Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Official event: Winter Masquerade 2022

If corporate work tended to be one where you had _no_ standard shifts, vigilante work was even more of a wild card where you never knew when (or if) you were getting free time. When she had received the invitation to the masquerade event, Cris had hoped she could world-hop shortly after leaving office, but he "second life" had forced her to reconsider her plans.

So when she finally arrived at the Masquerade, checking her kimono and mask to make sure she didn't look _too_ scruffly and not suggest she had been fighting with a gangster's cronies until _real_ recent, the fox-like vigilante drew a breath of relief.

"Let's see what they have in store this year", she mused, making her way among the people who were already enjoying the party, and looking around with curiosity as she did so.

"Very well," nodded the Duchess. "I will not ask. But I will ask the group -- what is the wildest thing that happened to you this year?"

"So..." In an attempt to change the subject. "How long has the event come to pass? Turned up fashionably late, thought there'd be hors d'oeuvres." Note that he pronounced it has horse divorce.

Pounces on what looks like it might be a field mouse and looks around sheepishly with a mouse tail hanging out of his mouth

"Wellll on that note, I think I need to head home." Mimi said, with a very slight frown. "Dumb parents, dumb homework, all that! But this was great!" Turning to the Duchess, she said, "Thank you so much for having me!" Then, to everyone else, "And thank you all for bringing life to this party!" She beamed brightly before getting up from her seat, gently depositing Mini Might in the pre-warmed chair. "Okay if I take my cocoa with me?" She asked, holding up the mostly full mug.

Tabetha was staring openly at the newcomer. At first, she looked... almost offended at the vigilante's arrival... but this was quickly resolved. "Oh... my... GOD! If it isn't the legendary Light Raygun!"

The Duchess clasps Mimi's hands tightly, looking into her eyes. "Thank you so much for coming, my dear, and for sharing your creativity with us. By all means, take your cocoa." Looking to Gem, she says, "Do you mean how long has this particular party been happening tonight, or how many years has this party been a tradition?"

"Oh, the wildest thing that happened this year--" The Gentleman thought to himself. "Well, there were... many things. And it's just simply too much to narrow down? Perhaps I'll let someone else answer first..."

Offering one last bright smile and a wave, Mimi departed from the igloo, disappearing to... wherever it is that she had come from. She was happy to take her golden hat and her cocoa, and the fond memories of this fantastic event.

He waved a goodbye to Mimi. "Thank you for coming."

After taking a brief moment to bid farewell to Mimi and thanking her for the help with the hat-making contest, she turned back to Cris with a sly grin. "My people back home have heard tales of your prowess... An honour to see you, darling!"

(Oh hi!!! ))

Looks around for another person to bug for cuddles

A golden retriever abruptly appears just outside of the igloo, wearing an extremely awkward number of wreaths around his neck. As soon as he raises his head, his tail begins wagging gleefully. "I did it! I found the wreath that does the thing! I'm back! OOOH, and I can talk again too!" he borks in utter delight, doing a little prancey dance on the spot, leaving paw prints in the snow.

Koi waved goodbye at Mimi before she began to answer The Hostesses question from earlier
"Well, one day I was swimming, but I cut by leg on a sharp piece of coral reef. The next second, a huge shark came-" she made a gesture with her hands "and it tried to bite it off! I guess I do look kind of look like a seal, with the blue skin and all that- but thats my wildest story."

"That does sound like quite the adventure. Truly frightening, I do hope it did not wear down on you."

"No it doesn't. But now, someone else tell a story!"
She took another cup of cocoa, waiting for someone elses tale to be told

Idly wonders if he could tell his story with pictures and emotions and then just shakes his head and sits down

The Duchess clasps a hand over her mouth, shaking her head. "But what happened? How did you escape?"

Is that... an igloo?

Eyes behind the mask blinked in surprise at the glistening crystal beauty of the location. It reminded her of the snow fort they used to build in--


"I think this snow is solid enough that our fort won't disintegrate to atoms over our head - what you say, Chiara? Mommy did a good work? It's not a real igloo but--"

Her infant's giggles and inarticulate babbles were the only answer, but she had been able to make a head or tail of it, because she chuckled in return. "Yes, I know dad would have made it better, we'll work on it when he arrives... then we'll bundle ourselves in and keep guard from the evil Ice Wizard, dad, me, your little brother...." she had booped her baby daughter's nose, "and you!"

More delighted giggles, then what was already her daughter's favorite word. "Wububs!"

"I love you too, my snowflake." Somewhere, her communicator had started ringing. "This must be dad! Where - Chiara, where's mommy's comm? No no no, don't chew on it! Here, give it to me - that's my girl. Mwah!" One swish of the lockscreen. "Hi dear! We've built up the fortress, now we're just waiting for you! When are you coming over? No, now it's not snowing, it should be clear to land... You'll be proud of your Hikari! Chiara helped me too..."


She steaded herself, drawing in a sharp breath as the rush of memories relinquished its grip - unsurprisingly, though; wasn't holidays a time when you thought more vividly about loved ones and spending time with them? Through the frozen sea of nostalgia a shadow of a smile touched her eyes, and she made her way into the igloo, followijng the glow and laughters from within.

Upon arrival she immediately recognized the Duchess and moved over to greet her, though as the party seemed to be in the middle of sharing a tale, she waited politely for her turn to speak.