F01 - Blackbook, Grand Opening Pt. II

[Oscar 0]

 Rain.

On every Floor.

All at once.

Scraps of black paper, trimmed in gold filigree, etched in blood-red. Words written in with a sweeping hand, large swirls, cut deep into the dark cardstock. Invitations cascading down from on high, blocking out the sun for just a moment like darkened storm clouds.

Quote

You are cordially invited to a Masquerade Ball.
Tonight.
The Blackbook.

Orange Players may seek Ascalon outside of town for admittance.

 The stunt worked. Players from all over filed into the building. The only price of admission? To accept a mask - black or white - at the door. Tables lined the walls, set with fine wine, champagne, and hors d'oeuvres. Enough to keep the night going, but not loud. Elegant, not overstated. The shadows were long, the room lit with a soft red glow. In the center was the dance floor. Dark tile, trimmed a glowing red. Oscar stood upon his perch - a balcony placed above it all. Already his desired outcome was taking effect. Masked patrons pairing off, intimately close. Taking to corners and sofas as the soft orchestral music filled the air.

There wasn’t so much chatter as murmurs. Whispers. Sweet nothings, sinful promises.

He could not help but smile at the outcome. It had rather been the point of it all. 

Quote

Upon Entry to the thread, all Players obtain a Black <<Sinful Mask>> or a White <<Sainted Mask>>. There is no bearing here beyond cosmetic.
Players may choose to remain <<Unmasked>> or to don their mask and gain the <<Masked>> Status.
While <<Masked>>, your name and your cursor are hidden.

Stepping onto the Dance Floor while <<Masked>> applies the <<Dancing>> condition. <<Dancing>> Players are paired up at random and their partners switch every three posts. While it is perfectly acceptable to intuit who your partner is, please try to respect the theme and endeavor to maintain the necessary air of mystery.

Further events will take place throughout the evening, at random.

 

[Cascade 0]

Those hands, they wandered, carefully, practiced, deliberate. With each motion, each kiss, her body trembled further. Simmone was eager, tempting her to press further, Cascade was a game, one that her current partner sought to finish, to explore, to ruin. It was true, she had bit off more than she could chew. The sensation she felt, it was unfamiliar, yet welcome. A woman's touch; gentle, yet resolute, seeking treasure. Cascade gasped, her head landing on Simmones shoulder, she placed small, soft, eager kisses along her neck as the woman continued. 

Where was Ascension? She longed for him, needed him. For now, Sim would be enough. She smirked, planting another kiss. She tilted her head just enough to whisper into her ear. "You really are daring~" another whimper crawled out of her throat. 

Cascade lifted her head, leaning in further, claiming another kiss from Simmone, arms wrapping around her shoulders weakly; a poor attempt to steady herself. With every motion the black cat worked her closer. She was moments away from falling off the edge and this woman knew it. She bit her lip, almsot cursing herself for the situation she'd managed to land in. 

If he showed, there was no telling how he would react. She whimpered again, the thought of Ascension seeing her like this excited her, yes; but it also terrified her. She was certain of one thing only- no matter what, she knew he would claim her as his own, and everyone would know...

She was his. And he was hers. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Cascade

[Lancaster 1]

Vincent would steal a look toward his wife, tracing the dull glint in her eyes as she'd pull him to his feet. The corny show had been brought to an abrupt close, but it had worked to break the ice as he had intended. "Is entirely possible I believe..." He'd tilt his head and scan V's features just a tad bit more, finding a boiling desire of intrigue in an offer a bit deeper than he'd even expected. It wasn't something that the man had considered, but it wasn't something he'd just dismiss. "A bit too much to drink, bella donna." He remarks how often she'd try to topple over, clambering to anything nearby each time her balance failed her. "I need you upright... able to move around... Else V might get lonely." The cigarette passed back to him finds his lips, and without even the slightest hint of pause draws deep.

The man exhales almost impossibly deep and long, breathing a wave of white sin and vice across the Blackbook so decadent and uncouth that it promised to taint even it. But with that release, all inhibitions and concerns were relaxed. Of expectations and notions that this was supposed to be anything but fun. No permanence, no baggage. Just a night on the town between strangers and hungers of the flesh to which Vincent was no stranger to the life of an incubus. A lot of broken mirrors, shattered sinks and bathroom stalls having heard his name spoken in prayer. "My passions know no bounds, I am afraid. Question is if there will be enough kindling to keep me warm." The consuming tyrant offered his beloved with a predatory invitation before he snuffed his cigarette in a drink on a platter as it passed. From his pocket a rose, he flicks it up to the stage and unbuttons his coat to allow it to dangle open. Lifting his palm to @Jevi "Is time to play mi carina, I will try not to bite. A dance, to see her heart set ablaze as well?"

---

Lancaster | HP: 800/800 | EN: 118/118 | DMG: 22 | MIT:56 | ACC:4 | BRN-IM  | FL.AURA: 16 | FL.THORNS: 16/32 | BH:40 | BLI: 32/-20  | BRN: 56

Spoiler

Name: Lancaster, The Consuming Tyrant
True Tier: 7
Level: 35
Paragon Level: 26
HP: 800/800
EN: 118/118

Stats:
Damage: 22
Mitigation: 56
Accuracy: 4
Battle Healing: 40
Stealth Rating: -3
BRN-IM
FL.AURA: 16
FL.THORNS: 16/32
BLI: 32/-20 
BRN: 56

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - All Consuming Pyre - Hades [T4/Demonic/Throwing/200384n] | BRN 2, BLI 2
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Hydra Hide Jacket - Erebus [T4/Demonic/Heavy Armor] Flame Aura 2, Flame Thorns 2
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Inset Etching Tongue Piercing - Cerberus [Tierless/Demonic/Trinket] Accuracy 3, Fireproof

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
  - AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Energist
  - Heavy Armor R3
  - Thrown Weaponry R5

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Focus
  - Precision
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Impetus

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Catalyst | 230758, 230778, 230779, 230780, 230781 x1
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Catalyst | 230782, 230783, 230784, 230785 x5
  - Resonance of the Grave [Tierless/Perfect/Debuff/Instant] Incarceration | 186790, 191009, 191013, 198351, 181560, x5
  - Teleport Crystal x4

Housing Buffs:
  - Dining Room: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:
  - Strong Will
Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

[Mari 1]

Mari watched as V and Lancaster flirted, how she would pull the cigarette from his mouth and draw on it, pausing - staring him down. It was…more intimate than Mari was expecting, and it mirrored an action Lancaster had done upon their first meeting. This will be the longest I’ll ever have…

The memory of a cigarette placed between her lips, and a kiss upon her forehead. As the two grew closer Mari stepped to the side, managing a lean on a nearby table. She had to remind herself that she wanted this. Wanted Lancaster to get closer to other people, the same way she was able to.

A lit stick passed back to her husband, and he breathed deep - pausing - his eyes kept to V like a moth to an alluring flame. Mari would not, could not blame him for staring, Mari herself had stolen a few glances throughout the night. V simply had that magnetism to her, still - in a fit of what one could only call childish jealousy, or sheer possessiveness Mari grabbed the cigarette back from Lancaster, put it in her own mouth and gave him a challenging look as she inhaled. The first time she had ever actually willingly inhaled the smoke - it burned her chest and her throat. Her eyes watered. She pulled the cigarette away and exhaled with a cough.

 "A bit too much to drink, bella donna." 

“...Sfine…” Mari mumbled, straightening herself. “See.” She held out her arms, doing her best to stand straight, but there was a slight sway to her stance. “You’d drink lotsh too if you were tortured.” Said so openly, and plainly - senses muddled by intoxication ,words far too grim for an evening such as this, but Mari hadn’t realized. Barely aware of her own faux paux.

Mari’s gaze shifted to Lancaster, he seemed so at home here, comfortable even. She couldn’t help but smile. Knowing his past, knowing he would no doubt frequent places like this.

Mari tore her eyes away, searching for a chair - there was one on the other side of the table, she found her way to it, and dragged it so it was a little closer to V and Lancaster before sitting in it, hearing him talk about passions and kindling toward V. He was having fun.

Mari managed a laugh as she leaned back on the chair - a hand outstretched toward V, the first dance of his night offered to the other woman. Mari tilted her head, unsure if she should feel jealous that the woman was taking that moment from Mari, or proud - that she managed to take that moment from both Mari and Lancaster, it was a little conflicting.

Mari waved the two off, “D-don’t mind me.” She slurred. “I jushht …need a minute. You two dansh. Pleashh.”

NON COMBAT Mari | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 148/148 | DMG: 21 | MIT:143 | ACC:4 | AA  | FL.AURA: 8 | BH:64 | BRN: 56 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:5  | True Tier 15 

Edited 21 hours ago by Mari

[Azhoda 0]

Azhoda moved away from her dancing partner and moved back to her usual place in these kinds of areas, where she would find herself most of the time. Next to the food and close enough to the bar so that she could wash down some of her own thoughts that had been walking amongst her own thoughts. It's not common for Az to be in these places, especially with her past and her parents being invited to many events. It's where she learned to dance, too, but now, here, it feels weird to even dance again, so back to the bar it was.

Once at the bar, she looked at the bartender and smiled, "Some red wine, please." Only moments later did the bartender come back with a good red wine. She took small sips from her drink and looked into the ballroom itself. A lot of people, so many you could, honest to god, start just counting heads and still miss out people on the dance floor alone. It was nice to not be involved in the happenings of the people right now, especially after still being a bit out of the social circle, but it was going better than it was before. With a few more sips, Az looked around. She saw almost everything happening there when, suddenly, from her left, she saw an NPC messing with a player and, with a sound, wack, she smacked the NPC on the head. Good for him. People here come to relax a bit, have frontline and support, and even the lower levels mingle with each other. But what caught her attention was the voice coming from the player with the saint mask, her memory never failed her, and she could recall that voice quite quickly, especially only after meeting a short while ago.

She walked up towards the man with his White mask and met him right before the bar. She held out a small mint for the man as she stood next to him, "Nobody is too old for candy, Right?" she said from under her own white mask. "You wouldn't mind me calling you Rey, right?" She said to him with a smile. Az looked at his suit, which was quite a mess from the wine. She looked to the NPC behind the counter and held up her hand. "Something to help out this man with some wine stains from his suit, please," she said, and was given a napkin. She stared at him, "U might need this before it stains completely," She said before handing him the Napkin. "Oh, and ... call me Lynn, or if u prefer, Az," She said to him, finding it appropriate to give a name that wasn't the same one as when they met

"We seem to meet again, however, quite a bit different from when we first met," she said, looking at Rey for a second and smiling. "Nice to see what kind of head our Dullahan has."

@Reytac

Spoiler

<<Azhoda || Lv. 35 || HP:740/740 || EN:88/88 || DMG:17 || MIT:55 || ACC:1 || (Shield)Para:2 || Thorn:36 || Bleed:8/48 || Keen:1 >>

Equipment:

Simple Plate: Light Armor || Tier 4
Twin Drakehound: Shield || Tier 4
Execusioners Hand: Claws || Tier 4

Battle ready:

Skills:

Spoiler

Claw Skill R5
A, <<Claw>> Focus

Block R5
M, Shield Bash Active

Light Armor R5
M, Meticulous Active
A, Resolve

Charge
M, Bull Rush Active

Battle Healing R5

Buff:

Spoiler

• Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
• Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30
• Col Stash: 5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
• Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot

 

 

[CosmiQueen 0]

Ahri hadn't been out in public since the raid event. She wasn't risking her identity again. No one would see behind the mask again. She did her makeup differently, changing as much as she possibly could. Her makeup was different, her accessories, and even her aura. Her makeup was darker than usual. Eyeliner on point, her lipstick a deep wine color instead of the signature bright purple. Two vanity items appeared on her wrists. Pink hued patters appeared all over her body, her hair color changed from it's beautiful white to a dark purple, and her eyes changed from the dark lavender color to a golden hue.

Her dress was a beast of it's own. Black, floor length gown, held up on her neck by a gold chain. It fit her perfectly, bringing attention to her every curve. A slit ran up the dress along her leg and stopping right above her hip line, leaving very little to the imagination. She slipped on some comfortable shoes. "If I'm going to be dancing all night, there's no way I'm wearing heels." 

Upon her arrival, she was given a choice of masks. White or black. Without much thought she grabbed the white one, knowing full well she was wearing all black. She placed it on her face before she headed in, smirking as it gave her an extra sense of identity protection. Guess I'm going for irony tonight. If she'd known the masks would've been an option, she might have come in her usual getup. As she stepped into the club, the atmosphere drew her in. Lights flashing, bodies moving, and music thumping so loud she could feel it in her core. Ahri danced her way through the club and onto the dance floor. She could feel the eyes on her as she let loose. Her movements were fluid and oozed confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

Spoiler

Cosmiqueen | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 4

"Name: Cosmiqueen
True Tier: 1
Level: 7
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 140/140
EN: 32/32

Stats:
Damage: 4

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Claws R1

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:
"                                                                                                                            

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by KnightessCiela

[Ascension 0]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

Spoiler

 

Ascension | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1

 

 

[Ceres 0]

Her dance partner left.

Practically without a word, Ceres placed a finger on her lips - thinking. Maybe...just maybe she shouldn't have said anything about the name she chose, was it considered rude? But, it was the truth. Oh well. Ceres picked up not one, not two, but an entire tray of canapes - little tiny crackers with prosciutto, cheese- and a single sprig of rosemary on them. Not wanting to be beholden to a single spot she began to move around the dance floor, every so often someone would try to snatch one of her special treats away. "No!" She'd hold the tray close to her.

"No! Sorry! These are mine!" Ceres would say as she shoved two into her mouth at once, she started to walk backwards. There was no way she was going to let her precious food be taken! This was a party, sure - but there was plenty throughout all the tables. "Sorry!" She said, bumping into a chair with a ginger haired woman on it. Then, another shift, and she accidentally hit a red-headed man with her tray - Ceres had to carefully step backwards to balance herself.

One step back, two step back....three step back...

OOmpf

She had backed Right up into a couple, Ceres tumbled to the floor. "Oh no...My treats!" She scrambled to pick them up, shoving another one into her mouth, then she looked up at who she had bumped into; A tall woman with red wine hair, and a man with a scar across his face. She blinked. "Sorry!" Ceres, in all of her stupour - and her lack of social grace...even she knew that this was not appropriate. The two seemed like they were having an intimate moment. 

"Here!" She held up the tray of food to them, most of it had been on the floor. "10 second rule, right?"

She wiped her hand on her clothes and reached out to them. "I'm Cinnamon. For tonight. Usually. I'm Ceres!"


Vanity/Bumped into @Lancaster @Mari @Alinta @Scar


Ceres | HP: 540/540 | EN: 72/72 | DMG: 8  |True Tier 3                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                   

[Arsine 0]

For all his concern, Vitalis had picked up the moves surprisingly quickly.  "You impress me." Arsine whispered, leaning in to let her words dance gently across his ear. "And I am sure you will impress the other who has garnered your attention for the evening."

She laughed, A soft and restrained giggle as she turned her head away from Vitalais, forehead resting against his shoulder. "Despite the mask I wear. I am no saint." She said quietly- there was something in that lilting tone of hers, a hint of melancholy. Why was she doing this again? Amusement? To get a sort of joy from throwing two unsuspecting people together? So then why was her heart feeling a certain kind of way? Jealousy, perhaps? No.

She didn't know this man.

Feeling left out seemed more apt. Arsine lifted her head from Vitalis shoulder, and a glance behind him - they were close enough now. Arsine shifted her gaze back to Vitalis, a soft hand, unmarred by the hardened callouses of battle pressed itself to his cheek. Soaking in its warmth. For perhaps the last time. "You are a fast learner, Vitalis." She'd allow her hand to gently graze his cheek, falling back to his shoulder. Arsine leant in and pressed her lips to his chin. Then, with the slightest of force, push him away - having him fall back into @Plum

"Good Luck, tigryónok." 

Her fist dance of the evening finished... Arsine stepped back into the crowd and toward the bar.

Arsine| HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1 | True Tier 1             

@Vitalis @Plum

[Alinta 0]

The kiss was different to the others they shared, it was as though she could feel everything beyond it. A desperation, determination - the way his hands wrapped tighter around her waist, one travelling up her back and the other possessively gripping her chin. The kind of craving that wasn’t just primal. Breaking away only to catch a single breath before diving in again. A turn - and he had flipped her against the wall. Pinning her. Stepping in closer still. She could feel a rumble in his chest and there were several more breathless moments till he finally pulled away.

 

Alinta felt…odd. There was a relief there, having told Scar the initial reason she had come to the event - to seek out a man who essentially left her on read. But there was tension there. Alinta felt, maybe it was for the best - seeing how much Oscar was wrapped up in the blue haired beauty, and just how wrapped up she had become in Scar.

Still… the way the man tightened his hold around her, the exhale through his nose, the clench of his jaw as dark crimson eyes shifted up toward the host of the evening, followed by the desperate kiss.

Alinta had been doing so well, playing the part of the coy saintess - but now - she had nothing to say. “You…” She let her thumb dance over his lips. “Make it really hard…” There was a pain, a longing in her words.

“You make me feel like this would extend beyond tonight.”

And in her experience, Alinta felt like it wouldn’t…and yet, there was still a desire there to have it continue. To learn more about this man who swept her off her feet, and away from her melancholy loneliness. 

“Scar…” She bit her lower lip, should she chance it? Asking if he wanted to?

“Did you-”

And in that second, the spell broke, a magenta haired woman bumping into the two, followed by a loud clattering sound of metal against the marbled floor. 

 

"Here! 10 second rule, right?"

Alinta stared, completely baffled at the other woman as she held up a tray of mismatched foods, that Alitna had watched her grab off the floor in fistfalls. “Uhm….” A press of her forehead into Scar’s chest. “I’m…I’m good thanks.”

 

Alinta Ombre | HP: 680/680 | EN: 86/86 | DMG: 1 | True Tier 4                                                                                                                     

@Scar

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Alinta

[Scar 0]

"You make me feel like this would extend beyond tonight."

Jack's expression softened at her words, the faintest smile curling at the corner of his lips. He held her gaze, crimson meeting violet in the dim glow. "I don't want this to ever end," he murmured, voice low enough that it blended with the fading hum of music.

"Scar..." she whispered, as she bit her low lip, his eyes followed the movement instinctively, drawn, unguarded. Whatever she was about to say next was lost to the word when suddenly,

Thud!

The soft impact of something (or someone) against them shattered the fragile spell between them.

Jack instinctively pulled Alinta behind him, his hand protectively finding her waist as his eyes darted downward. A magenta-haired woman was sprawled at their feet, scrambling across the marble floor with the chaotic determination of someone chasing after treasure. Except.. her "treasure" appeared to be food.

'Is.. she eating them right off the ground?' he thought, blinking in disbelief as she scooped the tiny hors d'oeuvres into her hands and shoved one into her mouth without hesitation.

"Sorry!" the woman blurted, clutching a tray that had seen better days. Then, with the confidence of someone who had long since abandoned shame, she thrust the tray upward toward them. "Here! Ten second rule, right?"

Jack stared for a second too long. Then, his face softened into a polite, if uncertain, smile. "I.. I think it's five second rule, but I'm okay," he said, tone wavering somewhere between awkward amusement and disbelief.

The woman proceeded to wipe her hand on her dress and stood, beaming as though this had been the most natural interaction in the world. "I'm Cinnamon! For tonight, anyway. Usually, I'm Ceres!"

Jack instinctively extended a hand, though the motion shifted halfway as he brushed a few stray crumbs from her hair instead. "Hello, Cinnamon, or Ceres," he replied, his tone finding its warmth again.

He turned, gesturing toward Alinta with a fond smile that carried both pride and hesitation. "This beautiful woman is Al-" He paused, uncertain if he was overstepping, eyes darting briefly to her in question. "-ly.. Aly.." He cleared his throat lightly, glancing back to Ceres with a faint grin. "You can call me Scar."

The flickering lights from the dance floor played over the three of them, Scar's faintly amused expression, Alinta's incredulous one, and Ceres' oblivious delight. For a brief, absurd moment, the chaos of the masquerade was replaced with something almost comedic, three strangers caught in the collision of two worlds: one steeped in mystery and longing, the other in misplaced hors d'oeuvres.

* * *

Spoiler

Scar | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 4 | True Tier: 1

WC: 436