Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Unknown Medallion he/him]

Arthin fluidly drew an arrow and aimed it. 

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Where's the bounty hunter?

 

[Random Bystander she/her]

10 minutes ago, Robin Custos said:

Robin dropped to the ground, and rolled to the side. She then leaped to her feet and pull out her own bow. This time the arrow wasn't pointed at her. Robin could handle facing death her self, but now Wendy was the one facing death.

 

A cloaked figure waited behind a curtain, and placed a note on Seraphinas plate as she passed by, and with a smirk jumped out the window.

Seraphina,

Stop serving the coward who hides behind a crown. You know of his corruption. Protect the ghosts of the woods. The darling thief is among you tonight along with a 8 year old child. They represent a greater cause more worthy of your skills. You never wanted to serve your king. Robin will welcome you, and the ghost of the forest need you. 

 

Seraphina, depressed, went to eat another snack and found a note on her plate. Ooh! A secret note! This is much more interesting than this stupid party! She opened the note, and choked. She carefully put the note into her bag, and started eating. I... I'll need to be careful. I will not let my family be punished for my actions. I do feel like I should go... I'll have to find a good opportunity. Maybe I should fake my death? I've always wanted to try that...

[Robin Custos she/her]

2 hours ago, The Unknown Order said:

Arthin fluidly drew an arrow and aimed it. 

 

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I was thinking in or behind a tree

 

[Vapor she/her]

8 hours ago, Robin Custos said:

Biana saw Arabella looking at her and gave her the signal. They needed a distraction to get out of the paranoid court.

Robin heard a noise to the right on her way back to camp. She continued, but pulled up her hood so she could look around unnoticed. She saw a flash of black as a hand pulled back a bow string and released a sleek red arrow at Robins heart.

Arabella nodded and grinned, tripping into the refreshments table.

[+Ed Venture]

Ivy wanted to spit at the ground. By the kings, this was boring. Peering through a servant's window, she watched nobles as they faffed about the hall. The hall she'd have to clean up the next day...or at least tell people to clean up. She stepped away from the window and turned around, folding her arms as she surveyed the chaotic scene before her. "The kitchens, why is it always the kitchens that's a mess" Sighing, Ivy began her...what was it now...seventeenth run of the night? She all but dashed through the rows, dodging cooks and servers as she shouted her throat hoarse. No one really could do anything right in this castle if she wasn't there too manage it. Finally having made the kitchen area....decent...Ivy reckoned it would be time to move into the main ballroom. Feeling the wall to her left....If she was right.....a stone shifted inwards, and then a small hatch swung open. Stepping through, Ivy nodded in approval. Ending up right behind a pillar, out of sight. One really could get anywhere, once they got used to the castle, helped having grown up with the best teacher there was though. Folding her arms across her grey smock and checking her bun, Ivy leaned back against the wall behind her, keeping an eye on the spread, making sure no one under her charge was slacking off...

..but the ballroom was in chaos. People seemed drunk, at first thought...but it was much more than that. People were in fear. And....food was left unattended, one of her spread tables were knocked down carelessly. Bah. A bigger mess. Irregardless...guards milling around...though none had spotted her, which was lucky enough. Something was wrong. Yes...after a few moments deliberation, Ivy felt around behind her for the latch, and crept back into the servant's hallway. Something was wrong, and someone knew the story. Nothing could be kept secret for long back where the nobles never saw.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Butt Ad Venture
context is everyhting 2, elecric boogaloo

[Random Bystander she/her]

2 hours ago, Vapor said:

Arabella nodded and grinned, tripping into the refreshments table.

Seraphina watched for the 2 people specified in the note as she wrote a note of her own. It was written in a code only King's Ladies could read. To a King's lady, it said:

Robin,

I'd love to join you, but don't want to do it in a way that would endanger my family. I have to lead a patrol tomorrow to check defences. There is one area by a cliff that I can escape from while making it look like I died. If you 'attack' me tomorrow, I can make it seem like I fell off the cliff and died.

-Seraphina

To anyone who wasn't a King's lady, it seemed like a letter to a friend.

Once Seraphina saw the kid trip into the table, she could tell that she was the 8 year old mentioned in the note. She walked over to her, and sneakily handed her the note as she moved to help her up. She quickly whispered "This is for Robin." And then walked back to her table once she was done. Hopefully that would be enough.

[Vapor she/her]

3 minutes ago, Random Bystander said:

Seraphina watched for the 2 people specified in the note as she wrote a note of her own. It was written in a code only King's Ladies could read. To a King's lady, it said:

Robin,

I'd love to join you, but don't want to do it in a way that would endanger my family. I have to lead a patrol tomorrow to check defences. There is one area by a cliff that I can escape from while making it look like I died. If you 'attack' me tomorrow, I can make it seem like I fell off the cliff and died.

-Seraphina

To anyone who wasn't a King's lady, it seemed like a letter to a friend.

Once Seraphina saw the kid trip into the table, she could tell that she was the 8 year old mentioned in the note. She walked over to her, and sneakily handed her the note as she moved to help her up. She quickly whispered "This is for Robin." And then walked back to her table once she was done. Hopefully that would be enough.

Arabella tried to brush food off of herself and took the note, hoping everyone was sufficiently distracted.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva's eyes widened at the overturned table and she cursed quietly under her breath. There was a loud uproar in the hall, but Riva kept her feet planted, her back straight, and her hands clasped behind her. She was, after all, the Raveness. A cold, emotionless, shadow of a figure. Or maybe not emotionless. Just... one dimensional. A symbol or a force. Not a human being. 
---------
Maverick jumped, book slamming shut in reaction to the sudden crash. "Stars above!" he exclaimed. First a sudden lock down and then a massive table crash? This night was looking to be a long one...

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Here's Mav's mask, BTW. Pretty simple, but then, he's a simple enough man. oR iS hE? 

 

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor (sorry, but I don't currently have it saved) jumped up at the crash.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Oh, milady!" Nicolae squeezed Eleanor's hand. "Are you alrighty, miss?"

[Condensation she/her]

"I'll be fine, it just startled me. But what about the girl who just crashed into the refreshments table?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nicolae shrugged. "She's a young'un, she'll be fine." He paused. "How'd she even get in here, huh? Our king don't like kids, oh no."

[Condensation she/her]

"He doesn't like kids?" Alienor looked up at Sir Kimby, worried.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Nooooo, siree," said Nicolae, shaking his shaggy head of hair. "In fact, he-" Then he paused and realized just who he was talking to. "Aww, shoot your Majesty. I didn'a realize 'at... Stars almighty. I'mma sure he'll be likin' his own kids, miss, you don' 'eed to worry. Needs an heir, after all, don't he, now?"

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Writing Nicolae's dialogue is so fun, you guys. 

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by Shard of Thought

[Condensation she/her]

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I can tell. I'm kind of jealous.

"He does need an heir... but does he need to like his heir?" Alienor would have been biting her lip were it not for her current place.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Condensation

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

There was a pause. "No." Nicolae hung his head. "I'm supposin' not." The serving boy sighed. The truth was, his king was rather lacking in the traits that would have made him a good husband. Or, in Nicolae's own opinion, even a good person. Part of him was rather angry with himself for taking a position directly under the king. How selfish was that, joining with a bad man so that he could have a decent life? But then, even if he was to somehow "fight" against the king's leadership, what could he possibly do? He was just Nicolae, the gangly gossip. 

"Now, look here, miss," he said, his resolve hardening, "I'mma be honest wit'cha, this place ain't exactly a carnival and your husband-to-be prob'ly ain't what'cha lookin' for. But I can promise you, miss, as long as I'mma here in the palace, I'll be makin' sure you're far from miserable."

Edited February 11, 2021 by Shard of Thought

[Condensation she/her]

Alienor dashed away a sudden tear and blinked rapidly. "Thank you." She turned away, wiping at her eye.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

He furrowed his brow. "Aww, darlin'." A faint smile touched his lips. "I'd be offerin' a hug, but I don't think that'd be proper in my position."

[Vapor she/her]

10 minutes ago, Condensation said:

"He does need a heir... but does he need to like his heir?" Alienor would have been biting her lip were it not for her current place.

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*an heir

add me to your signature

 

[Condensation she/her]

1 minute ago, Vapor said:

add me to your signature

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Never.

"Yeah, probably not. Sorry." Alienor turned back to Sir Kimby, a new smile on her face.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Nicolae smirked grimly. He was an incurable flirt and had been for as long as he'd been in the palace, but... there was something different about Eleanor. She was certainly no serving girl; her gorgeous gown, prim posture, and done-up hair could tell you that much. But more than that, she was genuine. Everyone had a mask at court, that was just how life was in Mendahar. And yet, Eleanor didn't seem to have anything like that. She was just a gentle young girl, thrust into a harsh new world, but willing to face it and hide away her pain for the good of an alliance between her kingdom and theirs. It was honorable, but unfortunately, Nicolae knew full well that her honor would go completely unrecognized by her betrothed. It just seemed so unfair. Her delicate little heart could be so easily crushed beneath Ivian's coldness. Maybe Nicolae couldn't do anything about Ivian himself... but if he could help this young woman, he would do so.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Shard of Thought

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden spotted the King's guard coming from down the hall. There were ten of them, and they were hard to miss as their armor was kept spotless and were ridiculously ornate. It was not until they got closer that he recognized two of his personal guard among them, as their armor and uniforms were steel grey with angular plating that resembled Caden's own armor, and covered with countless nicks and scratches from combat. Caden finished with the bindings on the king's wound; he had broken off the arrow's shaft, but left the tip in so that it would keep the wound blocked. The general turned to the men who had arrived, "it's about time you wretches! The king's attacker must still here, gather everyone who's not at a post and search this entire castle. Every way out is covered, if the assassin is still here, then she'll be dead! No one is to leave this castle without my explicit and direct orders, you got that?!"

The guardsmen saluted.

Caden growled, "then get moving! My two personal guards as well as two of you castle men will stay here with the king, don't let anyone near him unless you receive direct orders from me, you understand?"

His personal guards merely nodded while the palace guards bowed their heads, "as you say sir."

The general stood up, "two of you will come with me; I will fetch my personal regiment to help secure the castle, we'll need the manpower if we're going to deal with the," Caden took a moment to savor the word as he said it, "guests."

Caden turned and stomped down the hall. He then stopped for a moment and gestured for the captain of the guard to follow him, "tell me, do you have a list with all of the King's ladies who are supposed to be in the castle at this moment?"

The captain started a partial jog in order to catch and keep up with the general, "uh, I believe that is only meant for the king's eyes sir."

Caden glared at the captain, "you'll have to make an exception, captain."

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't think I can. Even I'm not allowed to look at it."

Caden stopped suddenly, and he grabbed the captain by his collar, pulling him close. The captain yelped as he tried to squirm out of the general's steel grip, but he stopped when Caden began to speak. "My king is currently on the floor unconscious after being shot by an assassin boy. If you think I'm going to let something like a little rule stand in my way of finding the killer, then you're better off dead."

Caden finished the sentence uncharacteristically calm, and as the captain looked into his yellow eyes he only saw a seething hatred staring back at him. Beads of sweat began to form on the captain's forehead, "You uh, you don't think that one of his ladies did it, do you?"

The general only glared and growled before shoving the captain away, "I don't care if only the King is able to see it, I will catch this assassin! So either bring me that list, or your head."

The general stormed down the hall, leaving the captain behind to deal with his insufferable mental quandary. Caden growled as he thought about what he had to do after assembling his regiment, dealing with the nobles. As he thought about their seemingly pointless bickering and endless politicking, his hand twitched as if to vent his frustration by striking something. He could find a little bit of relief from his anger by thinking how they would squirm if he had to deal with them one on one, but that was quickly swallowed up by the idea of dealing with the King's ladies after that. If there was one thing he hated more than pointless politics, it was assassins. His blood boiled just thinking about them.

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I'm probably going to do a short time skip to after Caden getting his regiment into position. He's got the entire outer wall under a strict lockdown, as he intends to lock in the assailant and flush him out.

 

[Lecky Twig she/her]

6 hours ago, Butt Ad Venture said:

Ivy wanted to spit at the ground. By the kings, this was boring. Peering through a servant's window, she watched nobles as they faffed about the hall. The hall she'd have to clean up the next day...or at least tell people to clean up. She stepped away from the window and turned around, folding her arms as she surveyed the chaotic scene before her. "The kitchens, why is it always the kitchens that's a mess" Sighing, Ivy began her...what was it now...seventeenth run of the night? She all but dashed through the rows, dodging cooks and servers as she shouted her throat hoarse. No one really could do anything right in this castle if she wasn't there too manage it. Finally having made the kitchen area....decent...Ivy reckoned it would be time to move into the main ballroom. Feeling the wall to her left....If she was right.....a stone shifted inwards, and then a small hatch swung open. Stepping through, Ivy nodded in approval. Ending up right behind a pillar, out of sight. One really could get anywhere, once they got used to the castle, helped having grown up with the best teacher there was though. Folding her arms across her grey smock and checking her bun, Ivy leaned back against the wall behind her, keeping an eye on the spread, making sure no one under her charge was slacking off...

..but the ballroom was in chaos. People seemed drunk, at first thought...but it was much more than that. People were in fear. And....food was left unattended, one of her spread tables were knocked down carelessly. Bah. A bigger mess. Irregardless...guards milling around...though none had spotted her, which was lucky enough. Something was wrong. Yes...after a few moments deliberation, Ivy felt around behind her for the latch, and crept back into the servant's hallway. Something was wrong, and someone knew the story. Nothing could be kept secret for long back where the nobles never saw.

Aelyon stared, mouth agape, at the kitchen girl as she disappeared into an opening in the wall. She rushed over hopefully and started tapping the wall where the girl had gone through. She had learned of a hallway and tunnel system for servants that ran throughout the castle during her studies as an assassin, but she had never been trusted with its hidden entrances. It was unlike the servants to be so clumsy with the secret entrances, hidden passages could easily become dangerous in the wrong hands; perhaps her show with The Raveness had started to bear fruit, maybe she truly did win over some of the castle. Even though the nobles weren't outwardly supporting her, servants were very powerful allies. She suppressed a cry of delight as a stone shifted under her hand and a small hatch swung open, she strode hurriedly down the hallway, with luck she would find a way out of this blasted building. 

She stumbled into a servant passing through the hall from the direction of the ballroom, her pocketed jewels swung at her waist catching her off balance and almost toppling her over. "I am so sorry." She cringed at her clumsiness you must calm down her old lessons played through her mind as she straightened up and regained composure. She nodded towards the ballroom "What's going on in there?"  She could only imagine the chaos a lockdown would put in that room. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

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Riva is going to be sooooo mad when her patient isn't there upon her arrival in the dungeons. And an angry Raveness is kiiiiiind of a terrifying thing.  

 

[Robin Custos she/her]

Biana realized that their was no way Arabella could get out with everyone looking at her.  She walked over to Arabella and kneeled on the ground.

“Darling are you okay” she then whispered  “that window behind you is open, slip behind the curtain and start climbing down with your dress ribbon. I made it extra long for this purpose.”

Biana then put her plan into action. She grabbed two pieces of of pie, the strawberry juice dripping onto her hands.

“It’s a shame this food must go to waste isn’t it darlings” everyone's questioning eyes turned to her, and she smirked. “I have an idea!” she said her face suddenly brightening. She then made eye contact with her next victim the Raveness. “Food Fight!” Biana screamed as she launched the pies at the Raveness, one hitting her face the other her chest. Biana knew that after that show she had a couple of seconds before someone came after her so she ran and jumped out the open window, rolling as she hit the ground. Biana could see Arabella up ahead of her, and sprinted back to Robin to again become a ghost in the forest. 

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The Raveness is going to be mad!

@Shard of Thought