Welcome to Gaia! ::

((And thanks a million for Donna the Vixen for writing up this description post. It saved me sooo much time! heart Now let the party begin! ))

There was nothing extraordinary about it.

You’d passed by the apartment building countless times, never stopping for too long to marvel upon the age that has been set in stone so many years ago. Tonight wasn’t any different. Snow fell, its entire existence passing before you in and instant, ending as quickly as it had been conceived with its final resting place concealing the evidence of your not so long ago. Of course, you didn’t see it. Death is never a pleasant thing to look at, nor had you time to grieve over something so pure and fleeting as snow. So, ignoring the snow, you pressed on to pass the building by just as you always had, and, perhaps, always would.

However, no one can evade looking at life forever, and the evening had long since been consumed with an unearthly magic that refused being denied by any creature, be they small or grand. Grand was said magic, for as you made to step beyond the structures door, you paused, looking up at it through the dim light of a nearby street lamp. As you already knew, it was an ordinary sort of place. A brick building that had seen many years and watched as various inhabitants came and went with the passing of ages. Yet, a light shone from somewhere beyond the dimly adorned lobby - a bright light that shone with a sense of hospitality and wakening that the dull city hues had long ago robbed you of. It wasn’t long at all that you found yourself having passed through the gates, wandering ever forwards and towards a light that grew brighter and brighter with each enticing step.

All of it came as a flash.

The dim and dank exterior of the building had seemingly collapsed around you as splendorous hues of the Holidays became and were as wildfire over everything it touched. There were still quite a few rooms before you would come upon the main chamber, but every one of these contained something of long forgotten memories, be it a warm fireplace or a grand evergreen that had come dressed in every ornament imaginable for the occasion. Several rooms contained seating areas for the patrons to sit back and enjoy a moment of peace away from the main event, each a unique representation of the winter season. However, if you’d only stopped long enough to stare into the core of what made the room as it were, you would almost swear upon a force that was constantly refreshing everything into a new spectrum of new life or death, to suit those who dwelled within the chamber. You would perhaps wander again to them at a later hour, but still the gentle sounds of life drifted from the gathering beyond and you pressed onwards, towards it.

“Welcome.” You looked up, startled at being addressed, but found that there was no one at all to have spoken those words. Rather than one, there were many things – people and decoration alike, all weaving a tapestry of magnificence that far surpassed prior expectation. What you saw was life and death. These two forces had joined in this place, marrying the other with both sorrow and a joy that emanated from everything as it became and fell away into the night.


The ballroom was set up as such; your stride descended upon the winding stair, the steps silent and steady as they fell upon a lush carpet of scarlet hue. This color carried on over the stairs, slowly fading to white until it could no longer be distinguished from the marble tile. The only color reflected now came from the tablecloths that hung elegantly over what one could only assume to be fine hardwood tables. Upon this, dishes of all sorts had been presented in true style with each making a statement that was left entirely to the imagination. However, one could not imagine some of the delicacies placed there, for a few trays seemed to contain thing that only animals would at all consider eating. A variation of different road kills upon plates of asphalt, insects skewered with brightly wrapped lances, seeds and berries that appeared to have fallen off the backdrop beyond, amongst other things that caused slight recoil at the idea of going any further. But these things could not hold ones attention any longer than the items laid beyond them. The backdrop fell as a massive oil painting that adorned every wall in a continuance of the scene. It was a land of nothingness at first glance. The trees had lost their foliage, leaving them barren as the cold earth that spread below the darkened boughs. Skeletal remains of bushes and scrub could occasionally be seen to protrude from the mass of white and grey, their shadows being the only thing to contrast a rather bland sort of winter world.

However, if you stopped there – it was surely a pity, for all of these seemingly dead things contained a world that was all on its own. Scarlet skies of a fading sun outlined everything below. The sunset cast its magic for the final time that day, choosing to set the entire sky blaze with rich hues of red and gold which ascended until it began to fade into the gloriously adorned heavens above. Within these did constellations form in all their awe, stars of the richest shades of earthly worth forming a never ending kaleidoscope. From the furthest regions of this did hang icicles of crystal. The light of the heavens glistened through the massive stalactites, showcasing a far more intricate design etched into each one. No detail was spared in the rich fairytales of winters long ago passed, and from these stories spawned life in the world below, albeit hidden, but still watching from beyond the surface. These were but a few of the various orbs and scenes that littered the outskirts of the ball, everything as one, but yet so separate from the rest of reality.

But you had gathered this but within a few moments of stepping into the room, the inhabitants not even seeming to exist until your gaze fell back to earth to behold who else had wandered into this festive celebration. Around the room, several people wandered in and out of the tables and open areas. You could only admire the brilliant gowns that some of the ladies wore, and the extravagant masks that hid each darling feature. Everyone seemed to have hidden that part of them away for the night, bringing you to the realization of their masquerade. A masquerade ball it truly was in every sense of the word, for some gracefully swayed from a phantom melody that plaid, while others observed in pleasure of the scene.

As many as there were adorned, you couldn’t help but to feel relieved at the sight of others who seemed to have come in just as you had – unceremonious and as common as you would find wandering the streets. A figure was going by, offering them masks, until at last the moment came when he approached you. A map to a costume suppler (within the building, of course) and a mask was offered, but the expectant eyes only glistened in the light of the night, and from them the question that had eluded you as you explored this place. “Will you join the Ball?”

Shanuh stood off to one corner, watching strangers and kin weave throughout the room. He had to admit, somewhere, part of him, commended the work Jojo and Nikel put in to decorating. The room had transformed itself from being nothing more than a corridor and cafeteria, to a deliciously decadent banquet hall.

But then again, when the Gods were on your side, things did tend to fall in place much more easier. Call it a perk of being a manager. . .

The man hidden behind a dazzling gold and silver tribal mask was surprised by the turnout. It seemed people enjoyed going to paties when free booze and food were offered. Funnier still how many of the unsuspecting victems hadn't a clue of where they were standing. Face to face with death, spirits of gods moving among them, passing themselves off as doctors and lawyers and professors. The meat in the curry came from a local newspaper man, the spiced sausage was mixed with stragglers from an orphenage. Those dead and missing would never be found, and many would never be remembered.

As many predators hunted the weakest and sickest, those unfit for the herd so did Shanuh pick his prey. Some deserved a cruel death, while others disposed bodies were more natural.

From dust he came and to dust he shall return, or so the saying went. If the crows and vultures and parasites of the world could devour human flesh, then so could humanity itself. They were nothing more than a parasite.

Standing beside the beverage table, Shanuh studied his reflection in his drink. The glitz and glitter of his mask caught the brilliant light of the room. Brass janglies were woven within the gold and silver, deepening the rich colour of the mask. His pink and gold eyes stared out at the world, about as excited to be amongst humanity as the Dixie cups besides the punch. The rest of his outfit consisted of a black suit, with thin pinstripes of gold. It was (surprisingly) not over the top. A simple suit, with a golden dress shirt underneath. There were no frills, there was nothing but . . . . elegance.

No leather, no mesh, no lace. Just simplicity. Shanuh felt no different than his typical extreme attire. He was comfortable with clothing, regardless of his favored taste for eccentricity. His black shoes shone, and he did well mixing in with the average joe type of crowd.

For now, he watched the people mingle, and felt no desire at all to join them. Let them eat, drink and be merry. He'd feel better once his children arrived, once his wards visited.

. . . they would come, wouldn't they?

This party was truly for them.

(( heart ))

Luis looked up at the imposing building, his breath caught in his throat. The thick layer of snow cracked around his feet, tiny beads of ice glimmering in the orange pools of light from iron-cast lamps above. He double checked the address on the back of the letter. This was it.

The duck had finished molting into her winter coat, and she puffed her chest proudly. She was excited to see her old friends, and to meet the companions, old and new.

Softly, snow gathered.

Nervously, Luis pressed his hand against the dark door, and entered. It had said masquerade, but he wasn't sure what that would entail. He had nothing like the shop owner's radical outfits. Just a simple suit. Black and white.

Softly, snow gathers around the heart. Black and white.

Inside, a rush of cold air announced his arrival. Unprepared for the bright, festive, and vaguely morbid environment the ballroom(!) produced, Luis stood for a few moments, stunned by the warmth of the room. He had avoided visiting the store for quite some time, but when the invitation arrived, adressed to him and "The Old Squaw", he knew it was time.

His resolve nearly cracked when he saw the paintings on the wall.

Nervous, to say the least. Hearing the large doors creak open behind him, Luis whirled around, his heart beating fast. The Long Tailed Duck ruffled her feathers and resituated herself in her companion's arms. The masked figure entered, pushing past the two new commers and walking into a large, milling crowd. Ah ha... Luis swalloed. By virtue that the shop had spent the time to look up his address and send him and his avian charge, he was obliged to come, but he was overwhelmed by the mass of strangers that wandered through the hall.

The duck surveyed the ballroom with interest. From their vantage point on the top of the stairs, you could see out across the entire floor, where long banquet tables were set, brimming with food and drink. She saw a few faces she recognized, and a few she did not. The bird had wanted to be early, and had spent the morning flying through light-laced trees excitedly. She had to drag her Luis from his bed and onto the snow covered streets before he gudgingly took her in his hands and toward the subway.

They needed some social interaction, he and her both.

Amber wasn’t invited. Not to this gathering anyways, for although informed by a coworker that her supervisor would be holding a formal gala for his loyal employees – a mistake had been clearly made in her name.

“I’m sorry, Miss. No name on the list – no getting into the party.”
“B-But I WORK here!”
“Look, your name isn’t on the list. Your name was Amber, right?”
“Yes..”
“All I see is some broad named Adrian. No Amber, so no party for you.”

A small sigh fell in the form of steam as auburn optics went around the muscular frame of the attendant and into the world beyond her grasp. It was a beautiful engagement indeed, putting her, although well dressed, out of place and out of class with the rest of them. The sensation of a strong hand on her shoulder broke her attention, and with a single, gentle shove she was turned away for good. “Next!”

That word rang out behind her as the situation was finally accepted for what it was and she resolved that it simply wasn’t worth it. Those people weren’t her friends, so what use was their company to her? Very little use, but Amber still writhed and fumed in her own skin as she traveled the dark avenue towards a formerly visited pet shop. If she could not find companionship in her own spectrum, it was the least she could do to purchase a gift for her little rat friend who had been nothing but a therapeutic joy to have around.

However, as she reached the shop a flyer was beheld, its message blazed in bright reds and gold of the season to declare the place closed for the night. That was not all though, and Amber had to step closer to catch the rest of the message. ‘Come one and all to a Winter Ball, A celebration of this snowy season, Bring friend or come alone, There will be masks to be shown, Do your even need a reason? Shadyside Apartment will it be held, A marvelous event to behold, Your heartstrings shall be tugged and swelled, Come one and all from a midnight cold.’ Beneath this was the time and address, nothing more and nothing less to be presented to the careful passerby who took time to read it.

Amber read it once, twice, and then stepped back beneath the streetlight. She knew well where the address was. She knew she was dressed for the occasion. All that remained was the first and hardest step to actually interacting with figures and figments of those she had not before known. Strangers. Perhaps even stranger than she..

There would be a strangers. It might be a sham. What if some one tried to molest her or drug her? What if?!

*CLUNK*

The toe of her heel struck the door to the complex, halting her progress and worrying as for without realizing it she had continued walking towards the gathering. Now what was her excuse? She hadn’t been mugged on the way there, nor had she even seen anything that might pose as a threat to her fragile well being. People might mistake her for part of the party now that she’d arrived, and far be it from her nature to cause conflict with what others declared must be so. There was no escaping it now. So without any more hesitation than could be mustered up, she pushed the door open and continued forth into the ballroom, descending down the steps and into a MidWinters night dream that only forced beyond life and death could predict the outcome of.

However - it was those fates that caught her attentions most, for once having stepped foot into the gathering,her eyes widened as she beheld who the event was truly for.

There were Birds!

And not just birds. But birds out of cages. Birds without anyone to look after them. Birds...who were acting peculiarly civil, perhaps tamed, but still quite right within their own mind in their right to be there. The girl ventured forwards a few paces towards them, but dared go no further once any of them chose to notice her.

D.S. gained a slightly startled look at the sight of Iamel. He had wings. Well she had a tail and fox ears but that wasn't the point of the matter. Now she was even more curious about this place and the man who ran it. There was a slight pause before the fox addressed the woodpecker. "Hello..." She said in her normal uncaring voice after throwing off the shock. "Those are... interesting wings you have..."

Perhaps these were demons...

Luis looked at the bird in his hands, who had stopped preening herself and was now looking about the room excitedly. Did she have friends here? Awkward, silent strangers stood in brightly colored masked, passive and glossy eyed. He backed away, looking this way and that. A darkened corner. A hidden exit.

The hall glittered, awash in festive reds and greens. Golden tinsle licked at every wall's edge, and up balconies and large, ornamented evergreen trees. Was this really a holiday party of an s&m bird shop?

Appearantly so, from the way the duck seemed to fit right in. They descended the stairs. Luis tried as hard as possible to melt away into the macabre desert sunset that adorned the wall. Slipping out of his hands gracefully, the long-tailed duck flew toward the banquet table, flapping violently. She stiffled a joyous bark. They had rememberd to put out her fa~vo~rite foul-friendly goods. Oysters! Clams! Fried food!!

"ow owdle ow! ow! owdle ow!!" Luis' nervous smile turned into a look of horror as the duck crashed into a large, carefully stacked pile of expensive ordeurves. She had only missed her target by a few feet. Her unexpected (but somewhat predictable) collision overturned a tall bird feeder, sending a few song birds tittering into the air. Shaking crumbling bits of cracker and cheese from her coat, the duck uprighted herself sheepishly.