Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

The journey takes most of the afternoon, but the group eventually arrives at another mansion. This mansion appears to be rather different, however. Most of the mansion is decorated, and quite a few cars are parked in a parking area near to the mansion's gates.

Once Artemis, Abigail and I get into the car, we start heading away from the mansion, looking to get out of sight.

"Right, we're going to need to change into our masquerade party clothing in order to fit in. Artemis, you said you were covered?" I ask.

"Yes, I have a dress and a mask I can wear." Artemis replies.

"I need a dress and a mask." Abigail says.

"Alright, I've got a few dresses and masks that might suit you. I've got a suit and a mask I can wear, so we should be sorted." I say happily.

 

The couple uncloaks and changes, Linoa in a more decorated dress.

 

Artemis surrounds herself in a tree that grows around her, and Abigail and I disappear.

A short while later, Artemis' tree sinks back into the ground, and Artemis is revealed to be wearing a pretty dress made of vibrant green leaves, wood patterning it. A tiki-like wooden mask covers Artemis' face entirely, vines being used as straps to hold it on.

Abigail and I re-appear shortly after, Abigail in a fiery red dress with a flame pattern on it, an orange mask covering her eyes and red high heels on her feet. I wear a bold looking black suit, a white shirt visible under my jacket with a black tie. I wear an almost demonic looking red and black mask over my eyes, the sides curling slightly like horns, and well-polished black shoes.

"Shall we get going?" I ask

 

Linoa, who looks like a witch going to a ball, takes Rineth's hand.
"Absolutely, my fair demon." She giggles, holding her staff/broom.

Rineth just rolls his eyes and keeps quiet.

 

I head toward the gates of the mansion, a few other people, similarly dressed, showing papers to a guard waiting by the gate.

"Hold on. We'll need to wait until there's nobody around." I say, putting a hand out to stop Artemis and Abigail.

 

The couple holds back as well.
"I can have Muffy forge some documents for us."

 

"I think we can handle this." I say, nodding to Artemis.

Once there's nobody around, the group heads to the gates, the guard blocking the way.

"Where's your invites? No entry without 'em." The guard says. Unlike guards seen elsewhere, the guard seems particularly unarmoured. A gun rests at his belt, however.

"Oh, yes of course. I've just got them here." I say, fumbling around in my suit pockets. Artemis quietly slips out of view while I fumble around.

After fumbling around for a bit, I turn to Abigail.

"Abigail, do you have the invites? I don't seem to have them." I say.

"No, you were supposed to have them!" Abigail says, annoyed.

"Listen, if you ain't got the invites, I ca-ACK!" The guard chokes as Artemis locks her arm around his neck from behind, strangling him. A pair of vines hold his arms in place, preventing him from grabbing his gun.

Artemis lets go once the guard loses consciousness, picking him up and dropping in a ditch with wooden hands. Artemis turns to the group, looking rather ominous with her face covered by her mask.

 

Linoa sweeps the guard off to the side, disarming him.
"Shall we enter, Forest Preserver?" Linoa asks, curtsying as she signals the group in.

 

Artemis just walks in silently, myself and Abigail following her.

The mansion doors are held open, a butler greeting the group upon arrival. Various people walk about inside the mansion, a majority of them where the food is.

"Fancy place." I comment.

"I didn't know there'd be so many people." Abigail says, somewhat surprised.

 

"Shall we join the crowds?" Lidnis asks, Rineth trying not to lose it.
"Dear, speak little. We are to act like a suit."
"Oh, right."

 

A couple walks over to Rineth and Lidnis, smiling.

"Oh my! Your outfits look just divine! Who tailored those?" The wife of the couple asks happily.

"Say, I don't recognise you two. Where'd you come from?" The husband of the couple asks, curious.

 

"We know a brilliant tailor, but a tad shady." Linoa says through vantriloquism techniques.
"Our invites came a tad late. I hope you can pardon non-locals popping in." Rineth says, again while keeping his mouth shut, eyes unmoving, and throat still.

 

"Ah haha! We're from across the country! I think very few people here are 'local'!" The wife says, laughing.

"By jove, your masks look so realistic! I must know who made them for you." The husband says, smiling.

 

Linoa laughs with the wife.

"I'm afraid the tailor of these costumes has long since passed." Rineth says, keeping face still yet removing his masquerade mask.

 

"I'm very sorry to hear that." The husband says sympathetically.

"So, where do you two live? If you're close, maybe we could pop in for a cup of sugar!" The wife says, chuckling.

"Ahaha, peasant troubles." The husband says, shaking his head happily.

 

"We've got an island to ourselves." Rineth says. "Perhaps we could make time to head over some other time? I don't mean to be rude, but we're here to get away for a bit. As beautiful as it is, it becomes stale after a while, if you know what I mean." Linoa says happily.
Both are managing to keep their faces perfectly still...

Out of the corner of your eye, you can tell they're using subtle bits of magic to keep everything as flawlessly still as they are.

 

"Oh yes, we know that stale holiday feeling, don't we dear?" The wife asks.

"Ugh, you can only see the same sunset so many times until you just want to go home again." The husband says.

Artemis, Abigail and I head out through the mansion, exploring. Abigail heads into the room with the food, taking a plateful of it to casually eat.

 

Linoa giggles. "My husband was worried it was just me!"
Rineth lets out a sigh.
"At least it makes me feel a bit better about that." He admits.

 

"I'm pretty sure ninety percent of people here feel the same, my good man." The husband says.

"And the ten percent probably snuck in and aren't rich enough to even afford being in our proximity!" The wife says, laughing.

 

The couple laughs.
"True, true." Rineth comments.
"Well, hon, shall we dance or are you content with conversing?"
"This was your idea, my love. I'm just happy to be off somewhere other than home." Rineth responds cordially.