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

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

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You should meet 'Ri sometime - she's got this machine that plays music off 'a plastic discs like a phonograph. She's got a bunch 'a them and the music, well, it's somethin' else.

"Rock n' roll is type of music all on it's own. some feel it has more life to it than other music." I agree. "And I wouldn't mind meeting this friend of yours, sometime." He moves closer so that I can feel him in a heated line all along my side. I drape my arm over his shoulder. I want to pull him closer, pull off that mask so I can see his face. Maybe kiss him. I don't do either. My voice has gone lower when I speak again.

"But not tonight...."

"Rock n' roll is type of music all on its own," she says. "Some - " and I get that she's includin' herself in that - "feel it has more life to it than other music. And I wouldn't mind meeting this friend of yours, sometime," she adds. She puts an arm 'round my shoulder and it's a curiously masculine gesture, but I put mine 'round her waist. "But not tonight...."

She says it in a low voice that has my heart beatin' faster. I turn partway so I can face her, and it ends up with us almost embracin', me lookin' up at her strong features. "What do you want to do tonight, then?" I ask in a hoarse whisper.

We end up with arms around each other. Mine round his shoulders, his round my waist. He's looking up at me with that damn mask. What do you want to do tonight, then? he whispers hoarsely.

The dreamlike sensation is back again. An impatient stab of desire goes through me at his words and I roughly lift his his mask up just far enough that I can kiss him.

She dunt say anythin' fer a sec, but then she reaches out 'n yanks my mask up, pullin' me in and kissin' me. It feels strange, her takin' charge like this, but then that's how it was with Verdi. I tighten my grip 'round her waist and move my other arm up her back, grippin' her shoulder and tryin' not t'hurt her with my grasp. The kiss is hard 'n sweet, our mouths workin' at each other.

Wolf boy tightens his grip on my waist and his other hand slides up my back to grip my shoulder. I wind my arms around his neck. The kiss is sweet and hungry and I let myself fall into it until coming up for air.

I feel dizzy and breathless, the dreamlike air to it all is even stronger. I drag air into my lungs and let it out in a single husky word. "This..."

We're both gaspin' when it ends clingin' together and pressed hard 'gainst each other. "This..." she says in answer, her voice dark 'n low, 'n I keep thinkin' I ought t'recognize her, like her voice 'n her hair 'n her scent are things I've heard 'n seen 'n smelled 'afore, but I ain't carin' too much fer that right now.

"I like this," I say, tuggin' her shirt out 'a her pants and slidin' my hands up over her slim hips, pullin' her close so that I rub 'gainst her hard 'n achin', near as bad as that time with Conley and Lily, but without the anger 'r the wolf leakin' through.

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Dorian wasn't where I thought he might be and I head outside, standing on the porch as I notice two revelers locked in a tight embrace. Perhaps they've seen my love?, and I resolve to ask them immediately.

Keeping a fair distance from their heated clinch, I clear my throat, chuckling as I see the outline of the wolf. Does Gaueko know? Grinning wide, I interrupt them, "Pardon me." I don't have time to waste. "Have you seen a woman dressed as a bird? I'm looking for Glass and I've been told she's wearing colorful feathers." I cross my fingers behind my back for luck as I watch them jump and turn at the sound of my voice.

We pant for air and cling to each other like we're drowning.Perhaps we are. I smile at the thought. Drowning in each other.

"I like this," He says while tugging my shirt free, hands sliding, gliding over bare skin making me gasp. He pulls me closer so I can feel his hardness.

Then a voice comes from far too close. "Pardon me.Have you seen a woman dressed as a bird? I'm looking for Glass and I've been told she's wearing colorful feathers."

I flinch and turn to see a man, in birdlike mask and dark featherlike cloak.

Oh.Oops. I am barely aware of the question he asked as I realize how close things got. My shirt is out and he was touching me.

I find my voice. "Um.. maybe."

We're so close t'each other she must know my scent as well as I'm learnin' hers, and I'm about t'move my hands further when someone says "Pardon me."

The phantom girl flinches and turns away, and I look over her shoulder at the man standin' there in feathers and a cloak. "Have you seen a woman dressed as a bird? I'm looking for Glass and I've been told she's wearing colorful feathers." The girl answers "Um.. maybe."

I'm none too pleased with the interruption, and soon as I catch his scent I know who he is, and ain't surprised he's havin' t'look. "You ought t'look t'your wife, mister, since someone's in where you ain't." There's a hard smirk in my voice, and I just keep the growl down as I continue. "You ought t'find another costume, what with crows not havin' horns." I pull the girl back t'me. "She's off with that pretty man she's bin carryin' on with, and he's off with a warrior maid."

I kiss the girl again, hard, and angry at myself fer kissin' her like that just 'cause I'm mad. "Now, we're busy."

Edited 2009-07-28 03:21 (UTC)

There's a start in girl's words as she replies, "Um.. maybe." Hmm, that's not nearly clear enough to qualify as an answer. Where she's startled, her young man is annoyed. "You ought t'look t'your wife, mister, since someone's in where you ain't...She's off with that pretty man she's bin carryin' on with, and he's off with a warrior maid.""

There's a hard edge to his voice and it's all I can to not laugh as I grin in amusement. Obviously, he's seen my sweet wife and in the company of a pretty man. Dorian, from the sound of it but there's an extra jab about Dorian off with a warrior maid. Who cares? No one but this one, it seems. The girl's pulled tight and kissed possessively before he snarls, "Now, we're busy."

I laugh at his unnecessary display, lighting a smoke as I my grin sharpens. "Tossed you over, did she? The warrior maid?" It's a guess but one close to the mark, I believe. "Get used to it. That pretty man is more than your match," I'm smug as I look over his girl. "Hang on tight, boy, otherwise you may lose this one too." Flicking my ash once, I turn and glide back into the house, chuckling as I go.

My wolf looks over my shoulder, saying in a hard voice just shy of a snarl, You ought t'look t'your wife, mister, since someone's in where you ain't.You ought t'find another costume, what with crows not havin' horns. he pulls me to him and continues.
"She's off with that pretty man she's bin carryin' on with, and he's off with a warrior maid.
Then he kisses me, hard as if he's marking my mouth as his. What's he got to be so angry about?
Now, we're busy. He attempts to dismiss the man.

Who laughs and lights a smoke. Tossed you over, did she? The warrior maid?Get used to it. That pretty man is more than your match That one is smug as his eyes travel over me. And his voice cuts at us again. Hang on tight, boy, otherwise you may lose this one too.

He flicks ash away and his work done he departs. I turn back to wolf boy, who may have something to prove having lost his girlfriend to our host.

I touch his shoulder lightly. "Maybe we should go somewhere where we can't be bothered by anyone else?" A thought crosses my mind about the garden rather than the house crawling with people.

He lights a smoke 'n laughs hard. "Tossed you over, did she? The warrior maid? Get used to it. That pretty man is more than your match." He looks satisfied with himself as he takes a drag on the smoke. "Hang on tight, boy, otherwise you may lose this one too."

My fingers tighten without meanin' to as he chuckles and leaves. I dunt know what he's got t'be laughin' at, what with his wife half-naked and carryin' on with some fancy man as owns a clothin' shop 'v all things, but I'm distracted by the phantom touchin' my shoulder. "Maybe we should go somewhere where we can't be bothered by anyone else?"

I sigh 'n nod. "I - yeah. Sorry 'bout that." I grab my coat over one arm and step down into the back yard. There's yelps and giggles from some spots, but it's still quieter than the porch. I pull my mask the rest 'a the way off - t'heck with tradition, I need t'breathe. I wipe the sweat off 'a my forehead and push a hand back through my hair t'straighten it some. It just stands up though, but I can't fix that.

"Sorry," I say again. "I know that guy - well, I've met his wife, and I got mad. Nothin' t'do with you."

He sighs in response and nods. I - yeah. Sorry 'bout that. He collects his coat and we go down into the garden. It of course is occupied as well but it is bigger so there are still places where we can pretend that we are alone. And given the sounds around us I doubt anyone is going to interrupt.

He pulls his mask off and runs a hand through his hair. It sticks up and I bite back a giggle because while I think it's cute I doubt he'd appreciate me laughing at him after what just happened.

Sorry,I know that guy - well, I've met his wife, and I got mad. Nothin' t'do with you.

I'm silent for a moment trying to figure out what to say. Then I give him a smile. "Nothing except for being a witness and..." I feel oddly shy with what I want to ask him. It is dim out here and while I can make out most of his face, I can't see the most subtle expressions.

"Um..." I can't ask not now. "I like you..."

She pauses, then smiles. "Nothing except for being a witness and..." Another pause, then "Um... I like you..."

I ain't sure what she's gettin' at so I toss my coat down in one 'a the nooks and sit down on it. "Yeah. I dunt really know you," I say, blushin' a bit 'cause we bin kissin' and whatnot and I dunt really know her, "but I like you."

He throws his coat down to the ground in one of those hidden places then sits on it. and I follow. I'd rather not be standing, looming above him for this conversation.
Yeah. I dunt really know you,but I like you. He says with a blush.

I look down at the grass between my feet then up again. I really don't want to ask the question I have. About does he like me more than the girl he lost? so I pick at the grass with my fingers.

"I'd like to get to know you." I say, picking my words as carefully I pick the stems of grass I'm playing with. "Properly. I sorta get the feeling I've met or seen you somewhere..." I trail off not quite wanting to finish the sentence. I think I know who he is but I saw a lot of people in the market last Saturday. And I don't know how he'll take it when he finds out who I am. Or what I am.

She looks kind 'a unsure. She looks down at the grass 'n picks a it some as she talks. "I'd like to get to know you. Properly. I sorta get the feeling I've met or seen you somewhere..." She trails off 'n yeah, I guess now she can see me she might recognize me, though I'm still tryin' t'figure out just who she is.

But what does she mean by properly? Like, steppin' out together? "I - I dunt know." I dint plan any 'a this when I came - heck, the only reason we ended up together's 'cause everyone went 'n left me. But I do like her... "I guess it depends on how you mean."

Johnny, if it is Johnny, looks confused. I - I dunt know. I guess it depends on how you mean.

Oh crap. This is getting harder to do. Just say it. or something like it.

"Um...I don't want to make you mad at me, later." I mumble, face going red.

I am so not good at this.

"Um...I don't want to make you mad at me, later," she says, and I think she's blushing. I ain't sure what t'make 'v all this - she dint seem t'have no problem dancin' with me, 'r kissin' me, and she dint object when I - um. The night air's drainin' away the sents 'n the warm glow 'a the punch, and I let myself fall back with a grunt.

"You can just tell me," I say, more flat 'n I meant to. I shouldn't 'a come as the hound-god - it seems t'have set the tone fer the night. I look over at her and try t'smile. "Fair warnin', if you dunt tell me soon I'll have t'kiss you again."

Johnny, and I'm getting more sure that this is him,Falls back a bit with a grunt. You can just tell me, He says flatly. I cringe sure that I've messed it all up. But he looks over at me and gives me a sorta smile, more an attempt at one than a success. It makes me feel better. Like I haven't just set a disaster in motion. Fair warnin', if you dunt tell me soon I'll have t'kiss you again.

I laugh at that. There's something like amusement, and relief in that laugh, as well as gratitude that he isn't making this so bad after all. That it might be alright. "Oh like that's a punishment!"

I look at him for a moment, "Um...I..." I turn my face away. "If I tell you, you probably won't want to kissme anymore." I say softly.

She laughs. "Oh like that's a punishment!" But then she gets serious and turns away. "Um...I... If I tell you, you probably won't want to kiss me anymore."

I dunt know what's wrong with her, but I prop myself up on my elbow 'n take her hand. "Okay, I promise no matter what it is, I'll give you at least one more kiss. Fair?" I can't think 'a what it'd be, but I guess in Excolo you ought t'be cautious.

I feel him take my hand. The feel of it steadies me, a little. I wind my fingers into his. Okay, I promise no matter what it is, I'll give you at least one more kiss. Fair?

His offer is more than fair if he will keep that promise. Oh, I hope he keeps it!

"Very fair. All things considered." I draw a breath. "I'm not exactly a woman."

"Very fair. All things considered." She takes a deep breath and then says "I'm not exactly a woman."

Um. I blink. I think I get confused at first, and then sort 'a anxious, but she's bin so nervous 'bout tellin' me that I try t'stay calm. "How d'you mean 'exactly'? 'Cause you obv - ." Thinkin' on it, she never said, and I just assumed that 'cause she dint smell like - . When did I start thinkin' 'v her as a girl? I think Glass said somethin' like that, and - . I lean in t'her and take a long smell, in the still and unclouded air.

It's strange. I'm real used t'figurin' stuff 'bout people based on how they smell. You can even tell what they're feelin' sometimes, and you can definitely tell if they're guys 'r girls. And while she smells kind 'a nervous and still a bit aroused she dunt smell like a guy.

But she dunt smell like a girl, neither. I feel that panicky feelin' rise again in my belly and try t'swallow it down, 'cause I did promise. "No, you ain't exactly a girl. But you sure ain't a guy, neither, and if you ain't one 'r the other...?" So long as I keep that panic locked down in me I'm more confused than anythin'.

How d'you mean 'exactly'? 'Cause you obv - He stops and thinks about it.

Then he leans in and is he sniffing at me? No, you ain't exactly a girl. But you sure ain't a guy, neither, and if you ain't one 'r the other...?

Is that panic trying to come out in his voice? I give his hand a reassuring squeeze.I wonder how he's so certain I'm not a guy? "Then I must be something in between." I manage to get out. "which I am."

I turn round then to look him in the face. He looks so confused. I feel bad about this but it would be so much worse if he found out the hard way.

She? gives my hand a squeeze like they're tryin' t'make me feel better 'bout the whole thing. "Then I must be something in between," she says, "which I am." She lifts her gaze and looks at me straight, 'n I can smell the worry on her? but I'm still tryin' t'figure this all out myself t'pay it much mind.

"I guess, I just - how's, how's that even work? I mean, everythin's either male 'r female. You can't not be either." Right? Every animal I can think of 's one 'r the other, and the Book says that God made us men and women, and fer good reason. "So," I say, still wrappin' my head 'round it, "you ain't a girl. But you ain't a guy either." And part 'a me's just a bit relieved with that, that whatever else at least I wasn't kissin' no guy.

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

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