Open Chronicles The Valenntenian Masquerade Festival

[Roki]

An easy grin crept across Roki's features, as he took the little lemon sweet from Saskia with a wink. "Can't tell if I right like it just yet," he said, and bit into the treat.

In trio, they shuffled along. More and more, those with masks poured about. Laughs and flirtations filled the air, as the music began to fill the air.

Roki's eyes lit up at the sound. "Ain't that somethin," he said with one hand already atop his mask. He pulled down the Aetochan monkey visage and it snugged into place. The proud white, and passionate reds, almost making the gold of his eyes seem to glow.

"I'll catch you two later!" he said with a laugh, and slipped free of Saskia's grasp. His lantern light bobbed and bounced at the end of his staff as he dipped and slunk into the crowds.


Alaric Wulf Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Stella]

"Wisdom, as well as grace," he said with a pleased rumble to his voice, and his head shift, as easy as a curl of steam, set the mirrors of his mask to dazzle and shine. Sparkle, as if to show the delight the fanged visage hid beneath its gleeful snarl.

"It would be my great pleasure, to treat you to whatever brew sates your fancy," he bowed his head. Slow as a measured cup of tea, and those silver bells draped long from the mask chimed soft. He held the posture, for as long as one might the kettle to such a ceremony she spoke of, as they watched the porcelain vessel, fill and fill, closer to the brim. He raised, quick and measured. The bells chimed once more as the mirrors shone. Their rays of light danced across her as he took in the sight of her. "Lady of star silk,"

He shift the mirrors once more. The crane of his neck, and point of his nose, almost a dance between them. And again the bells shift. Their gentle chimes, clear and crisp across the din of revelry and cheer.

The music swelled. A booming voice mastered the ceremonies, and the peoples around them stirred to dance.

"Do you dance, fair lady?"

Flatterer.

Her kind often luxuriated in such things and even Stella could admit to finding some amount of pleasure in it, but neither gilded objects nor words truly won her favor. Were Solomon Regis standing there he might've commented on such things. Alas, he was off fulfilling his duties as a Grand Host and she was more than complacent in leaving her conversational companion without a name to call her by. Lady of Star Silk would do.

Blue eyes followed the pre-emptive sway of the man as he dipped into his bow, rising to test his limits of her attention in a way she'd studied of male spiders testing the limits of a female's web for risk of becoming her dinner or reward of becoming her mate. His mirrors flashed again, but she trained her gaze away from it now, focusing intently on his own eyes hiding behind the mask.

And there it was, the ask. The tender plucking of a peripheral thread.

"No," the Lady replied after a short breath, her eyes narrowing faintly over an expression that approximated a predator's smile on a Lady's face, "not with my feet."

"Join me in the lounge and I will dance with words."

 

[Lyta]

Lyta knew at that moment, she and the new Guardian of Light were to be good friends.

The cloud of sadness that had temporarily ruined her good mood vanished, her face softening back into its almost permanent smile. She squeezed his hand in a silent thank you.

"You are very kind, Sir. We Guardians are lucky the stone has chosen you, though I despair for your Monastery - they will no doubt feel your loss most keenly."

 

[Mabbon Dreierg]

'I assure you, your reassurances are completely unnecessary.' Mabbon could feel his face growing hot as Kaira smiled up at him. Turning his head away, he was surprised to find himself being approached by yet another of the Yehven clan. 'Somner!' Mabbon greeted the man, bowing ever so slightly in what he belatedly felt was a far too formal display of recognition.

Arran Yehven didn't seem to notice.

With a hand on his shoulder, the half-orc straightened to hear his words. A part of him wished he hadn't. 'Oh, indeed!' Stifling a somewhat flustered smile, Mabbon loosened his collar a little. 'I, uh...' he grinned, 'I guess at least one Yehven's having a good time.' Glancing at Kaira, the Guardian shrugged. Is loving me such a bad thing? He wondered, trying to gauge Kaira's reaction as he took a sip of champagne.

'I'm sure that was just a sweeping statement... and totally not his blessing.' Mabbon nodded to himself as they stepped out into the Tower Courtyard. 'Would you,' he paused, searching for the right words. 'Would you mind if it... was?'

Kaira Yehven

 

[Kaira Yehven]

"Oh..." Colour took to her cheeks again, but the Guardian of Faith turned her head to look at Mabbon directly. She was smiling, albeit nervous at such a question asked, but she could not help the butterflies he cast into her stomach with just his mere presence.

"He only wants to see me happy... and you have made me so in recent weeks." Steady, now Kaira! She thought to herself. Do not look away!

"But it pleases me that someone else sees me that way. Happy. Because of you." Kaira decided to pause with a sip of her champagne, delighting in it's sweet taste. "I am... quite fond of you, Mabbon. Not only a loyal friend to me, but..." She bit down on her lip.

Dew drops. Kaira had more champagne.

She could not bare her heart like that, not when such a night celebrated it. There were so many people around... she only wanted to admit such feeling to Mabbon any other day, anywhere else...

"You mean more to me..." And she let that hang there, between them with halted breath.

Mabbon Dreierg

 

[Mabbon Dreierg]

The air between them grew charged. Lightning struck, setting Mabbon's flesh ablaze. 'I see,' he said stoically, forcing himself to remain calm through it all. 'It... It does my heart some good, I think, to hear you say that!' Clearing his throat, the shadow-bearer glanced away.

When his gaze returned to Kaira, he was smiling behind his mask.

'You mean a great deal to me, also. The day we shared together, at the Gallery...' He paused, seeing in his mind's eye her face streaked with tears. He swallowed, tried again. 'The day we shared together was among the best I've ever had.' No word of a lie.

Since taking up his Stone, the world as he knew it -or thought he knew it- had become increasingly bleak. Darker, even.

Kaira was a rare light in the darkness. One whose presence he could tolerate. To say he appreciated her kindness, her... faith in him, would have been an understatement.

Pulling up his mask a touch, Mabbon saw off the last of his beverage. The flutes themselves were oh-so small, and his appetite for celebration was only growing the longer time went on. 'Would it make you happy,' he rumbled, ears pricking up at the sound of music, 'to share a dance with me?'

Kaira Yehven

 

[Hruugen]

"Heh, yes I do think they miss me sometimes. Though I admit I often caused a few headaches for my masters. When I was younger the old monks raised the height of the garden wall twice to keep me taking peaches."
He remembered the sounds of Dumah's voice in his ears and the pain of the rod. He still believe the peaches were worth it.
"I do miss them as well but life is a current, we cannot swim against the flow."
Lyta seemed to be in good spirits and was a fine and skilled dancer, clearly. He had believed that the Guardians were all warriors by craft. Now he was beginning to learn that they were as varied as birds. He kept his smile. Something he had no doubt many did in Lyta's presence.

Lyta

 

[Lyta]

Lyta laughed with utter delight at Hruugen's story of his youth. Perhaps if he loved climbing so, she would invite him to scale some of the mountain peaks with her at their next check-in. When her body was not so drained and brittle from carrying the weight of a nation's dreams.

"Those are wise words, Valentinna is richer for your wisdom joining us. I think you would find Stella - our Guardian of the Wisdom rune - quite a delight to talk to too. I can see you two becoming fast friends," Stella seemed to prefer quieter humans and those who spoke sense. Though... she did also like the Guardian of Air so perhaps she made exceptions to the rules. Either way, she thought that the pair might at least have interesting conversations worthy of the dragons time.

The dance drew to a stop and Lyta let go, giving a small curtsey.

"Well, I do not think you were as bad as you worried you would be."

 

[Kaira Yehven]

His smile was infectious.

Her own widened, cheeks flaming but she was feeling free and elated to have him reveal he thought of her the same way. Mabbon was truly a handsome friend, but things shifted since that day at the Gallery. She was at ease, giddy, and feeling as if the Ancients finally aligned something happy for her to enjoy in her life.

"I am unsure if I am capable on dancing... as I fear my feet are stepping on clouds..." Her cheeks twitched from all the smiling she did, but she too finished her flute and set is aside.

No hesitations now, Kaira took his hands with her own and dragged him lightly to the lively dancers already moving to the swell of romantic music. "Please try and keep me grounded, Mabbs." She grinned. When will that ever fade?

Perhaps it would stay attached in her dreams, the moment she awoke the next morning... or it could be the very thing she would become famous for instead of her Stone.

Mabbon Dreierg

 

[Villam Regis]

It probably didn't come as a surprise that Villam wasn't particularly well-versed in dance. He'd used about every type of weapon you could think of, ingested poisons, set traps that could take down a full-grown ogre. Moving his feet in time, though? It was foreign. Still, he wanted to try. There wasn't any other person he trusted enough to do it with than Vazia.

His eyes traveled down to his hands as Ferreira removed the scarlet gloves that covered his skin and entwined her fingers with his. It was difficult to tell if her skin was cold, or if his was hot. It didn't matter, he found himself wishing to feel more of it, and pressed his palms flat against hers as he pulled her in closer, until their bodies nearly touched.

"I am... new to this. Please have patience with me." Regis muttered under his breath, almost sheepishly. above their heads, the Chamber concluded one song, and another then began. Tentatively, Villam began to sway to the gentle rhythm of the music, one of his hands leaving hers to find the curve of her hip. So far he had managed to avoid stepping on her toes, even as the pads of his fingers dug against her dress in a silent show of his nerves.

It was easier than he'd thought. Perhaps that was because of Vazia. The way she gazed up at him now, that faint ghost of a smile on her face, it dispelled the worry that plagued him.

"I'm glad this was with you."

Vazia Ferreira

 

[Vazia Ferreira]

Vazia did not know how to dance. Unless you considered the art of assassination a dance with knives, which most did not. She was not particularly surprised that Villam did not know how to dance either, which perhaps eased Vazia a bit. Could two wrongs make a right?

Vazia kept her gaze on him as his travelled to their joined hands. She thought she saw something like longing in his eyes before he pulled her closer until there was nothing but a few inches of empty space between them. Her eyes never left his as he began to move to the song, slowly at first. His hand landed on her hip, holding her close to him, his fingers pressing into her back.

Vazia did not try to loosen his grip. It was real, and she was feeling. Feeling the heat of his skin against hers, the pressure of his fingers at her waist, the weight of his gaze on her- even the way her heart picked up speed without her permission.

It was strange, how much she was feeling now- at Homecoming she had been further away from her stone and yet her reaction had been delayed, albeit extreme. What was different about tonight? Vazia thought she knew why but she was afraid to think about it.

"You're the only one I want to dance with. Even if neither of us can dance," she replied, her voice soft but certain.

Villam Regis

 

[Hruugen]

"You are a kind and skilled teacher Guardian Lyta. You flattery me."
Hruugen bowed in return. He knew little of the other Guardians so this Stella seemed like a good person to meet next and the Guardian of Wisdom was bound to have insights pertaining to his own struggles with the Stone of Light.
"Thank you for the dance. Guardian Stella sounds like fine company. I'll be sure to seek her out but for now, I hope I can call upon you later. Valentennia is still strange to me and I'd be grateful for a guide to help me get my bearings."

Lyta

 

[Noi]

The first step to getting a knife was to first get a mask. Russet hair and short stature did little to place Noi out of the ordinary from behind. The peculiar structure of her face matched with the red hair and petite body together is what made her known as the Guardian of Silence. At least, that was what the eyes told her.

Some cheaply made masks were being made, any of the fancy ones that others wore had been made and prepped long ago. Unique and ornate wasn’t what she wanted, something basic and simple, something that could blend in. She took a mask that was orange and yellow and white, a simple ombré wash of color that created the image of a narrow fox face. Noi liked it because the slits in the mask matched her upturned eyes. Noi put her face into the mask, liking how it fit.

"that’s going to be… oh. A guardian. Which one are you again? The one that can’t speak?" The woman in charge of the stall let a moment of silence pass as she collected her thoughts. Noi was looking at her expectantly, even as she started tying the thin orange ribbon behind her head. It was difficult to keep the mask in place with the ribbon, no matter how tight Noi crossed the two strands behind her head, the moment she attempted to make a knot, the mask would feel loose.

"HEY!" The woman was waving her hands at Noi. It worked it getting her attention. "You still have to pay for that, even if you’re a guardian!" The jabbing finger did little in telling Noi what the woman was saying, her facial expression meant she was angry but for what reason confused Noi. She was unable to read lips, so the only solution was to touch the woman and—

There’s a knife. The eyes said. Go get it. Now. Hurry.

Noi dashed off, not paying the woman and going in a direction that felt right. She didn’t hear the shouts of the insults, didn’t notice the pairs of eyes that looked at her as she delved further into the crowd. Deeper and deeper into the crowd she went, not seeing and only knowing. The eyes would guide her, they saw all. And soon enough, she was at her destination, grabbing onto a staff and giving her mightiest tug towards herself.

Where was the knife?

Roki

 

[Villam Regis]

Villam felt his smile grow, perhaps wider than it had in quite some time at her words. There was a solace in knowing this was an act he shared with her, that they had experienced together and with nobody else. It made this feel like theirs, made him feel as though this mattered.

"That's fine. I'm enjoying you far more than the dance itself." He admitted. Despite his words, their shared movements were becoming more and more natural; with every passing second, swaying to the rhythm with Vazia seemed all the more simple. The collision of their feet on the floor of the small pavilion seemed to match the beat of the song, the very heartbeat of Valenntenia keeping in tune with their own thrumming hearts. "I wish I'd done all this sooner."

Villam had isolated himself so harshly in his own frustration, in the weight of his name and duty, that he'd neglected himself socially. His fellow Guardians were all but comrades and nothing more, save for the bond he shared with Faith's Kaira. How could he have known that someone like Vazia was here, when he'd made no effort to find her?

"I'm not sure what this is between us, Vazia. Not sure what it is that you make me feel..." Villam murmured quietly, leaning in to boldly dip her backward, carefully pulling her back up to her feet. This time, their bodies came together, and she rested fully against his chest. "But I don't wish for it to end. I hold this desire for closeness with you, and I can't help but want to sate it. It's... confusing."

Vazia Ferreira

 

[Mabbon Dreierg]

'Well, that makes two of us.' Mabbon replied, smile so wide it hurt. Taking him by the hand, Kaira led him out onto the dance floor. His eyes never left her as they began to move, step by careful step, amongst a roiling sea of bodies all dressed in silks and finery. Music played, underscored by the sound of laughter and sometimes-tasteful conversation.

Mabbon wasn't listening. His world narrowed to the woman in his arms, the way her dress flowed as she span, the gleam in her eyes as they met his.

His heart beat heavy in his chest. Is this what love feels like? He wondered. Or was he merely deluding himself, as was often the case. 'Kaira...' He began, his ears pricking up as the band increased the tempo. Shaking his head, the shadow-guardian's hands reaffirmed their hold as they turned together.

It took him a moment to realise he was laughing now, the joy overcoming whatever self-control he had nurtured to this point.

'You're beautiful,' he said, pausing long enough to let the words sink in. 'And a distraction, if I do say so myself.' Three times now neighbouring couples had bumped into him. A fourth, nimbly avoided.

'But who can say! Maybe it's me they're looking at?' He teased, grinning like a fool all the while.

Kaira Yehven

 

[Konstantin]

Konstantin smiled, wide and genuine.
"By all means, Lady Carvyre, present who you will. I am more than willing to prove my fitness before the people of Valenntenia."

Lale Carvyre

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Saskia and Roki sure seemed like two peas in a pod, and Alaric shifted uneasily as he waited to proceed further into the crowd. It seemed that Roki had plans, which soothed the ire in Alaric. He had wanted to spend some time alone with Saskia, it was a festival of love..and well, Alaric thought that maybe he had started to love the girl who so easily led him along.

A half wave was given to Roki as he dissipated into the crowd, leaving the two young knights alone. As the lit path to the tower stretched before them, Alaric did his best to not let his eyes wander over to Saskia overly much. He already knew every line and crease of her face, the way her smile lit up a room, adored her personality as much as they got on each other's nerves. He wouldn't trade it for the world.

"I really do appreciate you doing this with me Sas, I know this wasn't exactly what you wanted to do." He looked sheepishly at her as he continued. "I think by the end of the night, we'll have found it worth it. It's beautiful here." He could see the lights dancing in her eyes, prettier than any dancer they were bound to watch in a few moments.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Kaira Yehven]

Kaira was sure her heart and nerves would trip her up, but Mabbon proved a great support and the two moved together as if they had danced together before this night.

Then, he called her beautiful.

"You're going to make my cheeks burn so bright..." Kaira bit down a large grin and leaned her cheek to his shoulder, chuckling to herself as he called her a distraction.

Every word he said warmed her heart, made her feel as if she was ready to soar with the swell of happiness he granted her.

"Of course they look to you. They wonder how such a handsome Guardian could be hidden behind a mask... but I like it. Allows me to concentrate on your eyes..." She braved her flushed cheeks to do just that, looking to his eyes with the softest smile on her lips. They truly were a pretty shade of lilac, almost grey when she saw him last in the daylight. "I do adore them."

Mabbon Dreierg

 

[Vazia Ferreira]

Vazia had been here before. Not here, in this pavilion, nor in Villam's arms, but she had seen that look he had in his eyes, and heard words like the ones he spoke now, from someone else. Villam dipped her and then pulled her to him until she was flush against him. She felt as if she were balancing on the edge of a knife- if she fell in either direction she would cut herself.

She wanted to ask what sort of closeness he meant but she thought she knew the answer in the way he held her so close. She wanted to say he didn't know her but she thought she knew the answer in the way he looked at her.

She wanted to be able to live without relying on her stone, but she did not want the memories that came with her stone's absence. And they always came back eventually, without the stone. For all her efforts of silencing them and locking them away, they still unlocked themselves, their screams bouncing around the walls of her mind.

Something that might have been panic flickered across her face. "Villam..." she said, her voice soft. She did not move any closer to him but she did not pull away either.

Villam Regis

 

[Lale Carvyre]

"By all means, Lady Carvyre, present who you will. I am more than willing to prove my fitness before the people of Valenntenia."

Lale was pleased to hear Konstantin accept her offer of champion, having met a number of potential names to throw into the ring with the famed Guardian of Power.

The mind of a Carvyre was always at work, but Lale simply gave a smile in response. Her dangerous eyes watched the couples now taking to dance, noting the masks and swishing skirts.

"I do hope any ailments are disproved in this challenge. I would hate to see a power of significance in Valenntenian life deteriorate before our very eyes. The Guardian of Power holds importance in the city's history, just as important as Faith, dare I say." For Lale was not convinced Faith was worthy of any Guardian when the people themselves were devout enough with a High Priest.

Konstantin

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia rested her head on Alaric's shoulder, hugging his arm as the two navigated their way past the gates leading into the Tower grounds, the courtyard just up ahead.

"No... it's fine. I have never been so far from home before, you know? I love dressing up, you know that... but this feels... I feel..." She brightened, taking it all in. "I've never worn anything so beautiful before Alaric. And you! You look dashing also! And Roki looked positively a gentleman! We should find one of those street artists we saw, painting visitors as a souvenir. That would be lovely, don't you think Wulfy?"

Alaric Wulf

 

[Quacey]

While Ethir had the typical pointed ears most fae tended to have, Quacey's own were more rounded like that of a human. A sign of his parentage for him but not out of place for their kind. Just a rarer one as was his usual size and broad build. Traits that he was having to scale down in order to blend in better and draw less attention towards them in a negative way.

At her comment his gaze went from their surroundings to her. A brow raised. Intimidating? That hardly seemed correct to him. What was so intimidating about a tall, broad man dressed as a moth of the night next to a more petite swan woman?

"How so? What reasons do people have to feel fear towards moths and the night?"

Ethir

 

[Ethir]

Ethir raised her own brow as she met Quacey's gaze. "You have a stern look on your face, like if anyone tried to talk to you you'd snap," she replied. She had spent enough time with men to read their tells and even if Quacey himself didn't realize it or admit, she could tell he was wary of the crowd. So was she. Except she was sure she had more of a frightened look on her face, visible even behind her swan mask. Some couple they made.

A new song picked up but Ethir hardly noticed; she was so caught up watching the swirl of colorful fabrics from the costumes the couples wore. They were magnificent. She turned her gaze slowly around the entire courtyard, taking in the scenery.

It must have taken ages to make all their costumes, but Ethir wondered if any of them knew that or even cared. The couples danced as if they were made for this night, to wear these costumes. It was all rather poetic, but that was Quacey's specialty not hers.

Quacey

 

[Mabbon Dreierg]

'I adore you.' Mabbon retaliated smoothly, glad no one could see his face... nor how red it had grown. 'Stop it, you're making me blush.' Grinning, his lilac eyes aglow with warmth, he held Kaira close as the dance slowed right down.

'I sometimes wonder... what it is you see in me,' he spoke quietly, his words only for her. 'How lucky I am to have someone like you in my life.'

Brushing a strand of hair away from Kaira's achingly beautiful face, Mabbon smiled.

'Don't mind me,' he said. 'I get all sentimental when I've been drinking. But, of course, you probably already knew that, the way those Cendrillon boys like to talk!' He chuckled brightly. He didn't go out socialising often, but when he did... boy, did they get wild!

Waiting for a lull in the music, Mabbon tilted his head away from the dancefloor, as if asking whether they should leave. He did not want to make Kaira go anywhere she was not comfortable... or happy.

She looked happy.

'I meant what I said... about you being beautiful.' He nodded, abashed. 'Half the menfolk in Valenntenia will be calling for my head by sunrise. As for the other half, well... I imagine they'll be clapping me on the back!'

Kaira Yehven

 

[Kaira Yehven]

Kaira followed him away from the dancing, glad to have him still at her side. A smug smile stretched at her lips, and she turned to look up at him. "I do not care about them, not when you are here with me." Kaira squeezed his hand, taking a step closer to stare into his eyes again.

"What I see in you is what matters the most to me. You have been a constant friend, Mabbon Dreierg, but also something far beyond that." Kaira pulled him closer, sparing him from colliding with a dancing couple that went beyond the line of dancing. Kai laughed, leading them both to a stone bench well clear of anyone crowding.

Her white dress was so elegant, even when she sat down and angled herself to face him. "I see you for the incredible support you have given me, the company I find myself missing when we part. That day at the Gallery... made me realise I need you most in my life." She smiled, cheeks washing with blush. "You have a heart anyone would be lucky to be part of, but I am afraid I wish to be selfish and keep it for myself. The people... they don't see how much light you possess. And I hope they see it when you bring me out from my own darkness..."

Kaira lifted his hand, ducking her head to kiss his knuckles.

Mabbon Dreierg