bsumone | ❝ Masquerade ❞

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❝ Masquerade ❞

{ seething shadows breathing lies }

Traditional thing that Iseul is, he made a point of sending out invitations to every monster and supernatural being with whom he's acquainted the day after telling Damian of his masked ball. Each is written in a large, looping hand and reads:

My Dear Friend,

You are cordially invited to a most exclusive masquerade ball to be held at my estate on the next new moon. The attire is formal with a theme of silver and gold. My doors will open promptly at 8:00pm. Dinner will be served with music, dance, and festivities to follow.

I do so look forward to your attendance.

Kindest Regards,
Your Host

Iseul's calling card is included for those who may not recognize his handwriting. It also happens to have his address on it, as well.

Guests will find the house dark and sprawling, positively goth in decor and style. For those who know or know of Iseul, this won't be a surprise. There's a running joke in the community that the Fae is truly meant to be a vampire... more so than his long-standing vampire rival. Those in attendance will be shown to the parlor, the pocket doors thrown wide to the adjoining suite to make it something of a small ballroom. Musicians sit off to the corner playing with few breaks throughout the night.

The dining room boasts a long table with a veritable banquet. Though, one must be careful about eating Faerie food. Never fear, dear guests, for none of this food was prepared or even harvested by Fae hands. Outside, the grounds are covered with sprawling flower gardens, topiaries, and even a small maze of hedges. Lanterns light the paths since there's no moon for light. Both in and out, the house has many dark nooks and crannies and unoccupied to rooms to disappear into. All guests are welcome to stay if, for any reason, they are unable to leave at first light.

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As the host, Iseul does his duty, greeting his guests and mingling once the bulk of them have arrived. To the shock of those who know him, the Fae is dressed in mostly white and pale blue, a far cry from his usual black on black (oh, when will they invent a darker color than black?). His mask is a matching soft blue with silver. He chose this specific attire to surprise a certain vampire he knows.

Indeed, this whole affair is for Damian. Had he declined Iseul's invitation, the party would never have been held. The Fae only pondered the idea vaguely until Damian inquired about any plans. That's when the ball solidified in Iseul's mind. Why would make sense only to him. You see, he recently had a night-blooming garden planted and he much desired to take his... the vampire on a stroll to see it.

In spite of his desire to devote his time to one guest, Iseul is the consummate host. He mingles with everyone for a time, however great or small (even that human who someone managed to get in. For a moment, the Fae thought he'd have dominion over the interloper, but it turns out he, too, has an invitation -- one that most certainly was intended for someone else). Pouring tea and wine, ensuring that the food on his table is always just right -- hot for the meats, chilled for the fruits --, encouraging dancing and games and conversation.

That is, until he disappears from the party entirely.

Damian had struggled with his thoughts after his last meeting with Iseul but here he was anyway. He'd said he would go and he refused to be a liar about that. So he arrived in a suit and mask that only served to further enhance his already pale features. But he knew that it made him beautiful and that was what he was looking to do here. To surprise Iseul with how he could dress himself in a way he knew the fae loved.

Strolling in since his invitation allowed him to enter without waiting at the door, he looked around at all the decorations. Glanced really. His eyes were searching for his host instead. Something was pulling him toward him and he just needed to find him.

When he spotted him across the room, he turned and walked that way. A polite bow and a smile followed when he reached him.

"Well? Does my surprise please you, dear host?"

It had been ages since he'd last seen his friend in person. So of course when he got the invitation he accepted and said he was bringing his partner. Then he dressed for the evening and put up with no fussing about his attire. His outfit and shoes looked amazing on him. Besides they matched his mask and the jewelry he'd chosen. And he was technically wearing outwear. Even if said outwear left nothing to the imagination.

Enjoying his charm that kept people from falling for his natural charm, he lingered mostly in crowded rooms with glasses of wine in hand. However when he grew tired of all the people, he'd go to sit in quieter rooms. This meant the magic given to him by Iseul stopped working as well. And the chance of falling for the incubus and longing to sleep with him or even falling in love with him? Well that increased tenfold when he was on his own.

Oh well. He supposed it just meant some easy snacks along the way...

"Oh. My. God," sounds a voice over the din of conversation in the room. Those three words of so full; full of excitement and wonder and giving the sense of a dream coming true, of something everyone said is fake being proven real. Whoever else may be around, Snake only notices Tiras and hurries to make his way toward him. It has nothing (well, very little) to do with Tiras' natural appeal and everything to do with this guy being a huge fan of the conspiracy blog about the incubus.

He doesn't even try to hide the childlike excitement. It's like a sports fan randomly running into their idol on the street, it caught him so off-guard.

"You're actually real!"

Edited (behold~ a tag) 2023-06-06 04:24 (UTC)

These sorts of parties are more up Su-jin's alleys. Despite being a generally private person to the outside world, a little shy even, he loves mingling with others. He enjoys getting to know people, be they his fellow monsters or humans (and is that a human he saw over by the punch? WEIRD).

But with Tiras present, how can anyone expect Su-jin won't eventually gravitate to his partner's side? It's quite late by the time he seeks the incubus out, certain he's had a snack or three by then. Despite the charm their host provided, there's only so much that can be done to stifle the abilities of a creature as powerful as Tiras. Even Su-jin falls prey to them sometimes.

But usually, he's just in silent awe of Tiras. Well, when he's not sighing over how put upon he is because of Tiras (no one who matters believes that for a moment!). Tonight he's just happy Tiras is wearing shoes. And, you know, something that leaves a little something to the imagination. To others' imaginations. Su-jin needn't imagine anything after all their centuries together.

Finding his lover in a quieter, less busy room, he sidles up behind him, looping his arms around that slim waist to pull Tiras against him. It's literally been several hours since they arrived, but Su-jin heaves a dramatic sigh as he rests his chin on his partner's shoulder.

"I missed you."

Edited 2023-06-06 05:00 (UTC)

Iseul half-expected Damian to arrive clad in some shade of pastel, even his attire was formal. White is most definitely a choice that surprises him! The Fae makes no effort to hide that, either. His eyes move up and down the vampire, drinking in not only the quality and elegant design of Damian's suit, but the way it's perfectly fitted to the body just beneath it. And those cursed flashes of memory of just some weeks before when the vampire stood half-naked in his studio flicker so clearly in his mind's eye. (But does he really curse them?) He walks a circle around Damian before stopping in front of him, clapping his hands together in delight.

"It pleases me very well, my dear guest." He even offers Damian a genuine smile that warms his usually cold eyes. "I have a surprise for you, as well. Will you walk with me?" And like any gentleman of bygone days, he offers his arm to lead the vampire out into the gardens. Iseul knows the grounds by rote; he could walk them in the dead of night with his eyes closed and still arrive at his intended destination. No need for that, though, since lanterns hang to light the gardens.

He takes Damian through the various floral arrangments, wanders with him through the hedge maze -- quite complex by all standards -- to the center where his prize awaits them. Surrounding a large, solitary oak tree lies the surprise: a section of garden in full bloom under the night sky.

"Does my surprise please you, dearest guest?"

Edited 2023-06-05 03:20 (UTC)

A surprise for him? Well of course he took that offered arm with a nod as he let himself be led out to the gardens. Everything there was lovely of course but it was the center of it all that made him gasp. Lifting his mask so absolutely nothing could get in the way of the vision before him, he stepped closer and looked at everything here.

A night blooming garden. There was only one person that this could be for and he couldn't even question that fact in that moment. After all, he knew that Iseul knew other night creatures. But this surprise wasn't for them. No this was for him.

"It does. It's so beautiful. Iseul..."

He moved forward to kneel down and touch a blossom. It was one of the most beautiful sights he'd ever beheld and all because it was something special made only for him. He could honestly shed a tear of joy. "Thank you..."

Ah! Damian seems awestruck. As he should be since this was made with him in mind. Yes, Iseul knows other night creatures, but this part of the garden is hidden away so that only he can lead someone to it. Or they are very fortuitous to make it to the center of his maze.

Moving closer to where Damian crouched, Iseul reaches out to lay a gentle hand on the vampire’s shoulder.

“Please consider this my apology for speaking so carelessly when last we met.”

With time to reflect on the interaction, the fae was certain he had been too cold. He’s certain that his words were what prompted Damian to leave so abruptly and, thus, led Iseul to believe they’d hurt him.

And why else would he be hurt by common knowledge unless… Well, perhaps he, too, wants share Iseul’s bed. That’s not something Iseul found disagreeable. No, having thought on it in the intervening time, taking Damian as his lover actually seems like a delightful idea. Appealing in every way imaginable, in fact.

Edited (same word, different typo!) 2023-06-05 22:24 (UTC)

The touch and the words caught his attention. Iseul was not one to apologize. But more than that he was apologizing for what he said to him when they last spoke. Acknowledging his feelings which wasn't common of the fae. Not that they couldn't but they just typically didn't care enough to bother. So to know that Iseul cared? It was startling to say the least and Damian slowly turned to look up at him.

He wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't that he didn't acknowledge the apology. He did. But to have it and to know that this person here could have given it to him because he spoke carelessly and felt Damian mattered?

He didn't know what it was about that which made him tip over the edge. All he knew was that suddenly he was on his feet. He was facing Iseul. How it started he couldn't say but then his lips were on the fae's and he was kissing him with all the passion he'd ever felt in his long life. Like words just weren't enough. He needed to show him how he felt instead.

And he hoped it would be enough...

Any sudden movement from any predatory creature is cause for alarm. Even one he knows as well as Damian. Ah, but that alarm melts into shock then... need. A burning desire for more, for everything! Iseul's hands tangle in Damian's hair and he's kissing back with a fierceness one might not expect from the usually cool and distant fae. Not only is he kissing Damian back with a violent crash of lips, teeth, and tongue, he's pushing his rival (are they still?) back... back, back, back until Damian's pressed up against the thick trunk of the oak tree.

None of his part-time lovers make Iseul feel like this. None of them make him burn like this... He feels feverish and desperate, as if he can somehow warm those cool lips and the body he's pressed so tightly to. Oh, yes, he slots himself flush against his companion. In some distant part of his mind, he finds it odd that no warmth emanates through Damian's clothes; he's never had occasion to be close enough to notice its absence.

Those hands tangling in his hair caused his mask to fall from his head but he didn't care. All he cared about was the feel of Iseul kissing him back as they moved together. A gasp escaped him when his back hit the tree but he still didn't bother to care about that either. All he longed for was the feel of this body against his own, hands reaching to pull him in tighter.

Shuddering from the feel of that warmth sinking into his clothes, he moved his hands down to cling to the jacket that Iseul wore. He didn't want to lose any of it as they seemed to devour each other in that moment. A dam had been broken. Shattered even. There would be no repairing it at this point.

Rivalry? What rivalry? No, no, it had all been a dance leading to this very moment. Did it matter that neither of them realized it until now? Until something tangible snapped and they could no longer deny the magnetism between them? And, oh, why did have to be when they were both in formalwear? Iseul shudders, a flash of memory when his fingers brushed like butterfly wings against Damian's bare skin in his studio. How he longs to press his palms to that cool skin, to map out every curve and contour of the vampire's body with his lips. And can he convey that he wants everything, everything Damian is in just this hungry kiss?

Tiras blinked as he turned to see who was talking to him. Clearly this person knew him. More than that he seemed to be human? An odd choice for this party. Tilting his head, he wondered who this could even be or why he looked so excited as if he was this man's hero somehow.

"I am the last I checked, yes." Why that should matter was beyond him though. It wasn't like he cared who thought he was real and who didn't.

Maybe it's a leap to think Tiras runs his own conspiracy blog but on the off chance that he does... or that he even follows it...

"I'm DangerNoodle93." That's his handle on the blog. And he is a prolific commenter there.

Taking a break from people he was admiring the decorations of the house when he felt arms come around him. Though it could have been anyone, he knew these arms well and smiled as he leaned back into that strong body. So cute. He loved when Su-jin got like this. So sentimental and sweet.

"Did you? We've been at the same party all night."

He hummed and lifted his hands up to rest his arms on Su-jin's before tilting his head back to rest it on his shoulder.

"Should I reassure you?"

Immediately his eyes widened and he fully turned to face the young man. Oh he knew that name. He talked with him all the time even though this commenter had never realized it. Smiling brightly now, he actually removed his mask so that way it could be appreciated in full.

"Oh! It's so nice to meet you. I never imagined you'd be here at a fae party of all places."

Damian had known starvation in the past. It was that way every single time that he woke up from a long sleep. Groggy and starving. However that didn't compare to what this was like. He needed Iseul so badly and it was like he was only just now discovering this fact. Every fiber of his being was forgetting the world around him in favor of this one being before him. It was...mind-blowing.

Moaning softly into the kiss, he let himself tangle tongues with the fae as he got to know the taste of him. Oh but how good his blood had to taste! And he hadn't even experienced it yet! Damian shuddered just imagining it, longing to taste and hold Iseul close without all these clothes.

It was madness in a way he never knew he needed.

Gaja's pleasantly surprised by the invitation. He's encountered Iseul a few times, but he wouldn't say they're much more than passing acquaintances. Then again, the host is Fae so he probably keeps track of anyone he's ever encountered in a slightly more than negative way. Be polite and hospitable in case he needs something from someone in the future. That seems to be his way, of so Gaja assumes. Well, he too might need a favor someday, so he won't turn down the invitation.

He arrives promptly at 8, clad in a jumpsuit of gold and white that mimics the appearance of feathers (he has such a fondness for them) and a matching mask. Beneath it, his eyes are painted dark and gold flecks his skin. Rather than mingle immediately, Gaja heads straight for a seat at the timing room table, feasting on the many varied meats available. He tears them apart with his fingers as if they were claws before popping small, shredded bites into his mouth.

Every now and then, he glances up from his plate and cocks his head around to see if anyone he might know is there. Maybe even a specific someone....

Edited 2023-06-06 22:50 (UTC)

The invite to the Fae's home was an unexpected one. They'd had no more than a few encounters, though none of them were particularly memorable. Not memorable enough for an invite to a masquerade, Nam would have thought. He's not normally one for venturing terribly far from home, but he simply couldn't bring himself to decline. Not and potentially subject himself to the ire of a Fae. Besides, the company he could find there had the potential to be quite interesting.

It's just after 8 o'clock when Nam steps through the doors, adorned in a jumpsuit, coloured in a gradient from a light blue to a silvery white. The pants are very reminiscent of the single long sleeve, loose and flowing. It gives the illusion of gently running water. His mask follows almost the same pattern of motion as his clothing, all mimicking a watery appearance. Mostly visible beneath the mask, his eyes are painted in a blue gradient, similar to his clothing. Around them are blue and white iridescent flakes. He says a few hellos, but is mostly acquainting himself with the Fae's home. The dining room is the last room he finds himself wandering into, even if the delicious smells have been trying to draw him in since the moment he walked in the door.

It's hard to keep his eyes from immediately settling on that fiery hair as he walks up to study the food that's on offer. It's impossible to keep himself from stealing a few glances, though. He's like a beacon of light in such a dark venue. Without a word or more than the few stolen glances, he sidles up to the phoenix and takes a seat next to him. He watches Gaja out of the corner of his eye as he picks at some of the smaller pieces of meat. Specifically pieces that he won't have to tear apart like Gaja did, thank you.

A pity he’s hosting a party right that instant or Iseul would moat eagerly trade this beautiful garden for the privacy of his bedroom. For now, he’ll take what he could get here under the starlight.

When his lungs scream for air, Iseul pulls back just enough for a gasping sip. No, he refuses to put any unnecessary distance between them. His fingers loosen in the vampire’s hair, moving instead to trace the lines of that most beautiful (beloved?) face. Damian looks truly ethereal under the soft light of the lamps and stars. As for Iseul, color rests bright on his cheeks. Those dark eyes burn hot with unmasked desire and kiss-bruised lips remain parted aa he pants for breath.

The momentary pause seems to stretch on before Iseul curls his fingers into the front of Damian’s jacket to pull him in for another drowning kiss.

Gaja is a raptor and has been known to pick bones clean. At least he’s using his hands to pull the meat apart instead of his teeth. See how mindful he is?

Oh, but he’s mildly aware of a certain river creature peeking over at him. It’s not Nam’s attention that makes him preen a little where he sits, oh no, it’s obviously because the food is so delightful. Even if they make eye contact before Nam sits beside him, Gaja’s feigns surprise.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you’d be here.”

He didn't need air to breathe so he just let his eyes flutter open to look at Iseul. He could hear his heart rushing, see how the blood had flushed his cheeks. The fae had always been breathtaking but like this? Oh god he was more beautiful than ever before. Damian took in every single detail from the flushed skin to those swollen lips.

Then he dove back in when Iseul did to kiss him again. To meet him halfway. Cool hands cupped his face to hold him close as he actually moaned softly into the contact, pressing himself close to the other. How had they never done this before? This affection was like magic. A drug.

He was so addicted and this was only their first time...

Is this the reason for the tension that's been building these many, many years? How did they both fail to notice? Neither of them are particularly inattentive. It baffles him... Or rather, it will baffle Iseul when he's back in his house, when all his guests have gone and he's alone to think on it. Right now? There's no thought in his head but being closer to Damian, kissing Damian, touching Damian, how very, very much he desires Damian.

They're hidden enough unless someone stumbles to the center of the hedge maze. Private enough for his hands to release the vampire's suit coat in favor of tugging at his shirt, to pull the hem free of being tucked and delve his hands beneath it. A moan bubbles up in his throat the instant his too-warm hands feel that cool skin. Iseul presses his palms to Damian's stomach, plays his fingers and slides them upward. More, more, more is all he wants. More of Damian, more of this vampire he's been locked in 'battle' with for centuries. More of the only being he perceives as an equal.

More of the only being who makes his blood burn in his veins. No lover, past or present, can set him ablaze like this. None of them can obliterate thought with nothing more than a kiss.

Iseul's hands push against Damian's chest as if he can shove him back any further with the tree behind him. He himself presses so close it's almost uncomfortable with his hands between them. Why, oh, why must they be clothed? Foul, odious garments keep them too far apart and he longs for more closeness. No, he needs. Needs it the way he needs sustenance and air. Needs it to live.

All too soon he finds he needs a breath again. His lips remain so close to Damian's they could share that sip of air if the vampire had any need of it. One hand slips free from under his vampire's shirt to lay a warm palm against his cheek. Tipping his head away just enough to peer at Damian without going cross-eyed, he stares at him through half-lidded eyes from under a thick fringe of dark lashes.

"Damian," he whispers. No, it's less than a whisper, barely more than breath in the shape of a name; a name spoken with all the reverence of a prayer meant only for the ears of some unknown god. Except in this case, the god is right before him and certain to hear. "Be mine. Mine like this garden, not to own, but to care for and tend..."

Nam often prefers to keep his bone picking to the comfort of his own home, though exceptions can be made under the right circumstances, of course! Exceptions can always be made. This exact moment is not one of those times, though. At this exact moment, he continues to snack on the smaller pieces of meat as he watches the bird out of the corner of his eye.

He grabs one of the cloth napkins from the table to wipe his hand (he may not have been tearing the meat apart but he has been picking at it with his fingers) as he sits back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other, then his arms across his chest.

"And refuse such a gracious invitation from dear Iseul? Just what do you take me for, pigeon?"

"A common water snake," he snaps back around a bite of food. He at least has the good manners to cheek the bite while he speaks. There's no disdain in his voice, though. It's an old game they're playing at. It's why Gaja puts no stock in the 'insult.' Why, it could even be an endearment!

"I wasn't aware you were acquainted."

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❝ Masquerade ❞

𝐼𝑠𝑒𝑢𝑙

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Tiras

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lbr, it's gonna be NSFW

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( phone tag )

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for real

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𝐺𝑎𝑗𝑎

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( phone tag )

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