And so the decent into seriousness begins.

MASQUED INTENTIONS

II

Doumeki watched his companion from the corner of his eye. When the man wasn't glaring at him, Lord Kimihiro was acting like a cornered deer, dark blue eyes darting quickly at his surroundings.

He didn't comment on it, knowing that it would anger the smaller man. And while it was usually amusing to see how Kimihiro struggled to keep his polite facade covering his rage, Doumeki wasn't going to push him tonight.

It had surprized him that the other man had been willing to come, considering his last venture into polite society. While he hadn't been able to gather any more information from his sources, being in the man's presence for the last couple of months had given him some idea of what might have happened. And if what he suspected was true, tonight might be a re-enactment of what occurred several years before.

Doumeki was feeling slightly guilty on that front. He hadn't been entirely honest with Kimihiro when he asked him to accompany him tonight. While he had made it clear that the ball was a pretence to investigate some supernatural event which had been causing trouble, he hadn't revealed all the details.

It wasn't because he didn't trust Kimihiro. After the events last month he had realized that the lord was the only man that he really did trust. Not only to protect his life but his soul.

Nor was it because he wanted to keep Kimihiro in the dark. If the look that the other man had given him that night was any indication, he was already aware that something else was going on and was already taking precautions.

No, what Doumeki feared was that, if Kimihiro knew the full details, he would take upon himself the duty to take care of things by himself. The man had already tried to do so on several occasions and only Doumeki's information network had enabled him to intervene at the critical moment.

Kimihiro would never ask for help even if it killed him.

So Doumeki had kept the nature of the problem to himself and trusted that Kimihiro would make the necessary precautions. Between the innate magical skill Kimihiro possessed, Ryuu (who he suspected was tucked into Kimihiro's 'bust') and his own innate spirit-warding powers he trusted it would be enough. If it wasn't, he'd simply grab Kimihiro and get him back to his mansion as fast as possible.

The spirit, or whatever it was, could be dealt with another time.

The carriage coasted to a stop. There was a slight pause as the footman dismounted and then the door opened. Doumeki emerged to stand on the cobblestones and turned back to see how Kimihiro was managing.

The other man hadn't lost his frightened expression. While Doumeki suspected it wasn't so readily apparent to those who didn't know him, the prince could see it easily. His mouth was pursed just a bit too tightly, his grip on the skirts of his dress only a cover to hide the shaking of his hands. And his eyes. Those dark blue eyes had moved closer to black. The pupils had enlarged and moved as they tracked something moving outside the carriage confines.

Doumeki didn't bother to turn around to see it for himself. He knew that there was nothing that could be seen with his eyes.

"Oi." It was said softly but Kimihiro heard it. Doumeki was glad to see his eyes contained a flash of anger where they had held only fear before.

He held out a hand to help the smaller man from the carriage and was relieved that the tightness of his mouth now reflected anger. A slender gloved hand reached out to take his and, using all the strength it contained, tried to crush his fingers. Doumeki ignored the pain and helped him out of the carriage.

It was worth it when he was treated to the sight of black riding boots when the blue skirts of the dress lifted a bit too high. Trust Kimihiro to wear riding boots to a masque ball to preserve a sense of masculinity.

He tried not to think of the other reason why the lord might be wearing such practical footwear. If things got so bad that they had to run, he had badly underestimated the situation.

Once Kimihiro had safely reached the cobbles, he pulled on the hand held in his own and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. Kimihiro stiffened at the gesture and resisted as the prince led him away from the carriage. Even as he did there was a flurry of movement as the foot man closed the door behind them and the driver prepared to move off. Doumeki ignored the resistance and continued to pull the smaller man along. He only stopped when it became apparent that Kimihiro had stopped moving altogether.

He turned to his companion, expecting a fiery blue glare. Instead, Kimihiro was gazing off into some distance, looking beyond the carriages to a lone lamp post at the start of the drive. There was no one there when Doumeki looked but from the expression on Kimihiro's face, that could not be more far from the truth.

The man looked more frightened than he had ever seen him. His eyes were wide and dark, his face several shades paler than it usually was. Even as Doumeki watched him, the hand on his elbow tightened painfully and sweat started to break out on the smaller man's brow.

"No." It was barely a whisper. If Doumeki hadn't been so intent on his companion, he doubt he would have heard it. "Get away from me." Kimihiro's voice was trembling and his free hand had crept up to his bust.

Doumeki glared at the lamp post as if the force of his eyes could keep whatever it was back. He set his hand over Kimihiro's where it rested in the crook of his elbow and drew the other man once more towards the entrance. While it was not as powerful of those at the Southern Ward, there was a ward on the building that might provide some protection.

It was a testament to his fear that Kimihiro didn't resist the sudden hold but allowed the added contact, relinquishing his safety to the prince.

Their host's mansion was built in the style that had found popularity after the rule of the third monarch of the current reigning line. It was a rectangular structure, a simple form that only emphasized its sheer size. It was at least twice the size of Kimihiro's mansion. Windows fitted with square panes were spaced regularly in each of the three stories; two lines of twelve and one of eight, four to either side of the entrance. The entrance itself was a wide portico running along the face of the mansion, creating an awkward juxtaposition of two faces, one on the other.

It was not built for protection like the Watanuki mansion. It was shaped from local stone, not imported marble, and the tiles were a dull grey slate instead of unyielding black. There was also none of the decorative warding statues that were so popular in older structures. Instead it was all ornamental edging and smooth surfaces, clean of any taint of the past.

The only thing that revealed the presence of a ward was the entrance. It was centred on the south side of the building, a geometrical expanse of cylindrical columns holding up the wide-angled triangle that formed the roof. With the wide stairway extending half-way across the façade of the building, it was a textbook example of the stylish modern architecture that was found so favourable in recent times. Only the worn markings on the steps (nine in total) and the faint scratches at the top and bottom of each column, revealed the influence of older traditions and the presence of a ward.

Wary of what lurked behind them, Doumeki guided Kimihiro up the stairs, careful to ensure that they both stepped on each step together. It was a little thing, one of the rituals that were thought to be simple tradition, a way of strengthening the wards and aligning their protection to certain individuals. But as Kimihiro started moving more naturally, Doumeki began to hope that there was some truth behind it and that the mansion's wards would be enough.

As they moved up the stairs, other guests gazed at them in curiosity. While the prince often attended various balls of the social season, he rarely had a companion. And certainly not one he showed such favour to that he considerately guided her closely up the stairs so that she would not trip on her gown.

Doumeki ignored the whispers, though he knew it was something that Kimihiro would get good and angry at him for when the entire episode was over. Instead he watched the smaller man's face, noting with relief that his eyes seemed to be lightening with every step they made into the wards. He had even stopped glancing around and the hold he had on Doumeki's arm was firm rather than the death grip it had once been.

Since neither he nor Kimihiro had a coat, he by passed the impromptu coatroom that had been set up in the foyer and moved down the corridor that led to the ballroom. The incident in the yard had unsettled him and he now wanted to get the whole thing over with as fast as he could without putting the lord under more stress than he already was.

The lush runner laid down over the marble floor muffled their quick steps as Doumeki steered Kimihiro forward. A gallery of oil paintings and busts depicting their host's lineage passed unnoticed to either side. Doumeki had no interest in such things and Kimihiro was not paying as much attention to his surroundings as he would have under different circumstances. It only took a matter of moments to reach the ornate double doors at the end of the corridor. They were flanked by a pair of attendants dressed in the scarlet and saffron livery of their master's livery.

The chamberlain, who had at once recognized the social status of the newest arrival, stepped forward to greet the prince in preparation to announcing him to the other guests. Taking advantage of Kimihiro's temporary pliancy, he gave their names to the chamberlain and led Kimihiro to the double doors that led to the ballroom. The chamberlain preceded them and slipped through the doors. It was only when the rap of the chamberlain's staff rang out on the floor beyond the doors that Kimihiro seemed to jolt out of his distraction.

"Prince Doumeki and Lady Peacock!"

Doumeki was certain of the other man's recovery when they were announced to the crowd in the ballroom. As the doors opened, Doumeki could feel the circulation stop in his arm as Kimihiro tightened his grip on his elbow. If the trembling of the hand under his own was any indication, it was only the sudden appearance of the ballroom's occupants that prevented him from experiencing further injury.

The ballroom was as imposing as the building it was housed in. The high ceiling rose to support the third floor, creating a large open space that rivalled most theatres. A number of high windows, leading to balconies that looked out on the manicured gardens outside, were evenly spaced around the walls. Heavy velvet curtains were held back to display the strands of torches that had been placed out on the grounds beyond. The room itself would normally be an empty shell but was now filled with the furnishings of the masque.

The entire expanse had been decorated to fit the theme of the masque ball. The lights from the crystal chandeliers had been dimmed to create an intimate atmosphere. With the lamps along the walls, the ballroom was well but softly lit. Along with the huge canvas expanses depicting forest scenes, large potted plants had been brought in to sit along the walls. Smaller plants were placed artfully around the long tables laid out as a buffet and half shielded the orchestra off from the sight of the guests. The effect was rather like a strange jewelled grotto.

But despite the elegant setting, it was the occupants of the room that caught to the attention. The brightly coloured crowd sparkled in the in the lighting, their fabulous mix of bright silks and satins only emphasised by the greenery that surrounded them. The melding of spirits, fabulous beasts and legendary figures made the setting all the more surreal. It was almost eerie when they turned to face the new arrivals and the hum of conversation died down to respectful silence. They moved in a wave of bows and curtseys, like a living sea.

With a nod to acknowledge the crowd's attention, Doumeki guided his companion down the stairs leading to the ballroom floor. Though he couldn't see it, he could almost feel the polite mask that was crossing Kimihiro's face. Despite his temperament, the man was unfailingly in his manners and his pride would not let him appear anything but the gentle lady he seemed to be.

Doumeki let his gaze skim the crowd. It seemed that Kimihiro's presence would also have an added benefit. With such a lovely 'lady' on his arm he wouldn't have to dodge the approaches of the more persistent maidens who pursued him. Even now they were eyeing up the slim figure at his side, gauging their chances by the quality of Kimihiro's dress and his grip on the prince's arm.

"Prince Doumeki!" It was Lord Taiman. Somehow he had evaded Doumeki's gaze and managed to approach undetected. Perhaps it was the silk bed sheet he wore to appear as a mist spirit. "How good of you to join us this evening!"

It would have been the height of rudeness to snub his host. And despite Kimihiro's claims, Doumeki did have some manners. "Lord Taiman. I am honoured to be here." A bit of an exaggeration but he wanted to get it over with. They needed to circulate so that Kimihiro could pinpoint the source of the disturbance.

Lord Taiman didn't seem to take the hint. If anything his interest brightened as his eyes fell on Kimihiro. "And your beautiful companion?"

"Lady Peacock." It was a bit unusual to withhold a name when asked but it was a masque ball after all. Besides Kimyo was the only other name that came to mind and Kimihiro would likely choke him if he started calling him strange.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Lord Taiman lifted the gloved hand that Kimihiro extended to his lips. "It is not often that one meets such an exquisite creature."

Faint red rose in Kimihiro's cheeks and he lowered his eyes with a soft murmur.

"You must pardon the lady." Doumeki intervened. "She has most recently lost her voice and I have promised her guardian that I would not let her tax herself." It was perhaps the most he had spoken to the lord in one meeting and he could see the thoughts swimming behind the pale hazel eyes.

"Ah. Then perhaps a dance later in the evening?" Taiman paused, waiting for his reply.

Doumeki allowed his smile to grow a little cool. "We will have to see."

Taiman had gotten what he had wanted. He excused himself and left to mingle. No doubt the story of how possessive the prince was of his companion for the evening would do the rounds in a short time. It looked like the rumour mill would be churning at full speed tonight.

Even now the gazes of the guests were locked on the pair. Murmurs were starting up behind lifted fans and raised glasses. Sidelong stares and demure glances hiding the calculation of status and favour that danced behind every pair of eyes.

Kimihiro seemed all too aware of it, too. "What exactly are we looking for?" He kept his voice low, so that it was not overheard by anyone nearby.

Doumeki started to lead him aside from the main crush, moving them to a sheltered spot between two potted palms. "A spirit." He decided to get straight to the point, making up for leaving out the details earlier. "Most likely one that has possessed one of the guests. It is not widely known but a number of young ladies have been assaulted in the current social season. Always at gatherings like these."

Kimihiro drew in a deep breath, his hand moving slightly on the prince's elbow. "We'd better get started."

It was exactly as Doumeki had expected. No hesitation. No consideration for his own well being. The prince vowed to himself that he wouldn't leave his companion's side for the entire night.

For with his heritage and dressed as he was now, Kimihiro was nigh irresistible to what they sought.

xXx

Last two parts up in the next day or so.