Once Upon A Masquerade

[Cloudnine]

Once upon a masquerade, far far away from the clutches of care and identity will we join upon the marbled steps of the radiant crystal building so fair. Oh, soft, the pegasus leads the way through lush green pastures of embroidered flowers to the towering majestic castle in the sky. Only there would identity be unbound and dreams made real. ((haha....cheesy. XDDDDDD))

Shirahime looked down from the crystal balcony. The earth was hundreds of feet below her; partially shrouded by a vast sea of clouds. She was one of the first few guests to arrive as the music started up, a rich concerto of strings and winds. Her face donned a white sequined mask dotted with a plume of exotic feathers, and her neatly pinned hair began to become undone as the gentle gust parted the strands. The girl pulled the strap of her gown up again as it began to fall under the heavy weight of the dress- layers and layers of white folds upon more white folds, trailing behind her with a train of feather rims. Gloved hands reached to readjust the small white wings on her back as she returned inside from the chilly outside air.

It was an unusual structure, with a glass floor above an intricate rug, the whole castle glittering blue with natural light from the sunlight passing through the glass cieling. A chandolier with no lights hung in the center of the area, possibly for the night. Ebony tables surrounded the dance floor and a long table of exquisite cuisine. ((Hahaha...I love those two words. XDDD)) The musicians sat in dotted balconies high above, facing each other. Surely, this was a breathtaking sight.

[Prophet]

Atane Kazuma walked out onto the balcony, staring up at the elegantly full moon. He had changed his usual attire in for something a little more formal. He was currently wearing a black double-breasted suit with a dark navy-blue silk shirt. His tie was a light mist-blue with the Kiri emblem clearly visible. His Mist-belt was still in it's usual place, although he had changed it's normal chain-belt in for a black leather one. While he was still wearing his bandages, he had donned black gloves to cover them. His cufflinks were small porcupines. Over his face, he a wore mask that made him appear to have the face of one of his porcupines with it's tongue sticking out, as if mocking the viewer.

I love the night fogs we get out here in Kiri... he thought to himself as he stared lovingly at the light mist drifting between the plants in the garden below. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, Kazuma turned and accepted a drink from the waiter. As he did he realized he wasn't the only one out here.

"Good evening young madam." he said in a polite and refined tone of voice. "And what would bring a young and lovely lady such as yourself out here to this drab party in Kirikagure? " he asked, approaching the young lady, bowing deeply, taking her hand and placing a chaste kiss upon it.

{OOC} I basically just described my personal favorite suit except I changed the colors and the tie.

Edited March 23, 2006 by Prophet

[Cloudnine]

(Eeee...finally managed. XP I might redo if I have some time.)

Shirahime turned around. Through her mask she looked at the person before her. Her mouth became dry and her stuttering problem bubbled up again. I'm behind a mask...I shouldn't be so nervous! Pressing her lips together, Shirahime just let her speech pause for a moment. Hopefully this seems like effect instead of a mistake. Okay. Slow. "Nothing really," Choose your words. "I thought it would be nice to meet new people without any judgement."

[Guest matrim]

"I suppose a masquerade has that quality," a boy says from behind her. His voice is calm, and almost a soothing quality to it. "But I suppose what you seek is the same that everyone does, thus something of a common trait in man."

The boy is dressed in a beige shirt, with a black handkerchief tucked in his left breast pocket. He has on a light green duster, that seems appropriately formal for the ocassion. He has on a ebony wide brimmed hat, that shadows his face. He wears a raven mask with feathers flowing on the sides. He wears a formal pair of pants, and a set of brown leather boots. The pants legs go over the boots, but one could tell what they were by toe of the footwear. He takes a formal bow, his right hand over his heart and his left resting in the small of his back. At the lowest point of the bow he takes off his hat, and does a florish with it before replacing it upon his head.

"I don't suppose you 2 know each other?" Kokoro asked in a curious tone,"Or perhaps I am interupting?"

[Prophet]

"Oh no, by all means do stay. If I'm not mistaken I am speaking to the talented young Shirahime. And you are Kokoro I believe? My name is Kazuma. We met in the lounge." Kazuma said elegantly as he bowed deeply again to the young lady before him and then turned to offer his hand to the shrouded figure before him.

[Cloudnine]

He...knows? Shirahime blinked, suprised. Gathering up the folds of her dress, the girl stepped back into a balletic curtsy. "Y-yes, Kazuma, I'm Shirahime," Am I supposed to keep from stuttering now? It was a little strange that Kazuma could just easily identify them by- by what? Voice? Posture? Some strange psychic aura? "And, Kokoro, I-I've seen you before." She took her hair and pulled it behind her shoulders again. "B-but, Kazuma, hold could you guess?"

[Terrick Sukrai]

Another young man was chatting idly with some of the other guests near the entrance when he noticed the two mist-nin that were speaking to a young lady. The man in question was wearing pure black suit, cut in the western style, but with a black silk shirt that buttoned at the color in the traditional Eastern style. A red rose was stuck to his lapel, and a dark red cloth peeked out of the breastpocket. He wore dark red gloves as well, and his face was covered with a mask that seemed reminiscient of the Phantom of the Opera's, but colored the same dark red as his other accoutrements and painted to look like a Tanuki's facial markings. Excusing himself from the group he had been speaking with, he moved over towards the balcony, his shoes clicking slightly on the glass floor.

"Good evening sirs and Lady, how are you all this evening?" he said, his voice smooth and unobtrusive. From the bandages that peeked out of the back of one of their necks, the man assumed the porcupine to be Kazuma, though the only things he could recognize Shirahime by was the way she spoke, and her perfume now that he was close enough to smell it. However, seeing her shyness, the young man decided to draw her out slowly, rather than risk her turning away.

[Prophet]

"It is not often I have the pleasure of hearing such a melodious voice or sampling a delicious aroma like the one you are wearing this evening. You had it on at the lounge as well." Kazuma replied jovially.

Turning back to the newcomer he cheerfully said, "We are all well here in the great land of Kirigakure! And how are you this fine evening?"