Timestamp: 92nd of Winter, 518 A.V.
Slowly Maurice Wultz took the stage in dramatic style after the singers and himself had taken a break to eat and several guests had taken the stage to perform. All in all the night was going well and the party was slowly beginning to wind down. Some of the security had taken turns on the dance floor and even the caterers were slightly inebriated at this point. No one minded if dancers had two left feet, and everyone was certainly pretty. Some costumes had held up well throughout the night, some had began to fail... but all was taken in good spirits.
However, there was one last thing Maurice wanted to say. He stepped forward and addressed the crowd from the stage. "It's a tradition world wide to steal or share a kiss at Midnight. This is Cheva's realm and her desire. It blesses relationships for the year to come. It renews hope and spreads love. There is no better way to start a New Year than beginning with love. There is no way to end an old year... than ending it with love. So if you are masked, its time to unmask. In many traditions, we mask ourselves to scare off evil spirits and unmask to invite good spirits back in. That is not the case in Sunberth. We mask for the anonymous nature of being. But the one thing you don't want to be anonymous is during a rite older than time to invite good fortune into your life. You want that fortune to recognize you and follow you everywhere." He said, his voice rich and sincere. His cheeks were slightly flushed and one could tell he'd had more than one drink himself.
"And if you opt out, please understand.. its opening yourself to heartache, loss, loneliness, and isolation for the whole of the year to come. So kiss away. Kiss every Gods cursed woman in this place! Life is short. We need all the joy we can get out of it!" He said with a fist pump. Then he launched into his traditional blessing poem for the New Year.
"Another year is coming to a close.
We can forget our troubles and woes.
For me, this year was tough.
It brought many emotions, was tearful and rough.
Now another year is approaching fast.
Let's hope it's a New Year with love and health; let's hope it's a blast.
May all of your dreams come true
And you find peace and love in all that you do.
May this world know the gentle sound of a hush.
May it calm all its anger and slow its pace from the rush.
May we all hear the sound of joy
And push away all that hurts that destroy.
The New Year I hope will be good to us all.
Care and calm, a helping hand when we fall.
Listen more, slow down, and say I love you.
Stop for a moment; take a breath, take in the view.
Appreciate your family; tell them you care.
Do something exciting, a thrill or a dare.
Enjoy all that the New Year may give.
We have but one life, so let's learn to live.
It's a New Year, a brand new start.
Always remember, live and love from your heart.
Wishing each and every one a year to behold,
And may it be full of wonders for you to unfold.
Love, hugs, and kisses too...
A very happy New Year from me to you."
We can forget our troubles and woes.
For me, this year was tough.
It brought many emotions, was tearful and rough.
Now another year is approaching fast.
Let's hope it's a New Year with love and health; let's hope it's a blast.
May all of your dreams come true
And you find peace and love in all that you do.
May this world know the gentle sound of a hush.
May it calm all its anger and slow its pace from the rush.
May we all hear the sound of joy
And push away all that hurts that destroy.
The New Year I hope will be good to us all.
Care and calm, a helping hand when we fall.
Listen more, slow down, and say I love you.
Stop for a moment; take a breath, take in the view.
Appreciate your family; tell them you care.
Do something exciting, a thrill or a dare.
Enjoy all that the New Year may give.
We have but one life, so let's learn to live.
It's a New Year, a brand new start.
Always remember, live and love from your heart.
Wishing each and every one a year to behold,
And may it be full of wonders for you to unfold.
Love, hugs, and kisses too...
A very happy New Year from me to you."
He finished his speech with a flourish and exited stage right to wade into the crowd. Maurice found himself a lovely girl, a barmaid from The Drunken Fish, and took her hand. She grinned thoughtfully and bowed to him. Then together, in a booming voice, Maurice held up a chunk of Watchstone which had been suspended around his neck in the form of a pendant. It's color was already changing, wavering, as he started his countdown.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!....." The crowd joined him in the countdown, couples pairing up two by two... and sometimes even more. Even little kids that had gotten in due to their costumes paired up. Everyone signaled the countdown, and the whole party crowed chanted as one.
OOC :