#toafkmasquerade

[kay-antor]

Kay kept half an eye on the door as he walked a patrol of the room. Although he had mentioned the ball to Ceri, implying that he would like if she came, he had left the decision up to her and didn’t know if she would. It seemed unlikely; crowds of people weren’t something she was keen on. For now he distracted him by moving through the crowd, watching for trouble, preventing a brawl before it started and making sure that everyone was generally enjoying themselves.

[dindranechwaer]

With flushed cheeks and a wide smile, Dindrane came to a pause at the side of the ballroom to catch her breath. For the last few days she had been so nervous about tonight, wondering if she would look well enough or make a fool of herself. But with the glittering lanterns and decorations and the music soaring through the air, she was so enchanted by everything that she had barely thought about her appearance. Shifting her mask a little so it sat more easily on her nose, she noticed a figure approaching and turned to greet them with a smile. “Isn’t it a lovely evening?”

[brangaine-gwas]

In the glittering swirl of bright jewels and fabrics, Brangaine kept to the edges of the hall, hands clasped in front of her, the dutiful handmaiden even on a night of celebration. The mask on her face was a welcome weight, helping to hide the shadow of anxiety in the eyes as they drifted from her king and queen to the knight not too far away. There was nothing more she could do, she told herself. She could only watch and observe, be ready to come to her queen’s aid if need be, and try not to make it appear by her own demeanour that anything might be wrong.

With that in mind she started wandering the length of the hall, a smiled fixed on her lips that looked entirely genuinely unless you peered close, nodding and pretending to be enjoying herself. There were so many people everyone was pressed close, and at one point she thought her elbow had clipped someone. “Forgive me.”

[siegeperilleux]

Having volunteered to be on duty for the night of the ball, Galahad had chosen a mask as simple as possible so it wouldn’t obscure his vision as he patrolled the perimeter of the ballroom and the gardens outside. The evening air was cool and refreshing after the heat of the indoors, and luckily for him the sky overhead was filled with stars and a bright moon overhead to cast lots of light. As he came around the corner he was surprised to see a figure outside rather than joining in the celebration. “Are you alright?”

[ladyofthefountain]

Laudine nervously adjusted her long yellow skirts, telling herself sternly that there was no reason to feel so apprehensive. Certainly she had not felt this way before the last masquerade. Perhaps it was because then she had been dressed in a dress from her homeland, a style she was used. Or perhaps because her husband had not been at that ball. Taking a breath, she started towards the hall, but hesitated at the entrance and peered around the curtain to see who was already there before she went in.

[idelisa-the-blessed]

Phase One II Osmund+Idelisa

‘God’ Idelisa began her prayer the moment she stepped in the crowded ballroom, shifting the heavy cloak from her shoulders ‘please, watch over us tonight and keep us safe from whatever harm may come our way. Please, I know this goes against your plan for us - for him - but we all really need you right now to guide us through whatever may be’. Gently, she folded the cloak into the basket they had brought along as part of their ploy - making absolutely certain that the mask was still hidden beneath a few loaves of bread. Just days ago she and Osmund had met once more and she had taken it as the sign she had been praying for. The poor man hadn’t even known his brother still lived. Of course, they had to hatch a plan. “Are you ready?” she questioned, glancing to the man who was pretending to escort her with a hopeful grin on her face. 

@flyinghigh-osmund

[sweetyoungtaran]

Long Lost

@bohemianaiden

Taran had never been to a ball before. The King of Camelot often threw celebrations that were open to the public, but he’d never considered himself worthy of actually attending. Madam Alvira had chastised him for it, but he’d always calmed her by saying he simply didn’t wish to go. He was content with the humble little world he lived in, and he’d probably just cause more trouble than he was worth. 

This time was different. This time the kingdom was in ruins, as was his home. Even the madam was in a state of distress he never would have dared to imagine her in. Not only that, the ball was a masquerade. No one would know who he was or what he did. Sure, he could hardly pass for a noble in his plain garb, but it was still a chance to see a brighter side to the kingdom he called home. He lacked the confidence and charm of most of the brothel’s workers, but he also saw this as a chance to find patrons, knowing all too well how desperately they needed new customers if they hoped to fully rebuild their home.

Golden locks topped off with gold roses caught his eye, and he stared openly like a wide eyed child. The head piece alone must have cost a fortune. The stranger seemed to notice him staring and Taran blushed beneath his mask. “Forgive me, it’s just... the roses look lovely.” 

[liadanymor]

The grandeur of Camelot’s celebrations never failed to enchant. Liadan walked through it all, her blue skirts swirling about her ankles, trailing her fingers over the flowers and decorations with a smile that held just a touch of sadness; beautiful as nights like this were, they reminded her still of that one fateful night that had changed everything for her.

Looking around, she could see one or two faces that seemed shadowed and not as happy as those around them. Moving slightly closer to the musicians, she started humming quietly along to the tune, infusing her voice with a touch of magic to help lift their spirits and ease their worries. Tonight was a night for everyone to enjoy.