[Game Thread] Chapter 1: Falling Blossoms in the Moonlight

[Dragonsnack]

Tania strides boldly after the Stagemaster, wanting to keep up her impressive posture. She turns back to the others, beckoning with the end of her silky cloak in one hand - she doesn't want to get too far away from them either...

As they pass through the gates and into the mist she laughs and sighs often, she is a naturally vocal person - it's hard for her to resist chatting with these strangers, but for now she just listens to what they say, and keeps on her guard for any surprises...

[GrazztTheDark]

As the comment wasn't directed at him, Jum'esh doesn't respond. But the humans concerns about a torch raise a small smile under his silver lich-king mask.

I sometimes forget that not everyone can see in the dark, he muses, I wonder, if that will be their game, if they will have the opposite problem and forget to take my vision into account? Or will they prefer instead to use magical darkness to counter even my piercing eyes?

As he walks along with the others (not caring about his position, now that he has made his entrance), he hopes for the latter: spoiling the game would be a complete waste, and would make him look petty.

[Silverbreeze]

Shiari chewed on her bottom lip nervously as she tilted her head slightly and peered at the spider woman from the corner of her eyes. She didn't want to stare, but at the same time her costume drew her attention.

"That costume really works for her, it was pretty smart to be a spider considering her skin color. Accentuating one's natural beauty..." she thought to herself as she studied her face. "There's something about her that makes my skin crawl. Or maybe her costume is just that good. Wait, don't spiders eat butterflies?"

Shiari shivered slightly, the exposed skin on her thighs, back, and arms puckering with goose pimples as she warily watched the gates being pulled open. When the Stagemaster began to direct the group towards those gates, she made sure to stick close with the other "players" in the group. Not wanting to be near the front in case anything happened and she embarrass herself, but at the same time not wanting to be left behind, which is easy for someone her size.

She found herself keeping near and staying in step with her two tall and elaborately masked male colleagues for some reason. While their visages were both frightening in their own way, she found some sanctuary in how bold their costumes were, and the fact that they were in the same situation as her.

[Tyger]

The group that Ossicar had been saddled with seemed an interesting... if unassuming sort. He was certain that there were likely a few faces he would recognize should the masks they bore all be removed. He was certain that any who know of him or his work would likely recognize his marred face. It wasn't one you soon forgot. He traveled within the group, deciding to not take a fore or rear position long before he had shown his card to the man dressed so casually in the purple vest.

All of the costumes, he thought to himself, likely told the viewer something intimate about the wearer... it was the way of things within the balls and masques that weren't as common as they had once been. People pretending to be something they weren't. It wasn't a new concept to be sure. He, on the other hand, was exactly what he assumed to be. He was hideously scarred and carried the guilt of the Hells upon his shoulder... much like the demon he presumed to appear as. Fire ruled the lives of demons and devils... as it had ruled his own.

He was interested to see what events lie before them collectively. The other boldly dressed man intrigued him... and he wondered what his undead mask foretold... but it was the small ornately dressed girl that followed near him and the other man that held his interest. She reminded him of someone else, someone from so long ago. 'She' had worn a similar costume... denoting that she wore it to sort of signify her awakening from a cocoon and spreading her glorious shimmering wings... Yes... this would be an interesting evening.

[Silverbreeze]

Always one with her manners, most of the time at least, Shiari did her best not to stare at her assortment of not quite acquaintances. They were more of companions thrust together in a situation that she was sure she wasn't the only one a little wary of. Although she could see in the dark just fine, who knew what was behind those gates? Shiari definitely was not a scaredy-cat per say, but she could be quite jumpy when caught unawares. "I just don't want to get surprised and squeal and embarass myself. I really should not have drank so much..."

She did take the opportunity to made use of her small stature and it's common effects of making her the last person to be noticed to take a good solid look at her comrades in arms and their elaborate outfits. Watching the woman in front of her, with her lovely feathered cloak fluttering behind her, she almost sighed a bit wistfully. "If only I were tall enough to pull something like that off..." she thought to herself, even as her eyes followed the feathers and the colors. It did seem like this woman liked to have the attention on her, as did most women. That was only based on her outfit and what she said to their host however. For all Shiari knew, the woman could be as bashful as her. After all, people reacted to different situations in different ways.

Her glance did flicker towards the well dressed man in crimson again. It was hard not to pay attention to him as he was quite simply, but sharply dressed. "Great minds do think alike..." She couldn't help but smile slightly, the corner of her little mouth tugging into a sideways dimpled smirk. It was always nice to see someone who shared her opinion in functions such as this. Simple done to perfection can do as well as elaborate and over the top anytime. Shiari's eyes twinkled in the starlight as she looked up at him and caught his own eyes, her face reddening as she found herself staring just a moment too many.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to stare. I was just admiring your attire. It's bold without being too flashy, and it attracts attention without demanding it." she says to him with a smile, her voice soft and melodic.

[Tyger]

Ossicar returned the gaze of the diminutive woman dressed divinely this night. He was unsure of what to say. It was an odd sensation, the wearing of the mask, at least this one. It allowed him a greater freedom of socialization than usual. Not that he was inherently a social stranger, quite the opposite really. He spent countless hours speaking in open forums and meeting dignitaries and tradesmen galore... but the gaze of the woman sent a shudder through his being. Not an outward manifestation, but an internal one. It took him almost a full minute before he realized that the woman had been speaking AT him, let alone TO him. And the fact that she stared in earnest interest and commended his choice clothing... only served to remind him that his face was hidden to the small woman.

"Ah, yes... well... Thank you I suppose. I tend to match form with function... or rather my profession demands it. No bells or whistles unless bells and whistles are determined to be what is desired for the occasion." Ossicar spoke in rapt vocalization at the woman, for whatever reason he found himself speaking to her in a manner he hadn't used in almost 15 years... not since his mother had perished in the blaze that took the manor... a blaze he unwittingly began. She had always told him, 'Speak clearly (which wasn't helped since he had an overactive stutter), as well as plainly, to those who needed it and boldly, to those who deserved it'.

His mother's lessons hadn't steered him wrong in 8 years of working within the research branch of the Senate private science/alchemical branch. 'Say what needs to be said, and listen to what needs to be heard'. There was something about this woman who exuded the same presence his mother had. It sort of drew him to her. "Well, I can see that your taste and sensibilities are the sum of my own m'lady." He told her with all the honesty he could muster.

[GrazztTheDark]

Jum'esh has had as much as he can stand of his death persona. He shrugs it off and decides to attempt conversation with one of his fellows. With the halfling female and the human male occupied with one another, and the halfling male talking with a human female, Jum'esh decides to make conversation with the other human female.

"That is a wonderful costume," he says in his well heeled bass, showing polite interest, "A seabird of some sort, if I'm not mistaken? Have you traveled by ship extensively?"

[Silverbreeze]

"But of course, I share a similar stance when it comes to bells and whistles." Shiari spoke as she fell into step with this man she found so intriguing. "It's something you see often, especially in gatherings and celebrations like this. When there's no set way to dress, some thing they have to be the most colorful or most expensive looking to be the center of attention. We do indeed share taste my friend, simple and neat done to perfection." With that, she looks up at him and smiles broadly, showing dimpled cheeks that are slightly flushed.

Shiari found that she was actually starting to feel glad that she decided to come to this party. "The mask makes it so much easier to speak with people. I wonder if he'd even bother speaking with me if he knew I was the crazy lady that keeps the neighbors up at night, and my past failures." she found herself thinking to herself, but willed herself to push the negative thoughts away. "Tonight is for fun, although it's quite sad that I'll never know who any of the people I meet tonight are."

"So is it your first time being invited?" Shiari inquired, tilting her head to the side in time with her question. "I've never been here before. It's quite lovely if I must say so myself, although with the current proceedings, I have to admit I am a bit... nervous." she confessed as she brushed a curl of her hair from her face.

[Tyger]

Ossicar chuckled to himself as she spoke, and then openly when she inferred if this was his first invitation. "No m'lady, an invitation is forthcoming every year, whether I wish it or not... though, this is my first time accepting. I did so rather on a whim... and given my luck with the dove and my conversation with you, I cannot say it has lacked for substance." He spoke with a calm reserve. He, like so many others, found it entirely too easy to fall into a persona while garbed in a mask. This was going to be an interesting night to be sure.

[Dragonsnack]

Catching up to the Stagemaster Tania tells him in a lilting, childish voice;
"I'm so enjoying this party, this is such an honor!"
Then walks back to join the others. A hired mage or actor of some sort, no doubt, she thinks, but no harm in seeming foolish, or in sharing a little honey.

She runs a keener eye over the others with her. That short one looks like a child - the temptation to ruffle his hair is almost irresistible - but judging by the voice he must be a halfling, and likely to think poorly of being treated like a toddler. She'd like to talk to either of the other young women, she's impressed by their style, and curious what they might be like - they are so different in bearing, but both hold interest. Unfortunately they've already been drawn into talk with two of the others. She's not so eager to talk to either of the men in death's-head masks, morbid and dreary boys, no doubt. How one can enjoy themselves looking so grim she can't guess, but she supposes she'll have to talk to one of them...

Originally Posted by GrazztTheDark

"That is a wonderful costume," he says in his well heeled bass, showing polite interest, "A seabird of some sort, if I'm not mistaken? Have you traveled by ship extensively?"

Tania is rather surprised at the sonorous and mature tone of the man's voice, and pleased by his words as well.
"It is, in fact. It's a sea falcon, a patient and dangerous hunter," she grins playfully, "and a good omen to sailors and fishers. I'm afraid I've traveled very little, but it has many meanings to my family."
"And you, sir? You've spared no detail in your frightening costume - it scares me more than ghosts or spiders! Wherever did you get your inspiration? Is there some story or legend behind it? I'd love to hear!"

[Silverbreeze]

Shiari could not help but smile at the kind words, feeling a warmth in her face and neck as she conversed with her new friend. "A nameless friend, but a friend nonetheless." She idly wondered to herself during the conversation if it would be too rude to ask him name, or if it were even allowed. "Or would that be too forward of me?" She found that the more she walked and talked, the less she was worrying about where they were going and what was really behind those gates.

"So, if I may ask, why didn't you accept all of those other invitations? You must be quite handsome, or quite the popular type to get one every year. I can tell that you're a gentleman already." Shiari gave him a shy little smile and paused before she continued. "I admit I wasn't going to come at first. I'm not the best in huge social situations, and I almost panicked when the dove marked my invitation. But you... you seem charming and confident, why wait so long?"

[Tyger]

"Hmm..." Ossicar verbalized. It was a soft humming sounds, but one that spoke volumes. "Well, I surely wouldn't say I was handsome, but I do work with some very influential circles, and my family used to be one of the most highly respected in the city... before..." He stopped for a moment only, scowled for another, and then as if nothing had transpired he began walking again, still at her side. He was anything but confident... at least outside the research rooms.

"Principle." He said with authority. "Principle dictated that I not give into my superiors whims. So as a result, I simply studied rather than make a showing. Besides, having an ornate mask covering my face denies me the ability to do what I must when it comes to wooing benefactors. On another, less business-like, note... i am quite content that you chose to make a showing. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to have this fine conversation."

[GrazztTheDark]

Jum'esh shrugs modestly. Historical, I'm sad to say. It's a representation of the Lich-King Sodal, whose kingdom once stretched for a thousand miles in all directions of this city. He was defeated two thousand years ago, but they say the land still bears scars from the final battle that lay him low. You must read Gundvik's Sodalliad sometimes: dwarven literature can be surprisingly well put together, albeit a little overly formal. And they tend to put a little to much focus into the killing of orcs." He smiles grimly under his mask. His parents had almost disowned him for reading Gundvik; but why should a little racism stop him from enjoying the classics?

[Dragonsnack]

'Put too much focus on killing orcs'? There's a peculiar thing for a young man to say, most of them love a good story of bloody orc-slaying. I wonder why...?
"I'm afraid I don't know it, but you certainly make it sound enrapturing. I'd love to learn the whole story some day, I always meant to read more but I'm afraid I've always been a hopeless student!
But you're only telling half the story, aren't you? That's who you are, but now why did you pick that persona to wear over your own? Is there some story there, or do you just enjoy looking scary?"
Tania is tempted to tease the big-man a bit, ask him if he thinks a skull is becoming of him - but who knows how he might misinterpret that. Men can be so sensitive about their appearances sometimes.

[GrazztTheDark]

"Oh, I just enjoy being scary," Jum'esh says with a laugh, "I find it quite liberating. It keeps away certain undesirable elements. Provides a bit of distance from the crowd around you, and gives you some perspective, while at the same time touching into something primal within them. There's nothing like a good scare."