The general clamour of a party filled the room, swirls of bright colours, chattering people and the smell of expensive food and perfume. Music filtered through the door leading to the enormous ballroom where the party was going on in earnest. The guests each wore a mask matching their costumes, ranging from simple or plain to ostentatious and gaudy, with feathers, jewels and bright paint marring the material.
Elise entered through the door, melding with the crowd and atmosphere surrounding the partygoers. Her mask was akin to a peacock, an amalgamation of blues and greens with peacock feathers surrounding the features. Small sapphires and emeralds clustered around the eyes, glittering when they caught the light. Her costume was similar to the mask, a silk dress the colour of a peacock with sapphires and emeralds across her hands, and around her neck. She did not stand out and that was her purpose, hiding in plain sight so as not to be approached or noticed.
Grabbing a drink, Elise stood by the wall and observed the other people. All of them were dressed to the nines, laughing loudly and plastering fake smiles across their faces, second masks behind their literal ones. Her mouth curled in distaste, if she wasn't a noble then she wouldn't have had to be there in that stuffy room tuning out endless chatter. Sweeping her gaze across the room again she noticed someone much like herself, standing on the edge of the dance floor, not engaging with the people around him. He created a stark contrast to the rest of the room, his stillness and calm bringing attention towards him but also directing it away. Instead of bright colours though he was dressed all in black, the only colour being his crisp white shirt.
His clothes weren't the most striking thing about him though, his mask was. Its likeness was to a raven or crow, with smooth black feathers covering the surface, the only uncovered place being the stylised beak. Elise couldn't see his eyes but knew he was looking at her as well, an amused smirk playing on his face. He didn't do anything but look at her though, before he turned his head away and made polite conversation with the man next to him, his mouth going back to flat. She couldn't help but wonder if he had masks, like hers, like all these people's, behind the mask.
