((It's that time of year again! It should be noted that while you might not /wear/ the HA of the char(s) you are playing, we generally at least post the image of them. I have no idea who started this group but I've had a blast every year. We're not particularly fussy about length or other rules, though the basics apply, of course. Please try to have a decent grasp of the language. People play their own characters. If you are controlling someone else's char, you better have asked them OOC or by comment/smail/whatever. Otherwise fingers to yourself! This is a social rp, not a combat-oriented one. Please be mindful that we're here to rp the Masquerade, not have someone destroy the place. If you want to fight, take it outside. Nobody is perfect, nobody is invulnerable or all-knowing, and characters should be flawed. It's more interesting that way. Please keep OOC marked. It's customary to ping those mentioned in your posts, but that's not really a rule. And of course, the most important rule: HAVE FUN. ❤️

as always because you lot might be interested maybe because you had asked specially pinging to put in a request for Kasiya. Just because~

Now that I have the basics out of the way in case of first-time guests, off we go!))

Shy was terribly excited as she entered the ballroom, checking her mask to be sure it wouldn't fall off and flaring her wings just enough to adjust the way they fell against her back.  At least they weren't so unusual here at the Masquerade, where wings, masks, and the most elaborate outfits she'd ever encountered were the norm.  The young lady -- not yet an adult, but no longer truly a child -- had gone all out this year with a bit of help.  She still showed a decided preference for green and violet, but she'd put together an outfit that balanced a wide variety of hues.  She even managed not to trip on the floor-length skirt, quite an achievement for someone who a few years earlier had hardly been able to stand anything other than pants and halter tops.

The dancing was already underway, and Shy looked around for the people she expected to encounter at some point.  That was one of the few advantages she had over others, for she recognized them not just by their appearance but also by how they felt.  However, even her searching thoughts came up empty.  They might be yet to arrive, or out of range, or perhaps hidden by the crowd.  It was early yet, and the girl was certain she'd find someone before too long.  She always did.

Outfit Not Found Sorn arrived looking for a good time. He loved doing just about anything if it showcased his body and how could it not? He was hot--well muscled and just a beautiful specimen of maleness. He looked around for a partner. The dark elf indeed had a girlfriend but she honestly wouldn't mind him dancing with anyone and he likewise wouldn't mind her dancing with others. He looked around for someone wanting to dance. He found one person. "Excuse me," he said, "I see you are alone and look like you would like a dance. I know I shall ruin your evening because nothing will compare to me, but if you'd like to start at the top, then shall we?"

((Sorn's a bit of a narcissistic jerk lol))

(( if you are interested?))

(( I will be here as soon as I am free this evening ❤️ Thanks for making the forum shy! Guna bring Ven in as well I think. n.n ))

(( Ven...then I must bring Jean. But what about Liana and Devin? flails at I mean, I'm good with whatever, but still....flops))

ellenor stood in the conner of the ballroom holding her book she didn't really like huge loud Masquerades her older sister had made her come. she sighed.

still she loved the gowns but was really kinda of a introvert and never liked talking in big groups.

she sighed and started to walk where everyone els was in the ballroom but tripped on her floor-length skirt and fell flat on her face-

[outfit=181776]

((sorry if that was bad new to this type of role play. and like my character its hard to talk in big groups.))

She turned to look at the dark man, noticing that his skin matched his clothing. Not as the humans might have darker skin -- his was truly the color of coal, contrasting sharply with his pale mask and even paler hair. That was the first thing she noticed; the second was his ears. Had he been hurled away from home the way she had?

When Shy found her voice, she responded excitedly in her native tongue, one far removed from any local dialects. Her face fell when the man showed no evidence of comprehension, and she tried the human tongue. "Very sorry. Saw ears and thought...maybe...." Her words were understandable but with a decided accent, in the manner of one who knew the language but was still working to become comfortable speaking it. She touched her own protruding ears with one hand before gathering her composure and returning to the question of a dance.

"I not see how you can ruin evening," she told him, tilting her head to the side in puzzlement. "One dance never like another, why compare? It seem silly. So you no worry about ruining Masquerade by dancing with me -- and I accept."

Shylarah was not the best of dancers in a formal setting, but she'd learned enough that she was no longer in danger of tripping over a partner's feet as long as they did not attempt any of the fancier flourishes. Stepping on the hem of her skirt was slightly more of an issue, and happened within the first couple steps. Her grip tightened on her partner's arm and her wings flared to help her keep her balance. She'd practiced, of course, but she still needed that period of adjustment at the beginning each time.

When she spoke the first language, he did not understand her. When she changed to human, he did. He had his own native tongue so he hadn't cared about that. "Do not concern yourself there is nothing to apologise for." He grinned, "Well reasoned." He took her hand and danced as if he was on the air, every movement a purpose. If one thing was true, he was exceptionally graceful. He seemed slightly amused that his partner was not as fluid as he.

Stepping into the ballroom the masked lady gave pause to get her bearings. Just like years before nothing much seemed to have changed. It was relieving in a way. A smile lingered on the edge of her lips as the orchestra began a new song, but she didn’t rush out to the floor just yet. The sooner she got a drink the calmer her nerves would be, and the less self conscious she would feel while dancing. Even with the charm she wore it wasn’t easy for her to stay mellow in such a large crowd. But hiding behind a mask certainly helped a little.

She jumped slightly when the quiet man behind her cleared his throat. He was always so silent it sometimes caught her by surprise. Covering with a cough she turned to face him. “Alright, drink first. Then I’ll show you how to dance.” She didn’t have to see his face to tell he was frowning beneath the mask. But his shoulder gave the most minute of shrugs and she whirled around taking it as an affirmative. After all, he didn’t have much choice.

Having reviewed the menu a moment she waved down the bartender. “I’ll have an Other Worldly Martini, and a shot of darkside.” The bartender lifted a brow at the petite ladies request, but obliged nonetheless. There was a glimmer of relief in the man's eyes when she turned and handed the shot to the man lingering not far behind her. But the glimmer turned to a grimace when he caught a glimpse of the man’s face, beneath the mask as he lifted it to finish the double shot.

“C’mon.” The masked lady tugged on the quiet man’s sleeve. “Lets watch the dance a bit. Give you an idea of what to do, Mr.Never learned to dance, nonsense.” With her drink in hand she turned to exit the Lounge when out of nowhere a girl tripped in front of them and landed flat on her face. (@/jazseraphina) “Oh!” She recoiled to avoid spilling her drink, but handed it to her companion before going to help the fallen lady. “Are you alright?” Helping the girl to stand she smiled. “There you go, no harm done. Oh, you dropped your book.” Picking it up she unfolded a few pages and held it toward the girl blushing slightly as she did so.

(( long intro is long ))

getting up off the floor the girl replies and says a quiet thanks.. trying not to cry she chuckles quietly i can never get used to huge theses ballgowns.

Outfit Not Found

the girl blushes and looks a little embarrassed.

i didn't get your name?

“That’s why I got rid of the front of mine.” She laughed. “Oopse, I’m Liana. This is Ven.” She pointed with a thumb over her shoulder to indicate the tall dark man behind her. He didn’t so much as move, just watched them quietly. With the mask it was hard to tell what he was looking at. Pursing her lips she lifted her drink of his hand and turned back to the girl she had helped. “What’s your name? If you don’t mind me asking.” She took a sip of her drink. ()

its nice to meet you Liana i'm ellenor. the young girl says starting to smile. Outfit Not Found

You'll be fine, Kyriel.

"But what if-"

You'll be fine. Yes, people will notice, but anyone who will judge you for it is not worth your time anyway.

Kyriel shot the small, golden dragon a glare and nervously ran her hands over her arms. Unlike previous years, her confidence - and her appearance - were not quite up to her usual standards. She seemed rather withdrawn, which likely had something to do with the extensive collection of thin scars covering her body. Her arms bore the worst of them, but the three parallel scars trailing down her face from under her mask were probably the most noticeable, in their way.

Come, now. You obviously want to be here, or you wouldn't have come in the first place. Just go on. If nothing else, that friend of yours is here.

Kyriel sighed, but nodded. "You're right, of course," she murmured to him. "Well... Let's get this over with." Taking a deep breath and consciously straightening her back, Kyriel strode into the ball. There was still no trace of her usual smile, and she kept her wings tucked forward around her shoulders, but at least she was here. Without really thinking about it, she carefully made her way through the crowd in the direction she sensed was. Perhaps some familiarity would put her more at ease.

She could tell her errors amused the man, but really she was used to laughing at her missteps on the dance floor. They had been far too common to be anything she was bothered by now. Still, it seemed something was bothering her -- certainly she was not as amazed by Sorn as he probably would have liked. In truth, Shy was doing her best not to let her disappointment wreck the evening. She'd get past it, she was sure -- she'd accepted that there was no going back to her birthplace -- but every now and again something reminded her rather painfully of the fact. She'd seen someone whose ears were not only pointed but stuck out at an angle, and she'd leaped to conclusions. It was that hastiness that had landed her in this mess to start with.

No, focus on the Masquerade. The outfits are gorgeous, the food smelled lovely and will taste excellent, and your friends will be here. This will be a good night. No sulking at a party.

By the time the dance ended, the girl had regained her good humor. "Sorry not for being better mood to start," she apologized with a self-conscious smile. She tapped her ear. "Remind me of home, is all. Been gone from there years now, but I still miss it." Shy gave a little shrug, a what-can-you-do sort of gesture.

Over his shoulder she saw a familiar set of wings, paired with a familiar signature. "Ah! Is friend -- come, you say hello too." There was no escorting the girl when she wasn't being mindful of formal ettiquette. She greated Kyriel with a wide smile. "Is good seeing you both!" Her greeting included the dragon. "Wow, hair colors like fire! Looks nice -- you always do." Remembering her manners, she made introductions. "This Kyriel, and I name Shylarah," she told her recent dance partner. "Kyriel, is...um. I don't think you say name." Sorn wouldn't be able to see the lifted eyebrows behind the girl's mask, but the question was implied by her words and the tilt of her head.

((I forget the dragon's name, if Shy ever learned it. She'd introduce him too if that made sense.))

"I cannot go back to my home either. I was exiled over 250 years ago, going back will mean my death." He sighed. Then he was being introduced. "My name is Sorn," he replied simply and gave them a bow--one that did not take his eyes off of them. He was smiling but it was not an honest smile at all. He missed the underdark

Smiling a faint smile that did not reach her eyes, Kyriel returned Sorn's bow. "Well met," she said softly. "Good to see you, too, Shy, and thank you. You're looking especially lovely yourself, tonight." The little dragon by this point had made his way up onto Kyriel's shoulder, and gave an imperious huff as he appraised Shylarah and Sorn. Kyriel just rolled her eyes and added, "Yes, yes, I know. This here is my... Familiar, I suppose you could say. He's calling himself Achemar at the moment."

((I know you said Shy would have introduced him if she could, but I can't remember if she ever got his name to begin with? This just felt like it made sense, I hope you'll forgive the sort-of redundancy))

((Hm, , you think Shy knows how self-conscious Kyriel is about her scars?))

(and anyone else <3)

Sorn regarded the dragon. It was a pretty one. "Magnificent dragon," he gave a slightly more sincere smile. "Well, it appears you have some catching up. I shall take my leave." He nodded to Shy, "A pleasure for your company and again later shall we dance again." With that he swept off, heading towards the lounge. He had a few drinks--though getting drunk was rather impossible even if he wanted to. Of course he didn't want to because he would never let his guard down amongst a crowd. True, it was a dance but one never knows. Feeling a little better he circled his neck to release some tension. Then he used his magic to change what he had on. The white runes on his onyx skin were now mostly concealed. He restyled his pure white hair and then reentered the dance floor. His eyes swept around looking for a partner.

(( They're very recent acquisitions, so Shy wouldn't have any prior knowledge of that, if that's what you mean.))

Shy bid Sorn farewell. She thought perhaps he was missing home too -- he certainly excused himself rather swiftly, but then again maybe he was just wanting to let her catch up with Kyriel. She took a moment to appreciate the other's outfit properly. "Is hard to find simple things still look nice," she commented aloud. "Maybe next time I ask you help me. My one friend, she like lots and lots of layers." The girl made a face that expressed just what her opinion was on so many layers, even if she sometimes wore a few herself. There was something a little different about the older lady, though, and Shy leaned forward a bit.

"Oh! Kyriel, you in big fight, get hurt?" Of all the people there, the girl was probably the least bothered by scars. "Heal good, though. What you fighting?" She'd grown up in a place where it was expected that everyone knew at least basic weapon skills, and where scars were far more common than unblemished skin. Indeed, Shylarah still had not abandoned her habit of keeping her shortsword with her at all times. Even at the Masquerade, she had the weapon strapped to her leg where she could easily grab it if she needed to.

Remembering her manners, Liana made a slight bow. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Ellenor.” () After taking another small sip of her drink she gestured to the dancers twirling around the floor not far from where they stood. “The costumes this year are amazing, is this your first time attending?”

Ven kept a fixed position, far enough away to give them space, but close enough to still be present. Idly he began tapping the top of his cane as he watched the dancers step and bob to the melody. He was beginning to see why Liana thought he would benefit from the exercise. Even if it seemed a bit mundane and dizzying.