Rose gave a charming smile, stopping a comfortable length away from the two, that didn't seem to be together by the distance between them. She studied their masked faces carefully, looking at their eyes. She wanted to make sure not to end innocent lives when she decided to start making her move.

She brushed a hand through her short locks.

"Yes, a fine night. Though, I hope I'm not interupting anything, am I?" her words were smooth and confident, though now her gaze drifted the the dancers on the bright moon. Or so she called the dark blotches that could be seen because it looked like a man and a woman in a gown dancing...

(Edit: can't post anymore tonight. I might get on tomorrow, if not, I'm spending the night at a friends... so in that case, see you in a few days!)

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(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Antoine watched her appraisingly as she stood up to her full height, seeming to grow more at ease in his presence. Evidently, she'd decided that he wasn't going to kill her after all. The mask she'd brought was soon drawn over her face, and he grinned widely, rather uncharacteristically for someone of his status. Of course, he was not a noble, but one of the closest things to it, if one were to be technical.

"I'm glad that I didn't startle you after all! I would hate to be the cause of heart failure." Playful teasing, of course, nothing more.

"It is a pity that you have no one to escort you. I myself have no one to accompany me. I was hoping to meet someone there..." Of course, he neglected to mention that he'd hoped to meet someone of the same gender. He hadn't told his mother of his tendencies yet, and he didn't plan to. In her health... She couldn't handle news like that.

Plus, it was not exactly something that was smiled upon in their community.

His ice blue eyes turned, once again, to this newcomer. She was peering intently at their faces, as if she were looking for an answer to a question that had not been asked. She seemed to decide that they didn't know the answer to it, either.

"Interrupt?" Antoine repeated with another one of his short laughs. "Not at all. Just a chance meeting on the way to a mysterious dance with fate."

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As Evelyn looked over this mystery man more, she saw that he looked very regal, not that she couldn't see that off of first glance, but something about his was empowering, yet not overbearing. He seemed like a fine gentleman and she wouldn't mind if they walked to the Mansion together.

She had no desire to be his date, just to walk with her and keep her company until she got to the dance. Evelyn was not a woman that was to be tied down. She was a sensous being that had one passion, and one passion only... dancing.

"If you don't mind kind, sir. You can be my escort to the doors, and then we can part our ways... lose ourselves into the night?" She questioned before turning her emerald gaze to the other woman. "Nothing at all... "

[[chibi... Derr is unbiased so if you want you can meet with him later]]

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

A fine proposition this young woman was offering! And it would only be polite to accept her offer. "A fine idea indeed, my lady," he agreed with a nod. "To the doors, then, and from there... Only God knows, hm?" He held out his free hand to her, dark glove inviting her to take his hand in her own more delicate one.

"I am honored to be your escort." He bowed, which might have been considered silly, had he not done it so earnestly. This was how he had been raised, and it was certainly paying off. He intended to be on his best behavior at this ball, and perhaps gain a bit more of a social standing at the same time.

Because of living by the bridge, and on the other side, no less, he was a bit far from the center of town. Thus, he seemed to be a bit disconnected from society, not to mention that during the school semesters, he wasn't at home all that often.. This was his chance to make an impression on the whole town, now that they were gathered in one place.

Antoine would have to make sure that he appeared amiable at all times.

[[Beautiful! ;D Sorry! It's been a while since I've roleplayed Anne Rice style. I've always loved how the vampires could be interpreted as homosexuals or otherwise. They always form the most beautiful relationships!]]

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Evelyn smiled and placed her delicate hand on his own gloved one, a stark contrast between her pale skin and his dark glove. "God only knows... " She nodded her head. Seeming much more sober now and no longer cowering away from the darkness. The brightness in her eyes was like that of the mornings when she would wake up and know that she was going to dance. It was breathtaking.

"As I am honored to be yours, Dark Prince" She gave him a little pet name for his attire and his mystique before walking side by side with him towards the Mansions' doors, he was right, God only knew what was to occur this night.

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"Deal with her. I must see to my guests!" Derrick stated as he looked from the vampire leaning against Jocelyn's doorway to his fledging. He was growing impatient. Stepping away from the bed he adjusted his deep red attire [SEE DERRICK'S IMAGE] and let his vibrant hair fall in lax waves around his face.

[[I love Anne Rice's style and how gender is nothing but a title... they love who they love and it is so beautifully written]]

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Despite her demure appearance, Antoine could practically feel the anticipation rippling off of this young woman in waves, washing over him as well. Her eyes were alight with the fire of passion for, what he assumed could only be for dance. He was an avid dancer himself, although that, by no means, implied that he was extremely good.

Mediocre, at best.

Dark Prince. The name fit, given his attire for the evening, and he gave her another one of his smiles. Antoine glanced back towards the other girl, and nodded his head. "If you'll excuse us."

That was how he bid farewell to the strange woman with cropped hair, as he and his mystery Swan, as he was going to call her in his mind, began to venture up towards the mansion.

The walk wasn't very far, so of course they reached it rather quickly. The mansion's doors were closed as they approached, but as they drew nearer, Antoine was aware of two people - evidently servants - who opened the door for the approaching pair.

The Dupont heir released the smaller hand, and turned to her with a smile. "Thank you for allowing me to escort you this far, Mademoiselle," he said smoothly, again offering a short bow in her direction. "I trust we'll see each other again, before the night is out."

[[I love it too! Anne Rice is a genius, and a master at her work. <3]]

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The walk wasn't that far and it was walked in a relative silence. She cared not to fill the silence with useless chatter, it would only waste her voicebox and she liked the sound of her voice when it was well rested. If she could never dance again, she would sing.

When they arrived at the white manor, the doors were graciously opened by what she could only assume were maids of the house. Bowing her head lightly to them, she stepped inside the extravagent mansion and her eyes lit up once more before turning towards her Dark Prince.

"The pleasure was all mine Monsieur, and you will have no doubt that I will see you again.. Save me a dance?" She asked a bit flirtaciously before grinning and bidding the fair man adieu.

Slipping her coat off, she handed it to one of the maids, exposing her dress in all it's glory before exploring the otherwise empty mansion.

The sweet sounds of violins and pianos could be heard and she decided she would go find out where they were comign from.
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Derrick stepped down the winding staircase just in time to see a beautiful woman run off, smirking he took the last steps the bottom an walked towards the man. His own face shielded by a starkingly white mask that contrasted his crimson robes.

"Monsieur." He bowed his head.

[[terrible entrance for derrick... but he'll get more intriguing I swear!]]

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

"I shall do better than that, Mademoiselle. I shall save you two," he replied with the same teasing tone that she had used. Antoine watched as she flitted off -- for that was the only word he could find to describe her exit -- to inevitably find a dance partner. The place was already filling up, and considerably crowded.

However, before he could think more on this subject, a man had appeared before him, and nodded his head in greeting! He'd come here looking for someone, and here, and opportunity had practically landed right at his feet!

And what was more - this man seemed to have that inhuman glow to his skin, giving it an almost iridescent look. Antoine almost had to check to make sure that his mouth wasn't absolutely hanging open as he took in the sight of this gentleman who had presented himself so boldly.

Remembering his manners, Antoine bowed his head in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you, Monsieur," he said with a half smile, unable to keep his crystal-blue eyes away from the pale face of the masked stranger in red.

[[Aww, it wasn't a terrible entrance! xD <3 ]]

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Derrick indeed look inhuman, because that was what he was. He was as inhuman as you could believe, one of the undead. His skin was pale, next to Evelyn, he would make the Swan look tan. His features were flawless, holding and ethereal beauty.

"Please call me Scarlet..." It was going to be his nickname for the night, his attire and hair and eyes were all the color of blood and that was what he wanted to be known for this night, that beautiful hue that screamed to him in his most desperate of times.

Looking over the man he smiled, there was something that captivated him. ANd it was his goal to find out this night what it was. "Tell me, do you have a name for the night?" He questioned, his voice melodious as he stepped forward, hand reaching out to graze the mask that the other man wore.

[[thanks, it just takes me a bit to get into charrie]]

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Scarlet. A fitting name, judging by his hair, clothing and... eyes? Surely that had to be just some trick of the light, but it was a bit unnerving to be pinned down, so to speak, by such a piercing gaze.

"The Swan whom accompanied me here called me Dark Prince, but I'm afraid that might sound a bit too extravagant for my tastes. A prince is something I most certainly am not." Antoine gave an almost involuntary shudder as he felt the cool rush of air from the movement of the other male. He felt the pressure, feather-light though it was, of the man's fingertips ghosting over the hard, thin material of his mask.

It was strange, not to feel the heat from the fingertips, but Antoine was already in such a daze from the mere presence of this stranger, he hardly noticed. "You may call me as you see fit, monsieur."

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"So that beautiful maiden was the Swan, fitting name for her... " He said only though he had only caught a glimpse of that golden hair wisping in the wind from the speed and grace of her movements. Letting his fingers linger on that cool dark mask, he took another step forward so that he was standing toe to toe with this human.

Looking deep into that icy gaze he smiled. He knew how he was affecting the male, he could see it in that shuddering breath and the way those dark lashes kissed his cheeks hidden beneath the mask. "You have given me a great honor, but I must get to know you some more before thinking of a suitable nickname... and I told you to call me Scarlet..." He said the last part in a whisper as he leaned forward, lips hazing over the man's ear.

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Antoine had never been more aware of a breach of personal space, and he'd never been more uncaring of said breach! His breath was coming in short, shallow wisps, almost as if he was afraid to breathe with someone this close to him.

Another shiver ran up the length of his spine as the man - Scarlet - leaned closer and finished his sentence by whispering into his ear. "Forgive me," he responded quietly, doing his best not to stutter. He could feel the blood pulsing in his own veins, a sign that his heart was currently working overtime. "Scarlet."

"I look forward to hearing what name you choose for me." He offered another half-cocked smile, hoping that his eyes did not show just how nervous he was. Antoine wasn't sure if he could keep up this calm facade all night, but he was certainly going to try.

The stranger's hand still rested lightly in his mask, as if the texture of it pleased him, or something of the like. It was just dark porcelain; a common material for masks to be made out of these days.

He might have spoken again, had he known what to say.

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"That's much better, and not so hard now is it..." Derrick had taken a step back at this time as if his closeness had not occured at all. Everything about him was calm, cool, and collected... Cliche yes, but that was what Derrick could be when he wasn't in his sadomasochist rage... for now he was subdued, but who knew how long that would last.

"I look forward to figuring out a name for you... it's one of my joys... like trying to piece a puzzle... you are quite complexing" He stated simply with a grin that just hid his sharp canines which were as white as pearls.

"Would you care for a tour of the Mansion, or would you like to join your Swan in the dancing hall?" Derrick questioned as he placed on hand behind his back like a true gentleman of his age, the 18th century

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

This man was simply fascinating! All Antoine had to do was watch him for a moment, and then he was lost in just observing the fluid movements that the other made! He had to catch himself so it wouldn't appear that he was staring, as that was a very rude and unbecoming thing to do.

A simple question was enough to shock him out of his trance, but also caused him to stumble in his words. "My- Oh! Heavens no, we're not- She's not mine or anything like that." And he was blundering, and trying so hard to recover himself, but definitely failing! Oh what a fool he must look like. "We met on the street, before coming here."

And now he was sounding like some man who went out at night looking for women! Words just weren't going right for him, were they? He shut his mouth tightly for a moment, lips drawn thin as he struggled to regain his composure.

"A tour would be wonderful," he concluded eventually, recovering from the first shock and being sent headlong into the second. This was one of his hosts! And he hadn't even mentioned anything about the party!

Scarlet must have found him incredibly rude. "Thank you," was all he could manage to choke out. So much for his collected appearance.

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"I shall call you Skye..." He stated rather abruptly after the man's stumbling words. He didn't know why that named popped into his head, maybe because the Swan might have seen this man as a Dark Prince, but Derrick saw something else.... something deeper than the darkness of his attire and his dark mask. Beneath the darkness of said mask, were those piercing blue eyes.

This man also had such an aura that reminded him of the morning that he once remembered, and the beauty of the blue skies, ever changing, always intriguing. So that was why he chose the name.

Derrick was glad that this man had chosen to join him in a tour. He knew that this was a party meant for celebration for the vampires ability to be with the humans, but there were still people that had yet to arrive, so a harmless stroll around the mansion wouldn't be too bad. Plus he wanted Skye to meet his fledgling Joccie...

Jocelyn... that was why Skye was so familiar to him... because he reminded him of what Jocelyn was like before he changed her... Biting his lip, he had to quickly lick his lips to hide the fact that his sharp tooth pierced the skin.

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Katarina sighed as she put the letter down. She had already tarried here far to long. How odd, she thought she quickly changed into a scarlet gown that accentuated her willowy figure. That I have delayed so. She quickly slipped on her white gloves and then gazed in the mirror as she ran her brush through her long dark locks. It was true, she was a beautiful woman. With her long dark hair that flowed down her back in curls and dark eyes, she had used to enjoy flirting with men. Yet, that all changed after she had met Gabriel and their relationship ended in a disaster. Now, she would hardly see anyone at all. Putting on an elegant necklace, she finished applying her makeup before she slipped on her coat, put on her mask and headed out the door. Though a woman, she walked down the darkened street unafraid as she headed toward the mansion. She knew how to take care of herself-after all she had been on her own for awhile.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!