<p>Just behind the ever so charming Kardia, her little pet seems to be having difficulty keeping on his feet as her Highness greets the guests. His balance is wavering and his arms and legs don't feel quite right. His chest feels tight and he can't move. What's going on?  He would call out for help but he can't seem to find his voice...  </p><p><i>What's happening right now? My vision is getting hazy.. Where's Leo?</i>  </p><p>-thump-  </p><p>Stheno turns at the alarming sound of a body hitting the polished marble floors and a few surprised gasps. Her expression shifts to one of absolute concern as she waves over two servants previously occupied with trays of drinks and food. She pulls one in close and whispers something into his ear, her full head of poisonous serpents keeping careful eye on her surroundings. As she releases the man he nods and the two pick the small boy up and carry him upstairs to rest.  </p><p>The Hostess sighs and shakes her head just slightly and continues on her careful greeting of the company attending her perfect event, a calm and lethal grace in her step. </p>

<p>Otho's expression softened for a moment as he looked at his only friend. Genuinely concerned that the person he had asked specifically to be brought here was having thoughts of leaving him. He slowly sat down beside his comrade. Putting his right arm on Vitalis' shoulder and letting out a sigh before he spoke. His voice slow and steady, going over every word before he spoke a single one.  </p><p>"My dear Vitalis... I'm so sorry that this has been difficult on you... The truth is, I had you brought here as a favor.. You are my bes....My only friend. And I didn't really know what to do.. I'm in a new place just like you.. Meeting new people just like you..Even more than that though. Don't think i'm oblivious to how different I am." As he spoke he looked briefly at himself. The fine clothes, the soft and well washed pale skin. So contrasted with his old being.  </p><p>"Damned be the secrets Vitalis. They won't try anything. We have hostages. And i'm sorry I didn't tell you but it absolutely had to be done. If they keep their dirty fingers in everything. There's no hope. We took the best from the sinking ship and now we're leaving it to rot. What we face, the enemy that is the Abyss. It's a hard, cruel enemy. And in the face of such desperation. The only chance is a force that can be equally as cruel. Match their harshness on every level, in and out. The secrets failed in this, we will not. This is why they agreed to bring you.. Not only are you my friend.. But I know that if there's anyone who can do what needs to be done. Who can accept the darkness around him in stride, knowing that the ends justify the means... It's you my friend." He squeezed just for a moment on Vitalis shoulder. His voice absolutely honest and sincere.  </p><p>"I'm sorry Vitalis. I wasn't as honest as I should have been. But if there's any hope for our world. It's among those who embrace the darkness. It's among those willing to do what must be done. Here you have all the funds and supplies you will ever need. And no one to question or inhibit your genius. I implore you my friend, save yourself..And maybe even save the world with you." Otho brushed a hand through his hair , making sure it was still in place. Then let it fall softly to his lap. "If this is too much, I understand..But I really don't want you to leave. I need you for your friendship, even more than they need you for your genius" At his last line he averted his gaze from Vitalis. Quite embarrassed to admit that he needed anything from anyone, and worried about how his friend would respond to his plea.  </p>

<p>Arthur woke up in shivers. He, like usually, had a nightmare in which a snake was chasing him. After he came around, he realised that his fifteen minute nap has turned into four hours of deep sleep. He slowly started to panick as he realised that he is late for the Masquerade. After taking a hot shower, he started to put on the costume he spent three nights on. At first, he wanted to make a Robin Hood costume, but it looked like a mid 15th century outfit, so he decided to just go with the flow.  </p><p>As he dressed, he looked himself in the mirror. He could see that the costume was fitting him perfectly. He was wearing tight black wool panths with a little white embroidery on the right legging, a black silk velvet period doublet with heavy gold bullion embroidery and brass embellishments and an ivory silk dickie with black ribbon. His face was framed with a standard venetian golden mask.  </p><p>Arthur realised it would be quicker to just teleport there instead of walking, so he began to dissolve into light photons. He re-appeared in the corner of the room, hidden from everyone's sight. He walked towards the center of the room, hoping to see some familiar faces. </p>

Aidan Surveyed his surroundings he loved the enviroment of the Court and the people

<p>Ragnar walks into the entrance as calmly as possible thinking, I do not know how much I can resist the temptation of killing all these magical people but I have to learn who is the highest magical being here so that I may strike him and place fear in the hearts of all magic people. Ragnar shows his invitation to the doorman and walks into the hall with his werewolf mask on sniggering to himself the irony of it. </p>

<p>As the night went on, other delegations started to arrive. Some were triads, with the unsettling golden eyes of Rhymer magic or impressive tools of the Alchemists, and others were only distinguished members or elite sorcerers. As a representative of the Gates, Adam is veiled in royal blue from head to toe, only his glowing silver eyes glinting through the slit in his attire. Nerisi comes alone as the representative of the Temple, dressed in a translucid gossamer robe, black with a pattern of golden hieroglyphs that sparkle in the light. Her eyes are rimmed with gold, too, in the shape of the Eye of Horus, and her dark braids fall to her waist in a rippling waterfall of inky black. Golden bangles around her arms and ankles glint with lapis luzali inlays, and she moves with regal grace in the candlelight. </p><p>Draeven lifts an eyebrow slightly at the unease of the small boy, concern passing briefly over his features, and confusion at the sight of a slightly rippling shadow. The strange impression of having seen the phenomenon before plagues him, but he can't place exactly where or when he encountered it. He smiles to Araceli whenever he isn't watched, his mismatched eyes glinting with their usual playful flicker. </p><p>Oberon pauses after his entrance and then notes the tables, decorated and laden with foods beyond belief and compare. With a mutinous grin, he darts from Balor's side, whispering "nice mask" to Ragnar as he flies past, and then attacking a plate of canapé snacks with too much enthusiasm to be polite. Balor looks embarassed, blushing faintly and lumbering from one oversized, misshapen foot to another. </p><p>Behind Otho and Vitalis, a shadow moves, slithering over to the top of the steps. Dressed in raven black from head to toe, in a long overcoat that glitters with the iridescent sheen of snakeskin, Ves smiles politely to them both. His mask is a ravenbeak, ornate and sharp, shaded glass protecting the guests from his eyes. Vipers, black and golden, writhe and twist around his face. He surveys the pair with a lazy grace, every inch of him exuding an almost predatory interest. Copper irises flash briefly as he speaks, his voice soft and slippery, like midnight silk. </p><p>"Admirable words, Otho. The Secrets are dwindling, and this day will prove it. It is a demonstration of our determination and strength, Alchemist, none of our guesssts will be harmed. We would greatly appreciate your presence and your skills. You have built a weapon before that made the Secrets feel complacent and confident in their eventual victory; place it and your future in the hands of those who can use them, rather than hoard them. Their tradition is old, their values corrupt; laws and codes slow them down, coating their every move like rotting cobwebs. They saved the world once, a long time ago, but the age of sorcery is past. Now is the dawn of monsters." </p>

• Aidan Smirks* this party is starting to pick up i like it.brave words bye the way *Aidan Laughed*

<p>Vitalis was in awe of his friend. He couldn't help but smile at him from behind his mask. He grins and actually pulls Otho in for a brief hug before standing almost triumphantly. A bit ridiculous looking given his almost naturally unkempt semblance. </p><p><i>  "Okay, Vesperid. You're right, Otho. I shouldn't have doubted you. I can do this, we can do this. You are my friend and I'm going to stick around whatever it takes. Nothing is going to get in my way of being here for you and doing what I can to broaden my horizons. Not the fucking Secrets; not anyone."</i> With this he held out a gloved hand to Otho. </p><p>As the hours passed, Stheno was finally done meandering about the monumental assortment of gatherers to her event. And as she her graceful stride made it's way to the place where she stood at the beginning of the evening, as if she were altar itself, she turned to face the crowd. Her voice ariose despite it's powerful volume. Her mass of writhing serpents eyeing the guests carefully, As her own carefully shielded gaze was rendered tame behind her mask.  </p><p><i>"Hello, Hello. I'm sure you're all wondering why we've gathered you here this night. Well, on behalf of my darling siblings and I, I have an announcement to make."</i> </p><p><i>"You see, we who embody the Dark have served as tools in this ever lasting war for far too long now. And well, we refuse to do so. We are taking a stand, we are not pawns in your game. We are... oh, how could you say it? You can call us, the Monster Masquerade."</i> As if to punctuate her statement an intimidating amount of attendees let out cheers of agreement, Elementals of Darkness and Sorcerers alike. A wild gleam in their eyes as many of them removed their masks.  </p><p>Stheno opens her arms wide in a grand gesture, her perfect smile showing off opalescent, pointed teeth behind her porcelain lips. <i>"And just to be sure you know your place, Secrets. We've come insured that you won't get in our way. I hear there's a man, two actually, with the Court of Versailles who've invented a brilliant contraption to pale the creatures of the Abyss, turn them to the Nexus. Well... it is no longer in their possession. As a matter of fact, neither are the fantastic minds from which it sprung!"</i> Her entrancing smile disfigures into cruel sneer as her serpents hissed and tangled into coils of poisonous living tendrils. Her melanoid gown now seeming a lot darker than it did just hours ago, now more easily associated with a starless abyss rather than a calm midnight, the very air in the room morphed by her bewitchingly vicious presence.   </p><p><i> "We have taken them both under our wings, along with the Crucible they've so meticulously crafted. We will not hesitate to use these aspects to our advantage, If you understand what I'm implying here." </i> </p><p><i>"Now then, I wish you all a fair night, and I suggest you find the door. You are in our garden, regardless of where our beautiful pieces have been set for the night, and unless you wish to remain where you stand for the rest of your days, you'll heed my words very carefully."</i> With this as her closing regards, she turns her back on whatever chaos may erupt behind her. </p><p>With the grace and dignity of a ruling Empress, she leaves the room without another word.  </p>

• Aidan Walks around the main hall wondering what is the point of this event, he looks around and admires how amazing everyone looks for this but cant escape the nagging in his mind that this is an event meant to distract people from the real meaning for the event

<p>Renard stepped down the stairs slowly as he got out his Kitsune mask to put on. Renard was wearing a red trench coat with a red dress shirt and dark grey slacks. Renard looked at the cathedral admiring its beauty how it looked as if it personified it as well. </p><p>"Let the games to begin," Renard told himself with a smirk on his face as he looked at his fellow guests knowing that there's something big going on but doesn't know what. </p><p>Looking at the host Renard was amazed at how beautiful she was. It was like her very appearance had a hypnotic effect on people. But Renard knew that like a rose that is beautiful you have to watch for the thorns that are hidden by its beauty which fit the host perfectly in his opinion. </p><p>Having nothing else to do Renard started chatting with his fellow guest to cure his boredom until something exciting happens. </p>