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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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."

The lifting of a single brow is his only outward reaction to the name calling, though to be referred to as a common water snake does get under his skin a little. Not as much as it used to, however. Once upon a time, such a thing could make him outright angry. Now it's no more than a momentary annoyance. A common occurrence between the 'common water snake' and his feathered companion.

Nam looks at the phoenix out of the corner of his eye and then shifts a little in his chair toward him, though still not quite facing him. "I wasn't aware that you kept tabs on my acquaintances."

Gaja puffs out his cheeks slightly before tearing off another bite and popping it into his mouth. It's very possible Iseul was his acquaintance first. But there's no real evidence to support that given he and Nam are about as old as dirt. Either of them could have encountered their host first. Gaja will even admit to barely knowing the fae. But he's vaguely familiar with their rules about hospitality.

The phoenix turns in his seat so he can get a better look at Nam. He flicks his eyes over him, taking in his choice of attire and the whole blue color scheme. It's about as predictable as Gaja himself choosing golden feathers. Does that make it any less fetching on Nam? Not this bird.

"I just didn't think we had much overlap in our social circles." What with Nam being a more formal and proper thing than Gaja.

Edited (Typo~) 2023-06-08 02:00 (UTC)

Nam would almost guarantee that Iseul was the bird's acquaintance before he was ever his, but Nam will not be the one to say it. A small, insignificant detail, but one that he will keep to himself. See, that would be allowing a lowly bird to get the upper hand on a magnificent dragon and Nam will not stand for such a thing!

A lowly bird who looks lovely wrapped in golden feathers. A lowly bird who the magnificent dragon is finding difficult to not look at. He even absently reaches out to run his finger along the outer edge of one of the beautiful feathers. Unsurprising that a bird manages to wear them so well.

"Something you didn't think of? I find that to be quite the surprise!" Quite frankly, he didn't think they had much overlap either, what with their obvious differences as well as Nam tending to keep to himself a little more. He can't say that he's terribly displeased with the overlap, however.

Of course their host was Gaja’s first! Unlike this old crocodile, Gaja isn’t overly attached to one place. He loves and travels the mountains and valleys of the world. It’s yet another that sets them apart. If Gaja had to characterize Nam in a word, it would be homebody.

“I think you hardly meet anyone considering how infrequently you leave your river.”

At some point in time that's barely a memory now, Nam wandered a little more. He allowed himself the freedom to explore, even if he was still rarely more than a day's travel in any direction from home. As years went on, it happened less and less. Now, it's rare that anything but a special occasion pulls him from his river. Quite frankly, though he wouldn't be terribly quick to admit it, he's a little jealous of the bird. Sure, there's no one keeping him home but himself, but he can still be a little envious of Gaja's ability to pick up and leave whenever he feels like it.

"If I had a good reason to, I would leave more. As it stands, others tend to find their way to me. Little birds included." 'Others' being anyone who has a place in Name's life, of course.

Now, he turns fully toward Gaja, moving his hand to lazily trace one of the feather's on Gaja's shoulder this time. "Isn't that right, little bird?"

“Even birds need water,” he replies blandly. Oh, but those dark eyes glance to Nam’s fingers, watching them trail over his fake feathers.

“A good thing, I suppose, Gaja adds as he turns his focus back to Nam’s face. “I worry you’ll lose your social skills without unwanted birds visiting.”

His fingers idly move from one feather to another, shimmery blue coloured nails forming a lovely contrast against the gold. Such different colours coming together to form an incredible pair. Oh doesn't that sound strangely familiar though. He tips his head to one side, seemingly scrutinizing the feather beneath his fingers, even if that's not what he's looking at anymore. Oh no, the river spirit's eyes have drifted just a little up from the feather clad shoulder and they're focusing in on, instead, on the gold flecks on the phoenix's skin that he can see just below the mask. Oh how he'd love to reach out and touch those gold flakes though.

Perhaps a private meeting with his vulture is in order before the night is out. Matters to discuss and whatnot, of course.

"Worry about me and my social skills, do you?"

"No one else is going to," he huffs. His brow lifts as he meets Nam's gaze as if to silently ask are they? Is there someone else in the old crocodile's life who cares about his loneliness, who comes to his river year after year with offerings to honor him with want of nothing in return, who would have sought the dragon out if he hadn't sat beside Gaja first?

Gold shines in his eyes as he jerks his head in a very bird-like gesture to one side. It's as if the makeup adorning his skin continues into his irises. Ah, but they're never as bright as when they're gazing on Nam.

"You look fetching tonight, Nam," he finally concedes after another blatant once-over. "Blue always has suited you best."

"The humans visit me," he mutters. That is to say that Gaja is right. No one else is going to. The humans don't care about him in any way that matters. They don't care about the long days and nights that he spends alone while waiting for them. They don't come to see him nearly as often as they once did, when the rivers were far more important to them. Now they only come to see him when they have need of him, when they want for fresh, plentiful fish or clear, cool water.

Gaja is the only one who's come to him looking for nothing in return. He's the only one who cares to keep him company or pull him away from his river when it's been far too long since last Nam left. Outside of the special occasions like these, Gaja is the only one Nam allows to pull him away. He simply trusts that the bird has on ulterior motives, and has his best interest in mind.

A small smile tugs at the river creature's lips as he raises his covered arm, watching the way the light fabric moves and admiring the colour as if in acknowledgement of the compliment. Then he reaches over to Gaja and this time he does run his fingers over the gold flecks on the phoenix's face. "The gold compliments your beautiful eyes."

Humans want things from Nam. Gifts, blessings, anything they can take. That's just how they are. Gaja is the one who visits him, who brings offerings wanting no favor in return. They weren't always friendly. They're still not always friendly, but these days their slights and insults are laced with the affection of an old friendship.

Gaja's lashes fall, leaving only a sliver of those dark, gold-flecked eyes visible beneath them. He cants his head into the touch, soft little trill bubbling up.

"Who are you and what have you done with my cranky crocodile?"

Once upon a time, he liked the humans a lot more. He looked forward to their visits, even. They respected him and his time. They spent time at his river, they appreciated it and often tried to leave it better than it was. And now they take. They take without remorse. They take without thought of what it does to him. They leave their offerings but it's only because they want something in return. Gaja is the one who appreciates him and wants for nothing (though Nam insists of offering him things in return) during his visits. Gaja is the one he looks forward to seeing now, despite how their relationship started. Nam never thought he'd see the day when he looked forward to the bird's presence.

And yet here he is, softly gazing at the phoenix and stroking his cheek.

"You'll have to forgive me because I must be getting soft in my old age. I've just never seen such mesmerizing eyes on a vulture before."

"I had no idea, in all this time, that you're a birdwatcher." How dare Nam look at other birds! What do they have that Gaja doesn't?

Well, regardless, Gaja shifts in his seat to pull a small box that was hidden in a pocket under his 'feathers.' With a huff, he hands it over to Nam.

"I brought you something," he grumbles as he pushes the box with said gift into Nam's hands.

"Didn't you say yourself that even birds need water? You didn't think you were the only bird visiting my waters, did you?" Oh but they have nothing on the phoenix. They are no more than momentary visitors who stop to drink and perhaps catch a fish. And if they're unlucky, they get caught up in the jaws of a hungry dragon. What do they have that Gaja doesn't? They're delicious. Well, Gaja is quite a delicious bird too but...

Nam looks at the bird, and then down at the box being offered to him curiously. Not like it's the first thing Gaja has given him, but it's not something he ever expected here. Especially when neither one of them had been certain that Nam would even be here. Carefully, he opens the box and he just blinks down at the beautiful piece of jewelry. He doesn't say a word as he lightly runs his fingers over it. It's absolutely gorgeous. He gently pushes the box back into the phoenix's hands and then turns his back toward him. "Help me put it on. I want to wear it."

No, Gaja didn't know if Nam would be in attendance. He brought his gift in the hopes that the dragon would be there. Who knows how long he's been holding on to that piece of jewelry, just waiting for the next time they meet. It is Gaja, after all, who spends his time travelling while the old crocodile remains much closer to his river. It's a place Gaja has grown fond of over the years. He's not bound to any place like some creatures, but Nam's river and the area around it feel more like home to him than any place has.

Gaja wipes his fingers on the linen napkin before taking the necklace from its box. In a careful motion, the phoenix drapes the jewels around Nam's throat, making a slight adjustment to the positioning before fastening the clasp. Even in the dim light of this dark house, it shines and sparkles like the sunlight dazzling on water.

"That's better. Now there's something more pleasant to look at than your surly face."

Nam gently lays his hand over the beautiful jewels the moment the necklace touches his skin. It's warm to the touch, having been tucked away under the fiery bird's 'feathers' but it still sends a delightful, comfortable shiver down the old dragon's spine. A cold-blooded serpent presented with something nice and warm. That's all it is.

He turns back around once the jewels are secured around his neck, head tipped down so he can see the way they sit against his chest. He doesn't quite remember the last time he's seen something this lovely and he already knows it will sit among his most prized possessions. Strange how each of those possessions has been a gift or offering from Gaja, which he something he may never let the bird learn. But he cherishes each thing the bird decides to bring him.

"You crows always were attracted to shiny things, weren't you?" asks the reptile who made sure to wear shimmery (almost shiny, one might say!), iridescent flakes around his eyes. Perhaps not just to match his scales, hm?

Gaja sucks in a breath at the sight of those jewels where they belong. Despite his previous quip, he actually thinks they pale in comparison to Nam's beauty. Those dark eyes linger a moment on the necklace before being drawn to Nam's eyes (and, yes, the sparkling flakes around them.

He is a bird, after all!

He's very glad he chose this piece. Without knowing what Nam would wear, it seemed the most likely to match any color scheme. He's grateful the dragon didn't show up in a suit with a collared shirt. That sort of attire didn't really suit him. No, he looks so lovely tonight, every piece of his outfit evoking the sense of flowing water. And now, he also has the shimmer of sun on water, too.

"We certainly are," he muses in a more subdued tone. As he speaks, he reaches over to trail his fingers along the dragon's jaw. Why do you think I'm attracted to you? those eyes seem to say.

Though Nam has worn suits and collared shirts in the past, he's not usually overly fond of them. They often feel a little too restrictive for his liking. A good thing, perhaps. Merely carrying this beautiful necklace around for the rest of the night would have been a terrible injustice. Such a marvelous item doesn't deserve to sit in a box all night, it should be on display for all to see.

He runs his fingers over some of the larger gems that crawl up his chest to the middle of his throat before he drops his hand back down into his lap. Yes, this will indeed live among his most prized of possessions. He looks forward to seeing how it shimmers in the sunlight.

It almost feels instinctual to lean into the fingers against his jaw, to turn his head in toward them. He breathes out a content sigh and lets his eyes fall closed. "Such ridiculous little creatures, you birds are." There's a fondness to his tone and a small smile tugs at his lips. "It's a beautiful gift, Gaja."

The movement of Nam’s hand over the jewels catches Gaja’s attention and he watches in rapt fascination as his fingers graze over the gems. Ah, they will be even more beautiful with the sunlight dazzling off them like it does off the surface water. Ah~

Gaja blinks and refocuses his gaze on Nam’s face, meeting his eyes until he closes them.

They so rarely use each other’s names. When they do, it’s always so earnest. Gaja smiles in kind, the expression less subtle than Nam’s, but equally fond. The phoenix always has been more effusive than his companion. And, truly, he’s pleased by Nam’s receipt of his gift. It would have been a shame for it to go unseen tonight, especially when the dragon looks so otherworldly.

“Then it’s a fitting gift for you, Nam.”

As Nam reopens his eyes to gaze at the phoenix - his phoenix - he pulls off his mask and sets it on the table. He'll put it back on should the need for it arise at some point during the evening, but for now he's done with the masquerade part of this ball. He's done obscuring his face. Mostly, he's done with the way the light catches on the mask once in a while and ruins his view of the gorgeous bird.

Using each other's names always feels like such a special moment shared between only the two of them. To anyone listening, it would be relatively meaningless, it would sound no different than any other conversation, but to them it means much more than that. Nothing can compare to hearing his name pass Gaja's lips.

"I only regret that I didn't think to bring you anything." The smile grows only a small amount. Just enough for no one but the bird to notice. "You'll have to settle for my company, I'm afraid."

Ah, Gaja’s so pleased when Nam takes the mask off. He’s truly too lovely to be obscuring his face. Not that the phoenix needs to see it to know its every detail. Were he so inclined, Gaja could draw Nam’s face in his sleep. In this form or his true form. A few seconds pass in which the phoenix simply admires Nam. Then, he, too, removes his mask. It didn’t say anywhere on the invitation that they’re required at all times.

Gaja heaves a sigh and gives a mournful shake of his head. “I am resigned to my fate,” he laments. But there’s a playfulness in his eyes, one most often drawn out by his dragon. “I’ve suffered your company for this long. I suppose I can suffer it longer.”

There it is. His phoenix's lovely face in full view. Now he can truly appreciate the way the gold from his eyes seems to have spilled out onto his face. He once again reaches out to brush his fingers over the flecks of gold, though this time it's the ones beneath his eyes. This time it's the one he didn't get to touch before.

Nam pulls his hand from the bird's face and instead covers his own mouth as he chuckles softly at Gaja's display. "That's the spirit. You can go back to your world travels tomorrow and leave me to my river, all you have to do is make it through this singular night in the company of a common water snake." Though there's an unspoken hope that Nam will get to see Gaja tomorrow as well.

Oh, he will definitely be seeing Gaja tomorrow. For such creatures as them, months pass by like hours. One evening alone will hardly be enough to satisfy Gaja before he goes wandering again. No, he’ll accompany Nam back to his river and reside nearby for some time before his wanderlust returns. That’s usually how it goes. And when he’s travelling? The urge to return to Nam’s river grows day by day, month by month until he’s drawn back.

“I suppose I can give you just one night.”

There may be a slight worry that the phoenix had been mid-travel when the invitation to the masquerade came along, and that he would be itching to get back to it once the night ended. With months feeling like hours, a single night passes in the blink of an eye. To spend just one night together would be just a tease of the bird's company and the loss of it come morning would be more deeply felt by the dragon than usual. Of course Nam could simply ask him to stay a while longer and likely will before the night ends (or rather find out that the bird does indeed intend to go home with him after the masquerade) but to be so upfront about it so early into the evening just feels so unlike them.

Nam climbs to his feet and his expression says that he wants Gaja to do the same before he ever has to speak the words. "If a single night is all that you can stomach in exchange for the beautiful gift, then I don't intend to spend it sitting here, watching you rip apart meat like an animal."

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now that I'm not phone tagging I can actually write you a decent tag

congrats on the not phone tagging! : D

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