Subject: Behind the mask, the young man performed the most curious combination...
Author:
Posted on: 2016-12-25 00:43:42 UTC
... of blushing and turning incredibly pale. "L-l-lady Ix-Iximaz!" he stammered. "Um, uh, it is a pleasure, I mean, an honor to meet you! Um, I, uh, I don't think it's a masquerade, but, uh, I felt like wearing one, um, today, to this party. Obviously." He offered a bow to the most noble lady.
This was going to be a banquet like no other. A giant field outside Tumblar was turned into a fair ground: long tables were almost breaking from the amount of food and drinks placed on them; on a giant stage minstrels and bards were getting ready to entertain the crowd with songs, stories, and jokes; there were different game stations as well - apple bobbing, ring toss, even the archery practice for the more daring of the Knights. Occasionally, one would spot a wooden pole, on which a purple banner would be mounted, bearing this symbol:
"It looks quite well, Sire," a chamberlain holding a quill and a notepad said. "I-I'm sure the noble guests will be pleased with this feast. Your position is bound to improve!"
Cipher grabbed one of the tankards from the table and smelled it. Sweet aroma, with a gentle hint of salt. The fine vintage of Ha'ter Rayge. The Merchant swiped some dust off of his fur coat and dismissed his servant. "Thank you, Basil. For now, let's put the politics aside." He looked over and gave the man a smile. "After all, it's a feast. Now, if you excuse me, I should go and welcome the first arrivals."
((Ladies and gentlemen, we are a go! Merry Christmas to all, and let's have some fun!))
"Are you all right, my lady?" asked Miguel from her shoulder. "I can feel how nervous you are."
"I'm fine. I'm just not really one for parties," she said. "I came because Cipher was invaluable help when I visited Lotor, and I really need to get out more."
Miguel hmm'd. "Would hearing one of the minstrels or bards help your mood? I heard a rumor Ser Read was booked to perform here..."
eatpraylove smiled. She'd kept up regular correspondence with the knight, and considered him one of her closest friends in Plort. However, she had not yet heard him perform. "I do believe it would. What would I do without you, Miguel?"
"Stay holed up in your manor all day excepting quests, if you don't mind my saying so."
They both laughed, and joined the crowd in front of the nearest bard.
He smiled a bit to himself. The mask really did help him feel less self-conscious, and it was well worth the effort he had spent making it in such a limited time frame. He looked about, and decided he would wander through the game stations to see if there was anything that caught his eye, or, perhaps, somebody interesting to talk to.
Lady Iximaz fell into step beside the masked man. "I'm curious, though—have we met before, or are you a new friend waiting to be made?"
... of blushing and turning incredibly pale. "L-l-lady Ix-Iximaz!" he stammered. "Um, uh, it is a pleasure, I mean, an honor to meet you! Um, I, uh, I don't think it's a masquerade, but, uh, I felt like wearing one, um, today, to this party. Obviously." He offered a bow to the most noble lady.
"I don't like people bowing to me." She offered a hand to the masked man. "You know who I am, but I don't believe I know who you are. Might I ask your name, and where you got that marvelous mask?"
"I go by, um, Granz, ma'am," he said. "Or, well, for now I do, at least. And, um, I made it myself. It took some work, since I only had a few days, but I did my best, got a little help, and didn't go for anything too elaborate, so I guess it's alright."
"It is an honor to meet you..." She paused and tilted her head. "I don't suppose you're the Granz who has been considering knighthood?"
By Madokami's bow, I really need to start alternating pseudonyms! he thought to himself. I am certainly not ready to talk to somebody of this stature about the Trials!
Lady Iximaz smiled. "I've been watching your progress with interest, and you certainly seem promising." She shoved her hands in her pockets and looked around the grounds, breath steaming in the cold air. "I do have to wonder what possessed Sir Cipher to host the festival outside rather than indoors. I would have been more than happy to hold it in my keep..."
"I think I shall be able to soon. I think I shall consult with one more advisor before embarking upon the Trials." His hand unconsciously brushed against the hammer hidden beneath his cloak. "Perhaps he enjoys being in the snow?"
Lady Iximaz shrugged. "Either way, I hope we are able to enjoy our time here. It certainly looks like quite a bit of effort has gone into setting up the event."
"I believe this will be an entertaining evening," he said. "Perhaps, if you so desired, we could look around and see if there are any interesting games to play? Um, m'lady," he added, suddenly remembering who he was talking to.
Lady Iximaz grinned. "Just Iximaz will do. And I believe I saw an archery field on the far side of the grounds, if you would be interested in testing yourself against me?" She glanced at the massive unstrung longbow that was resting across her back.
"I doubt I can compete with you, but I would be happy to see how I measure up." He looked at the bow. "Is this the great Arin?" he asked.
Lady Iximaz smiled when a voice squeaked from her cloak, "Don't be modest! You've killed thousands of Marizu with that thing!"
"Hush, Charlotte," Iximaz said, putting a hand over her shoulder.
Her cloak wriggled and a tiny vampire bat poked her head out. "You're not telling me to hushup when there's a party, are you?"
"Yes."
When he realized it was coming from her cloak, he angled to get a better look. It was indeed Charlotte, who, if rumors were correct, had joined her crusade relatively recently. He tried to think of something to say, and found a question he hadn't received an answer to yet. Perhaps the bat was cagey about her origins, or perhaps he simply hadn't found any storytellers who had heard the news yet, but whatever the reason, he didn't know where she came from. "Pardon me, Charlotte, correct? If it does not trouble you to say so, might I ask where you come from?"
"Which is not to be confused with the Twilight Zone," the little bat said, fluttering out of Iximaz's cloak to perch upside-down from her finger. She tilted her head to look up at Granz. "What, am I not as famous as some stupid piece of wood?"
"Oi, no knocking my bow," Iximaz said, lightly bopping the bat on the head.
"I don't like people bowing to me." She offered a hand to the masked man. "You know who I am, but I don't believe I know who you are. Might I ask your name, and where you got that marvelous mask?"