The Stroke of Midnight (OP and Allies)

[Feena]

In the light of the full moon, the Theed Palace shone like a brilliant jewel. Every light was on inside, every resident was wide awake, every oven was baking, every servant serving.

It had only been a few weeks since the invasion, but that was not going to stop the Queen from honoring the heroes of the Protectorate. Tonight's event was a ball. Not the usual splender of rich, elaborate decorations and expensive entertainment. There had not been enough time, nor did the Queen have the budget for such an occasion at the moment. As it was, most of the budget was now working to restore Theed and the other areas hardest hit to their former glory.

Tonight was not about showing off wealth regardless. Tonight was about those who fought and died to protect Naboo. Tonight was about honoring those heroes. The Queen did not call this a victory party. There was no victory when lives were lost. But she did smile as she made preparations.

It was to be a masquerade ball, they had decided. A small way to brighten the gloom surrounding the occasion. Then, at the stroke of midnight, the Queen would call for masks to be removed. They would all have their moment of silence then. And for the surviving heroes present? The Queen had something for them. Something small. Just a little token, but they each had her eternal gratitude from the very bottom of her heart.


The guests began to pour in, each lovelier than the last. Her guests were soldiers, Jedi, politicians, and even some wealthy citizens who had donated to the cause of restoring Naboo. Tonight was a night to eat, drink, dance, but most of all, to remember.

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Feena Mason"]

Glyph had not been in the fight itself, no he had been in a guard at the palace the whole time. For now though he stood there and messed with the mask on his face, his eyes piercing through it. This was so odd and very very strange for him as he stood here in a suit for the very first time he'd ever worn one, it wasn't exactly comfortable.

He sighed though, forgetting why he had even come here in the first place, why he was doing this and what motive he had to even try to do this. He couldn't dance even and he had to look like a twig as he stood there but in the end he leaned forward onto his hand as he sat there, breathing softly.

 

[Lok Xiangu]

Something that Riley never liked was masquerade balls. Never saw the whole point in it. Just people dressing elegantly and hiding behind a make, temporarily. Riley was a unique man, just like everyone else was. He would come to the palace on the same suit of armor he had worn since his time in the republic; since the the battle of Naboo; since reconstructing Theed; since burying fallen veterans and giving them all of his respects.

His armor would be his selection for tonight and his helmet would be his mask. There were soldiers, allies that helped the Protectorate in the battle, people who donated money and supplies for reconstructing Theed, but it was mostly soldiers that participated in the battle.

The young soldier was standing up, grabbing a glass of wine from a waiter that was walking around with refreshments.

"That's some good wine, right there."

 

[Felicity Mason]

After weeks away, Felicity was back. Naboo. Home. It still felt foreign to her though. No matter how she looked. Nothing could wash away that taste of blood. Still, she was recovered. Her wounds were mostly healed, and her heart was just a little more open now. It might take some time, but she thought that maybe, with some time and a lot of love, she might be able to live here again.

Mother had been so excited for this night. Not only was this her way to thank the Protecturite, but it was also Felicity's first ball since she was nine. Mother seemed to think this was a special night for her. She called it her 'coming out'. Whatever that meant.

In truth, Felicity was a little nervous. She knew of a couple people that were planning to go that she... wasn't entirely sure about. A certain boy about her age that was training to be body guard to her happened to be one of them. She wasn't sure if she liked him yet. Still, if she happened to be asked to dance by someone...

Her first dance with a man who wasn't her father. The very idea made her heart race. She placed her mask on her face again. White, feathers, a tiny golden beak. She looked like a pretty little songbird, like one of the birds in the palace gardens. The little white and grey ones that favored the lower trees for their nests.

Even her dress looked the part of a bird. The designer had been brilliant, using feathers tastefully along the neckline and on the bustle. The rest was a deep cream shimmersilk that showed swirling silvery designs when it caught the light just so. She even had a feather barette holding up her blond curls.

Never in all her life had she felt more beautiful than she did tonight- and she was wearing a mask.

 

[Edric Vanyan]

So two things came to mind as he stood there, alone, with a snatched glass of wine in his hand. What in the hell was he thinking, first it was that he simply realized that he might not embarass himself. It wasn't that he couldn't dance, it was more to the fact that every time he went near someone his Empathy gave him a massive red flag at their feelings concerning the masked man and now he leaned against a pillar with the win in hand and tilting it backwards. "Attempt one at being normal, utter failure... then again this isn't exactly a normal event so maybe i can take back that point towards failure..." He drank from the glass again before setting it down and simply breathing in one last time and choosing the first person he saw, shutting out his empathy and walking towards her before giving the woman a bow. Speaking in a very different voice from his normal one, though the tone of kindness remained and the stupid smile he always wore. "Miss, mind if i ask you for a dance?" He bowed his head with his body, not realizing he as speaking to [member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

"Miss, mind if i ask you for a dance?"

Felicity wasn't ready for that. Not so soon. She cast a nervous glance around, just on the off chance that he might be talking to someone else. Oh, Force, she hoped he was asking someone else. She wasn't ready for this! It was her first ever dance with a boy. She was so nervous she didn't even recognize him. Masks. Everyone in masks. She couldn't even find her mother or father in the crowd. Couldn't give her father a 'please help me' look.

"Err... yes of course," she murmured, blushing behind her white mask.

She almost forgot to dip into a curtsey for him. Almost. She quickly reminded herself though.
Her first dance. And it was with a boy in a mask. It was alright. She might never see him again, so if she messed up or did something really embarrassing, well, there was little chance he would know it was her! ...At least until midnight, when the masks were removed.

She put one white gloved hand out, ready to follow her very first dance partner onto the floor.

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

His smile would be familiar, but that was it, his hair was for once neat as he could get it, his body didn't look like he was a walking twig. Even how he moved it showed no signs of strain or hesitation like she had known him for so far. He took her hand in a light grip, not careful, but simply light as he walked to a clearer spot with her and took her other hand before smiling wider. "You do know how to dance i hope miss, i wouldn't mind though if you needed to be taught."

He was completely different behind the mask, taking every bit of self confidence he had and putting it into this person that he had become, his empathy re-emerging, thus his reason for knowing of her unease and doubt. He simply misinterpreted it though, and seemed to have missed the detail that at midnight the masks came off, still blissfully unaware that the person he was going to dance with was the same one that had helped out his life so far and got him a job as a palace guard.

 

[Felicity Mason]

"You do know how to dance i hope miss, i wouldn't mind though if you needed to be taught."

"...Don't be absurd," she mumbled, "Of course i know."

Just a little bit of herself peaking through. She had the urge to slap him all of a sudden. Her immediate reaction to being put into any awkward situation. It was an odd reaction, she had to admit, so she restrained herself, moving to the clearing with him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, light, careful, hardly touching. Her other hand still lay in his. She kept her back straight, her head high. This was how she had been taught. This was years of training, all leading to this moment.

The first dance of Felicity Mason.

She'd day dreamed about this moment. Always stupid day dreams. Always overly dramatic, with a handsome stranger, sometimes a prince. He would glide across a flawless marble floor with her. He would hold her close, complement her, flatter her. Sometimes flowers fell from nowhere. And then, always at the end, he would lean in really close, touch her cheek, tilt her face up to his, and....

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

He moved with her, his one hand still holding hers lightly while his other one snaked around to the small of her back. Moving with her in perfect sync. If that was the one odd thing about him, it was that he knew how to dance though that knowledge was simply not because he wanted to impress someone, he simply wanted to know how one day and tried to learn. He did catch her day dreaming though, if his empathy wasn't enough the day dreaming did effect her movements a bit, but he compensated for such, simply moving slower as he smiled at her.

He had an odd feeling though, something strange and a bit painful would happen later, still unaware he had to take off his mask later on.

 

[Felicity Mason]

Well, at least he seemed to know what he was doing on the dance floor. His hand against her body felt far too warm. She felt like he might just burn right through her dress. Her face was glowing red hot under the mask. What could she do? What could she say? This wasn't like in her little fantasy at all. She wasn't as graceful as she should have been. She wasn't feeling that special... something. She was just clammy and nervous.

"S-so... um...."

Think of something to say! Think of something to say!

"I... like your mask?"

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

"Thank you... your dress and hair are beautiful miss, they make you look like a dream." A bit of his actual self showed behind the mask, too small a bit to give him away, but the words would be his normal ones, He too was embarrassed by their closeness a bit, but not as much as he was happy he wore the mask to hide his face. He would have never been able to say that as calmly as he did then without the mask, smiling at her as he said that. "

[member="Felicity Mason"]

 

[Felicity Mason]

"L-like a.... dream?"

She brought her eyes up, ever so shyly. Who was this guy? Why did she get the feeling she knew him? He could be...?

Nah. Owain wasn't that sweet. Ever. Besides, Owain was taller, and muscled. This guy was thin, almost thinner than her. Was he sick? He fel like she could probably break him with her fingers.
No. She had to stop thinking like that. He'd been kind enough to offer her the first dance. She should be grateful, and yet...

She was still searching the crown over his shoulder hoping to spot mom or dad. She had very little faith that Owain would surprise her and show up, but for some reason, she was still holding out hope.

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

"Sorry, habit of mine to talk like that." He looked down at her eyes, the only thing that he could use to tell who this was... minus delving into her mind. But that would be cruel to invade her mind so here merely stared back at her eyes, his own soft and careful as they studied hers and a smile came to his lips as he saw her look past him. He followed her gaze and his brow raised. "Are you looking or the queen? Ive never seen her before, only her daughter... and i know that this is mean, and i say this mainly because its just a night to relax. The daughter of the queen is an odd sort of person, at times a bit rude, maybe more so than she realizes. She is pretty though, don't tell her i said that please, she would kill me." He smiled, both joking obviously but meaning what he said.

 

[Feena]

The Queen herself did not make her position obvious. No. There would be no fun in that. She dressed simply in deep shades of silver, black and navy. Mourning clothes, really. In honor of the dead. Her mask was simple but unique, and her dark hair was left to curl down her back.

This was not her night. She could go without being the center of attention. This was a night for the Protectorate. This was a night for her heroes. She smiled to them all as she got lost in the crowd. In one hand she held a glass of her favorite wine. She wondered if Keter would show up. She was certain she would recognize him, no matter what disguise he wore. The force would tell her.

Through the crowd, she watched the dancers. Her daughter was easiest to spot. Floating along like a little bird in the wind. Beautiful, young. A little awkward, but that was expected at her age. She remembered being fourteen too. Proud, haughty, and so very, very insecure.

She laughed under her breath and moved along. The girl was on her own now.

 

[Felicity Mason]

Felicity almost tripped over her own feet. He did not just say that to her, did he? Honestly? To her face?! Didn't he know who he was ta-
...Oh. Of course not. The mask. Felicity went red all the way to the tips (Well, tip) of her ears. She shook ever s slightly.

He's right. I will kill him

"Oh really now?" she replied, voice taking on a slightly biting tone, "You don't say! Strangely enough, I've heard the opposite. I've heard that she's a very sweet girl, and smart too."

...she was about to give herself away.

"O-or so I'm told, anyway! I don't know! I've never met her."

She gave a quick nervous laugh, silently fuming.

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

"Oh, she is smart, and beyond kind. That much is true beyond a doubt... what i meant was that she sometimes thinks too quickly... Sorry, im sure you don't want to hear me talk about her, its just easy too." He had moved to catch her as she tripped on her own feet, smiling kindly and seeing her redden and rose a brow at her. "Are you ok? Are you sick, we can sit down if you want, i don't want to force you to dance if you are sick or something?"

 

[Felicity Mason]

As her caught her, she had a sick feeling in her stomach. Was he trying to patronize her? He must be a noble. He must be trying to figure out who she was to see if she was worth his time or not. It was the only reason that he was being kind. Nobody here would be nice just to be nice.

She quickly found her feet, shaking her head.

"No, no. The song is nearly finished. I cannot leave a dance in the middle."

It gave her more time to figure out who this one was. Someone from the Academy, most likely. That had to be why he looked so familiar. Now, who did she know from the Academy? From his height, he could be Bardre, but the hair color was all wrong. Or Simone, but then, he was far to thin to be him. Neno was a pretty good fit, but he sounded nothing like him....

"So... this Lady Felicity... Do you have a crush on her or something?"

She could almost not believe she dared to ask. But when was she going to get this opportunity again?

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

He smiled as the woman pursued the topic. "When i first met her, no, i had thought she had simply been a face i would never really care about, never care for... but now... i suppose i do. Shes pretty... same color hair and eyes as you actually. Very pretty actually... uh right anyways, and shes strong and as i said smart, while shes kind she is a bit full of herself but it makes her independent which is much better than alot of nobles. She has a certain spark i can describe, she wants to be more than she is i think, she has drive and that is what i like best... as for her position though... well excuse the language but kark it, i could care less if she was the empress of the galaxy or a child who lived in an Alley. A person should be judged for who they are, not what." He had kept dancing with the woman, not realizing he had been looking at her eyes the entire time... the same eyes that Felicity had... he knew people all had colors of eyes that could match Felicity's but... "Are you her sister or something? You look a lot like her..."

 

[Felicity Mason]

He.... he was actually being serious! Her heart pounded in her chest so loud she was certain he could hear it too. She felt frozen in place. The music was fading. The song was almost over. Her first dance was done.
And felicity just stared, rooted on the spot.

He... did like her. Like-like! It was real! Her dream prince! Or was he? She didn't know who he was. Could she lean in an kiss a masked man? It would be so scandalous. And what if he was someone she didn't like when the mask came off? Then she'd be stuck dating him because she kissed him. What to do? What to do?

"Err! No! I'm her... cousin! Her dads sisters kid!"

She knew well enough that daddy's sister was long dead. Auntie Celeste, the namesake of her little sister. Still, nobody else really knew. It was sometimes a good thing to have a father who kept so far from the spotlight.

[member="Glyph"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

[member="Felicity Mason"]

"Well Miss, thank you for listening to me and my words... uh don't tell her about that please... well i mean its not like you know who i am or anything, after all these masks and what not... i do owe you a name though... My name is Nauren, its not a lie but she wouldn't know me by it." He gave her a bow as he stood there, smiling as he straightened up and it became clear he didn't know about them needing to take off their masks at Midnight, a fact Felicity would now have to tell him.