As I perused the wares, I lost track of myself, enjoying the small souvenirs and logo emblazoned hats and sweaters. It was fun to get lost in the moment, but when I looked up I couldn’t see Nathan anywhere. I set down the snow globe I had been looking and turned about looking for him. Suddenly hands covered my eyes and I whirled around, to see Nathan standing there. “If you’re warm now, we can make a run for it,” Nathan said, putting a long white knit scarf around my neck. He seemed to be embarrassed. “All right,” I said, surprised at his behavior. He seemed much mellower today than normal. We ran down the pier, scattering the seagulls who angrily squawked at us for disturbing them. I was out of breath by the time we reached the truck and my face was red from the cold. I could see my breath as I panted, and Nathan quickly unlocked the car and helped me inside. When he got in, he turned on the heat and looked at me for a minute. “Out of breath already?” he teased. I felt myself grow warm despite the cold. He always picked a fight! It was then that I noticed that his breathing was relatively normal and I decided that even though he had a slim figure he must be in good shape. “So what if I am?” I shot back. He backed out of the parking lot and didn’t say another word as if acquiescing to my defensive statement. He drove for a little while, and I watched the scenery fly by outside the window. When the truck stopped we were in the town center once again. He helped me from the vehicle and took me into a shop. Inside I was blown away by the colors that assaulted me. It was a costume shop filled with vibrant feathers, brilliant masks, decadent gowns, intricate props and over the top employees who were whirling about with canes and wings, fitting customers and straightening the product. Nathan had disappeared from my side once again and I gave a sigh of exasperation. He returned shortly however with a woman in tow who was wearing a large Victorian ensemble with a high collar and full skirts. She gave me a once over with her painted face and smirked. “Oh, there’s much we can do with her,” she said gleefully and looped her arm through mine, dragging me from Nathan’s side. I stared back at Nathan in dismay but he had suddenly become highly interested in a large fuzzy neon green hat, and I knew I was doomed.
The woman forcefully ordered me to strip and slammed the door behind her large skirts. I did so out of fear and not a moment later there was a knock upon the door. Standing only in my underwear I didn’t really want to open the door. “U-Um…” I stammered. The door was wrenched open and the woman stood there before bustling inside. With her, her dress and I all in the small space, there really wasn’t room to move around. She handed an outfit to me and told me to put it on. I stared at it in disbelief but did as she said. “Oh non, this won’t do,” the woman said, shaking her head as we stared into the mirror. “Absolument pas!” The long red dress was beautifully decorated and was form fitting yet elegant. However, the woman quickly unzipped me from it and it fell to my ankles. Then she wrestled some fabric over my head and turned me back to the mirror. This time it was a blue dress, slightly puffy about the legs with a long train and delicate lace trim about the bust. She shook her head and helped me out of it, putting that one aside as well. I was wondering if this type of thing was all right after all. I seldom dressed for events and I wasn’t used to the fancy costumes and parties that I had been going to here on Isola del Paradiso. The woman made a sound of victory and she stuffed my arms through another dress. When I finally could see again she zipped me up and turned me back to the mirror. We both gasped in unison. The dress was a beautiful royal green and went to the floor. It was adorned with tantalizing swirls of black fabric that peeked out of slits up the side. The neckline was plunging but saved by strings of crystals that swooped over the front preserving my dignity. The back was modest and the train was manageable so that I wouldn’t be tripping over it as I walked. “Now for the pièce de résistance.” The woman gave a happy sigh. I lost vision for a moment as she placed the mask over my face. When she took her hands away I stared into the face of a mask with a butterfly patterned silhouette. It was tortuously designed with glittering crystals, with sharp curving lines cut out to make the peaks of each fragile wing. The tips were sheer with black netting behind them to give it a textured look, and the various greens ran in arcing patterns from dark to light through the mask giving it a startling look. “La reine du bal,” she murmured and I stared in disbelief that that was me in the mirror. “Now, it is time to show the man his woman,” the woman said, her accent thick. I didn’t comprehend her words quickly enough and she swung the door open before I could stop her. Nathan looked up from where he had been sitting, waiting patiently. He choked on his words and swallowed with some difficulty. It was very embarrassing as he continued to stare. “Elle est jolie, no?” the woman said, dragging me from the dressing room. Her eyes carefully considered Nathan’s expression and she smiled at his discomfort. “Let me wrap this up for you.” Nathan stood and nearly upset his chair as he did so. “Go on ahead,” he said to the woman. Then he turned to me. “Huh, I suppose you put anything in a dress of that caliber and it’d look good,” he teased. I opened my mouth to angrily retort but his next words stunned me to silence. “Although I don’t think the dress has anything to do with it.”
What was that supposed to mean? The woman helped me from the dress back inside the dressing room and bustled about putting things away. I put my clothes back on and emerged from the dressing room. Nathan had gone up front and was fiddling with some rather tacky costume jewelry. He was very distracted today. “Are you ready to go?” Nathan asked me as I approached him. He held up the bag that had my dress inside it. I blushed. “Nathan, don’t you think that that type of thing doesn’t suit me?” Nathan tilted his head as he studied me. “These types of events don’t suit anyone. They’re just games for the rich people to play around at. I’d be more upset if they did suit you.” Then he flashed me a charming smile and walked out the door. I hurried after him. “You don’t like these types of events, do you?” I pestered him. “You didn’t go to Prince Orcello’s gala, and I haven’t seen you at the other functions this week so far…” I trailed off as I saw Nathan’s shoulders stiffen. “Why does it matter?” he said coldly, opening the back door of his truck. He put the bag inside and shut the door, turning to face me. “Would you rather be with someone like Prince Orcello?” He hastily continued as if he had said something wrong. “It doesn’t matter, get in.” He opened the door for me and helped me inside, slamming it shut with some force. In the car I couldn’t think of anything to say so I kept quiet. However, my curiosity was peaked and as a journalist I couldn’t help but replay the conversation and events in my head. “You know something, don’t you?” I asked in a small voice. Glancing at him I saw his fingers tighten on the steering wheel so I knew he had heard me. He drove us back to Hotel Calla and helped me out, handing me the bag from the back. “Take care, Ms. Werner,” he said as he leaned up against his truck. I had no choice but to walk back inside at that point and I missed the words he whispered under his breath as I left. “You’ll know soon enough...”
The snow was falling again by late afternoon and I was on my phone since Giselle was complaining to me over text message. Jack said I won’t be able to go to the masquerade tonight because Blaine England is going to be there. Blaine England had been Giselle’s old flame. Since he was a rather influential country singer, it wasn’t a surprise to me that he was in attendance at Isola del Paradiso, but Giselle had seemed shocked by the news. Jack only does it because he cares about you I texted back, and she responded with a flurry of griping. She ended the conversation by saying she was going to have a talk with Jack, and I knew that she’d be occupied the rest of the night arguing with her agent. Setting down my phone I turned my attention back to the dress that lay inauspiciously upon the bed. I had a set of black heels sitting next to them and the mask was placed beside those. Really, it was too much for someone like me, and I felt awkward even staring at it. I looked away in shame. The sky outside was darkening rapidly from the wintery season. The car wasn’t coming until seven in the evening, as I wasn’t to arrive until eight at Castle Delphinium. I turned my attention to the notebook that sat by the computer. Flipping it open I read over my entries. From the day I had arrived, I had met Nathan who took me shopping where I met Prince Kirtak. Then I met Prince DeGillus at Mme. Malvow’s party, but left with Prince Orcello. The second day I met Prince von Adler at the brunch, and gone with Nathan to the movies instead of Prince Orcello’s gala. Yesterday I had seen the parade where Prince von Adler and DeGillus had been featured, and saw that woman outside Prince Kirtak’s residence. I paused in my musing. Princess Ophelia. That was right, there were princesses too, and they belonged to this type of world. My eyes drifted back to the dress. I was just here on assignment from Werner, a mysterious entity. He had said that I would meet him soon, but I had no idea what to expect. Werner had contacted me with the invitation that had a Delphino seal, but Prince Orcello didn’t fit the serious type of person Werner seemed to be. The credit card that he had given to the hotel sat upon the desk untouched. Money was not an issue. Nathan had been purchasing dresses left and right with price tags well over my salary, and there was a car available for my use whenever I may need it. Even more curious were the invitations to these events. No one questioned the name of Werner. Last night I had gone to see the fireworks and met with Prince von Adler and DeGillus again, of which the former rather forcefully imprinted himself upon my memory. Then I had been the fool of a trick at the DeGillus party where Prince Orcello had amused everyone with his little murder mystery. That had been when my notebook had been stolen. I wondered if Prince DeGillus had looked. He didn’t seem like the type. Today I had gone to Azolla Pier with Giselle who had shown up out of the blue, and then did some shopping with Nathan. All in preparation for this party tonight. This masquerade was to be held at Castle Delphino, where Prince Orcello would be. My eyes went to the bag with Prince Orcello’s jacket. That made me remember the conversation I had had with Giselle earlier and my eyes flicked to the letter that had fallen on the floor by the chair when Giselle had lugged me from the room. Reaching down I picked it up tentatively, and regarded the seal. As Giselle said, this was the seal of the fifth kingdom, Pantora. I apprehensively slipped my finger underneath the fold in the envelope and broke the seal, pulling out the letter that was inside.
Hello Ms. Werner, Welcome to Isola del Paradiso. It’s been 100 years now that the Royal Ball has taken place, and I am glad that you are here to document your experience. I apologize for addressing you as Ms. Werner since that is not your real name. Although I know you have no reason to do as I say, tonight at the masquerade, will you kindly dance with the man in the gold tiger mask? I have been waiting to meet you again for a long time. With regards, -C I closed up the letter quickly and put it on the desk. The mysteries were mounting the longer I stayed. The day was growing late now. I couldn’t think about the letter for too long as I had to hurry to get ready for the masquerade. I turned on the shower and began stripping from my clothing, my eyes drifting back to the folded letter on the desk. Shaking my head I got into the shower and let the warm water rush over me. I heard my phone trill from where I had left it outside the bathroom but ignored it. Stepping at last from the shower in a cloud of steam, I brushed out my hair and began blow-drying it as quickly as I could. Once it had dried, I went into the sleeping area and picked up the gown that lay on the bed. This really didn’t suit my style. Although I was a freelance writer, I had gone to important functions before, but nothing like this. This was a certain type of elegance that was beyond my comprehension. I thought back to the women that were at Prince DeGillus’ party. Those were the types of women that wore things like this. I felt embarrassed as the expensive material rubbed against my hands. Gritting my teeth I put my legs into it and shimmied it up my body. It was form fitting and complimented every curve wonderfully. As I zipped myself up I still couldn’t believe that I was wearing something like this. I went back to the bathroom and brushed out my hair again, trying to get it as silky as possible before I twisted it up behind my head into a bun and pinned it in place. A few loose strands fell out as they always did and I tucked them behind my ear. I applied my makeup and perfume sparsely, a bit of eyeliner and shadow and a spritz of floral scent upon my neck and wrists. My phone trilled again and I went to it. It was Giselle. She seemed to have gone into a panic and had spammed my text message box. I opened my phone and read them. The general gist was that she was allowed to attend under tight supervision and only early in the night so I would need to come find her as soon as I arrived. She would be wearing a silver bunny mask and a long silver gown with fur. The hotel phone rang then and the front desk informed me that my driver was here. I hurriedly slipped on my black heels and grabbed my purse and the intricate butterfly mask. At the last minute I remembered Prince Orcello’s jacket and pulled it from the bag on the chair. The magnificent plumage around the neck tickled my fingers and reminded me of his kiss upon my wrist. Clearing my head of these thoughts, I grabbed my own rather plain jacket and slung it over my shoulders, tucking Van’s jacket under my arm. I rushed downstairs, wondering what was going to happen tonight. I would have never guessed.
The car rolled up to Castle Delphinium past the white stone walls and up the long winding drive. The castle looked like something out of a fairy tale, in magnificent blue and white. I stared in awe as we pulled up. The driver looked back at me in the rear view mirror. “You should put your mask on, madam,” he said with a smile that brought crinkles to his weathered eyes. I blinked. “Oh, right,” I said, fumbling with the mask. I put it on, and experienced a momentary loss of vision until I situated it properly. The driver opened my door and I stepped out, stumbling on the pearly white stones. “I will be back to pick you up by midnight,” the driver said and bowed to me as he got back in the car and left. I stood there clutching my purse in one hand and the jacket in the other. It was cold outside, and I could see traces of snow in the garden leading up to the wide stairs, so I hurried to the entrance. The doorman opened the door with a gracious sweep of his arm and I was stunned at the sight of the interior. Lavish red carpets lined the floor, my heels sinking into their plush thickness as I entered the great hall. The walls were white travertine, glimmering in pristine condition. Giant oil portraits hung along the walls of magnificent looking people in fancy clothing. People milled about with cocktails in their hands, each with extravagant gowns and elaborate masks. It didn’t take me more than a minute to see Giselle’s shocking red hair over a silvery fur stole. I hurried towards her but came to a halt as people passed between us. There were many people here, and it was somewhat crowded. When I caught sight of her again, I saw that she was moving away with a group of people into the ballroom. I followed at my own pace, evading waiters with trays of hors d’œrves and champagne glasses. When I at last emerged into the ballroom my breath left me again. It was enormous, with sparkling white marble floors, giant golden chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, arching windows with intricate carvings along both long sides and an absolutely enormous carved fireplace at the far end. I could see a private garden off the one side with large French doors exiting to it, and gold leaf accents absolutely everywhere. Again I saw Giselle, over by the doors. She was talking to someone that I recognized even with the mask. Dressed from head to toe in a smart blue uniform with red silk draped over one shoulder, he had a mask with dark crashing swirls like turbulent waves across his face, and he looked utterly mysterious with his impeccably groomed dark hair swooping out from it and down to his shoulders. His long black boots were shone as he bowed to Giselle. She giggled. It looked as if he was inviting her to a dance. Van’s jacket felt heavy in my arms suddenly. Just then the small orchestra began playing, startling me. People were quick to find their partners and I stood dumbfounded as everyone moved with precision and elegance like a finely tuned machine. I was left alone, and shrunk back from it all, intimidated. Then I saw a man in a green uniform with gold epaulets on his shoulders. He wasn’t particularly tall, or stunning, yet my eyes were drawn to him. He stood by the giant fireplace, leaning against it nonchalantly and taking no part in the dance. I caught his gaze then, staring at me from across the room. His eyes burned at me from behind a golden tiger mask. He had to be the one from the letter. Decision Time <Return jacket to Van> <Go to the tiger-masked man> Voting lasts 24 hours. Popular choice continues the story. In case of a tie, next poster regardless if voted already or not breaks the tie. Vote for only one. If you don't vote, you don't have a say in the story!