If Death meant I liked you

C2

The host of the party, Lord Drinford, was a kind man. He struggled with telling people 'no', and if you wanted an invite to his party, you just have to send a nice letter to him, and his secretaries will forward you one.

He must not be wary of the assassins that roamed these streets.

If all goes accordingly, Someone would be dead and she'd be admitted into the next party, not that she wanted to go though.

Y'shtera wasn't big on dresses, but even she thought she looked beautiful. The guild maids had brought up the best ensemble they could find that fit Y'shtera smaller stature and style. The long, off-shouldered, black slitted dress almost made her look taller than her measily 5'1" and the blood red corset sinched her waist perfectly. The black platform boots, an item of growing popularity amongst commoners and short folk alike, gave her a small height boost.

She spun around, a small smile making it's way onto her face as her dress flowed and danced behind her.

A small card rested on her nightside table, and she glanced at the information written on it:

Lord Alba Nox
Age: 20
Hair: brown
Eyes: steel blue
Rough estimates: "A Tall, young and arrogant fellow. There are a couple dots along his face, and a long scar running down his back. He will most likely be surrounded all night, due to his "fascination" with women."

Y'sh couldn't help but admit this was a bland description, but it was good enough.
She had enough with the dilly-dallying and left her room, making her way to the front door. A soft voice cleared behind her. She whirled around and saw a maid, holding something red in her hands.

"Viscyn, your coverings" A maid held out a red furry mask and a short matching red hooded cloak.

Taking the objects, she slung the cloak over her shoulders and pulled up the hood, she climbed down the steps of the entrance and onto the rough cobblestone road. Due to the party, the streets were oddly busy yet empty.

Y'sh joined the sea of formally dressed people. She heard passing comments about all the dashing attending lords and ladies, and gossip about the most recent scandals. Something she didn't care to listen to. She did, however, admire some of the dresses on her way. They weren't her style but pretty nonetheless.

As she neared the mansion, she ducked into the closest alleyway she could find sliding off her hood and on her mask. She tapped her sheath, confirming it was still there and quickly rejoining the crowd.

The palace was a grand one: intimidating guards posted in front of bright marble pillars. The matching marble stairs looked untouched, despite the line of people. The gray andesite walls were an odd choice but it stuck out beautifully. As she neared, A man dressed all fancy stood at the entrance, greeting each person who entered.

She made her way to the top and flashed the guard her invitation. They gave it a onceover and nodded, the fancy-dressed man avidly shaking her hand before she headed in.

She headed toward the main floor, grabbing a glass of wisteria wine off the tray of a passing waiter. She sipped her drink, taking a moment in the corner of the room.

There were so much noise, it was hard to focus

Eventually, she came up empty. She gave up her search, deciding to at least enjoy the offered drinks. A couple people made their way over, chatting up y'shtera against her will. Panic settled, knowing her broken speech would not satiate their need for conversation.

Sparing her from conversation, Lord drinford ascended the long, elegant double staircase that met in the middle, where he moved to stand. He held a tall glass of wisteria wine in his left hand and his right rested against the banister like a monarch would in a portrait. The loud, buzzing chatter died to not even a whisper when he loudly cleared his throat.

"I would like to thank you for attending. I know that these are a common, semi-annual thing, but it is always a pleasure seeing such old friends and even some New ones. You all know my daughter, Emeline? " he motioned towards a gentle-looking girl with braided brown hair and large brown eyes that glittered with innocence and naivety. " well grand news! She's engaged! I graciously welcome our honored guest, lord alba nox!"

He paraded out of the large double doors behind Lord Drinford like he was just initiated into king-ship. He smiled down brightly at the crowd.

"Thank you so much Lord Drinford. It was an unnecessary honor to introduce me. it almost made me sound as if I were marrying your daughter simply for this. " Lord Nox said with a low chuckle.

"No such thing! While my daughter is beautiful. Its still an honor to have such an acclaimed man marry into our humble family." Lord Drinford look of pure excitement was noticeable against the face of a liar.

" Nonsense! As you said, your daughter is enrapturing." He said with a flirtatious wink, Emeline swooning and having to be caught by her friends.

" I propose a dance!" Lord Drinford said with a flourish. With the clap of his hands, the orchestra in the corner started to play griorma.

Lord nox climbed down the staircase and stood in front of emeline. He took a low bow with his right hand extended towards her.

Y'sh watched her take his hand, and he lead her to the dance floor. They slowly spun in a cirde, swaying along to the music. Other couples soon hopped in. The tempo increased and so did their paces. They went from gently spinning around to everyone switching partners, twirls, overhand spins, and picking up spins.

Y'sh enjoyed watching, but was pulled in by someone who swerved out. She got spun around, picked up and passed around between so many different partners, growing dizzy but having fun.

Y'sh eventually got spun into the arms of a lady about her age. Her shorter, slightly puffy dress twirled with her, enchanting Y'shtera. She wore a long black cloak that obscured her face, but a lock of brown hair slipped past. She wore a black bird mask, but Y'shtera saw pretty eyes underneath.

The entire time they danced, Y'shtera stared. Her taller stature, gentle touch, and her beautiful, slightly obscured face captured her attention.

However, reality came crashing down when she noticed the small insignia hidden on the edge of the girls hood. A rose overtop a large X, the insignia of the Dead Rose assassin guild.

"Stay away" Y'shtera whispered into the girls as they twirled again.
The girl seemed incredibly confused, missing a step and almost tripping both. The girl glared at Y'sh when she noticed her guild insignia stitched carefully to the clasp of her red cape. A lavender plant who's stem wrapped around the hilt of a blade. The guild of the twisted blades.

The girls continued dancing, eyeing each other carefully. Ones heart was beating so loud it hurt, even though their guilds were rivals. You can't always help your feelings.