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 Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:56 pm
Who: Vyn, Ethan, Zul & Alex.
When: Evening, though it has been dark for some time.
Where: Alex's house, moving onto the venue of the Winter Masquerade.
Weather: The dark night sky is heavy with snow clouds and there's a crisp winter chill in the air.
[ Continuing from HERE. ] The car journey to Alex’s home was blissfully short and they were soon pulling up in front of the Barton Cliffs residence in the black polished car. Both party goers were excited to see their acquaintances – Ethan because he was keen to greet and begin the thank you outing for Alex and Vyn because she couldn’t stifle the vanity that came with the dressing up. It was something akin to the feeling that had overwhelmed her during her infected meeting with Prajna – she was born from a flower’s soul and there was a natural desire associated with that heritage which enjoyed being admired, even if it had taken the dire infection to spark it...
Exiting the vehicle Ethan strode up to the doorway, appearing like a strange figure from another time in his costumed garb. Wasting no time he wrapped a leather gloved hand on the wooden frame whilst fixing a pleasant expression on his face – he was curious to see what the Italian and her charge would be wearing. He had offered to help them if they couldn’t afford the expensive costume for the event over the phone but Alex had insisted that she could manage...
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:45 am
She had insisted to pay her own way, but her firm had other ideas. Upon hearing her decline attending a meeting in favor of the masquerade with Ethan Blake, they'd just about gone into a tizzy to doll up the bedraggled zoologist to impress. Having been in a dress twice before that year ("It's a damn miracle," she had grumbled), she was much more accommodating to being made to look like a woman.
Alex answered the door, but as with any attempt at looking like a lady, it might have been slightly hard to recognize her. Her long hair was done up in heavy barrel curls, though a few strands were left down by her neck like black ribbons. The majority of the thick locks were adorned with peridot-laden pins that kept it in place, though the curls were decorated with small crystals to take away from the utter darkness her tresses presented. Her bangs were swept to the side elegantly to hide the fading bruise over her eye, the longest parts at her temples also curled loosely below her emerald-drop earrings. Green eyes were only accented with clear mascara and earthen eye shadow, smiling lips a lightly frosted rose.
And then there was the dress. It was reminiscent of medieval maidens, a crushed velvet of green so dark it was nearly black without the proper lighting, v-necked over ample bosom and trimmed in gold. The bodice was rather simple given the show of bust, fitted down her torso and over her hips with a simple embellishment of a golden line that followed the curve of her hips; the skirted portion was floor length and pleated in the front with a lighter green and gold filigree, hemmed in the same gold as the top. Ever cautious of her appearance at Ethan's side, she'd managed to find a black shrug that completely encased her arms in dark velvet, wrapping around her upper back and no lower. It clasped at the neck with a simple emerald brooch, the dark of her attire only lending to her sun-kissed skin's deep pallor.
"Ethan?" Her expression crested into surprise, and perhaps it was a little easier to tell it was the feisty Italian in the guise of a lady. "Ethan, you look - dashing hardly covers it!" Alex laughed lightly, gathering her skirts in her hands and carefully padding back into the house. "Zul! Get your mask, they're here!" She picked up her own mask from the foyer end table, an elegant scaled visage of a golden dragon, along with her black clutch. "I'm so excited," she confided with a shy giggle. "Zul is too, but he wont admit it!"
"I have to wear clothes," the smoked voice came from behind, the demon drawing up behind his woman with an indignant lift of a dark brow. His creme-to-flame hair was swept back, only slightly less haphazard than usual around his tri-horned crown. Within his hands was a dark leather half-mask with serious eyes and severe cuts over where his mouth would be, five horned tips pinched around the edges, the two at the temples flared out and curled.
Zul wore a high-collared black jacket that fit square over his shoulders, the inseam straight down to where his waist would one day be before cutting back squarely, a long train curved around the back of his ribbon. He wore a lighter charcoal double-breasted vest that buttoned where his stomach would be, though it was mostly hidden by his jacket and the spill of his white cravat-dress shirt, the folds of which rested outside the chest of his jacket. The same elegant folds could be seen like a froth at his cuffed sleeves, barely covering his black gloved hands. It wasn't quite whole without the pants to match, but he felt rather dapper himself, wings tucked against his back and floating high enough that he was as tall as his woman.
With a proud smile, Alex fixed the flow of his cravat and lightly touched the ruby red clasp at his neck; without his normal garments and with the accent of the red gem, he was more fire than ice. Only his eyes retained the sky's rivaled blue. "And how handsome you look in clothes, Zul," she chided her charge affectionately. "I'm sure Vyn will outshine the fact that you must be saddled with such garments." The Italian gave Ethan a knowing smile and a wink.
The Frei floated even higher if possible, his jovial smile curving his lips beneath those impossible blues. "I know."
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Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 4:05 pm
Vyn sat contently in the car whilst her guardian fetched their guests, hands folded placidly where her lap would be if she had something materialised from the waist down. She was mildly curious as to what the pleasantly tanned woman would be wearing and wondering whether the bi-natured frei would don clothing for the event; the past occasions they had met he had been wearing nothing and had gone about bare-chested without any qualms about exposing himself. Thus, when her adopted father’s shadowy silhouette was illuminated by the light cast by the open door her pitch eyes had been drawn to the house to catch an early glance of Alex or her ward. Gaining a good view was difficult due to the distance and Ethan half blocking the doorway (the darkness did not deter her newly returned keen night vision) but she could just about make out Alex’s familiar visage garbed in unfamiliar beautiful attire, Vyn had never seen the woman stray outside her usual boyish clothing... She smiled to herself, glad that the pleasant woman looked nice – Ethan’s treat was getting off to a good start.
Unlike the Italian who had playfully feigned surprise at seeing him, Ethan was quite honestly astounded to see Alex looking so lady-like a graceful. The dress she had chosen perfectly complimented her olive complexion and he felt an odd surge of pride similar to the elated reaction he had experienced towards Vyn. She was looking so marvellous because of his invite, so it must’ve been his work that the rough diamond had been cut into a shining jewel of a woman tonight. He bowed low placing a brief kissing on her (manicured?) hand. “Alex, you look positively radiant,” he exclaimed in response to her compliment towards him, “and your mask, it’s divine.” He quieted as Alex called to her son and he arrived, commenting on his displeasure at dressing up – though Ethan was glad that the boy had conceded to the dress code. He looked handsome beyond measure in the formal attire and almost as though he had stepped directly out of a luxurious novel of magic; his faintly glowing horns adding an impressive air of the aether to his costume.
With a swirl of his gloved hands Ethan gestured fancifully to their awaiting car. “Speaking of Vyn, she is patiently waiting for us in the car, I’m sure she’s eager to admire you both.” His grey eyes glinted in the half light as he took a step back along the path to lead the movement back to the vehicle. “As will many other party goers! The both of you will be brought up over many business meetings in the future; I have no doubts about that.”
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:32 am
The Italian touched her own cheek in a shy gesture, a bit of pink blossoming on her cheeks. Her thumb traced over the spine of her mask, giving her friend what was meant to be a playful stern look but that instead ended up as something flattered and humble. "Ethan, you never warned me you had such a silver tongue," she teased lightly, stepping out of the house and waiting for her charge to follow before shutting and locking the door behind them. Alex looked to the car, stricken by the strangest sense of walking into some sort of fairytale. Reality is much sweeter, she told herself, a smile warming her lips as she followed the man to his vehicle.
"We're just honored you asked us at all," she offered light conversation in the cool night air, the likes of which actually felt good against her exposed skin. "As friends, we definitely want to spend time with you guys! As a business move, I can only smile and pretend it wasn't my intention to create such an impression." Alex laughed, low and sweet. She had no skill at all in being coy or mysterious, it simply wasn't in her character to be anything less than forthcoming and open.
The Frei floated behind the two, offering up a silent 'thank you' to the compliments given but otherwise retaining his silence. Zul wasn't sure how he felt about being 'dressed up' when he'd rather not be dressed at all, but there was a dim sort of pride at being complimented for the effort. Most of what the humans said passed by his long ears without much attention being given, pondering on his own of the attire and Vyn, what it all meant. When they made it to the vehicle and it was his turn to get in, he carefully stuck his head into the dark car, the hand holding his mask on the seats and the other on the door, and there he froze.
He saw Vyn.
His lips slightly parted, surprise rippling over his features visibly before being replaced with a stricken type of awe. She was stunning! Like a lady from the old Westerns, but far more elegant, she was dolled up and every bit as delicate and touchable as her soul. Stunned blues quickly took in her full attire as best he could in the vehicle, though they lingered upon her hair and face the most, mesmerized by the velvet hair and moonshine of skin against the dark palette of her night colored attire. Zul stared for a good handful of seconds before he realized he was half in and half out of the car, pulling himself in with the fluid grace of one who floats, immediately moving to Vyn's side.
"Vyn," the demon breathed, his voice quiet as he 'sat' next to her, "you are beautiful." There was no 'you look' or 'your dress is,' it was 'you are beautiful,' a truth that was obvious as the sun in the sky to him but something that needed to be said.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:00 am
Still regarding the figures in the darkness between the car and the house it took Vyn a good few seconds of befuddlement before she identified the sharply dressed man as Zul. Besides the radiant spires crowning his head the boy was utterly transformed. His rugged masculinity had disappeared...But it had been replaced by a much more attractive (to the rose at least) suave look that bespoke of knightly manners and gentlemanly actions. As the doors to the car opened and the two humans got in clumsily Vyn gave Alex a minute smile and bowed her head whispering, “You look nice tonight.”
Unused to the close company with the woman she turned her mask in her hands nervously, twiddling her sloped porcelain fingers over the ebony cane... When Zul’s head bowed into the vehicle she raised her eyes from the object to meet his gaze; vivid blue and honeyed black – they were a meeting of day and night. He seemed taken aback by her garments and her cheeks tinted red as he hung half in and half out of the car. Did he think it was over the top or frivolous? Ethan had liked it and when she had looked at herself in the mirror she had been pleased, but perhaps the demon thought differently?
“Vyn you are beautiful.”
That response set her worries to rest and her highly strung nervous posture relaxed somewhat, her leathery wings folding from their flared hook into her exposed pale back. Her words came out in a rush of relieved breath. “Thank you...” She smoothed a fold in the fabric of her dress. “You look handsome.” Admittedly her statement didn’t carry as much conviction as his had done but that was mostly due to her more shaded nature – she meant what she said. There was something familiar about this situation that both unsettled and was strangely pleasing to the older raevan; just under a year ago she’d been sitting in another car next to Zul waiting to meet Ethan for the first time.
Now that all of them were in the car the engine started up and they moved smoothly off the drive and back onto the Gaian motorways. The journey didn’t take long and it was filled with pleasant discussion between Ethan and Alex and a comfortable silence (or at least it was comfortable for the rose) between the two raevans. Thus it came as a pleasant suprise when the crunch of the gravel underneath the car’s wheels announced they were approaching their destination.
It was an impressive setting, bathed in grandeur and reeking of money. Everything was decked out to suit the setting of the party. The driveway which they were driving up was placed within an avenue of oaks and within the branches were placed flickering lights – candles? Maybe not due to health and safety nut they set up a wonderful atmosphere. The building itself was Victorian – a large mansion lit from beneath with large floodlights. Other guests were arriving and ascending the stairs to the huge wooden entrance doors and already the variety of expensive outfits could be seen as one woman had a long train lifted by a sweetly dressed cherub of a boy.
As the car came to a halt Ethan exited, even he, a bigwig businessman, found the opulence a little intimidating however, he would rise to it – his companions were the most stunning of all the guests present. Smiling he held the door open for Alex and the two floating torsos to exit. “We’ve arrived.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:04 am
Alex was all too enthusiastic to thank the Rose and ensure her that she'd never seen a more beautiful woman in all her days; the demon followed suit in his own soft-spoken manner, and thus the time passed easily from the Italian's home to the party. In her opinion, it had all gone almost too quickly, and as the crunch of gravel heralded their arrival to their destination, she began to feel the peculiar flip-flop of nervousness that always came with dressing up. Only, this time, she had Ethan to think of, and perhaps her company on a business level. She could talk circles around anyone about her firm, but in a dress on the arm of the successful Mr. Blake, she was having second guesses.
She let herself out first so as not to catch or snag anything of Vyn's, trusting Zul to take care of the Rose. Her green eyes turned over the grandiose setting with another flutter of her stomach; the place was straight out of the old romantic movies of debonair gents and wind swept beauties. It felt very much like that fairy tale all over again, and Alex couldn't help but laugh in her wonderment. "Enchanting," she breathed the word as she stepped to Ethan's side, one hand holding onto her mask and clutch carefully, the other with curled fingers against her collarbone. "It's surreal."
The demon shifted out of the vehicle next, but it was in part due to manners; all the movies he'd watched before he became bored of such things had prepared him for this moment, or so he liked to think. Zul bent over - no small feat given he only had half a torso and was wearing clothes - looking into the car and extending his gloved hand by the frame for Vyn to take should she need help getting out herself. She looked immaculate, and he was not above extending his aid out of manners or friendliness to ensure she retained her beautiful and regal air.
"My lady," he murmured with a smile that said he wasn't poking fun or joking. His free arm hooked behind his back as he waited for the Rose to grace the grounds with her presence, cravat tumbling over his jacket while he suspended himself, keeping his wings pressed against his shoulder blades to be the dutiful and attentive 'date'; it might have been one of the only times in his existence that he wasn't intent on drawing attention to himself, a small testament to his slow-coming maturity.
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:00 am
Even if he wasn’t the host and could not claim the compliments that Alex was producing as his own, Ethan still felt a tug of pride and pleasure – he was the one that was taking the woman here as a thank you gift and her initial response to the mansion told him that she was happy with this outing. Of course, he could sense her nervousness too – it was almost to be expected! If he, well verse in these upper-class gatherings, was feeling the flutter of butterflies in his stomach than Alex would almost undoubtedly be uneasy.
In an attempt to ease her tense nerves he nudged her gently, cocking his head towards the floating pair exiting the car behind them. It was quite a scene; Zul bowed with a gentlemanly arm extended and Vyn gently removing herself from the vehicle retaining her full ethereal splendour. Neither appeared to be experience even the faintest shimmer of worry... “They look like they were born to do this.” He sighed with a smile before turning his attention forwards again. “Shall we proceed? Masks on?” In response to his own half-question half-prompt he took the beaked mask clasped in his hand and put it on with the arm not hooked with Alex’s. It was sculpted in such a way that it clung to his face without the need of straps or a cane to support it. Eyes warm behind the disguise he looked to Alex.
Such gentlemanly actions surprised Vyn. Not because she didn’t think that the baphomet was an impolite individual, all her experiences with him thus far had painted a very positive opinion of him, but rather she was not used to such displays of chivalry on a day to day basis. Dipping her head gracefully she took his hand dainty and floated out of the car the chill of the winter air braising her skin making the warm contract with his hand unquestionably pleasant. “Thank you,” she paused hesitantly before adding on, “kind sir,” mirroring his classical use of language and maintaining the surreal feeling that they had travelled back in time. When she was outside of the car and floating above the frost covered ground she straightened her dress slightly, making sure it was sitting correctly on her spiralling ribbon underskirt. When that was complete she raised the mask on the thin cane to her face.
Behind it she felt a slight thrill. Now with the surreal wintry setting, her suave raevan partner for the night and the elegant dress she felt like she was an entirely different person, ready to enchant and amaze all who looked upon her. The shadowy Vyn was still there, but right now the beautiful rose was in full bloom. Unknowingly Vyn repeated her father’s words, “Shall we proceed?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:34 pm
The woman chuckled softly in appreciation at the display the Raevans put on, unwitting as it was; phantoms of vintage clothing past, living and acting out appropriately unintentionally. Vyn was truly breathtaking as she emerged, a bright night-born flower blooming from the darkness of the vehicle. It was all wonderfully suiting, her chest warm with unfettered affection for the two Frei's. "They are stunning," she agreed in a gentle tone of voice, her gaze soft. How far they had come...
Alex nodded at Ethan's words, brushing one of the curls over her shoulder and lifting the golden mask by its delicate cane, the accessory a glittering swath of scales against her olive skin. "By your lead, good sir," she joked in an accented voice, touching the hand with the clutch briefly to his shoulder. She was afraid to move onwards on her own anyway, deciding that maybe - just maybe! - she'd rely on Ethan's strength of character for their evening.
"We shall," he concurred with a lift of his lips in a more pleased smile. The demon lifted his mask that - like Ethan's - fit to his face without strings or a cane, the tooled leather resting snugly against his sun-kissed features as though it were as natural as his skin. The dark of the mask and the white shock of his hair amplified his blue eyes, which held more of a smile than his lips as he schooled himself into a neutral, gentlemanly expression. Zul offered his arm to the Rose, dipping his head to her; he was her chevalier for the evening, self-appointed but pleased to play the part.
He swore he could hear music playing even from where they were, part of him feeling eager to join the masked throngs. Selfishly, he wanted to see how they reacted to himself and Vyn, who as far as he was concerned, far out-shined any potential human costume. He wanted to perhaps engage in a dance if she was willing. Not-so-selfishly, he wanted to see what this party was about; if anything, it would be an excellent time to people-watch...if Zul could turn his eyes from the Rose at his side.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:09 am
With all the grace of real courtiers of the past Vyn and Zul moved silently across the gravel dive – the unpleasant crunching produced by human feet was not an issue for them and their quiet motions only added to the air of grace and mystery surrounding them. Of course, none of the other guests could really admire this since they were a fair distance away but Vyn felt the enchantment already hanging heavily in the air and pulled in around her like a rich velvet shawl. Her breath was held tight in her throat and she breath in soft gasps, making her marvel at the setting obvious yet rather than seeming like a gawping fool the impression given was that she was a dainty soul not used to such grandeur. (Which was in a way both true and false – she had lived with Ethan for near a year now and had experiences a relatively rich life, but such obtuse finery was still a surprise.)
Upon reaching the grand marble stairway to the entrance she let her eyes linger momentarily on her partner for the evening; her arm was aquiver in his solid hold. Not due to fear, not really due to excitement of nerves either, but more a collimation of all those factors and more. She did not linger for long though and sturdier herself, the dim red glow of her rune brightening slightly before she ascended the first stair and then the second, moving steadily and gracefully upwards towards the ethereal music emanating from the mansion’s entrance.
It was at the top of the stairs that the first other party goers paid attention to them. It was a pair of men smouldering cigarettes held in gloved hands braving the chill night air to feed their habit. They weren’t bad looking – no, Vyn supposed they could be classed as average by human standards. However, compared to Zul their features looked muddy – dull even! Their expensive suits were rendered to mere cloth on mannequins when the demonic frei was present for comparison and judging by the twitch of awe and envy on their faces it was clear to see that they also saw that they were inferior.
“Excuse us,” Vyn murmured from behind her mask, dipping her head. The men were positioned in front of the door and she and Zul would require them to move before they could enter. Blinking the taller man nodded, flicking ash off the tip of his cigarette before it stained his white hands... Moving the mask to the left a fraction Vyn allowed the man a glimpse at her porcelain features and rich amber eyes.. This certainly had the desired effect. He moved backwards and out of their path with a sweeping step backwards, taking his companion’s cuff and manoeuvring him too. Readjusting her mask Vyn smiled – it was true what some people said... Behind a mask you could be a totally different person...
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:05 pm
Quite the opposite of the beauty on his arm, Zul was without opinion for the grandiose display; it was all very material, and all very human. Only the two-legged beings would feel it necessary to hide behind masks to be more than what they were - he and the Rose on his arm were more without their trappings. The human allure of the mystique only played to their already ethereal existence, and he had absolutely no doubt that they would be the talk of the town the next morning. The demon would make sure of it.
He turned his head to look at her as they paused by the stair, his blue eyes cut from the sky, hers holding molten drops of the sun in the embrace of night. If any of the humans were near as foolish to not be in awe of her...he couldn't even fathom how they wouldn't be, as he himself was quite taken with the enigmatic Rose and how she made the human apparel breathtaking even by his standards. Zul lifted his free hand and rested it over the one of hers that was against his arm, a reassuring and encouraging motion. As the dark beauty began to ascend the stairs, he floated just a hair's breadth behind her though still to her side; the first that should be seen and admired was Vyn, with her voluptuous dress cresting the stairs, the Rose of the Night.
Zul was at her side again as they approached the men, though he paid them little mind. They were all very plain and unremarkable, despite any masks or accents they man have borne. The Raevans - she of dark with red, and he of embellished white against dark with a spot of red and blue - would be hard pressed to be impressed by any others, he was certain. Even so, a part of him took a twinge of pride that they wore standard, unimaginative garb - Ethan and his woman would leave just as much shock and awe in their wake, bedecked as they were.
The hand over hers lightly pat the porcelain skin, though he could not feel it through the gloves. The real grand entrance was upon them, and with an inkling of excitement - smug as it were - in the back of his mind, the demon lead the Rose forward this time, chin lifted with a sort of pride and confidence. Zul tucked his wings more firmly against his back to make himself the lesser to look at, the lady's loyal chevalier once more. Once they joined the throngs of humans, he would respect her wishes, should she wish to mingle on her own; the only thing he would ask of her would be a dance, when it was all said and done.
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:10 am
The promises of grandeur and money flaunting provided by the building’s outside physique were in no way unsupported by what the insides looked like. Stepping across the threshold Vyn well and truly felt as though she had been whisked back in time... Directly in front of the entrance was another sweeping marble staircase, however, unlike the example outside supporting two lone smokers this structure was heaving with people. It was like a patchwork of rich colours embellished with plump coloured feathers, precious metals and jewels glimmering in the candlelight. That was another feature that made the whole atmosphere more surreal. Not a single electric bulb could be spotted – instead the traditional form of lighting had been utilised to splendid effect as the flickering shadows danced between people almost as elegantly as the guests themselves.
Vyn longed to join them. She wanted to enter the swaying body of human. Move amongst them, unnoticed and yet marvelled at the same time. Her breast rose as she found herself mimicking the other party goers. Her carriage must be aloof, her chin tilted slightly upwards and her mask held tightly to her face. She would be the epitome of elegance – she could and would master it. Underneath her dress her ribbon rustled quietly as her rune provided extra lift. Already their presence was making a stir. One plump lady garbed in velvet was pointing at them and masked expressions turned to look subtly in their direction.
Zul was her gentleman for the vening.,.. And gentlemen were supposed to accompany their escort in the dance. Her black eyes could see nobody actually dancing here though; people were just milling around – sipping from crystalline glasses and conversing with one another. However, when her gaze continued up the stairs she spied twirling figures beyond another set of doors. “Take me to the dance..” She breathed to Zul, her voice dripping with desire to partake in the elegant ritual of the masquerade. She had never actually had any experience in moving her body to music besides bobbing to the beat of her Japanese songs but that did not matter to her. A form of instinct would guide her and Zul – she could feel that without a doubt.
Ethan and his partner for the night remained just behind their wards up until they entered the grand entrance. The businessman would probably take Alex up to the ballroom to join his shadowy child and her icy youth but for the meantime they would remain here – giving the freis some free reign. Besides, it would be pleasant relaxing with a glass of fine wine and allowing the atmosphere to wash over them.
“Amazing, isn’t it..” He remarked, carefully removing a drink from the passing tray carried by a costumed waiter. Even the staff serving people were garbed for the occasion, that waiter had been bare-chested and painted in circus patterns with gaudy silk pants – everything fitting to the masquerade theme, right down to the golden swirling mask placed on his face. The amount of detail and money that had gone into the event was dizziness educing even for the rich guardian.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:18 pm
The immaculate display was impressive, but it didn't daunt the demon as they began to part the groups of humans in their path; materialistic gain had never been something he'd understood or desired for himself. Zul coveted that which was pretty, certainly, but his taste came in the living and those that could return his admiration. The gems and archaic lighting were admired, but hardly respected. In his own way, Zul felt he was challenging every single human's presence with his own, a being that didn't accept these things as station or true extravagance. No, he felt the richest of those in attendance was himself, the finest beauty on his arm.
Her voice reached his elongated ear, his head turning to look at her through the dark eye-holes with a smile beneath the tooled leather mask. "As you wish," he purred in a voice of smoke and honey, floating a touch more upright and smoothing one hand over the breast of his jacket before again resting it upon the hand that lit against his arm. Zul hadn't seen the dancers, but he didn't need to, letting the heartbeat of music draw him towards the elegant curve of stairs that would lead them towards their destination. The ascension briefly made him question what it would be like with legs, but the thought was pressed aside. He was enjoying his advantage of graceful floating in this throng of two-leggers.
Escorting Vyn beyond another pair of double doors welcomed them into the room that he had desired to be in at least once that night. His eyes took in the flutter of dark fabrics and the glint of soft light off of beaded and jeweled masks alike, ribbons fluttering in the wake of each twirl and dip. Music filled the room, swelling in a sweet crescendo of strings that felt as though it plucked at his very being to join the sway of less elegant bodies. Fearless, he lead the Rose unfailingly through the dancers with minimal movement, avoiding each one as though it was a part of the dance itself. He recognized some dances from what he and his woman were taught by Bear - he could do this! He could lead to the delicious stir of strings.
The demon paused near the center of the room, turning his blue eyes back to her red. "If you please," he smiled again beneath the darkness of his mask, lifting the Rose's hand from his arm to light upon his shoulder, the other extending in his delicate hold. His hand dropped from the one on his shoulder to her side, listening to the music but mostly watching Vyn. Her comfort in this was paramount. "Have you ballroom danced?" he inquired softly, low enough for her ears only. "Count to four, like this--" Zul began to demonstrate what Bear had taught him, counting slow and soft under his breath, matching the music; on the third round of counting, he began to sway with each number, giving Vyn an encouraging wink.
Unlike her charge, Alex was both impressed and deeply daunted. Her enhanced green eyes turned over every glancing individual and their detailed garb, each pass of a smile and the setting that illuminated them all. "I'm not sure my dreams are even this detailed," she murmured to Ethan, staying close to the man's side but not suffocatingly so. She was independent by nature; playing the belle was actually a bit of a challenge to her. "It's like a different world all together." Though the words were in awe, they were definitely compliments, amazed that people could live this way. Her life was so full of days spent knee-deep in animal-everything that to own anything of this extravagance was impossible.
She also removed a fluted glass from the tray, though it was more for politeness than eagerness to drink. The Italian would sip very little, as the last thing she wanted was to be even remotely tipsy at an event like this. Alex took a deep breath, the glass fitting just perfectly beneath the crested hem of her mask. A small sip for courage certainly wouldn't hurt. "And to think that some people live for these moments," she spoke again, her eyes turning to Ethan. "My heart stops for this one alone, I can't imagine doing this routinely! How remarkable."
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