#masked dancer

[57amp3r]

Masked dancer, Papua / Papua New Guinea, 1932

[faces-of-whump]

FACES OF WHUMPMAS PAST: Submission 1 pt. 1

Hello, helloo!! Here is part one of my Faces of Whumpmas Past for @melpomenelamusa 's character Teklómenes. Enjoy!! "We cordially extend this invitation to attend our Ice Crystal Masked Ball," the Yeti's invitation had read, "to be held in honor of the great Reina Freya of the mighty Drakones." But no matter how much Tete, the young owl hybrid who had been taken in by the drakones queen Freyra. Tete had never seen anything so breathtaking. While the great halls of the Drakones needed great torches to light up the halls of stone, only one great candle illuminated the vast ballroom, its reflection flickering upon every dip in the surface of the icy walls, ceiling, and polished floor. When Tete imagined the Yetis, he thought of them as rugged, hairy bipeds. Hunched creatures with crooked teeth and pushed in faces. But these...they were beautiful. Fur combed to frame their heads, streaks of black, white, or colored fur through their usual tan curls. Lambchop beards seemed the fashionable style for the men while a stylish curl graced the chins of the women. The drakones only had scales upon their skin, but when Tete saw how the Yetis styled their fur--which was in greater abundance on their bodies than his feathers were on his--he felt awe through him. The Yeti Leader and her wife bowed before Freyra, welcoming the drakones among them. Then it was greetings, a flurry of servants to guide the drakones to their quarters, and then preparations for the ball that evening. Tete held his breath when he saw his dragon mother emerge from her guest chambers. Shimmering white clung to her body, setting off the darker scales along her thigh. His own dark attire cropped just below his chest, allowing his midriff to show, while his wide pants flowed down to the floor, covering his taloned feet. "Excellent choice," Freyra approved. Tete's feathers ruffled shyly.

The evening's feast was a grand success. The Yetis held welcoming speeches, the drakones introduced themselves to the throng, and Freyra sat at the great table with the High Yeti and her wife. Tete did not join her there. He wanted to, but convinced Freyra that she should be there alone, since this was the first time. He sat with the convoy of Drakones that had traveled specifically to assist Freyra, but they didn't speak much with him. Perhaps too taken in with their surroundings, perhaps fearful of saying something disrespectful that would be relayed to Freyra. Tete didn't mind, though it did sting a little. But finally, the feast ended and the true highlight of the night began: the Ice Crystal Masked Ball.

Tete could not contain his excitement to get onto the ballroom floor, but he held back, allowing his drakones' brethren to go first. Besides, it seemed impolite to ask for a dance when he was not a true drakones, merely an owl hybrid taken in by Queen Freyra. But then, a tall, striking figure in golden pastels wearing a mask of black ice approached. "May I have this dance?" their luscious lips murmured. Tete's voice clogged in his throat, but he took the extended hand eagerly, "Oh-of course." They led the dance, sweeping Tete across the polished floors with ease. But it must be said that the owling kept up quite well. He adored dancing and had devoured every lesson of it back home. All too soon, the waltz concluded. But even as the golden one bowed their farewells, a Yeti in vermillion green and a silver mask stepped in to request the next dance. Tete agreed at once. This dance was comprised solely of lifts and dips. Tete felt as though he were truly flying in the strong arms of the green-clad Yeti. At the final lift, when he was raised highest, he spread his wings fully, basking in the joy he felt before the Yeti drew him down their bosom. Tete's heart beat wildly as the silvery mask held inches from his face. In his enlivened state, it took every ounce of his willpower not to kiss his unknown partner. But then a Yeti clothed in an indigo dress with a matching mask drew him away from the green one. Tete couldn't even accept her request before she had him twirling alongside her, weaving between the other couples like ripples in a stream. Her laughter sounded more musical than the vibrant notes they danced to. Hardly had he matched her closing curtsy with his bow, when Tete was swept up again in the arms of the golden one. "It's you--" he breathed. When the luscious lips smiled, the owl prince thought he would melt. Not just from the butterflies in his stomach, but also the ache in his legs. No matter, the show must go on. No matter how cold his bare, taloned feet were becoming. Up and over, back and forth. His feet grew numb. Golden, green, indigo night. He could scarcely process the song. One after the other. Until Tete collapsed into the arms of the green one. "N-no more. I can't--can't keep up." The green one gathered him quickly. Tete barely felt the Indigo Yeti throw her shawl over his shivering shoulders. The golden one drew aside a dark drape and all disappeared beyond the rim of the ballroom. As they hurried down a hidden corridor, Tete heard the chatter of the ballroom fading, the rhythm of the music fading. "He's too cold," the golden voice said. "We'll warm him," Indigo cooed. The green one pressed him close, "He's safe now." pt. 2 coming soon!

[redhairclara]

Virginia Bell shows off a Benda mask. Photographed by Maurice Goldberg, 1922.

[shivers-sketches]

Boom!

Kofi  

[excitementshewrote]

[bloodykora]

I wanna see Mike Faist on the masked dancer.

Thanks thats all.

[stargirl230]

Drowning

(like how my teachers are drowning us in work before thanksgiving break...)

(no reposts; reblogs appreciated)

[arsonthedumbass]

Thinking about Viper and Beagle and how absolutely amazing they are emo bitch x cutie softie dynamic >>>>>>>>> (*cough* british version of astroturtle *cough*)