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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At some point before vanishing from sight, Iseul makes it a point to chat with most, if not all, of his guests. His focus is on those he doesn't know well or at all. Those are the people he chooses to spend more time with, trying to get some knowledge of who they are and taking note. There's no interaction too small that it can't be leveraged at some point with enough time and effort.

He wanders close to Sam once, looking very much like he intends to engage him in conversation before sharply veering off in another direction. Thankfully, given Sam's height, it isn't easy to lose him in the crowd. A few minutes later, when Iseul appears in front of him again, he has a folding stepstool in hand. Without a word of explanation, and as if it's the most commonplace of things to do, he merely unfolds the stool, sets it directly in front of Sam, and then steps on it.

"Greetings, dear guest," he intones with a polite smile that does nothing to brighten his eyes. However, the words and his cordial tone should indicate that Iseul is the host of this event. "I do hope you're enjoying the hospitality. Though," he pauses, looking thoughtful. "I'm afraid I've not yet had th e pleasure of making your acquaintance."

Sam could smell the fae on this one and was sure that he was likely the host. Turning to him, he paused in smiling when he realized...was that a step stool? He blinked a few times then let out a soft laugh before offering the host a polite bow in greeting.

"Thank you for coming to speak with me, good host. I am Sam and I was brought here by Matthias. You have my gratitude for allowing me to come enjoy your party. It's been some time since I last was able to attend a fancy gathering." A very, very, very long time. But he didn't elaborate on that presently.

"Ah, it's always a pleasure to meet someone's +1," he quips with a subtle smile. That much is true. He doesn't know many of his guests particularly, save for a few, and he does so enjoy having new names to add to his future guest lists. Plus, it's never a bad thing to know who and what is around. "You must leave me your address so I can send you an invitation directly next time," he adds.

"You may call me Iseul." It's certainly not his name, but it's what he goes by. "While you're here, please make yourself at home. The whole of the first floor is open for the party. If, for any reason, you will not be leaving at first light, I've made guest rooms available."

"A pleasure, Iseul." He bowed his head politely to him. "Though I think that you'll find my address is already in your registry. I share my residence with Matthias actually. We've been living together for several decades now."

He spotted the demon across the room and nodded to him to indicate who he meant even though he was certain that his friend was a known face.

“Matthias,” he repeated, looking thoughtful. Then recognition pours over his face. “Ah, yes.” The demon. Even still, his gaze followed Sam’s just to ensure he was thinking of the correct creature.

“I will be sure to make a note of that for next time.” He’ll send Sam his own invitation, just to be safe. Iseul wasn’t going to make presumptions about the nature of their relationship. Long-lived things like them get lonely and often wind in the company of other long-lived things for a time… or forever. Who can say?

“Needless to say, you’ll be a welcomed guest, Sam.” Not just someone’s +1.

"Thank you. I'll work hard to keep it that way. I wouldn't wish to cause you any trouble."

One thing he knew how to do was always be polite with the fae. They were very particular about manners. If you were polite to them and their people? Then they would treat you well. It was always just a matter of navigating the system. It reminded him of dealing with royalty really.

"I own a bar in the city. Please feel free to ask for me should you ever visit. It's called The Howling Moon."

Oh, this wolf wouldn’t cause him any trouble. Iseul didn’t tolerate trouble, especially in his home. His judgment is swift and decisive. But he doesn’t worry about what may be. Iseul’s guests behave themselves or they’re never his guests again, end of story.

And this one doesn’t seem like the sort to start trouble. Finish it, perhaps, but not a troublemaker himself.

“The Howling Moon,” he repeated. “I shall definitely call on you there.” Though, Iseul doesn’t drink alcohol. He won’t be rude. Sam met him in his domain, he can do him the same honor.

“Do keep an eye on the demon. That one is trouble.”

"Aren't all demons?"

But there was a fondness in his voice for this demon. He looked over at him and he watched him for a time before shaking his head.

"I've known him since the 1800s. I won't let him cause trouble for you." As for himself? Well, he knew that Matthias might do that but he didn't mind. He could handle it. Would gladly handle it even.

"Right now he's just having a good time."

A single brow inched toward Iseul’s hairline. “You associate with more than one of them?” That’s concerning. It took everything Iseul had not to ask specifically what kind of demon Sam’s companion was. He doesn’t know Matthias well. Maybe he should do a little more research into the people in his Rolodex.

“I shall hold you to that,” he replied in a low tone. At least he knew from previous encounters the demon didn’t usually push the bounds of his hospitality. He doesn’t seem the sort to be malevolent for his own sake. Still.. demons weren’t to be trifled with. Nor were they to be trusted.

"Not regularly. But I've been alive long enough to have met a few." Something not very common for his kind. Wolves were immortal, yes. However they didn't to get involved in more disputes than many other supernaturals which meant that they typically didn't age to be as old as he was. Something he was well aware of.

"I've only associated with him for over a hundred years now at this point."

Over a century with a demon? Iseul hasn’t known of them to stick around for that long. But he’s only ever met them in passing. What he knew about them was second-hand information at best. Still, for creatures such as themselves, a hundred years wasn’t long at all.

Something like genuine concern slipped into his voice. “Look out for yourself.” Even if this one specific demon wasn’t troublesome… they attracted trouble. “Anyway,” he waved a hand and his demeanor returned to its cooler, more distant norm. “Please enjoy yourself while you are here. If there is anything I can provide for you this evening, you have only to ask.”

"Of course. Though please make sure to enjoy your own party too. I know that being a host can make one get lost in the hospitality and I'd hate for that to happen to you."

He smiled kindly at the fae and bowed his head politely to him. After all he'd never ask him to stop being hospitable. That wasn't in the nature of the creature. But he could still wish him well and that was all he wanted of his generous host.

Sam’s right about that. This was in the very core of Iseul, maybe every fae. Even if he didn’t particularly like all the guests at his party, he did very much like throwing them. Iseul liked excelling at the things he enjoyed: hosting, designing clothes, those sorts of things.

He offered the faintest ghost of a smile to Sam, gone almost as quickly as it formed. He tilted his head, returning the bow of Sam’s. “I thank you for attending, Sam. Please expect an invitation in your own name for my next event.” Which may or may not be a fashion show… Hope you like fashion, Sam.

"You are very kind. I'll make sure to attend any event where I'm not trapped by work. I give you my word."

Since he ran his own business (secretly had for many years now), he did need to keep up appearances. Especially since his bar was so popular due to people loving to have him serve them personally. But that didn't mean he'd use that as an excuse to get out of every gathering, of course. It was just a matter of balance so he would make that promise.

Iseul lifted a brow. “Perhaps we could arrange something at your bar at some point in the future.” If that’s something Sam would be interested in. Iseul enjoyed playing host, even if it didn’t show in his affect.

“I would be more than happy to collaborate with you.”

"I would really like that actually. Here, I have a card to make it easier to contact me."

Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a business card for the bar. It had his name and business number on it which would make it much easier for them to plan something in the future. As dangerous as the fae could be? Well Sam clearly had experience with danger and it never hurt to make allies. Or even possible future friends.

And yes the bar was called The Howling Moon. Sam thought he was funny.

Ah, good. A civilized person always has their calling card. Iseul took the card between his first and second fingers, flicking his eyes over it. Clean and organized with all the information one needed. Yes, he approved of the design.

The fae tucked that card into a hidden pocket and then withdrew one of his own. It was simple, but elegant with only his name and profession on the front, contact information, and URL leading to his online portfolio on the back.

One corner of Iseul's mouth twitched, threatening a ghost of a smile. "I shall call on you, Sam."

Taking the card, he made sure to put it safely in his coat so he wouldn't lose it later. Smiling he nodded his thanks. "I look forward to our business relationship."

And he truly did. Fae were dangerous but they honestly were very good for business. You simply had to know how to handle them. How to speak to them. Age had taught him that.

"Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. I won't keep you from your hosting duties."

"Mm," he replied with a subtle nod. He looked forward to discussing details with Sam, but at some later time when neither of them had so many others with whom to mingle and chat. Iseul raised a hand to his chest and offered Sam a small bow before stepping with fluid grace off the stepstool.

"Please enjoy yourself."

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❝ Masquerade ❞

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le fin~?