#aosmasquerade

[cryptographism]

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@thislord

The concept of a masquerade was almost laughable to a being whose presence in the prestigious Morticia Hotel required a facade, but that didn’t mean Bill wouldn’t play along. His vessel was dressed to the nines while remaining subdued, a simple black mask outlining his eyes despite the irony that a careful examination of that same aspect would betray his true nature.

Fashionably late, he took up residence by one of the many tables bountifully laid out with drinks and finger-foods, watching and waiting. This would be, after all, one of the first opportunities for all the current guests to mingle and present their public faces. He may be on vacation but there was still room for a little networking.

A familiar face was the first to attract his notice, however, and his plans were ones that could be set aside in favour of amusing himself for a while. Without a hint of subtlety, he crossed the ballroom to the other’s elbow, his voice - unnaturally loud as it always was - proceeding him.

“FANCY MEETING YOU HERE, KID!” As if by magic, a martini glass filled with something vibrant was in hand, offering a merciful break in his commentary as he took a sip. “Y’KNOW, I WAS GOING TO MIX THINGS UP A BIT, MEATSUIT-WISE, BUT GIVEN YOUR TRACK RECORD WITH MEMORY, WELL...” he trailed off with another brief drink, knowing that it would be simple for him to fill in the blanks of the teasing implication.

“SO, A HIGH-SOCIETY DEMON LIKE YOU-- MUST NOT BE AS TAKEN IN BY ALL THE FANCY BELLS AND WHISTLES AS SOME OF THE STARRY-EYED HUMANS I’VE SEEN TONIGHT, AM I RIGHT?”

[corvuus]

ℂ  They All Have Secrets

                                                         @inprudentia

 — The masquerade’s attendees were just as unique and plentiful as the members of the Inquisition in its later days. Some seemed glued to the food and drink, others mingled, and others still chose to skirt about the edge of the room, looking as uncomfortable as they could in the process. Morrigan wouldn’t lie and say the former had been her one day, because that was never the case. She was raised in a small hut in the middle of a swamp, and despite having talents that made her a target, she never was one to hide. What great shame could there be that one could not even approach their peers?

    Her head canted slightly as she gave the wine in her glass a gentle swirl. She had no intentions to drink in this unfamiliar place, but it would do to help her blend in. “Curious, is it not? For such a secluded location, this hotel has attracted a great many guests. One would think that with this many people, there is bound to be the potential for each of us to make a new acquaintance. And yet, some choose to hide away. No doubt more still are locked up in their rooms, playing damsels and dames in social distress.” 

[corvuus]

ℂ  One Selfish Soul & Another

                                                          @takesyourheart

 — Morrigan strolls through the hall as if she owns it, and she may as well, with her experience in such affairs. Masquerades. The witch never did understand why ‘high society’ was so concerned with hiding behind masks. Did they truly need to disguise themselves to speak freely? Were they so concerned about their reputation that they could only be honest when they held some anonymity? Even in Orlais, she never was one to bother with such frivolities. She had not worn a mask then, and she would not wear one now. Morrigan did not need a mask to hide her secrets.

    She pauses, a faint smirk turning up painted purple lips. “If one thing can be said about this hotel, ‘tis certainly full of surprises. I was expecting to find the interior in horrible disrepair, and yet,” she motions with a gloved hand to the extravagant setting laid out for the masquerade. “we are faced with stunning decorations, the food and drink appear to be more than edible, and I have yet to see a single soul who looks as though they would ruin the night.” Her striking amber gaze shifts to the stranger who’d apparently been listening in on her monologue, lips still turned up in an almost mocking manner. “Unless you happen to be one.”