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As you pass through the threshold, darkness takes you... After a moment you begin to hear faint music from classical instruments, out of tune and droning on, aswell as a woman singing... gibberish. Suddenly, you are lurched forward through the dark and into a crowded ballroon of well dressed guests and servants, dancing and mingling, their faces hidden beneath decorated porcelain masks. The grand chamber is brightly lit by sconces and chandeliers amplified by mirrors lining the walls. Rows of columns decorated with violet and maroon tapestries and drapes support two sets of balconies and the vaulted ceiling above. The floors are made from a mix of dark and white woods set into a basket weave pattern. Opposite the doors are a set of stairs that curve to an elevated platform. The band is playing here before a large stained glass window. Another set of stairs curve up to the first set of balconies above, where lightly armored guards watch from above, faces concealed within shadow. A servant beside the door turns to you and speaks, "Welcome, might I have your name?"
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“Ummm...m-my name is Marcus.” [i]I stutter as I’m looking all around the room.[/i]
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He addresses the crowd, "Presenting Lord Marcus!" Then turns to you again, "Enjoy the ball, my Lord."
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“Thank you.” [i]I look around and try to find the nearest source of water or drink.[/i]
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You see servants standing beside columns balancing plates of glasses in hand.
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[i]I walk over to them and grab one of the plate.[/i]
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Walking past a group, you hear them babbling nonsense, " [i]I said to me when he was a kid in the middle of the world as a pillow.[/i]" A man nods in agreement as he lifts a glass to his face and thick red liquid trickles down his mask and suit. The servant does not react as you take the glass.
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[spoiler]lol[/spoiler] [i]I hold the glass firmly in my hand and dump it into my throat.[/i] “I was so thirsty..” [i]I mutter.[/i]
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It's warm and metallic.
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[spoiler]Sorry! I got banned then forgot :/ Seems to happen a lot...[/spoiler] “Is this blood?” [i]I ask to no one in particular.[/i]
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No one in particular reaponds.
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[i]I thank no one in particular then turn away and examine the ball. Glancing around and looking for anything out fo the ordinary.[/i]
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You notice a lot of things out of the ordinary. The dancers are twirling in perfect unison along the same paths without fault. Looking to the guards watching above, you can just barely make out their lack of facial features, a twisted spiral of flesh where eyes, a nose, and mouth should be. Along the walls are mirrors with two doors among them. You can see your reflection, and no one else's. Above the mirrors are paintings depicting various scenes that appear to be moving. You notice a woman standing upon the balcony across from the doors. Pale, wearing a black dress with violet and maroon accents, leather boots barely visible beneath. Her black hair is tied into a messy bun and blue eyes peering through a decorative mask of black scales, the edges appearing to be leathery wings. She watches as the great doors open once more to reveal a wall of shadowy mist...
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[i]I walk up to the balcony trying to find my way to the lady up there.[/i]
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The stairs curve around to the top of the platform wear she stands. At the base of the stairs stand two guards wearing a mix of brigandine and dark steel plate armor, with longswords sheathed at their sides. They stare at you as you approach. "Good evening," the lady says down to you and curtsies, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Lady-" a high pitched ringing drowns out all other sounds as she speaks the first name, "- Volariden. Lord Marcus, was it?"
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“Yes, that is my name but more importantly what is with this place? Everything seems...off.”
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She stares at you a moment, confused. The lights flicker, the music stops, and a cold wind passes through the hall, before everything returns to as it was. "I'm not sure what you mean," Lady Volariden responds with a smile. Then through the shadows across the hall, a nobleman emerges with sun kissed skin, sleek blond hair, and a bejeweled mask across his emerald eyes. He leads a group of servants and guards into the hall as the herald of the ball shouts, "Announcing Lord Garrrrr-" his voice trails off into gurgled sounds that no one acknowledges before finishing, "of the Frenilian Empire!"
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“Oh I’m positive you know what I mean.” [i]I reply with a cold glare.[/i]
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The flickering and cold returns and intensifies as she returns the glare, then looks around, confused. "Is this real?" She asks, her form becoming incorporeal, "Or am I dreaming again?"
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“Dreaming? How could this be a dream, I am real and I’m here.” [i]I reply with a puzzled look on my face.[/i]
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"Something is wrong..." she says as the room changes. The lights die out, the curtains and draperies wither away, the music becomes whistling wind, and the crowd fades into nothing. You see the mansion as it truly is, abandoned and dilapidated. Snow falls through holes in the roof above and wind passes through broken windows. Lady Volariden turns to you before she vanishes, "Find me below, and end this." Then you are alone in the ruins, shadowy mists still clinging to the doors. Through the broken stained glass window beyond the balcony you see a starry night sky and a violet crescent moon.