{Le Château du Seul.}

Joshua

His temper flared but he did not show any expression. He would not let that unsightly man get the better of him. And what kind of man wore peacock feathers anyway! They were unflatering unless you wore green velvet. Certainly, it was unsightly with what he was wearing. But the coice also facinated Joshua. For the feathers were bold and colourful compared to his slightly darkened clothing.

"That man is quite something isn't he?" She said watching as he stepped down the staircase.

Silence was her response. Joshua felt the dislike and the desire once more to pull off the mask of that man and reveal his true appearance to the guests. That is if he was one of them.

Joshua?" Isabelle looked up at him balefully. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing." He said expressionless. "I was just thinking that we should check on Mercy."

"And why would we do that? She would just ruin our fun! She is always so... drab." Isabelled looked crestfallen.

"We have to get her because we have to greet the guests remember. What kind of hosts would we be if we are late for their arrival?" His voice sounded like velvet as he tried to persuade her gently. He did not wish to get into a debate, especially not here in the open hallway. Time was running short, they had already seen one of their guests.

She simply nodded her head and started down the hallway in a quick pace, Joshua following after her slowly, admiring the way her long black hair fell around her mystically. Her movements seemed graceful and deliberate, every action she made had a meaning. The sound of her foot steps echoing through the long hall surrounded Joshua, the sound pleasant to his ears.

They finally stopped infron of a solid wooden door, Isabelle knocking very lady-like.

"Mercy?" Isabelle called into the room, hoping for a response.

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~Incognito

*I'm a new joiner, and yes I am allowed here . If you need the character description go to the discussion thread. Other then that... um Ciao?

William

William stepped towards the oversized doors, his fingers grasping at the doorhandle nervously. His stomach felt like it was in his throat, eyes searching frantically for any signs of life, even if he prefered it to have no signs of life. The lights were shining brilliantly through the windows leaving a candescent trail of light against the ground. His breathing quickened for a brief moment before finally knocking at the door so lightly it was barely audible. To his amazement and horror, the door opened simultaneously, creaking ever so gently sending a shiver up his spine.

He was about to turn around out of sheer nervousness and fright until his eyes caught a glimpse of something shiny and black. The sight of such a lovely grand piano, sitting adjacent against a solemn corner, made his heart skip a beat, and without thinking he fumbled into the foyer, hat falling down his face. Finally, after struggling with his clumsy self, he sat down at the piano, removing his cap and adjusting his mask upon his nose.

His fingers pressed against the keys accordingly, the tender notes filling the room with a profound passion. The song he played was that of Beethoven's appassionata. A sonata that he had become very known to his heart over the years.

Mercy

Mercy had just pulled her dress on, and had begun to rake her hands through her golden locks when there was a rap on the door. "Mercy?" Isabelle called. Mercy smoothed her golden hair, and pulled her mask off her vanity and went to the door. She pulled it open.

Isabelle was impatiently tapping her hair. Her long black hair cascaded down her back. Isabelle wasn't the type to be calm, and patient. Isabelle enjoyed breaking rules and having fun. Behind her, however, was the handsome Joshua Dowde. His dark cherry red hair neatly smoothed around his face.

Mercy gave them a nod in greeting and followed them down the hall. "A guest has already arrived," Isabelle informed her, calling back over her shoulder. Her black curls bounced with each quick and definite step she took. (OOC: Horrible description...)

Mercy was quiet the whole way until they reached the steps. The regal steps opened from the corridor and down into the grand ballroom that could hold hundreds of people. The red carpet was smoothed over the polished tan tiles.

An orchestra was already set and waiting, their violin bows resting on their knees. With a nod from Mercy, the orchestra shifted into a smooth concerto, just soft enough for aimless conversation from the guests.

"What do you think you're up to?" Hester appeared behind Mercy. "You're enjoying this night, not working/ I'll handle everything!" She ushered Mercy down the steps, holding her thin sholders and steering her around.

"And don't worry about being the perfect hostess this evening. Just enjoy yourself. Let Isabelle and Joshua handle it all."

Before Isabelle could protest, Hester's lips thinned into a miniscule line, and Isabelle bit back the words she'd wished to say.

But as Hester disappeared back up the stairs and down the dark corridor, her dress trailing behind her, Mercy settled herself on a chair and sighed, hoping the night would hurry up and finish already, though the party hadn't even started.

Mikael

I affixed my mask and walked briskly into a grand hall just in time to hear the orchestra strike up. Looking around the room i noticed many regal forms until my eyes finally afixed on the creature i had searched so long for. Hester.

Joshua

The orchestra broke out into a lovely slow walz, perfectly harmonized with violins and flutes. The music was elegant and pleasant to Joshua's ears, filling up the whole ballroom almost getting rid of the sounds of the outside world. Almost. For there in the background a gentle piano could be heard playing, not matching the prominent tune of the waltz. The music was subtle as if it did not wish to be noticed, but it was certainly beautiful drawing Joshua's attention away from the empty ballroom. All his senses swooned into one as he listened for that piano attentively.

The Appassionata, Beethoven's 23rd sonata. It was beautifully played, by someone truly a master of their art. The sad tune filled him with longing and unwanted memories. Memories of Joshua's forsaken childhood, sneaking into the master's house while they were away. The patter of children's footsteps echoeing in the empty halls, their muffled sounds of laughter, the caressing sound of piano. He remembered the small boy with white blonde hair, a weak smile on his face, bright blue eyes. William.

"I have to go." Joshua turned to Isabelle urgently. "I have to go." He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked into her worried eyes.

"But we have to great the guests! Mercy won't be doing anything tonight!" Isabelle hissed getting over the sudden emotion and enthusiasm coming from Joshua.

"I have to go. I will be right back." And with that Joshua left charging out the side doorway into the castle once more. He did not pay attention to his surroundings, he did not stop for breath, all he did was follow the sullen piano leading him through the castle.

He came to the foyer, a grand staircase to his left, a huge door along the right wall. He did not pay attention to the glorious chandeleir hanging there, or the dark stained wood panelling. His attention was snapped towards the classic piano, large and taking up almost the whole corner. The piano was polished and beautifully dusted just for the nights occasion, but still he did not dwell on these aspects. For there sitting, playing the piano was a boy barely a man, blonde white hair combed neatly, a dark black mask hiding his face.

"William." The name escaped his lips, and Joshua felt like breaking into tears, of course he would of if he could have actually cried.

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~Incognito

William

A note struck suddenly, his eyes widening in surprise at the voice that had spoken. It was not familiar and yet at the same time it struck memories that had not been known to him for many a years. Memories he had wished to block out, to forget and let go. He turned his head just to see the person who plagued his dreams many a times over, standing meters away, eyes hidden behind a mask, mouth dropped lightly in surprise.

"Joshua." The name struck his lips like a long forgotten note. "I..." His voice stumbled lightly.

"It has been a long time, so it seems," Joshua's voice was solemn as he turned his head to the side, as if embarrassed. It was quite the strange perdicament to be in. "How have you..."

"Joshua!" William flung himself out of the chair finally, grasping Joshua in an embrace. "It has been too long, my friend."

It was definitly out of character for William, but he was too lost in the thoughts of happiness at finally rediscovering his long lost friend, that nothing else could be comprehended. Only the thoughts of joy.

"Yes, it has been a long time," Joshua smiled, but quickly pushed away in surprise. "But wait? Why are you here?" The alarm was urgent in his voice.

"I..." William was lost for words, the sudden weight of his own shy persona once again burdening him with it's terribly shy disposition. "I guess you already know..."

Joshua

"I already know what?" Joshua's whispered into William's ear, not willing to let go of William. His arms kept wrapped around William tightly as if he would never let him go again. He wished he never had. "I am with you. That is all I know."

William stiffened and stepped out of the embrace, Joshua reluctantly letting him. William's mouth had drawn into a hard-line, looking like he was biting back tears. Just like William, to cry. Joshua reached out for him again, smiling broadly. "I am happy too William. You can cry, I really don't care."

"M-My father is dead." William's voice came out solemn, sounding like the voice of a child who had seen to much in his time. He drew away from the touch. "I came here for shelter. I have no desire to talk to you any longer."

The words commenced the silence, as the seconds ticked by. The pain came so sharply, it was unexpected. Joshua had been so releaved to see William after all these years, after all this time without a friend in the harsh reality, nothing familiar, alone in the world. He thought William would be happy too, that William would want him there. But it seemed some things were never to be forgotten.

"Y-You left me." William's voice echoed through the chamber. "They promised you food and shelter, and you left me alone on the streets, with no one. My father never came back. Neither did you."

The words settled in the space between them once more, and Joshua started to quiver biting back all his emotions, trying to understand another meaning for those words other than what there was, but it was apparent that there was none. "I couldn't come back. It was against the rules."

"Well, some rules are meant to be broken." Those words were the only thing William could do to ensure Joshua's safety, he had no choice in the matter. His eyes did not shine bright blue anymore, his face marked like a demon. William was not mortal and not the William he knew Joshua remembered, and he had no desire to hurt Joshua anymore than he would have to. The joy inbetween them sank away into nothing. The happy reunion ended up turning out like the ending they should have done before but Joshua had evidently avoided it.

The solemn farewell lingered in the air and it pressed down heavily on the two as they stood in the lavishly furnished foyer, piano in the corner, a grand stair case leading to the higher floors, a door leading farther into the god-forsaken castle, and finally a door leading away from it all. Their only way of escape but neither of them had plans to take it.

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~Incognito

William

He was done speaking now, to hurt, to lost to say anything more. Nothing mattered when the only truth of the matter shone through, and that was that Joshua left him for dead. Nothing more then that.

He turned towards the piano, embarrassed, as his fingers pressed against the keys to finish the piece he had started, but the song became slurred and sloppy. Sobs broke out between his lightly parted lips as small pearl-like tears spattered evidently against the ivory keys. His trembling fingers continued to play but to no avail. The song had no passion. He came here for an escape. For a place to be accepted, but this was no place he wished to be. No, he could not remain here if things would stay this way. His fingers moved on their own, playing a song foreign to his ears for he no longer controlled them.

"Please, dont say such things William," he sudden felt arms wrap around him from behind, his eyes widening in shock. "I could no longer bear the thought of losing you a second time. You are my friend and I never wanted to leave you. Not for a second. Dont you ever think like that again."

The tears were now becoming rampant, splashing the front of his tweed jacket, body slouching over as his hands removed themselves from the keys to clutch his face.

"How can I not?" He replied solemnly. "I had nothing without you. Nothing at all. These eyes... these are arent my eyes anymore! This isn't me anymore!"

"Shh," Joshua murmured. "You are you, no matter the colour of your eyes. I care for you, my friend. Be calm."

Those words seemed to calm him somewhat, as he wiped the remaining tears onto his sleeve gently, eyelids red and swollen.

Isabelle

Isabelle pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes after the retreating form of Joshua. What was he up to? Isabelle moved to follow him, but then caught sight of Hester staring at Isabelle. Hester jerked her head in a strict shake. Hester's gaze flickered pointedly to the guests now flowing steadily through the front door.

Isabelle's sour frown deepened. She flashed Hester a taut smile, composed herself, and floated over to the guests.

Faces blurred into more faces. Isabelle's knees began to ache after all of the curtsies she had preformed. Finally the crowd began to thin, and Isabelle was allowed to graciously slip back into the bulk of the party. She scanned the crowd for Joshua, irritated that he had escaped the torture of greeting.

Isabelle spied a slightly open door at the edge of the ballroom. She glanced around herself nervously. Guests were supposed to be kept within the ballroom and the grounds... She hoped a foolish couple hadn't wandered in there looking for privacy. That would be needlessly uncomfortable to burst into.

Isabelle peeked through a door. Her eyebrows furrowed as she frowned in confusion. The room's center was occupied by a piano, nothing more. Joshua and some other man stood inside. Both were speaking in low, insistent tones. Both seemed unreasonably emotional.

Isabelle stepped away from the door quickly. Joshua had seen fit to abandon Isabelle? Very well. Isabelle could adapt.

Isabelle spun on her heel and began searching the ballroom again. She had noticed how irritated Joshua became when Tash was mentioned. What better way, then, to seek her retribution?

Isabelle's face broke into a radiant smile.

"Tash!" she called. The man turned. Isabelle swept a deep curtsy. Tash, bewildered, gave a small bow in return. Isabelle's smile widened.

"Tash, pardon me if I seem a bit forward, but... Would you care to dance?"

William

"W-what was that?" William asked suddenly, the voice of a female erupting through the now silent halls.

Joshua just looked at the door, eyes wide with shock. "Isabelle..."

"Joshua?" William asked suddenly, his voice paniced. "Did... did I do something wrong?"

"You didn't..." Joshua looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry William but I must go. I have done something wrong."

"But Joshua..."

"Just stay here," Joshua rushed out of the room quickly, leaving William alone with the piano once more. Oh the bittersweet irony. If he followed, he would for surely find himself in uncomfortable situations, and people werent his specialty in anyway. If he stayed here, he could stay and play the piano where he felt comfortable. In the world his subconcious created, the notes only helping form the subtle imagery that made his heart light up.

And when he found himself moving towards the door in search of Joshua, he was surprised and in complete disbelief at himself.

But then it struck him. He wasnt about to lose his bestfriend again. Joshua was more or less, his brother, and no matter how much he hated himself for being what he was, he knew he couldn't live without at least making some sort of redemption with Joshua.

So he followed...

Joshua

Running forth again, this time not from her, but to her. His feeble heart beat stongly in his chest, his breathing gently paced.

"Isabelle!" He called, opening the door to the ballroom. People, so many people, all their faces hidden behind masks so that nobody would ever find out who they were. They could hide themselves in perfect secrecy. Fantasies of love were in the air, of finding a mysterious love in this gothic ball, in this twisted form of amusmant.

A couple heads turned to me, all emotions only identified by some of thier coloured lips, or hard grimaces. They all wished to know who this mysterious gentleman was, bursting out of a room which was out of bounds, followed by another man who was barely a man.

Joshua staggered through the crowd searching for any sign of her, attention turning when ever he saw a long dark-haired female, wishing that it truly was her, but the churning crowd wiped away any glimpse he may or may have not had.

"I am sorry Isabelle." He whispered, barely audible to the people around. He wished he could fall to his knees and cry out profanities to the god above. He wished he could just leave this ball and return into his little room in which he lived in solemn serenity, but it was his duty to be where he was, it was his duty to make sure the rules were being followed and the guests enjoying themselves.

"Joshua? Is this Isabelle important to you?" William asked from behind him timidly.

"I do not know if she is or not. I do not know how to read these foul emotions. I do not understand anything in this world any longer."

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~Incognito

(Jeez Incog, melodramatic much?)

William

William did not know what to say to this, as he was so completely lost in the swirls of lights and sounds all around him. The music sounded through him like a long lost friend, his heart following the beat wherever it came from, but his feet stayed firmly planted on the floor. His fingers ached for the piano's keys but he stayed solemn and quiet, unsure of what he must do.

"J-Joshua..."

"I must find her," Joshua stated simply before dashing into the crowd of dancing people. William only dashed after, strangely loyal, his feet only taking him farther and farther away from the sanctuary that was his piano and into the hell hole that was this world around him.

After a little while of following though, he lost himself in the crowd, his body erupting into a terrible sweat. He was alone now... and yet not alone at all which made things so much more worse.

He could feel tears brimming at his eyes as he looked around frantically, but quickly slapped himself annoyed. This is not the time to cry, William he thought to himself dryly, but as everytime he tried not to, the tears welled over.

He sat down on the his knees, holding his hands to his face embarrassingly.

Mikael

Two men had bursting into the room and distracted everyone. At first i thought my Unforgiven had ignored my orders but thankfully they had not. While many continued to dance those who had been distracted had given me a much clearer path to Hester. As i was dancing lithely across the hall and young woman stepped out in front of me and asked me to dance. I groaned inwardly but took her hand and began to dance subtle heading towards Hester and my future whether it be his destruction or my evolution.

[Tash M. Grevette]

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow suspiciously, then chuckled, "What happened to you're boyfriend? Wasn't his name Joshua, or something like that?"

Isabelle laughed lightly as if I had told a joke, "Boyfriend! Oh no, not at all," she stepped closer to me in long strides, then held out her hand. "So, would you care to dance?"

"He left you for something, didn't he?"

Isabelle's smile faltered, mine growing wider and my eyes slightly narrowing. Her hand fell, but she recovered, picking it back up and pushing a strand of hair behind an ear. I took a few steps so that I'd only be a couple inches away from her mask.

"He left you and you want to get back, right?" I asked softly, "It's obvious he doesn't like me and it's just you wanting to get revenge. You don't really want to dance,"

"B-but I do, truely, Tash,"

"No, it doesn't look like it," I began to walk in the other direction towards a clump of people chatting, laughing at jokes, sipping slightly overflowing champagne. "You stuttered! Talk to me when you really want to dance!"

I flashed a bright, white smile at the woman and then turned away.

Joshua

He saw her, standing there beautifully in the crowd, just evidently standing there, looking crestfallen. Her shoulders slouched, and her jaw was forced into a hard grimace. She was not happy. Trailing over towards her, Joshua stood behind her and grabbed her wrist, knowing full well that she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.

"Dear me, Miss, would you like to dance?" Joshua asked, his voice maintained clear and gentleman like. He looked down on her longingly. What did she think in that little head of hers? What did she beleive was going down in that room? Was she truly offended? He breathed in, smelling the fragrance she wore, a flowery scent.

"I would love to." She said not turning around. Joshua pulled her wrist and directed her to face him right in the eyes. Staring into the cold, dark eyes was hard. He would look at them and sense something heartless and not human, yet she truly was a normal person, she had feekings. Despite the illusions the world shrowded her with, she was just a normal mortal girl.

"I am sorry Isabelle. Back there... it wasn't what you thought it was." His voice came out almost pleading, sounding unfamiliar to Joshua's own ears.

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~Incognito