Anniversary of Fools (OPEN)

[Louie Kanto]

Louie entered the familiar tavern with a large goofy grin behind the maroon and gold jester mask he wore that evening. His chest bare other than the matching diamond checkered pattern vest that matched his ‘fools’ mask. He marched into the Bloody Mary, twirling the gold tassels used to form a belt around his maroon harem pants. While his golden cuffed slippers clinked against the wooden floor surface with each step taken. God he loved this place during this time of year! The booze was good, the women just as good and SUCKERS EVERYWHERE! It was beautiful and it made the mercenary swoon in delight as he waved at one of the waitresses and gave a good pelvic thrust gesture before  weaving through the bar of drunks celebrating this joyous of occasions.

After all the festival was in full swing and with all the juicy gossip going around things were bound to get interesting. Or so the red head mused as he sat down at the nearest empty table. His legs kicked up and his feet propped up on the table’s smooth surface. “ AYE! To celebrate the gods and goddess alike, how about a game! Any takers? No? How about a round of Rum for those who dare place their coin!?” Louie announced, reaching over and taking a well passed out drunk’s drink from his hands. Lifted the pint to his lips, pulled back the mask and chugged the remainder of the ale.

His ruby eyes dancing along with the cheerful patrons of the bar waiting for anyone to take his offer of a game of cards.

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett hated this time of year. It always brought back bitter memories that taunted him when he was living back in Feyerlun. Here in this world… It felt like walking back into time and when things were simple and he was innocent. When he had gone by a different name and believed in a different truth. How things are different and that once a lawless man would become that of one that up holds it. A bitter taste once again filling his mouth at the mere thought. How ironic his position as the Civilian Guard Captain would eventually mean having to turn on someone he would deny he secretly loved. Plus the idea of her baring the same curse made his stomach quench. Which brought him to a stop outside the only building that seemed to cross the ages.

A grim smile pressed together tight lips behind a black mask with silver decorative trim. Two pairs of blue eyes stared out behind the mask as he entered into the tavern. His attire that of black leather garments and navy cloak. His shoulder length hair pulled back into a messy low pony tail allowing his bangs to fall around his face. Garrett turned his head to scan the heads within the large room. No familiar faces just yet, so he sighed in relief. After all the recent events with Roland gone on leave the Kings attention had been drawn to him for some reason. Which put Garrett a little on edge as of late. He was about to go sit at the bar when a scarily familiar voice caught his attention. Garrett’s head spun and his gaze fell upon the dread headed jester masked man.
A pause and a moment of silence fell over him as he stared at the individual.

It fucking can’t be….

Garrett reached into his pocket while he closed the distance between himself and the man. When he reached the table he pulled out ten coins and tossed them to the middle, the coins landing just in front of the man. “Deal me a hand. “ Garrett nodded, taking a seat and raising his hand for service.

[Deleted]

Well tonight was another night to enjoy the festival, without being tied to the ball. She was dressed exactly as she had that night, an outfit this grand seemed like it was a waist to wear just once. The dress was a deep crimson fit and flare dress; that hugged her body and hips slightly before flared out into a loose flowy fabric. It emphasize her thin hour glass figure. The crimson fabric started dark at the top and faded into a lighter brighter shade. The straps of her dress were done in an ornate gold lace that looked like a mix of feathers and flowers; slowly transforming into gold jeweled flowers that fallowed the hem of her dress. The bodice was made and embroidered with gold colored beads. Near her breasts the material upon close inspection was neatly layered red feathers; with a small golden shimmer to them. Her skirt which was a loose and flowing fabric was crimson layered many times; the material had a light gold shimmer to it as well. The most stunning part of the dress, was the train. Starting from just below the daring plunging back, amazing long phoenix feathers made up the train. Layered to mimic a phoenix glorious plumage. Much like a peacocks, the phoenix feathers featured an eye like pattern at the tip. The feathers themselves were a deep red that faded into a bright gold at tips. In fact the feathers would actually seem to be from a phoenix. Underneath the plumage another set of fabric extent out in a flame line pattern. When she moved, a little magic on her part, the fabric seem to be a lit with flames. Gold flowers also decorated the train; tying it in nicely with the top of the dress. The back of the dress was fairly low stopping far down her lower back, and the sweat heart neckline had fair bit of cleavage.

Her gold high heeled shoes clicked along the cobble stone pathway as she walked along the streets with a random guard in tow. Blue green eyes scanned through the jeweled cat eyed mask, which covered only the upper portion of her face. It was decorated sparsely on one side, which flared out into a wing like patter wrought in gold. On the other side a grand phoenix arched around her right eye, the wings and bird had what looked like rubies decorating it. Her dark ruby painted lips parted in a grin as she looked upon the Bloody Mary. Dresses as she was…she thought she could chance a visit.

Aria walked into the tavern, her heals clicking along the familiar floors. Her nose raised to the air as she sifted through scents that would seem familiar…her eyebrows rose when she did catch a couple she knew. Her eyes scanned the crowed until she heard the familiar voice say deal me a hand. Aria turned to her guard and excused him, saying that the guard Noku had assigned her would take it from here. With a grin she sauntered over to the table, swinging her hips as she did so.

”Hello boy’s, mind if I watch? This promises to be entertaining.”

[Louie Kanto]

The bait was set and all he had to do now was wait. An just like that a sucker was caught on the end of the line and approached the table. When the man in black tossed the coins onto the table, Louie grinned ear to ear and removed his feet from the table top. His hands clasped together in front of him like a merchant making a deal. “ Well sure thing buddy. Pull up a chair and lets play a hand for fun until more joins. What’da say? Mister?.....” He asked in a overly happy tone. He wasn’t too drunk to not recognize a face even behind a mask. The Great Civilian Guard captain. Well fuck a duck. Louie kept his smile present, knowing full well that cheating would not be so wise with an officer of the law. Or at least not right of the get go at least. Nah, Louie knew exactly how to handle law abiding men such as Sir Garrett Blaze of who knows fucking where. He thought to himself, reaching inside his vest to pull out a cigar hidden in secret pocket. He lit the cigar with the candle in the middle of the table and placed it at the edge of his mouth.

“ Well pal, lets deal a hand and drink to our health. “ The cigar danced as he laughed out, ashing it in a tray and reaching into his other vest pocket to pull out some old cards he had and began to shuffle. Once shuffled he counted out seven cards to Garrett and himself; Tossing ten coins of his own to match what Garrett had also put down. His ruby eyes not leaving Garrett as he tapped his left foot nervously on the floor. However the Goddesses must have been smiling down upon him; because he could see a red head dressed up real pretty enter the tavern and B-line it to his table.

Louie stared up at Aria with a sheepish smile, opening up his arms in a gesture of welcome for her to take a seat. “ Of course beautiful madam, come and give this table your company and luck.” Louie nodded, his smile growing even larger when a waitress finally approached with a large pitcher of rum and some glasses. “ By all means, take a glass on the house after all. “ Louie noted, pouring himself a glass and Aria and Garrett a glass of their own.

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett had to force himself not to smile at the Jesters silver tongue. A slightly different face, but still the same man from what he could vaguely remember. However, every story his childhood mentor had told him sunk in true. The irony was so juicy that he was for certain that this was THIS man; that his former ‘teacher’ had spoken of in his youth. Too bad the encounter had to be behind masks.

“So the stories are true after all.” He spoke in a low voice and to top it off a taunting sigh to follow. Garrett grabbed ahold of the back of the chair and took a seat. Just in time to watch the Jester light up a cigar and shuffle a deck of cards he had taken out from within his vest. When the seven cards were given out; Garrett took a quick look at his hand before placing the cards back on the table.
A hauntingly familiar female voice broke the Jesters concentration from the game, which also broke Garrett’s as he spun his head around to look back at a very elegantly dressed woman. Garrett froze up like a statue, remaining so until the woman had finally reached the table. Slowly turning in his seat, Garrett managed to turn his head to look back down at the table. The Jester talked while he noticed a small glass was sat down in front of him and suddenly started to be filled.

“Generous are we tonight good sir? “ Garrett smirked, dropping another ten coins onto the slowly growing pile one at a time. His head turning and he glanced down at the glass of rum poured to him. He picked it up and held it up a little above his head. “To good health and Luck.” He gestured the cup in a good will gesture towards Aria before taking the glass and downing the contents within. When the glass was empty he set the cup back down on the table and waved for the Jester to continue.

[Deleted]

Aria smiled back at the ruby eyed man, and gracefully took a seat in between them both. It would do her no good to plop down while dressed as she was. She raised an eyebrow at Garrett who seemed to have frozen on the spot until she had gotten to the table…was there something wrong with how she looked? There was no groan...or face palm…did he not recognize her yet? Meh…he would figure it out when she eventually fallowed him home or sooner. She turned her attention back to the man in the Jester mask. Propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin on top of her hands while smiling sweetly. Her long hair which was only half up cascaded down over one shoulder; exposing the low back of the dress.

”Tell me good sir, how is a mot, such as myself to bring luck to both gentlemen? It would seem to me I may hap be only lucky for one of you.”

Aria nodded a thanks as the drinks was poured, a small smile spread across her face at Garrett’s comment. If this was on the house she wondered how fast they’d be running once the night was over. She raised her glass in agreement to the toast before downing her glass as well. She placed her glass on the table.

”So how is this game played?”

[Deleted]

Was it night once again? Creo turned in her bed, the satin silk sheets barely covering her nude form on her mattress. Twisted in the sheets the mocha skin woman groaned and fought to get up from the comfort of where she laid. The Bloody Marry was really active tonight it seemed. She could hear the bands below playing while the drunks filled up on the tavern’s booze and food. Even her girls were booked up it seemed from the large stack of coins being sent up every hour.

Creo sat up in her bed. The sheets hugging her form loosely as she stared at the room she had claimed as her own. Nothing like the room she had in the days of Feyerlun, but one that hadn’t completely lost its lust. The silver hair…Whatever she was now got up from the bed. Her feet dragging the floor as she walked nude to her closet and swung the double doors wide open.

Silver eyes stared at her collection of clothes she had swindled, bought, and acquired during the months of staying within Nova. Nothing like her collection back home, but it was something she could recall being familiar during the days when she was…Happier… Her lips pressed as she turned away from the sight of her clothes. Her chest sunk as she contemplated all that she had come to believe during her time here in this ‘Nova’. Obviously Saden was no longer after her, nor did this worlds Mylee or Saden act like they cared of her presence within the world which brought a huge relief down on her shoulders.

With the reality of not being able to return to Feyerlun, Creo accepted her fate and hoped that with the current information she had gathered. That she was indeed safe from danger for now. So… Why turn from the second thing she loved in life? The first thing she ever loved was never returning from the dead or even space and time. It was time to face the facts and move on or at least try to. Creo smirked at the thought, turning back around and entering her closet for the first time in months. Which felt like years at this point!

The night was young after all and she had missed the main event. When Creo made her way out of her room the woman was dressed in her finest. A red devils mask with feathers off to the side and tiny black beads covering the bottom half of the mask. She wore a tight, revealing dress, with gold nipple tassels over her round mocha breasts. The dress a sparkling red satin fabric – that was rather see through and didn’t really cover anything up—while a gold thong, gold clasps, bangles and chains decorated the rest of her hour glass form. Her feet bare making her almost look like an exotic belly dancer with long red gloves to cover up her hands. When she made her way down into the tavern; Creo didn’t hold back as she showed out. Her hips swaying back and forth as she put one foot over the other; her eyes catching sight of an interesting group gathering over by the back of the room. A smile dancing across her lips as she approached closer to the table, even stealing one of her own server’s trays in order to get closer to the table with an excuse.
When she reached the table the woman smiled like a sheepish devil. Her curves showing off more than she had ever shown sense arriving here on Nova and owning the tavern. “Hello cuties, need a refill or a meal? Food and ‘services’ are half off night only. “ Creo smirked, giving a playful wink at Louie while leaning down on the table to fill up the empty glasses with what she had on her tray; Which was a slightly stouter liquor. While pouring the liquor, Creo took notice of the people at the table. Her eyes widen like saucers under her mask when she was able to vaguely recognize Garrett and Aria.

“By all the gods that are holy and just.” Creo spoke barely above her breath.

[Louie Kanto]

A long line of ash fell from the already half way consumed cigar. The charred remains of the laced mixed herbs and tobacco exhaling through his nostrils in a light stream. The thick smoke carrying a sweet and yet strong fragrance as it scattering with the rest of the atmosphere. His facial features becoming more animated behind his mask. This girl Aria was charming to say the least, however she clearly doubted her gift. For no sooner than Garrett was to place his bet and agree upon the game and for the lady to take her seat. It seemed that this lady of luck had summoned the most recluse prize of them all. His ruby eyes following the woman’s curves as she walked over to the table.

He lifted his free hand to remove the cigar from his mouth and set it aside in one of the ash trays provided. His eyes still locked on the devil masked mistress of the night. His head bobbling along with her tassels as she walked over to begin taking orders around the table. Until finally he bobbled his head in the direction of Aria and gave laugh.
“My how precious you are indeed. “ Louie gest, clearly poking fun at the fiery red head while returning his gaze back to Garrett and the game. “ Oh? Is that so? I didn’t think there would be any stories about someone of my talents. You must know some pretty scummy people if that is truly the case. Though I’m interested to hear what you have heard. “Louie chuckled, surprised to see how chatty Garrett actually was while still being all diligent and serious.

He picked up a card from the stack on the table. He looked at the cards in his hand for a moment before finally placing down a card with the number ‘4’ and writing underneath stating ‘Lost their virginity. ‘ Once Louie played the card, he turned to address Aria’s question about how the game was played..

“As you can see. The cards in our hands are not regular playing cards. Each card has a number and a ‘truth’ written on its face. The deck holds 50 cards and the numbers go from 1 to 5. Plus there are 10 skips and 10 wild cards within the deck to make it a little more interesting. The game is called ‘Never have I Ever’ and the number represents how many drinks everyone must take if you have NOT done what is written down in the ‘truth’ section of the card. In other words, I just laid down a card that everyone playing must take four drinks if they have not done what this has written down on it. Simple enough to follow and understand, right? “Louie explained the rules of the game and returned his gaze back over to the succulent golden-brown honey-melons bouncing before him.

“ Oh? Is that an offer for a deal mistress? I see you’ve got a spark in ya, I can’t wait to test it out later.” Louie winked back in his own playful manner before scooting his chair back and patting his lap. “ Oh come now, let your girls take care of the work and you enjoy yourself a bit. Come on –whaaddaa say? “ Louie nodded insisting that the owner of the establishment would join them, even if it was only for a bit.

[Deleted]

"A simple enough game indeed, ser. I trust you will not object to another player?" That deep, booming voice would come from the side, where a sizable Zarkhiri male stood grinning, a tankard in one hand and a massive warhammer, currently held loosely with the haft draped over one broad shoulder, in the other. Assuming there were no objections, he'd settle into a seat, choosing a chair that would hold his mass and sinking into it with great care.

"One question, though... what constitutes a drink? This is such a fine ale I would hate to guzzle it down and not savor it... and I imagine that these fine ladies would not last long if we go by the mug." Once seated, the bronze-scaled male would lean his hammer against the table, peering around with that same jovial smile.

[Sai]

Sai had just walked into the tavern dressed dark blood red dress with a small ruffle of black on the bottom it was one of her leftover dresses from her time pretending to be a nobleman's daughter. It was nicely low cut just enough to the valley of her breast but not enough to make her feel like she was a street walker looking for her next payment. She topped off her look with a simple yet elegant black lace mask, her heels were in the same colour of her dress. She felt her dagger against her leg, knowing never to leave home without at least one, even during days of celebrating. The colours of the dress making her eyes seem darker and her silver tassels of hair standing out more than normal.It was one few times of the year when she didn’t have to pretend to be someone else.


Seeing the small interesting crowd that seem to be forming around a table, taking in the count of the people she smiled. It was simple numbers with the number of male to female being uneven, the red-haired beauty seems to be more interested with the man with the ebony hair. The other two males only one seem to be lending towards the other silver-haired beauty. Deciding that her prey for the night the Zarkhiri, she walked towards the table catching the end of the conversation.


Smiling she place herself beside the young Zarkhiri, “Surely you don’t believe us young women are light weight.” Her tone teasing as she rest her hand on his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind one more player into your game.”