Let's talk about the Venetian Masks again, but seriously
Not too long ago I wrote a sort of article on one of my social media sites about my "Creatures-Masks" characters. And I thought I'd post it here as well (why not? I think it's not a bad topic, and I'd be very happy to know that you'd be okay with it and that you'd be interested in reading about them).
Well, I guess I'll start with the most "ancient" ones and move on to the "younger" ones. In the meantime, let me remind you that these characters exist in a multiverse and multifandom, and each has its own task in this world. No one can see these creatures except the Little Storyteller, who is brought up by Columbine, and so and not otherwise has access to humans. And the whole assemblage of these "Creatures-Masks" is called the "World Council" or the "Council of Masks". I forgot to say: They all have no gender or age. They can only be distinguished by the sound of their voice (so when I write "his" or "her," keep in mind that what is meant here is the feeling and perception of the voice itself, which pronoun it is drawn to)
Now, let's turn, perhaps, to the Masks themselves:
Bautta
Bautta - is an old mister, always grumpy and likes to prove his point. His voice is very low and hoarse, and he has a chronic cough.
Bautta is almost nowhere to be seen except in old antique ruins, prison buildings, or medieval castles. He knows how long a particular cartoon, short film or animated series lasts. He knows how much has happened, how much damage has been done and to whom, and who is responsible for it all, and who the hero is that saved everyone or, on the contrary, that made a big mess.
His attribute: Cane with a bird's paw handle, which conceals a dagger that he uses to cut through space/space matter to enter one multiverse or another.
Moretta
Moretta - A venerable lady in white robes and a black mask with no outline of lips. She is very friendly, but shy, and therefore does not make first contact. You will not hear her voice, as this lovely beauty is mute, she speaks only in sign language. If you would like to hear her, you can only turn on your imagination and imagine how beautiful and singable her voice would be.
Moretta travels through the world of dreams and the astral, she finds this place more interesting because she has access to the hero's soul - to his thoughts and innermost desires. She honors the heroes of the literary world, she honors those who describe the thoughts of the heroes in her fan writings, she patronizes them.
Her attribute: Silver hairpin with cherry blossoms. She hides it in her 16th century hairdo. With this hairpin she makes several holes in space, and then with a slight movement she moves it through them, opening her way to fantasies, dreams and thoughts.
Dama Di Venezia
Dama Di Venezia - This person personified the favorite image of all women: the mysterious beauty in a golden mask. She seems to be the same age as Bautta, the same advanced age, and she seems about to crumble into dust and disappear, but don't be too quick to assume that she is quite old, for she is truly capable of great things! Her voice is very deep and velvet, and it's a pleasure to listen to it.
Dama is a connoisseur of world art. She knows every musician, writer, artist and painter. She loves to watch creators express themselves through their work, whether it's a role on stage or a painting. She likes to see the sincere feelings of the characters, because that is the highlight of each soul and character. If you want to talk to her: look for her in the theater on the balconies - that's her favorite place.
Her attribute: Gold scissors. If it clicks its blades three times and then stabs one of them into spatial matter and cuts it open, it will go wherever it wants to go, unnoticed and unheard.
Gnaga
Gnaga - is a cunning cat, walking wherever he wants and walking on his own. A lover of mischief and singing lullabies. He enjoys messing around with children and young people (he can't even deny himself the pleasure of flirting with someone, as long as this flirting does not lead to serious consequences). More often than not, you can hear him purring. Not a single phrase is without an adorable "mr-meow".
Gnaga can be found everywhere: at home, in the park, on the roof, and on the streets. If you've seen in any animated works of cats or kittens, performing a role in the story, you know - it's all him. He can turn into any cat or kitten, he has many different nicknames and all he will respond to. Of course, he is very lazy and pampered in places, and prefers to suck up to the other Creatures Masks, but when it comes to work - he takes it with a special seriousness, and completely immerses himself in it.
His attribute: Iron claw rings. Brush them on spatial matter and the slot into the multiverse is open!
Arlekino
Arlekino - this type is the only one of the Masons who can change the "position" of his Mask (by position he means his mouth: he is always smiling, but at the same time he can calmly expose his white teeth). His voice always rings in your ears like the tinkling of bells or a teaspoon in a cup of hot drink. He may look like a villain (and in fact may claim to be a dark horse), but that's only at first glance. In fact, he just likes to have fun and make jokes.
Arlekino usually sticks out among circus performers. He can not always be seen among other people, because he blends in with his surroundings, but be sure that if you hear a funny joke or a ridiculous joke, you know - he set it all up and provoked everyone. In general, it must be said that it is this Mask that is responsible for all the comedic insertions in a particular work (even if it is black humor).
His attribute: A gilded sickle with a wooden handle. Ask, why not a staff or a whipping stick? Because it's not interesting! Arlekino declares that no stick or baton will penetrate space, only a sharp object is needed! That is why he always has his sickle with him, hanging on his arm and not disturbing anyone.
Pierino
Pierino - the Sad Comrade, completes Arlekino's existence with his presence. He too would like to be able to change the "position" of his Mask, but he is so tired that he doesn't even have enough to move the corners of his lips or frown. The Mask has been frozen in the sad face for years. His voice is like the trembling of leaves when raindrops hit them, he is always sad and tries not to cry because Arlekino doesn't like it and he always tries to raise his adventurous spirit.
Pierino, being the opposite of Arlekino, is responsible for any dramatic event in this or that cartoon or cartoon series. Without it, there would be no heat of passion and plot twists that bring tears to the face that touch the audience's soul strings. He and Arlekino work together, because no drama is without a joke, and comedy without tears. Where can you find him? In the basement of the circus. Only no one will let you in unless you have clearance there or unless you are a circus performer. He usually sits there and plays sad songs, dropping into the depths of despondency.
His attribute: A small dagger with a scabbard on a chain. He usually hides it in his hat so it doesn't get in the way and cause questions. Sometimes he even gets depressed and puts a dagger to his chest swearing he'll stab himself, but it's a good thing Arlekino stops him at such moments, puts his dagger back in his hat, and then drags him by the hand to work, God forbid. Pierino, like Colombine with her rapier, cuts through space with his dagger and goes to fulfill his purpose without any problems, though he does not just make a slot, but cuts a hole in space - it's more convenient for him.
Citizen / "Duellante"
Citizen - this "specimen" is very difficult. He has been called the heart-snatcher, and Casanova, and Don Juan, as he is quite a big "hunter" for women, and especially for Columbine, who repels him with a duel (in connection with which she gave him the nickname "The Duellante"). He just yearns to touch her mask with his own, if only for a second, because that will be enough to work even harder. His spirit is overflowing with adventurism, and as soon as he gets into a taste for it and breaks into battle, thick black feathers immediately begin to grow out of his Mask. His voice is as polyphonic as Colombina's, only it is nicer and gentler (and he prefers to use only the male voice). You could say of it, "this voice is a caress to the ear", because it adapts to whatever tone of voice the girl or woman prefers.
Citizen, like an intrigue, shows up where you don't expect him. No animated work is without love. He is the creator of love intrigues, mental torture and conflicts of jealousy. He bursts in on each of the Masks to make a romantic fuss somewhere in the plot or around the corner, but for the most part he does so in hopes of following Columbine so she won't be bored. In the end, Columbine reveals the flaws and information about each character's character, while Citizen reveals the good qualities that make the character attractive and memorable in the eyes of the viewer. Where can he be found? You can't. He will come himself when he needs to.
His attribute: A epee with an ornate hilt. He is known for making not a vertical slit in space, as it should be, but a slightly curved one, like the arches of cathedrals or mansions.
