The night is young as people would say as Linden smoothed out his suit again. Extravagant parties like these were fun, sure, but not always his cup of tea. However, his mother said that the family needed to make an appearance in society every now and again. His siblings got the last ones and now it was his turn.
Like a high roller, Linden stepped out of one of the few luxury cars that they had in possession in a suit suitable for this gothic themed masquerade. The local designer was top notch and it always felt awkward whenever he had to wear whatever they made. Why? The fit was like a glove.
The seemingly seamless long sleeved black shirt that was thin and sheer hugged him like a second skin. The vest gave some coverage and was lightweight like the slacks he wore that would help him from overheating. It was the jacket that probably weighed the most with its extravagant embroidery around the color that spread to the opening of his chest and shoulders before it would begin to taper away at the waist. All of these embellishments that were meant to go with the mask in his possession.
There was no need to present an invitation card based on the way he was dressed as he climbed up stairs and could feel the heat emanate from the entrance. Taking a deep breath, Linden stepped forward as he brought the mask up and donned it on. Finding it very comfortable and easy to see despite the metal wires that were woven into it. Tying the back of it behind his head and entered the dark flickering entrance hall to gaze down at the main hallway where shadows danced.
"Let's get this over with," he sighed and walked down the hall. The sound of music the traditional dark waltz just loud enough to be heard but not enough to drown out sound of chatter. Soon, the hallway led him to large wooden doors that soon opened for dramatic effect that would have some turn to gaze at who came in before going back to their own little world.
Being given such an opportunity meant Linden found some champagne and decided to hide. Though it seemed others thought of the same thing as they started the debauchery early. The bustle dress already hiked up as the man acted like a dog in heat with how fast his hips moved. With the roll of his eyes and sound of disgust, Linden walked the other way to let those two have their moment and proceeded to upstairs. Finishing the one flute and grabbing another as he decided to get a birds eye view of everything without getting a show.
Gray Saint Pierre was many things to many different people. Sinner or saint. Angel or Demon. Just titles he donned and discarded as necessary for whatever it was he wished to accomplish. He had long ago learned how to do this, back in the days when he was human. And now? Those skills were only all the more honed for existing in this second form of life. Perhaps that was why he was known by so many different titles and yet everyone still seemed to want him around and wish to make those vital deals with him or use him for his connections. His business might be architecture on the outside, and he certainly did such work, but it was so much more than that. He just seemed to know all the right people and all the ways to get someone what they wanted. Whether that be for their project or something more personal. Add to that that a certain section of the population was well aware of his other work and you found yourself with someone that everyone wanted to know.
And that led to parties like this. Moments or revelry and debauchery that was entirely meant to lower inhibitions and allow for the supposed mystery of masks. It was all for show. All for display and effect and he honestly loved it. It was just so much fun watching the people trying to get what they wanted and scrabbling for a little more power. And amidst all that chaos and attitude was just where he enjoyed being. It gave him the best chance to not only find things out that could later be useful but also make those connections.
At the moment, however, he wasn’t in the midst of things. Instead he was above it all watching it take place with a slight smirk on his lips and a glass of a deep red liquid. His lips were quirked just slightly into a crooked smile and one hand lazily rested upon the railing next to him. His back was to the wall behind him and if not for his chosen outfit he might well have melded in with the shadows. But the stark, perfectly white color of his suit didn’t allow him to hide so easily among the deep colors of the shadows. Instead it made him stand out, a bright spot in an otherwise dim area.
Then again the suit coat that wasn’t even buttoned open upon an expanse of pale bare skin, no shirt under it to hide even that from sight. And the delicate golden chains that draped in criss crossing patterns down his chest only drew further notice there. Those same chains curled around his throat and waist, making for quite an interesting choice in outfit. But with everything so perfectly white it did make him stand out among the many other brightly colored or dark outfits that most seemed to have chosen. Add to that a blood red mask with its golden additions and he was certainly dressed to garner attention.
So one might have to wonder why he was up here instead of down in the midst of the throng. Even he got a bit tired of it at times and would much rather watch and see what connections were being made. Sometimes that was just as valuable and right now he really wanted a moment of peace from all the press of human bodies.
However, the world seemed to have different opinions on the matter. His attention was drawn to the stairs as he heard someone taking them. That was curious but he waited, watching for the first glimpse of whomever was arriving. A young man by the looks of it and he lifted the glass to his lips, taking a slow sip as he waited for the young man to actually look up and notice he was not alone.
”Good evening.” Oh he was perhaps laying it on a bit thick as he all but purred the words but wasn’t that what this night was about? Having a little fun. ”It seems I wasn’t the only one who wished to find a quiet moment among the throngs of madness downstairs.”
"Good evening," Linden replied as friendly as he could and began to sip on his second flute. The swelling of the music mixed with the echoing moans was amplified by the natural acoustics that made him wonder if he made the wrong choice.
Another deep sigh came forth as he looked over to the other man who stood out in their stark white suit. The golden chains glinted from the faint lights when they moved as if they were calling all moths to the flame that was embodied through the red and gold mask they wore.
“'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to shew when you are there.'
'Oh no, no,' said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.'"
Such a silly poem that was retold to him as a child from a book his great-grandmother had in her possession that was recopied to save the aging pages. And yet, this situation seemed to fit, even if Linden felt he was much smarter than the fly.
"I'm sorry," he apologized and walked over while still being further than arm's length. "Hope I did not intrude on any voyeuristic activity or your attempt to run away from prying eyes. Though, no offense, you stand out wearing stark white on a dark background. Feels like irony, honestly."
Posted 01-24-2024, 11:40 PM
The heat of the night
