C5 The hallow party
On the eve of the extravagant feast, Evie embarked on the charming local carriage, transported graciously to the quaint town. From there, she ventured onto another carriage, whisking her away to the grand mansion of the esteemed lord. As Evie stood in awe before the towering edifice, its stately stature exuding glory, trailing blooms of dark roses adorned its corners. With measured gait, she approached the mansion, entranced by the magnificent view that unfolded before her eyes. A butler, tall and imposing, stood sentinel at the door, his gaze fixed ahead, reminiscent of a statue animated. When their eyes met, his red eyes devoid of soul met her own gray orbs, causing an involuntary shudder to ripple through Evie's being.
"Greetings and salutations, welcome to the illustrious soiree, might I inquire about your invitation?" The butler's voice, aloof and impassive, conveyed naught but cold detachment.
With trembling hands, Evie proffered the card, her palm coated in a veneer of anxious sweat, the hope lingering in her heart that he wouldn't perceive anything out of the ordinary. After perusing the card, he opened the colossal doors, summoning a maid to escort her to the festivity. "May you revel in the splendid festivities, milady," intoned the butler, his posture acquiescing to a parting bow. A blush tinged Evie's cheeks at the butler's courteous farewell. Attempting to mirror the genteel gesture, she clumsily offered her own returning bow before trailing behind the diminutive maid, who guided her towards the opulent reception room.
Together, they traversed a lengthy corridor, its walls enveloped in the cloak of a velvety dark red hue. Numerous portraits adorned these resplendent tapestries, bespeaking a lineage of esteemed stature. Upon arriving at the ornate doors heralding the threshold of the festivity, the maid paused, her head bowed respectfully, her words fluttering delicate on her lips. "Pardon me, madam, for the impertinence, the opportune moment to bedeck thy visage with a mask has arrived."
A moment of realization coursed through Evie's mind, robes of awareness cascading upon her, as she recollected the oversight of not yet adorning her mask. With haste, she affixed the humble, unadorned gold mask upon her countenance, securing it carefully behind her head. "I thank thee," murmured Evie appreciatively, as the maid extended a guiding hand, ushering her into the alluring realm of the grand celebration. Evie's eyes widened in astonishment upon entering the revelry, finding herself instantly transported to a realm where a gathering of this magnitude would eclipse the combined population of even the entire village of Hallthom. Swirling masses of attendees bustled about, each person engaged in their own reverie, some engrossed in lively conversations, gales of laughter permeating the room, while others found solace in the rhythmic lyrics of the swirling dancers.
In her introspective musings, Evie observed the vibrant human tapestry unfurl before her eyes, an extraordinary realization dawning upon her. Amongst the human contingent, there were others of fantastical nuances, manifesting eye colors ranging from shades of reddish warmth, to oranges bright as the blazing sunset, and even hues of burnished gold. Such a sight sent a shiver coursing through the tendrils of her heart.
Suddenly, a dulcet female voice punctuated the air, entreating Evie, "Might you wish for a drink, milady?" Turning her gaze, she beheld a young girl, similar in age to herself, embellished with a tray bedecked in vessels filled with an assortment of drinks, each tinted in a kaleidoscope of hues. Evie, desiring naught but simplicity, opted for a glass of water, cautiously avoiding those that resembled the lifeblood coursing through human veins (although she knew this to be mere conjecture). As the minutes trickled away, three dance invitations were politely declined, as Evie found solace in studying the intricate artistry upon the walls.
Transfixed by the fragmented beauty encapsulated within each brushstroke, so enthralling to her discerning eye, Evie inadvertently stepped beyond the confines of the jubilant celebration. Paintings lined the passage, each mosaic piece resonating harmoniously in her soul, engendering a sense of indescribable allure. As she ventured nearer to where the gallery culminated, a vacant space loomed, finally revealing itself as a sublime balcony. From this lofty vantage point, Evie gazed upon the velvet blanket of night, cloaked in impenetrable darkness. Stars were absent from the celestial canopy, but the enigmatic nocturnal spectacle held a profound fascination for Evie, a captivating serenade to her senses. Unfastening the mask from her visage, Evie luxuriated in the gentle caress of the night breeze, dancing upon her enchanting features.
As if materializing from the ether, a resonant male voice echoed through the ether, playfully teasing, "Seems the revelry does not delight thy esteemed senses, fair damsel?"
