He's a Mess of a Man

Book Two ~ Chapter Five (18+!!)

The ballroom was full to bursting by the time Lucio and Leviathan arrived. Lucio stood on his tip-toes for a better view, "I don't see what all the fuss is about, do you? Is this someone's idea of a... joke..?" All the color suddenly drained from Lucio's face.

The Quaestor Valdemar descended the ballroom stairs. The eyes behind their mask were nothing but blank oblivion. "Hello, hello, Vesuvia! It's so good to see so many of you here tonight!"

A cold wave of dread washed over Leviathan, "I sensed it too late... Something powerful lurks behind that mask. Something ancient. Inhuman. Wrong." Leviathan turned this way and that, searching for the nearest exit, "Lucio, we have to get out of here!" he whispered desperately. However, the room was too packed for them to move. All the while, the Quaestor kept speaking.

"I have a wonderful surprise for all of you. You see, it seems our dearly departed Count Lucio is actually alive and among us tonight!" Shocked gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd. Heads turned every which way. Lucio froze in his spot like a trapped mouse. His grip tightened on Leviathan's hand. "So, let's play a little game to honor Count Lucio, shall we? Find him. Bring him to me, alive. The first person to do so gets a prize!"

Tense silence descended in the wake of the Quaestor's extraordinary pronouncement. Then, a flurry of shocked whispers started flying through the ballroom, "But the Count's been dead for years!" cried a noblewoman.

"He's alive? Inconceivable!" yelled a nobleman.

"I dun believe it. Not unlesh I shee 'em with my own eyesh..." mumbled a drunkard.

Lucio whispered to Leviathan out of the corner of his mouth, trying to move his lips as little as possible, "This is bad, right? I think this is bad."

"Of course it's bad!" Leviathan whispered sharply.

"Why are you all still standing around?" asked Quaestor Valdemar, "Lucio isn't going to find himself, you know." The whispers only grew louder and more frantic, like a swarm of agitated wasps. Just then, a voice rang from outside the ballroom.

"Everyone, please remain calm," said Countess Nadia, "Valdemar. What is the meaning of this?" The sea of guests parted around the Countess and Loganne as the two marched toward Valdemar.

"Just a bit of masquerade fun, my lady. A scavenger hunt for your not-so-dead husband!"

"You're causing the guests to all worry and panic!" yelled Loganne, "That doesn't sound very fun to me."

The Countess made a small noise of disapproval, "Valdemar. I believe you and I are long overdue for a serious conversation." She then turned to the crowd, "Please, everyone! Disperse from the ballroom in a steady manner. The guards will escort you—" Countess Nadia was then interrupted by a loud scream.

"Is that him? Is that Count Lucio?! IS IT?!" A cat-masked reveler jumped up and down whilst pointing at someone who certainly wasn't Lucio. But nonetheless, heads started turning this way and that.

"When you shink about it.. any one of ush could be Lushio!" slurred a drunkard.

"By the gods, you're right!" screeched a noblewoman.

Lucio quickly tried to pull his mask over his face as he and Leviathan slowly started sliding toward the exit. Someone near the two dropped their wine glass. Shards showered everyone's densely packed feet. The next second, all hell broke loose as the crowd surged in random directions. Panicked screams echoed off the high ceiling. Masks clattered to the floor. "Leviathan! Hold on!" Lucio locked arms with him and lowered his shoulder, charging through a knot of revelers. "Whatever happens, don't stop moving!"