|
|
| (2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/FifthMovement|Fifth Movement]]
| + | #REDIRECT [[ADanceOfAngels]] |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | == Gallery of Beauty ==
| |
| − | | |
| − | The night was warm, or what for it in the frozen north. Clouds from the looming storm and smoke from the burning city had clear, thrown aside by the breath of the sky to revel moon and stars in all their splendor. But their light, upon that night, was paled against the glow coming from the estate atop the hill.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The front gate was flanked by towering statues of angel-winged figures who stood hooded like falcons with their wrists bound together in an arch above the gate; a subtle tease from the host from earlier days that, for tonight at least, still held true. What went on within would not be seen, nor heard, nor spoken of. The lines of guests were pouring in down the streets and for as many who had already arrived, there were still throngs drifting in. It was almost as if Kadel had invited the entire city, though in truth it remained mostly its wealthy elite and its heroes of the day with a few dark horses thrown in for good measure. Men in their longcoats and women in all manner of finery that seemed to vie fiercely for attention. Many arrived masked already, from simple eye-masks to golden cherub faces to one fellow in a magnificently comical charactiure of the Parishioner, looking quiet pale with death and equally confused.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Beyond the gate, it was a huge front yard by any standards, its expanse broken up by low stone walls and its emptiness filled with statues that often brushed the edges of obscene. There were trees as well, the most attractive that could survive the bitter cold and the Boils foul air, and a high walled hedge maze entangling the eastern end of the grounds. Opposite of it to the west stretched a small pond, its surface sprinkled with glistening flecks of ice and a small boat standing rest to ferry passengers to the small gazebo that rose from the center. Bulbous paper lanterns dangled from cloth entwined posts all across the wide front lawn, illuminating almost every inch of the expansive ground, but lit lowly enough to give rise to a feeling of shadowy intimacy. Stiff backed servants in elegant coats lined the long paved trails that lead to the mansion, holding early offerings of sparkling wine and courser drinks for the arriving guests. There were tables filled with intricately detailed masks for those whod been unable to find their own and others with arrangements of pastries or other delectable sweets.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The house itself sat atop a hill of its own, five man made shelves of earth peeked with the wide face of the Kurodona mansion and cut through the center to allow for a flight of stairs broad enough to allow nearly twenty to walk shoulder-to-shoulder up to the top. At its feet was a circular pool of glistening marble surrounded by ivy wreathed pillars where within the lanterns glow was brightest and most inviting. Upon a wooden stage to the side, a band of musicians (many only recently plucked off the streets) trilled out a small symphony of strings and soft notes. Guests were following whatever trails suited their fancy, taking their time meandering through the sights and sounds of the evening. All the trailed would all eventually congregate at the great marble plaza at the foot of the hill, but for now the Glass Spider had ensured they would be encouraged to wander at their leisure.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' There is a disadvantage to being tall, by even mortal standards, when one has to find a way to conceal themselves. Of course, the Child loved challenges, and this one was very much a tough one; how to show up and not be immediately pointed out as the Snow Monkey.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Thus, the towering, ominous being in the simple, hooded black satin robe carried itself slowly, carefully, every step oozing purpose and patience. In one hand lay a lantern, purchased from a peasant and full of enough oil to keep its dim orange glow going for quite some time. On the 'man's' face, an ivory mask, depicting the eternal dance of the Five Dragons of the Elements; the hood was low enough to keep the raksha's brass eyes from shining through the mask's eyeslits.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Slow, steady, calm and seemingly-thoughtful were her movements; it was a task to hide her delight at the occasion, but she fought down herself, instead becoming this strange, silent 'man', if only for the night.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Let's see how long this holds up... ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' Her dress and accutriments were as they always were. A robe of seemingly flawless white silk, pearlessent in the soft torchlight that flicked over its gleaming surface. Her hair fell down her back in a cascade of white rivlets, her every motion a poem of quiet grace and economy of movement. The only nod she had give to the festivities was to bring with her a flawless porcelean mask, kept on a simple stick of bamboo.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She makes her way through the crowd deftly, though she took no effort to conceal herself, and so, made her way toward the evening's event with good progress.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She disliked the look of the place, and knew however the night turned out, someone was probably going to try and get her drunk. Ah well, thats what crippling strikes to the groin area are for.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' Every general prefers to have a good image of the approaching battle's layout. Sometimes, however, information provided by the scouts is not enough and the general has no choice but to make educaded guesses about what to do next. Thus, there is time in the career of every raid leader when she is about to lead her men into danger, her objectives clear in her mind, yet with little knowledge of the exact terrain, of the exact positions or even confirmed existence of enemy troops. Every soldier soon grows familiar with that type of uncertainty, the knowledge that every tree could hide an opponent, that every rustle in the bushes could be an enemy scout hastening back to the camp to raise an alarm.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Vorpal deFay is vaguely reminded of that feeling as she makes her way into the estate grounds. Like an experienced soldier in the midst of an enemy territory, she remains calm at heart, yet acutely aware of everything that occurs around her at every moment. Her sight, her hearing, even her senses of smell and taste instictively sort out information from her surroundings in an attempt to locate the enemy that might be hiding somewhere amidst the sea of glittering smiles and sensual shadows.
| |
| − | | |
| − | But then again, an experienced soldier would be careful about moving around in an enemy territory, to move from one shadow to another, to take great pains to not be found out too soon. And this is what the Pale Angel is not doing right now, striding as she is, slowly and purposefully down one of the trails without any attempt to hide her presence. Resplendent in the black dress borrowed to her by Iria, she has seemingly chosen to arrive to the ball unmasked - secretly, she is interested in seeing if anyone would figure her private joke out.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The Prince seems on his natural ambient, that is for sure. Close to the Pale Angel, in a pristine white suit that seems to shine on the light of the candles and moon, coattails embroided with silver wings, under a white vest filled with intricate symbols that are mostly abstract, but in places depict important symbols of house Holysword, wings, feathers and shields. Diamond shines on the peaked lapels of the shirt, on the cufflinks of the vest, and on his mask.
| |
| − | | |
| − | As usual, a shine inherent to his anima, to his self, made it all come together as a heavenly apparition.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Close to the Pale Angel, he sighs, feeling woefully aware of her lack of masks even as he covers his face in a swan mask. But of course, he is also woefully aware of just why everyone is staring at her in that... wonderful.... dress. "You look lovely tonight, Milady... but must you skip on the mask?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' "Yes, I must", she responds smoothly, not even looking at him. "It wouldn't be complete otherwise."
| |
| − | | |
| − | She longs to compliment Alexander about his own costume but, alas, she cannot. Not now.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Although her face does not show it, the Pale Angel is, of course, very aware of the eyes of her prince on her. Whatever else she had to say about Iria, the woman certainly knew how to bring out the best in someone's figure.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The gown Vorpal appears in is divinity in black. The corset hugs her torso like a second skin, pushing her breasts upwards into perfect orbs. Threads of gold spun through the blackness shone in the dim light of the lanterns, glistening across her torso into patterns of angels and roses. A single velvet rose rests between them, part of a hem of crush black velvet that lines the corset front and back. The hem connects to sleeker silky sleeves as well, wrapping around her shoulders to give the sleeves a blousy look even while leaving the tops of her pale shoulders bare. The sleeves slide across her arms, tapering sharply at the wrists to loop around the middle finger of each hand.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The layered skirt pours off her hips and sways vibrantly with their motion. The heavier black velvet splits in the front to give air to a lighter skirt bellow, this one too embroidered with gold-threaded images of roses and winged figures. Both cover to her ankles, draping her lower body but not concealing it entirely. At each side, slits are cut to allow the gown to flow around her and flash peeks of shapely calf as she walks.
| |
| − | | |
| − | A beautiful costume and a daring one. Back in the old days, the Pale Angel would have loved to wear it to the balls in Iranor, to use it to wreak havoc across the dance floor in the exact same manner as she did across fields of battle. She would have basked in that attention, ''smiled'' at the destruction she caused.
| |
| − | | |
| − | But today? She is no longer so certain. Attention feels oddly good on her skin, but the knowledge of the ''harm'' she could cause with this dress...
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The prince straightened the vest, then sighed.<br>
| |
| − | His eyes tried, desperately, to leave the velvet rose at Vorpal's bosom.<br>
| |
| − | He failed miserably.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "The costume? And what is it, then?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' Vorpal gives out a short, amused sniff at his words, and still her eyes refuse to look at her prince. "Figure it out", she responds, smiling inwardly.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' There hadnt been time to get a decent set of clothing together. Between learning to read and planning to save the city from itself, where do you find time to even ''care'' about what youre wearing? Seventh Moon did what he could on short notice and then gave up. Damn if he knew how you dressed for something like this.
| |
| − | | |
| − | So, he arrived dressed as a street punk to the gills. His coat had been torn and patched at the elbows and smelled of leather and smoke and violent musk, its broad collar flipped up defensively to brush his jaw. Unpolished black leather, his boots were thick soled and steel plates bolted obscenely to the toes. The uppermost buttons of his undershirt were left undone, exposing throat and chest and leaving the collar twisted in a careless style. There was a hunch in his shoulders and a stalk to his step and a joint tucked behind his ear. The only ascension to the tone of the evening was the mask hed strapped on, the same featureless black face hed worn on the ill-fated raid upon Nathanial Barrs hideout. It was the only mask he had.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Everyone seemed to agree it was a wonderful costume. One truly could believe there was an uncouth child of the streets in their midst.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' This is her moment to shine, more so than even the battle itself. The balls and parties are what she was ''made'' for, before her destiny gave her mien the slant of the killer. Selina is a de Windia, and a Mnemon -- presiding at the top tiers of parties is her '''blood right'''.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And she fulfills it.
| |
| − | | |
| − | It is sleek and snug, a daring dress inspired by an eastern design -- not quite what people would expect her to wear, given what they know of her (something more black, perhaps?). The gown itself is a single long sinuous length of emerald green silk, embroidered across its length with stylishly simple black images of birds in flight. The silk grips her hips and leaves a dimpled impression of her navel. A long sash ties around her waist, helping keep the skirt drawn tight over her hips and thighs, while keeping it looser around her torso and calves. The hem around her legs taper slightly from front to back, showing off her trim ankles from the front and nearly touching the ground behind her.
| |
| − | | |
| − | This gown has no corset nor sleeves, though she has a short half-coat of the same color draped loosely about herself at the moment. Instead, the gown splits into broad straps that cover her ample chest before narrowing at her shoulders, the design leaving no place for a brassier -- and no need for one. The straps curl outward around the outside of her breasts and press them together slightly in the bare space between, accentuating their fullness; the two ends joining behind her neck. Two more straps form crescents down from the neck, curving around her shoulder blades and joining together. It leaves a triangle of skin bare bellow her neck and just barely misses the roots of her wings as they curve back outwards to rejoin the dress further down, helping keep the gown drawn snug over her belly. The garment displays a generous portion of her shapely back, but manages to remain within what is considered the realm of decency in both Winlandia and Whiteshield.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Selina accompanies the dress with fingerless emerald opera gloves -- joined to her hand only by virtue of wrapping a ring about the base of her middle fingers -- sheathing her arms, and open toed high heeled sandals tied about her legs just above her ankles, increasing her height by a good bit, and giving her that mincing step and posture so desired by those who like them. Finally, her hearthstone, not forgotten, sits about her throat on a short and simple necklace of green jade, shining as it should be at this moment.
| |
| − | | |
| − | There is no mask, at least, no mask one can take on and off with the hand. Selina's face is wrapped in shadow instead -- not the darkening type of shadow, but rather accenting any which fall over her. The slivers of darkness partially obscure her face, leaving entire angles of it undiscovered until one ventures closer, to move in front of her. This effect partially wraps about her body as well, so that the viewer must travel nearer to her to learn who this naughty madam is exactly, giving him or her just enough sinful hints to make that desire nearly irresistable.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And the mistress of desire herself heats a bit as she sees Vorpal -- none of the other women she can see quite catch her attention so. For a moment the shadows about her cling a bit more naughtily, her face half-cloaked in alluring secrets, almost a hot darkness as she envisions just what it would look like to peel that dress off of the other deathknight's body. Slowly. '''''Oh so slowly'''''.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Then the vanity resserts itself and the 'mask' becomes hintingly mysterious once more. '''She''' is the pinnacle tonight!
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''You all will acknowledge the queen of desire, or be swept away before me. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' The tall, solemn man trudges along, quietly, carefully, taking a momen to behold the punk king that was Seventh Moon. As that quiet man, the Child nodded in greeting, then returned to his walking.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Inwardly, Snow Monkey couldn't help but giggle. That giggle managed to die, however, as Selina made her grand entrance. Behind the mask, her eyebrows shot up, not so much in hunger, but in amusement.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''And I thought I loved to show up in style! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' Kanti had fretted over the outfit she would wear, something 'appropriate' the Dark Angel had told her when she had asked the day before and she had been slightly relieved when Iron Tears had sent for her, and told her that those amongst his women who had survived the occupation and were skilled in the art of tailoring would make for her a dress, and so she was left in the room with the tailors.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The dress she emerged with, some hours later was a long sleaveless cheongsam made of golden silk chased with an even brighter carmine shade than her skin. The silk was embroidered with carnellion swirls, showing a field of flowers and abstract suggestions of the spirits that danced amongst them. Below the neck there was an teardrop of fabric scooped out, a small gold necklace hanging there, a ruby glintinf in the light. Though the dress reached down to her feet, there was a long slit up her left leg, one that occasionally revealled flashes of crimson and black skin.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Over her hands were pulled up long silk gloves that finished somewhere just above her elbows, and then the red of her skin and the delicate void swirls of the parishioner's art coiling up her arms before they vanished under the body of the dress. Around her neck, the collar of the dress was high, concealing much of the jade worked around her neck, something she had not been pleased with, but the tailors had been insistent, and she had aquiesed.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Above the field of fireblooms and the spirits that danced amongst them, Kanti's mask conceals all bar her lips, a crimson, gold and ruby garda bird, predatory and regal, Kanti's deep dark eyes providing a contrast. Behind her head, her hair spilled in dark curls, the occasional ribbon providing an accent to the faintly shining blackness.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And so clad she entered the party, walking beside the Dark Angel, calm and nervous, in her element and yet so far out to sea.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' Fiona, for the first time, seems just as resplendent as the other Celestials, with a deep green dress of watered silk that shows the young woman well. Heart-shaped bodice revealing a bosom often hidden and greater than most that did not see her in her Vestal-lent teddy knew she had, modest covered by a golden butterfly, that melts into a corset, the gold vanishing as it reaches a ballgown skirt.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Up to her warm amber brown hair, not let loose, without the ponytails, it has puffy shoulders and a tight sleeve that clings up to her wrist. She smiles at the other Exalted, caressing the amarylis on her hair... white, a show of purity, showing her determination to keep what she retained of it.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She walks close to the Dark Angel and Kanti, her hand entwining with the Fire Aspect's. "You look great tonight, Kanti..."
| |
| − | | |
| − | There were no words for her ‘mistress’. Selina had her awe, and she simply... was.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Too great for words.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Kadel: ''' It was a night for hiding. A night for pretending. Here, between the shadows and the lantern light, there were no faces. You could hide who you were or what you were or what you perceived yourself to be. You could be anyone you wanted and know one would know better. That was the glory of masks. To be what you wanted and never be proven false for it. To dance with a peacock or a wolf or a stag, never knowing if what lay beyond that shell was a hero or a coward, a maiden or a monster.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Unless you always made it your business to know.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Knowing it was only inevitable they arrive at that point, Kadel Kurodona waited for his guests in the plaza before his home, straight and still as the pillars around him. As ivy-wrapped as them as well. The Glass Spider was clad in white and brown and green; a longcoat tied in silver rope padlocked together down his chest. Coppery tassels along the hem too on the look of dangling ivy roots that merged perfectly into the embroidery of the coat, branches of brown that blossomed into broad leafs and ran off on streamers as thin as single thread. Up and up until it seemed to spring off the collar and twist itself into the mask of glass and jade he wore, ivy threads and leafs obscuring his face and leaving his eyes nestled in the shadows behind a web of threads.
| |
| − | | |
| − | As the last began to filter through gates, the sky above the household exploded. With a deafening crash of thunder, star bursts of color and fire lit up the heavens above. The silent servants took their cue to begin ushering certain guests onward to the plaza, leaving the rest content to simply stand and watch as the fireworks painted the skies. The prince and his pale general. The dark angel and her servant. All of the heroes of the day, shifted out from the ranks of those invited by way of courtesy and motioned onwards.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "My honored guests." He greeted them in soft courtesy, inclining his head as the first found their way through the paths to his side. "Welcome."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' "Good evening, Kadel Kurodona. I am impressed... I could not guess the Boil had such great parties. Especially now. It is an impressive demonstration of your spirit!" He was managing to look away from the rose. It was a feat! "Is there anywhere we can just... talk? Too many people here, right, Milady?" He looks at Vorpal, then turns to Selina and her commitive. "Fiona!"
| |
| − | | |
| − | One of the servants is promptly asked to call for Opal, and for the Dark Angel. Iron Tears had wondered wether or not the woman would mingle when they met, and he wanted to be together with the rest of his Circle.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' She says nothing, merely favors their host with a short, cold nod of acknowledgement before turning her attention to the sky and the fireworks painting it with a myriad of colors. Deep down, however, she sighs at her prince's words.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''We didn't come all the way here to just talk amongst ourselves, did we? We came here to pose and preen and show ourselves to the crowd. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She notes the robed man, of course, but mostly because such a voluminous garment could hide enough weapons to arm an entire company.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''We came here to strut and flirt and to shake our hips. We came here to strike deals and stroke our egos. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Dark Angel is slightly more difficult to disregard, clad as she is in the dress that causes her to eminate such a terrible allure. But the Pale Angel does this, too, for it is a part of her costume.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''We came here to play an exhibition to the audience, we came here to be the strange and beautiful beasts of their zoo. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She smiles to herself, slightly.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Funny how things go around in circles. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' Momentarilly, the Child moves the mask aside to reveal the truth of her nature, then quickly replaces it before any can tell who she might be. Thus, lantern hgh and steps easy, the towering robed 'man' bows before Kadel, deeply and with a bit of a flourish, then moved right along, watching the others as they wallked behind and in front of her. She stifled another chuckle, taking a moment to ensure that her tail was properly wound around her waist.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' Opal carefully moves forward even as she moves her mask to the side, and even though some might snicker they can tell no difference, this was untrue. She nods neutrally to her host, and kept her expression in a diplomatic poise. She hated these kinds of gatherings, on the surface.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She paid a quick glance toward Kanti and Fiona, to make sure Days was keeping well enough away from them. Satisfied, she returned her attention to the host.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' Selina looks to the host of the party, and nods. No bow, not in this. Nor a curtsy.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''They are not acknowledging me. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She will have their acknowledgement. If she has to blast their minds and wring it from their lust-drained souls, so be it. She has the essence to spare tonight.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I will''' not''' be snubbed like just another face in the crowd. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The prince looks up at the robed figure, mostly.... surprised. "Hello there... have we met?" He asks, wondering who the figure is. Such a mysterious figure from the Boil... something in it making the hair on the back of his neck stand up, but he figured he was able to stand to that mysterious sort, now. And he should know who they are, at least!
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' The mysterious 'man' simply looks down at Alexander, before reaching out to gently take his chin with a gloved hand. After a moment's staring, perhaps peering into his soul... the man releases Alexander and simply shrugs, returning to the all-consuming task... of not being the Child of Wyld Days.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The prince looks up.... then stays puzzled. He is about to say anything to the not-Child, when Selina comes into view. The Prince's vision tries to not dance on the emerald silk, try not to look at the straps the push her bosom together, tries not to admire her black wings.
| |
| − | | |
| − | As before, he fails miserably, closing his eyes and shaking his head.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Damnit. What an horrible impression I must be setting... ''
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' With a straight face, without even looking, the Pale Angel rams her elbow sharply against her prince's ribs.
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Exceedingly Sublime Opal looks to the one speaking to her, and her vision filled with the soft, golden Essence that sprung as a fountain from him. A fountain that watered the thristy, a cornicopia that fed the hungry. She turned to him and gave him an ever so faint smile and a dip of her head, "I do not believe formally, Prince Alexander. I am Exceedingly Sublime Opal. I apologize, for a moment, my thoughts had drifted."
| |
| − | | |
| − | She arches an eyebrow as Vorpal she elbows the Prince sharply.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''It is a shame. This is a time to show off and strut and look one's best, and I am hiding myself. Well, insomuch as I can hide. Heh, I imagine the Jadeborn knows what I am. Let's see if she's kind enough to maintain the secret. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | One foot in front of the other, lantern high and pace sure. Exuding calm, confidence, while submerging lust, at least for now. She did take a moment to look back at Opal... then shrugs again and resumes.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Every dog has its day, no matter how beautiful or how cold. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The prince lets out an eep, his face flushing in embarassment. Oh, she noticed. Oh, they noticed.
| |
| − | | |
| − | It was easier when the parties had divinities that did not look... that... divine.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The prince stutters a little, trying to reply to Opal, to look away from the Dark Angel... and oh, to Opal.
| |
| − | | |
| − | No matter where he looked, they were voluptuous, pale, and more beautiful than anything he had ever see, weren't they?
| |
| − | | |
| − | "H-helllo, Opal! We... we did not li.. meet yet, nope! It is... it is an honor! R-right, milady...?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''She will kill me...oh, sun, take my eyes, everywhere I look... ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' The faint sounds of clicking heels and martial music, stirring drums and the piper's art grow louder, the beat more visible than felt at first, glasses and flowers shivering in anticipation. It is not one guest, of course, that merits such consideration, but five.... ten... fifteen.... twenty? More?
| |
| − | | |
| − | Linked arm in arm, rows of five-wide march down the way to and through the gates, the footfalls of five columns growing to spread ripples through the crowd now, clearing out a space for them to enter. Masks of curved mirrors, smooth with no openings for eyes or mouth confront the party goers, each person clad in an identical suit, though here it adheres more closely to flared hips or full bosoms. They bow in unison, twenty-five different colors of hair brushing the floor, voice ringing out as one:
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Oh, you've started? So sorry I'm late. My most arrogant apologies." Light laughter in twenty-five voices rings out, only one male, and they disperse into the crowd in instants, leaving the chatter to the crowd and the empty space as testimony to the surprise.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' Kanti's calm decorum is shattered as that voice rings out over the assembled guests, and she tenses almost visibly, fighting down the impulse to run and hide or run and join him, her eyes glancing about for Gennadi.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''What was Gennadi doing here? ''<br>
| |
| − | ''What will he think? ''<br>
| |
| − | ''Is he here for Him? ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Shaliya: ''' The Winter Rose giggles, bowing to the host together in the crowd... and then, sees Kanti. She breaks from the rows of the army of one, she goes through the party goers, her white hair unmistakable to Kanti even with the mirror mask. She looks upon Kanti, her body language showing she is shocked.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The mirror reflecting Kanti precisely why.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Kanti...?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She glanced toward the raunchous arrival of the newcomer and his... harem? She frowned a little at this, wondering about the soft blue well of Essence that seemed to bubble forth... it was oddly pleasent.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She frowned a little deeper at that last thought, even as she lost sight of him, before renewing her attention to Prince Alexander.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' ''None of your little fires can surpass me. I am a '''blaze. ''' ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | But she has to give Gennadi points for that entrance nonetheless.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Selina mentally notes the ones who do not seem awed as those who she'll need to...deal with, later. Leave them breathing as if they've just escaped death, as she walks away. And wanting death to come back and claim them. Then elbows Moon as Vorpal did to Alex.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Bored already?" She mutters in a low voice, so that only he can hear.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' "Ain't my scene." Moon responded to Selina softly, answering her elbow with a swat to her rear, his hand lingering just a moment longer than necessary. Pale eyes glowed warmly through the eyes of the mask as he leaned closer, the hand on her rear sliding around her waist. "Rather be takin' ya home and gettin' ya out of that dress."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "At least enjoy the scenary." Selina says back, tone soft as before. "There's no lack of pristine and bountiful land to survey tonight, wouldn't you say? You can enjoy it in a more tactile manner, as well."
| |
| − | | |
| − | And even the not so pristine, as Kanti is (and herself to a lesser extent), is still bountiful. "Remember, dancing is for feeling your partner up if you're circumspect about it."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' "Tch, I don't dance darlin'. Least wise, not that way..." Though he'd hardly been ignoring the scenery either. There was no way to look without catching an eyeful of pale skin or clinging silk. There were beautiful women everywhere, beautiful enough to make any of the Heaven House girls green and dressed in the sort of clothes that only seemed to be worn to be taken off. Just like Selina had said.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And for all that, it was still pretty boring. No one was going to get drunk and rip up a room around here with him. Doubtful as hell there would be a point where they all ended up spilled over each other in a pile, laughing and grabbing whatever was within reach. They were going to 'dance' and feel each other up. They were going to be circumspect about it, whatever the fuck that meant. Careful, from the way she used it. Which also meant boring. Why not just cut the crap and pile on?
| |
| − | | |
| − | Moon yawned and slipped a hand under his mask, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. Hed never understand these people.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' Onward, onward, marching along slowly, turning and moving to keep an eye on the arrivals, conversations and amusing surprises that only the Chosen were capable of.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The lantern flickers for a moment, catching a sudden breeze, and the not-Child's robes ripple and billow before settling down. She turns to look in the direction of the breeze, then glances back down at the lantern. With a snap of 'his' fingers, the wick is snuffed, and she tucks the thing under her robes. 'He' stops, standing tall and eyeing the others, contenting herself with enjoying the spectacle for now.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Sometimes, I wonder... ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' Unfortunately for Kanti, it is somewhat difficult to pick out just where Gennadi is, those mirrored masks and the swirl of people keeping him hidden well, to say nothing of the faint snatches of his voice that drift to her, seeming to circle closer in echoes. It seems she'll have her decision made for her soon enough.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' "...Shaliya." she says softly.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''You shouldn't see me like this. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''You should love me like this. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She didn't know what else to say, terribly afraid and hopeful, happy to see her and wishing she was not here to meet her.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kadel: ''' Silent and observantly, Kadel watched them all with a faint smile hidden from sight behind his mask. The grand arrival of the last guest was certainly entertaining. As entertaining as it was mysterious. It bothered Kadel somewhat that he couldnt readily identify the man, but it was of small consequence at the moment. Clearly he must have been invited if he was there.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And there were far, far more ''interesting'' guests about.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "My home is open to all of you for the evening. I trust it will be more comfortable within that without. Please, enjoy yourselves as you may." He turns smoothly and raises a hand towards the mansion above and the front doors swing open readily at the gesture. "I do apologize ahead that service within might be slow in coming tonight should you have any requests. I fear Ive had to tie up the maids and most of the stewards for the evening."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''----ah! A distraction from my stupid introspective mind! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Upon seeing the doors swing open on welcome hinges, she moves on ahead, returning to the slow-and-easy gait that she's adopted for the night. Ahead, she could at least rubberneck within the man's abode and maybe find some way to start a little bit of mischief; in the back of her mind, she remembered that her Air-gifts remained at the ready, should she find herself wishing to cause some unexplained mishaps.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Seriously, Monkey, is that all you've come here to do? Watch and meddle? ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''... yes, yes it would seem so. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' The Solar looks at the petite woman in the glass mask, unable to see much through it...
| |
| − | | |
| − | "You know her? Kanti...?" It was a question to both.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' Before Kanti really gets to answer, a pair of hands slips over hers, held to her stomach as another curved mirror appears, resting on her shoulder and reflecting Fiona's face perfectly as she looks.. 'We're old acquaintances, though I hardly recognized her.... something's different. New hairstyle, I think."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Shaliya: ''' The Winter Rose watches Kanti.... shocked.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Shocked.<br>
| |
| − | Horrified.<br>
| |
| − | Confused.<br>
| |
| − | | |
| − | She tries to understand, and beneath her petals, hate begins to bubble within her chest... despair takes her over, but she swallows it. She is from the Cerulean Lute. She is tied to Serenity. She knows how to lock everything until after. Oh, until after. Until she pushes her master against the wall and insists he pushes his chains through Sunset's heart.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The mask hid her tear, and for that, she was glad.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Know her... from a long time ago..."
| |
| − | | |
| − | "I... missed our dances..."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' "I-!"
| |
| − | | |
| − | Gennadi must feel the way her whole body tenses beneath his hands, leaving the impression she would bolt if not for the fact that he is holding her, however light that touch might be, years of training overriding a flight response. She takes a couple of slightly shallow breathes to calm herself, and the muscles relax slightly, the look of terror that Shaliya must see fading then.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "It ... is pleasant to see you again, Master Gennadi." actually managing to keep enough of the fear from her voice to make it sound like she meant it. Almost.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''he didn't mention them. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''he didn't notice them? ''<br>
| |
| − | ''he must have. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''he didn't like them? ''<br>
| |
| − | ''of course he didn't. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''what did he think? ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''thank you for letting me wonder. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Say that when you can see more of me, and I'll take the compliment then." The mask stays fixed on fiona despite the man underneath obviously turning, a soft kisss to Kanti's cheek. He turns back into the mask. "If anything, it is I who should be speaking of pleasure, yes?" He offers a hand to Fiona, flicking down and again leaving the mask oriented to her face as he pulls her hand up for a kiss, quicker than snakes though a less painful bite. "And you are?"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' The Solar smiles, enjoying the attention, the regality. The Whiteshield ball Adrianna never got around bringing her to.... the flower on her hair seems to shine with crimson hues in the white. "My name is Fiona, good sir. You?" She smiles, and in her smile it says that friends of Kanti are always her friends...
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' He doffs a nonexistant cap to her. "The life of the party. You could call me Gifted Sunrise, but it'd be confusing. Call me Gennadi, as it's the name Kanti knows best."
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "You are ''modest'', aren't you?" She giggles. "Where do you two know each other?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' Kanti shivers a little at the kiss, the touch of serenity, and just for a moment she imagines herself so far from here, a different time and a different world, one where she did not need to hide her body, where she did not need to hide her scars, where she could simply be.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I've had that twice now... ''<br>
| |
| − | ''With Him. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''With Her. ''<br>
| |
| − | ''please...I want to be there again. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''please. ''<br>
| |
| − | She stands in his arms and answers Fiona.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Heaven." she whispers.<br>
| |
| − | ''lost heaven''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' "Speaking of which, I should be doling a bit of that out, shouldn't I? So many people, so little interest in duty." He shakes his head sadly. "I'll be seeing you later, yes? The both of you, when the dancing starts. Perhaps a bit of Kanti's skill will rub off on me, that I don't embarass myself." His hand rises up to stroke her side, tracing one of those hidden lines intimately before drawing back, doffing his mask to reveal yet another underneath before he walks away, vanishing into the crowd.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Shaliya: ''' The rose comes closer to Kanti, kissing her, trying her best to hide her shaking, then steps away. "I am going with him... I will see you later, Kanti. I will. Then we can catch up on old times, right? And dance again..."
| |
| − | | |
| − | She leaves fast. Any longer and she may not be able to hide how the scars made her nervous.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Fiona: ''' "... you certainly know interesting people...."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "You enjoy yourself, tonight, Kanti." Selina says as she looks to her, "I know I will." The last sentence is a purr, as she walks closer to the Pale Angel...
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' "..yes..yes of course .." she says, so very distracted by the finger tracing over her scars, and memories.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Then mistress' comment, and she nods again, only noticing the ice rose as she presses ice lips to her skin, the kiss burning with the cold and too many memories.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''and then she runs. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Kanti gives a slightly wild glance around the party ... where are you Moon?
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Moon ... look this way ...please look this way... ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''Now then! We have all the guests, they seem to be chatting amongst themselves, and I suppose it's high time that I got down to the business of making the most out of this opportunity! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | From under the man's robe comes a simple lyre, ten-stringed and seemindly made from little more than old, charred oak and steel. The 'man' finds a nice place to lean, and proceeds to play lazily, and not with any particular skill; he might be able to fetch enough for a night's stay and a meal of soup and bread at some alehouse in the River Province. Nonetheless, gloved fingers strum lazily and the Child's head bobs... although she focuses on the crowd, scanning for her first 'victim'.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I am going to get into so much trouble, I just know it! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' Opal leans a little closer to Prince Alexander, and feeling oddly sympathetic to his plight, "A suggestion. Look at eyes, and eyes only. Though you may drown in them as an ocean, at least they will not earn you such a repremand from your concort." She patted his arm gently.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Of course, I know of you, Prince. Your reputation proceeds you, and it is very much an honor."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' The prince simply looked away then, unable to focus on eyes. "... I try. Really." He says, eyes down.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "And... thank you. So do yours. The Tree was wonderful, so was the statue for the fallen... my kingdom owes you much."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She merely shrugs her shoulders, very gently places two slender fingers under his chin, and lifts his eyes to hers. "Some believe that eyes are the windows to the soul. Something intangible and more beautiful than any piece of cloth veiled flesh." Her own were beautiful, but such was the quality of her voice to quietly hold his attention.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She removed her hand, for she recieved the subtle social signal that his escort might remove it for her. "Thank you for your compliment. I am merely saddened I did not have more time to make it something greater."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' Vorpal hovers beside the prince like a black and white falcon, her behaviour silent and chilly. She acknowledges Opal much in the same manner as she did earlier with their host, but something about her manner makes it clear that the Jadeborn interacts with Alex only as long as the Pale Angel deems it acceptable.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' "You are too modest!" He nods, "Are you enjoying the party? You seem to not be very suited to this enviroment... though, it is strange. I heard you were a more direct and less poetic person, but you do see quite a bit of poetry in the world..." He smiles to her, and carries it to Kadel. "Tied them up? Well, I imagine you do have too many guests... I imagine we will get our refreshments, at least?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Too much to drool over, here... ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' ''You shouldn't have come if you were going to be stuffy, dear. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Much less if you were going to insult me. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Oh, is that what you think, Opal?" Selina cuts in keeping the predator out of her voice, mostly. For now. So she wants to belittle flesh, does she? "That thought is wanting for knowledge to change it."
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I will crack your hard shell open. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''And I will let the warmth inside leak out. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She turns her head toward Selina, and merely arches an eyebrow. "I am not accustomed to not speaking my mind when asked a question, so yes, that is what I think. I see more beauty in this one's soul than any merely creature of flesh and shadow that I have yet beheld, for he is a man of virtue, and it illuminates the world around him."
| |
| − | | |
| − | She smiled a little more at Alex now, and nodded her head. "I did not mean to keep you." She looked over at Vorpal, and nod her head serenely at him, "Do keep him safe, now. There swim more predatories in this sea than those that those that lie to the far West."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Vorpal: ''' "I am well aware of that", Vorpal responds, breaking her long silence at last. Although she is determined to not allow anything affect her feelings tonight, she cannot help but to allow the surge of warmth to spread through her system as Opal states her opinion about Alexander Whiteshield.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''She is right. She is absolutely right. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "So you say now." She mutters under her breath, dipping into the Trance, emerging with the awareness of her opponent's moves. Well, the battle lines have been drawn!
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''You'll beg for my touch for that one, dear. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''And I will '''not''' bestow it. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She looks to Moon. "Well...care you to try a dance with someone?" And then to Kanti, wondering what she is going to do.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''... Opal! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Of course you get to be my first in a long line of prank victims. So... let's see. How am I ever going to... '''AH-HAH! ''' ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | 'He' continues to play, seemingly uninterested in the party's goings-on, but the Child is wearing a shit-eating grin under that five-dragon mask. One song transitions into another, and the Child's wyld Essence, sheathed in solidified dream and tempered in the Essence of Air, reaches out to the sky itself, twisting, gripping, and pulling upward.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Beneath the statuesque woman, and around the others in general, a sudden updraft sweets into the area proper, but seems to bother the Jadeborn the most---which is to say, it greedily swoops under her robes like a small army of grasping lechers, pushing up and out.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She feels the winds begin to caress, as if she was suddenly standing atop the Elemental Pole of Air. She narrows her eyes a bit as her skirts attempt to flutter up, even the effect of her robes to keep her looking well groomed and serene at all times seem to have a problem keeping it under control. She narrows her eyes at this, not finding it funny at all.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She swings her head left and right, her hair flinging indignantly as her nostrils flared. She cold see it... the pattern influencing the air...
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' She looks at Opal, and notices the wind. The essence currents, someone is doing this on purpose, aren't they? She can do that too!
| |
| − | | |
| − | But not yet. "Uncomfortable all of a sudden, Opal?" Selina asks, smirking slightly.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' Inwardly, the Child snorts, unpleased with the outcome. ''Damned woman and her perfect clothes! Ah well, at least the Dark One gets to jab at her some! '' Outwardly... the 'man' keeps playing; no point in attempting to flee, as Opal already knows that she's there, and may well probably track the threads of power leading from the sky to herself.
| |
| − | | |
| − | In a way, she '''wanted''' Opal to do something! Too long has the Child gone without prodding at her buttons!
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''It is your move, Earth-raksha. Do not disappoint! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' "You know, I consider myself a fairly reasonable individual. Like anyone, I believe I am entitled to my dignaty," she said, calmly, even as the wind affects her. "Appearently, I associate myself with others who do not."
| |
| − | | |
| − | She clenches her first once, and holds it for a very, very long moment. "I believe this shall be the end of my evening. Have a pleasent night."
| |
| − | | |
| − | Even as the wind continued to lift her skirt up, and give onlookers a heartstopping view of her breathtaking shapely legs, she marches out of there.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''... that was worth every drop of Essence. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Eyes seemingly focused ahead watch the Jadeborn's every motion as she walks off, unable to contain her inner delight as yet another revelation of Opal's beauty. But... then she started off on her way. Another transition from song to song, and the 'man' went back to his music. Snow Monkey herself was slightly disappointed, frowning under the mask of white and five-jade colors.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Don't tell me that was all it took to spook you, woman! I know you! You're tougher than that! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' The winds cause her robes to wrap and writhe around her - they were quite voluminous. And so, as she neared the door, it was only inevitable that, as unpredictable as the wind was, it would trip her up. She fell, hard... face first into the stairs.
| |
| − | | |
| − | She lay there for a long moment, before placing her hands on the step, trembling with wroth.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''That... is it. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''Uh-oh. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | There was a long moment as the point from song's end to song's beginning was reached, but it was long enough for the Essence-fueled winds to die down... and for the source of the raksha magic to idly wonder if maybe, just maybe she might've pushed a bit too far this time. Still 'he' played on, foot tapping slowly and head bobbing in the middle of some nameless composition.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Inwardly'', the Child waited. ''Now, then. Either you're going to give me some high-and-mighty speech about how you're above and beyond me, and how I should never sully your luscious, sensual body again, or you're just going to try and hurt me first. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Here's to hoping I at least get a good glimpse of your ass, Opal dear. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She rose slowly to her feet, chest rising and falling even as the wind continued to give onlookers a rather nice inventory of her charms, including the afformentioned ass Days so longed to see. She glared at the Child with utter and complete loathing, and with a swift gesture, channeled her Essence to perform a trick many had seen her do in days of late.
| |
| − | | |
| − | A bubble of blue-transparent force rippled into existance around the Child, enclosing her like a doll under glass.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' "Yeah, why the fuck not?" Moon had answered Selina with a shrug that dropped his arm from her waist. He walked away from the Winlandia, as she began her games with Opal.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Moon gazed around the plaza a moment, sizing up each of the women in turn. He nearly says no, nearly decides to just head off and dig up some less sophisticated company for the evening, until a pair of eyes catch his own. And change his mind for the moment.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And straight over to Kanti. "Hey darlin." Flipping his mask up onto the top of his head, he grinned at her and cocked his head to the side as he made a show of looking her over. "Look good tonight."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' ''Moon! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The relief on Kanti's body, in Kanti's eyes is palpable as Moon approaches, as Moon looks her over. She restrains herself from leaping at him, getting him to wrap those arms around her, and she smiles.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Thank you Moon." Almost entirely calm now. Now that he's here. "You look... punk." she decides after some consideration.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' And the one-man-band stopped, taking a moment to tap at the field with the lyre. Outwardly, he remains blissfully calm. Under the mask, Days is wire-tense. ''Okay, Opal, this is a cute trick, but I really think you're overreacting! I didn't even see your panties! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She snarled at her, and began to draw her hand back. Points of Essence formed at her fingertips, like small stars casting their gleams on the Tapestry.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''This is the price for all that try to see my panties without invitation!! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | She rakes the air with her fingers, and she unleashed a horror. Somewhere, a rock fell upward, briefly. Somewhere, a stream was purple for a moment. Her fingers slashed the subtle threads of fate like razorblades.
| |
| − | | |
| − | And in their severing, the strands of fate released their Essence. And the mad torrent of escaped energy screamed straight for the Child of Wyld Days.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: '''"Heh, we are what we are, y'know?" he chuckled, a bit stiffly, and rocked on his feet. How did you ask someone to dance at one of these things? The Lunar rubbed the back of his neck. "I, uh hey, ywanna-"
| |
| − | | |
| − | Moon was nearly grateful for the sudden disruption. The noise from Opals fall and laughter, both sympathetic and delighted, forced his attention away from thoughts of dancing and towards the scene playing itself out on the stairs. He nearly laughed too, to see Opal sprawled ungracefully over the stairs. But then the laughter turned to cries of shock and people arced away sharply from the pale woman rising on the stairs and the masked musician playing atop them.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Aw '''shit. ''' ''
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' The Child boggles. That... '''that''' she hadn't expected! It was pretty, but her Heart was quietly informing her than she was in a considerable amount of danger. Her first reaction was to dodge, but the bubble nulled that. Her second was to defend herself, and her free hand vanished under her robe...
| |
| − | | |
| − | ... and then she remembered that she had left Owl and Serpent Elsewhere to free up her essence stores.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Oh, this is going to hurt '''SO''' bad. ''
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "You're just '''asking''' for it, woman." Selina growls as the field goes up, readying herself for action. One graceful green-clad arm comes up, and one graceful green-clad arm sees more than the decorative shadows cloaking it.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Quicker than she had before, the Dark Angel readies her a blast herself, intending it for the woman spoiling her night, Opal. ''Daring'' to spoil her night! The shadows covering her are infinitely sharp now.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' ''... wait. <nowiki>Waitwaitwait'''WAIT!</nowiki> ''' ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I am the Child of Wyld Days! I am death and valor and power! Why am I cowering before this shaped raksha poseur? If she can't take a joke, fine. But she better be ready for me to prove who the superior one is! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Her arm swings forth, and she calls to Elsewhere, striking a powerful kata even within the bubble for force... and with a final clap of her hands, her Gate-defenses burst to life, making the black robe billow and the mask fall off.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Snow Monkey is grinning viciously at Opal, waving her on.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Void strikes the rippling mad essence, exploding all around them, a display of ethereal winds and dark power...
| |
| − | | |
| − | ....that is then swallowed by the void, dark lighting crackling and reaching to the sky... and then it ends.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' And then there was nothing.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Child... shrugs lightly, and finally goes ahead with revealing her 'clever' disguise. "Opal! Come on, now! You don't have to be that harsh... look, here. Let me out of this thing, and I'll let you give me a good shot right in the mouth if it makes you feel better."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' Then Opal shoots off her own bolt, and she diverts her energy to strike it down before it can hit...Days. It figures doesn't it? Selina's own egotistical and childish desire to inflict herself on everyone fades in an instant as she has to take her role of mistress.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "You will both cease this, or I will discipline you such as you've never felt before." Her voice rips the air with its passage, such is the vibration she inflects.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She closes her eyes and quivers with wrath. This was her Fate now, it seemed. To be the plaything of a monster and to have the boot of the Exalted forever on her neck.
| |
| − | | |
| − | With great effort, she mannages after a moment, "I apologize for my outburst," however, she does not remove the field around the Child.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' Kanti practically leaps into Moon's arms as the beams of energy and void crackle around the party, as Selina's voice rips through the air, promising all the things that she feared.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Gennadi: ''' Another whipcrack sounds in the air, much harder to pinpoint for everyone but Selina, who feels the sharp and momentary imprint of a hand on her left buttock, though no one is behind her when she turns... Perhaps someone got ideas due to that discipline mention? Perhaps.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kadel: ''' "Enough!" He shouts, voice raised high in a fashion those who knew him had never heard. Kadel stepped boldy out between the three women, holding his palms towards each in turn. "Enough, please. That is enough of a show for the moment."
| |
| − | | |
| − | Guests who had scattered in terror at the display of Exalted power begin hesitantly to inch closer again as he speaks, a voice of calm and even subtle bemusement. "I thank you ladies, mostly kindly, for that excellent display of light and illusion. But I fear the unannounced display has been enough to impress the others for the time being. Please, everyone though, let us applaud our champions for this most wonderful show."
| |
| − | | |
| − | Kadel begins clapping his hands together until the other guests begin to join in. The Glass Spider lets his hands drop and glides down the stairs towards Opal, masked face inclining to her gently. "Miss, may I speak with you alone?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: '''"Selina, dear, you were perfectly fine with me until I ruined your enjoyment." The Sword is still strong, and Days does not find herself very cowed by even Selina's fury, considering the predicament she's in. "I can be a good girl and play nice, but it'll serve you much better in the long run to use words like 'please' and 'could you'." That said, she smacks a gleaming fist against the bubble.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' White fire, and the blade was on his hand.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Golden light, and it vanished.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''... I got to have a long talk with Opal. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | He walks closer to Days, seeing the field appear as she punches....
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Anyone can get her out?"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' Selina's eyes widen as ''someone'' slaps her rear, she jolts on her toes (and her wings snap up), nearly losing her balance and then settling back down on the heels of her sandals. "W-who?" Setting her teeth for a moment, she looks back behind herself, scanning the faces of those there. And then she realizes that it's only what she wanted to inspire.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Except I wasn't looking for it at the moment. ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | "You are entirely incapable of being a good girl, fair one. Could not even wait to harass her in private like a decent person." Selina says as she looks back toward Days. "This is why mother needs to tend to your misbehavior."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' Her fist strikes the wall.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Her fists can shatter stone and punch holes in steel. They have defeated countless foes, and wrecked numerous buildings, real and glamours.
| |
| − | | |
| − | That same fist shatters quite nastily against the wall, to the elbow. Days, about to snap a snarky reply to Selina... lets out a very real scream of pain, crading her busted forearm.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "OwowowowFUCKOW!"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' She looks toward Alex, and frowns a bit, "I'm getting a distinct impression of a double standard." She sighed a bit, and waved a hand. The flickering blue bubble of constructed energy collapses like so much gossomer glass, falling to the ground to trouble Child no more.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' "You really need to discover some common sense." Selina tells her as she seems to break her arm.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' With the golden flames that summoned his blade not quite gone, he points at Opal, angry. "Excuse me? The one you just tried to kill fought against my uncle with me, Opal! She is the reason the Industrial District lasted enough for us to come! And you try to kill her like that?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | "... why?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' Half ready himself to leap on Opal from behind and put a stop to whatever might follow, Kantis grasp pulls him short. It was just as well, as the situation already begins to deflate before he can think to dislodge her.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Crazy fuckin" Moon grumbled under his breath, shaking his head as he turned away from them and back to the figure clutching against him tightly. He was actually surprised to see fear in her eyes.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Its aite. Just them gettin rowdy, yknow?" That was an understatement, but wasnt very soothing to say they were trying to kill each other. Stroking a hand through her hair, Moon sighed irritantly. This place was ''not'' his scene. Wasnt even a damn party, not in any way he knew them.
| |
| − | | |
| − | " you wanna get outta here darlin?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' PainhurtpainhurtPAINPAINPAIN!
| |
| − | | |
| − | Days looks up from her dangling arm long enough to eye Opal... and grin, even though the corner of her mouth twitches. "... see, I have to admit two things to you. One, you're more than you appear to be, Mountain -faerie. Two... I totally deserved that." She... smiles more? Odd, you'd think she was angry. Maybe she's just happy that she's not dead. "Oh, don't you start, Selina! I have enough common sense to do this." She starts... to leave.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Eh, I used a little trick on her, and she took a spill, Alex. Didn't expect her to react that poorly."
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' "I keep my promises. I swore to her if she ever used one of her little powers on me again, I would return it in kind," she narrowed her eyes darkly at the Raksha, who retreated up the steps. If looks could kill, Opal wouldn't need that kind of ability.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Alexander: ''' He watched her go, then walked up to Days, holding her arm, taking the pain into himself...
| |
| − | | |
| − | "... just what did you do?"
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Child of Wyld Days: ''' Days grins right back, but keeps on trudging. The twitching smile----which loses the twitch as Alex takes the pain into himself-- holds fast, but only goes skin-deep.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''You could have gotten hurt more, or even killed, Snow Monkey! All for a glimpse of leg. Was it really worth the trouble? ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | "A dirty litle trick involving alot of wind. Figure it out from there." She doesn't stop, obvious of having overstayed her welcome for now.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''... no, that wasn't worth it. I'd at least accept some nudity for this, but...BAH! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Kanti: ''' Kanti let out a little noise as he stroked her head, and she relaxed again, drinking up the strong scent of him.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "...No...I told Gennadi I'd stay around til the dances..." she says, nervous, seeking approval for this? forgiveness for not agreeing?
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''I want to dance with Shaliya. ''
| |
| − | ''just once''
| |
| − | ''if I can''
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Seventh Moon: ''' Gen-who? Didn't matter, he supposed. She was like Selina here, in her element. After what she had told him once of where she grew up, everything about this place was probably second nature to her. Or even dreary.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Moon nodded his accent and smiled, but was already untangling her arms from him. He stepped away from the Terresterial and gave her another rub on the head before stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Aite. Have a good time of it then darlin. Ill see ya round."
| |
| − | | |
| − | Pulling the mask back over his face, Moon shifted away and wandered off into the crowd to find his way to the gate and slip out. He wondered just where Simma might be staying and how long it would take to get enough booze for the Pack and the Queens both to get wasted.
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Selina de Windia: ''' There was nothing for her to do after Days and Opal went off. For now anyway. She turns to see if Moon's found something he'd like to do...and notices Moon is not there.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ''Bloody ''hell'', what is with these people tonight! ''
| |
| − | | |
| − | About to start off after him, Selina hesitates, activating her magic to move without the need for any attempt at balance, and then goes off after him.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "Hey! HEY! Where are you off to!"
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Exceedingly Sublime Opal: ''' Opal, for her part, merely leaves the main assemblage of the party, and merely goes to find a quiet place to brood.
| |
| − | | |
| − | "I hate people."
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ----
| |
| − | | |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/FifthMovement|Fifth Movement]]
| |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
| |
