Masks

[visualspice]

OOC: This thread is a continuation of "A Chance Encounter" (that featured Dekka Blade, and Kathryn Chandos)

IC:
An opportunity like this was too good to pass up.  After all, how difficult could it be to impersonate the Duke of Allar?  Duke Calent Allarick was snobbish and reserved, at least from what he learned on his studying- for he paid enough attention to politics and royalty in Connlaoth and surrounding areas as he could. After all, they were the wealthiest pockets to pick.

And it was a masked ball.  A masquerade.
He smiled at the invitation as his green eyes roamed over it.

"Gods, these royals are getting stupider and stupider," he commented, repocketing the official invitation as she stared at himself in the mirror.  As the pretend 'Duke of Allar', he'd have to make a few adjustments.  It had been a good week since he'd shave as he stared at his scruff, lifting his chin up as he made a face, turning to the right, then left, than began lathering up his face with water and soap.  He needed to shave.

Calent, from what he knew and had seen, kept himself clean shaven. He, on the other hand, did not. He liked his goatee, and after drawing the blade over one cheek, then the other, contemplated shaving his signature beard off.

Swallowing his pride, he lathered up his beard and cleared it all away.  Splashing water across his face, he ran his fingers across the smooth part of his face and smirked, admiring his work as he moved his head to the left, then inspected it on the right and went about grooming his brows and trimming some of his bangs.  He wasn't going to go all out, and left his braid as it were, tucking it up ontop of his head.
He'd figure a way to hide his locks later, for now, he twisted open a yellow jar, dabbed some oil on his hands and began tapping the scented oils onto his cheeks and neck.


Calent's clothing wasn't hard to come by, neither was his carriage or horse, for that matter.  He wondered why these dukes were making his job too easy. Not that it mattered... as he began to lace up his clothes, full of layers and dark colors of black and greens, rich and royal as the forests.  When he was done, adjusting the tall, stiff collar about his neck, he turned around to gaze into the gold, filigree framed mirror in his room and was shocked to see another man.


He stood tall and imposing, righting his shoulders- he fit near perfectly into his costume.  Though this wouldn't be his costume for the ball, rather, a costume to acquire a costume. It was an odd circumstance, but he wanted to choose, and to be wise about it- what mask and hat and clothes he'd wear to the masquerade.  After all, he wasn't only concealing his face behind a mask, but all of his trinkets and supplies...

The king of thieves was ever prepared, and accepted this challenge deliciously.

It was a shame, the carriage, the invitation..
It was all meant to be delivered as a sign of regret. The Duke of Allar couldn't attend. He had.. prior engagements. Though his regrets would never make it, replaced by another man at the masquerade who would say yes.

The duchy of Highheart was celebrating something.  Oh right, the duchess's birthday.
He remembered stealing her ring, but had.. given it to a certain someone. Rumor had it, the duchess was due for another.  He smiled devlishly at his reflection.  It was time to get a new one.

"Looking fucking good, Duke Calent," he told himself, brushing a stray bang aside, then adjusted his posture and appeared more stoic as his face went grey and stoic.  "Yes, I've got an acquired taste to have my face as smooth as a woman's." he spoke out loud, mocking the duke, his voice, sounding surprisingly similar. 

Dekka smiled at himself wickedly and walked away, trying out his strides, his dark green ad black cape flowing behind him.  He could get used to these fancy clothes. He pulled at the collar.  Well, he could get used to this if these clothes didn't make him so fucking hot.  "Damn these stiff layers," she said with a sneer and picked at the ornately embroidered gloves around his wrists.


There was still much to be done. To crash a royal party.. and to pretend to be a high official, the Duke of Allar, of all people, was going to be quite a feat indeed. And he'd have to carefully layout his show stopper-

After all, his fame depended on a grand finale.
To let all of Highheart know they were duped.



Into town he went, working careful at selecting his costume.
A clown? A beast? A knight?  It will be quite a feast.
Ah, but the exotic the choice.. this one seemed to make sense..

A tiger, with black stripes, and swirls of orange and green, and gold painted across a porcelain mask with emeralds adorning the sides.  A smile flashed across his lips as he paid with money, the Duke of Allar's money, and had his costume sent to his room....



The whole town was buzzing outside the castle...
Rumors spreading..
The Duke of Allar- an unwed man, visiting the duchy when,( for his fame proceeded him,) was not a man to travel so often to Highheart.  So, yes, the rumors spread, considering both he and the daughter, Kathryn Chandos, were unwed.


Dekka loved gossip, and once word got around he had to smile, preparing his hair for the occasion. He could hide his long hair beneath the high collar of his suit of arms- one that was now painted with ornate tiger stripes and also embellishing the symbol of the Allarrian duchy.  He had decided against a hat, but adorned a pair of cat ears sticking out of his head, his bangs, still long, covering his real ears.

Thinking back to the daughter, he smiled.
"Lady Kathryn.." he posed before the mirror, hand extended to his invisible companion.  His smile reached his eyes silently.
Oh, wouldn't it be something to woo the duke's daughter? To make her think she was being flirted with with the very Duke of Allar? And really being charmed by the King of Thieves?

Oh, his smile seemed to reach past his ears as he laughed at the idea and strolled excitedly to his carriage.

"Let the show begin," he said with a clap of gloves above his head.

[Ivory]

Kathryn regarded her reflection with a somber expression.  A pair of maids were working furiously behind her, braiding her bangs and front locks backwards into an ornate, weaving pattern that swept beneath the locks in back that they were leaving loose to flow down to the small of her back.  The wind would have played havoc with it were they going outside, but, indoors, the long, strawberry-blonde locks would shine in the torchlight like gold.

Once her hair was done, the maids helped the young lady into her costume.  At first glance, it looked like a stylized version of a hunters outfit of an emerald hue.  Rather than the rough wool of the peasants, however, the outfit was of silk, and the sparkling sheen of the outfit would only give a hunter in the forest away.  A string of braided pearls made a simple belt, with the golden clasp bearing the symbol of Highheart.  Pearls, too, had been worked into the braids, looking both refined and modest.

Over her collar was laid a necklace of -- yet again -- more pearls and emeralds.  A matching ring and bracelet were connected by a slave chain on her left hand.  The mask was the final touch; her maids braided the ribbon into her hair, effectively making the bejeweled mask appear to hover over her face.

Her love of hunting was well-known, and so her mother had chosen an outfit for her that would exploit that love: tonight, she was meant to look like a goddess of the forest, and, with all the glittering, she certainly looked the part -- although, she thought, not a very effective one.

Kathryn was just stepping into her emerald slippers when her mother entered the room.  It was apparent where her daughters had come by their looks: they took after their mother, who, even at her age, was still a beautiful woman.  She was dressed in Highheart colors as well -- green and white -- and, unlike her eldest daughter -- held her mask in her hand.  She bade her daughter to twirl for her, gave her a few pointed reminders, and then was gone.

Nothing would ruin her birthday celebration...

Once everything was complete, Kathryn allowed herself to be escorted downstairs.  The Duke and Duchess were announced first, of course, followed by their daughters.  Looking a bit like a glittering emerald herself, Kathryn stepped out into the hall.

In spite of her wandering, rebellious spirit, Kathryn had to admit...  She did love a ball.

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Dekka couldn't help but hum excitedly to himself as the carriage rolled towards the estate-
Though it more or less a castle, with it's tall stone towers arching towards the sky.  He knew he was running late, all part of the plan.  The Duke of Allar had to make his grand entrance, after all.
As he stepped out of his carriage, he could hear the clamor, the horns trumpeting just as the royal family was being announce.
A smile was worn in his eyes, but not his lips as he made his procession down the velvet carpet and the great doors came open-

And all eyes turned to pause as the "Duke" stepped into the lime light.  For a moment, there was a pause, and quickly the announcer cleared their throat and announced.

"Duke Calent Allarrick!" the announcer smiled, for before, he had been sweating the man might not show (and after such speculation and gossip going about, it would be a pity- and the duke and duchess, would obviously be upset for the no show.  Continuing on, he triumphantly declared to the crowd as he held his list up high. "Ruler of the duchy of Allar!"


And the crowd bowed, as they had for the royal hosts, as Dekka made his way down the great mass of people and paused before the duchess.  Dropping to one knee, he bowed before her deeply, and humbly - and with as much grace as the real Duke himself as he drew her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly,- his cheek brushing against the very jewel he sought to steal that night.


Raising his dark green eyes, he looked at her.
"I apologize for my tardiness, my lady," he said, keeping his voice soft, and brief.
She would bow to him, then he to the duke and back again and then, with a turn of his heel, a hand clenched behind him as he moved forward, bowing at the middle towards their youngest daughter, then moved to the next...

One with soft hands and youth..
He accepted Kathryn's hand and kissed it softly, lips lingering before he raised his head.
"An honor, my lady," his voice was masked, dark and alluring as his eyes claimed to hers.

[Ivory]

Kathryn knew all about the Duke of Allar -- he was powerful and, as of yet, still unwed.  That meant he was a prospective husband...and it was her duty to ensure she wed as well as possible.  Wedding a Duke meant the Duchy of Highheart would be left to her younger sister, of course, ensuring that she, too, would have no shortage of suitors.

Kathryn wore her best smile, knowing it would reach her eyes and her voice as she studied the masked man in front of her.  She had never met the Duke of Allar herself, but, if gossip were to be believed, he was a handsome man.  There was a flicker of familiarity about those eyes, though the teenager could not quite put her finger on why they seemed so familiar...

"The honor is ours, Duke Calent.  Welcome to Highheart.  I fervently hope you will enjoy yourself this evening.  If there is anything I can do -- anything at all -- please do not hesitate to ask.  I shall see to it personally."  Her tone was light, but it was laden with promise.  After all, it was indeed an honor for the Duke of Allar to come all the way to Highheart...

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Dekka refrained from a full fledged smile. It seemed almost too natural to court her. Perhaps his plan was too easy?  He let her see the smile in his eyes, his lips remaining still as he nodded.

"You could promise me the honor of the first dance," he said, then bowed and moved away, making his way down the line of royal guests and once he made it to the end, it might have seemed that he had taken a glance back towards her, but as swift as the notion may have been seen, his eyes went distant and studied the crowd.


With poise and perfection, he would make his rounds, eyes scanning the area from the mask of a cat...  the tiger would shield his identity... while he stalked and hunted his prey.
It was almost too simple...

The King of Thieves' new story had begun.

[Ivory]

"Of course, Duke Calent.  It would be a pleasure," Kathryn replied with a smile, watching as he moved on to the next guest.  She wondered what he looked like under the mask -- but, then, it didn't matter, did it?  He could be three hundred pounds and forty years her senior, and if her father approved of the marriage, she would have little say in it...

But, she thought, he did have nice eyes...

And he did like to hunt, or so she had been told.  Perhaps, during his stay, her father might insist on a hunt...and, perhaps, she would be able to go along.  Oh, she wouldn't be able to show off her full skill -- but she could enjoy a bit of light hunting.

She mingled with other guests as everyone became acquainted.  Soon enough, the band was preparing to strike up the first dance.  Kathryn found herself searching the crowd for a pair of orange and black-tipped ears.  She would be, she had to admit, disappointed if he did not keep his offer...

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Oh, he was reveling!  Jewels glittered everywhere. From earrings to toes. He had never been surrounded with so many thieving opportunities in all of his life.  A gold cuff here, a pearl necklace there... a single, diamond earring... a silk lace with pink jewels....
It was far, far too easy and it took every ounce of effort for him not to smile.
Flat and stoic... calm and collected.
Yes, he still had his facade.
After all, his mask did not hide his lips...


It was even nicer his fancy clothing had ample locations to stash the goods, and slight of hand worked ever better when masks and costumes were fluttering about.  Though he had made a promise, and when the announcement was made, his eyes scanned the area like a predator stalking it's prey.  The lady Kathryn...

It was only a matter of time before he found her and he approached from behind, drawing her attention with a voice sounding divine, "My lady Kathryn," He bowed then extended his hands and afforded her the smallest, rarest of smiles.  "I believe I promised you this dance."

[Ivory]

The voice at her ear suddenly gave her a bit of a start, but, turning to him, she smiled.  It was a beautiful smile -- and genuine.  "You did indeed, Duke Calent," Kathryn murmured as she accepted his hands.  "I've been looking forward to this dance.  I've been told you're a marvelous dancer."

Kathryn fell into step beside him, readily taking up the position of the first waltz, and, of course, expecting him to lead.

"Are you enjoying the ball so far?  Highheart is quite different from Allar, I'm told, but I hope you're finding it comfortable here and the food to your liking."

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Dekka had been concentrating so hard at playing his role, that he stepped into line with her, leading away and dancing divinely.  He was glad for the dance lessons he had, and also, this was, ironically, not his first ball. But it was definitely the biggest.

To play a game of cards, you had to master your face, and his- it was impenetrable.

At her words, however, he thought she sounded familiar and thought to the woman in the woods...
Why now of all times was he thinking of her and her lonely shack.
Then he realized, ah, yes, it was she who possessed the ring.
And here he was, to make amends! He couldn't let the hole left behind from the ring he had given up remain empty! And he had already acquired a few trinkets in his place, but it was the new ring of the duchess that he yearned for.


And his plan was meticulously mapped out.  He would have his gold.


"Indeed," he spoke, keeping his dialogue short. "But things here are not so different. We are all from Connlaoth, are we not?"
The music played, parading and guiding it's dancers about the floor, filling it with color and delight.  He sought his partner, though not obviously so- for some sort of trinket to remember her by-
but what?
It would have to be something good... worth while in the court...
and he? Why, he should also leave her with a memento-
But perhaps it would all be in the end? The surprise?

"You, my lady, dance divine, a generous host." he complimented, leading her breathlessly away across the floor- and in that moment, striking richly in his stride- he was the Duke of Allar.

[Ivory]

Kathryn's laugh was soft and musical, trained to be pleasing to the ear which heard it.  "Thank you, but one cannot dance well with a poor partner.  It seems we are well-matched on the dance floor."

They parted briefly as the dance swept them apart.  Kathryn watched him from her place in the circle of women, noting how he stood apart from the other men.  Her sister would, no doubt, tease her later, but, she supposed, she was at that age where marriage became an inevitability...  Little wonder he made her heart flutter so.

The women returned to their partners, and Kathryn bowed to him neatly -- as did all of the women -- before taking his arm.

"My father says you are a fine hunter.  Will you be staying in Highheart very long?  I'm certain my father would relish the opportunity to show you the valley."

[visualspice]

Dekka made quick work, scanning his memories in attempts to recall more information he'd studied about the duke.  Royals did like to hunt... the valley, well, it was only proper for such a thing to occur. Though he had also heard things about Calent that, well, seemed to make him a bit more distant, and less social than the other elites.

"Perhaps," Dekka said carefully. "I have a rather busy agenda."

The music carried pleasantly, so did the dance as he continued to shift with her, hand to hand as they stepped forward in an approach, he remaining the lead.

"I bet the valley is a prime hunting location. There are many rumors, truthful, I suspect, of the amount of stag your father has claimed."

[Ivory]

"Yes," she answered with another soft laugh.  "He enjoys a good hunt.  He has often tried to teach me, but I'm afraid I haven't quite the same knack for it my father does."  Her father was, in fact, a fair hunter; she was better.  It wouldn't be proper for the daughter to outshine her father, however, and so she was forced to let the men claim most of the game.  "Perhaps, if you find the time, you might find better fortune in teaching me?"

Not likely.  Still, she wouldn't mind watching him...if only to see how much of the rumors were true...

"I find it all very sad," she added, playing up the role of the weak-hearted woman.  "It's a shame we should have to kill such a beautiful creature."

[visualspice]

Dekka kept his smile small, his eyes remaining serious, though not at the intensity one might claim to have fallen beneath from the true Duke of Allar.  But lucky for him, the made was not as social as most and...

"It is a fine sport, and they support a fine trophy," he informed.  "Though, if, perhaps in the future, circumstances were to allow, there might be a time for me to show you."

The dancing was getting to his head, and as they finished their conversation, the song strum to an end.  He bowed before her taking her hand and kissed it softly. Then raised his eyes, he, still being bowed as he addressed her.

"The first dance has been my pleasure."

[Ivory]

"And my honor," Kathryn returned prettily, grateful that her mask concealed the flush of her cheeks.  No, she thought, this was a man she wouldn't mind marrying at all.  She preferred him far better than the hideous, prissy Lord Philippe, who had been besotted with her for some months now.  She was grateful to her father for holding out for a better candidate; Lord Philippe was rumored to be quite the gambler -- and not a very good one at that.  He was, probably, only interested in the dowry and title he would gain through his marriage to Kathryn.  And there was something about him that made Kathryn uneasy, besides...

Speaking of which...  Kathryn caught sight of Philippe, leering at her from the other end of the floor.  He was clearly waiting for the Duke to move to his next dance partner...  Kathryn had promised Philippe a dance -- but she was hoping to put it off for as long as possible.

"I have the next song free.  Would you care to join me for a drink, Duke Calent?"  Kathryn gestured towards the servants milling about.  "I could recommend a few of the Highheart varieties, if you could tell me your preference?"

[visualspice]

From her expression, Dekka knew he had gotten the lady hooked.  The subtle smile he wore reached surprisingly into the green of his eyes as he nodded at her invitation.
"It would be my honor," he informed.  "I heard good things about your wines."
He gestured towards the drink table and placed out an arm, and once she accepted, he guided them towards the table.

His eyes scanned all that was to offer, his lips twitching in a smile, but he had to remain composed.
After all, the 'duke' was not someone to bare too much of his emotions.
"I have a preference towards the milder, fruit flavored wines," he admitted, assuming Duke Calent would prefer something fruity as he nodded towards the arrays of drinks and scanned their labels. 
A glass punch bowl was set in the middle, in which he examined, cocking his head to the side curiously at what sort of punch the people of Highheart might serve, but said nothing as he turned back to the lady and awaited for her to inform.


And they were quite the pair, already garnering more gossip and looks with each step they took each word they spoke....

[Ivory]

Kathryn accepted his arm gratefully, delighted to have a reason to hide from Lord Philippe's clumsy advances for even a moment longer.  She smiled at him, a broad, beautiful smile that made her eyes sparkle, as they crossed the floor towards the refreshments.

Fruit-flavored?  Well, that was something she wouldn't have guessed...  Her surprise didn't show on her face, however; she merely scooped up a glass of white wine and held it out towards him in offering.  "This is a pear wine," she began.  "It's sweeter and is made exclusively in a village to the east of here."

There was an air of mischief about her, suddenly, as she coyly added, "It may be...an acquired taste."  After all, it was usually a bit too sweet for foreigners; local well-to-do women drank it almost exclusively, however.

[visualspice]

Dekka accepted the offer. He was a connoisseur, like many nobleman, and had a craving for all sorts of fine wine and drinks.  One could say, the King of Thieves, had turned into somewhat of a snob.  Though simple meals were fine, why dine on bland biscuit or bread when you could take in the finer things in life?

He rolled the goblet in his hand and took in the smell of the pear wine. It certainly smelled interesting.  Taking a sip, he nodded, not sure how he felt on it as he bowed humbly his head towards the lovely lady.

"A fine choice," he said.  "I could see this pairing well with an array of fresh fruits as garnish."

Oh, to pretend to be a famous Duke was almost too much for him. He wondered what the real Duke would think when he got word? That the King of Thieves impersonated him so well?
So well that...
He turned to the fair lady.
"A toast?" he said, gesturing for her to select a drink. "To a fine occasion." A nod. "And to fine wine and dancing."


He was impersonating him so well and enjoying himself too much that he might go all out with this.  How much of an impression it would make, to say, if he were to make a wedding proposal for the very Duke of Allar himself to this lovely lady of High heart? To think of all the stories, the legend it would produce. Yes, he had done so many things before to get himself famous..

but this, this might be the stuff of legends.
And the King of Thieves might live forever.

[Ivory]

Kathryn laughed out loud at his expression, though much of it was hidden by the mask.  "I'm sorry," she apologized cheerfully.  "You don't have to drink it!"  She was, after all, still a girl -- and the odd prank wasn't beyond her.  She helped herself to a glass, however, her expression still amused beneath the mask.  "We have other options for you to try as well should you prefer."

She lifted her glass in response to his toast, sensing the eyes that were upon them.  She didn't mind; this was, after all, what she was raised into -- a world of wine, balls, and smiling on the arm of a noble.

"And," she added, "To new acquaintances, which, if I may be so bold, I hope to someday count among my friends."

Of course, although neither of them knew it, they were hardly new acquaintances at all.

[visualspice]

He didn't know why, but that laugh, that laugh struck him and unsettled his bones.
It was... almost too familiar and he felt uneasy suddenly.  Jarred, though, he quickly composed himself, not wanting to lose face in the moment as he raised his goblet, chimed it with hers and proceeded to down the rest in a great, big gulp.

Gods knew he fucking needed it.

What was it about this woman that suddenly put him on end?  A fair face and skin, pretty hair and eyes almost too familiar and that voice..

Was he going crazy? No, perhaps he was over thinking everything, or was it his own ego getting at him yet?

"I would count on it," he finally answered to her idea, lifting up the now empty goblet and hoping she would not think him too vulgar to have drank it with such haste.
"I think the pear wine was more than adequate," he stated again, his dark eyes then flickering towards a man who approached.  Lord Phillipe, or something was it?
He stood properly behind Kathryn and awaited her to notice him so he could gain her attention, though, perhaps it was the alcohol in the drink that made him act on it, over hearing Phillipe ask,
"So, Lady Kathryn, I see you are enjoying the evening. I hope you do not find it in bad taste, or me too hasty to request that dance you promised me for the next?"

Yes, a foul suitor getting in his way. Well, the royals were arrogant and posessive, were they not? This fig of a man would not get in his way.
"Actually, the next dance has been reserved," 'Calent' said, stepping forward, a smile dangerously gracing his eyes.  The look unnerved Phillipe as he took a step back.  Dekka raised his head, appearing, in one scary moment in life, too much like the true Duke of Allar himself, and almost like the predatory tiger mask he wore.


To Kathryn, his eyes went and a hand, outstretched and waiting for her.
"It is only fitting, when a lady shows grace to a lord, that he should only offer her thanks in return," he awaited her, poised like God, mighty and handsome, dangerous and alluring.

The next dance would be his.

"Might I have the next dance?"

[Ivory]

Kathryn's slim eyebrows lifted in response to his suddenly empty glass, although she looked nothing but further amused.

Until Lord Philippe butted in.

The warmth in Kathryn's face faded, replaced by a cool, polite smile.  It was, of course, rude of him to interrupt, to imply that Kathryn would not keep her promise of a dance without his reminder.  Yet, it was not her place to point that out to him...

...But she was surprised when her companion rose to her defense.  She looked as stunned as those around her, and it was not until he held out his hand to her that the spell was broken.  Her smile returned, warm and immediately, as she set her dainty hand in his.

"Of course, Duke Calent.  It would be my pleasure."

She glanced over her shoulder at Philippe; the hideous creature was fuming!  His face had darkened to an ugly shade of purple as the Duke led her away.  Her parents would doubtless have something to say on the matter later, but, for now, she had been spared.

"Do you mean to keep all of my suitors at bay all night?" she wondered playfully, dropping her voice to a low murmur.  "Or just the insufferably rude ones?"