Leafall Masquerade ,Just Jump in!
 

The faerie queen has been driven by loneliness to hold a masquerade ball. But be wary guests, Queen Phryne's idea of entertainment is not always what others might find pleasant.

The ball is being held in a series of caves by the sea, far away from human civilization. Stone steps carved into a cliff lead down to the beach from the ruins of a once wondrous city where the Unseelie fae used to reside. Darkness gives way to the soft blue light of floating globes created by fae magic to light the various ballrooms for guests as they arrive.

There are five circular caverns being used as the ballrooms, with the central one being the most important. It is there that Queen Phryne sits upon her stone throne, waiting to see some entertainment. In every room there is a table set with a myriad of delicacies for all tastes, and a seating area for the guests to rest their sore limbs during the revelry.

OOC thread

Pastel green hair flew about in the wind as one of the guests began his long descent down the steps. For others waking into a dark cavern might have caused at least some discomfort, but not for him. Arkerril let a smile lift his lips at the thought of his own stay in one such place. By rights he should have remained there, but circumstances had decided otherwise. Stop looking down upon me so much, whispered a voice trough his mind.

The grey skinned man simple chuckled at that. It was Leif's fault for having entered into nameless people's testing grounds without having been prepared for the ordeal ahead. Now he had control of the other man's body, and in his stead entered the first of the caves. Elegant dark grey clothing covered his athletic form, and a mask of the same color hid half of his features.

((alright, open for posting now!)

It seemed another had already arrived to the masquerade. The old soul ignored the other guest in preference of heading straight to the central chamber. Upon her throne of stone the Unseelie queen let cold eyes fall upon her guest. "Your majesty, it is an honor to have been invited to this event." Suavely, Arkerril made the necessary greeting. His amber eyes remained respectfully glued to the floor, until at last the queen waved a hand in dismissal.

With that task done with, the grey skinned man sauntered back into the first ballroom to settle down comfortably upon one of the lounge chairs. Perhaps he would find the one who'd caused his premature death here. Though unlikely, the hope had driven him to attend the ball.

A pale skinned young woman dressed in flowing purple robes approached the dark elf with a kind smile. "The Queen is ready to greet you now. Please follow me and I shall show you the way." She was simply one attendant of many, who would help guide the guests to the queen, and back into the ballrooms.

Flouncy blue dress? Check. Feathered and sequined mask? Check. Fabulous new shoes? Check. Jacky Corvus did a once over for the seventh time before entering into the ball. Coiled black hair spilled onto her shoulders as the petite woman hopped up the steps. She loved balls, she loved dancing, she love people, but mostly she love shiny things and attention. The large doors would have been impressive and daunting had she bothered to pay them attention, instead her eyes were on the activity inside. A genuine smile lit up her face as she entered the Fea Ball.

Jacky turned to the attendant she recognized him as one of the footmen for the carriages from last year. She lifted her mask enough for him to see her face, winking she dropped the mask back down. "Oh you know me. Just make sure Daddy doesn't crash the party this time, it was embarrassing to have him show up like that." She waved at him as she made her way further into the ball. There were more people she didn't know, only a few people got re-invited to the Queen's balls. Those she favored and those of importance who didn't find what they came for last time.

"Ooo. Sounds fun, thank you!" The little crow girl skipped into the ballroom. The fae lights glittered spectacularly above the dance floor, and the music was light and lively. There was the ever present snack bar snaking its way along the wall. And there were certainly plenty of people in here as well. But lookingthem over, she was having trouble deciding who she would have fun with and who would be a lump. But as was masquerade balls.

Phryne lowered her silvery eyes to peer at one of her many assassins. This one never worried her, though her show of disrespect made the queen want to teach her a lesson. But that would be for later once more people had arrived and the true amusement could begin. "Welcome to the masquerade. Please try not to make your profession too well known ... Otherwise it would be impossible for me to predict what I might do." A glint had entered her eyes as the queen spoke so casually of inflicting unpleasant feelings.

Seeing the Queen perched up overseeing her ball, Jacky felt that she should pop up and thank her. Tempted to shift forms she had to remind herself that the dress didn't come with her. She would wait, it wasn't like her family name made her any more powerful here, if anything it made her a tad less. And she was fine with that, she actually liked the idea of not being "the Flock Father's daughter", here she was just another reveler.
Spotting a darker skinned elf, she made her way through the crowd. "Oh hey there chicky. How're you liking the ball so far?"

Jacky ruffled and humphed. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, I call everyone chicky or dove or something similar. It's just what I do, Geeze. You'd think I just asked you your age and called you a crone." She propped a hand on her hip, the flounce of the dress poofing up. She got the feeling that this woman was a frump and wouldn't be any fun. "I just got here too, and I'm already enjoying myself. Life's short and flighty, either like it or kill it." using one of her father's favorite phrases, she smiled. The ball was slowly coming to life, but this woman was right it was only just getting started.

Slinking through the growing crowds, Sil's vivid, sea-green eyes darted back and forth, peering out at the lavishly dressed creatures around him. Seeing all the silks and velvets made him all the more aware of his nearly jester-like garb, haphazardly thrown together from his street clothes and "borrowed" garments. Though the arabesque brocade of the vest and the subtly painted, carved leather mask had merit, his scuffed boots, dusty pants and worn leather belt made him stand out more than he would like. Frowning, he paused to look down at himself, tapping his finger against his jaw as he tried to think of a way to make himself fit in more. Finding nothing, he let out a sigh and muttered. "Ah well, at least I should give them a reason to stare."

After smiling sheepishly at a couple of Fae that had done just that, he quietly slipped away again, weaving through the crowds til he found a calmer spot. He then unwrapped a few of the garishly colored scarves from his waist and shifted them to other parts of his costume, adorning his calf, thigh, forearm and finally, hair. Now thoroughly showing his gypsy roots, the half-elf boldly stepped back into the crowds, ready to charm the jewels off the rich and entertain the rest.

Snatching up what looked like a roll of bread and some sort of soft cheese, he wandered back towards the entrance, wanting to stake out a good spot to watch the gathering attendants. However, when he got there, a woman in a striking orange dress mimicking a butterfly caught his attention in stead. Stuffing the rest of the roll in his mouth and nearly swallowing it whole, he tugged on his vest and approached her, a bounce in his step and a charming smile on his face.

"It seems the lady butterfly has lost her way in the storm." He said in what he hoped was a suave manner as he slid up next to her. "You look distressed, are you alright?"

Jacky rolled her eyes at the older woman. "Kill it is actually my dad's motto, but it's a family thing. Eh sure, why not. He seems well enough." Looking him over, she sensed that there was something more interesting about him. Call it animal instinct, and curiosity would always get the best of her.

~~

Gloomily he sat in the carriage as it wound its way along the roads to the castle. He didn't want to go back, last year was a disaster. But his sisters needled him and prodded him to go. He wanted nothing more than to relax and move around the lost souls in his collection. But having eight nagging sisters forced him out of his watery comfort and back into the confusion of land customs and a suit.

Arkerril lifted eyes gone dangerously dark. He hadn't come to the masquerade to chat politely with the guests. His matters were entirely different then such a frivolous whim. But it seemed Leif had other ideas, and for once a will strong enough to wrest control of his body to himself once more. "Of course, I would love to have such lovely company." He smiled genially, all traces of hostility gone.

Fool! Haven't I told you my reason for all this? Arkerril lapsed into silence after that, knowing full well that when the opportune moment arose he would have to be ready. Even so he looked at the two women as well. The dark elf seemed like a dangerous one, and the one clad in blue ... There was something just a little unusual about her. Then again, this was a masquerade held by Queen Phryne. Of course, Leif was entirely oblivious to all of this. He rather thought the pair were lovely, and planned on asking one of them to dance now that he could enjoy such a thing.

"Is that all?" He said with another smile, "Well, thankfully, I know a simple solution!" Stepping back, he smoothed down his vest again then gave a theatrics, graceful bow, with one leg before him and an arm at his bent waist, the other gently taking one of her hands. "I am Silthryk Nan'daalo, rogue and adventurer extraordinaire. My I ask the Lady Butterfly's name?" He did is best noble impersonation here, voice regal and poise measured. At least, they would have been if he could keep the boyish smile off his face.

Jacky snorted back laughter, she just wanted to come out and say who her family was, but that would ruin the whole idea of being in a mask. To call her dad wise just because he could kill a few people was silly, to call him wise for the criminal empire he ran would be more like it. She caught the darkness to his eyes change to a lighter tone and filed it away in her mind. Upon hearing herself called 'lovely' she fluffed herself out, she was a sucker for compliments. "Ignore her, she's a stick in the mud. Not having fun at a Fae Ball. I'm enjoying every minute of it, I'm Jacky Corvus." She let the family name roll off her tongue, if either of them recognized the name so be it.

~~

Here he was again, sick stomach from the lurching of the carriage. He pushed right past the door men without allowing them to introduce him this time. Heading straight for the refreshments he grabbed a cup of tea and slammed it back. The hot liquid coated his throat but didn't burn it. Grabbing a second one he slowly made his way up to the Queen's throne to thank her for inviting him again, at his own misfortune. His normally green face was pale grey and clammy. Hopefully he looked well enough to be presented to the Queen.

(Darn post auto update ... )

A giggle escaped Rosellen's lips before she could stop herself. She simply wasn't used to people bowing like that, and especially not to her of all people. Even so, the young woman curtsied politely and tried not to wobble to much at the unusual posturing. It did help that she tightened her grip on the rogue's hand so as not to tumble and fall clumsily.

"My name's Rosellen Andrews, college student. I'm no lady." There wasn't a drop of noble blood in her body. Apart from the fact that her mother sewed for the those of the supernatural persuasion, she was about as ordinary as could be.

Leif waved aside the dark elf's words casually with a smile, while Arkerril snorted at his stupidity. The man was going to get himself killed, and then where would he be? "I'm Leif, and I did mean what I said." The young man's eyes turned away from the dangerous looking elf to her less imposing companion soon enough.

"But you know, sometimes it takes more time for people to start enjoying themselves." That seemed to be all too true of the other woman.

Phryne waved off an attendant to bring her another guest with a sigh. This was all getting so very tedious already, and the night had just begun. She didn't want to commence her entertainment too soon, when not enough guests had arrived. Yet it was sorely tempting.