Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[Condensation she/her]

"Of course I have! Why else would I have been at his table?"

[Lecky Twig she/her]

15 hours ago, Shard of Thought said:

Riva had, by now, decided that this woman was not worth her time. She glared beneath her mask. "Your compliments are empty and your veneer of friendliness is thin. Whatever you hope to gain by talking to me, you won't be getting it. I will be reporting your suspicious behavior to the king. Watch yourself in the future, or you will end up just like your fool of a son. Do I make myself clear?"

Aelyon paled as The Raveness raged infront of her thank goodness I've got this mask on. This is why people veer away from The Raveness, a loyal subject doesn't fear death from treason. But the girl was a royal nightmare to talk to. "What are you going to report to the King, that I was disappointed that you couldn't figure out who I was? To be honest I reckon he'd be more put off by your little episode of innocence than my poor behavior. Oh, and I honestly don't care about whether or not you take my companionability to heart, I was just trying to pay you back for what I have already gained out of this conversation." Aelyon honestly wouldn't mind taking the same fate as her son, but she had a duty to fulfill and a house to uphold, she grimaced at the thought. 

All that said, if purely being seen talking to the Raveness was potentially enough to start lifting up her reputation, then imagine the attention a shouting match with the formidable woman would get her! The Raveness was right, no matter what niceties were shared in this conversation Aelyon hated the women who had taken her son from her with the fury of a river's rapids tearing through a valley in flood. Lending that son her love had been one of her greatest mistakes, a lapse in judgement that she only had herself to hate for taking; her hatred for The Raveness however, was less about the death of her son and more about the poisonous grief it had sent her lord husband into. The grief The Raveness had caused by killing Lieno was what sparked Lord Hvenkar's alcohol addiction that caused the embarrassment and the mess that Aelyon now had to dig them out of. She had married into Hvenkar in hopes of money and popularity, and thanks the Raveness, Hvenkar had become a squalling mess, an embarrassment of a household.

She took a step backwards and aggressed her stance. A tear slid slipped out of her eye, obscured from view by her blessed mask as she remembered what this woman had taken from her; her son, her husband, her power, her riches, her popularity, everything. Aelyon channelled her torrent of rage into a whirlpool and lifted her volume so her voice carried across the room; she had nothing more to lose.....right? "And I think you should sulk less about me giving you compliments, feinted or not, because you" She jabbed a manicured nail at The Raveness "are friendless, you're always alone, you don't belong here, you belong in the shadows where no one has to see you. I'll have you know that your power is just as empty as my compliments. Yes! you might intimidate us plotting courtiers, but that's not the only reason we avoid you! Bloody ashes you'll report me to the King, the stench of your entitlement is what keeps us away from you." 

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

But Riva only grinned. Of course she belonged in the shadows! So she could avoid people like this woman! The Raveness laughed, low and smooth and evil. It was the laugh of a hunter, knowing their prey had been captured and looking forward to the kill. "Oh, you really have no idea who you're talking to, do you? Guards!" Two guards quickly ran to her aid, standing behind her and awaiting orders. 

Included in her privileges as the Raveness was the ability to arrest anyone she saw fit. Though she hadn't had to use it very often at all, she was more than happy to use it now. Sentencing someone to death was beyond her power and she could only keep people prisoner for a night or two without the king's direct permission. But this woman, this foolish, foolish woman, didn't know that. 

"Take this woman to the dungeon for safe keeping," Riva said, head held high, hands behind her back. "I think that she'll find my 'sense of entitlement' comes from the power she forgets I wield."

[Random Bystander she/her]

12 minutes ago, Shard of Thought said:

But Riva only grinned. Of course she belonged in the shadows! So she could avoid people like this woman! The Raveness laughed, low and smooth and evil. It was the laugh of a hunter, knowing their prey had been captured and looking forward to the kill. "Oh, you really have no idea who you're talking to, do you? Guards!" Two guards quickly ran to her aid, standing behind her and awaiting orders. 

Included in her privileges as the Raveness was the ability to arrest anyone she saw fit. Though she hadn't had to use it very often at all, she was more than happy to use it now. Sentencing someone to death was beyond her power and she could only keep people prisoner for a night or two without the king's direct permission. But this woman, this foolish, foolish woman, didn't know that. 

"Take this woman to the dungeon for safe keeping," Riva said, head held high, hands behind her back. "I think that she'll find my 'sense of entitlement' comes from the power she forgets I wield."

Seraphina had been watching and listening with interest. This was exciting! This was interesting! This was different! And then the Raveness arrested the other lady. She munched on her snacks. This was turning out to be very entertaining.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

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Here's my progress on Riva and Jassir! I've had snow days today and yesterday, so that's helped give me a ton of time to work on it. 

 

[Condensation she/her]

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I love it!

"So, what's your connection to the king?"

@Negative_Null

[Lecky Twig she/her]

7 hours ago, Shard of Thought said:

But Riva only grinned. Of course she belonged in the shadows! So she could avoid people like this woman! The Raveness laughed, low and smooth and evil. It was the laugh of a hunter, knowing their prey had been captured and looking forward to the kill. "Oh, you really have no idea who you're talking to, do you? Guards!" Two guards quickly ran to her aid, standing behind her and awaiting orders. 

Included in her privileges as the Raveness was the ability to arrest anyone she saw fit. Though she hadn't had to use it very often at all, she was more than happy to use it now. Sentencing someone to death was beyond her power and she could only keep people prisoner for a night or two without the king's direct permission. But this woman, this foolish, foolish woman, didn't know that. 

"Take this woman to the dungeon for safe keeping," Riva said, head held high, hands behind her back. "I think that she'll find my 'sense of entitlement' comes from the power she forgets I wield."

Aelyon held her ground she could feel heads starting to turn towards her and The Raveness and her confidence swirled,getting thrown into a dungeon on her first night back at court would be the start of an epic reputation, except it wasn't quite the direction she was aiming for; she wouldn't end this night locked up. "Oh, I know who I'm talking to Miss Raveness. Locking me up won't help your situation, don't you realise that this court is listening? This court is always listening." She gestured dramatically around the room and the scheming courtiers "And now they know that you're only response to me introducing myself was to reporting me to the king. And that instead of holding your own when I hurt your feelings, you call on the guards to arrest me.  Yes! you might wield power, but none of your dignity is your own. Because of this realization, this court's respect of you will crumble and their fear of you will become a mockery of what it was."

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva shook her head in exasperation and gestured for the guards to grab the woman. When they did - pinning her arms behind her back - the Raveness came in very close. "The only one who will lose their dignity tonight is you, Lady Hvenkar." Riva took Ayleon's chin in her pale, bone-like fingers. "It is healthy to fear me, woman. And after tonight, everyone will remember why. You most of all. You think you're brave for approaching me? Well." Riva cackled, grinning gleefully. "We'll see how brave you are when you truly realize what you've done. Take her away!" With a swish of her midnight skirt, Riva strode away, the guards carrying her victim to her cell. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by Shard of Thought

[Fallapede]

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Fadran, could you do something with the king? The hallway scene is waiting on you at the moment.

@Channelknight Fadran

[Channelknight Fadran]

3 hours ago, Fallapede said:

@Channelknight Fadran

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Yeah, sorry.

The king sat down, then looked up and sighed. It was probably too much to ask that the Raveness not imprison anybody at a public event like this, but couldn't she go one night without finding a new victim to murder?

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

Vurin looked about his supplies, should I make a new poison? Or try a new combination? Perhaps I could keep working on the truth serum. He started mixing the old variety of the serum, it had made the participant drowsy and more open to suggestion. Just to make it make them tell the truth, torture was distasteful, even if the Mistress Raveness enjoyed it. Perhaps he could sneak the truth serum into her drink when he as done? No, too risky. I think I'll mix in some [insert truth serumy thing here], perhaps that would be the breakthrough he neaded.

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That good Thought?

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by The Unknown Order

[Lecky Twig she/her]

Aelyon laughed, her voice still projected loud enough to be heard by any who wished to listen "What do you think locking me up is going to do? Oh, right; I forgot you didn't know a thing about me. Well, I'll tell you a little secret, a secret unbeknown only to you, Hvenkar has no dignity. And Hvenkar will have no dignity until you lock me up. Raveness, don't you understand that you've just lost the grace of this court. None here rival me because Hvenkar has nothing to compete with, none will thank you for getting rid of me. No one pats the back and congratulates the stuck up passerby who spits in the face of the poor." 

Aelyon smirked as the iron barred doors closed with a clang, in the end, she had won the night. She had gotten the attention she needed to spark Hvenkar's redemption. Getting thrown in gale while exposing the Raveness' inner wimp would help her gain a reputation.  Being the one to tick The Raveness' clock wasn't really what she had been aiming for, but she had learnt to make do with what she had. 

She leant against the cold stone wall and began running through her plans for the night. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

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That's great, Unknown, thanks! Can I get a character sheet to put in the opening post?

Riva rolled her eyes as Ayleon shouted behind her. The woman was deranged. Did she seriously not see that this interaction only solidified the Raveness's power? As Riva weaved her way through tables, she eyed the other party-goers. Each of them avoided her gaze like the plague, paling or shivering as she passed. Because they knew that that could have been them getting dragged off to the dungeons. House Hvenkar would gain nothing from this; when Ayleon returned she would find that the courtiers would avoid her just as they avoided Riva herself. 

After crossing the room, Riva found another guard. "You there?" she said firmly. The guard flinched. "Send a message to Vurin. I've just sent a prisoner to the dungeons, I'll need her prepped. Use whatever experimentation room is available, but I want her unconscious when I get there after the party. Got that?"

The guard nodded. "Yes, Mistress." He hurried off.

@The Unknown Order

[xinoehp512 he/him]

A shadowy figure lurked at the window to the hall.

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

When the guard came in Vurin was only slightly surprised, who's got one her nerves this time? Well, might as well try out the new truth serum. Vurin started walking down the hall and through the passages that riddled this castle. Finally, he arrived. "Well well well, the Mistress Raveness needs you prepped and I need to try the serum, so let's begin shall we?"

@Lecky Twig

Edited February 7, 2021 by The Unknown Order

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

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I'm so excited about this. I think I'll get rid of Jassir's dimple, it makes him look too old. But, like... other than that. Riva's flipping lips, y'all. 

 

[+Ed Venture]

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So first of all, I'm signing up. But first of first of all. @I think I am here., Did Jessir become a Jester because his name sounded like jester, or did he change his name.

 

Anyways, character cause that seems important:

Name: Ivy (Incorrectly pronounced Oi-Vey by Ivy herself) Frumgin
Appearance: Stout woman in her early fifties, heavily built and quite a bit muscular. Grey hair she swears come from having to deal with the king, and idle servants. Commonly wears a dark grey dress, and a stained smock. Won't dress up, even for a ball.
Details: The cook/head maid/head servant, self-proclaimed Queen of the Servants. Being a holdover from the last King to rule the castle, and her mother being the head servant for the king before that, Ivy knows a great deal about the castle. Few are willing confront her head on, as she's quite skilled with a knife. Has a vice for gossip, and a penchant for bribes.
Personality: A grumpy, no nonsense leader who isn't scared to put anyone in their place, and tell anyone what she thinks.
Skills: She's handy with a cooking utensils, for both cooking and weaponization. Knows quite a bit about the secret passages of the castle. Privy to far more secrets than anyone should be.

 

[I think I am here. he/him]

23 hours ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

The king sat down, then looked up and sighed. It was probably too much to ask that the Raveness not imprison anybody at a public event like this, but couldn't she go one night without finding a new victim to murder?

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@Butt Ad Venture It was a... happy coincidence  

Jassir watched the commotion with wide eyes, seeing Lady Hvenkar being escorted away after yelling at the Raveness. She really had nothing to lose, did she?

Nothing to lose, but all to gain.

Spotting the King in his throne, Jassir jumped and cartwheeled over to him, landing in front of his Majesty with a flourish.

“Your Majesty, not keen for a dance?” He glanced towards the King’s betrothed, being offered a dance by another noble. “Not even with your bride-to-be, at your own ball?”

Edited February 7, 2021 by I think I am here.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

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Nekri???  

 

[Lecky Twig she/her]

10 hours ago, The Unknown Order said:

When the guard came in Vurin was only slightly surprised, who's got one her nerves this time? Well, might as well try out the new truth serum. Vurin started walking down the hall and through the passages that riddled this castle. Finally, he arrived. "Well well well, the Mistress Raveness needs you prepped and I need to try the serum, so let's begin shall we?"

@Lecky Twig

Aelyon pouted slightly, she hadn't expected The Raveness to attend to her so quickly. Usually they let the pirinsor fester in prison for at least a few hours before dealing with them; she must of really dug into The Raveness' skin for her to be this prompt about it. "Actually, I was thinking of doing a quick pantry raid before getting down to business. I was going to go solo, but now that you're here, feel free to join me." She pulled a slim knife out of her bra and a long pin out of her hair I wish I had my lock picking kit. She had been taught to keep the kit with her at all times, but thing was so bulky. She sighed softly as she started fiddling with the lock. She had trained in these dungeons as a child, but she hadn't visited them ever since she got married. A married women didn't have time to frolic around as an assassin like a maiden did.

When the lock popped after a couple moments of trying, she doffed her overdress and stepped out. She started to walk upstairs towards the kitchens, "Don't worry, this'll only take a minute. I'm thinking cake, maybe a cookie, then we'll be right back. Coming?" 

[Random Bystander she/her]

Seraphina was once again wishing she could just go back to her room and get her book. She tensed slightly everytime a man walked past. She glumly ate a piece of cheese. Note to self: bring more reading material next time. Maybe one of the Rainlight archive books. Those take forever to read. And I am always happy to re-read the series. Or maybe a classic instead. I've been wanting to re-read 'the odd case of Dr. Jerry and Mr. High' for a while.

[Negative_Null They/Them]

On 2/5/2021 at 2:29 PM, Condensation said:

"So, what's your connection to the king?"

@Negative_Null

"My father is quite good in his graces." 

On 2/5/2021 at 5:32 PM, Shard of Thought said:

Riva shook her head in exasperation and gestured for the guards to grab the woman. When they did - pinning her arms behind her back - the Raveness came in very close. "The only one who will lose their dignity tonight is you, Lady Hvenkar." Riva took Ayleon's chin in her pale, bone-like fingers. "It is healthy to fear me, woman. And after tonight, everyone will remember why. You most of all. You think you're brave for approaching me? Well." Riva cackled, grinning gleefully. "We'll see how brave you are when you truly realize what you've done. Take her away!" With a swish of her midnight skirt, Riva strode away, the guards carrying her victim to her cell. 

"Well now, that was exciting."

[Condensation she/her]

1 minute ago, Negative_Null said:

"My father is quite good in his graces." 

"Well now, that was exciting."

"Good... what will happen to her? The woman who was taken away."

[Negative_Null They/Them]

3 minutes ago, Condensation said:

"Good... what will happen to her? The woman who was taken away."

Will grimaced. "Nothing good. Hopefully we won't see her again. Let us talk of kinder things."

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

9 hours ago, Lecky Twig said:

Aelyon pouted slightly, she hadn't expected The Raveness to attend to her so quickly. Usually they let the pirinsor fester in prison for at least a few hours before dealing with them; she must of really dug into The Raveness' skin for her to be this prompt about it. "Actually, I was thinking of doing a quick pantry raid before getting down to business. I was going to go solo, but now that you're here, feel free to join me." She pulled a slim knife out of her bra and a long pin out of her hair I wish I had my lock picking kit. She had been taught to keep the kit with her at all times, but thing was so bulky. She sighed softly as she started fiddling with the lock. She had trained in these dungeons as a child, but she hadn't visited them ever since she got married. A married women didn't have time to frolic around as an assassin like a maiden did.

When the lock popped after a couple moments of trying, she doffed her overdress and stepped out. She started to walk upstairs towards the kitchens, "Don't worry, this'll only take a minute. I'm thinking cake, maybe a cookie, then we'll be right back. Coming?" 

Vurin watches in bewilderment. "Would you like some ale?" He pulls out a flask.