouff Mardi Gras ball was starting in a few hours. Elain had been looking forward to the event all month, and crying right now would make her eyes puffy.

The La Bouffs resided in the Dorado District, the richest district in all of Colibri. Vassa’s “house” was actually a grand, three-story mansion of pale white marble, elegant columns, iron lace accents, and sweeping gabled roofs. When Elain arrived, the bustle of the musicians tuning their instruments and the servants, the gurgling fountain, and the beautiful lanterns of green, yellow, and purple faelight made her smile. A good party always made her feel more alive, even though she attended very few of them in recent years.

Vassa’s parents were one of the Mardi Gras royalty this year, and had invited Elain to the La Bouff Mardi Gras ball. Vassa was a true friend: she didn’t shun Elain after the Archerons fell into poverty, and for that Elain was eternally grateful. The footmen, used to her comings and goings, offered Elain warm greetings when she entered the mansion via the servants’ gate.

While Elain spent her days working, Vassa spent her days studying. The young La Bouff was finishing her last year at the prestigious Colibri Academy for Witchcraft, and was determined to be the top of her class. The only thing in Vassa’s way? Briallyn, a rival witch from the Continent. During the unfortunate occasions Elain had to interact with Briallyn, Elain felt the witch resembled a beady-eyed lizard.

Elain made her way down the spacious hallway and knocked on Vassa’s bedroom door.

“Elain! I’m so glad you’re here!” Vassa threw her arms around Elain. Her best friend’s orange hair was styled into loose waves, her bright blue eyes already lined with gold shadow. “Come, let us get ready together!”

“Vassa, it’s so good to see you,” Elain sighed, her voice still thick with emotion from earlier.

“What’s wrong?” Vassa asked, her brow creasing with concern. “Was it the jambalaya contest? Did you not get first place? I mean, second place is also fine, and so is third.”

Elain sat down on Vassa’s bed, hugging her knees to her chest. “The jambalaya concert was fine, until Prince Lucien Vanserra showed up at the last minute,” she said bitterly. “I had placed third, but that was before the judges awarded him first place. I got bumped down and I didn’t get any prize money.”

“Oh no,” Vassa rubbed Elain’s back sympathetically. “I’m so sorry, Elain.”

“It’s just not fair!” Elain complained, her face heated with anger. “The judges gave him special treatment, letting him enter the contest even though the judging window had closed! Lucien was cooking off-site, how could anybody truly tell he was the primary chef? And perhaps they didn’t want to upset a prince, so they put him first even though he didn’t deserve it!”

“I see what you mean,” Vassa hummed. “Did you end up tasting his jambalaya? Surely it couldn’t be as good as yours. Those judges must not have working tastebuds.”

“No, but that’s not even the end of it. I found out he bought the riverfront property from Hudson Jennings this afternoon. Vassa, you know how long I’ve been saving up for my cafe! To think the perfect location would be gone, just like that…”

“Cauldron boil and fry him,” Vassa muttered darkly, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, Vassa. I know you’ve been looking forward to meeting Prince Lucien, that you want him to court you.” Elain sighed. “I shouldn’t be bad-mouthing him.”

“No, no, no,” Vassa shook her head. “Of course, I want Prince Lucien to court me, have you seen how handsome he is? But, your restaurant is something that I’ve been waiting for ever since we were little girls, Elain…when I see him tonight I will convince him to rescind the purchase.”

“Thanks, Vassa,” Elain smiled, feeling better. What Vassa set her mind to, Vassa achieved. She had no doubt her friend’s beauty and persistence would get the prince to change his mind. “He did say he wanted the property as a second residence.”

“Well! It wouldn’t be too hard to convince him to buy property in other Colibri districts!” Vassa raised her brows excitedly. “He could move in with me.” Vassa jumped to her feet, trying to inject some more life into Elain’s forlorn posture. “Now I know today hasn’t been the best day, Elain. But this ball will turn it all around! I have just the perfect dress for you, and I know you’ll have plenty of males to dance the night away with. It’s in the closet, come see!”

***Lucien***

“Just look at all of this, Jurian,” Lucien said to his best friend when they regrouped after the dance ended. “One of the best parties I’ve been to in a while.”

He had left his entourage of pretty females at the La Bouff mansion gate. Not that it really mattered, since there were even more females inside the ball. The musicians played lively tunes, inviting attendees to kick up their feet and whirl across the marbled outdoor dance floor. The La Bouff Mardi Gras decorations were simply exquisite, from the soft faelight lanterns hanging off trees to the flower arrangements on tables. Fae wine and cocktails flowed freely, wait staff walked around with platters of delicious food.

“Don’t tell Tarquin, but I’m enjoying myself far more here than the Mardi Gras balls in Adriata,” Jurian slurred slightly. The male lifted a pair of deviled eggs off a waiter’s tray and handed one to Lucien. “Though it is positively boiling in Colibri.”

“Of course, we’re near the Bog of Oorid,” Lucien remarked. He had donned an emerald green jacket with embroidered gold leaves at the cuffs, a freshly pressed white shirt, and black pants. The layers made him sweat profusely, though Lucien wicked away the excess moisture with a slight release on the damper of his magic. He looked good, and that was what mattered at the end of the night.

“Gods, I’m so hungry,” Jurian muttered as he inhaled a fried catfish filet within seconds. “They ate all your jambalaya before I could eat some.”

Lucien laughed. “Better clean up those crumbs and drink some mint julep before the next dance, Jurian. The females won’t appreciate fish breath.” Jurian only rolled his eyes as he turned his attention to a slice of Mardi Gras king cake.

Lucien scanned the rows of vendors, looking for the baked goods. But none of the vendors’ name tags read “Elain Archeron”. He sighed inwardly. He had no idea what Elain Archeron looked like, but had been hoping to try some of her famed treats. Tarquin, Prince of Adriata, could not stop talking about the hummingbird cake, peach cobblers, and powdered sugar beignets Elain made when she catered his Mardi Gras event in Adriata last year.

“If you’re visiting Colibri, you must try Elain Archeron’s food,” Tarquin had told him. “Elain’s cafe should be open by now. She is a very kind female as well, and please tell her I said hello.”

Elain Archeron had been one of the jambalaya contestants earlier in the afternoon, but the female did not bother introducing herself to him. Odd.

“Looking for Vassa?” Jurian inquired. Lucien was supposed to meet the Mardi Gras princess and ask her for the first dance, but her parents claimed Vassa was running late for the ball.

“I suppose,” Lucien murmured, even though that was not the case. Jurian knocked back another glass of Fae wine beside him. “Cauldron, Jurian. Save some space for the mint juleps before you get too drunk.”

“Aha! That reminds me…I’ll find those mint juleps while you’re looking for your princess. All this heat has me parched. Be right back.” Jurian clapped Lucien on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

Lucien lingered on the side, trying to assess which pretty female he would dance with next, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. A pale-faced female, with onyx black hair and equally dark eyes, was standing behind him. There was something cunning in her face, something odd Lucien could not quite place. Nevertheless, the female was dressed as one of the wait staff and innocuously offered him a platter of powdered beignets.

“Beignet, Your Highness?” she asked, her voice peppy. “I heard the prince has a sweet tooth.”

“Thank you.” Lucien picked one up with a napkin and absentmindedly brought it to his mouth. It was only when Lucien swallowed his first bite that he realized something was wrong. The beignet was slightly bitter, the powdered sugar chalky on his tongue. Suddenly, everything seemed bigger. Everything was bigger.

Lucien blinked, feeling like his eyes had doubled in size based on how long it took for him to fully blink. The grass…it was eye-level, the blades of green sharp and extra vibrant. His body was hunched over on all fours. He was…a frog?

Oh gods. What the hell just happened?

A looming shadow darkened the space around him. Lucien looked up just in time to see the waitress, monstrously tall with a wicked glint in her eyes, poised to slam a bowl over his head.

Act first, think later.

Booiingg! Lucien moved on instinct, his frog legs launching him into the air like a spring. He dove straight into the crowd of Fae party-goers, stalling the waitress from pursuing him any further.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. That was new. Fear seized Lucien like a vise, the adrenaline sending him into flight mode. Where the hell did Jurian go? Everything was so damn big…the distance he normally crossed in three quick strides now required multiple leaps.

There! Jurian was near the tree line, mint juleps in hand. Lucien hopped towards his friend, gaining more mastery over his new limbs with each leap.

“Jurian!” Lucien blinked, surprised that he still retained the ability to speak. “Jurian! Down here!” he called out, louder this time.

The Fae male above him glanced down and promptly dropped the drinks in shock. Lucien flinched reflexively when minty sweet alcohol rained down, but it didn’t matter any more. As a frog, he had no clothes to protect from spilled drinks.

“Fuck, I must be more drunk than I thought.” Jurian blinked twice and chuckled. “I could have sworn that a frog with Lucien’s voice just spoke to me.”

“That’s because it is me!” Lucien hissed, hopping up and down insistently. “Jurian!”

“Holy shit.” Jurian knelt on the ground, scooping him up in his hands. “Lucien, is that you?”

“How many times do I have to say it’s me?” Lucien grumbled. Jurian’s green-brown eyes peered down.

“Cauldron, you still have your scar and your gold eye. Well, it’s not made of metal anymore, but…fuck.” Jurian lifted Lucien up to perch on his shoulder. Lucien brought a webbed hand to his face, feeling at his left eye. Sure enough, he could see out of both eyes—truly see, without relying on a metal contraption. “Fuck, I probably look like I’ve gone mad, talking to a frog.”

The male took some deep breaths, pacing back and forth. Lucien clung onto Jurian’s purple jacket for dear life. “Jurian, can you stop moving?”

“Sorry. We need another drink.” Jurian swiped two goblets of wine off a passing tray and ducked behind a drooping willow tree. Lucien hopped down, sitting on all fours on top of Jurian’s thigh. “Okay, Lucien. What the fuck happened?”

“I ate a beignet from this waitress, and then I turn into a frog and she’s trying to trap me under a bowl!” Lucien glanced furtively at their surroundings, but did not see the wretched female’s face.

“What did the waitress look like?”

“High Fae. Pale, with black hair and black eyes. She was wearing the La Bouff servant’s uniform.” Jurian’s gaze darkened with protective instinct.

“Why would she put a curse on you?”

Lucien shrugged. “Not sure. She knew who I was, though, so that’s strange. I’m Beron’s youngest son, with a slim path to the throne. What good would come out of cursing me?”

“Perhaps she wanted money. Ransom a prince, you know.”

“As if Beron would pay more than a couple coppers to get me back,” Lucien said bitterly.

“You’re right, your father is a bastard.” Jurian frowned. “Could you undo the curse yourself?”

“I can try.” Now that he had Jurian to keep watch, Lucien closed his eyes and tried to tunnel deep down into his well of magic. He had always had a knack for spells and curses. It wasn’t like that of witches, who required specific ingredients, tools, and conditions to generate any effect. Rather, it was pure magic—power that stemmed from being the son of a High Lord.

He found the dark stain of the curse, but despite all his efforts to extract it, the stain remained stubbornly present. It was as if it was interwoven into his very essence. Lucien yanked and prodded and threw wave after wave of magic against it, but to no avail.

“It’s not working,” he announced glumly.

“We should find the La Bouffs…tell them that one of their staff, or the food they served, turned the visiting Autumn Prince into a frog,” Jurian proposed, his fists clenching with concern. “If they cannot resolve this, then they should be held liable.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh?” Lucien replied dryly. “Lord and Lady La Bouff can only do so much. But Vassa…she’s studying to be a witch. I heard she’s the top of her class…perhaps she could assist with undoing the curse.”

“Perhaps,” Jurian mused doubtfully.

Lucien hopped onto the rim of the wine goblet and stuck his tongue into the chilled liquor. The sweet and tangy notes were far more sensational thanks to his new taste buds. Unfortunately, his added weight was an imbalance to the delicate stem, and Lucien promptly tipped backwards. Red wine poured over his entire underside, drenching him.

Jurian began to laugh.

“You know frogs absorb liquid from their underbelly skin, right? You’ll be drunk in no time.” Lucien stuck his tongue out at Jurian and rolled around the grass for a bit, trying to clean himself off. “I suppose Vassa would be glad to help a prince for fame, or fortune.”

“Also, we have the old tale of princesses kissing frog princes,” Lucien reminded Jurian. “With the laws governing witch magic, it’s very likely that this curse follows the same path of resolution.”

Jurian snorted. “Good luck trying to convince a princess—even if it’s a Mardi Gras princess—to kiss a frog. We are better off pleading directly.”

Lucien tried to grin, but it felt strange with a new mouth and new facial muscles. “You seem to underestimate me, Jurian.”

“Let’s bet on it: if you can get the princess to kiss you, I’ll walk Eris’s dogs for the next month.”

“I do enjoy a challenge. I offer you this, just for fun. If the princess kisses you, Jurian, then I’ll buy you a new sword. Out of Illyrian steel.” Lucien stood on his hind legs, straightening his back and tilting his chin up with the regal air of a prince. Jurian rolled his eyes.

“As if a princess would want to kiss a lowly Autumn Kingdom foot soldier over its prince.”

“I beg to differ, Jurian. I’m a frog this time…I think that evens the playing field.” Lucien winked. “Besides, stop discrediting yourself. You’re one of our most skilled warriors. Anyways…best of luck, I’m off to find the princess!”

“You bastard,” Jurian muttered darkly, shaking his head with amusement. He finished his wine in two large gulps, holding the empty glass up in a mock toast. “I would say I hope you lose, but life would also be boring if you were stuck in frog form.”

With that, Lucien hopped off towards the La Bouff mansion. There was a slim chance Vassa was still getting ready for the party—truly, females needed all the time possible plus more for these elaborate events.

Most of the ball’s festivities were taking place in the garden and first floor, and Lucien could hear Lord and Lady La Bouff—the Dorado Mardi Gras King and Queen—chatting with guests. That meant the light emanating from the window on the second floor was none other than Vassa La Bouff’s.

Clinging to small nooks in the marble, scaling up vine to vine—which was made harder thanks to his slippery frog mucus, Lucien made his way to the golden window.

Princess Vassa was standing on the balcony, and simply put, she was the most beautiful female Lucien had ever seen.

The female’s wide eyes were cast towards the heavens, her expression a mixture of hope and despair. Honey-brown hair was swept up into an artful bun studded with luminous pearls. A tiara of rose gold rested on her brow, glittering in the moonlight. Her soft curves and elegant shoulders were accented by a strapless lavender gown with a heart-shaped neckline.

“Please, please, please,” the ethereal princess whispered, clasping her gloved hands to her chest. “Please.”

Lucien hopped closer, the world spinning out of view. Ah, damn it. The alcohol was kicking in faster than he’d anticipated. Princely charm now had to be mobilized in full force if he wanted to receive a kiss.

He cleared his throat, but only a ribbet came out. The princess glanced down, spotting him. Gods, she was beautiful. Those doe brown eyes, that golden skin still warm under the silver moon, and those pretty rosebud lips that hooked Lucien in like a moth to a flame.

“If you wanted a kiss, all you had to do was ask.”

[fearlessandless]

Taylor loves to talk in her intro speeches about transforming these songs and the memories we make singing them together on tour, so I wanted to write about some of my memories from last night:

- singing The Man next to my mom

- our light up bracelets making hearts during Lover and pointing them out to my mom who loves hearts

- Taylor asking us to come back to high school with her in the city where I went to high school, wondering if any of my classmates were there too

- the purple of it all with the dancers and Taylor for Enchanted

- not remembering to take any pictures during Fearless era because I was too in the moment

- the kid giving Taylor a friendship bracelet and getting the hat and being on the screen as she danced for the rest of the song

- the stage as a guitar

- leaves falling down during ATW10

- the purple of it all with the dancers and Taylor's dress for Enchanted

- my mom *jamming* to Delicate and realizing she was more visibly into the show than my dad (who got me into Taylor in the first place)

- also, Taylor being so into 123LGB, I wasn't prepared

- the corner of screens with Taylor on the smaller one and watery effects on the big background screen during My Tears Ricochet

- digging for my tissues and crying while Taylor writes cursive in the air during marjorie. Thinking about my grandmother hits harder in the city where I knew her, and standing next to her daughter.

- making my parents stand up so they could see the production on willow

- my dad pointing out the glowing orbs in the audience on the level above/behind us

- Taylor wearing Mardi Gras colors! Apparently other people were expecting it but I wasn't. I saw the Geaux Tigers purple and gold and was happy enough about that, got confused for a second that the boots were green, then Realized.

- my mom singing along to Blank Space

- both of my parents dancing a little to Shake It Off

- being so excited to share in TTPD era and singing But Daddy I Love Him next to my own dad

- the production of Who's Afraid of Little Old Me, and just going "what." at what I later saw called the "stage roomba"

- remembering my friend's sling performance I was in to Who's Afraid of Little Old Me and doing the arm motions from the end a little

- the way the light came from the UFO onto Taylor during Down Bad

- wondering if my warning had adequately prepared my parents for the number of f-bombs

- the transition of singing "I love you, it's ruining my life" in between lines of Down Bad

- looking over at my dad during I Can Do It With A Broken Heart because I know it's one of his favorite songs right now

- Taylor wearing a new dress. I initially thought it was a tide pod, but then realized it's red, white, and blue--and was surprised she didn't play Only The Young in it

- getting so so excited during Taylor's intro to the surprise songs because debut is here!

- screaming the lyrics to Our Song in a stadium of 65,000

- and alongside my dad who showed me that song way back when it was first released and got me into Taylor in the first place (even if I didn't go full swiftie until 1989 era)

- high fiving my dad because we got debut, which was my wish for surprise songs

- the bracelets darkening from debut mint green to emerald during the Call It What You Want parts of the mashup

- when Taylor started playing piano and I realized it was going to be The Black Dog which is one of my favorites

- turning to sing to my mom about someone playing the Starting Line because I'd explained a T shirt about that to her on the way in

- bracelets turning purple as we get a Speak Now song and thinking I'm lucky because that's my favorite album

- also it's Haunted and this is Halloween weekend, so I predicted that would get played in one of these shows

- singing along with so many other people to "old habits die SCREAMING"

- the dress looked like a koi once she dove into the stage

- getting too into singing and not paying attention to what they even did with the ladders to clouds in Lavender Haze

- the way Taylor seemed to recognize herself during Anti Hero between stage Taylor and te big Taylor on the screen

- seeing Taylor fall into the umbrella bubble for the quick change during Midnight Rain

- getting surprised multiple times that we got another Midnights song that I'd forgotten about/before the end

- the sparkling black suits of the performers falling as the dominos Taylor set for Mastermind

- Karma isn't one of my favorites but I had so much fun dancing to it as the finale

- The Alchemy playing when the lights went on, and I kept singing as we left

- and the Clara Bow was the next exit song, and I was like "of course!" and happy about both of them

- not singing most of Clara Bow because as we were exiting I saw someone in a pro-Democrat 22 shirt and HAD to give him my remaining (rainbow) VOTE bracelet

- loving every single part of the show

[besttimetogo2]

A Seasonal Guide to the Best Time to Travel to New Orleans

New Orleans, with its vibrant culture, rich history, and distinctive charm, is a city that beckons travelers year-round. However, the best time to travel to New Orleans can vary depending on what you want to experience. Whether you're drawn to the city's lively festivals, its temperate weather, or its quieter moments, here’s a guide to help you choose the optimal time for your visit.

Spring: A Blossoming Experience

From Walk to May, the climate is wonderfully warm, with temperatures extending from the mid-60s to the moo 80s Fahrenheit. This is an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the city's historic neighbourhoods and lush gardens. Spring is arguably the best time to travel to New Orleans if you want to experience the city at its most picturesque. Spring also brings a flurry of festivals. The most notable is the French Quarter Festival in April, which showcases local music, food, and culture. The Jazz & Heritage Festival, held in late April to early May, is another must-attend event, featuring a diverse line-up of musical acts and cultural exhibits.

Summer: A Time for the Bold

If you’re looking to experience New Orleans in a more laid-back, less crowded atmosphere, summer can be an exciting time to visit. From June to August, temperatures can be hot and humid, often reaching the high 80s and low 90s. This is also the season when the city sees fewer tourists, which means more opportunities to explore popular attractions with less waiting time.

Summer is also a good time for those who enjoy unique local events. The Essence Festival in July celebrates African-American culture with music, empowerment seminars, and food. Additionally, the city's many jazz clubs and bars offer live performances throughout the summer months, ensuring that the city's musical spirit remains alive.

 Fall: A Festival of Colors and Flavors

Fall is another excellent time to travel to New Orleans. From September to November, the weather begins to cool down, with temperatures dropping to the 70s and 80s. The lower humidity and pleasant temperatures make it ideal for walking tours and outdoor adventures.

Autumn also brings a series of exciting festivals. The New Orleans Film Festival in October showcases independent films from around the world, while the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, also in October, and features a mix of live music, art, and interactive experiences. Additionally, Halloween in New Orleans is a unique celebration with elaborate costumes, themed parties, and spooky events throughout the city.

 Winter: A Festive and Cozy Retreat

Winter is a wonderful time to visit New Orleans if you’re interested in experiencing the city’s festive spirit. From December to February, temperatures are mild, ranging from the 40s to the 60s, making it comfortable for exploring. The holiday season in New Orleans is filled with lights, music, and seasonal events, including the Celebration in the Oaks in City Park, which features dazzling light displays.

Mardi Gras, usually held in February, is one of the most famous and vibrant festivals in New Orleans. It’s an experience unlike any other, with parades, masquerade balls, and lively street parties. In any case, be arranged for swarms and higher costs amid this period. If you’re looking for a more relaxed visit, aim for the weeks before Mardi Gras to enjoy the city’s festive atmosphere without the massive crowds.

No matter when you choose to visit, New Orleans promises a memorable experience filled with music, history, and unparalleled charm. Choosing the best time to travel to New Orleans depends on your preferences and interests. Spring offers a perfect blend of pleasant weather and bustling festivals. Summer provides a quieter, yet still lively, experience. Fall brings cooler temperatures and unique cultural events, while winter showcases festive celebrations and mild weather.

[keepxsolxinxsolxinvictus]

From MardiGras Museum on Facebook

CHIHUAHUA: The Official Dog of Mardi Gras

My name is Boudreaux and I’m a Mardi Gras Chihuahua. I live in Uptown New Orleans and I have friends all over the world. They think that I am lucky to live in New Orleans, because the king cake is tasty and the Mardi Gras season seems to last forever.

My friends come to visit at the same time every year. We like to wear costumes and dress up real crazy. We look so cute and have our pictures taken by people. We play so hard all day then at night we get very sleepy.

My little brother is Thibodaux and he loves to dress up, too. He lives in the Marigny and he likes to dress up for his friends. His friends love to visit and dance to Broadway show tunes. Thibodaux and his buddies love to be in the parades. Their costumes are so glitzy and sparkle in the flambeau lights. They wear lots of boa feathers and even fishnet stockings But Thibodaux is my brother and I love him just the same, even when he tries to eat my food. e can be such a pain. He loves Mardi Gras and to be with all his buddies. Mardi Gras puts a smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes.

I have a sister named Lacey who lives in Mid City. While I am a small Chihuahua, Lacey is really itty bitty. She acts like a princess in her beautiful silk costume. She always makes a grand entrance when arriving in any room. She has dozens of Chihuahuas who lineup for her attention. Lacey loves to be noticed and to be hugged by everyone. She’s always very happy and loves to be held. Mardi Gras is the time of the year Lacey loves the most

All the Mardi Gras Chihuahuas get together on Mardi Gras day. We can’t wait to wear our costumes and be in the Krewe of Barkus parade. We walk along the parade route and all the people cheer. They hand us doggy treats and tell us we look so cute.

Maybe this year I’ll meet some new friends. And we can become best friends only like Chi doggies can be. All of us will have on beautiful costumes with colors so bright. We’ll have fun all Mardi Gras day and then go to sleep late at night.

© 2024 Jeffrey Pipes Guice

[dracarialove]

📄F it, I'm posting my finished fics here, too 📄

Heartfelt Holidays

*Check the 'heartfelt holidays' tag if you haven't read chapter 1

[Chapter 2: Masquerade Merriment]

Sonic and his friends - as well as Team Dark - attend a Mardi Gras ball being thrown in town, enjoying the party until an accidental stumble causes trouble for all.

A bright yellow sun shone in the clear blue sky as the world's fastest hedgehog sped through a field of wildflowers, disturbing the tall grass and budding flora. The blur of blue and red whipped a strong breeze through the air and disappeared into a forest, where it zipped around trees and bushes to emerge on the other side.

Sonic the Hedgehog stopped in his tracks and leaned one hand against a tree at the edge of the rustling woods while swinging his left leg to rest in front of the right. Looking at the city he was headed towards, the carefree speedster drew in a breath and relished one last whiff of the natural earth to cap off his morning scenic run.

'Things are only getting prettier around here,' he thought, imagining how the wildflowers would look once they bloomed. 'Wish I could stay out longer... but man, does an early jog make me hungry!'

In a flash, Sonic disappeared from the treeline and rushed into the city in search of a filling snack. He slowed his speed once he reached a populated area and looked around for a place that served chilidogs, swiping one hand across his stomach when it started to growl.

Once he spotted the brown and yellow color palette of a food stand, he grinned and rushed into line, eagerly tapping one foot against the sidewalk behind three other customers. By the time the impatient hedgehog got his food, he was ravenous, walking away from the cart with a chilidog in one hand and four more in a takeaway box.

But he only took a few steps before something caught his eye: a colorful flier stuck to a light post. He ate his snack while reading the purple-colored paper, which advertised an upcoming holiday event in bright gold writing.

'A masquerade ball?' thought the young hero, tracing green eyes over the dramatic lettering. 'Never been to one of those!'

After shoving the final bite of the steaming snack into his mouth, Sonic snatched the flier from the light post and ran off to tell his friends about it; and to hopefully coax them into attending what he thought could be an interesting evening.

***

The workshop of his best friend, Tails, was his first stop. He spotted the yellow fox in the canopy-covered space between his home and the garage, cranking a wrench around a bolt attached to some unfinished project. Sonic strolled over, his stride energetic and his smile wide, and called out to the boy genius.

"Hey, Tails! Look at what I found!"

Hearing his dear friend's voice, a perky smile spread across Tails' white muzzle, and he looked up to gaze at the paper fluttering in the hedgehog's grip. "Good morning, Sonic! What's that?"

"It's a flier. Looks like there's a special holiday coming up, and I thought it sounded like fun! I just had to tell someone about it, in case anyone else wants to check it out."

Before Tails could respond, the pair heard a peppy female voice cut through the crisp air. "Oh, Sonic, there you are!"

The fox's gaze trailed past Sonic, and the Blue Blur himself turned around to see Amy Rose approaching. She was followed by Cream the Rabbit and her mother, Vanilla; the three ladies all held dessert boxes and smiled sweetly when the boys offered a friendly wave.

"Hey, Amy," Sonic greeted. "How's it going?"

"Lovely, thanks! We did a lot of baking this morning and thought we'd come by to share!"

Vanilla added, "We visited your house, Sonic, but it seemed you weren't home. What a nice coincidence that you're here with Tails!"

"Those treats sound delicious," the speedy man replied, giving her a thumbs-up. "I'd love to have some! And I was just telling Tails about this event happening in the city soon."

"An event?" Amy asked, looking curiously at the paper in his hand. "What is it?"

"A masquerade ball! Looks like it could be a lot of fun, so I knew I had to invite my friends to come along with me." Sonic handed Amy the flier and let her read the information aloud to the others.

"Looks like it's happening a week from now, in a ballroom on the other side of town." Her smile grew wider as she continued. "This says it's a formal event where we get to dress up in fancy costumes and masks – we can dance, mingle, and there'll be great food and music!"

Cream piped up, "You were right, Sonic! It does sound like fun!"

"So, you're all in, right?" the blue hedgehog asked, flicking his gaze between all of them.

Tails nodded. "Sure! I'll go if you guys are going, too!"

Amy, Cream, and Vanilla all agreed to attend, then offered up their freshly baked pastries; Sonic stayed long enough to partake and chat before asking his flying friend to take him to Angel Island with the intent of inviting Knuckles to the upcoming party. Tails accepted and opened up his garage, soon piloting a plane into the sky with Sonic riding on the wing.

***

Chilly gusts of wind blew against the metal bird, the air feeling colder with the higher altitude, but the young pilot's passenger was unbothered as he looked forward to landing on Angel Island.

He spotted the mountainous floating mass of land in the distance and admired the view of fluffy clouds around the tall peaks – as well as the sparkling waters that spilled clear strips down the edge of the island – while they closed in on the lone guardian's homeland.

Tails flew the plane as close to the ruins of Knuckles' home as he could, slowing his speed and bringing them in for a landing on the grassy plain nearby. The second the flying vehicle's wheels touched the ground, Sonic jumped from the wing and turned to his friend.

"I'll just tell Knuckles about the party and then we can head back," he said.

"Sure thing!" responded Tails, climbing from the cockpit. "I can wait here if it won't take long. I'm realizing my plane could use a bit of maintenance."

With a smile, the spry hedgehog gave him a thumbs-up before heading off towards the raised platform in the center of the ruins, where he would find Knuckles guarding the Master Emerald.

Ascending the stairs led him directly to the red echidna, who was lounging with his back against a stone pillar. As peaceful as he looked with his eyes closed, clearly comfortable to relax in the sun without a worry, Sonic couldn't wait for him to wake up naturally.

He chimed, "Hey, Knuckles!" startling the guardian as his slumber was disturbed.

"Ah!" the redhead exclaimed, eyes shooting open. He looked up to see his impulsive friend standing tall with an expectant grin plastered on his peach-colored muzzle. "Sonic! What're you doing here?"

"I came to tell you about a party I saw being advertised in the city," he answered, pulling out the folded square of purple paper he'd brought along. He began unfolding it and added, "It looks like fun and the rest of us are going, so I thought you should know about it, too!"

Knuckles stood from the stony ground and swiftly ran his gaze over the flier when Sonic handed it to him. "Hm, a masquerade ball? Not really my scene."

"Why not at least try it?" The speedster took back the paper and folded it up again. "There'll be food and music, your friends will be there – it'll be a fun night!"

"I'll pass, thanks."

"Come on!" Sonic dragged out his tone in an attempt to plea with the echidna, throwing one arm around him. "Get out of these dusty old ruins for a night and hang out with us! You don't wanna miss out on the festivities, do ya, pal?"

His persistence persuaded the other hero to give in to his request. Agitated and pulling away from the pushy man, Knuckles blurted, "Alright, fine! But I don't dance, and if it looks like a waste of time, I'm leaving."

"Deal," Sonic replied with a smirk, grabbing the purple-eyed protector's mitt and shaking it as if they'd made a formal agreement.

At that moment, the blue hedgehog's eyes drifted towards the Master Emerald and he spotted a figure peeking around the side of it; though, he only caught a glimpse of a white blur when whoever it was quickly slunk behind the giant green gem.

"Hey, who's that?" he asked, his gaze unmoving from the spot.

Instantly, Knuckles was on the defensive, and whipped in the direction that Sonic was facing. Readying for battle, he clomped over to where the figure had been spotted, while his friend strolled around the other way. And as Sonic rounded the opposite side of the sacred emerald, he saw Rouge the Bat from behind, crouched and backing away from where she'd been standing before.

"Hey, Rouge," he said casually, smirking again and placing both hands on his hips.

Rouge exclaimed softly and turned towards him, then heard Knuckles shout, "You!"

She instantly stood and began backing away from the jewel while the pair both walked towards her. "Drat – you boys are more observant than I thought."

"Trying to steal the Master Emerald again, are you?!" the redhead shouted, his fists raised.

"You should thank Sonic for saving your precious gem – if he weren't here, I would've succeeded!" Rouge's heels stopped clicking on the gray slate when she reached the edge of the platform. She almost took flight, but hesitated when Sonic spoke up.

"Well, while you're here, I might as well tell you about this, too." He reached to retrieve the flier again, but was stopped by Knuckles grabbing his arm.

"If you two want to chat, you'll have to do it away from the Master Emerald!" He looked at Rouge, his eyes fiery. "I don't trust letting you hang around for one more minute!"

"Fine, have it your way," responded Rouge, putting her hands up defensively. She pushed off the ground and punctuated her statement with a teasing, "You're always so testy!"

As the bat flew away, Knuckles growled and shouted out to her, "You're damn right, I'm testy – when you're sneaking around trying to steal sacred relics for your own selfish desires!"

With no more reason to be there, Sonic decided it was time for him to leave, turning back around and stretching his arms. "Well, I guess I'd better head off, too. Looking forward to seeing you at that party!"

"Don't hold your breath," the guardian countered.

Returning to the plane, Sonic met up with Tails just as he finished fixing a nick in the fuselage. "Ready to go, buddy?"

"Yep, all set!" The fox loaded his toolbox back into the plane while Sonic hopped on the wing.

"I think I'd like to change our destination," the friendly hedgehog commented, looking over at Tails while he buckled his seatbelt.

"Oh, yeah? Where to?"

"Rouge dropped in while I was talking to Knuckles, but I didn't get to tell her about the party before she left." He raised one arm to point in the direction Rouge had flown. "So, I think we should track her down; she went that way."

"You got it, Sonic!"

The glass pane of the cockpit closed and the blue hero held on tight as Tails piloted the plane off the ground, taking flight to catch up with the mischievous bat.

***

Annoyed that her millionth attempt at nabbing the Master Emerald had failed, Rouge zig-zagged through a dense green ocean of thick trees in search of someone to listen to her complaints.

She kept an eye out for the only other person whom she knew to wander the woods, expertly dodging branches and bundled flora while her straightened form cut through the breezy air.

The familiar figure of black and red noticeably stood out to her the moment her peripheral caught the dark color palette against the earthy greens and browns.

Recognizing Shadow the Hedgehog's steady stroll and the all-too-neutral expression of his profile to her right, Rouge slowed her flight enough to turn smoothly in his direction, swiftly rounding a bulky tree to appear in front of the lone lifeform.

"Hey, there. How'd you enjoy your time alone?" she asked, referring to the hour she'd taken to try stealing the Master Emerald.

Shadow stopped his stroll and watched the sneaky woman land on the grass nearby. "It was peaceful; something I can't quite have when you're around."

He smirked as her hands raised to grab her wide hips, continuing, "You know, I've noticed that the more you hang about, the more jarring it becomes when I have a quiet moment to myself."

"Which means you're realizing how nice it is to be around me, right?" Rouge asked playfully, jutting her hips to one side.

The black hedgehog didn't answer, still displaying a smug smirk as he started walking again. He seemed to be in a fair mood, or at least had become more lively with her arrival.

The treasure hunter looked forward to the times when he was in a wittier mood, since it typically meant that he was temporarily more pleasant to be around. She joined him at his side and took it upon herself to fill him in on the unfortunate encounter she'd had on Angel Island.

"So, anyway, my little trip ended up being a big ol' bust."

"How am I not surprised?"

"Well, it wasn't all my fault." The shapely lady rolled her eyes and a tinge of frustration lined her tone. "That sleepy echidna was napping away, as usual – if Sonic hadn't shown up, I'm sure I would've gotten away with that emerald in the blink of an eye."

"Hmph, so the nosy 'hero' ruined yet another brilliant scheme?" asked Shadow, half-joking. He was partly using the light sarcasm to mock Sonic, as well as teasing Rouge in the way she often did to him.

Her response was to push one palm firmly against his arm, briefly nudging her friend away in a light-hearted display of amusement at his jest. "Exactly that. I don't always have to be brilliant to succeed – sometimes all a girl needs is a little luck. And when luck just isn't on your side..."

She shrugged, holding her arms up and smirking at him in a way that implied she had no control over her failed thievery. Shadow chuckled and opened his mouth to combat her claim, but was interrupted when a strong gust of wind rushed up from behind and pushed against the both of them.

The bat and hedgehog halted, their distracted gazes catching a blip of cobalt rushing ahead, and were met with the Blue Blur himself standing still before them as the leaves of trees and bushes in the vicinity rustled.

"Heya, Rouge – Shadow," Sonic greeted, lifting one flat hand in a stationary wave.

The stoic lifeform's expression instantly changed to one of irritation, his smirk dropping into a frown and his brows lowering to glare at his unwelcome rival. "Sonic! What do you want?"

"So nice of you to ask; well, since Rouge took off before I got to tell her about this..." He pulled out the flier again, unfolding it with one hand and holding it out towards them. "... I figured I'd follow up and deliver it."

Smiling confidently, the spunky man waved the paper in front of them until Rouge grabbed it, then told her, "I didn't want you to miss out on the fun the rest of us will be having. You can go too, if you want, Shadow."

Shadow dragged his burning gaze away from Sonic and towards the paper, listening to the bat as she ran teal eyes over the bright lettering and spoke, "Looks like an advert for a fancy holiday party. You and your friends are going to this thing?"

"Yep!" Sonic answered. "And you're welcome to join us!"

"Well," Rouge started, before her disagreeable friend could decline the invitation, "It's certainly an interesting offer. We'll think about it."

"Cool! Don't be afraid to let loose. Anyway, you can keep that flier – I gotta get going."

The ivory woman looked up at him just as the blue hedgehog added, "See ya!" and sped off, rustling the foliage again and leaving behind a wispy blue line that started to fade once he was out of sight. Shadow's voice then cut through the air, his tone harsh.

"There's a dozen things I'd rather do than attend any event Sonic's going to. Certainly, it'll be a waste of time."

As her eyebrows furrowed at him, Rouge replied, "I don't think so! This party looks like it'll be quite extravagant, if you ask me. We should go."

"You can't be serious." His face was stony, his scowl deepening. "Nothing good can come from hundreds of people crowded together in one space – no matter how big the venue may be. It's a recipe for trouble."

"You're being too pessimistic!" the jewel hunter piped, folding up the purple paper and stuffing it away. "Bottom line, if we go together, I'll make sure it's a fun time. Remember, you promised you would go to more of these holiday events with me!"

"I don't recall swearing on my life..."

"Please?" She took a step closer, sweetening her voice and touching his shoulder. "Everyone will be wearing a festive mask, so it's possible no one will even recognize us if we cover our faces, too. We'll be disguised the whole time."

Shadow looked away and his volume lowered. "Hmm... I don't trust it, but you seem eager for this outing..."

Staring at the ruby-eyed hedgehog, Rouge waited for him to settle on a final decision, knowing that any further comments she made might annoy him into refusing.

His expression slowly softened and his demeanor steadily relaxed; likely recovering from the tenseness he'd felt in Sonic's presence. Then, he looked back to her and spoke in a calmer tone.

"I'll go. Only to honor my word, and because you shouldn't have to attend alone – on the condition that we leave when I say so."

The corner of his close friend's glossy lips curved slightly, pleased by his answer, and she gave him an amiable wink. "Sure thing, sugar."

***

Over the next week, everyone who knew about the masquerade ball took the time to look for costumes and masks befitting the colorful holiday – even Vector the Crocodile, who'd seen the advertisements himself and was convinced that the woman he pined for would be attending.

The scaley man kicked himself for not being able to bond with Vanilla during Valentine's Day, but he was determined to make up for it if he saw her at the ball. And although the rest of his team decided not to go, he double-checked with Espio a day before the event, secretly wanting a close friend around for support.

"Are you sure?" he asked the chameleon, who was meditating in a corner. "It'll probably be a lot of fun!"

"I will be fine here," Espio's deep voice replied, his eyes closed.

"Alright, but don't expect me to help you look for a tux if you change your mind tomorrow!" The crocodile walked over to the doorway and added, "I'd better get plenty of rest if I want to be on top of my game."

Charmy piped up from his spot on the couch, "Good luck, Vector! Tell us how it went when you get back – I wanna hear all about it if you embarrass yourself!"

His boss glared at him briefly, but then transitioned his annoyed frown into a toothy smile. "Good thing I picked out the snazziest outfit in town. There's no way I could fail to impress Cream's mom with style on my side!"

Vector left the room with a confident stride, even though Charmy burst into snickers as soon as the door closed behind him.

***

The next day, Sonic was finishing up a hyperactive afternoon run, which was followed shortly after with the devouring of chilidogs leftover from that morning's purchase.

And as the hour approached when he had agreed to meet with the others, he opened up his small closet to pull out the costume he'd acquired for the evening: a plain emerald green vest with silky trim in a slightly darker hue; dress shoes colored a bright gold; and a simple masquerade mask of dark green and indigo.

He hadn't wanted to get too fancy with the dressings, not worrying about how unadorned he would look. Once he was dressed for the occasion, the blue hedgehog rushed off to Tails' house, where they'd agreed to group up before heading out.

The young fox and his friend Amy were already chatting by the time Sonic showed up, both wearing outfits a bit more festive. Decorated in different shades of purple and green, Tails sported a long-sleeved shirt with gold buttons up the middle; a pair of black slacks with gold embroidery down the sides; purple and green dress shoes; and a shiny mask carrying the same colors, the height of which covered the length of his face up to his spiky bangs.

Meanwhile, the pink hedgehog was clad in a ball gown of white and gold. A thick strip of black silk was tied around her waist, which exaggerated the curve of the dress puffing out around her legs; the skirt reached to her ankles, offering a peek of golden slippers upon her feet. The short sleeves puffed around her shoulders, and she wore a slimmer, curvier mask colored violet and covered in silver glitter.

"Wow, you guys look great!" Sonic commented, mentally preparing for Amy to respond affectionately.

She did, beaming and bounding over to him while saying, "I knew you'd think I looked beautiful! I found the best dress I could, just for you!"

"Heh, well, anyway – where's Vanilla and Cream?" He took a step back from Amy and looked around. "They're coming along too, right?"

Tails answered, "I think so. We can head over there and meet up with them!"

The speedster nodded and the three of them walked in the direction of Vanilla's home, soon spotting the two rabbits and greeting them. Cream was dressed in a frilly mint green dress with white and yellow ribbons tied around her waist, which sat a cute bow against her back; on her feet were plain yellow boots, and on her face was a mask as simple as Sonic's, colored lime green.

Her mother wore a long flowy dress similar to her typical style, with a color scheme resembling her daughter's outfit – the majority of the top and skirt were a lighter emerald green, and two golden stripes lined the rounded collar, joining into one and running down the length of her dress to the bottom.

Her long green sleeves were made of chiffon, making them see-through, and gold cuffs snapped around her wrists to hold the thin fabric in place. The woman's deep gold mask was tall enough to hide her entire face above her muzzle, and sprouted a single green feather up from the center.

Tails complimented cheerily, "Woah, nice costumes!"

Amy added, "Very beautiful, you two!"

"Thank you!" squeaked Cream, elated and blushing.

Then, Vanilla asked, "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yep!" answered Sonic, turning to lead the way as the sun began to sink past the horizon. "Follow me!"

The ballroom on the far side of the city was massive, with two pairs of giant double doors marking the entrance and exit. The outside walls were decorated in accordance with the holiday; two large pictures of Mardi Gras masks were displayed on either side of the doorways, and long paper strips in the shape of beads stuck to the dark bricks, wrapping themselves around the building's perimeter.

A white banner stretched across the front of the structure, with the words "Masquerade Ball" printed in purple to advertise the event. The party wasn't lacking attendees, as handfuls of citizens trickled in and out of the venue, lively jazz music spilling out onto the street whenever the doors opened.

And when the group of five pushed open the wide double doors, they were hit with a crisp and jovial atmosphere, the smell of catered food; as well as the energetic mix of saxophone, piano, and trumpet jumping from large speakers placed in each corner of the expansive room.

The walls were a sleek shade of pearl, the floors a shiny hue of honey, and a crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling to glitter above dozens of dancers' heads.

The section that was considered a dance floor had been outlined with strips of white paper stuck to the gold vinyl – buffet tables covered by purple cloth were lined up on either side of the ballroom, offering different types of food and drink near the walls to guarantee sufficient space between them and the dance floor.

But as much as the venue owners had spaced everything out, the place still seemed packed, nearly flooded with masked guests all drinking, dancing, and mingling.

As Sonic's crew walked farther into the huge, singular room, he looked up to admire the decorations strewn about the higher sections of the walls. Purple, gold, and green were everywhere in the form of more paper pictures of masks, as well as streamers that spun down nearly to the floor.

"Damn, this place looks incredible!" the blue hedgehog marveled.

Tails agreed, "Whoever threw this party went all out! I guess we won't have to worry about being bored!"

Amy then turned to Sonic and grabbed his hand, her smile wide as she pulled him in the direction of the dance floor. "Come on, Sonic, dance with me!"

"Uh, could we maybe check out the buffet table first?" he asked desperately, being denied and ultimately conceding to Amy's request.

Tails chuckled as the three of them were left behind, turning back to Cream and Vanilla and suggesting they get something to eat. They made their way towards one of the tables to peruse the food and drink options.

Atop the long surfaces were assortments of meat snacks, as well as fruit and veggie platters; pastries in the way of fluffy cakes decorated with yellow and violet frosting, and fried fritters topped with a thick layer of powdered sugar; finally, sizable bowls of punch and bottles of wine for drinks.

They picked out a few of the things they wanted and stuck closely together, chatting amongst themselves and idling into conversation with other partygoers nearby.

None of them recognized anyone else behind their costumes and masks, but they took the opportunity to just enjoy the atmosphere and have pleasant exchanges with the other people having fun.

While Sonic's gang found their places in the lavish ballroom, a certain luxury-loving bat walked into the establishment alongside her uneasy date.

Adorning Rouge's curvy figure was a fancy silk dress of royal purple and vivid gold; the top formed a heart shape over her bust and hugged her waist, fanning out into a layered skirt that transitioned back and forth between amethyst and amber.

Her dress nearly touched the floor, hiding the woman's black pumps which nudged the frilled silk outwards with each step. She'd ditched her usual gloves for something fancier, choosing long black satin instead of the white cotton and pink cuffs.

Each black-clad hand held something special, the fingers of her left wrapped around Shadow's arm while the right gracefully gripped a green folding fan embroidered with shimmering yellow swirls.

Her pretty face was a mystery behind her large, curvy mask. It reached up from her muzzle to cover the length of her eyes, glittery dark purple bordered with matte black and complementing her dazzling teal irises.

The top of her mask carried a plume of tall feathers, proudly displaying all three of the holiday colors. And to add more mystery to her appearance, Rouge wore navy blue eyeshadow, which she coupled with red lip gloss instead of pink.

Less elegant was her quieter counterpart, who sported an unassuming blazer of dark, dull red – though the velvet material made it seem black under most lighting – with a subdued orange-gold ascot tucked under the collar to hide his chest hair.

His mask was the largest he could've found, unfortunately colored a warm and inviting yellow but thankfully wrapping a bit along the sides of his face. The upper hem curved into a point that cupped the top of his highlighted hair, covering some of the red stripe; it was the best way he could hope to hide his identity, unable to switch out his gloves and shoes for something more inconspicuous.

But as they stepped into the venue, Rouge wasn't worried about either of them being recognized. She guessed, by the number of people gathered in the refined ballroom, that it was unlikely for them to run into anyone they disliked. Noting all of the unidentifiable partygoers, she looked over at Shadow and squeezed his stiff arm.

"You don't have to be so tense," her smooth voice said, keeping her volume low enough that only he could hear. "No one will know who we are here. I know relaxing is difficult for you, but you're allowed to chill out tonight."

The hedgehog's red gaze shifted over to his charming companion and he forced himself to untighten his muscles, giving her a nod before silently taking in all the surroundings. As they went on into the room, steadily wading around other people, Rouge lightly fanned herself and looked up at the hanging decorations.

"Oh, it's just so beautiful in here!" she gushed, gaining an extra twinkle in her eye. "So fancy, so decorous- ooh!"

Her gaze snapped towards a well-dressed waiter making rounds through the crowd, carrying a platter of hors d'oeuvres high above his shoulder; he approached the pair and lowered the plate, offering an array of meager-portioned foods to anyone in the vicinity.

Among the gathering of guests accepting the savory snacks, Rouge happily joined in, slipping her hand off of Shadow's arm to take a tiny meat pastry. In the bustle of partiers moving about, and with his date's grip no longer holding him captive, the calculating lifeform took the opportunity to slip away from the socialite bat.

He quickly disappeared past the small mass of brightly-costumed strangers. By the time Rouge finished the delicious serving of finely prepared food, he was out of her sight, and she soon felt the annoyance of realizing that he'd escaped her.

In a sea of partying patrons, there was no way she would be able to find him as soon as she'd like – so she simply let her agitation disappear with a sigh and began meandering around the ballroom to drink in the atmosphere alone.

Arriving after Rouge and Shadow was Vector, his dapper attire a white dress shirt with a bold gold suit jacket on top. A black bowtie accented the collar and he wore a spiky emerald green mask, hoping the color would blend well enough with his scales that Vanilla would recognize the crocodile when he approached her.

Immediately, he began looking for the kind lady, honing in on any lengthy set of rabbit ears he saw amongst the crowd. And as he was too distracted to consider the fault in his plan, it didn't occur to him that his crush's attendance wasn't guaranteed.

With masks obscuring the face of every guest in the room, Vector endured a handful of disappointments as each woman he approached denied being the one he was looking for.

Regardless, he held his composure as much as possible in the face of unknown patrons and didn't let the rejection get to him, continuing to excuse himself around the other people and keeping his eyes peeled for Cream's mother.

Meanwhile, Sonic had been coaxed into waltzing with Amy to the rhythm of sweeping piano and bombastic trumpets. He humored her desire to spend the moment with him, but silently thought of how he could end their dance when her adoration became a little too strong for his liking.

Still, the blue hedgehog didn't want to ruin the girl's night, and certainly didn't want to cause a scene if he ended up being the reason for her sorrow on what was supposed to be an enjoyable evening. The waltz wasn't so bad, even a bit of fun for Sonic – so he stuck it out a little while longer to indulge her dream.

Amy's soft green eyes gazed dreamily at him as she spoke, "We really don't do stuff like this often enough. And I think we should make more of an effort to try new things together! If you would just slow down enough to give our relationship the attention it needs, we could be the strongest couple on the planet."

The speedster chuckled and exhaled nervously, then replied, "I don't know about that, Amy. Nothing's certain!"

"Oh, stop being coy!" One of her eyebrows furrowed in an amused expression and the hand that held Sonic's tightened affectionately. "I'm serious, you know. This would be the perfect time to ask me out if you were thinking about it – you don't have to be shy."

Unsure of how to respond, he opted for clamming up instead, giving the enamored dame an awkward smile and upping the tempo of their dance in an attempt to distract her from the topic.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the building, his friend Knuckles was pushing open one of the double doors to see what kind of supposedly exciting action the bustling ballroom had to offer.

His garments were of green and yellow, different shades of each crawling across his dress shirt in an artistic arrangement of stripes and diamonds; the imaginative patterns made up for the fact that he chose not to change his shoes or gloves.

Adorning the echidna's face was a wide mask, almost square-shaped, colored half-black and half-gold. He avoided bumping into anyone and looked around casually, trying to decide whether he liked what he saw or if he wanted to bail already. Secondarily, he scanned the crowds for Sonic and the others, though he doubted the probability of finding them.

Tails, Cream, and Vanilla still hung around near the buffet tables, chatting with a few other guests and filling up on delectable foods. And as Vector's search brought him closer to the tables, as well, his orange eyes spotted something familiar: a pair of yellow twin tails belonging to someone he knew to be one of Cream's friends.

His excitement rose when he recognized the young fox, looking at the two rabbits next to him and heading their way the moment he identified Vanilla standing beside her daughter. Nearly stumbling over his own feet, the crocodile tightened the bow accenting his collar, rehearsing in his head what he was going to say to her.

The group's voices became clearer the closer he got, and Vanilla's sweet, mature tone was making him more nervous than he thought he'd be. When he finally reached them, Vector cut into their conversation a bit awkwardly, nearly interrupting the end of Tails' sentence.

"Is this a great party or what?" he started enthusiastically, in an attempt to seem charismatic. "It has to be the best one I've ever been to – what about you guys?"

The other partiers, who didn't know the tall reptile, smiled and agreed. But Tails recognized him instantly by his voice alone, picking up on the throaty rasp of his intonation. It didn't take much for Vanilla to figure out his identity, either; and when she smiled kindly at him, Vector's grin grew.

He didn't know for sure if she'd seen through his costume, assuming that she would be just as polite with anyone else. So, he pretended to not recognize her either, speaking as if she were an unknown woman.

"Hey, you look like you're a great dancer," claimed the detective, trying to sound smooth. "I can't say how, but I have a sense about these things. Would you like to have a waltz out on the floor?"

Vanilla giggled warmly, amused by his attempt to sound cultured and sophisticated. "Sure! I appreciate the offer."

Turning to Cream, she spoke with affection, "Stay with Tails, dear. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, Mother!" The rabbits hugged and Tails gave Vanilla a wave as she walked away with Vector, the crocodile striding confidently.

While Sonic's friends were finding their enjoyment among the crowds attending the lively soirée, Shadow was weaving around groups of people and wandering farther into the ballroom.

He kept near the wall, not wanting to chance getting nudged out onto the dance floor, and preferring to stay along the less-occupied edges for control of his own personal space. Soon he found an arrangement of different wines taking up one half of a buffet table, along with empty glasses; red, white, and sparkling were the options, and he chose to have a drink of something on the bitter side.

After filling half a glass with red wine, the quiet hedgehog continued wandering leisurely, using his freedom to take in the sights and even mildly enjoying the atmosphere – which he found more admirable when he was merely spectating the festivities.

The other half of the neutral-aligned pairing also wandered, her fan flittering cool wisps of air at her tan muzzle. Rouge made passive eye contact with a couple of strangers as she attempted to pass around them, which the men took as an opportunity to start a conversation. The click of her heels ceased when they smiled and turned her way.

"Evening, miss," the first greeted in a melodic tone, bowing slightly towards her in a gentlemanly gesture. He was wearing a jet-black mask, which sat above a white muzzle and covered an azure-furred face, the eye holes revealing dark chocolate irises; and a stark white vest worn over a purple long-sleeved button-up shirt.

"Good evening," responded Rouge, mirroring his smile and looking at the other guest when he spoke.

"Have you been enjoying this enchanting evening? You look lovely." The second of the strangers sounded younger and moved a bit more energetically. The distinct shape of his ears gave him away as a lynx, gray fur disappearing beneath a distracting mask that hid his entire face from forehead to chin – colored white and gold, it resembled a laughing face, and only showed the heterochromia he possessed. One eye was icy blue, the other a bold shade of chartreuse.

Rouge cocked her head to one side and said, "Why, thank you. I haven't gotten to indulge in much just yet, but I sure don't plan on letting the night go to waste!"

"You'd better not!" the azure patron chuckled. "You dressed far too beautifully to not bless the dance floor with your presence."

Mildly flattered, the bat raised an eyebrow when he extended one gloved hand and asked, "I'd love to accompany you for a few twirls on the next song."

Instead of offering her own satin-wrapped hand, Rouge covered part of her face with the fan, taking a step to the side as she began the process of excusing herself. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm actually here with someone. I'm off to find him, but I hope you boys have a wonderful time."

Both of the masked men watched her go before turning back to one another, and the lavishly-dressed treasure hunter started scanning her gaze over the gatherings of partygoers.

She hoped to catch even a glimpse of Shadow or his brightly-colored mask, making mental notes of the dance floor's ever-shifting availability. With luck, she would be able to convince the reclusive lifeform to join her for a dance, a slim possibility that she wanted to try for while she had the chance.

After all, she reasoned, there may not be another day more befitting of a friendly tango, and the likelihood of Shadow agreeing to such an activity would only get weaker as the night went on.

Out on the dance floor, Sonic had successfully taken the lead and started slowly scooting the two of them farther from the center of the room.

While he spun the pink hedgehog around other couples, he kept her distracted with conversation that toed the line of what she wanted to hear. "I'm glad the city has stuff like this going on. I was starting to think it was getting boring around here!"

"Me, too!" Amy's grip on his shoulder tightened as she relished the feeling of his hand holding her waist; it was difficult not to swoon in the Blue Blur's presence. "Especially if it means we can get closer by going out to more of these events."

"Sure! I think all of us will be able to build stronger bonds through fun parties every now and then." He smiled at her, but it soon faded when her expression changed.

"Sonic, can you slow down?" she asked, her voice a bit wavery through a half-smile. "I think we're spinning too fast."

"Whoops, sorry!" The speedy hedgehog complied, then looked to see that they were right by the edge of the dance floor, where the white line separated it from the rest of the room. "We should take a break – I don't want you to feel sick!"

Amy opened her mouth to counter his request, but couldn't do much about his hands slipping away from her. The blue man stepped outside of the dance area and ushered her towards the buffet tables, while the disappointed girl frowned and informed him of wanting another dance soon.

Sonic responded, "Sure thing, but let's grab something to drink for now. It's not a good idea to move around so much being dehydrated!"

They joined up with Tails and Cream, going as a group to partake in the flavorful punch resting in a deep glass bowl. There was another guest pouring a cup when they approached, a redhead with long locks and big plush mitts covering his hands; which Sonic recognized as Knuckles' attire.

"Hey, Knuckles, is that you?" he asked, walking up to the patron and eyeing the two-toned mask on his face.

His friend was taken a bit off-guard, not expecting the hedgehog to have found him, but soon smiled when he saw the whole group trailing closely behind. He chuckled, "Sonic? Uh, yeah, it's me. Man, you guys look so different behind those masks."

Primping her short hair, Amy replied, "We look great, don't we? Finally, a reason to wear something really nice! But I didn't expect you to show up!"

Knuckles shrugged. "Eh, I decided to come by for a look around, but I might leave soon."

"Heh, I don't think so!" retorted Sonic, raising one index finger. "You're with us – and we're having a good time! Why would you wanna miss it?"

The echidna chuckled again and smiled a little fuller. "I guess I'll stick around, then."

Tails chimed, "We're glad to have ya, Knuckles! This is shaping up to be an awesome night!"

The music bumping from the ballroom speakers steadily shifted into slower songs, lowering the energy a bit as the mood became calmer. Long, deep saxophone notes accompanied lively taps of piano keys, the more romantic vibe accented with faint sounds of trumpets.

It was a soothing break in the middle of the zestful masquerade – one that Vector was grateful for, having barely fumbled through a couple of songs without embarrassing himself.

His determination to impress Vanilla kept him more graceful than usual, doubly aware of his footfalls and the space around them. And if she was regretting accepting his offer to dance, she wasn't showing it.

The motherly woman held a serene smile the entire time, which made it easier for him to keep his nerves under control, as well. Deciding it was time to make a proper move, the scaley detective started off with a compliment.

"Your grace is fantastic." As soon as the words left his mouth, Vector felt embarrassment at the awkward wording; so much for making a fool of himself, he thought. "Uh, I mean, you're very graceful!"

His dance partner giggled and briefly squinted her eyes to a close, finding his flustered expression endearing. "Thank you! I'm glad to be attending this ball, there's so many friendly people here!"

"That's right! What better place to meet someone than at a fancy party?" He blushed when she opened her eyes again to stare a pretty caramel gaze past the green mask and at tangerine irises. "... So, does that mean you're having a good time dancing with me?"

"Of course," she answered sweetly, a tranquil lilt to her tone. "You're very nice."

The crocodile was speechless at her respectful admiration and chose not to push his luck by attempting a reply. He smiled wide and gained enough confidence from her sincerity to dance with genuine passion, rather than the timid steps he'd been taking before.

Meanwhile, a lone hedgehog had been half-mindedly watching them – as well as the other dancers – while leaning his back against a wall. Shadow finished the last sip of red wine in his glass, then felt a decisive grab on his arm as feminine fingers wrapped around the velvet sleeve of his blazer.

His head turned and crimson eyes widened, the dark lifeform being met with Rouge's smug smirk and the intensity of her teal gaze beneath navy eyelids. Her fan had disappeared, though he didn't ruminate on what she'd done with it.

"Finally, I found you!" she exclaimed, loosening her palm to reposition it affectionately on his bicep. She looked down at the empty cup in his hand and continued, "I see you've had a drink. Does that mean you're feeling a little more fun?"

He let out a breathy chuckle, confirming her sentiment without the use of words; Rouge could see in the curl of his lips that her stoic date wasn't so tense anymore.

Shadow seemed as relaxed as he could possibly be in a room full of people, relatively unbothered in his spot nearer one of the speakers. And because of that, the bat was less worried about being turned down when she offered her free hand, gracefully outstretching it and lifting her pinky finger higher to seem more elegant.

"Would ya honor me with a dance, handsome?" she asked, sliding her other palm down the length of his arm.

Shadow looked at her hand, then back at Rouge, the vague curve of his smile sticking despite her normally-unwelcome offer. He still hesitated, unsure of whether or not he wanted to commit to walking out on the floor – let alone to dancing, something he very rarely did. "You know how I feel about that. What would you bribe me with if I indulged your request?"

The ivory lady grinned, still holding out her gloved hand, and felt her cheeks flush faintly at his modest banter. It wasn't quite flirty for normal standards, and especially not when compared to her level of teasing, but Rouge saw so easily through his feigned disapproval. A dance was pretty much guaranteed, but he always had to make her work a little bit harder to get what she wanted.

"How about a kiss?" she suggested with a wink. "A pretty good trade-off, I'd say. It can even be our little secret, if you like."

The slight change in Shadow's expression was even more subtle behind the mask, thick gold material obscuring his coy acceptance of the deal. His view of Rouge as solely a teammate had been transitioning to a more personal connection since even before Valentine's Day, but especially since then.

At the end of the night, he might not go through with kissing her – silently questioning whether or not she was even serious about it – but he'd been interested to see with what she tried to entice him. In hindsight, it wasn't much of a surprise that the flirty woman went straight to romance, but he conceded to himself that he should've seen it coming.

After a moment of silence between them, Shadow pushed himself from the wall and swiftly returned his empty wine glass to the nearest table, then faced Rouge and lifted his dominant hand to take hers.

"Let's go, then, before the night escapes us."

The glamorous jewel hunter's stride quickly overtook his slower steps, until she was walking ahead of him, their gloved fingers hooked and the hedgehog being tugged closer toward the handfuls of happy interlinked couples.

As a favor to him, she scoped out a relatively spacious spot; one with plenty of clearance to not knock into the other dancers. Rouge then turned to Shadow, her shiny red lips pulled into a gleeful smile, and she put her left hand on his shoulder while the other repositioned to rest more comfortably in his palm.

The aloof guest slipped his free hand around her waist and cleared this throat, then broke eye contact and spoke uneasily, "I might not be the best on my feet tonight..."

When he trailed off, Rouge smoothly interjected, "Don't worry about it. I don't mind leading."

He didn't want to admit that he was talentless at dancing, even if it was something he typically had no interest in. But being around so many other people and having his physical movements dictated by his closest friend in an intimate context made Shadow more self-conscious about his abilities.

Regardless, he didn't let his pride push him into taking the lead anyway, instead allowing Rouge to make the first move and following her direction as they started off slow. Luckily for the couple, once they started dancing, the floor very steadily opened.

Over the next few songs, other dancers trickled out of the white-bordered area, which allowed a little more room for the bat to take her date closer to the center. So focused on keeping his motions smooth, Shadow didn't keep in mind how much of the floor they were traversing.

And as Rouge herself became wrapped up in the fun of gracefully twirling both of them around other waltzing guests, she unknowingly inched closer to the other side of the golden space.

Sonic and his friends had stepped away from the buffet table after filling their cups; the five of them beamed with conversation and laughter for a while, hovering near the white line that separated them from the dancers.

Shadow's steps were beginning to stall the longer they danced, the dark hedgehog losing his grace while his partner's pace rose. Hesitating to say something was his mistake, and when Rouge performed a twirl in which only their hands were gripping each other, the momentum of her body leaning away from him was more than he was prepared for.

Her fingers slipped from his, sending the surprised woman stumbling over the floor's white border. With Sonic's gang nearby, she unfortunately bumped roughly into Knuckles' right side, knocking his arm and spilling his punch on the sleeve of his colorful dress shirt.

"Shit!" the echidna exclaimed, looking at the stain while regaining his balance.

His gaze burned as it snapped in Rouge's direction, who was hastily backing away from him with her mouth agape. Everyone else was stunned at the sudden interruption, including a couple of nearby partygoers who'd witnessed the fumble. Sonic's green eyes shifted back and forth between the aggravated Knuckles and the embarrassed masked lady who'd run into him.

Amy and Cream were covering their mouths; Tails' expression was one of distress; and Shadow pulled himself out of the startle to silently assess the scene. A fang-bearing scowl was spread across Knuckles' muzzle and his purple eyes blazed at the adorned bat.

"Watch where you're going!" he shouted.

For a moment, Rouge's lips couldn't successfully form the words to respond, her mind indecisive between apologetic and defensive. When she did start to speak, he pointed at the white line and interrupted with, "There's a border here for a reason. You could've wrecked more than just my shirt being careless like that!"

Sonic put his hands up and chimed, "Woah, hey, relax! It was an accident-"

"Maybe you shouldn't have been standing so close to the line," Rouge retorted, her eyebrows furrowing under her mask. She recognized the echidna once she got a better look at him – the ill-tempered outburst was unmistakable as one of his trademark qualities. "Anyone can trip, even if they don't have big clumsy feet."

More of the guests' attention were being drawn to the bickering pair, including Vector and Vanilla, who paused their dance to look over with concern. The second Knuckles started to growl in frustration at Rouge's snide remark, Shadow stepped in front of her and faced the angry guardian himself.

He only saw the tension rising from there, and would rather be the one to fight if it came to blows – at the least, it would make the event more interesting, he thought.

"This argument is over," the serious lifeform stated, staring at Knuckles.

"Who are you to give orders around here?" asked the angry redhead.

Shadow's brow furrowed deeply and Rouge stepped forward to grip one of his arms. She told him quietly, "I can handle this. I'll just apologize and we can-"

"No." Offended at his refusal, the bat scoffed, and Shadow continued squabbling, "It would be best if you just went home. I would get that stain out before it sets."

"Telling a stranger to leave, as if you have the power here? How arrogant can you be?!"

The others stood by watching them argue, on edge wondering if a punch was about to be thrown – Sonic and Rouge were both on their guard, ready to jump in if either threat came true.

The echidna and the hedgehog spoke harshly back and forth for a few seconds, telling each other to back down while not willing to walk away themselves.

More masqueraded patrons became interested in the commotion, and when Rouge had had enough of the increasingly-ridiculous dispute, she approached Shadow again and grabbed his arm more firmly.

At the same time, Knuckles took a step forward, his irritation growing and his fists balling; the staunch lifeform's fists balled as well, but the echidna's advance was stopped by Sonic stepping in and gripping his shoulder.

The ivory bat spoke in a low volume once more to Shadow, solemnly urging, "Stop escalating. This isn't the place to fight."

While she talked to the glaring red-eyed hedgehog, Sonic told Knuckles, "Hey, let's all just be cool, here. There's no reason to let this little mistake get out of hand."

His frustrated friend's gaze turned to his, and the speedster offered a smile while continuing, "We can all still have a fun night. I can even help you clean up that shirt later, if you want."

"Don't bother," Knuckles responded, calming down. "I'm outta here – I didn't even want to come to this thing, anyway."

Sonic's hand slipped from the echidna's shoulder as he turned to walk away, and the rest of the group relaxed a bit when they saw the hostility between the two guests quickly dying. Shadow turned as well, walking in silence with Rouge when she tugged him towards the other side of the room.

There was a bit of whispering and speculation among the people who'd crowded around during the tension, the semi-circle of gathered patrons dispersing as Knuckles and Shadow left the area.

Still standing together on the dance floor, Vector and Vanilla responded differently to the confrontation; the crocodile let out an exaggerated sigh, while Cream's mother merely arched her eyebrows in worry.

"Man, that was dramatic!" commented Vector. "I really thought those guys were gonna fight!"

"It was quite worrying..."

He looked over at Vanilla and made his face calm when he noticed her frown, then held out his hand. "Would you like to continue our dance?"

"I'm sorry, but I should probably get back to my group," she responded, giving him a weak but polite smile. "Thank you for your company!"

She bowed slightly and he stuttered, "Oh, uh, s-sure! I mean, no, thank you!"

Vector watched his crush walk away towards her daughter's friends, then decided it was best if he went home for the night; though, as he left, he cursed the arguing guests for interrupting their moment.

Meanwhile, Rouge led Shadow to a wall far from Sonic's group, and turned to face him. Her pleading gaze met his seething crimson eyes as both hands calmly cupped his arms.

"Okay, that was tense – and I know you probably want to leave, but..." The unease in her voice made him close his eyes and let out a long, soft sigh before she finished her sentence. "... we can still salvage the rest of the night."

The black and red hedgehog gently shook her hands from his sleeves and opened his eyes again, making eye contact with the tentative woman. "You want to stay after that?"

Her hands floated towards each other and she absent-mindedly fidgeted with one pinky finger, replying, "Well, sure. He's gone, so the problem is solved now, right? I don't want you to bail just yet."

Shadow's body language calmed as his shoulders lowered to rest loosely; he looked down at the bat's hands and grabbed one, stopping her from fidgeting and holding it informally for a moment.

In a cool tone, he said, "I won't lie to you – I'm not in my element here. This place is uncomfortable for me, these people..."

He looked out at the crowd as his sentence trailed off, then looked back to Rouge. "Maybe I was a bit incensed when our dance was interrupted."

Navy blue lids raised and their hands parted. Shadow continued, "I see you trying. I may not always agree with your plans, but it's not the first time you've known what was best for us; even just as a team. So, I'll stay if you like, however obnoxious I find this event to be."

The fancily-dressed lady shook her head, lips curling into a smile. "You shouldn't have to do that, even for me. I have to be fair to my partner, which means upholding my side of the bargain. You kept your word, and I said we could leave when you wanted, so..."

She slipped one hand around his arm again, as if he was escorting her. "... we can go. Although, I wouldn't be opposed to continuing our dance elsewhere."

"A more secluded place?" he asked.

Rouge nodded, earning a half-smile from the hedgehog. With his spirit uplifted a bit, he approached the nearest buffet table and grabbed one of the wine bottles, suggesting, "How about we share one drink before we go?"

"It couldn't hurt," agreed the jewel thief, shrugging briefly before grabbing an empty glass for herself.

Vanilla regrouped with the rest of her party, which kicked off a conversation about the tiff between Knuckles and Shadow. Though they started off theorizing about the other guest's identity – getting closer to the conclusion that his mannerisms and some of his garments were identical to the Ultimate Lifeform – Tails eventually shifted to worrying about Knuckles.

"You think he's okay?" he asked Sonic. "I haven't seen him that angry in a while."

"Sure, he's okay," replied the speedster, unflinchingly confident. "That hard-headed echidna's tough as nails. But I can check on him, just to be sure."

"That might be a good idea."

Tails and his heroic friend shared a nod of understanding before Sonic turned to track down Knuckles. When he walked out into the night air, he found the guardian stomping across the street outside the bustling ballroom. "Hey, Knux!"

His companion stopped on the sidewalk and turned back to look at the blue daredevil, his face no longer covered by a mask. He wasn't fuming anymore, but still carried an unpleasant frown and stern eyes; though, he allowed Sonic to approach and chat with him.

"Sorry about that whole ordeal," Sonic spoke, smiling awkwardly. "That other guy was way out of line. Anyway, I hope you're not going home angry; Tails was worried."

Knuckles let forth a content snicker and his frown turned into a smile. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'll just be catching up on some well-deserved rest... and committing this event to memory for the next time you try to pressure me into attending a party!"

The Blue Blur laughed, then gave him a thumbs-up and a flashy grin. "You know what, Knux, you earned it! I'll try not to bug ya too much from now on."

Respectfully, the echidna nodded in a gesture of acceptance and farewell, then turned his back to Sonic and continued on his path home. The costumed hedgehog turned as well, heading back towards the lavish ballroom and into the party, where he met up with the rest of his group to continue the boisterous festivities.

[separatist-apologist]

Babes my best friend and I are hunting for boyfriends, so like how can we initiate?

I met Mr. MB at a Mardi Gras party. I had a friend who, when she's drunk, will run away. I don't have this friend anymore. Anyway, I'm drunk and realizing oh my God she's gone AGAIN. Not answering her phone, just vanish into the city. I leave the bar and I walk outside, angry and frustrated.

J (not his actual initial and I'll never remember this, so the constant changing of initials will be fun) (god imagine if his name was Josh) was brand new to the city and a west coast transplant whose phone had died and he was tragically lost. I like to imagine he saw me there looking beautiful and perfect but in reality it was me who made the first comment (who knows what it was- lets pretend it was witty). We got to talking as we stood there looking out in the gloom and the light rain and he said his phone was dead. I happened to have a townhouse I was renting about four blocks down and like the idiot in every slasher film with no sense of self preservation, offered to let him come back to my place and charge his phone. I was thinking I was going to have to sober up if I wanted to drive around and find her, so it made sense (somehow).

Anyway he didn't murder me, which I appreciated. We watched Dale and Tucker vs Evil while his phone charged, sitting on the couch with a cushion of polite space between us. We talked a little and learned we had nothing in common. His phone charged and his friends called and told him where they were and when he was leaving he stopped at the door and asked if he could have my number which surprised me because he did like, almost no talking. I was like, sure, thinking it would go nowhere because I had no luck with men AND I had a 13 month old I hadn't told him about because he was a stranger. My boyfriend before him turned out to be a married man and that was a really painful blow when I found out.

ANYWAY- they're out there in the world and I think you just have to talk to them.

[splinter-sister]

@gin-n-chthonic

Having once again found herself in a new environment, Rachael actually felt confident in knowing how to make her way through the crowd of people around her. She's in a huge city with the brightest lights she's seen in a while. It feels like Mardi Gras came early and migrated out from Louisiana. For a Wednesday night, this city is BUSSIN' too! Everyone and their mother must be out on the town to party. She can't walk two steps without hearing a new conversation or almost running into someone.

Wanting to get out of the sea of moving limbs and lights, she goes into the first building on her side of the street. Not being much better, but certainly not being any worse, it looked like a bar. At least there's walking room here despite how packed to the gills it is. She stands there for a few moments looking for a place to sit and breathe. Someone gets up from the bar top to leave and she takes the opportunity to jump in their grave to give her legs a break from people dodging. With a big sigh of relief, she can relax her tense shoulders.

[cityofdreamsrp]

🌈 YOU’RE INVITED TO THE PRIDE MASQUERADE MARDI GRAS BALL! 🌈

When: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023

Where: Aboard the Creole Queen 

Join us for a pride-themed, Masquerade Mardi Gras inspired celebration! Board the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler - rented out privately with comfort, safety, and luxury in mind. The Creole Queen riverboat, which holds a capacity of 800+, features outer decks with authentically patterned wrought iron trims, richly appointed interiors with plush Victorian style draperies, soft period lighting, wooden parquet dance floors, and Louisiana Cypress bars accented with brass railing for a warm and welcoming setting. During the ball, enjoy dinner serving traditional New Orleans style foods with pride themed drinks on the top deck. Afterwards, jump in our photo booth, capturing a forever memory before enjoying the DJ as you dance the night away! Please continue tagging all posts with #cityofdreamsprideweek so everyone can see your ball look.

ENJOY PRIDE WITH A MARDI GRAS TWIST.

While on the surface Mardi Gras appears to be no more than a party, many say Gay Mardi Gras helped usher in the Gay Rights Movement in the United States. Today it remains an important symbol of pride for the community and its allies. Mardi Gras balls are an extremely important part of LGBTQIA+ Mardi Gras celebrations. Inspired by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival, enjoy your night on the ship in celebration of gender and sexuality as all funds will go to LGBTQIA+ rights. 

AND DON’T FORGET YOUR MASKS AND BEADS!

Whether they cover the wearer’s eyes or whole face, masks add an element of mystery and intrigue when worn, especially around this particular holiday in the city. Along with masks, traditional Mardi Gras beads are purple, green, and gold colors. The purple symbolizes justice, the green represents faith, and the gold signifies power. Tonight, wear your identity with pride featuring the beads of the rainbow, or the corresponding colors of your flag. Whether you decide to be formally dressed, or show up in an extravagant Mardi Gras outfit, don’t ever be afraid to show off your true colors.

[blackdogsilver]

50 things I probably won't get done before 50

Let's face it, I've been working on varying versions of this list for 12 years. I've never come close to hitting my goal. BUT I have done a whole bunch of things I've always wanted to do, that I probably never would have done other wise, so whether or not I reach the goal, I think this is a good thing to keep going.

I went right back to the original list, and am combining it with all the iterations from over the years. I'm also adding in my travel goals. I always kept them separate because I didn't have the money to travel, and wanted to keep my list achievable, but I'm not as concerned about hitting every goal any more, and also, if I don't travel by 50, then when?

I've made a separate list for the things I've done too, to remind myself of what I have accomplished. The items I removed from the list because I really don't think it's possible, or care if I achieve it, I'm putting back in as bonus goals... they don't need to count, but maybe the opportunity will come up, who knows? And it's good to see where I've come from.

THINGS I'VE DONE

1. hide 43 treasures 

2. milk a cow

3. Tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue

4. Get a tattoo

5. finish crocheting my tetris blanket

6. Send in a postsecret

7. try sushi

8. Have glamour photos taken of me

9. crochet a hat

10. Go to a strip club

11. dye my hair purple

12. go on a pub crawl

13. have brunch with friends

14. Give blood (well, I tried, but they wouldn't take it!)

15. take part in gishwes

16. try a foreign cuisine I’ve never had before

17. take a chocolate factory tour

18. fly first class

19. do the Colour Run

20. do a nude photoshoot

21. find a signature scent/perfume

22. get a helix piercing

23. go to a RHPS Audience Participation screening

24. go to Midsumma/Pride March/Mardi Gras parade

25. grab a handful of cake and just eat it

26. invent a silly holiday and get other people to join in

THINGS I'VE YET TO DO

1. Send a message in a bottle

2. Record/produce a song

3. visit a planetarium

4. Swim with dolphins (attempted, but failed and still want to try)

5. Throw a dart into a map and travel to where it lands

6. take a moonlit walk on a beach

7. learn the thriller dance

8. see a total solar eclipse in person

9. go on a road trip with friends

10. bake a Croquembouche

11. Take a pole dancing class

12. get a professional massage

13. spend a day taking photos of my city

14. visit all the Australian states and territories - 5/7

15. eat at a teppanyaki style restaurant

16. visit the Great Barrier Reef

17. finish a ‘Wreck This Journal’

18. get a matching tattoo with someone

19. complete the c25k program

20. do a proper cosplay photo shoot

21. take part in a drum circle

22. write an Android app

23. Design my own Tarot deck

24. go strawberry picking

25. take a silversmithing course

26. eat fondue

27. learn to contact juggle

28. ride in a limo

29. join the mile high club

30. see the Southern/Northern Lights

31. wear a bikini to the beach (without a cover up)

32. Be able to do a pull up unassisted

33. host a fancy dinner party in a strange place (ie, traffic island)

34. learn to read lips

35. eat alone in a (fancy) restaurant

36. build a Rube Goldberg machine

37. watch a meteor shower

38. recreate a childhood photo

39. cook pasta from scratch

40. take a salsa dance class

41. learn ASL

42. see the Thai floating lantern festival

43. go to the City Museum in St Louis

44. visit New York

45. tour the Dresden Files sites in Chicago

46. visit Petra, Jordan

47. visit Japan

48. visit the Eternal Lightning Fields, Venezuela

49. visit Wat Samphran (Dragon Temple), Thailand

50. visit Chichen Itza, Mexico

BONUS GOALS

1. bungee jump

2. watch all of classic Doctor Who

3. visit Katoomba at Winter Solstice for the Winter Magic Festival

4. get my driver’s license

5. do a beer centurion (100 shots in 100 minutes)

6. crowd surf

7. fire a gun at a shooting range

8. learn to juggle

9. write and film a (short) movie

[qnewsau]

Queensland's wanda dparke celebrates 30 years of drag

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/queenslands-wanda-dparke-celebrates-30-years-of-drag/

Queensland's wanda dparke celebrates 30 years of drag

Queensland’s wanda dparke spoke to QNews about her journey into drag and her 30 years of performing.

A certain number of years ago in the small town of Biloela, a young star was born.

But he didn’t know it yet. 

Ross Waghorn would become one of Queensland’s premier drag stars but it was a tough beginning on his path to the stage. 

“I was the youngest of six boys, so I was labelled by my family as the soft one,” he tells me. 

Ross struggled in the conservative town to express himself freely.

“I wanted to learn to dance, and I wanted to do this and I wanted to do that, but Dad put a stop to that real quick.”

“Growing up in the country, you’re never allowed to even think about that. So I had to repress it all and that really shut me down.”

In a tale as old as time, it was a boy who took Ross away from the small town to the big city lights. 

Finding love in country Queensland was difficult at the time and had to be done in secret. 

“I met him at work event in Rockhampton and, in the country, you give someone the look,” Ross explains. 

“So I gave him the look and he gave me the look and that was it!”

His new love had to move to Brisbane for work and after spending his weekends driving to and from the city from Bioela, he made the move to the big smoke.

Big city lights

For a shy country boy, the move to Brisbane and exploring the scene was a culture shock. 

“It was a big eye-opener, but we had a ball,” he says. 

“We always had to be careful back then, because being gay was still illegal and you could get arrested at the drop of a hat.”

“But all the clubs back then were so amazing and even though we weren’t free to do what we wanted publicly, we felt so free and safe inside those venues.”

Ross would spend the 80s living with his partner and embracing the scene, however, it was a move to Sydney in the early 90s that would lead to the start of his drag career. 

Dabbling in drag

Ross, now in his late 20s, found himself working at the Taylor Square branch of the Commonwealth Bank right in the heart of Sydney’s gay scene. 

He befriended many of the queens from Oxford Street and it was only a matter of time before he had a chance to jump on stage himself. 

When two friends wanted to do a tribute to the 90s group of Wilson Phillips, they required a third performer for their show at the Albury Hotel. 

“They needed someone who was a little more chunky to play Carnie Wilson, so I was the fat one and that’s how it started,” Ross says with a chuckle. 

For Ross’s first show, he was understandably anxious.

“I was nervous and shitting myself at the time and I still get nervous before I go on stage today, 30 years later.”

After a successful first attempt, Ross continued to dabble in drag without becoming a regular performer. 

“I did a couple of Mardi Gras years just in drag out on the street. I was tragic, I looked like a train wreck but I was happily swanning around thinking my shit didn’t stink and it was amazing.”

The birth of wanda

A return to Brisbane for work was the catalyst for the creation of wanda dparke.

Ross had a chance to perform at the iconic Sportsman’s Hotel but something was missing. 

“When I did my first show in Brisbane at Sporties, I didn’t even have a name,” he explains. 

“Then a good friend of mine at the time just christened me wanda dparke and that’s the only drag name I’ve ever had.”

Despite the creation of wanda, Ross doesn’t see her as a separate character.

“I tell people that wanda and Ross are the same person but wanda gets away with more. It’s really a mask for me because I was a shy person as a young adult and a kid.”

The christening of wanda would lead to a long career in drag but that wasn’t Ross’s intention in the beginning. 

“When I started doing wanda it was more fun than anything. It was more a hobby because I still had my day job and I’ve always had a day job even up to now.” 

Despite it being fun, Ross took his craft seriously with the audience central to the growth of wanda’s popularity. 

“I was always out on the floor working the room, chatting to people and I still do that now. It’s part of what I do because I appreciate my audiences so much. And I was just lucky in that people responded at the time to what I do.”

Live singing

After lip-syncing for many years, the late 90s saw wanda begin singing live in her shows. 

“I was doing karaoke at the Sporties and then I won a couple of competitions as Ross. People said, ‘Well, why don’t you sing as wanda?’ and so I did.”

This established a point of difference for many other queens not just in Brisbane, but nationwide.  

“There’s only a couple of others in Australia that do sing as drag performers. It’s become my style and brand of cabaret drag. I was always doing camp numbers, and some numbers would be out of sync with what was popular but I’ve just been lucky it’s what audiences have enjoyed.”

Star on screen

It hasn’t just been live venues where wanda has starred, she’s also appeared on screen.

The gay-themed 2008 short feature Performance Anxiety was shot around the Sportsman Hotel and wanda scored a leading role alongside actor Luke Mitchell.  

“They approached me for the role and I loved the performing side of it,” she says. 

“I can’t really act to save myself, I’m more real. I do ad-lib really well, but I can’t do a script really well at all, I always used to go off script!”

wanda would be more ‘real’ in the film Bowled Over: A Dragumentary. 

The documentary told the story of wanda and other drag artists who helped save the North Ipswich Bowls Club with their monthly show Taboo. 

It was featured in SBS’s Untold Australia program and their Mardi Gras selections. 

“It was an amazing experience and it still has legs today even though we filmed it over six years ago.”

Despite the positive reviews and support, bigots focused on one of the boys in the film who wanted to perform in drag. 

“Us drag queens were all accused of being child abusers and paedophiles and how dare we put a 12-year-old on stage in a dress.”

“The negatives tainted the experience but also proved to us that we were doing the right thing, particularly with Logan, because his mum and dad were there from day one, supporting him, not judging him, not judging us and not trying to pigeonhole their son who wanted to be creative.”

Taking drag to the regions

One aspect of wanda’s work has been her dedication to regional events in Queensland. 

“Once I started getting older, the work started tapering off because it was becoming all about the RuPaul girls. I had to find other avenues to keep myself creative and keep myself out there as a performer.”

wanda has gone on to perform all over Queensland and News South Wales from Clubrok in Rockhampton, to Gladstone’s Rainbow Reef Festival to camel races in Boulia and Mardi Gras events in Cloncurry.

“Country people are so welcoming; they love that people want to make the effort to go there and entertain them. 

“Because I’m a country boy as well, I can relate to them and there’s no pretence. There’s no bullshit and I always tell people when I’m on stage, you can’t bullshit a country person.”

What’s next?

When I speak to Ross, it’s a few days before Brisbane Pride and wanda is due to co-host Brunswick Hotel’s Pride Day.

With a busy day of four big shows, wanda hits it out of the park and the packed crowd clearly loves her.

She plugs her regular pub trivia and works the room like she always has and is clearly in her element. 

With work coming up at Outback Mardi Gras in central Queenland’s Sapphire Gemfields,  and a cruise around Papua New Guinea as well as something big in 2025 (that she keeps teasing but can’t tell me), it’s clear wanda is still very much in demand. 

And how long does she see herself performing?

“I have the mentality of an ageing Broadway star like Angela Lansbury, who was like 5,000 years old when she stopped performing,” she says.

“Because I started late, I’m going to finish late. I’ve still got a lot that I want to do and a lot that I can do.”

You can follow WANDA DPARKE @Misswandadparke on Facebook.

Other Queensland drag stars:

How Shanny T-Bone overcame hate from within our community

Henny Spaghetti’s response to being slapped by a fan

Archie Arsenic calls for more accessible queer spaces

Get to know First Nations queen Chocolate Boxx

Spill the tea with Brisbane drag star Maxi-Bon

How AFAB drag artist Ladybird thrives despite shocking abuse

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

[eventbaba]

Discover the Rich Tapestry of Cultural Events in Australia with Event Baba

Australia, a land known for its stunning landscapes, is equally rich in cultural diversity. From the ancient traditions of its Indigenous peoples to the vibrant influences brought by immigrants, the cultural events in Australia are a testament to the nation's unique and diverse heritage. At Event Baba, we believe in celebrating this diversity by connecting you to the best cultural experiences across the country.

1. Vivid Sydney: A Festival of Light, Music, and Ideas

Vivid Sydney is more than just a festival; it's an immersive experience that transforms the city into a canvas of light and creativity. Held annually in May and June, this event showcases stunning light installations, music performances, and thought-provoking talks. As one of the most iconic cultural events in Australia, it attracts artists, innovators, and visitors from around the world.

Vivid Sydney is more than just a festival; it's an immersive experience that transforms the city into a canvas of light and creativity. Held annually in May and June, this event showcases stunning light installations, music performances, and thought-provoking talks. As one of the most iconic cultural events in Australia, it attracts artists, innovators, and visitors from around the world.

2. Melbourne International Arts Festival

Melbourne is often hailed as Australia’s cultural capital, and the Melbourne International Arts Festival is a shining example of why. Every October, the city comes alive with a dynamic mix of theater, dance, music, and visual arts. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Event Baba can help you navigate this cultural extravaganza and ensure you don’t miss any of the festival’s highlights.

3. Woodford Folk Festival

For those who prefer a more laid-back vibe, the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland is a must-visit. This annual event, held over six days and nights, is a celebration of folk music, dance, and cultural exchange. It's one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Australia, offering a unique blend of performances, workshops, and discussions. Event Baba can guide you through the festival's extensive program, ensuring you make the most of your experience.

4. Adelaide Fringe Festival

Adelaide Fringe is the largest open-access arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a diverse range of performances, from circus acts to comedy shows. Spanning 31 days and nights in February and March, this festival turns Adelaide into a playground for artists and audiences alike. Event Baba can provide you with insider tips on the best shows and events to attend, making your Fringe experience unforgettable.

5. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

A celebration of love, diversity, and acceptance, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the most colorful cultural events in Australia. Held annually in February and March, this event features a parade that lights up the streets of Sydney with vibrant costumes and performances. At Event Baba, we believe in celebrating all forms of love and can help you be part of this joyous occasion.

6. NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is a significant event that celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Held every July, it offers a variety of events across Australia, including art exhibitions, cultural performances, and community festivals. Event Baba is here to help you connect with these important cultural events, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s Indigenous heritage.

Experience Australia’s Cultural Events with Event Baba

No matter where you are in Australia or what kind of cultural experience you’re seeking, Event Baba is your go-to source for discovering and attending the best cultural events in the country. From the vibrant streets of Sydney to the artistic hubs of Melbourne, we’re here to make sure you don’t miss out on the rich cultural tapestry that makes Australia so unique.

Start planning your next cultural adventure with Event Baba today!

[ultraheydudemestuff]

East Fourth Street Historic District (Cleveland)        

East Fourth Street

Cleveland, OH

East 4th Street is a major pedestrian zone roughly on E. 4th St. between Euclid and Prospect Aves.in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, known for its food, entertainment, and nightlife. The street runs south from Euclid Avenue to Prospect Avenue. Once a very run down street, the area has been renovated and revitalized by the establishment of numerous restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and apartments, turning it into one of the main nightlife hotspots in the city.

     The old Cleveland Arcade is located across Euclid Avenue from East 4th Street. The historic May Company Ohio Building is down Euclid Avenue toward Public Square. The new The Beacon apartment tower is across the street and down on East 6th Street. The Park Building, The Lofts at Rosetta Center, The Euclid, The Frederick, The Commercial, The Windsor, and The Buckeye Building are all apartment blocks in the area.

     Additionally, the district butts up against the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex which includes Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians, and numerous bars and restaurants.  The street is given a Mardi Gras atmosphere due to its being festooned with over hanging bubble lights along the entire length of the avenue. No vehicular traffic is allowed to travel up or down the street due to the heavy foot traffic.  The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 9, 1987.