Out of the corner of her eye, the Duchess saw the mysterious Mr. Malachite take his place on the dance floor, and tossed a grin toward him. "How delightful to see you here!" she called out to him. "I'm so pleased you are blessing us with your flair for the fashionably dramatic." And then another new friend arrived, also in a suitably dramatic way!
"Good evening, good evening!" she cried to Ami, delighted, and reach to take her hand. "What a gift your presence is!"
"Good evening, good evening!" she cried to Ami, delighted, and reach to take her hand. "What a gift your presence is!"
"I am well, thank you Sporebearer, pleasure to meet you. The cider is wonderful isn't it?"
Rusty takes the glass, smiling. “Thank you, i don't think i've meet this fellow. Hello, im Rusty.“ Rusty raised the glass then turns to duchess. “I do hope you don't mind that i brought yough jack with me. His mother was out today“ Rusty motion to a young teen version of rusty hiding beind them. He was wearing a similar outfit to rusty.
They faced Onzi again. I have never consumed such a thing before, it was surprising and good.
This was such a pleasant time, Aurelian was pleased they decided to go. However, much of the party was still a total mystery to them.
I apologize for my ignorance, but what is that wooden floor intended for?
This was such a pleasant time, Aurelian was pleased they decided to go. However, much of the party was still a total mystery to them.
I apologize for my ignorance, but what is that wooden floor intended for?
Majestically this red lion walks down the way that leads to the ephemeral party. He heard about a Grande Duchesse were host. He who is of royal blood, had to know who was likely to be named Grand Duke of Winter.
Fierce and proud this lion in his flamboyant red pelage and his intertwined double tail presents himself at the entrance. No ticket or invitation card were needed for him, him Roude Léiw.
“Gudden Owend, mir, Roude Léiw, hunn héieren eng Grande Duchesse géif op e Schmaus invitéieren den sengesgläichen sicht.” His voice was heard from far, he held his head high, seeing over the wooden dance floor. All sorts of creatures were to be seen, with or without mask. He doesn’t wear a mask as his only his appearance is known all over. He who is stitched to every banner of his country, a mask would never hide his identity.
He represents a country….
“We, Roude Léiw, are here to meet a Grand Duchesse of Winter” to bring the most respectful salutations.”
Fierce and proud this lion in his flamboyant red pelage and his intertwined double tail presents himself at the entrance. No ticket or invitation card were needed for him, him Roude Léiw.
“Gudden Owend, mir, Roude Léiw, hunn héieren eng Grande Duchesse géif op e Schmaus invitéieren den sengesgläichen sicht.” His voice was heard from far, he held his head high, seeing over the wooden dance floor. All sorts of creatures were to be seen, with or without mask. He doesn’t wear a mask as his only his appearance is known all over. He who is stitched to every banner of his country, a mask would never hide his identity.
He represents a country….
“We, Roude Léiw, are here to meet a Grand Duchesse of Winter” to bring the most respectful salutations.”
The Duchess quirked an eyebrow at Rusty, looking as amused as if they'd just told a good joke. "Mind? How could I mind that you've brought such a welcome guest with you? How lucky we are to have not one but two fabulous Jackalopes among us?"
To Aurelian's question about the dance floor, she clapped her hands in delight. "Why, it's for dancing. Will you gift us with a demonstration of one of your people's dances, my friend?"
To Aurelian's question about the dance floor, she clapped her hands in delight. "Why, it's for dancing. Will you gift us with a demonstration of one of your people's dances, my friend?"
"ah, Sporebearer I do believe that the floor is for dancing to the music"
The witch looks to the Spore-Bearer at their questioning. "Why, my dear, it's for dancing. Have you never danced?" She starts swaying to the music that plays.
“Thank you very much,” Ami responded promptly to the duchess, a kind smile easily finding its way to her rosy lips, almost as if an unspoken relief had found her. Her gaze then drifted toward Onzi and Aurelian—or perhaps more precisely, toward the cider they were speaking of. One of her brows furrowed ever so slightly before she simply let the thought go, her expression softening once more.
Onzi slowly starts to relax into the environment and starts slowly bobbing his head side to side to the music
Ess did not arrive by road, nor by portal, nor even by the polite logic of invitations fulfilled. She arrived the way secrets did.
At first there was only a subtle wrongness in the air at the edge of the pine trees, a soft distortion where moonlight bent just a fraction too sharply. Then a ripple passed through the clearing and the sound of the surf far below seemed to hush in deference. From that fold stepped Ess.
She was already masked, of course. A delicate thing of silver filigree and midnight silk, veiled just enough to soften her features without hiding them. Beneath it, her eyes caught the moonlight like mischief given form. She wore winter colors layered with intention rather than warmth, deep blues and pale starlight hues, fabric that shimmered when she moved. Small bells chimed faintly at her wrist with each step, not announcing her so much as warning the world she had arrived.
Her entrance left no scorch, no frost, no dramatic flourish. The dance floor did not creak beneath her weight. Instead, the boards seemed to recognize her, responding with a subtle glow that faded as quickly as it came. The air around her smelled briefly of cold ink, night wind, and something sweet and unknowable, like promises written in the margins of fate.
Ess paused at the edge of the gathering, head tilted, observing. She watched the Duchess with open interest, the rose suspended in its glass cradle, the strange and wonderful guests already weaving the night into something alive. Her lips curved into quiet delight, as if this scene confirmed something she had already known.
When she finally stepped forward, it was with easy confidence, skirts whispering, bells chiming once more. She did not announce herself. She never did.
Instead, she offered a graceful inclination of her head toward La Grande-Duchesse, fingers lifting briefly in a small, knowing gesture, half greeting, half acknowledgment between women who understood enchantments and their costs.
“Winter wears its magic beautifully tonight,” Ess murmured, her voice light, warm, and threaded with playful reverence. “I couldn’t resist seeing who it would call.”
And with that, the Veiled Astrologer slipped fully into the masquerade, another star drawn gently into orbit, ready to read the night and let the night read her back. ✨
For the first time in the evening, the Duchess' smile faltered, and her hand flew to her mouth to cover a gasp of disbelief. "Why Roude Léiw, there has been some terrible accident," she whispered to him. "Your attendants have let you leave your carriage without your mask! Quickly, quickly, you must cover your face, you are the only one here not obeying the dress code."
Malachite returned a smile to the duchess, offering her a friendly little bow from across the dance floor. His heart felt warm from the compliment, his mask partially concealing a pink hue that had flustered his cheeks. Not from any sense of romance, no, mere appreciation.
They like my fashion!
His attention returned to the other party guests, directing a friendly nod towards Ami, then an intrigued glance at spore- bearer. He tried not to stare, but he couldn’t help but be fascinated by the sight of a sapient creature made of fungi. There were so many interesting people here!
They like my fashion!
His attention returned to the other party guests, directing a friendly nod towards Ami, then an intrigued glance at spore- bearer. He tried not to stare, but he couldn’t help but be fascinated by the sight of a sapient creature made of fungi. There were so many interesting people here!
The Duchess appreciated the veiled astrologer's entrance for all its subtle delights, turning a sly smile in her direction. "May you find more than just something pleasant to look at this evening," she greeted her, winking in her direction.
A floor? Dedicated to dancing? This absolutely piqued the Myconid's interest. Thank you friends.
At the Duchess's request, they fell silent, considering the request thoughtfully. I will honor your request to witness my people's dancing, yes. And with those words, the Myconid moved deliberately but unrushed towards the wooden flooring, taking their place near the center.
For a brief moment, nothing happened while they attuned to the music. It didn't take long for them to start feeling the notes whirling inside their body and for it to begin swaying. First with calculated movements, then their skin began to glow a dazzling display of pink and purple in its bioluminescent pattern and the swaying began.
Their arms raised half upwards, and with each sway from side to side their arms followed in a relaxed, waved pattern. Back and forth, just back and forth, swaying and swaying.
Perhaps if more people joined the lone dancer, Aurelian would surprise everyone even more!
At the Duchess's request, they fell silent, considering the request thoughtfully. I will honor your request to witness my people's dancing, yes. And with those words, the Myconid moved deliberately but unrushed towards the wooden flooring, taking their place near the center.
For a brief moment, nothing happened while they attuned to the music. It didn't take long for them to start feeling the notes whirling inside their body and for it to begin swaying. First with calculated movements, then their skin began to glow a dazzling display of pink and purple in its bioluminescent pattern and the swaying began.
Their arms raised half upwards, and with each sway from side to side their arms followed in a relaxed, waved pattern. Back and forth, just back and forth, swaying and swaying.
Perhaps if more people joined the lone dancer, Aurelian would surprise everyone even more!
Enjoy Myconid dancing!
A mysterious invitation to a party in some magical realm, though novel, was not entirely new for a certain dragonborn. After forging herself and her companion matching phoenix masks, Tairloth took off on her scaled wings in the direction she seemed to instinctively know after finding that invitation while foraging. In her case, the instructions were to find some sort of snowstorm and fly into its clouds; the stronger the storm, the faster she'd emerge at her destination. Fortunately, the forest she'd been travelling through gave way to a wide open plain that let her clearly see such a storm in the distance; though a worried trilling on her shoulder reminded her that this was still going to be a rough journey.
"I'm not thrilled about this either, buddy." She tried to reassure Piemyth, who was doing their hardest to wrap themselves in the folds of Tairloth's cloak as she tried to fly above the storm to enter from above--those instincts didn't specify from what direction she had to enter so she figured she could at least avoid the storm itself. "But hopefully we'll get through before too long." With that, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and dove into the clouds; trying not to instinctively fly back up as the stinging cold surrounded her, as if the snow was trying to form around her.
Fortunately, it did indeed pass quickly as another trilling, much happier, alerted her just seconds later that they were through. Upon opening her eyes, Tairloth saw beneath them a sprawling pine forest, surrounding a field that, by all appearances, was set up for the Masquerade the invitation had advertised. "Just at a glance this looks like it might be worth that trip." Tairloth chuckled "But there's only one way to know for sure." With that, she straightened her mask and flew down to land among the other guests.
"I'm not thrilled about this either, buddy." She tried to reassure Piemyth, who was doing their hardest to wrap themselves in the folds of Tairloth's cloak as she tried to fly above the storm to enter from above--those instincts didn't specify from what direction she had to enter so she figured she could at least avoid the storm itself. "But hopefully we'll get through before too long." With that, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and dove into the clouds; trying not to instinctively fly back up as the stinging cold surrounded her, as if the snow was trying to form around her.
Fortunately, it did indeed pass quickly as another trilling, much happier, alerted her just seconds later that they were through. Upon opening her eyes, Tairloth saw beneath them a sprawling pine forest, surrounding a field that, by all appearances, was set up for the Masquerade the invitation had advertised. "Just at a glance this looks like it might be worth that trip." Tairloth chuckled "But there's only one way to know for sure." With that, she straightened her mask and flew down to land among the other guests.
"Aleksandr's Entrance"
Start at 1:26
Bootfalls resonated in the chambers as guardsmen in ceremonial blue uniform with gold trim took their places beside the red carpet, holding their chainswords in ceremonial formation. The sound echoed upward through the vaulted hall, carried by marble and gilded stone, multiplying until it became a measured thunder befitting the occasion. The guards moved with parade-ground precision, ranks aligning along the scarlet runner that cascaded down the grand staircase like a river of blooded silk. Their helms gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers, plumes rigid, posture immaculate. Chainswords deactivated, teeth polished to a ceremonial sheen, were raised in mirrored angles, forming an arch of steel and reverence. Incense drifted through the air, mingling with winter florals and the faint metallic tang of sanctified oils.
Above them all loomed the holographic sigil of the Imperium, a vast golden aquila spread across the far wall, its wings catching the light as if poised to take flight. Balconies crowded with masked nobles and dignitaries overlooked the scene, their murmurs hushed into anticipation. Music swelled softly from an unseen orchestra strings first, restrained and formal, setting a stately rhythm for what was to come.
Lord General Aleksandr Von Drakenfell
The imposing stature of the Lord General descended the staircase at an unhurried pace, each step deliberate, each movement radiating command. His greatcoat of ash-grey draped perfectly from his shoulders, its inner lining a deep crimson that caught the light with every stride. Beneath it, his crisp dress uniform bore the weight of countless campaigns, rows of medals and honorifics arranged with austere discipline rather than ostentation. Some were old, their edges worn smooth by time; others were newly struck, still sharp with recent victory.
He did not look to either side as he walked, yet the hall bent its attention toward him all the same. Masks tilted. Whispers ceased. Even the guardsmen seemed to stand a fraction straighter as he passed beneath their crossed blades. There was nothing hurried in his bearing, nothing performative. This was a man accustomed to being witnessed. At the foot of the stairs, the orchestra rose in volume, brass briefly joining the strings in a restrained flourish before settling once more. Lord General Von Drakenfell halted upon the carpet’s end, turned, and inclined his head just enough to acknowledge the assembled court, not enough to diminish himself.
Grand Duchess de L’hiver, resplendent in winter whites and silvers, her masquerade mask a delicate lattice of frost motifs and gemlike accents. The light played across her gown like moonlight on fresh snow, and her posture spoke of a hostess fully in command of her domain.
The Lord General approached and offered a bow, formal and respectful.
“Your Grace,”
He said warmly, his voice carrying with a natural authority and a rich, deep timbre that commanded with a reassuring benevolence, a hand reaching forward to pluck a hand from his magnificent host, as he planted a kiss upon her dorsum, returning to the conversation proper after this greeting,
“The accommodations are exceptional, and your hospitality honors not only your house, but the Imperium entire. A thousand fortunes upon your lineage, may the Emperor ever watch over this auspicious house”
His gaze lifted to meet hers, icen steel softened by genuine appreciation. Around them, the winter masquerade resumed its breath, music swelling, conversation rekindling. However, for a moment, the vast hall seemed to hold still, as if acknowledging that the presence of Aleksandr Von Drakenfell lent the evening a gravity no frost or finery could ever surpass.
By now, Cris rather looked foward to the invitations of the Winter Masquerade, one of the few social events that she wasn't appalled to attend and where boredom was never an issue.
This year too she was not alone; but her "plus other" was neither the tiny infant she'd once carried in her arms, nor the overenergetic border collie puppy who had followed in her tow in other occasions. Instead, holding her hand was a little white-furred, red-eyed fox girl of about three or four years old, dressed in a gorgeous white ballerina dress ornate with snowflakes and with an equally snowflake themed mask on her face, a stark contrast with her mother's familiar kitsune one.
What wasn't familiar was the kimono Cris was wearing, a way more ornate and elegant choice than the usual one she had donned in other occasions, decorated in glittery tones of gold and and red and accentuated by a dark blue, gold-trimmed kanzashi hairpin fapping over her dark hair, part of which was pulled back into crowned braids behind her head, part loose and flowing on her shoulders. She wore jewels too, blue topaz encased in silver to match the kanzashi; but the starkest difference was the bright cheer in her eyes, which spoke volumes of how much her life had improved and how mych she had come around since her firsr Masquerade.
Upon arriving her soft gaze sought the Duchess and she apprroached their host, curtsying in respect. "It's always a honor, dear friend", she said, eyes and voice smiling. "This year I am accompanied by my sweet firstborn; after hearing so many wonders about your party she just couldn't wait to see it all for herself."
"Hi!" The little fox-snowflake waved at the Duchess, staring in awe at her gown. "You're super pretty, just like mama says!!! And this place too..!" She turned around on herself, spinning in a way that really made her look like a little snowflaje revolving through the sky. "It's magical!"
This year too she was not alone; but her "plus other" was neither the tiny infant she'd once carried in her arms, nor the overenergetic border collie puppy who had followed in her tow in other occasions. Instead, holding her hand was a little white-furred, red-eyed fox girl of about three or four years old, dressed in a gorgeous white ballerina dress ornate with snowflakes and with an equally snowflake themed mask on her face, a stark contrast with her mother's familiar kitsune one.
What wasn't familiar was the kimono Cris was wearing, a way more ornate and elegant choice than the usual one she had donned in other occasions, decorated in glittery tones of gold and and red and accentuated by a dark blue, gold-trimmed kanzashi hairpin fapping over her dark hair, part of which was pulled back into crowned braids behind her head, part loose and flowing on her shoulders. She wore jewels too, blue topaz encased in silver to match the kanzashi; but the starkest difference was the bright cheer in her eyes, which spoke volumes of how much her life had improved and how mych she had come around since her firsr Masquerade.
Upon arriving her soft gaze sought the Duchess and she apprroached their host, curtsying in respect. "It's always a honor, dear friend", she said, eyes and voice smiling. "This year I am accompanied by my sweet firstborn; after hearing so many wonders about your party she just couldn't wait to see it all for herself."
"Hi!" The little fox-snowflake waved at the Duchess, staring in awe at her gown. "You're super pretty, just like mama says!!! And this place too..!" She turned around on herself, spinning in a way that really made her look like a little snowflaje revolving through the sky. "It's magical!"
Ess noticed everything. The faltering smile. The whispered concern. The correction delivered with gentle authority. Even the way the night itself seemed to lean in when the Duchess’ attention sharpened.
At the Duchess’ sly greeting, Ess let her gaze lift fully to meet it, eyes bright beneath the veil, amused rather than startled. She inclined her head again, slower this time, one bell chiming softly as if in punctuation.
“Oh, I rarely come merely to look,” Ess replied, warmth and mischief threading her voice in equal measure. “Winter has a habit of offering far more than it promises. Especially when guided by a steady hand and a dangerous rose.”
Her attention drifted, briefly, to the dance floor where the Myconid’s bioluminescence bloomed like living music. Interest flickered openly across her expression, delighted rather than surprised, as if she had half expected something wondrous to unfold.
Then her gaze returned to the Duchess, conspiratorial and kind. “And as for rules,” Ess added lightly, one gloved finger brushing the edge of her own mask, “I find they exist less to constrain us… and more to reveal who understands them.”
She smiled then, small and knowing, and stepped closer to the warmth of the gathering, content to let the night continue unraveling exactly as it wished. ✨
At the Duchess’ sly greeting, Ess let her gaze lift fully to meet it, eyes bright beneath the veil, amused rather than startled. She inclined her head again, slower this time, one bell chiming softly as if in punctuation.
“Oh, I rarely come merely to look,” Ess replied, warmth and mischief threading her voice in equal measure. “Winter has a habit of offering far more than it promises. Especially when guided by a steady hand and a dangerous rose.”
Her attention drifted, briefly, to the dance floor where the Myconid’s bioluminescence bloomed like living music. Interest flickered openly across her expression, delighted rather than surprised, as if she had half expected something wondrous to unfold.
Then her gaze returned to the Duchess, conspiratorial and kind. “And as for rules,” Ess added lightly, one gloved finger brushing the edge of her own mask, “I find they exist less to constrain us… and more to reveal who understands them.”
She smiled then, small and knowing, and stepped closer to the warmth of the gathering, content to let the night continue unraveling exactly as it wished. ✨
And there she stood, watching as the spore bearer made their way to the center of the dance floor, her dark blue eyes observing this peculiar individual as they began to dance.
As if a certain realization had come to her, she smiled a tiny bit more, watching the way this one moved. She cast a brief glance toward the others present, then back to the spore bearer, bobbing her head ever so slightly to the rhythm of the music—or to Aurelian’s movements, or perhaps ...to both.
As if a certain realization had come to her, she smiled a tiny bit more, watching the way this one moved. She cast a brief glance toward the others present, then back to the spore bearer, bobbing her head ever so slightly to the rhythm of the music—or to Aurelian’s movements, or perhaps ...to both.
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