middaeg | MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

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MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE

I. Arrival

The event starts early evening, Noveur 7, thanks to the help of several hands. They had worked for a couple of days prior to the start to get the large ballroom decorated to everyone's liking. The day of the event, earlier on, a few may have appeared to do some final touches. Those who had stayed behind to help with some last minute decorating, Louis had cleared out and advised to leave so that they could get ready for the masquerade.

a. Outside

When you approach, you will find that the outside of the building is a perfect location for a masquerade. There's a large ballroom, granted to them for use by the Coven. They had been kind enough to allow them to have the space and necessary supplies in order to throw such a party. And, it's clear that they took every advantage of the granted space and land around them.

There's a gorgeous, outdoor fountain, and lights underneath the water to give it a pleasant, warm glow through the water. If you watch it long enough, the lights seem to shift colors. There's gardens surrounding the building, as well. The gardens, like the fountain, have low, warm lighting around them so that the plant-life will be clear well into the late night.

There's benches outside as well, with a clear view of the fountain - so if someone needs to step outside or take a break from the indoor events, they can enjoy the fresh air and the warm, calming feeling from the fountain and gardens. This is a perfect place to escape when you want to relax away from the bustle of a party.

b. Inside

The entryway has open curtains, gold - and tied back with a burgundy rope. There to make everyone feel as though stepping inside, they are making an entrance of their own. Once you step inside, you'll notice the grand ballroom with high ceilings is fully decorated. It is clear that a lot of effort and time went into this, thanks to the help of many different people and several sets of hands. The colors that seem to be continually present are gold, reds, and purples. Though from time to time there may be splashes of other colors and personal touches from those who had helped in places - mostly in the form of masks hanging on the walls, or balloons scattered in places away from the main dance floor.

From the main ballroom entrance, straight ahead, is the main dance floor and to the right - refreshments. Near the refreshments, there are a several standing tables to set down a drink or stand around to socialize with friends or people you've just met. In addition to the standing tables, there's a couple of dining tables and chairs so that you can sit and eat, drink, or chat.

Inside the main ballroom there's a few gaming tables scattered around - including card games with some dealers around where you can gamble, and pool tables. Make a wager or play for fun, it's all up to you. Additionally, on the floor Kaito will be performing magic tricks to entertain individuals and small groups throughout the floor. You'll be able to catch him periodically through the night.

There are a few hallways leading to several rooms, and it all depends on what you're looking for, but no matter what it is, you can probably find it.

One of the rooms has the silent auction. Here, you can look at some of the things that are up for bidding. There's several interesting, enchanted items including: weapons, jewelry, books, instruments. They are protected, as well, so they can only go home with the winner.

Don't worry - there's signs posted everywhere so you will be able to find what you're looking for.

c. Enchanted Masks

You're welcome to have brought a mask that you had picked out for yourself, or - if you prefer, you can pick up an enchanted mask near the entrance of the party itself. These enchanted masks will conceal all distinguishing features, whether they are as simple as horns and scales, or as large as a set of wings. The only obvious features will be what a character is wearing, whether it is their attire, mask, or both.

You aren't obligated to wear them, of course, but they do provide the total anonymity that is often part of the excitement at a masquerade such as this. These effects are only present when one is wearing the mask. The moment the mask is off, any distinguishing features are immediately visible.

It's a perfect opportunity to have a little fun and engage with someone you may not have spoken with otherwise.

This enchantment will wear off the next day at sunrise, so you may keep the mask you pick out for yourself at the party.

d. Photobooth

Near the front of the ballroom there's a neat looking photobooth set up thanks to the work of both Omi and Prompto. There's props so you can take fun or silly pictures with your friends or date for the night. The backdrop for the photobooth is magical, of course. With a quick flip the background can be changed to one you desire whether it's a different color, an entirely new environment. The photobooth will be available through the night.

Additionally, you'll be able to find Omi on the floor catching candid photos of the attendees. Smile!

II. Refreshments

Away from the dance floor are several tables with matching, deep purple, table cloths. On top of the table are a variety of foods - some brought by the attendees, others brought in thanks to the aid of the coven. You can expect to find at least something that you'll absolutely love when exploring the options. There's everything there - from healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and dip - to less healthy options such as cupcakes, and truffles. Food on sticks, and easy finger foods seem to be a very popular options.

While many of the options wouldn't even require a plate, there are some plates and utensils in shades of blue and gold available to use.

Next to the food there is a table featuring three punch bowls with three different flavors. One seems to be a fruit punch, one seems be purely berry flavored, and one - seems to be a bit of a surprise. It tastes a little bit different to everyone who tries it, but so far - there have been no complaints. Next to them, if you would prefer, there's pitchers of water.

Near the back corner, there's a bar with a bartender, there to serve those who would like a drink. Ask for a surprise, or your favorite drink, and you can have something mixed for you. Next to the bar, there are rows of the most popular bottles of alcohol. Though you won't be stopped if you take one, please tell the bartender so that they can keep their stock replenished for the other guests.

Drinks, of course, come free to those who are able to legally drink. Anyone underage will be met with a powerful enchantment that is acting as a method of preventing that from happening.

III. Dance

a. The Lock Box

Maybe you want to find a new dance partner. Maybe you want to find a new Bond. Maybe you just want to talk to someone new. The Lock Box is near the entrance of the ballroom. It's inaccessible thanks to both a lock and enchantment that are on it.

It's set up neatly on a table, with only it, paper, and a pen so that names can be written and added to the box. When you enter your name, another name will be produced from the box. It is clearly enchanted, of course. Once you're given a name, you and your new dance partner will be compelled to be near one another. This will last for about the length of a song - long enough to dance, or have a conversation.

Usually, only others who have put their names in the box will have their name drawn, but sometimes those who didn't put their name in the box will have their name drawn and will feel compelled to seek out someone who drew their name.

Sorry to those who didn't volunteer, magic isn't always the most predictable! Though you may get lucky and just find your next friend or Bond, so it's hard to get mad about it.

b. Song & Dance

Whether you picked your dance partner yourself, or were compelled to dance with your partner thanks to the Lock Box, the dance floor is ready for you. The music is enchanted, to provide a feeling of calm, relaxation, and joy. Characters will feel at ease, and even those who may not typically dance will want to get out on the dance floor.

Thanks to the talents of several Mirrorbound and collected records you'll have a variety of music all through the night. While much of it is upbeat, as it is encouraging individuals to dance. Whatever your mood, you will find a song that you'd love to dance to, as long as you want to dance.

IV. Gaming

Throughout the venue, there are a variety of gaming tables. There's poker tables with a dealer available so that you can play a game, place a bet - maybe you'll lose some cunes, maybe you'll win big. That's all up to how good you play the game. Note: Dealers (and the party host) are not responsible for any losses that occur when gambling. Play responsibly (or not).

There's also some pool tables available to those who wish to play. These table are open to anyone, and they are free to play. There's only a couple of tables available; however, they are scattered throughout the venue.

Set up near the bar are three long tables with only an array of cups and a printed set of rules for a game that some may recognize as none other than something very closely to beer pong. In place of the ping-pong balls there's a small, plastic coin that is used. Have fun drinking with friends while playing a game. What's not to love?

Are you looking to play a game in a quieter space? Down one of the hallways there's a couple of game rooms where you can not only find decks of cards and a pool table, but also a variety of popular party games such as charades. You'll also be able to find a room for those who want to settle in for a game of chess or checkers.

V. Late Night

The lights dim, just a bit more as it starts to turn into a late night, though there doesn't seem to be any sign that the party is ending. Small, glowing trinkets are brought out when the party seems like it should otherwise be dying down. These trinkets are - of course, to your taste, whether it's a bracelet, a ring, a necklace, or just simple something small that almost resembles a wand. This will glow up to a month, so you should like what you pick: whether it is for for you or is to act as a gift for someone of your choosing.

The music is meant now to entice you to go a little wilder than they may have been earlier in the evening. Most of the food has been replaced and only small, quick snacks have been brought out for those who were still wanting something a bit to eat. Alcohol is still readily available to each and every person who is able to legally drink, of course.

You're welcome to - quite literally - dance until the sun rises or until you just can't stay awake any longer.

Note: Please see the questions thread if you have any for me - don't be afraid to ask. Please assume all characters received fliers this year, and anyone who would have wanted to work would have had the opportunity to help setup. As there are a variety of performers through the night, I did not note any specific ones and will leave that up to the performers discretion.

Please place any warnings, including 18+ content, in the subject line! Thank you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Iramaat is rather fond of this mysterious stranger. In theory, they're all mysterious strangers to one another tonight, although some of them are a bit more masked than others. She doesn't seem to mind the mystery, though! She flutters her eyelashes at the newcomer and dips into a little bow.

"Terrible dancer or not, you can still enjoy it - and as you've said I've no toes to trod on," she laughs and offers him her hand, mouth spreading in a smile.

"Please - it just won't do to leave a lady all alone without a dance partner.

The music flows like liquid in its enchanting serenity, sways like the shore, pulls him into its spellbinding current. Even if he were to balk now, how could he retreat? Soren takes the hand offered to him and lets her whisk him away into a new moment.

"Let's see... How to put my hands..."

It depends on who is leading and who is following, and just a glance at other dancers will tell him all he needs to know. What he's really asking here is which roles they will play.

"If you don't mind, I can lead to start... and then perhaps we can switch?" Iramaat proposes as she swings into the dance. She takes her mysterious partner with her, a beaming smile on her face. She seems... happy enough, honestly. Excited to be somewhere and enjoying herself. Indulging in a bit of excess. The music carries the both of them off as they start to swirl around the dance-floor.

"So mysterious, with those enchantments. But it is the night for it, isn't it?"

Soren places his unclaimed hand on her shoulder and tries to remain calm, pick up on her body's cues on how he should move in turn. She's no stranger to him, and that sets him at some ease he wouldn't have had if she were similarly cloaked in secrecy.

"You don't want to play the role of a dashing stranger?"

"Oh, but I do get to play that role! We're strangers, aren't we? Or - well. I've no idea... but there are many people I don't know - so why can't I play the role? And sometimes we like to pretend, don't we?"

The royal "we" perhaps. Or maybe she does mean the person she's dancing with. It's hard to tell.

"And sometimes one wants to be swept off of their feet..." She continues thoughtfully, turning them into another step and then stepping back so she can twirl him.

He spins at her bidding, falling into the motion with fluid grace and springs back to her next beck and call.

"Stranger or not, you seem perfectly capable of that." How long will it take until she has an inkling of an idea without him outright telling her? That lively little flip in his chest as he whirled about: was it nerves, or a lick of something else? "You must love surprises. Are you having fun tonight?"

Oh, he moves very well, whoever he is. She approves. She sways into the next set of steps, her smile growing.

"I enjoy pleasant surprises," she replies idly, a laugh bubbling out of her throat, "And I am enjoying myself. It's nice to cut loose... to see people again."

She hasn't guessed yet. It's difficult to, with the enchantment - he hasn't said much that might give the game away, either.

"I lost my bonded for a few weeks, but they came back... so I'm feeling better."

Had she? His heart sinks at the thought that she went through it again. What a state she must have been in, and unlike Soren, she doesn't seem like she can tolerate long stretches of feeling alone. The good news of it buoys him right back up.

"That's a relief. I have had that happen to me, too. Who is your bonded, if you don't mind a stranger's prying?"

She came within a whisker of drunk-dialing Soren and crying at him, so it's probably a good thing her bonded showed back up when he did. For the moment she seems in high spirits, though. She flashes her mysterious partner a grin, seemingly at ease.

"Oh, I don't mind sharing... his name is Howl. I don't know if you've met him, though - although he is rather flamboyant and attention-grabbing, I must admit. Still... we get along and I think that's the important part."

A pause. She has a hard time talking about things that aren't herself sometimes.

"Who did you end up losing? If I can pry."

"Oh. Howl. Yes, his flamboyance was the first thing I noticed about him," remarks Soren, focusing more on that than his own loss for the time being. "He hired me to help him pack up some heavy items about a month or so ago."

Yes, he would be up her alley, wouldn't he? Not that he knows every nook and cranny of the wizard's personality, but he sure possesses the outward attractiveness and charm of personality that would hold her interest captive. If he's any bit an adventurous soul or isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, then he would be a fantastic catch. Knowing she has someone she gets along with... makes him feel good.

"Oh, yes, I think that was when he moved..." She sounds slightly distracted, thinking back - that was right after he'd come back and he'd been (they'd both been) very upset. Then her attentions snaps back to her partner and she favors him with a smile.

"Thank you for helping him, all the same. He ended up moving and that's always such a hassle..."

She shakes her head, "But what about you? Do you have a bonded? Anyone who catches your eye...?"

"I wonder if you know him..."

Identifying one's bonded could easily spoil the mystery behind the mask, but Soren isn't overly attached to concealing his identity, especially after their conversation has gotten off the ground and Iramaat seems to be in high spirits. It it comes to revealing their names, so be it. He takes a private moment to tilt his head away from her to scatter his eyes across his periphery, just to see if he can't pick him out among the crowd. Then he spots Caster instead.

"Well, actually, I have two." He'd only lost one of them, and he's who had been filling his mind prior to that addendum.

Iramaat's eyes widen behind her mask and she follows his glance toward Caster curiously. Her lips spread in a little smile.

"I don't think I do know that one... but if you have two, the more power to you. One can never really have enough, can you? The more the better. There's... something comforting in it, I think."

She tries to find comfort in other people, that much is clear. Burying herself in them and digging in until they form a barrier against the world and she can use them to protect herself from harsh truths.

Oh, she determined where his eyes landed, did she? It's tough to say whether she did or didn't, but she at least determined that they were a 'he'. He returns his sights to her and her alone.

"I would agree with that notion," says Soren after a short and thoughtful pause. "It insures you against sudden and potential losses." He focuses on his stumbling footwork for a moment in hopes of correcting it, trying to better match up to hers so that they are more in step, but his mind still trails after higher, more abstract concerns. He doesn't often go into much detail about his personal feelings or his inner life, but something about their moment, his lack of observable identity, compels him to go ahead.

"...Something about the masquerade, even this year... haunts me. I think what I mean by that is I am transported to the same place I was last year, when I had one Bond, was made to feel insecure about its dependability, and swiftly lost her to the mirrors the same night."

Iramaat is temporarily distracted by his footwork. She glances down and gives him a little nudge with her hip to try and encourage him to get back into time with her, but she seems mostly content to let him fumble his way through it. At least for now. She glances back up in time to listen to his words about the masquerade. Her eyes get a bit of a distant look and she makes a low 'hmm' noise.

"I understand that feeling, I think. It happened with my first bonded... not quite as bad as that, though. That sounds horrid. How did you manage? It must have been quite rough..."

Okay, he's trying! He doesn't need your hip, Iramaat. The dreamlike memory of gripping that part of her while flushed and tipsy surfaces to remind him of when he lost himself in her, but he pushes it back down because ooh, the last thing he needs while they're loosely entwined and their bodies sway to the rhythm are thoughts like those. Luckily, it's not quite so intrusive that it makes him think better of this and excuse himself. He sucks in air through his teeth and sighs for the past.

"It was... manageable." That's another way of saying it sucked, but he dealt with it. "I just picked up the pieces and worked on securing a new one. We weren't all that close, but... she was nice."

He will never forget the way she reached out to help him come his first full moon, when he was on the brink of his first encounter with monstrous madness. How would things be now if she had stayed? It's useless to contemplate these what-ifs overly much, but a night like tonight inspires such reflections. Where he was then. Where he is now. Who was there then. Who is still here now.

There aren't many of them who have been here from the beginning, are there? He stops looking at their feet and his eyes float up to meet hers. She cannot see his vibrant reptilian reds, but she can see how they gleam with an appreciative quality, how his inner life is emerging from the shell he seals it in.

"Do you remember anyone named Yako?"

Iramaat's first bonded wasn't nice, but Iramaat liked her all the same. There was something dangerous about her and she'd appreciated it that greatly. She keeps on dancing, tugging her partner along and trying to help him keep up. Although maybe that's just going to backfire. Who can say?

"Yako...?" There's a pause and a frown, thoughtful, as if she's remembering something. She appreciates that gleam of interest in his eyes and she'd like to see more of it. To know what they're thinking. She breathes out slowly and then replies.

"...yes, honestly. She moved in with us for a little while. She was friends with Nel. Did you know Nel...?"

Memories. Lots of memories. Not all of them pleasant. Much like him, there's a glimmer of her letting something past that mask of cheeriness she usually wears. A weariness and an interest.

Edited 2020-11-24 16:28 (UTC)

Soren almost thinks to urge her to take it a little slower for his sake, but he marches on to the rhythm of the music and her lead, often glancing down at the floor.

"No." Because his attention is divided between physical maneuvers and his stream of consciousness, a bit of a delay settles between his next words. "It's funny how this works. Our connections. Had Yako not disappeared that night, I wonder... if I would have been living with you?"

"We might have ended up like that," She sounds a bit wistful, "I really did love Nel. So much. But... she's gone."

There's a brittle, sad tone in her voice that she tries to chase away, "There's no use dwelling on it, is there? But - I still don't know who you are and she never mentioned a bonded to me while I knew her."

She draws closer on their next step, eyes gleaming, "Give me a hint. Or just say so - either will do."

"..."

He aligns their bodies up a little closer; the hand at her shoulder snakes down her dress until it plants against her hipbone. Her scent hits sensuously familiar to him. A shudder prickles his spine. He tries not to heed it too much.

"We've danced before, in a word."

His heart pounds. How bold, how impulsive of him. How like she'd laid a trap for him to waltz right into, when he could have maintained his distance and submitted another clue instead. This narrows it down quite a bit. He watches her expression's changes.

There's a slight pause as his hand draws down her side and settles against her hip. She leans into the touch, draws closer until they're only separated by scant inches. Her mind works as she thinks and tries to pinpoint who this could be. His little confession solidifies it, bit by bit. Realization spreads and her smile grows - and in there is also a touch of something a little sad.

"Soren?"

She murmurs to him and leans forward to gently touch their foreheads together.

"The only one I can really think of, I think. Is that you?"

"...Yes. It's me."

He tilts his forehead back but maintains meaningful eye contact. It is difficult to say whether it is a trick of the mind or the quality of the enchantment, but they're sharp and striking like she's used to, indiscernible but without a doubt his. A loss of direction, a wavering tinges both them and the quality of his tone. Now that his identity has been forfeited, he suddenly feels less sure of what he is doing, how he stands with her and how many more inches he is ready to give. But now the missing piece of their past and their present falls before her to fit together with the whole picture, and she's left not with a fascinating stranger, but a flame who burned her.

In another time, in another place, in another life, she would have been vindictive about it. Tried to rub it in his face or been a horrible, spiteful little beast, because she knew she could. Things are different now. Things are different here. And even so, there's still the urge to dig in her talons and try to make him hurt for that rejection - and then to dance with her and pretend that it had never happened!

Although that does sound like the sort of thing she would have done (might still do).

Her eyes slip shut as they sway and for a long moment, she's quiet, as if she's trying to figure out what to say or what to do. There's a sense of approaching a point where there won't be any turning back. She still misses him, even if she hasn't seen him in weeks. It's who she is; she pines and wants and covets what she can't have, even when she already has something (someone) else. A glutton, really.

"You look taller tonight," she finally says, "You had me fooled, you know."

There's a tinge of sadness behind the gaiety.

"Why dance with me?" She asks, outright and a hint accusatory, the old hurt still nursed and even if she's making an effort not to be vindictive, the instinct is still there. But here they are, dancing, and swaying with the music among the dozens of other pairs.

They rock like ships at sea to the leisurely tempo, the soothing and magical melody that ferries moods to more pleasurable destinations. Asked a question like that, and Soren is forced to analyze himself, his reasoning. Why, indeed? Why, suspecting she may harbor some resentment toward his prior treatment of her desire to grow closer? Why, when dancing is one of his least favorite activities, when he doesn't care to play games like these with people? When her ardor for their connection had unsettled him so, when their relationship to each other is an indiscernible tangle?

It must be something in the music. In the moment. But he had decided, then, with volition all his own, to take her hand and accept her invitation, no matter how unsure he had been about it.

"...A lapse in judgment, it would seem."

He begins to pull himself away, clicking backwards until he cleaves suitable distance between them.

"Or perhaps I could say that in the moment, I was... enchanted to. No, you are right. I overstepped my bounds." Especially after that creepy stunt of slinking his hand down her waist when she didn't even know who he was. What was he thinking? He begins to leave. "It's good to hear that you are doing well. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."

No.

He pulls away and her expression starts to fall again. Despite her best efforts, her lips pull into a frown. Why is he doing this to her? Why does he approach and flirt and be so charming and then pull away as soon as he's recognized? That's not fair - it's not fair at all. That doesn't happen to her. It's not supposed to.

She follows, unwilling to let him go, reaching out to try for his hand or his shoulder or any other point of contact she can grab.

"Don't go," she says, "I don't want you to. Stay. We can enjoy the evening, can't we?"

There's a note of hope there and she tries to mold herself to his back, to wrap her arms around him in a warm embrace.

"Don't just leave."

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