The Festival of the Gods (Open)

[Deleted]

Séanait felt a sinking sensation as she saw Zepon flow towards her. She glanced unconsciously down at his brand over her heart, right there for all to see, and then back up at him, face respectful but cautious. She might serve as his Champion and be willing to do dirty work for him, but that didn't mean she liked the god or that she wanted to be seen with him. Especially not when Claire was there. She knew what Claire thought about Nova's gods.

Bowing from the waist as much as her armour would allow, Séanait nodded at Zepon, say, "They worked flawlessly, my lord."

[Claire]

Claire did not seem to notice the strange array of evil eyes being shot at her over the simple act of crushing a flower- more were being crushed underfoot maliciously by passing dancers. But she took Shy's arm with a hidden smile and proceeded to walk through the crowd, searching. Any one of these white-haired men could be the king, and that made her scowl. There were simply too many of them. She leaned over, murmuring to her companion.

"Why do they all have white hair? I have never seen the like." She lifted her head a little, stopped by the tall man with skin a deeper shade than her own. When he addressed them like he knew them, Claire raised an eyebrow behind her mask. "Do I know you?" She asked, then looked to Shy who apparently did.

"Did you pick up a..." She thought for the word. "Patron? How do you know me?"

[Roxanne]

There was a lot an awful lot going and, for the moment, the half demon seemed content to watch. She didn't think she knew anyone here so she wasn't concerned about being recognized. That was until she saw the sudden flame flare up in the center of the room and a wry grin settled on Roxanne's face. Who else but Aria would make such an entrance? Judging by her quick retreat to the refreshment table, the red head thought the whole thing might have somehow been an accident. Not one to miss a chance to finally greet her old friend face to face, Roxanne moved to follow Aria discreetly.

She was still holding her wine glass when she approached the other woman and the man in the jester mask that had joined her. Roxanne didn't hear the previous conversation but she still recognized Rivers right away. The man smelled like a fresh breeze blowing in a forest and something else this evening. The cologne was in good taste but wasn't enough to cover his scent this close. Her nose burned slightly with all the different scents and perfumes, to be honest, which is what kept her from recognizing him sooner.

"My apologies for interrupting but I wanted to say what magnificent entrance that was, very well done," Roxanne said, not bothering to disguise her voice at all. She moved forward to give the other red a warm hug. "I've missed you! It seems as if you're doing quite well for yourself, though. Your dress is just as lovely as your unexpected arrival," she continued. Letting go of Aria, she stepped back to really look at Rivers's costume as well. "You've outdone yourself as well. What are they calling you here?" she asked, casually taking another sip of her wine.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity had always wanted to be a princess, the idea had lived in her dreams since she was a little girl, spoiled and raised as she was. Through the years, her view on the world had certainly changed, but her want to be royalty never did. Even now, outcast as she was, learning a new way of life, the idea was still in her mind, lingering. When she’d been told of the event, there was not a doubt inside of her that she would be going. Her biggest problem was finding the perfect attire for the evening. She accumulated a decent amount of money over time, and though she knew there were far better ways to spend it, she went out and found the gown, which of course needed tweaking to fit the image in her head. Same went for the mask. But there she was now, at the top of the stairs, taking in the beauty of the room. She knew she was not supposed to enter this way, as she wasn’t actually noble or royal, but she snuck through and did it anyway. The room was stunning, as she was sure everyone had noticed, and she was so busy looking at it, she didn’t really see the people yet.

Serenity wore an all black dress, with thin straps around her shoulders, and a low cut neck like, accentuating her chest. There was small lace detailing there, that one would have to look closely to notice. The skirt flowed down nicely, staying true to her figure until it near her knees, coming out to a small curve. As the skirt went down, there was a slight ombre of colour, turning black to grey, though there was a layer beneath it, still black entirely. Near her mid back, there was a white tool train, not long, but wide, coming around to the sides of the dress as well. She wore black gloves, coming up above her elbow, and a black satin choker, paired with a stunning onyx pendant. Serenity proud of her hair as she was, took the time to curl it perfectly, pining it up the way she used to back home, giving her a very regal yet alluring look to it, as some curls bounced around her face and neck, while others stayed securely around her head. Her mask was grey as well, covering her whole face except her mouth and chin. There was white and black beads at the top, covering her hair line, and a rose painted grey on the right side, with small black feathers around it. The lace lining around her eyes was white, allowing her natural eye colour of hazel to pop out. She even kept her lip colour to a soft pink, so as not to contrast to much. Over all her theme was to be smoky, or foggy, like the haze over the sea before a storm, or the mystery waiting behind the smoke. Something like a story she’d heard as a child.

Serenity lifted her skirt slightly, showing off her black shoes, slightly higher than flats, and made her way down the stairs, finally noticing the people around her. She saw someone wearing rainbow colours, next to someone in all grey and white. She saw people who looked to Devine to be around her, to important. She saw a burst of flames in the middle of the room, causing her to pause her movements until the person shuffled away from the centre. She saw a couple dancing beautifully, until interrupted by another man, who looked curiously familiar to her, even from a distance. She saw people she was in awe of, gorgeous costumes left and right. It was as though she were in a dream. As she made it to the bottom of the stairs, she realized she had no idea where to go, and nerves hit her suddenly. Her throat was dry as she glanced around the room, coming upon the drink table. With a smile she carefully, but quickly made her way towards it. As she poured the drink and people walked by her, she felt a familiar presence, one that was connected to her through the tunnels. Rivers? Serenity glanced around, not able to find him by just looking, and followed her instincts towards a group of three, one male and two other red heads. She was willing to bet that one of them was Roxanne. She continued walking over as one red head hugged the other, asking various questions, and indeed recognized her voice as Roxanne. Serenity had been practicing when no one was around, to rid herself of her accent. She didn’t exactly sound native to Nova, but she wasn’t English sounding either.

Good evening. May I join you? She smiled, knowing it would take about two seconds for them to know who she was, but she was having fun, so she really didn’t care. I must say, whoever decorated this wonderful place, has the mind of a genius! Serenity laughed lightly, sipping her drink and awaiting permission to join them.

( The Dress The Mask )

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Zepon's hand shot out as Seanait told him that the armor was working well and hovered over the woman's shoulder only slightly avoiding contact. He leans to make eye contact features tensed and bright ruby eyes seeming to delve into the woman. “I am glad they are working well, but the guard captain still lives.” He whispers harshly as his eyes turn to several others in the room. “And several other mutts remain as well.”

Then as if nothing had happened he stands up straight and smiles at Seanait, madness still mischief still lurking an inch behind his eyes. “Well I suppose I can forgive you if you make a good showing at the Calling bout, it has been too long since Mylee's champion lost.” He says in a soft meaningful tone.

As Claire speaks he turns to her and raises an arm across his chest and places a foot forward before bending slightly at the waste. “Forgive me lord, it must be a case of mistaken identity, you look so much like a woman I briefly met, do you perhaps have a sister?”

[Noku Noru]

Noku, poised, erect and confident, glided gently, slowly, toward the center of the marble; keeping pace with Lilith as she came abreast of him, his motion was fluid and unbroken-the product of decades of noble upbringing. “What a nice party, for a change” he thought to himself, admiring the scenery and the company, anonymously and at ease, his attention free from the trivialities of government this evening. As he crossed the threshold of the smooth, pale surface below, a newcomer broke into the space between himself and his partner, separating the two abruptly. Taken aback, Noku reoriented himself square to the fellow clad with indistinct garb and one of the numerous commoner masks available for those that had none of their own, keeping his posture, and placing both hands behind his waist so that his elbows formed right angles, assuming a military air. The man’s voice was urgent, and he spoke quickly, protesting the dance that had been promised moments earlier. “Your rank betrays you; perhaps you have not been acquainted with the manners conducted at an event such as this-at the expense of the royal coffers, by the toil of gifted artisans, in the presence of nobility, from the generosity of the throne-to which, all who wish it, both high and low, are granted an audience, and from which, rank notwithstanding, are asked naught save good taste and proper manners. If what it is that you say true, at all ends, it is at the discretion of her loveliness” –here, Noku placed his left arm across his right breast, and made a small bow in deference to Lilith- “I would be loathe to separate a lady from her agreements. I hesitate upon this, however; it being not in good taste to presume a lady to break so quickly her expressed intent. Are you yourself a knave, then? Or do you declare her word, once engaged, subject to the passions of a moment?”

Noku breathed it all with the calm repose cultivated by hours of public address, seamlessly, tenderly, casually. The newcomer behaved like a jealous lover- an admirer perhaps? A citizen inflated with wine, more likely. He had known the populace to display a particular brashness at parties, even formal ones in the presence of nobility. The combination of drink and social gatherings provoked in the lower classes a sort of comical barbarism, marked by hostility, lewdness, and intemperance, leading to displays of insolence, irreverence, and, at times, violence. None of this perturbed Noku; it was the lack of manners that grated upon him, evoking in him a sentiment vaguely reminiscent of disgust.

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Lilith’s face was flushed behind the mask, her heart beating rapidly. She knew not who this man was, nor why he suddenly wanted to dance with her, but once they started, she felt as though they were floating. It was light and he was clearly skilled, and she had come to the conclusion that he must be a high noble or something of the sort. Lilith looked up to his face, a soft smile on her own as they drifted around the room, only to be stopped suddenly by an all to familiar voice. She looked back and forth frantically from her dance partner to the man she loved, her nerves hitting her full force once again. She knew he had to be a noble which made this situation so much more difficult. Why couldn’t Sima have waited? What was the rush? She wanted to respond, but Sima was so eager he reached out and took her arm, attempting to pull her away. She would not be taken like a doll however, and pulled her arm back, knowing he’d let go when she did, as he did not want to hurt her.

She looked to her dance partner as he spoke, her face becoming more flushed by the second. Of course Sima didn’t know all these things… He’d never attended this event before. When he bowed to her she looked down for a moment. He was giving her the choice… She would wait for Sima to speak again before she did, but once he was done, she looked to them both.

Kind Sir, I take it as an honour to dance with someone so skilled, and I am flattered to be chosen at all. You see, this man means quite well, and I had been under the impression that he was not to be here tonight, so I gave away a dance I did indeed promise to him some time ago… So I thank you for your kindness and it was splendid to dance with you, but I must go with him… Lilith looked up at him, her nerves making it hard to speak, but she managed the words out, soft spoken as she was. However, if you see fit, it would be a pleasure and an honour to continue this later in the evening. Lilith curtsied to him, bowing her head low. When she came back up she nodded her head and turned away walking away from them both. She knew Sima would follow, but she needed a drink first. She loved him to death and knew he meant only the best things for her, but sometimes he simply chose the wrong moments and made situations awkward and embarrassing.

When she got to the drinks table yet again, she poured herself a drink, looking at Sima and sighing. What could she say to him? He hadn’t intended to put her in that situation… She shook her head, throwing back the drink. At least he’d come to the event… she’d thought he’d be too busy with recently opening the restaurant to attend.

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Aria groaned as a familiar person walked up and commented on her entrance. Really the entrance was a complete accident! She looked over at Rivers with a dull expression, before snagging and apple slice off his plate and popping it into her mouth.

”Interesting; concerning, and busy….learned a new card game over brunch the other day… Though eventually I will be off to live in Palico…have a job set up there and everything. How have things been for you? By the way your exit a couple weeks ago was amusing. I had trouble keeping a straight face.”

She left out the part she had been made a duchess…and had to get ready for a coronation. Aria blushed as yet another comment about her entrance was made. She recognized Roxy easily, and accepted the woman’s hug. It was good to actually finally see her in person.

”Thank you, the princess, duchess, and I went shopping the other day. I missed you as well; I will try to visit more.”

Aria turned her attention back to another as they approached, a smile spreading across her face. She clapped her hands as she approached.

” Oh perfect, just the person I wanted to see, and thank you I was asked to do it this morning. I’m afraid I tweaked a few people out growing all the wisteria though, made the whole ground shake. Nice thing is everything here is functional as a secondary security feature.”

She looked over at Rivers and pointed up to the glowing fire lights, he would recognize them as the little stinging things that she had sent after him the day he freaked her out over gabby stonifying his shoe. She was about to say something else, when something on the dance floor caught her attention. She frowned as her delicate pointed ears twitched. Picking up the conversation…and Liliths answer. Poor guy…even after he spoke up for her.

”Another point for him… excuse me”

She turned back to Serenity as she walked out on the dance floor.

”Seek me after the festival I have a job offer for you here”

Aria turned her attention back to the dance floor as she walked up behind the man in white and rested her hand on his shoulder.

”Trade one feathered lass for another?”

[Rivers]

“I am a little hurt that you could groan like that in response to my appearance.” Rivers says in a slightly hurt tone. Though as Aria snags one of his apple slices he chuckles and shrugs.

“I am glad you appreciated the exit, though apparently the duchess you were with is a wind adept so she'll be able to recognize me even in costume.” He admits, his expression hidden by his jester's mask. “But aside from that things are going okay. A certain sword is in the hands of his 'soul mate' by the way. I am a bit behind on some other court gossip though.”

As Roxanne wanders over and greets him and Aria he sweeps her a courtly bow and replies. “Why Milady, tis a day of masks and secrets. I am myself and a simple bard. Feel free to call me Bard.” he informs her as he straightens up in time to see Serenity join the group. Well this might be a good opportunity to begin setting the stage. He thinks to himself.

Then decides that he should go on as Aria suddenly leaves to go talk with the man who had apparently been trying to dance with Lilith. Seeing Sima suddenly spirit her away he narrowed his eyes, clingy that one is eh? He wonders to himself then turns to Serenity and kneels down. He smoothly raises one hand across his chest before extending the other up towards her and asks.

“May I have this dance?”

[Sima Oratio]

Sima listened to the two silently. He stared as he was insulted by the nobleman in front of him. Sima understood that he should of acted with a bit more grace, but he couldn't just watch her dance with someone else. His stomach filled up with a feeling he couldn't explain, was it jealousy? Sima always felt jealousy was a angry feeling, however, just before the anger it seemed to be mostly sorrow. When Lilith left Sima decided it would be a better time to apologize, getting a sense that she was angry just by where she was headed. 

"Look, I am sorry. I didn't mean to take the fun out of your evening. I just saw you dancing with Lilith, and i couldn't contain myself. I understand that it is probably a bad trait of mine, and I am sincerely sorry if I have offended you. If words are not enough, then please come by Lua Azul, and I will make things right." Sima reached out his hand to shake the other individuals, he waited a moment to see his response, and he had hoped for a name, so then at least he could know who he was apologizing too. 

Sima bowed to the man, and then headed off towards Lilith. When he approached her he noted that she was drinking alcohol, and by the sound of her sigh she was not very happy. He walked over to her, his mind wandering on how to explain himself. "Lilith, I don't know what to say. From the moment we first kissed I had always dreamed of dancing with you, and when I saw you dancing with someone else, i couldn't just sit back and watch. I've always loved to dance, and I've danced for years!" Sima lowered his voice. "I don't know how nobility, events, or any of this works here, but I learned that the first dance is considered to be the most important one. I wanted your first dance, and I realize that I was late, and I didn't tell you. But Lilith," 

Sima changed hsi voice to a less sincere, more mature tone. 
"I won't stop you from dancing with anyone, I just want to dance with you. If I embarrassed you, I'm sorry, I just want to dance with you, and then anything after that, you can do with or without me, I won't interrupt anymore, I promise" 

Sima wasn't entirely sure if all of that made sense, he was speaking from the top of his head, and was trying to relay why he did that, but to be honest it was a little unclear to himself. He just knew he felt so strongly he had to act, was that a horrible thing? Sima sighed lightly, relieving the stress building up. He was beginning to worry about too many things. 

[Roxanne]

Roxanne smiled as Aria returned her hug and explained about her dress, sipping lightly on her wine as she listened to the conversation. So Aria had been living in the castle and would be moving to Palico? That was interesting. She made a mental note to ask the other woman about it in detail at a more appropriate time. Rivers introduction as a simple bard was amusing and she couldn't help but roll her eyes though she smiled at him with some amusement. "As you wish, Bard," she said replied, only a slight sarcastic tone to her voice.

Shortly after, they were joined by Serenity, whose scent also gave her away, if her red hair didn't. Her request for permission to join them was amusing and Roxanne laughed lightly. "I don't think you really need permission, Ser,"she said, shortening the woman's name for identity purposes and nodding in agreement to her opinion of the decorations. "It really is beautiful here," she agreed.

Aria then excused herself to make her way after someone she had spotted on the dance floor and Rivers asked Serenity to dance. Roxanne smiled and took a step back, excusing herself as well though without saying anything and then made her way over to sit on the edge of the fountain.

[Serenity Caine]

A grin was on the womans face as one by one the group of three spoke to her, knowing clearly who she was. She dropped the fake voice and welcomed the return to her accent. When Aria said she’d wanted to see her, she became confused. She could have sworn the woman hated her, but all well. Seek you out? A-Alright… Serenity was taken off guard but nodded as Aria left them, looking to Roxy and Rivers rather confused.

I suppose I don’t need permission but I thought it would be fitting to ask. Serenity shrugged, not seeing what others did, as her back was to the dance floor. She was taken by surprise as Rivers suddenly kneels and extends his hand, asking her to dance. Her face flushed but she nodded and took his hand. It would be my pleasure…It was rare her voice sounded shy but when it did she detested it. She cleared her throat quietly, and walked out to the dance floor with him, noticing Aria speaking to a man in all white.

[Deleted]

Amiee took a deep calming breath, she had just returned home just in the morning and her father Calix told her that she should attend the Festival of the Gods. Seeing that he was right, she ran to her room, finding a box on the bed she quickly opened it and almost laughed at the outfit. It seemed too real it was almost as if she was a princess of someone of noble birth, which was laughable since she barely knew her father and her mother never told her much about her family.


Slipping on the dress she was thankful that it didn’t have sleeves truly, just the little straps that were to rest on her shoulders. It was a lovely dark red dress with a little bit of white around the bottom in the design of a rose.She knew it must had taken Calix a while to get the outfit for her and she would have to thank him for it. Carefully she lifted the mask that was at the bottom of the box, it was in the shape of a butterfly, in the same shade of red as her dress.


Quickly heading downstairs she hugged Calix and thank him for the dress and mask as she ran out the Inn not caring that she had forgotten her shoes.


--


Reaching the castle and the courtyard, she was in awe of all the different people in their outfits. It always seems to amaze her each year to see it, being careful she stepped into the courtyard, bowing her head respectfully to each God and Goddess that looked her way.


Moving towards a spot out of the way, she scan the people seeing if she saw anyone that she recognize. Setting a spot of white hair a smile came to her lips wondering if the person was Diamond, she did need to tell him sorry for what happened last time they met and for her disappearing afterwards. His outfit she had to admit made him stick out in the crowd but then again his hair also helped her locate him faster.


Walking at a quick pace toward the man, tapping him on the shoulder waiting for him to turn around. Feeling shy and nervous as she remembered the events of the matchmaking again, a blush rose to her cheeks. “Hello, Diamond.” Her voice barely above a whisper as she waited for a response from him wondering if he even remembered her.

[Deleted]

Cole is running late. As a High Priest, he should have been early to the Festival of the Gods. This was one of the most important celebrations of the the year. However, organizing repairs to a damaged temple had been eating a lot of his time and took a larger chunk of today than expected.

A masquerade outfit was more or less made for specifically him. His robes are still the traditional blue-black, but with dark red trim on the outside. The mask is a matching red and shaped like a stag skull. Slightly morbid, but so was the church that he looked after. However, he knows that he stands out compared to all of the other attendees. The fact that is arriving late only means that he’s gathered more stares.

Getting a glass of wine, he looks for someplace to sit. He’d mingle, but he’s unsure how much his position and appearance would distress others. The fountain is relatively open with only one other person there. He takes a seat by the edge and watches the colorful fish swim around. A little bored, he wriggles his fingers just above the water to see how close he can draw them in.

[Deleted]

Diamond had seen a man come up to them and then he gave a odd sign that he was not familure with. It did remind him of some of the signs that were given when he went by the Moon Temple. The white haired male gave a bow to the man in turn as that seemed the best way to show his respect back. Then the woman with the pearl mask had started to gush on all of the meanings of all of the flowers and there relation to the gods and goddesses. For Diamond though he just simply enjoyed the various colors of each of the flowers. He felt that if someone gave too many meanings, wouldn't these flowers loser there simplistic beauty. He wanted to speak on his opinion but felt that it was a bit simple minded. Plus Diamond did not want to insult a god or goddess as this was a event for everyone to enjoy without negativity. He then hears the blast of flame and out of pure reaction reached into his crystal bag and use a crystal. Even though he was off the clock with Melda, he still wanted to insure the safety of others. But slightly relaxed when it was Aria but it did make him a bit angry as he was going to attack.

".....freaking show off" said Diamond as he sighed loudly. He was going to get a drink and was going to ask the other two women if they wanted something to drink. As he felt a bit parched and wanted something to quench it. But he felt someone tap on his shoulder and called out his name. He turned to the woman that got his attention. There was something about her that was familure and the voice he heard it before. It then clicked as it did sound like Amiee, but last time he saw her. She was more feline then human "Amiee.....its been awhile" he said unsure if it was the right person since that time back at the springs as well as that match making event.