Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

[dorian-excolo.livejournal.com]

Saturday, October 31st
Evening
The Home of Alessandra Ferdis


The last few days have been, at best, a blur of activity and I can't say that it's left me in the best of spirits.  Party planning is always a chore, even a gathering as small as this, and I suppose it's the price to be paid - blood, sweat, and countless hours spent hunched over fabric - for an evening of excitement.  Alessandra has been more than accommodating, as I've measured, decorated, and almost completely reordered most of her house.  It will take some time, tomorrow once the festivities are well over, to put things back to sorts, but I've already hired hands to assist in that.

That is one benefit of living in Excolo, there is never a shortage of strong backs willing to do a bit of labor for good pay, and in a matter of days the entire place has been transformed into something resembling a fitting locale.  The walls have been covered with lush fabrics, the garden littered with a multitude of hanging lights, and the main room leading to the back cleared for the guests.  After that, it's only been a matter of setting up the refreshments, finding a suitable place for the music, and dimming the lights.

I could kill myself over the details of course, it's in my nature, and so as soon as things are well in hand, I retire to the upstairs guest suite to dress.  It's a simple design, more a personal amusement than anything else, and I doubt anyone will get the joke.  Those always are the best sorts of fun, though, the personal chuckles that are mine alone.  I finish strapping my sword to my side, mask still sitting on a nearby table, and cross to the balcony doors to peek outside.  The sun has faded into the horizon and guests have started to arrive.  That leaves me with a bit of time - I have no intention on making anything less than a memorable entrance - and so I lean against the door frame, careful to keep out of sight of those out front, and light a cigarette.

There's movement from the adjacent dressing room.  Glass.  I'd nearly forgotten, in the insanity of preparations, that she was dressing here as well.  It certainly wouldn't do to have Iago see her before the game has begun, after all.  I smile at that and call out, "You can't hide in there all evening, pet.  Might as well come out and let me have a look."

[Open]

[It's midnight!  Wrapping up!]

Comments

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I don't know where she found the axe, but it is Excolo, and the strangest things pop up in the strangest places, wouldn't you agree?" the great cat says, making fair with pretty gestures and paw on bloodstained hand. Mask and suit to him, and I take the half-bow as due as my fingers flex a touch and I think what I could do with claws to hand. "Besides, if she were dappled in the real thing, the woman in town who lays out the dead would have work to do," and I laugh, as that's the second time mention of myself as another's come up. "She may be at this very event, and it would be a shame to call away anyone from such a grand affair."

"Oh, with blood yet so bright, she'd not need to leave, surely," I say, shifting my weight to one foot and drawing the other up slight. Incline my head to the murderess. "Quiet invitation and a moment of privacy, and quick and dead and then it's only a matter of piecing t'gether the body hidden under the stairs afore they soak into the carpet." I can feel my grin widening, bright and waiting to be bloody.

"Come t'think on't, that maidservant was standing by the table's gone missing. 'd it not be a kindness if someone'd ensured she never had to leave the party?" Glance over towards the Shuck and there's a pair of girls attending to him, and Scarecrow, and a crow joining him to boot, soft glittering black coat and I can't see his eyes but the lines and furls of his mask are edged with crackling light...

Recall summer evenings and the wet night air and I take a step back as he begins to glance around, and I'm smiling to them both. "Do pardon me?" I say giddily, and matters little enough if they do or not but the tiny delicacy of it here in the carrion carnival makes me laugh. "Only so many carrion seekers to be found in a place so small. And it's fine to see one who's some mind for some of the finality of the night," I add to the murderess, "though mind yourself llyr, it's hardly your body holding her attention." Duck away from them both, threading back quick and light through the crowd (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/278861.html?thread=7311693#t7311693) and laughing as I do. Game's not to be finished so quick, I think... I'm of a mind to play.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

My skirt trails over the floor as I walk, feeling out the little spark of light that is Marbas. I finally spy him with a woman dressed in blood and grief. He is wearing a lion's mask - how predictable.

I could play this coyly, but that might be less amusing in this instance. I decide to greet Marbas as if I know him, but keep myself as cloaked as I have been tonight. Let us see if he can tell what I am.

"Marbas," I say, hurrying over girlishly, "you handsome old thing, you!" I put my arms around him and hug him, head barely coming to his chin. I step back. "I haven't seen that lion face in such a long time." I look around at his companion. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I gave your name away! Do pretend you didn't hear it, please?" I say to the bloody woman - Medea, I think.

[marbasthefallen.livejournal.com]

The Sin-Eater flits off after all but wishing for a body to lay out, and I can't help but laugh after her. "If I am not mistaken, that is the woman who lays out the dead in town..." I lean in and whisper to my companion. "... and she seems to be in quite a mood this evening. Come, shall we fetch some food?"

We do not get more than a few paces when a tiny, young thing in a dress from centuries pass comes flouncing our way, obviously heading for us. "A friend of yours--"
"Marbas, you handsome old thing, you!" I take an involuntary step back, instantly unnerved, even as the girl wraps her arms around me. It's not Lilith, even in disguise I would know her anywhere, and anyone else that would know me--- "I haven't seen that lion face in such a long time." ................

I think I've heard Wanda say it, and I think it is very apt at this exact moment; Fuck me softly with a chainsaw. There is only one other in town who would know me, and be able to hide their being from detection, and I think I would very much like to leave now, but I know that it will not be possible.

As I manage to compose myself again, Iblis bloody good facade!, is making graces for giving me away. "No harm done. Old family friend I have not seen in some time." I say placidly to the Terrible Lady, dropping to one knee andtaking the dainty hand in mine. "Greetings , plurimus perficio unus. Quam fare vos is nox noctis?" I say in Latin, acknowling that I know exactly who I am speaking to as I bring her hand to my lips, having moved my mask enough to do so.

I release her hand, but remain kneeling, until I am given the word I may stand up again.

[parras-siren.livejournal.com]

The peacock saunters off after a few choice remarks, and I smile behind my mask. "I understand now why it was larks' tongues they used to serve," I say to my escort, "rather than peacocks. That one would cut your mouth to ribbons." A shame she's gone to fast - I can think of a few choice remarks myself about borrowed plumage, and sometimes it can be so enjoyable to trade truly viicious barbs. But I do believe my gentleman has just told me who she is. I must find time to seek her out later and see if that wit stays with her when she's not in her cups.

I'm about to reply to the lion when a little thing comes rushing up, all skirts and flutter, and throws her arms around him. And my gentleman goes down on his knees and speaks to her in - Latin, was that? I do believe that's Latin, for all I don't speak much of it myself. Family friend, indeed.

I smile down at the little girl - barely more than a child, by her voice. "Oh, don't worry, my dear," I say to her, quite drily. "I'm used to keeping gentlemen's secrets."

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

Marbas kneels down to me. How gratifying, though perhaps not altogether apropriate for this setting. He greets me, and then his acquaintance speaks, her tone dry.

"Oh, don't worry, my dear. I'm used to keeping gentlemen's secrets."

Perhaps this one is from the brothel.

"He is a funny thing, isn't he?" I say, smile in my voice. "Always playing games. Come, stand up, you clever old thing," I say to Marbas. "Are you both having a pleasant evening?" I say. I am sure the small talk will make Marbas want to die from anxiety.

[marbasthefallen.livejournal.com]

I remain kneeling and can feel Iblis smirking at me through the porcelain face. Truly, I was a fool to think I could get away with this. Quickly, I render Lucien within my unconscious with a thought. He needs not be a party to this.

"Oh, don't worry, my dear. I'm used to keeping gentlemen's secrets." Oh, wonderful. My night keeps getting better, My companion just insinuated...

"He is a funny thing, isn't he? Always playing games. Come, stand up, you clever old thing," I rise with the permission given and could make a remark about learning my games from the Master, but I think I will keep my tongue on that one. I offer my companion my arm again, but I am unsure if she will take it now.

"Are you both having a pleasant evening?"
Well I was....
"Yes, thank you for asking." I reply with a forced smile to my voice. "I was just planning on stopping by for a few moments, but I have found the company most delightful. And you, Gracious Lady?"

I Wonder how long we'll drag this out?

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

"I was just planning on stopping by for a few moments, but I have found the company most delightful. And you, Gracious Lady?"

Oh, I've made lots of new friends," I say confidingly. "It's been ever so fun." I reach over and pat his companion's arm. "You take care of him, he's a lovely lion. More of a pussy cat, really, aren't you? Not many claws these days," I say sunnily. I squeeze Marbas's waist. "I'll let you get along," I say. "I know we'll have a real long catch up soon." I press my mask-lips to his lion mouth, and then I walk away. That will give him something to think about, I'm sure.

[marbasthefallen.livejournal.com]

"I'll let you get along, I know we'll have a real long catch up soon."

"I look forward to it, Gracious Lady." I say, not really looking forward to it at all as the bone mask is pressed against the golden in the mockery of a kiss. "Blessed All Hallows." I wish Iblis as she saunters away.

I merely stare after the retreating for a moment, before turning to the Lady on my arm. "Would you believe I hate her with the fire of a thousand suns?" I ask casually, seeing a platter with wine glasses on the sideboard and grabbing us a set. I pull my mask up, not really caring much is more of my face is shown and knock it back quickly wishing it were some on Lucien's vodka instead.