unfinishedlibrary | wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. MOONLIT RIVALS LOG 2, SCENE 1

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wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. MOONLIT RIVALS LOG 2, SCENE 1

Who: Readers and Actors, everyone who is invited (and those who are not).
What: The event of the century, the Umbra Ball, is about to begin.
When: The night of the ball itself, and a slice of the morning after. [ooc timeline: Feb 6th - 19th]
Where: The city of Montica and the Umbra Mansion.
Content warnings: Please include any warnings in headers.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

The sun begins to set, and the city of Montica buzzes in anticipation. Vendors close their stalls early - the consensus being that there is no point in running a night market tonight. The streets empty, houses and shops shuttered as eager folk stream up to the mansion.

A few industrious salespeople can be found on the way up to the mansion, selling masks and accessories for any last-minute needs. There is a rumour filtering through the people that a dress code is being strictly enforced, and the clan are supplying masks of silver for anyone who does not bring their own - a concept that delights some and stirs trepidation in others.

The Umbra Mansion almost glows above the city, light spilling from its open doors onto its perfectly manicured lawns and drive. After the sun sets, the metal shutters on the windows are lifted and the curtains are drawn back; and the night sky, in its star-studded glory, paints a picturesque view for the party-goers inside.

The strings of a waltz ring clearly, echoing out into the streets in joyful invitation. Not everyone will be allowed in - some will remain out here, rejected by the doorstaff or content to create their own festivities.

[The Masquerade]

For those who make the cut, the masquerade itself is staffed by humans and vampires and is separated into 2 distinct parties.

The first, for the ‘common’ folk. Those without formal invitations, who are free to mingle and be awed. They are greeted at the doors to the main entry hall - doors that will remain open for the duration of the masquerade. Human doormen (and women) do cursory checks before bowing visitors through, doing their best to keep everyone in line. (No weapons, dress standards met, no obvious werewolves.) Anyone who hasn’t brought their own mask will be offered one here. Silver, of course, and the expectation is that you will wear it.

A pair of grand staircases awaits past the doors, framing a magnificent chandelier. Guarding each staircase is a well-dressed servant. They’re making no secret of their too-sharp teeth or the red tinting their irises, and to get upstairs you’ll have to present an invitation. Gilded in real silver, these invites are only for the elite or those favoured by the vampiric aristocracy. These stairs lead first to a mezzanine; one that encircles the grand ballroom below, framing the common people’s masquerade. Arched doorways connect the mezzanine further to the sprawl of the mansion - in particular, to the private sitting rooms where sensitive… ‘business’ can be conducted. So too does it connect to wide balconies that overlook the garden, providing entertainment for those above.

The downstairs ballroom, lined by this mezzanine, is where the band of musicians plays. Waitstaff roam the sides of the room, balancing trays of canapes and wine. The doors along one side of the ballroom have been opened, allowing attendees to slip away into the expansive garden.

[The Garden]

Intricate stonework lines paths through the gardens, weaving around precisely planned flowerbeds. Stone lanterns light the way along the paths, providing opportunities for self-guided strolls. There are many quiet areas to be found here; whether it’s in the shelter of a small gazebo surrounded by fragrant lavender, or on a bench nestled beneath an arch of wisteria.

But don’t get too comfortable in your perceived solitude. The balcony of the mezzanine overlooks these gardens almost in full - the risk of being seen is never zero.

Out here, in perfect view of those mezzanine balconies and completely accessible to those on the ground floor, is a raised platform that acts as a stage. Here it is planned for a performance from The Crystal Ermine Troupe to take place: ‘The Tin Soldier’s March, or the Tragedie of Ierico and his Harlequin.’ There is nothing stopping other would-be entertainers from taking to the stage when it is not in use - assuming, of course, that they are not put off by the dozens of sharp red eyes watching them from above.

[The Hedge Maze]

A large, complicated hedge maze sits centered in the garden; its width almost as vast as the mansion itself. Vines of moonflowers grow across it, almost seeming to glow in the moonlight. As the night goes on and the partygoers tire of dancing, they may find themselves filtering out here - where a sense of renewed excitement permeates the air.

There is a game that some vampires like to play. Its origins are obvious, but its modern iteration is - usually - a touch less gory than decades past.

It begins with a human. An eager competitor, a jibing friend, or a flustered lover. Someone who takes a head start into the maze, blood and adrenaline pumping as they race to find its centre before time is up.

And it then continues with the vampire who begins their pursuit through the thick hedges at the set time. Employing their senses to track their quarry, they seek to capture the human before they succeed in reaching the maze’s safe centre.

For some, this is a simple game played for fun. For others, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their skills - for up on that balcony are the aristocracy. If one can prove their wit and skill, they may find themselves with offers for greater power than they currently possess.

[The Morning After]

As the sun begins to rise, the party winds down. The vampires begin to retire to their sun-secluded dens as the many coverings on the mansion windows are redrawn. There are some human guests that might stay a bit longer, but all visitors are ejected by the time that dawn truly breaks. The staff, however, still have clean-up ahead of them - and a few extra helpers certainly won’t be noticed. Any attempt to breach the vampire’s sleeping areas will draw attention, however; so best to keep to the mansion itself.

And while the ball has been underway… some werewolves have made some fun of their own.

[The day will continue in Log 3.]

[Info post here and most recent plotting post here!]

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The Masquerade

Cinthe had planned to find entrance to the grand event as a performer, perhaps, winning her invitation by work, but fortune has smiled on her this turn and instead she is present on the arm of Sigwulf Guidulf. That means she can fully enjoy the party as a guest, and as is required for the ball, she's dressed for the part.

Long blonde hair is pinned up in an intricate coil atop her head, the better to accentuate the feathery, gold-accented peacock mask that covers the upper half of her face. She hasn't been shy about her choice of color or adornment, and the dress she wears is a similarly bright spray of gauzy, silky turquoise. Small, glittering gold fairie lights trail around her where she moves, an extra play of light and color that drift lazily in her orbit, and her scent is that of a human, tinged lightly with powdery floral perfume and a deeper waft of woodsmoke.

If she's going to be here, she's going to be at her best, and she moves across the downstairs ballroom with gliding grace. Sometimes at Sigwulf's side, but also exploring on her own, taking in the spectacle and helping herself to a glass or two of wine along with the offered nibbles. She's keeping her senses about her, but she's not one to pass up the offer of snacks, particularly fancy ones.

Her gaze falls occasionally on the blocked stairway to the mezzanine, as much wary as it is curious. Her smile in this company is pleasant but likewise careful. She's a stranger here still, and in some of those moments in between the laughing and the lights, there's uncertainty. There are a lot of very sharp teeth here, dressed up in good manners and party finery, and it may have occurred to her by now that she's in over her head. It's not a thought that strikes her often, but occasionally...

The Garden

Even though she's not working through the event, putting on appearances still takes energy, and after a while of mingling, dancing, and observing, Cinthe finds herself outside for a breath of night air. The garden- the entire estate, really- is lovely, as grand as she's ever seen, and after a bit of wandering she finds herself sitting on a bench backed by a trellis dripping with roses.

She's aware of the stage, and of the balcony above. But she's doing her best not to think about it, just now, the possibility of a watchful (hungry) audience. The little lights around her flicker and fade out as she settles, a bit of her facade released in a moment of rest.

Not for long, but a few minutes at least, breathing in the perfume of blooming flowers and green things. Just as she was taught at the temple. Breathe, hold, release. Calm like still water and vast, grassy fields. Even fire has its flow...She's just lost hers for a moment.

She's alone, and very far from home, in a strange and dangerous place. She hasn't really had a chance to deal with that yet, the enormity of it, and now, here, is when her vulnerability really hits her.

But she keeps breathing, smoothing her skirts with her hands, and after a moment opens her eyes again.

As she opens her eyes, a quiet presence silently steps up beside her. But Loic hums softly, as he approaches, so she won't be startled.

He stands next to her, holding a little plate with a few canapes out to her. He looks at her with a question in his eyes - is she okay? Will some canapes help her feel better?

It's amazing how much even simple concern can do, and Cinthe does look up at the hum, shaking herself from her trance with a slightly rueful smile. She hadn't meant to slip into such a state, but she's breathing now, gathering her reserves, and, okay, snacks always help.

She accepts the plate with a graceful, manicured hand. "Oh...thank you." The vague smile becomes a little brighter, a little softer. She doesn't eat yet, but the gesture is welcome, and she continues in her lightly accented voice. "Just taking in a bit of air. It's quite an event, isn't it?" She scoots over a bit on the bench, should he wish to join her.

Loic nods. This event certainly was something. Though he can't really say it's the sort of event he likes; Loic would much rather be running wild in the woods with the other wolves than dancing or trying to avoid awkward small-talk.

The food was good, though. He liked the food.

He sits next to her. And then nudges the plate gently with his hand. She should eat!

It occurs to her after a moment that her new companion might not speak, but it's only a minor adjustment in her approach. Watching for other responses and reactions, and not endlessly chattering over him. She's very mindful of such things.

She chuckles quietly at the nudge, and takes a delicate bite of one of the canapes. The party might be a lot, but the snacks are good and Cinthe has always been good at appreciating free food.

"Thank you. I'm Cinthe, by the way. Only very recently arrived here, so it's a bit to get used to."

Loic gives her a little wave. Hi Cinthe!

Then he holds out his arm, showing her the bracelet around his wrist. Engraved into the side of it is the name Loic.

The bracelet had been specialised designed to fit, regardless of whether he was in human or wolf form. It came in handy in situations like this, where otherwise he'd have no way of telling anyone his name.

Edited 2026-02-17 08:27 (UTC)

Cinthe peers closely at the bracelet, then gives a smile. "Loic. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She continues to nibble at her snacks, though politely pausing between canapes when she talks. Good manners are important. She's not one to fill silence with meaningless chatter, so it's easy to just be companionable, her gaze traveling around the garden and trying not to linger too long on the balcony above.

It's kind of nice, actually, not having to put on an appearance for a little bit.

"I'm a bit curious about the maze, but I feel like it might not be the best time to go exploring," she says after a little of that comfortable quiet.

Loic's eyes snap to the maze, his gaze suddenly focused and intense. He wants to go in the maze. He really, really wants to go in the maze.

He wants to go in the maze and chase things.

...But that would be a bad idea. He huffs with annoyance, and shakes his head. No, exploring really isn't a good idea. Especially since she seems a nice human. Loic wouldn't want to see her chased, if she doesn't want to be.

Cinthe has a few tricks up her sleeves, but there's a difference between a friendly chase and being hunted by scary predators. No, better to avoid that sort of game if possible.

She does watch Loic's gaze, though, noting it idly. So far, he isn't pinging any of her worries and the huff of agreement reassures her further. She doesn't know much about the wolves, not yet, but they are more comfortable company than she's expected, so far. With a certain amount of respect regardless, but she's been around plenty of dangerous things in her life.

She smiles a little, then. "Thank you for staying. I am feeling better. It's just a little overwhelming, being here with so much going on. Easy to feel a little lost."

Loic smiles, and gives a little shrug. He doesn't mind keeping her company. And besides; she's not a vampire. He doesn't need to be immediately wary of her, not like he does with many of the others here tonight.

Then he looks at her, head titled to one side in an unspoken question. Does she need him to stay a little longer? Sit quietly for a while? Or would she rather have some space to herself now?

It's not a question he necessarily expects her to answer. That's the trouble when you don't speak; it's a bit hard to ask people things. But he's looking at her closely, trying to divine the answer from her manner instead.

Cinthe makes no move to leave just yet, even as she finishes her canapes and sets the plate aside. It's nice out here with the flowers, the drifting music from the party, and friendly company. Eventually, Sigwulf will be looking for her, but for a few minutes she's just going to breathe and appreciate the moment of peace.

So when Louc gives her that questioning look, she smiles in response. "If you have anything to tend to, by all means, but...just a little longer?"

Here is a man - one of these deathless, pale vampires, by the look of him - who was absorbed in watching a certain golden-haired masked woman in a sheer dress reminiscent of hellenic columns, before noticing that Cinthe was present.

He wears a silver fox half-mask that does not conceal his mouth and mustache.

"My apologies," he murmurs in a surprisingly deep voice for such a slight frame. "I did not mean to intrude upon your meditations."

There's a lot of very pretty people at this event, for sure, and Cinthe appreciates that even in her uncertainty about their hosts.

She startles slightly at the sudden company, but only a little and flashes a slightly sheepish smile as she settles again.

So. A vampire, then. Being gently addressed by one doesn't alarm her too much, and she inclines her head slightly. Watching him with lavender eyes, but polite in her manner.

"Oh. No, it's fine. I was just taking some air." It's not much of a lie: she's just gathering herself, and the more she says it, the more true it is, hopefully. "The garden is quite lovely, I'm glad for a moment to enjoy it."

“I… forgive me, madam, but I find you oddly familiar. Did, perhaps, we meet in the grand library? The recommended reading was a tale of starcrossed lovers, a mortal pursued by both one of my kind and a lupine of the native people of her conquered lands.”

What he’s talking about could be Twilight, and his voice is familiar. A fellow Editor, asking if she is too, in code?

Cinthe studies him intently, now, her worry forgotten in favor of potential familiarity. She's been playing things carefully, trying to learn the rules of this strange...system, but honestly a familiar face who might remember her is rather welcome.

"I've spent some time in libraries, certainly, some very recently. And quite grand indeed. The story does not sound familiar, but to be fair, I travel a great deal, particularly recently. I'm only very recently arrived." Two days hasn't really given Cinthe much time to catch up on her reading. "It sounds like quite a story, though...perhaps a very interesting play."

Mostly, it's the eyes that would be familiar, but the light, lilting accent is notable as well. The long hair pinned with fancy combs, the carefully elegant grace...little markers of who she might be, beyond the surface changes.

He pauses, listening intently to her answer.

And then he nods.

“Something like this?”

”Two houses, both alike in dignity, in fair Montica where we lay our scene, the Umbral kindred and the Guidulf pack, sharpen stake and silver for an attack. But hark, the light through yonder garden breaks; for tis the east, and Sigrid be the moon; that would the gentle vampire Nero, find he would bid his long nights to illume.”

He bows.

“Welcome to the Masquerade, Cinthe. I am Lucas, which is cognate to Hikaru.”

It does sound very much like an established performance, a story that has many versions in many worlds, and Cinthe gives a small smile.

"Thank you. It seems we find ourselves in different circumstances...of a very large situation." She has no idea who might be watching or listening, so she's careful in her words...but it's also just a relief to know it's not just her shipped off to a strange new city.

"Not that I am unwell! But still making sense of things." The fact that there are lovers, for example, is new information to her.

“Then: know that, encouraged by that most wise fool Armin Umbra, I entered the employ of Lord Umbra as a guardian, advisor and mentor to Lord Nero, so as to better protect him and make sure that his romance is not a starcrossed tragedy, as it is so often in these sorts of tales, fatally so.”

He chuckles.

“And well I should, for as herself I knew Sigrid or I should say Siobhan very well in that library, and I would have that role know joy and peace as well.”

Edited 2026-02-17 02:47 (UTC)

She nods slowly, digesting that for a moment.

"I am a simple traveling entertainer, but also sometimes a healer of some ability. I would go where I could do the most, but I also know that I need to keep myself safe. Particularly finding myself in such new circumstances." She only barely knows a couple of people in the Library, and this new setting only complicates that further. Combined with the whiplash of being abducted twice in such short succession...

"I have received some advice thus far, which has been helpful. I understand that both factions take care of their own, in their own ways, and respect at least some rules of...hmmm...propriety. Manners, perhaps? Though it would seem that things are becoming strained." The evidence of the fight in the square still troubles her.

Iren knew she was potentially prey, here. She was actually playing that up just a bit, in her own rabbit mask. But on the other hand, everyone knows that vampires take invitations very seriously, right? She had been invited in. She was a guest, promised no harm as long as she acted in good faith.

The woman in the peacock mask looked familiar. Iren didn't have many friends here, so she approached, glass in hand. It was rude to ask who someone was at a masquerade, she felt, but hopefully Cinthe would remember her from their brief meeting in the library.

She had come here from the mysterious upstairs, somehow, but let's not worry about that just now.

"Enjoying the party, miss?"

Cinthe is still figuring out the strange logic of this...adventure. she looks similar to her normal blue self, but not exactly the same except for the brilliant violet eyes, the delicate and confident grace, and a few telling bits of jewelry. Likewise, some people, she sort of recognizes. Some recognize her. Others seem completely absorbed into their roles, and quite a few she's never even met before. It's a lot, but she's aware and keeping her wits about her.

And Iren sparks a bit of recognition, enough to catch Cinthe's interest fully. She gives the other woman a small smile, and half-raises her glass indicating her appreciation of the refreshments in particular.

"I am, yes, thank you. It's quite an event...I'm glad I was able to arrive in time to attend." Her gaze goes briefly back to the stairway to the VIP balcony, but returns to Iren after only a second. Curious, but fleeting, filing away little details. She is, after all, just as much potential prey as anyone and being alert is wise.

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wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. MOONLIT RIVALS LOG 2, SCENE 1

[The Masquerade]

[The Garden]

[The Hedge Maze]

[The Morning After]

Cinthe | Reader

The garden

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The Garden

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Masquerade

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