Christmas Masq

[AroraDestiny]

"Arora this all too new to me. I am your brother and yet not. No if this be true what that journal says."

She bites her bottom lip a bit nervously at that.

"Oh dearest Arora, you have been my little sister all my life. A life time of patterns No matter what my changing feelings I need time to adjust. But we have a score to settle for this cowardly attack."

She backs a few steps from him her eyes showing a bit of hurt but her smile turns sunny.

"Of course I understand. Nothing is really that different and anyways... so many of your admirers will be attending. I must go prepare."

Aroraa runs off before he can say anything, tears in her eyes. It takes her some time but she emerges dressed in her gold gown and wings. A mask of gold glitter is lightly painted on her face. Her lips a shimmer of color. She has a new wheelchair similar to her old one and has dressed Alreania to go as well but her wings were situated so that they could be more easily removed because of her condition. Alreanias hair is pulled up out of her way so she can lay back and rest. But Arora being even more of a rebel tonight has left her hair free and flowing in wavy curls to her waist.

They are assisted into a special coach and they arrive at the party right on time. Most of the guests are there already. Aroras servent pushes Alreania about. She(Aroras servant) is supposed to be Alreanias servent for tonight.

"Save me a dance Ally. I dont care what the Ton thinks if I have to spin you around in your chair."

She smiles at her brother.

"Thank you for driving us. This place looks fabulous."

 

[Cathay]

Jenna

"Well....Robin...tonight's the night, my friend." I turn and
speak to my manservant. Robin has been with me, since Arabella was 11, right before our parents were killed in a fire at the
family manse. He was my confidant in all things and did what
he could to help me. He had loved all that Arabella was.....mayhaps not as deeply...but surely more than most
mortals could...or would. I entrusted him with my life, he had
watched my back as I had his more times than I could count.
The only soul in my life that I trusted...and loved in my own way.
He would be driving me in my carriage and waiting ... should
I need his help.
He was, at this moment, helping me finish my costume. He had
a rueful smile on his face, "Jenna, you are going to shock all
of society...you know this!" But he laughed as he said it.
"Well, I wanted to be noticed and" and with a small smile and
a shake of my head, I added "hmmm, this should do it!" I twirled
around and could hear those tiny bells at my ankles and wrist
chime delightfully. I had garbed myself as a dancer from the
far East. My outfit was practically non-existant, I loved it.
I did not care what the Ton thought...I never have and this
little jewel was just icing on the cake. I wore a gold diaphanous
band with billowing sleeves halter. and a skirt that reached
slightly past the my calves. It began at my hips leaving my
tummy bare. In my belly button I wore a jewel. A huge emerald.
Across my head was a circlet of gold coins that jangled when
I walked, I wore gold arm braclets. Rings on every finger and...
every toe. I left my hair cascading down my back and was...
barefoot. I wore no masque upon my face for I wanted to
be noticed. Robin pulled a full length ermine cloak and covered
me. I wanted the element of surprise. And as we traveled to
Windsor Castle...I was pretty sure I was going to have it.

 

[Alreania]

Something inside of her snaps and she sits up in the bed, sweat rolling down her face as well as her entire body. She had a slight temp but now it broke. She looks around the room and ask the servents to make her a bath. After the bath is drawn she tries to get up but falls to the floor, her legs unable to walk her form. She pushes the servents away and tries to get up but falls over again, she can feel her legs but for some reason she cannot use them, a tear slips down her cheeks as the servents help her to the bath. They scrub her down, making her look beautiful and smell exotic.

After the bath the servents help her out and she watches Aroraa come into the room, she pushes the servents away and stumbles to Aroraa to hug her when she notices the tears in her eyes. "It will be ok mistress... tonight the party will be wonderful..." She tries to walk for Aroraa but falls back down, feeling Aroraa's hands upon her as she is helped up. "I am sorry mistress... my legs won't move... I guess I am still weak but I want to go to the party." "It is ok my dear... I'll have the servents fetch the wheel chair for you." Aroraa helps Alreania to get ready for tonight as the servents bring in the chair for her without anyone looking she takes her 2 favorite daggers, one from Aroraa, the other from Fitt and straps them to her legs and then fixes her dress out. She always make sure she has a weapon upon her in case of trouble She is helped to the seat and sits down. She thinks in her mind that tonight she will walk for Aroraa.

They arrive at the Windsor, her jaw nearly drops as she sees how beautiful the place is. She is helped out and into her chair. "Save me a dance Ally. I dont care what the Ton thinks if I have to spin you around in your chair." She blushes at Aroraa. "I believe that will be a site to see." "Thank you for driving us. This place looks fabulous." "Yes, this is a beautiful place and thank you sir." She looks up to Fitt and smiles. "I am sorry... I gave you both a scare but I am getting well now."

 

[cgraven]

We arrive and from the corner of my eye I see the stir our entrance has made in certain ministerial quarters. I have no fear as nothing ill can happens on the grounds of the king's place and the fortnight of the Christmas peace.

And so it is that a wily fox and two Angels for the "Christmas Masque. "The Fox" in tawny silken hose, the doublet of soft fox pelts, even of the ridiculous fox's tail I have had my toilers make. Of the simple mask in the Italian style that hides but does not conceal.

 

[AroraDestiny]

I too notice there are quite a few who didnt expect us to show up. My dear brother..err not brother it was still very confusing, was very alert but still seemingly relaxed.

I turn to the servent who is pushing Ally. No ordinary servent is she but one of the few women in the royal guard. Our father is somewhat of a rebel in that aspect. She nods to me telling me without words she noticed the disturbance as well. Ally looks up at me and I smile warmly at her. She probably noticed before me so high are her sences.

We are soon lost in the crush of many bodies. Dancing begins and I am caught up in a twirl of bodies. How I hate these polite formal dances. I loved them once but that was before my Fitt left for the stupid crusades. He changed since then in many ways. But I of course still love him and even if it is just that his love is for a little sister I will at least still have him near. It was not what I wanted but it was enough.

I watch Ally as I dance. I am not sure that loving a woman is right but I do love her so much. Somehow it seems to overwealm me when I am with her.

 

[Cathay]

Jenna

I had waited to arrive "Late". I wanted to make sure all
eyes were on me when I "unveiled.". I knew that there would
be people there who knew me, had known my family, but more
importantly.......they knew my... money. The onle thing that
guaranteed my acceptance into ANY society. "Faith, I had become
cynical!" No surprise there, I had known that my life was in
essence...joyless. I did not expect that to change. I kept telling
myself..."Later...Later will I think of.......Love and Children."
But there was a part of me that doubted it. It was for me, a
long faraway fantasy. Instead I lived my life, to hunt and destroy.
Not exactly the fodder that feeds the soul is it?
We took our turns waiting in line with the long line of carriages
in front of us. When the carriage stopped, Robin jumped down,
lowered the steps and when I started to step down, he halted
me and said, "Jenna, You are barefoot. Allow me." He bowed and
smiled a small wicked smile and swept me in his arms to carry me
up the cold steps leading to Windsor. I so wanted to laugh.
I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Are you not glad that
I did NOT sup before?" I swear I heard him snort. As he lowered
me inside the marble foyer he spoke low, "Be careful Mistress.
Try to remember that this is just a "hunt"...hmmm?" Nodding, I composed my face, turned and handed my announcement to
the livered servant in front of me. As he announced me "Lady Jenna Candalaria." In a big booming voice, I let my ermine cloak
fall silently to the floor. And in this massive ballroom, All went
silent. There were gasps, loud and audible. Even the orchestra
stopped playing, the dancers stopped and there was.......silence.
I raised my arm palm down and let another liveried servant
lead me down the stairs. Suddenly, the noise started up again
and there were people flocking towards me, avid interest...even
scandal alighting their faces. My mind whispered to me "let
the games begin."

 

[Alreania]

Her eyes are sharp and keen as she watches those that have eyes upon her, she just smiles and rest her hands in her lap, close to where her daggers are at. She sighs a bit as the servent pushes her around. She watches Aroraa with love in her eyes and wishes she could get up to dance with her. Hoping maybe tonight she will get up and walk.

She looks up to the servent. "I would like something to drink if you will." The servent bows to her and goes and fetches the drink, when her back is turned she moves her wheel chair to a different part of the room and watches the strangers closely, noticing them watching Aroraa and then looking around to see where Alreania went.

Her attention is averted from the strangers to the woman walking into the room, being led down. She moves to a different spot and watches his woman, knowing something is strange about her, thinks it is best to keep her distance from her.

 

[cgraven]

The creature that just made her grand entrance in Saracen costume has a beauty no doubt but who was she?

Well time would tell but first things first.

Arora we shall dance.

I lead Arora to the dance floor as we join the line of dancers.

The music is gay and cheerful the dancers light on their feet and Arora the prettiest of them all.

 

[AroraDestiny]

The woman who enters is a rare beauty with an obviously defiant spirit. For some reason I sence a potential friend in her. I turn to my brother as he aproaches my eyes sparkling.

Our eyes meet and hold as he leads me out onto the dance floor. The dance that seemed so boring now seems almost erotic. As we move together brushing just a little to close. Standing so that we can feel one anothers heat.

Thankfully the dance changes to one with quicker steps. Fitt grabs my arm and spins me around like I am light as a feather. My heart slams against my chest as he leads me right out the door into the gardens. I know Alreania is safe with her escort guarding her.

"What is it?"

I look into his eyes as we face each other. He seems to shrug towards the gardens as if to say he needed fresh air or something.

"When do we speak to the minister?"

I am breathless and flushed and I can feel the pull of desire for him on my body hotly consuming me. But no I must let him get used to this. Damn the fates.

 

[Alreania]

She watches Aroraa for a while as she dances and wishes she was able to dance, she lowers her head for a moment and moves her wheelchair closer to the woman. She is very interested in this woman, wondering who she is and what she is like.

She pushes herself past the people and makes it up to the woman, looking up into her eyes, she smiles a bit. "They call me Alreania and who might you be m'lady?" A soft smile crosses her lips softly.

 

[cgraven]

The garden is quiet and calm. As I sweep Arora into my arms and kiss he. It is not a brotherly kiss but one full of Passion. My hands roam her form eager to know it as only a lover could.

"I can fight this dark desire no longer Arora."


"Shall we find a more suitable place my love?

 

[AroraDestiny]

He sweeps me into his arms kissing me passionatly. Finally a kiss devoid of anything but the lust that had been building for some time now. Closing her eyes softly she savors the moment. One she will treasure forever. For a moment they are united in a passion beyond words.

"I can fight this dark desire no longer Arora. Shall we find a more suitable place my love?"

Arora opens her eyes looking deeply into his. Love sparkles there but also a heavy heart. A tear slips from her eye and her heart thuds to a painful stop.

"Many a night I have longed to hear you say those words. But I feel you think this a dark desire."

Her fingers linger lovingly on his cheek. A finger stroking along his jaw tenderly. She bites her bottom lip an trys to find the strength to continue.

"In many ways it is Fitt. Because I love you as a sister should."

She steps back from him a moment looking down.

"I think we can move past this lust if we try. I am trying hard to control my demons."

Tears flow softly down her cheeks.

"Damn it. But I cant do this to you. We would make love and glorious it would be but you would feel the weight of it later. So I must set you free of these desires Fitt."

She moves towards him and buries her face in his warm chest. He feels her fingers move under his shirt and then a soft caress before she moves away again.

"I am not certain what will happen but I do love Ally and perhaps eventually you will marry and I will have my nieces and nephews to love. So I.."

She turns and dabs her eyes softly.

"I am going back inside now."

She starts back towards the doors trying to regain her composure. To love him and see him go would be to hard.

 

[cgraven]

"Many a night I have longed to hear you say those words. But I feel you think this a dark desire." ........"In many ways it is Fitt. Because I love you as a sister should."

"Love as a sister” the words struck my heart like a bolt from a cross bow, to late had he confessed his love for here again she slipped from his grasp. Fist as a living person, then as a blooded sister, and finally as a lover.

"I think we can move past this lust if we try. I am trying hard to control my demons."

She is close holding me my heart sores only to be dashed to earth with Aurora’s next words.

"I am not certain what will happen but I do love Ally and perhaps eventually you will marry and I will have my nieces and nephews to love. So I.." ..........."I am going back inside now."

Tears in her eyes, Arora leaves me alone in the garden. Yes so terribly alone.

I wander over to the coach park and warm myself at the fire with the drivers and footmen. The gay music of the Masque floats on the night air.

 

[AroraDestiny]

She stops in the shadows of the door before entering. Leaning back against the wall she closes her eyes. She wanted to be with him. Love him like a sister she truely does not. But she knows it must be this way. The scandel would ruin Fitt.

Turning to go inside finally rough hands grab her. A cloth is held over her face. She holds her breath so she wont breathe the vapors in and pretends to go limp. Her captors grab her roughly and begin to drag her off. In a moment she springs free and starts to run but others grab her and force her to breathe the vapors.

Her world goes black....

The men carry her into the ministers quarters and lie her on his bed. He stands over her smiling a dark and evil way.

*"Change her into the slave garments I have prepared. Kill her lover. Make sure Fitt is led here to find her. His old mistress desires him back. As a nice gift Ill also bring her his sister. Touch her and die. Merrina likes her slaves healthy."

Arora is cut from her gown for the masq and dressed in a filmy black skirt slit up the sides and a black leather bra. Her face is cleaned up and her hair is styled in a high ponytail with a gold clasp. Around her neck is placed a metal collar embrossed with MD. It is locked and the minister places the key on a chain around his neck.

 

[AroraDestiny]

Unfortunatly I am unable to continue this thread. Id like to just thank CGRaven and Alreania for writing with me. May both of them write on. I hope to write again with each of you.

Cathay I apologise for cutting this short as well. Your entrance was wonderful though. Thank you very much.

To all who have kept your eye on this thread I appreciate it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.