Deaths Masquerade

[aubrey]

Aubrey gracefully walked up the stairs leading to the main room. Be raised in a vampire coven and certain things will begin to rub off on you. She wasn't as good as them-no mortal ever would be, but there was no doubt that she could keep up.

Aubrey had been to several balls. Balls seemed to be a big event to a vampire. For some reason Jean-Claude had been unusually hesitant for her to go to this one. He even had someone from the coven coming to make sure she stayed safe. She had hoped that he would accompany her himself. Unfortunately, it was still too dangerous. He had told her that if he could come himself then he would just bring her home. It just wasn't safe yet. She had accompanied him to every ball he attended since she was fourteen and dander or not it was still hard for her to hide her disappointment.

Aubrey had worn a black, strapless, sweetheart style gown. It clung to the top of her body perfectly. And the bottom flowed slightly on the ground as she walked. A pair of long black-onyx earrings were the only jewelry that she adorned. Jean-Claude had taught her never to wear anything on your wrists or neck. Apparently, too do so would to be silently inviting a vampire to see what the decorations were covering. Her hair was pulled up in loose curls, accented with small black diamonds sprinkled and clipped her and there. Dark crimson lips matched her nail polish. She enjoyed getting ready for balls almost as much as she enjoyed attending them.

Aubrey could not contain the warm smile that seem to have spread through out her entire body. Jean-Claude was not waiting for her at the grand entrance, but there waiting was someone that she cared for just a much. She beamed as the gloved hand reach out to take hers.

Alexander stood at an impressive six feet, six inches tall. He had unruly, shaggy dark raven hair. His eyes were a dark midnight blue, they almost looked black. Mischief sizzled all over his being. He wore a crimson shirt under his black tuxedo and paired it with white gloves. He was quite breathtaking. "It has been too long my darling." He brought her hand up to his lips and softly kissed her knuckles.

Aubrey wrapped her arms around Alexander. She could not contain her happiness. "Alex! What a lovely surprise!" He grinned down at her. "Jean asked me to accompany you, he said it would please you." Aubrey laughed and kissed his cheek. "It's as wonderful as it would have been if it was Jean-Claude himself!" Pride washed over Alexander. "Glad to hear it. Shall we?" Aubrey accepted his arm and the pair was ushered in through the opened doors.

The Vevindo Ballroom had been built to mirror Romes Ritz. It was magnificent. As you enter you are led through a grand hallway full of ancient artifacts and classic decor. If you were to take the left foyer it would lead you to the restaurant, but through the right took you straight into the master ballroom. Normally the ballroom would be filled with light music, champagne, and extravagant lighting. Tonight however it was completely transformed. The large room was lit by thousands of candles. The music was soft and dramatic. Aubrey didn't have to ask what was being passed around instead of champagne. This was a Vampire Masquerade. Alexander pulled a simple black mask out of his pocket and placed it on his face.

Aubrey looked up at him, helpless. "I did not know this was a masquerade." She was not simply worried about not having a mask. If she did not wear one, it would be an open invitation for someone to turn her. Alexander laughed. It was light and melodious. "Don't worry dear Aubrey, I brought one for you as well. You were always one to forget simple things." He slipped a mask over her eyes as he whispered into her ear. "I had it made especially for you." It was much more splendid than his. It was black silk covered with diamonds. Feathers fluffed the edge rim of it. Having such an elaborate mask was significant as well. It meant that the human was spoken for and not to be tampered within any unfriendly way. Most vampires obeyed the rules.

Aubrey's hands were up around her face gently fingering the splendid mask. "Thank you Alexander. It is lovely." He smiled down at her. "I'm glad you enjoy it. Now, dance with me before I have to fight to keep my claim on you." Aubrey grinned and allowed him to sweep her onto the dance floor. Two years ago Alexander had really been forced to fight to protect her. It was not something that she wanted to live through again. She leaned against him. She was curious to see what would unfold on this night.

[srslyriot]

Cadence talked in a light hearted tone with a few other vampires of the feminine gland as they sipped daintily from their glasses. It was as if there was truely champagne in the crystal, but everyone knew better. Not only by the colour and taste, but by the scent. To most of the room's inhabitants, it was a sweet smell. But there was that small few who'd attended with a vampire who found it to smell of iron and perhaps were sickened by it.

As the conversation turned to gossip, more-or-less, Cadence excused herself. She'd never been one for wagging tongues like that. Eyes swept about the room to look at the inhabitants. Like most, she wore a black dress. It was quite elegant, a remake of a dress she'd owned centuries ago for her coming out party, remade in black, of course.

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The scent of another human struck Cadence's nostrils as she made her way to stand along the wall as other's twirled and danced about beautifully. From behind her black and red mask, Cadence studied a couple that had just entered. The male was quite tall and had the graceful elegance of a vampire- the girl was close, but not quite flwaless enough to be a vampire.

The minutes passed slowly as Cadence watched the couples dance, having not been asked to dance by anyone. The one couple in particular, caught her attention for the most part. With every twist and sway of fabric, the girl's scent was noticable. In a room like this, Cadence should've been able to preoccupy herself with another vampire or a glass of sweet blood cells- but that wasn't good enough. She wanted the invigorating sensation of biting into the artery and the warm blood spilling into her mouth. She refrained for the moment, sure that the male would offer up a rather strong protest. The girl was quite clearly escorted here by him and to touch her in such a way could prove fatal.

Perhaps they'd take a break from the dancing soon or he'd get a glass of the vampire wine... Then Cadence might go near the girl and take a chance. But with the strong male there, she would not. She had some common sense, after all. No one lived this long without it.

[aubrey]

While dancing Aubrey noticed a pair of eyes watching her and Alexander closely. She pressed into his shoulder and grinned. There were too many vampires around to not be affected by their pheromones.

When a large group of vampires are in the same place they can bespell a tiny amount of energy into the room without meaning too. It was another reason why humans should never purposely be around vampire masses. Unless they want to be bit that is. Aubrey could feel the small amount of electricity in the air. It passed tiny euphoria amounts through out her body. She smiled lazily at Alexander. "Don't look now, but I do believe we might have an audience."

Alexanders midnight blue eyes followed hers. He smirked and pulled Aubrey to a stand still. "Well darling. If you would like to go make friends I will be close. I have business to attend, anyway." He brushed his lips over her knuckles and then strolled away, becoming lost in the crowd. Aubrey swore she heard him mutter play nice. Who was he saying it too? She turned to the female vampire and looking her in the eyes made her way over.

She approached the vampire and gave her an imposing smile. "Did you see something you liked, miss?" Aubrey had been taught to never show fear to a vampire. They would respect you more if they couldn't smell your fear. Looking them in the eyes was also a plus. Even though they were somewhat secluded from the crowds she did not worry, Alexander would come to her aide if she needed him to.

[ranger]

A dark figure stepped gracefully into the large, brightly lit room. He seemed out of place within the bright colours, a shadow within a rainbow. Once inside, he lounged lazily against the wall, watching others dance with his deep, dark eyes. He was tall and slender, with sharp knotted muscles, hidden underneath his clothes, he was pale, all vampires were really, and his complexion contained no flaw. His silky hair hung just past his ears, framing his highly defined cheekbones, a sculptors dream. His lips were held in an amused grin, obviously aimed at the females in the room whom were dying for his attention, were sensual. But the first thing you noticed about him were his eyes, two dark orbs full of terrible knowledge, as if they had seen centuries, the rise and fall of great powers, it seemed as if they were black, the pupil dilated to the very edge, with only a small ring of colour, and that colour itself looked very near to black. Those eyes pulled you forward into their depths, until you felt like you were falling into two black whirlpools. Right now, those eyes watched the discussion betwix two young women, eyeing them with increasing interest.

He pushed himself smoothly off the wall, stepping forward like a panther stalking its prey, he moved fluidly, each step flowing into the next gracefully. He slowed as he got closer, his shoes made no sound on the polished marble floor, infact, no sound emnated from him at all, as if he had the power to switch off his sound at will. He glanced around coolly, noticing without caring, the jealous glances given at the two he was about to speak with, well, with inhuman beauty, who wouldnt want to speak with him? He took the final step and touched the shoulder of the vampire, for he had taken in the others scent, and confirmed she was human. Her skin was smooth underneath his hand, and it gave him a brief pleasure, but, after allowing it to linger for a few moments, he removed it.

He waited for her to turn and acknowledge him, his lips curled into an intruiging grin, it was impossible to know what he was thinking underneath that grin for his dark pools were blank, showing no emotion, reflecting the bright lights from above. Her actions were delayed so he spoke, his voice silky smooth as he recited lyrics I met a girl once, at a masquerade ball, she spoke with me and danced with me, but then she felt the call, the call to howl at the moon, and that pretty girl did moan, she moaned in terror and in pain, and so I snapped her bones. he flashed a grin at her, his white teeth glinting dangerously. Then he spoke again, Ok so it doesnt rhyme, but still, the meanings clear. he grinned again, turning on and then off that lightening grin.