Rialyn looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his jacket one last time. He was wearing a golden mask with bronze swirls, that exactly matched the bronze of his tailcoat tuxedo. The shirt was a muted gold silk, with bronze buttons. His blood red hair had been left in the tiny braids he favored, but he had changed the amber beads for bronze to match the rest of his outfit.
"Are you ready yet? I know you're planning on charming your way through the ball, but you said you were almost ready over an hour ago." Djuran looked annoyed. He was wearing a black mask with ruby edging. His tuxedo had no tails, but was also black with ruby accents and ruby cuff links. The shirt was a slightly lighter shade of black. Given how dark his skin was, in the right lighting, only the ruby would show where he was in the room.
"Patience. Perfection takes time. And I'm certainly worth waiting for." Rialyn tossed his hair, but finally started moving towards the door.
"Yes, yes. You're very pretty. Just remember you're supposed to be charming and not pissing people off tonight, please? You were the one who said one of the previous owners was throwing this masquerade party and that we should go."
"Don't worry, you know how persuasive I can be." The Fae smirked wickedly as he strode through the door, red eyes flashing with amusement behind his mask.
Upon arriving at the hall that had been rented for the masquerade, Djuran spoke softly, noticing how distracted Rialyn was with all the people in costume dancing and chattering around them.
"Do try remember the purpose of our visit."
Rialyn rolled his eyes, "Don't be such a spoilsport," he grumbled before sauntering off into the crowd, leaving Djuran behind.
The Djinn melted into the crowd, keeping an eye on Rialyn, and his ears open for any potential useful conversations.
The Fae was quickly surrounded by admirers, just as he preferred it. Flashing a smile here, an inviting laugh there, a teasing tilt of his head and a brush along someone's arm. He reveled in the attention he was getting, absently wondering if any of those here would be worth taking home with him for the night. But he hadn't forgotten their actual purpose, his red eyes flickering over the crowd, looking for their host.
There. Carrick was wearing pale browns, and an obscene amount of gold jewelry. His nose wrinkled in disgust before he smoothed his face and headed that direction. He weaved his way through the throng of people, until he came to a stop right in front of the host.
"Carrick, my darling, what a splendid gathering!" Rialyn exclaimed, flashing a dazzling smile. Carrick seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his composure. His face splitting into a wide grin as he reached out to grasp the Fae's hand.
"Rialyn, my dear, I had no idea you would be joining us!" Carrick replied, his voice booming over the music and chatter around them. "Though your presence certainly brightens the room."
Rialyn laughed brightly at the compliment, twirling one of his braids in mock modesty. "You flatter me," he purred, red eyes gleaming with faked happiness.
"Oh, but it's not flattery if it's the truth," Carrick tried to charm, his eyes gleaming with more than just friendly sentiment. He scanned the crowd, "And where is your shadow tonight?"
"Who? Djuran?" Rialyn shrugged nonchalantly, "He must be around somewhere. You know how he is at these sort of events."
Carrick chuckled, shaking his head. "Indeed. Well, he tends to be... quieter than you. I'm not sure I've ever seen him enjoying himself at these parties."
Rialyn smirked and wiggled his brows suggestively at Carrick. "Oh, trust me darling, he has his moments."
"Does he now?" Carrick leaned in a little too close for comfort. The Fae leaned back slightly but kept his smile intact.
"Oh Carrick," he exclaimed in feigned surprise, trying to shift the conversation into something more useful, "is that a new necklace I see? It's absolutely splendid." He reached forward to inspect the necklace around Carrick's neck more closely, brushing against the golden chain that dangled a large emerald with his fingers. Disappointingly, it didn't give off any magic, dark or otherwise.
Carrick's face bloomed with delight at the praise. "It is. I got it especially for this masquerade."
This close, Rialyn could feel no dark magic of any kind on the Earth Demon. Hiding his disappointment, he tried to find a graceful way to extract himself from the conversation.
"Ah, Carrick, you always have been the epitome of extravagance," Rialyn said smoothly, a coy smile playing on his lips. "But I mustn't monopolize your attention. After all, there are so many other guests who would love to share in your company."
Carrick seemed reluctant to let him go, but nodded nonetheless. "Of course, Rialyn. Do enjoy yourself tonight."
Rialyn turned away, hiding the annoyance on his face as he weaved through the crowd once more. This party was turning out to be more troublesome than he had expected. While Carrick was none the wiser about their suspicions, the lack of dark magic on him was a significant setback.
As he looked around for Djuran, a lithe male Fae with midnight blue hair and pale blue eyes stepped into his path. They were nearly the same height, the other Fae was slightly shorter but it was hardly noticeable.
"Good evening. Might I have the pleasure of a dance?"
Rialyn let his eyes travel over the Fae before him, his earlier thought coming back to mind. Perhaps this wouldn't be a complete waste of his time... The silver mask this Fae wore, had sapphire stones that brought out the color in his eyes and went well with his hair.
"I'd love to." Sliding an arm around the other Fae's waist, he pulled him close just as the music shifted seamlessly into a waltz. Rialyn took the lead, twirling his partner around the dance floor. They moved together gracefully, the other Fae not seeming to mind taking the following position.
"So you are light on your feet, as well as being an accomplished mage. What other talents do you possess?" The blue haired Fae asked softly as the dance ended.
"Well, wouldn't you like to know?" Rialyn replied with a flirtatious smirk. His partner chuckled, his arms remaining around Rialyn as another melody began.
"Perhaps I would." There was an inviting edge to his tone that made Rialyn's grin grow wider. The red-haired Fae decided then and there that the charming stranger was definitely worth exploring further. Though he did wonder how the other Fae knew he was a mage. He was sure he'd never met anyone who looked the way the other male did. Then again, his reputation had been growing lately.
"Then you'll have to stick around and find out, won't you?" Rialyn replied with a teasing wink, turning to guide his partner into a faster-paced dance.
As they twirled and swayed on the dance floor, Rialyn couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. His eyes darted around the room, searching for Djuran's dark figure among the crowd. However, his gaze kept being pulled back to the striking features of his dancing partner.
"Interesting party, isn't it?" the blue-haired Fae remarked conversationally as they continued to move with the rhythm. Rialyn merely hummed in agreement, still preoccupied with his hunt for Djuran. He figured the Djinn would be somewhere in a corner, probably brooding. The man had never been one for parties.
His search was interrupted as his partner's hand came up to caress his cheek, drawing his attention back to the present. "And you're quite interesting yourself Rialyn," the Fae murmured, his blue gaze meeting the red-haired Fae's. "Do you always dance so... intimately with strangers?"
Rialyn chuckled low, the sound reverberating in the space between them. "Only the ones I find intriguing," he responded, letting his fingers trace a path down his partner's arm, delighting in the shiver that action elicited. "And you, my dear… are very intriguing indeed."
A knowing smirk graced the stranger's lips as they continued to sway in rhythm with the music. "Anyone can be intriguing when hidden behind a mask."
Rialyn arched a single brow, his eyes gleaming with curious mischief. "Then perhaps it's time to unveil the mystery?"
The blue haired Fae chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Where's the fun in that?" He pulled back slightly, creating some distance between them as he gracefully spun Rialyn around. The move was unexpected, leaving Rialyn momentarily surprised.
There was something about this Fae that was different, and it was not merely because he declined to reveal his identity. He couldn't quite put his finger on what or why. As their bodies came together again, he slid both arms around the other Fae's waist. Keeping him close as red eyes flicked over what he could see around the silver and sapphire mask.
"Do I know you?" He wondered, almost to himself.
The stranger chuckled lightly, his pale blue eyes dancing with amusement. "Perhaps," he stated cryptically, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Rialyn reached out and fingered the edge of the silver and sapphire mask, as though he was about to pull it from the other's face.
"That won't do you any good." His voice dropped, sounding almost too intimate for where they were.
"How can you be so sure?" Rialyn tilted his head, a slow smirk stretching across his lips, his curiosity growing.
The blue haired Fae leaned in, lips just brushing Rialyn's ear as he spoke softly. "Even were you to remove my mask, a Centaury Fae only shows what we want to."
A shiver ran down Rialyn's spine at his words and the warmth of his breath against his skin. "Playing hard to get, are we?" Rialyn queried, a playful glint in his eye. He liked a challenge. It made the chase all that more entertaining.
"Or perhaps I'm just not as easy as you're used to," the Centaury Fae retorted with a teasing smirk, his gaze not leaving Rialyn for even a moment. He was clearly enjoying the game as much as Rialyn was.
Rialyn let out a low chuckle, his fingers tracing a soft pattern on the Centaury Fae's masked cheek. "Well then," he murmured, an amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "shall we make this more interesting?"
The blue haired Fae leaned back slightly, examining him with curious eyes. "And what did you have in mind?"
"A game of sorts," Rialyn suggested, his eyes dancing with mischief and intrigue. "A guessing game. I'll give you three guesses to figure out my secondary Fae gift. As you already know of me, you undoubtedly know the primary. If you win, then maybe I'll consider letting you hold the power in our little dance."
"And if I lose?" the Centaury Fae questioned, an air of playful challenge in his gaze.
"Then you'll forfeit the mask and reveal yourself to me," Rialyn stated, a dangerous smirk playing on his lips.
The Centaury Fae considered for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching as he contemplated this proposition. The game was risky; he had never heard even a hint of Rialyn's secondary gift. The chances of him guessing correctly were slim.
"One more condition. Win or lose, I want a kiss." he agreed finally, a spark of daring flashing in his light blue eyes.
Rialyn chuckled at the other Fae's audacity. "Deal. First guess?"
"Hmmm... Flight?"
Rialyn released a burst of laughter, shaking his head. "Wrong. Not a bad guess though," he replied, the grin never leaving his face. The Centaury Fae frowned slightly in concentration, pondering his next guess.
"Dream Weaving?" He cocked his head as he looked at Rialyn.
"Strike two," Rialyn teased, his fingers still tracing absent patterns on the other Fae's arm. "One more guess."
The blue haired Fae seemed deep in thought, his eyes scanning Rialyn as though attempting to discern secrets from his physical appearance alone. Finally, he spoke again.
"Is it... Elemental magic?"
"Strike three." A smirk curled Rialyn's lips. He did so love winning. He reached for the other Fae's mask.
"Ah ah, you still owe me a kiss." Blue eyes looked into red, a teasing smile on his lips. Not at all seeming to be upset at losing.
Rialyn rolled his eyes, but there was a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Very well, but I get to claim my prize first." With a swift, deft movement, he pulled off the mask, revealing the Centaury Fae's face beneath.
The other Fae laughed and shook his head. "You can have the mask. But I will have my kiss before revealing my actual face to you. I want a bit of insurance you see." Blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
Rialyn raised his eyebrows, a low chuckle escaping from his lips. "Aren't you a tricky one?" he mused, a hint of admiration lacing his words. Without another word, he leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed against the Centaury Fae's in a soft, teasing kiss that promised a lot more than it gave away.
The other Fae stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Rialyn's waist. The kiss was slow and exploratory, their lips moving languidly, bodies pressed close together.
Rialyn pulled back first, stepping back and out of the other Fae's arms.
"I do believe you still owe me a true reveal." He crossed his arms and tilted his head, waiting.
The other Fae took a breath, and lilac colored magic washed over him. It shimmered in the air a moment, before Louis was revealed to Rialyn's startled gaze. The singer's lips quirked in a slight, half-smile as he bowed. "Hello again Pretty One." He reached out as if to touch Rialyn's face, before lilac magic appeared again and a crow flew away.
The red haired Fae stood staring after the bird, before he started laughing softly. As he turned to look for Djuran, he felt a brush of dark magic. Red eyes scanning the crowd, but there were too many people. As he got near where he thought he'd felt it coming from, it was already gone. He cursed colorfully. Djuran was going to kill him.