(If you would like to join this thread just now that your involvement in events will be based on your participation and you may well be separated from the main story... which is being made up as I go. If you think you can keep up with the greater events that will occur then by all means, jump on in.)
Certain members of the Wistvale community happened to find an envelope on their person. Whilst there was no explicable reason for them having such a thing, none could recall when they came into possession of it... but the contents were certainly very curious.
"You have been invited to the Faeries ball and are asked to join us in the celebration of the seasons. Should you wish to attend, please visit the faerie circle in the town square upon the new moon.
Yours most mischievously,
~ The wee people."
Most strange. The new moon of course was this evening and anyone so inclined to attend would indeed find a rather ethereal looking ring floating in the town square.
She returned to the treehouse sweaty, hot, and with all her muscles aching, but in good spirits. A piece of paper on the floor caught her attention. She hadn't noticed it when climbing the ladder. Which was surprising, considering the silvery light that ran around the edges of it.
Even more surprising was the contents when she opened it. Not for what they said, but for how they were printed; in her native language. Kiko stared at it for awhile and then got cleaned up.
She appeared in town that night like the invitation had asked dressed in all the new armor and gear the Wolf had given her.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell also showed up, his arrival noted by familiar arms slipping about her waist. His chin nuzzled gently at her shoulder and he smelled of the earth and trees.
He smiled and kissed her neck before releasing her. He looked to the wind, it washing over him with the coolness of the evening air. The moon shone upon them, new and young and he looked to the ring.
Kiko's breath burst from her lips with a hiss. She wasn't easily cowed, or frightened. She glanced around the area quickly, the circle was still glowing however, and it was where the Wolf had gone. She thought no more about it and stepped inside the glowing space after him.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Both of them step forward with something of a disorienting jolt and as they look up, find themselves in an miraculous garden grove. They have no indication of each other's presence of course, as they have been separated.
Each is in their own personal room, surrounded by endless clothing andf accessories. Each has a mirror which shows their reflection... and then speaks in a charming tone.
"Welcome to the ball!
Please, choose amongst the finery, choose from them all, best be presentable, it's time for the ball!"
A chiming laughter rings from the mirror, seems they have an open wardrobe for the event.
Kiko's outfit for the ball. But, I'm sure she's managed to secret away several throwing daggers, or at least two of them in boots, cool little dragon she gets to wear as a... bracelet? Yes? No? Maybe? Plus, she does still have the bracer on 'tis even pictured. Wee!
Grayell looked entirely frustrated and whilst the mirror assured him he looked just fine, he wasn't entirely convinced. It was comfortable, it fit like a silk glove... but he was not at all used to such finery. He felt odd.
His hair fell down his back and was then collected by a long, golden ribbon tied in a bow. The scarf about his neck made him feel like he would choke should he not tear it away and his shoes... so very impractical. His shirt frilled out from the jacket's cuffs, a simple white but he was flustered by the complexity, the frills.
And the stockings, plain white and down his legs.... well those just felt silly. He tried his best to smile, pulled the jacket in and buttoned it up, almost too tight. Straightening and pressing himself down his centre, he looked in the mirror in bewilderment.
Really? This just feels.... silly.
The mirror only chuckled, it had little more reassurance to give him.
He scowled, looked over himself... and then grinned. He picked up a single, golden loop earring and hung it from his left ear as he used to in his piracy days. That one part scoundrel in this gentleman's attire seemed to quell the nervousness.... just a little.
He bowed to the mirror then and his arms, his legs and his posture were actually quite refined. The mirror even looked shocked.
A pirate is nothing if not flamboyant friend.
Grayell chuckled then and headed for the exit.... which was where?
In Kiko's room, a tall male of rather elven countenance stepped in through a door of vines, smiling. He was dressed for the occasion and offered his arm.
"Milady, I am to be your escort this evening."
Meanwhile, a lady of quite similar appearance entered Grayell's changing room, dressed as a proper lady would and took his arm with a soft smile.
Kiko nearly jumped free the new clothing when the man stepped out of the vines and into her room. This was reminding her more and more of the inexplicable podiums, which triggered a thought.
(Wolf?)
She didn't show any outward expression of her confusion though or the thought to Grayell, after that first little start of surprise she just nodded at her escort and took his arm. She did not want to do so, but saw no reason not to beyond her natural wary behavior among strangers.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell was likewise surprised that he was apparently to be escorted to this affair - what of Kiko? And then she spoke of course.
(I am here. And I look bloody ridiculous.)
Kiko would be the judge of that though as his escort pressed aside the vines....
Both doorways opened onto a grand room that was more garden than it was a hall. The plant-life was radiant, magical and alive; abuzz with wisps, birds and insects of indescribable nature. Music danced in the air, delightfully melodic and no doubt beyond the ability of the common bard.
There was a table, a very LARGE table that stood on three sides, the front of it open to the ground, ample space for dancing or whatever activities might take place. There were guests and attendants, all of incredible design, all very happy and jovial.
And of course... they could now see one another, across this open space on opposite sides.
Grayell smiled immediately as his escort encouraged him to walk to the table side across from Kiko. His eyes were dancing over her, enraptured by her presentation.
Kiko gave a relieved exhale when she heard his voice in her mind. It was entirely possible the bracers might not of worked. This place seemed full of magic, though, so perhaps they were enhanced.
She was taking in the room, too, the attendees, the display, even the features of the faces in the room. She saw him easily directly opposite of her and was hard pressed not to just stare.
(You do not look ridiculous, Wolf. Confined, maybe...)
Her mind voice tailed off while she went over his body with her eyes. The clothing fit him perfectly. It outlined muscle and bone that she could have looked on for hours and never gotten tired of it. Her fingers itched to rough up his hair, though.
(...Wolf... I would suggest not eating or drinking anything offered.)
She smiled at her escort politely when he pulled out her chair.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
(Ah... thank you. And why should we not eat nor drink? I am starving....)
He looked about quite eagerly for something, or a sign of something. He was still smiling though, polite as different folk milled about and played their nonsensical games. His escort did not appear all too bothered with him, which suited him just fine. She would smiled whenever her looked her way though and Kiko noticed the same thing, the eyes of a doe.
A strange being with a cartoonish mouse mask pulled over what had to be it's froggish face approached Kiko then, walking on stilts that ended with large purple boots. He was carrying an urn and bowed in a grand, yet manner and offered her a drink.
"Honeysuckle milady, the finest drink you will ever taste. Would you like to try it?"
(…You don’t find it a little strange? Things like this only happen in story tales and when they do, food and drink are either poisoned or… altered to make you more susceptible to trickery.)
Kiko’s eyes widened at the creature in purple boots walking on stilts.
(Dammit… they might also take offense if we do not accept their gifts.)
She smiled again and it was a sparse thing; just a bare up turn of her lips. Her escort had not spoken since pulling out her chair. She didn’t know what to make of that, yet, beyond the fact that to the wolf he smelled like prey.
Why, thank you, Sir.
She handed him the crystalline goblet sitting in front of her on the table.
What might be your name, if I can be so bold?
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
The frogman croaked under his mouse-mask and poured her a drink immediately. The eyes upon the mask blinked as it smiled - the mask - and he spoke his name.
"Fibbles. In your tounge. Enjoy milady, the food should be along shortly."
He bowed in a very gracious manner, poured a drink for Kiko's escort and then, with awkward steps that alternated with a cartwheel every second step, he arrived on Grayell's side of the table.
(Perhaps you are right Kiko... but as you are with me I have little fear. My people know of these folk and we do not fear them.)
Grayell nodded in thanks as his drink was poured and the liquor carrying odd fellow walked and rolled away.
A trio then scuttled before the table in the open space... which were quite unusual as well. One at either end were but part of a whole - a two headed caterpillar it seemed and in the middle, rode a large bug with glowing, golden eyes. All three wore bowties and the bug held what appeared to be akin to a violin whilst the two caterpillars held flutes.
As they prepared their instruments, a small group of children... if that is what they were scurried to stand before them. Their were tiny animals and things more human by design, though many were both and neither. The children smiled and began to snap their fingers as the music begun. As they sang, they danced in circles, alternating partners.
"Songs of joy we celebrate, Trumpets, bells ‘n pudding cake, Colored perfumed butterflies, Ladybugs ‘n fireflies.
Rabbits, birds ‘n monkeys feast, Jellybeans and sugared sweets, All are bathed and shaven clean! Fragrant ready for thee queen!"
A delightful song, they collapsed with laughter and rolled about when they were done. Both escorts clapped in delight but still, had said nothing.