Feeling scared, every stare will cut like blades-
Dead inside, try to hide behind,
And shake the tremors…
You can do this. Just breathe. The invitation had come, devoid of their name- inviting them to the masquerade on the next full moon, three days after receiving the shadow-and-silver card. Was it a mistake? Intended for someone else? Or were they the intended recipient? And if so… why? Fretting, fluttering about, it took them until hours before the event to acquire all that they might need- but off they went, in their carriage, the dark castle overlooking unforgiving sea their destination. It was a blur, the trip. Gothic eeriness followed them, ghosts seeming to cling to fog- while twisted a gnarled trees threatened to snatch the carriage away. Arriving to the castle, it appeared even more imposing up close than faraway. Strict figures stood behind two people dressed in shadows and amethyst at the gates. Wordless, the invitation was handed over- and after a nod, it was returned. The figure gave silent thanks, before traversing within.
Entering the imposing castle, inquisitive eyes looked around. Darkness decadent dripping, melted candles and flickering light casting deep and eerie shadows. Glamorous costumes of all colours and kinds scattered the scene- the beautiful and the beastly. For the most part, they blended in- almost disappearing into the scenery. Draped in darkness, the entity’s dress was sleeker than many. Jewels and glitter were traded in for spiderwebs and silken roses. Long sleeves hid a multitude of sins- as did the high neckline and satin choker. Nails black as night, lacking any shine, sat upon their hands. Obsidian locks hung in gentle waves, fussed with neatly. Upon their face, a mask of pale ivory- reflecting perfectly-made blood-hued eyes, blood-in-the-snow smile of reddest lacquer. Image of a young maiden. Only a flash of skin, the fingers, revealed their true skin hue- a rose-dusted ivory. Moving through the masquerade, they could see all sorts of amazing things- but none of the identities of those around. Who knew what lay beneath such veneers?
Hands trembling, the figure took their time to look around. Moving slowly. Dresses were not their strong suit. Besides, they could feel death-like coldness grip them. Every stare that crossed them, shot a blade of anxious living through their dead facade. This was a bad idea. I need to leave, I-
“Isn’t this such a wonderful event, dearie?” A woman decked in scarlet and sunset gold drew the shadow-clad entity to them. Their mask was partial, covered in jewels and feathers. “One would have to be a fool to pass this up!!”
Swallowing hard, they nodded. “Of course... Such a beautiful event, who would miss it for the world?” Beside them, a new woman appeared- in icy blue and white. She had a mask similar the darkly-dressed person, save for the eyes- those were natural.
“The Master always throws the most decadent parties!.. The few times he throws them, of course. I wonder what prompted this one?”
“Perhaps he’s seeking a Lady! A beautiful, mysterious bride to be!”
“What-” The figure dressed in darkness began to speak, but was cut off by the mistress of ice.
“Preposterous nonsense! How would he find her again?! No, my dear, I think this is purely for his own entertainment!” Laughter, two flavours, filled the immediate space- the ladies swanning off into the night. Abandoning the deity of darkness to their own devices once more. Unaware a pair of eyes had been following…
Hiding with a smile in a crowded place,
Emoting through the lips of a plastic face-
Every word just a code that screams,
I'm owned by terror…
Circulating the floor once more, they were careful. Curtsy here, how-do-you-do there. Quickening heartbeat every time someone looked at them. Were they staring past the facade? Could they see beneath the veneer? Did they know with whom they really conversed? No. No. There was no way. They were a dark maiden of roses for this evening. Everything else they were, everything they ran from… That had been left behind. For one evening, the figure- and their pieces- ceased to be. For tonight, they were a young blushing maiden- beautiful and lovely.
So why were they so afraid? What could there be to even fear?
Are you scared to see what lies beneath,
Behind these artificial teeth-
Through the guilty strings, this mask
Controls its wearer…
“Whatever am I to do with myself?..”
“Anything you please.” Voice with no face, the figure looked around- but could not discern the identity of the speaker. Shivering, they decided to simply put the encounter from their minds- and try to act as if they belonged.
Soon enough, the deity of darkness found themselves in a dance, a man splendid in emerald and gold their partner. Or rather, they were the partner to him. He strode across the dance floor, taking their hand an bowing low over it. Almost insisting the figure of shadows dance with him. Giving a polite curtsy, they demurred- of course, they would be honored. And that was how they found themselves in this moment.
Lavender gaze studying them as they danced- the moments quite lovely ones. Silently, the figure was thankful their own face was completely concealed- even if it made vision difficult. A lingering thread of guilt pulled at them, the only resistance the man had. It felt as though they were betraying the faceless voice. But it was so much more. Under the mask, tears threatened to spill. I don’t belong here, why is nobody saying anything to me?! Despite the screaming inside, everything was calm- pleasant, even. And when the song ended, the man bowed once more- flitting away back into the masquerade. Here they slipped off the dance floor- a snippet of a song floating into their mind:
Trapped in our own disguises,
Cut free but soulless still-
Our dreams are haunted by the
Ghosts we kill...
Identities of silence,
In search of cheaper scares-
We're all surrounded by the
Masks we wear…
With all the masked figures around, each one portraying something different, it felt like each one was a different side to themselves. Another involuntary shiver ran along their spine.
Vilified for deeds done in the light,
Hiding away within plain sight-
These cloaks are keeping safe,
The secret faces…
Terrified of making one mistake,
Narrow mind ‘til the soul begins to break-
We are just husks, seeking
The world's false graces…
The figure felt like a facade, fake as the mask covering their features. They felt unworthy. Inferior. A sham. Broken… And it felt like every pair of eyes could tell. Waiting for them to shatter, and confess. But they had no idea who was around. Commoners, nobles? Male, female, something else like them? Did those laughing, dancing, conversing- were they facades too? Could anyone relate to the feelings the figure had? Or were they all alone, an island of shame in a sea of serenity? Tears began to spill over, the figure barely able to repress a sob. By now they were trembling hard, though none seemed to notice. They wanted to run. Tear away from this damnable place, return to the shattered existence they knew.
Return to the other types of masks they wore. The ones that suffocated and silenced.
Hands slid along their arm. Gasping, the entity turned around- to see a man standing before them, watching. Like them, he wore deepest black- accented with richest amethyst and silver, tribute to those piercing eyes. Giving a bow, he swept them to the dance floor once more- but as they did, something happened. Sound melted to silence. Light faded away, enveloping them in the darkness. Only the two stood there now, the fully-masked figure looking around.
“What is this? Where are we, where has the masquerade gone? What have you done?” Voice cracking, the emotions could barely be repressed.
Trapped in our own disguises,
Cut free but soulless still-
Our dreams are haunted by the
Ghosts we kill...
Identities of silence,
In search of cheaper scares-
We're all surrounded by the
Masks we wear…
“I have brought us somewhere we could speak freely… Eminence Katharina.”
Gasping beneath the lacquer, the figure raised a hand- covering the lacquered mouth. even though there was no need. “How did you-”
“Find you? My dear… Who do you think invited you to this eve?” Chuckling, dark but warm, filled the silenced space. “I have been watching you for some time. Following your movements. And I have seen, what so many have missed.”
“…What do you mean, you’ve seen what so many have missed? How have you been following me? Who are you? What have you done?!” By now, their voice was rising- hysteria setting in. They had been found out. And that terrified them. Completely at the mercy of this enigmatic entity, the shadow-clad lady felt herself grow faint, and weak. What is he going to do to me?.. Reflexive, a long ingrained command trained into their very soul, the figure fell to their knees- masked face staring up at the dark figure before them. Trembling, tears dripping from the face beneath.
Silence descended, the man staring down at them. I had been right, about this one. For some time, he had followed them- seen the cruelties suffered, witnessed the sadistic machinations endured. But he could see so much more, beneath the forced on masks they wore. Something sincere, beautiful, warm and serene. Healing. Potential- so much potential. Disguised even from them. Narrow minded, constricted into a terrible servitude role. They deserved better. But they were unaware, judging by the fear radiating.
It hurt him, to see such a beautiful creature reduced to this.
Still, he would lower himself to them- resting on one knee. Their head hung low, but he reached out- tipping their head up, gazes meeting.
“Awake within the moment,
Asleep throughout our lives-
We suffer in this torment,
Ensnared in our own lies…
In facelessness we're equal,
When we're not even there-
You're someone underneath this,
Behind the mask you wear…”
"Beneath all the masks you wear, Eminence Katharina.” The man’s voice was dark, frost-laced fire. His free hand clenched in anger- not at the figure before them, no. But at the thought of all the lament this entity reflected. All the figures who dare lay brutal hands upon this figure, the entity he chose to guard over. “May I?”
Breathing shallow, their voice was a terrified whisper. “Yes.”
Moving his hand from their chin, he reached over- and removed the mask from their face. Looking to the figure beneath. Dark storm-ringed eyes of jade and amber peered back, crystalline in their tears and terror. Rosy-ivory skin, petal-soft, revealed itself beneath a layer of makeup. Fangs of ivory peered through paled lips, hints there was more than first believed hidden inside.
Reaching up, he removed his own mask of shadows- letting it fall away. Darker skin, an alluring golden brown, contrasted the pale. Amethyst eyes, shimmering with delight, looked down with authority, and love. Fangs like theirs were on display- the grin evident. “It seems we’re more alike than I first believed.” Lifting a hand, the tears were brushed away. “And it seems… I was right about you.”
“Please, I beg you, tell me... In what way were you right about me?” Terrified whisper came by way of reply. “Are you going to hurt me? Make me bleed, listen to me scream? Tear off this dress-”
“Never.” The word was resolute, the figure in the dress falling silent- obedient to a non-existent command. “If anything… You need someone like me. Someone to look after you, to guide you. I warn you, it will not be easy. But I see many great things for you- a wonderful future of love, and colour. And I will guide you to these places… If you will have me, but-” Here he looked at them. “You have to truly want this. I will not force this upon you. Search deep inside, and tell me, Eminence Katharina- are you willing, to embark upon a new path with me?”
Looking up into the man’s eyes, there was drawn out silence. He could see the struggle behind their eyes. Eventually, however, there was only one way to reply.
“Yes.” There was a lacing of fear, to be sure- but behind it, a strength and determination.
“Wonderful.” Rising to his feet, he helped them up once more. The mask was given back- fingers idly brushing it. There was a regret, almost… After lifting the facade, it seemed a shame to put a mask back on. Chuckling once more, the man waved a hand- and the mask changed before their very eyes. In their hands was a partial mask- one that would reveal those beautiful features, composed of shadows and silk. Roses and spiderwebs. “Will that suffice?”
Nodding, the eminence Katharina donned the new mask- feeling much better. In turn, the man donned his once again- and held his arm out. “There will be much to discuss, but for tonight… Come. We are at a masquerade. Why don’t we enjoy the evening, see what we can be?”
“As you wish… If only I knew your name.”
Once more he chuckled, then leaned in- whispering the answer to the mystery. The figure nodded- and finally took the proffered arm. And with that, they fell back into the masquerade’s colour and life- catching the end of the song playing.
Trapped in our own disguises
Cut free but soulless still
Our dreams are haunted by the
Ghosts we kill-
Identities of silence
In search of cheaper scares
We're all surrounded by the
Masks we wear…
Trapped in our own disguises
Cut free but soulless still
Our dreams are haunted by the
Ghosts we kill-
Identities of silence
In search of cheaper scares
We're all surrounded by the
Masks we wear…
Author's Note: The above story is inspired by the song Masks by Aviators.