Revision [28411]
This is an old revision of 1868.02.25 Mardis Gras made by CourtPetri on 2013-03-01 22:04:02.
Related Events: 1867.03.05_Mardis_Gras
<#court: Ditto, probably lots happens at this Mardi Gras as well, so I will start a page! Feel free to jump in. #>
<#court: Jeanne joins the sneakers again this year as they go out to celebrate the revelry in the streets. She stands in awe as a parade goes by. One of the many sights is a group of people walking, dancing, twirling in their masks and ribbons -- all on high blocks of wood, so they seem supernaturally tall. She overhears snippets of the many conversations flitting around, and understands that those are stilt-walkers. She is fascinated. They remind her of the long-legged water birds from the bayou; they are so leggy - awkward and yet improbably graceful at the same time.
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<#court: Over the course of the evening, she keeps her eye out for suitable scraps of wood in alleyways and at the bonfires down by the river. She comes away with two pieces that seem suitable, and brings them back to the orphanage with her. She also searches for a length of rope that have been strewn around, which she finds due to the carnival atmosphere Mardi Gras. #>
<#bill: Cole heads out with the group. As usual, it isn't long before his head starts getting turned by everything else going on. What's interesting is that Minnie seems just as anxious as Cole, if not more so, to start wandering. When he leaves they leave together.
Ann, I didn't want to speak for you. Celeste would know that they are trying to see if they can find any signs of that party again. She is welcome to come along and she knows it. Does she? #>
<#ann: Not this year. She wants to help Jeanne in her quest for stilts. #>
<#court: Bill, have you mentioned this to anyone but Celeste? #>
<#bill: Cole definitely would have mentioned it last year after they came back. He would have related the story of what they saw in great detail. During the year he discovers that what he say is an annual event put on by the Mystic Krewe. If the kids talks about their plans for Mardi Gras he makes no secret that he intends to try to finds signs of them again. #>
<#court: Jeanne notices Cole starting to split off from the group. She is looking for pieces of wood, but figures she can do that anywhere. She nudges Celeste. "I think he is going to find the fancy secret party. Want to look for parties and look for stilts at the same time?" (If Celeste agrees) Jeanne gives a quick look about for Ollie, to see what he is up to.#> <#jonah: She sees him sitting with his back against a nearby wall, watching the parade go by, and petting a unfamiliar and worn-looking dog. #> <#court: Jeanne scrambles over and says in French, "We are looking for that secret party, and for things to make stilts, want to come?" She is practically bouncing, ready to run off. Then they quickly chase after Cole and catch up to him, generally wandering in whatever direction his nose takes him, but Jeanne and Celeste also have an eye out for wood and rope, and dart back and forth, looking for the perfect pieces. #>
<#ann: Sounds good. Celeste eyes the jugglers in particular, but keeps one eye out for her friends, who keep rushing off. She tries to remind Cole that last year they didn't see anything until very, very late, we should slow down and watch some of the amazing display. #>
<#bill: Cole says the he knows that he didn't see them until late, but based on what he learned the parties are held by the Mystic Krewe who put on the parade. He's hoping that they'll see someone leave the parade and head to the party (he's not sure how he'll be identify a member of the Mystic Krewe yet as all membership is secret and he's not sure how he'll know if they're going to the party until they actually choose someone to follow and folllow...)He's totally cool with hanging out and watching stuff...he just wants to stay near the parade festivities and keep an eye out for any leads. #>
<#ann: Yeah, I was just whining in character. :} #>
<#court: Jeanne, smiling, lets them bicker, wandering along wherever they go and keeping her eye out for her supplies. #>
<#bill: That all looks good. Any suggestions from people on what they find/don't find / see/don't see during their wanderings? I think it would be fun if they had some small adventure and maybe got another clue re the Mystic Krewe party.... #>
<#court: Found some historical stuff: Late in the evening... the children are considering giving up, though the streets are still buzzing. Then they start to hear whispers, followed by shouts. "There it is!" People have been waiting for the Comus parade, and here it comes, up Canal Street. They watch as depictions of the Senses walk by: smell, touch, sight, etc. Jeanne, though tired, laughs as an enormous nose bumbles by. #>
(for interest, here is the link I found! http://www.storyvilledistrictnola.com/mardigras_comus_krewe.html)
<#court: Later, back at the orphanage, Jeanne enlists the help of Celeste to whittle the rough wood into more even, slender poles, a bit thicker at the top to stand on, and then slice the rope in two. She enlists Cal and Shawn to help her find nails and a hammer, and help her nail the ropes to the stilts (they will become hand-holds). In subsequent days and weeks, she can be seen practicing when she finishes chores early, either out in the cemetery or down by the river. She falls a LOT at the beginning, but gradually begins to improve. #>
<#ann: Celeste tries her hand at the stiltwalking too, and they have a lot of fun laughing and falling and getting bruised. Once she has the basic moves, down, though, Celeste gradually loses interest, though she's thrilled whenever Jeanne learns a new trick. #>
<#jonah: Ollie happily watches Celeste and Jeanne playing, and (if they take a break for some moments) ask to try out the stilts himself. "I am taller than a tree!" he shouts, before falling over. #>
<#bill: Cole would also try. He, like Celeste, would probably lose interest once he a few tries and got the idea of how it all worked/felt. #>
NeedsAnn
NeedsJonah
NeedsKelly
