Festival of Kindling - A Holiday Masquerade (Over)

[MiddyGlow]

Choice B: Sit and watch the crowds a bit longer.

Diamond Ace had decided to stay back and watch the crowd a bit longer before heading for the dance floor. She didn't mind that the lonely kitsu hadn't been very friendly at first but she was happy they had warmed up after a bit. Now she was watching the dancers and others around the room to see if anything or anyone caught her eye.  

[Haisyn Fierra]

Choice B:

(Since I legit haven't been able to brain the last couple of days to make a decent reply...)

Sheogorath was far too distracted with critiquing the food and everyone's outfits and how well - or poorly - they were dancing to Steve, the apparently invisible talking pineapple from Passwall, to actually be interested in going out to cut a rug himself.

(If it's too late, I understand, but I thought I'd at least make an effort even if it is a bit half-baked.)  

[Manda]

For those who picked Choice A...
The dance floor is filling up more and more as Kitsu finish greeting friends and eating. You're whirled through several dances by different partners as the musicians pick up the tempo. Periodically, you duck out for a drink or a bite of food. Coming back from one such excursion, you trip suddenly and squeeze your eyes shut, anticipating a fall. But someone catches you, and asks if you are okay...
You stare up into the eyes of an angelic Kitsu hidden behind a beaked mask and smile with a small nod. Seems like you've found a new dance partner.



((Winner to be rolled on Discord shortly!))

For those who picked Choice B...
As the night goes on, you are content to sit and watch the various Kitsu for a while, sipping slowly at your drink. You see the dance floor get busier and busier and are glad you stayed out of that crowd for the time being. After a little while, you notice something slightly odd. By this point in the evening, most kits that came to the party have been sent home. But there seem to be two still hanging around near the food tables. And is it just you, or do they seem a bit... fluffier than other Kitsu here? You get up to go and ask them who their parents are, but by the time you get over to where they were, they seem to have disappeared.
 

[Manda]

The time ticks closer and closer to midnight, and the music changes to a softer and slower tempo. The dance floor mostly empties aside from couples and a few trios dancing together romantically. Some Kitsu wander outside to look at the stars, while other rest in various corners of the room. There is a sense of peace, and of waiting as the year draws to a close.

Prompt 4:
Who do you think about at this time? A friend, a lover, your family? Tell me your thoughts...  

[Mutilated Moogle]

After having missed the two that were there and thinking that maybe it was a figment of his imagination he decided to go bring in the new year looking at the stars and reminiscing of the year he has had with his family, especially Aurora, ever since they were kids he was the one who was her protector if their parents were not around. She had always be timid and scared and she still hadn't gotten over never leaving the cave more than a few feet, he loved her and wanted her to see the world but he feared she never would and he would so much love to see her settle down, maybe with kids.

Nebula sighed and rolled over, closing his eyes as he listened to the faint sounds of music drifting on the air as he closed his eyes and slowly started to doze off into dreamland.  

[MiddyGlow]

Diamond Ace smiled looking at the kits at the table that likely should be in bed by now. She wanted kits someday, she didn't have a big family. She was on her own and she didn't want to be on her own forever. She wanted to find someone who cared about her. Someone who could love her and she could have kits with someday. She sighed and then laughed her thoughts were mushy and romantic.  

[Manda]

As you stare off into space, a voice suddenly interrupts you. "You seem very lost in thought... but I can't help but notice you don't seem to have anyone to watch the play with. Would you care to watch it with me?"



((compiling list to roll on Discord soon!))  

[Manda]

Suddenly, bells begin to ring in and around the building, signaling that it is time for the final events of this year's Masquerade. With only a short time until midnight, the traditional play is about to begin. Kitsusagi that have scattered slightly make their way back inside the building and the doors are shut. Then with one final bell-toll, the lights go out. Not only the lights in the building, but all the lights in town - leaving the room in more or less complete darkness.

A few Kitsu gasp at the sudden absence of light, most likely younger Kitsu that it is their first time being allowed to stay for this part of the Festival. Your hear a soft melody begin to play, and a single, muted light appears at the far side of the room. Though it is not bright at all, it draws everyone's eye that way.

A darkly-costumed Kitsu is holding the light, and their posture seems tired, old and frail. They limp slowly down the center of the room as the melody continues, the wordless song conveying a sense of dignity, though there are also themes of ending and sadness within it. It seems to take forever for the frail-looking Kitsu to reach a spot in the center of the room. Now that they're there, you can see that a structure was moved into place at some point after the lights went out. It seems to be a mountain made of clouds, which are dark and stormy-looking at the moment.

A voice suddenly rings out. "The old year passes, taking with it all our hopes, dreams, and memories. Darkness falls over the Realms."

The dark Kitsu reaches the cloud-mountain and seems to disappear inside of it, taking the dim light they were carrying with them - and the room and town is in complete darkness once more.

"The darkness reminds us of times long past - a time when there was war, pain and suffering. Though most of us were not alive in that time, we still tell stories of it. We still remember. So that we do not fall into the darkness again. This darkness we see now is only temporary. For as the Season turns, light will return to the world, just as light returned to our hearts after the war was over..."

Just as the speaker finishes, a clear, high bell rings, and the previously dark and stormy clouds light up from behind with golden light - so bright that many in the crowd gasp and cover their eyes briefly. Then the clouds part to reveal another Kitsu, this one masked and costumed in bright sun-themed colors. The crowd cheers for the performance as the narrator shouts over the top, "Welcome to the light and to the new year!"

Prompt 5:
What did you think of the play? Which player was your favorite... the dark Kitsu, or the light one?

This will serve as your preference list, and final ticket, for the two Kitsu below. You may not edit this post so choose carefully! If you do not want to be entered for these prizes, please just post and say so. You may win one of these, even if you won one of the previous prizes!


Unmasked (Winner's choice if the scars are stage makeup, or real!)

Unmasked  

[Mutilated Moogle]

Before he fell completely asleep, Nebula followed the others inside when the voice was heard and stood, watching what was going on, the darkness, the show, the Kitsu who were putting it on, it was a great show and the players were amazing! But he couldn't help but stare at the light Kitsu more than the dark, both were amazing but there was something about the light that made him be pulled in by her more than the other. If course it may just have been her feminine charm, he was rather green when it came to woman that were outside of his family, butstill, there was something about her he couldn't help but get lured in by.