A masquerade mask? Quite an unusual thing to present to the guest, many didn't know why looking at it questionably. With mummers spreading among them. Though most felt that way, another felt it as the perfect way to move around undetected without anyone noticing. After all, orders are orders, even if they were petty. Slipping on their dark maroon boarded with silver stones woven into rhombus shape in the center. Covered the upper half of their face, just like the rest of the males. Their mask same color and covered the same amount while all women donned lavender mask covering their faces fully. Their eyes watched as each person put it on as instructed by the servants.

Good, they could sneak out while they parade around like simple idiots for the galore of joy. The shadows they needed just needed to get to them and they could rome around freely. Maneuvering through the guest like snake upon its prey, approaching it reaches out to be suddenly stopped by one of the male servants.

"Excuse me sir if you could please stay." They politely redirect back around. Ushering them among the others.

Realizing they could not move from under their watchful eye, had no choice but to remain put as the Hostess addresses everyone collecting their attention, along with another. A man standing by her side wearing a mask the same as the other men, though he wore a dark grey with golden designs upon it. His dark brown nearly black hair dashingly combed back. Dressed as a noble lord befitting of the title for that era. His built was strong and sturdy, a man of respect he carried himself but also humble with a commanding presence. While his wife, the lady stood so delicate and light. Even dressed as such, her long lush orange hair was braided into a crown with the rest draping down. Accented with pearls and a lovely broch. Her dazzling and mild smile shined everywhere. And eyes cast upon everyone with pleasure of their presence. It was clear she was pushing down her own nerves.

In a projecting voice spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guest I am ever so gracious that you have come tonight. It warms me to see the kindness you have to accept it. My concern is that you are all welcomed and warmed tonight. Enjoying yourself beyond extent. This night is to be of merriment and perhaps friendship." A light smile appears, earning a few laughs and smiles. "I am Lady Constantine and this is, my husband Lord Constantine."

She looks to the man who gives a nod and wave. "Yes, he is a man of few words. Now, I am quite sure your minds are wondering of the mask each of you has received, there is a reason I assure you. You see it was an idea one of my lovely sons has bestowed upon me. I understand it might be considered customary, though I do hope you enjoy it. As you have noticed, your mask are each differently designed. For tha-"

This was rather unexpected, though at the same time absorbed in it. While another felt it plaintive. There was no time for such. Not when their mind was focused elsewhere. For others, it would be chance...to see. To if...

Slinging an arm around Edward, Alejandro pulls the young man close. Both wearing their mask. "So? What do you think of the game my amigo? Hmm? Is it not to your liking?"

Edward wasn't sure what to say really, it was clear Alejandro put in a great deal of thought into what was just announced. The young man he just met, enrolled in Weston college and the newest student, put so much for him. "You sure thought it through I must say."

Alejandro throws his head back with a belly laugh. Slapping Edward on the back, not realizing the strength he used. Hooks him back with his arm and pulls in back. "Ah, you are so careful with your words. My amigo, come now..." his eyes search through the masked faces. "I don't see your Enchantress? What does she look like? Hmm? I am to assume she is quite one to look at. Well? Then perhaps we can make sure to keep the connection? Well?" Nuding him coyly. "Tell me? What attire is she in? I know you did not spare any expenses on her. Well?"

His tongue swelling Edward's mind paints the serene image in his mind. Though she left his side for some time, he could see it clear as day. The style was elegant and luscious, it completed her so well. Nina chooses a marvelous style for his dear cousin. A gown fit for a lady, for a delicate flower. A robust red-wine color signified her status and inherited title, it enchantingly draped over her, falling just a little off the shoulders, fitting well. Crushed velvet fabric, laced up back and front. Long sleeves that flared out at the end. Silver accented and lined it in such a light touch it seem like the stars blessed it. Part of her hair was gathered up and twisted into half a bun with the rest falling and resting. With its natural texture. There was no need for any curls or anything extra. She wore matching lipstick as her gown. Heels as well, though it could not been under the dress. And silver thin necklace to match. She stood before him a lady, no, it was something more. That words could not describe.

Except captivating.

She was the fair maiden and he her knight.

And when she took his hand, he didn't want to let go. His eyes never left hers, they didn't want them too. He could stare into them forever if allowed. That is until she spoke reminding him of leaving. That the spell was broken, just for that moment. And when she was on his arm as they entered he felt himself swell up inside from other eyes looking. He wanted to smile but instead gave it to her. There was no need to feel prideful, while she was chastity and modest. He couldn't smear that it would be unethical. In his mind at least.

Her eyes though sutle lite up lightly gleaming at what she saw. Her breath not doubt taken away, he could feel her body jerky slightly. Even as she remained calm. She held herself well, he would praise his mother's teachings, but something in him his cousin did this herself. She was fitting into her position well. And he felt himself forever calm.

Yes. That was how his mind saw her, the words came out his mouth like poetry. Of such tenderness, Alejandro felt its effect. "You speak with such conveying emotion, one would fall in love hearing them. I wouldn't be surprised if you made the angels jealous themselves." He places a light hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sweet and savory chocolate is the richest when pure. And you have proven it. I will make sure this goes well, I shall look out for such a pearl. So that you can claim it."

Edward's eye widens staring at the young man, who smiled warmly looking across the room towards the Hostess and Host. Lifting up his mask just a little and wipes a tear. Sighing softly. "A man is a true one when he shares his own heart. This night shall be yours." He puts his mask back on smirking.

The rules and instructions given, along with another object that was meant for something. Again, this was so trivial and distraction and most importantly a nuscience. They needed an opening to leave, but once the music started and bodies began to move to its rhythm, they became swept up. Pressing hands together to another bowed and exchanged a quick dance. Looking to go to another if not matched. So many of different shapes and sizes. It was rather hard to tell with the masks on, as it covered the woman's face, the males upper half of their face pressing their hair back, to conceal it.

The music sped up a merrily as the steps did. It was easy to see many were smiling under with pleasure under their mask. Having quite an entertainment. So they too put on a smile of enjoyment. One must make sure put on every mask and there were many. Bowing lightly come back up to their next partner, when their eyes noticed something or rather someone quickly leaving, slipping into the shadows. Rising their eyes remained transfixed in that area as their feet danced. The match was not it...that was fine.

Switching to another, formulate a plan come up with a way to leave this wasteless game and hunt. It would require their continue performances. With a charming smile given allowed them to get through, moving faster than the music was producing. Nearing the slither area their elusive friend took. Reaching it quickly departs. Tempted to toss off the mask instead keeps it on, should they get caught.

This place was surely a castle all the long and twisting corridors, high arched ceilings still intact holding history. Walls of ancient stone and rocks. Cleaned but still kept in its original state. Was masterful. One would surely be taken by its beauty and with the sweet wind of the echoing music flowed all throughout only made it more alluring and magical. The night also cast its own cold charm.

That gave a faint sound of life.

To be interrupted, stopping they listen to echoing sound of heals lightly moving on air. It was hard to say which way to go, the cold draft did not help really. So it would be considered on guessing if that was what they came here for. Turning from it walk in the opposite direction, as distant eyes watch them before heading the other way.

Both unaware of the second vail glance they cast.

The dance still commenced and Edward wasn't sure how many he's been through only that he knew..felt it wasn't his cousin. Every hand he touched, every palm he rested lightly against another was not her's. It wasn't soft...it wasn't light. It wasn't her's. His eyes carefully watched every move made. Even the slightest. The way they bowed. The way they walked towards him, even the way they held their gaze with his. His eyes couldn't see deep into them nor did their eyes become fascinated when locked with his. He didn't see it. Nothing.

There was no match that he ached for. Hoped for. Bled for. His chest tightens every time someone came to fit the piece, both seem sadly disappointed. His eyes flickered a few heads away to Alejandro, the young man hadn't given him any sign yet. With so many unseen faces it was hard to see how close or how far she was.

The question was though...was she even?

Looking away from his partner briefly felt her presence whiff through him. Her scent was here but gone as quickly as it came. Heart a fluttered stops for a few seconds, whips his head around just in time to see someone slip away.

May?

This whole pairing was just a bore...a big one. Trying to find the one who matches. If not for the food they would not be here, that and because as an Earl they felt obligated to attend. Even if for other reasons. Switching to another, yawns under their mask though doesn't hide the gesture. When was food going to come? Could this stop already? It wasn't at all exciting, that is until their eyes caught a flicking individual sink away. Did they become more invested.

Hiding one's face seem utterly ridiculous, one felt they should not have too. Even if for a bit of entertainment. Still, it was enjoyable and lively. Being invited here was a surprise but a good one. They hoped to see familiar faces and a certain familiar face. In which they truly believed would match with them. Even if it meant going through many others, taking hold of hands to move them aside for their desired prize. Bowing to another escort them to the next one, hearing a gleeful yelp. The match had been found. Glad to know, solemnly smile under their mask and take the hand presented, stop mid-way notice a masked individual slip away.

Curious and enthralled felt a calling towards them. Something spoke to them, whispered for them to follow. Realize they would not find their match here, they would have to go after it.

In the dark and cold halls a figure concealed by the shade of night, graciously given bits of light by the lights of the night sky. Briskly and lightly run down the empty corridors, searching...searching for something. Something that faintly called to them. That seem oddly familiar. Having slipped away from the event, kept their mask to hide themselves. Should they get caught. And avoid anything should anything happen. Their hair flowed behind them leaving a mystical trail. Sweeping around the corner find nothing but a wall. Tentatively they step back in their heels and go back the way they came, taking a right this time. Soon find themselves in an open-arched corridors leading to a lushes garden. Covered in a slight blanket of frost. Glisten ground with millions of frosted stars, the chill was abnormally comfortable and serene. The frost was pure and clean...the same color as them.

This weather...the season soon to come made them smile softly while remaining broken inside. Yes, they could see it...see her clear as day. Standing before them could feel their gentle smile and eyes on them. A smile they could not look at, hanging their eyes and head low. Reach up with a hand and slowly take off their mask...one of their mask. Softly whimpering their name into the night.

Open their mouth knowing full well their words would come out cracked and quivering. Stop halfway from completely revealing themselves. And remain still...hearing the soft breeze formulate words spoken. Words their mind heard, listening to their delicate words say their name. Not their actual name a name falsely given. But, when they said it meant so much.

Where they proud? Proud of how their child was being raised now? Or where upset with them? For the decision they choose because of their own heartache. Their own selfish heartache. Seeing their smile, mirroring their daughter's. A smile meant to be treasured and kept. Their daughter, their sister...now. The only piece left they had of their mother. The constant joy in their life.

Wishing to see them again. Bury their tight pain in them down...deep. They had too. Inhaling deeply. "...Teng Sh...She..."

Their arms fall and hands to their side. Swing from the minor push of the wind, it was hard to stand with so much pressured weight coincided in them. The woman...she was so kind..so kind to be painted in red. To scream horrible screams and be eaten by hungry flames. If...if only they could have...they could only save...only save what she treasured the most. And bring them to a new life.

The woman was like this snow, fair and beautiful. Soft and kind. Filled with hearth. As the season brought, as her daughtered loved. Purity without a single drop of taint. Brought merriment and smiles always. Nipping at the noise, as her daughter loved to do. Her child loved so much, taking a few steps onto the walkway carefully. Stand there finally looking up at the sky, noticing the stars filling it. Sees one gleam the brightest. It was them...they could feel it. Shutting their eyes see the woman, in all her vision. Extending her hand out.

Jun, my daughter. Come.

Her hand...Teng Shen's hand there it was...waiting. Waiting. To be taken. Reaching out slowly to take it, for another to come and swept it away. Holding it instead of Teng Shen. The hand guides them away and into syncing steps across the frosted grounds. Each step was taken with careful consideration. Watchful footing dotingly kept their hand around their waist keeping them close. But, not too close. Just right. Though with each feather spin done closed the distance. The music drowned out and replaced with nature's own. Neither broke from the other, breathing became a dance together. Stopping the leader gracefully spins them around and catches them lightly. Still, they kept their eyes adverted to the ground, weighed down immensely. So a thought came to their mind, it was quick as was their action. Remembering what the Hostess said, decided to change it just a little. Just this once, lean down towards them. Lightly like a soft petal places a hand over the lower part of their mouth and kisses the back.

And just as they thought it brought their eyes back from sinking thoughts. To here and now, their eyes take a second to realize what was happening, as they widen with each recollection. Stare at them confused, swat them back and quickly pull away. From their hold. Glaring with flickering flames. Remaining calm the gentleman's eyes fall down towards the ground, seeing this, they too cast their eyes down, surprised to find...a match. They matched.

Not good.

Not good at all, as the rules state once the match is found the two must reveal themselves. But, it was clear neither wanted too. Stubbornly refusing. Well, at least one was more so than the other. Who kept their guard up stepping back little by little. Keeping their eyes upon the gentleman. Should he try anything. It didn't matter, they step towards them slowly untying the lace that held their mask in place, begins to reveal themselves. Stops suddenly from an interruption. Quickly put their mask back on tying it back. Look up finding the maiden gone, though left behind their fitting pieces. That for some reason they picked up and tucked it away.

Finally out of the cold, you managed to flee from who it was...feeling yourself far stop and rest your back up against the cold wall with a hand on your rising chest, on your beating heart. That hadn't stopped despite your efforts. Taking off the mask and look back the way you came, no one was following. No one was trailing you. It was just you.

That gentleman...he...he...you couldn't recognize his presence...your mind was otherwise distracted. Otherwise, you'd be able to know who it was. But, the past held you for that moment. It took all your senses. Even away from your original reason for being here, just as the thoughts of that gentleman was doing right now. If not for these masks you could know another way as well.

Looking at this mask, another one for you to wear. Slip it back on and head back to the event. Though not before stopping and looking over your shoulder in the way you came for a few minutes, there was nothing...nothing but emptiness and cold. Yet, for some reason, it felt like eyes were watching you. Familiar eyes. Thinking nothing of it hurry back. Just as he steps out of the shadows.