{Le Château du Seul.}

Isabelle - Day of the Masquerade

Isabelle pulled out her pocket watch casually. It was nearing five o' clock. Isabelle realized she should begin to get ready for the masquerade. She closed her pocket watch reflexively. It was one of the few useful gifts her parents had given her. She had fallen into the habit of always keeping it on her person.

Briskly, now, Isabelle set off briskly across the Chateau's lawn. The Chateau stood impressively against the surrounding countryside. It resembled a small castle, red ivy creeping up one of its sides. Around the building was a vast expanse of green space, and beyond that lay a simply charming forest. There was only one way into the Chateau, through a well trimmed country road that wound its way through the forest and into the Chateau's main drive. Hiram had certainly put some work into hiding the place.

Isabelle pulled open one of the great oak doors leading into the Chateau. She began to march up the great marble staircase that led to the upper areas of the Chateau, where the bedchambers were.

"Isabelle!" called a voice from behind her. Isabelle turned to face the source of the cry.

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Anyone can jump in - If you're curious as to what Chateau I was describing, here's the link of the picture I used as a model - http://www.esprit-de-france.com/administration/www/sites/en/image/photos/70/47be9ce6e960e.jpg

Maria~~

"Oops- sorry!" Maria pushed through the crowded streets of London. She was met by strange stares because of her politeness. She did not belong here, she was meant to be back in her small town back in France. She saw her destination and charged ahead with her head down,

Lullebells

The sign over the door read, she was finally there! Her aunt's dress shop! She woud be spending a year or two here. She ran in and the bell on the door rang, there were customers so she kept quiet and walked to the back.

They seem to be having an intimate moment

She soon knocked over a body model with a crash.

"Sorry..." Maria looked away so she wouldn't face their stares

[Tash M. Grevette - Day of the Masquerade]

I placed a hand in the stolen coat's pocket, wondering again why the name suddenly came to me. The girl turned. I cleared my throat and took a few steps toward the stairs till I was at the base; behind me echoed a ghost of steps.

"Isabelle?" I tried again. "Do you know where I could find this girl?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she came closer. "Do I know you?"

"I don't think so," I felt a slight smile tug at my lips, "Actually, I'm not sure how I knew that name. It kind of just came to me,"

"Oh,"

The air felt uncomfortable since there weren't anymore words to be said. I dipped my head, smiled again, and then began to walk around her. What am I doing? I stopped and turned around to see the girl, still standing there.

"Uh, cam you show me to where the bedchambers are?" I paused. "Miss Isabelle?"

Isabelle - The Day of the Masquerade

"The - The bedchambers?" stuttered Isabelle. Not ladylike, Isabelle, snapped her inner voice, the side of her that wanted to be her parents' perfect angel. "Er - Oh course! Are - Are you one of us, then?"

"'Us'?"

"Er - " said Isabelle uncertainly. "Well... Never mind. Here, the bedchambers are this way..." Isabelle watched him closely as he followed her up the stairs. He seemed slightly unnerved by her open staring, most unusual for any proper lady. Isabelle was impressed, however; he did not seem thoroughly insulted.

They climbed up to the third floor. Isabelle peered into a couple rooms as she passed, before turning to the man. She gestured down the long hallway, where most of the doors were flung open.

"Any of the open doors are unoccupied," said Isabelle, bracingly. "Er - Pardon me, but I don't think I caught your name?"

"Oh," said the man, startled. "It's Grevette. Tash Grevette."

Isabelle smiled. "I shall see you at the masquerade, then, Tash. If you need anything, my door is at the end of the hall..."

Joshua

And sure enough, he slipped through the doorway, his shoulder length crimson hair splayed around him. In his hand he gripped a small golden chain, feeling each and every link. The stone hallway was furinshed extravagantly, red lucious carpets, gold chandeliers hanging all down the hallway illuminating almost very corner. Yet it made him sad, because in certain places he could see the fraying and the dust, the memories of times past. This castle should not be dressed like this, for the people who walked its halls everyday, could never feel as extravagant and happy as what these items presented.

He fastened his mask gently, making sure it was perfect, and that no sight of what the real him looked like. Feeling the curves of the garnish and emblems on it made him dream lustfully of his old house which was now burned to ashes and left as a place for the poor to hide.

But down the hall stood Isabelle, her beautiful black hair falling gracefully around her body. It wasn't the shock of seeing her, but the shock of seeing her with a man that he did not know. He stepped into the shadows along the wall and crept towards them.

"...my door is at the end of the hall..." She spoke. Irritation and dread consumed Joshua. He slipped out of the shadows, his cloak billowing around him gently, shocking the man standing there slightly.

Joshua wrapped a hand gently around Isabelle's waist and pulled her close. She looked at him furiously. "My darling Isabelle, might I ask just who this gentlemen is?" Joshua's voice sounded like velvet.

"I am Tash Grevette," He said bowing slightly.

This man seemed disappointed. He had emotions for Isabelle already. Poor fool. He would just end up with his heart broken.

"Isabelle," Joshua whispered lightly in her ear. "Do not fool around with this man. Do not trust him." With that he gently let go over her and grasped her hand gently, stooping low to kiss it elegantly.

"Good day my darling." Joshua straightened up and looked at the man. "Good day to you sire." And with that he slipped into the hall. He never looked back, but he felt the gentlemen's eyes on him as he made his way through the hall, finally ending when Joshua slipped behind the corner. Joshua fell back up against it and relished the cold on his back. Soon enough his slid to his knees and leaned his head back against the wall.

Foolish wasn't he? Taking things that had nothing to do with him, personal. Just like him to cause unnecessary pain.

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~Incognito

--------

Mikael

"Oi Mike!" called one of the 'Unforgiven' "You still set on going to this ball fing then?" He asked hoping i would have changed my mind.
"Yes Alex, I am going to the masquerade." I replied carefully affixing my mask. Tonight maybe my night ,i thought smiking behind my mask, Tonight i would force them to make me one of them. To free me from humanity or be exposed once again. Tonight i will become a vampire.
"Boss, are you alright?" asked Alex seeing the manaical smirk on my face.
"Of course, of course. I was just thinking how this maybe the perfect night for a little kidnap."
"What d'ya mean by that Boss?" asked another.
"I mean some of the richest and most powerful people in London will be meeting here. After the ball wait outside the doors grab the first rich one you see and bring them back here but do NOT under any circumstances touch the proprietors of tonights little soiree."
"Right Boss. We'll see you when the lights go out."
"Good day Alex." With that i turned and strode into town heading for the Chateau

Isabelle

Isabelle spared a glance at Tash, who was staring after Joshua dumbfounded. "Right," Isabelle said, her words coming out harsher than she meant. Tash looked at her, startled. Isabelle gave him a taut smile. "Excuse me a moment... I'll be back."

Isabelle spun on her heel and marched furiously after Joshua. She rounded the corner to find him kneeling on the floor, leaning against the wall in a defeated manner. Isabelle placed her hands on her hips.

"How dare you!" she hissed at him. Joshua glanced at her, before getting up slowly.

"What is it?" he asked slowly, placing a hand on Isabelle's forearm. Isabelle gritted her teeth and shoved him off.

"Don't touch me! You have no right!" she spat, taking a step forward. She glared up at Joshua, the difference in their heights becoming even more apparent. He flickered an irritated glance over Isabelle's shoulder, where Tash was undoubtedly still standing dumbfounded in the hallway.

"Who is that man?" snapped Joshua. Isabelle stepped back, breathing deeply.

"Tash," said Isabelle, putting a slight stress on his name. "is - " Isabelle faltered. She didn't actually know much about him.

"You let him in here without knowing who, or what, he is?" said Joshua severally, looking back to Isabelle. Isabelle shifted uncomfortably.

"I didn't want to appear rude..." she muttered, not meeting Joshua's eyes. Joshua let out a short bark of laughter.

"You?! Not wishing to be rude? Since when have you conformed to the rules of etiquette ?"

Isabelle glared up at him.

Joshua

"Isabelle," He said her name carefully, sounding out every single letter fluently, perfectly. "I did not mean to get you angered, but it is not right for a girl like you to be unescorted with a man that you do not even know."

"You know perfectly well I can take care of myself." She hissed at him eagerly.

"That wasn't taking care of your self saying 'if you need any help. my room is just down the hall'. That is practically an invitation for any free minded male! You do not understand the male mind. When you say something like that, it reminds them of what they all want, and they will do anything to get it." He spoke calmly and dazedly at Isabelle. "I do not want you to get hurt."

"And what is it that all males desire? Do you desire it yourself?" She asked playfully, as she ran her finger up his throat towards his chin.

"I do not feel those kind of emotions any longer." He said monotonously and meanwhile taking her hand away and placing it at her side. "I do not feel compassion for anyone that way any longer. Those feelings are beyond me."

"Yah, right." She said with a slight smirk. "Well, if you are so worried about me not having an escort, will you be mine?" She turned around and left an arm for Joshua to hook on to if he desired, and she knew he would.

Joshua after standing there for awhile, just nodded his head and gave in. He slipped his arm through hers and he walked around the corner. He knew she was looking up at him, but he would not look back. He did not wish to meet her mischievious gaze. He did not wish to consume himself on what little scheme she was making up in her head. That was all she did, using every thing, every encounter to her advantage.

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~Incognito

Isabelle

Isabelle and Joshua stopped at the door to Isabelle's room. Isabelle, out of habit, checked her pocket watch. Almost six thirty.

"Well, I best get ready for the masquerade," said Isabelle briskly, opening the door to her room. She turned and stared at Joshua. He stared at the intricate woodwork on her door frame stubbornly. Isabelle sighed theatrically.

"I suppose a simple 'goodbye' is too much to ask from you?" she said sweetly. Joshua glanced at her.

"Good evening, then, Isabelle," he said stiffly. Isabelle cocked her eyebrow.

"Don't be so stiff. One might think you are uncomfortable..."

Joshua opened his mouth to reply, but Isabelle winked at him and shut her door before he could reply. She turned around to face her bedchamber, and a giggle forced its way out of her throat. Isabelle spied her ball gown spread out carefully on her bed. She crossed the room and ran her hands over the silky material.

Turning to the full-length mirror on the other side of the room, Isabelle inspected herself critically. There was a mere hour and a half left until the guests began to arrive, and Isabelle had a lot of work to do.

Joshua

He returned to his own quarters extinguishing any candles on his way. He prefered to walk in darkness, The desire to be amoung people presided in his consciousness, making the fake delusions of hope in his mind once more. Hope to find someone who would take him for what he was. Hope for a partner that he could feel safe and not be afraid of revealing what he truly was. The desire to be normal existed immensely in his sould, but he knew there was no way for that ever happen.

He slipped into his dark and dingy room in the attic, the cold air settling on everything presiding the items to feel damp. Joshua liked the cold. He lit a single candle with the small match box he always kept in his pocket. The light revealed the cracked mirror which stood on a small dressing table. The table hand a small sea shell comb which was once his mothers and a small set of scissors, even a goregous silver razor to which he woud never have to use.

Joshua sat down in the dusty chair and pulled off his mask revealing his dreaded face once more, reminding him again that he was farthest from human which was ever possible. Placeing the mask on the table, he grabbed the small comb and briskly brought it through his red hair softly and kindly.

He would go greet the guests at the masquerade as soon as the time came, for now he would dwell in his own thoughts.

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~Incognito

Isabelle

Isabelle pulled one loose strand of curls to hang delicately on her neck. She looked herself up and down in the mirror one last time before pulling on her lace gloves. She carefully put her mask back on and did a small curtsy, watching herself carefully in the mirror.

Satisfied, Isabelle moved out into the hall. Years worth of forced habit took over as she moved down the hallway, her skirts rustling elegantly about her. She moved silently and gracefully, her back straight and her hands folded in front of her. Reluctantly, Isabelle had to admit that she was in her element here.

Isabelle paused to glance up at the attic stairs. She knew Joshua was in his small, cramped room up there. A small smirk grew on Isabelle's face. Since he had been so concerned about Isabelle's welfare that afternoon... Isabelle thought it only right to reassure him. She pulled up her skirts gracefully and began to walk up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~

Isabelle paused, her hand poised to knock on Joshua's door. Isabelle had never been up in the attic. It was marked in sharp contrast to the rest of the Chateau. The floorboards were rough and unstained, there were no portraits of imperious-looking men and women, no rich velvet carpet, and no polished mahogany furniture.

Isabelle couldn't help but thinking that the place suited Joshua.

Isabelle poised herself, and put on the practiced look of a sweet, innocent young girl. She tapped lightly on the door, then retreated to fold her hands neatly before her.

There was a moment of silence, where no one answered. Then there were brisk footsteps on the other side of the door, and Joshua opened it. Isabelle allowed a small, dainty smile to spread on her lips.

"Monsieur?" she inquired lightly. Joshua looked weary, but said nothing. Isabelle's smile deepened. "Monsieur Dowde, I believe you expressed an interest to be my escort tonight?"

Joshua gave a noncommittal jerk of his head. Isabelle gave a tinkling laugh.

"Well, Monsieur, since I have no other offers tonight... I believe I may accept that offer," Isabelle laughed again, and widened her eyes innocently. "That won't be a problem, will it?"

Joshua

"No, it will not." He said, keeping his hand before his face slightly so that she would not see his appearance without a mask. The scars etched into his skin, never fading away. "I am not ready yet." He turned around and walked to the cracked mirror and swiftly grabbed his mask and placed it over his face, feeling the relish of being so hidden ans safe.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Isabelle asked sternly in the door way.

"I thought you would come in anyways. You never abide by rules." Joshua teased, but in his way of teasing, monotonously.

"I count that as a yes." She slipped into the dark room and tried to avoid a cobweb from getting caught in her hair. "This place is positively dreary!"

"It is." Joshua said grabbing his tweed plaid overcoat and shrugged it on gracefully. It was form fitting, making him seem taller, and more gentleman like.

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~Incognito

Isabelle

Isabelle scrutinized Joshua's room. Against one wall there was a old, cracked mirror spotted with age resting on a small dressing table. It seemed to be the best kept part of the room. A rusty cot lay in the far corner. Isabelle spied a old plush chair that had all of the marks of former glory.

Joshua coughed. Isabelle jumped and turned to him.

"Shall we go?"

Isabelle replaced her vapid smile and gave a small curtsy.

"Why, certainly, Monsieur," she simpered. She glanced up at Joshua to judge his reaction. Isabelle suppressed a small frown. She couldn't glean any inkling of Joshua's expression from behind his mask.

Charlotte Mercy 'Mercy'

She trailed along after Hiram and Hester, her heels clicking importantly on the floor of the building. The Masquerade ball was tonight, and as always, everything was in turmoil. "I need this, this and this moved to the ball room," Hiram would point to useless and odd objects, and Hester would shake her head and say, "Move along, Mercy."

Mercy was one of the most trusted, she believed, at the Masquerade. She held files and accounts of the nights that had passed, and always was she pleased to keep at eye out at the Masquerade to ensure that the identies of the members weren't given away.

"Mercy," Hiram stopped at the entrance of his grand bedchamber, "I'd like you to attend tonight, all right? You've done much too much. I'll just get Alistair to do something."

Mercy hesitated, then nodded her head. She retreated back to her room, and sat before her regal mirror, gazing into her eyes. Black as night, they were, so blank and lifeless that she was looked upon at a monster. She stroked her hair through with her fingers, before dragging her gaze from the mirror to her costume. She wore it every time, but never had she been asked to the ball herself.

She wondered if Hiram knew something she didn't ...
- - -
I changed the description of their eyes, thanks for Bella. Their eyes are completely black, no colour whatsoever. The whole eyes is black as night. So I also modified their vision. The way they see is alot worse than other, because their colours are blurred, and even glasses can't fix what they see. Everything sort of mingles together and seems as if you're staring at something from beneath the surface of water.

[Tash M. Grevette]

I didn't need to see the room, just decide which and place on the mask. I glanced into a mirror briefly to check my suit. It was still gleaming with the regalness that would have fit a royal. The moment at the hallway flooded back to me: foolish, he said.

"He has no idea," I chuckled, then turned around.

The chandelier that hung above me and the lace and frills that decorated each wall, each room, it all seemed to fit. It was the life that had filled my dreams and stood just out of reach, but that was all gone now. No one knew me. A new life, a new start---no matter how foolish I could, or would, act.

I strode into the long hallway and started towards the stairs. The peacock feather from the mask tickled my cheek slighty, making me laugh. I pressed my lips together as I reached a corner, making sure that there wasn't anyone to hear that. In front, only a few meters away, were the stairs.

"I can't believe I didn't get lost," I mumbled, starting again. "This place is hu-"

Isabelle and the strange man stopped in front of me. I swallowed back a gasp, recovering quickly and letting a small smile cross my face. I placed a hand on my hip and gently took Isabelle's with the other (ignoring the man).

"What luck that I'd be able to see you again! And such a beautiful dress, might I add?" The man pulled Isabelle away and her hand slipped from mine. I tilted my head to a side for a moment, then nodded to him, "Ah, I almost forgot to say good day to you, too, sire."

Before he could get a word in edge wise, I strode past the two and down the stairs. Now I felt his stare on my back. I placed my hands in my pockets and let the smile settle, not looking back. It was sort of hard though; I really wanted to see his expression.