Olikase Snippets

Masquerade / Happy Valentines Day!

"Excuse me, but would you mind sharing a dance?"

I turned around to be face to face with a boy somewhat taller then me. A genuine smile was on his face that was framed in bright red hair.

A white & Black half mask caressing his face. The left side of his skin being the one shown with charring black lines respectively. An eye glimmered through the mask greeting me, as the other one was hidden away behind the ruby bangs. His eye outshined the bright red in his hair and glowed like a beacon.

I looked up to see his top hat to be two toned. Red on top and white on the bottom. Adorning the hat was a small face with eyes, a nose, and small teeth.

"I find your hat to be quite amusing" I said before whole heartedly taking his hand.

"And to you my good friend I must ask, no mask?" He questioned guiding me to the center of the ballroom filled with masked faces.

"At times like these, bandages are enough to hide one's face, no?" I responded. We connected hands as he placed a hand on my waist. I firmly placed my other hand on his shoulder.

He chuckled at my response. "I suppose you are right." We danced to the next upcoming music at a slow steady pace.

"And what about you? May I ask why you have chosen such an exotic mask?" I asked before being gracefully spun by him.

"Full masks are quite common don't you think? It's been getting very boring lately."

"That can be agreed upon."

"I'm glad you agreed to dance to say the least, I haven't asked anyone yet so I was a bit nervous." He admitted through a cheeky smile.

"I was more nervous to even have the idea of dancing in a place like this. Too extravagant for me."

"Is that so? Would you like to go out back then? Many of the women here have been telling me about the queen's garden and the gazebo."

"Oh? Is that supposed to tell me something about your character?" I asked teasingly.

He gave out a soft chuckle. "No, no. Of course not. It was just a suggestion to put you to ease."

"Well, if anything I'd love to go" I said smiling at him.

"As you wish." He said smiling back.
—————
"If you were to wed either a nobleman or a commoner, who would you marry?" He asked bending down to stare at the white roses.

"Well it depends on who's nicer I suppose."

"Ah well that's odd, most people tend to forget about the latter. Always about marrying the rich, but your input is interesting." He said examining the roses. "Where are the thorns to these flowers?"

"Ah the queen prefers them thornless. They are genetically engineered to appease her standards.

"I see." He said with a disappointed face, almost disgusted even. "Where I'm from, we have lily pads grow flowers on them by itself in the river. Even the ugly ones are pointed out. The most even. For standing out. They're wanted the most since they are different."

"I bet they're beautiful." I breathed out watching him get to his feet.

"They certainly are. A very pretty color like um....that!"

I looked behind me to see a cobble wall being blanketed by vines. "Green?"

"No, this right here!" I turned around to find him running a hand through my hair. "A very pretty light yellow."

I blushed at his remark. Looking away as he continued to run his fingers through my hair. Reminiscing the yellow lily pads where he was from. We stayed like that for a while in a peaceful silence before he spoke up.

"I guess I should be leaving now. I have to go back to my boring some village by tomorrow."

"Ah! You came all the way here for just a party?"

"My father's business if you must..." he said trailing off.

"I have to say I did have a wonderful time. May I ask you what your name is?"

He brought his thumb to run against my lips. "Isn't the point of masquerades is to dance away the night together as strangers?" He inquired.

"That and to wake up to the next sunrise with a massive headache, I see your point." I laughed.

He laughed to my addition, "I'm glad you do."

—————

The voices on the cobble streets had been more eccentric as the night before has came to its end. The kingdom carried on as usual, tending to its daily needs. I spun the hands of wooden clocks in my father's shop, directing them to present the right time.

I grabbed a clean rag from the counter and the bucket of soapy water next to the sink to carry them forth outside. I then began cleaning the front windows, erasing the fingerprints of pointing happy children.

Carriages passed by drawn by horses and the people walked by in hushed whispers or boisterous noise. I could hear vendors promoting their works and could smell chefs in bakeries dance with their flour to make cakes and bread.

"Did you hear that the prince of Suzhou has visited last night? He left at the dawning sun! To think I might've danced with a prince has me filled with joy!"

I glanced behind to look at the two petit girls. Both adorning colorful streaks through their hair.

"Excuse me Galaco may you repeat that? You've peaked my interest." I said smiling at the two.

"Ah yes! You were at the queen's ball last night too right Oliver?! The prince of Suzhou had attended last night to the masquerade! Surely I would've noticed right away if I've seen him!" Galaco exclaimed.

"Locks of crimson are hard to miss I do have to say. They say it is red out of passion born from the heart! The nobleman is also very fond of standing out too! I can't imagine how lavish his outfit was!" The blonde, Mayu, had cheered.

"Locks....of crimson....?" I repeated.

"If you think he stood out like that, I'm guessing you haven't heard of the fire from two years ago that arisen over there! He dons the ashes on his face with full pride. He may be a madman but certainly his mannerisms and physique makes him a fine gentleman." Mayu commented with dreamy eyes.

After complimenting his physique, the two looked at each other with sloppy grins plastered to their faces and began chuckling. Both faces becoming deep shades of pink as they brought hands up to fan themselves.

I felt my face heat up too, almost imagining it myself before dismissing it. I gave off a nervous chuckle that had drawn their attention. "May you two uh....carry on your morning aha....I can't imagine how many people he must've pleased by asking them to dance!"

They both nodded eagerly and skipped along past the shop.

I guess I really do know how many people he asked to dance.

Only one.

Is anyone else like totally obsessed with the idea of Fukase and Oliver meeting in a ballroom and rendezvousing away from the party? Just me?! Okay then....