happilyeverbeginning | THE MASQUERADE MEME

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THE MASQUERADE MEME - 2023

You’re invited to a Masquerade
One night only, let yourself escape
Make your way as black cats serenade
You’re invited to a Mysterious Masquerade!

THE MASQUERADE MEME

In the simplest of terms, a masquerade is a masked dance, and that’s what this meme is all about! Pop on a simple domino mask that goes around the eyes or go with a full brand-new ensemble, gather in a gigantic ballroom, and let the music take you away. Though this trope is a tale as old as time, there’s many ways to go about it! You know the usual rules – pop a character with any preferences or leave it blank, and go for it! Mix and match prompts or make your own!

Royal Regalia

The royal family is throwing one hell of a shindig in order to get their prince/princess to find a worthy bride/groom, or maybe the lucky one is already hitched and celebrations are underway! Has Cinderella been invited to this ball or did she stumble in by accident? Maybe you’ll meet your one true love without realizing the crown comes with the mask!

Supernatural Sides

Get a taste of the macabre when all the monsters show up for this mash! Perhaps it’s a Vampires Only party with you as the special exception. (Or their dinner!) Are the witches and warlocks gathered to perform a special spell once every hundred years? Or you thought this was an ordinary humans-all ball, just to discover your elaborate costumes are taking over your own personality!

Criminal Caper

Bring this party to modern times with this take on Ocean’s 11! You (and maybe your gang!) are here to steal something or someone precious, and everyone has a role to play. Observe the crowd, blend into the crowd, or be the major distraction. On the flip side, you may be the eager detective trying to finally get the cuffs on your target. There could be a huge UST blow-up if criminal and copper wind up in a dance – especially if they don’t recognize each other!

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[Oh god even the door-man's scary-

But of course Drake isn't afraid! He smiles sheepishly and rubs at his neck.]

Just- just a little fashionably late, yes! You know how it is, trying to get around while staying out of the sun, if you know what I mean.

[He winks and meekly pats the corpse's shoulder. ...And then rushes off towards the indicated ballroom.]

H-hold on, don't start the party without me! [And especially not any sacrifices!]

[ Once he opens the door to the ballroom, it does appear the party is in full swing. Eerie music is playing, a few spirits are floating near the ceiling, the punch bowl is full of red stuff that probably isn't punch...

And all the guests are clearly monsters, the masks and puffy clothes not really doing much to hide that. No one seems to pay attention to the newcomer, too absorbed in their own gossip.

"So it's really her, huh? They're going to eat her alive."
"If you ask me, she leaves a sour taste in my mouth."
"Well, all that matters is who gets her hand."

Are they talking about the clan head, or the sacrifice? ]

[He slows down as he enters the ballroom and takes everything in. It's definitely looking like a monster mash alright. This is a graveyard smash if he ever saw one!

He walks forward with a cautious step as he takes in all of the whispers. It sounds like the sacrifice hasn't happened yet, which is good. He just has to look out for the clan head and the sacrifice for his mission tonight!

To gather information, he tries elbowing into one of the conversations.]

Someone's making a real killing tonight, am I right?

[ A few of them scoff, waving fans in front of their faces like obnoxious nobles.

"I'll say! But the girl acts like this is torture."
"She should be honored! Not everyone gets fate on a silver platter."
"Everyone's going to want a piece of her when the night is through."

Just then, the lights begin to dim, and all eyes are drawn to those giant staircases that are in every ballroom for grand entrances. Those nearby begin to part like waves, making way for whoever and whatever is slowly beginning to walk down towards the dance floor.

Is she the clan head? Is she the sacrifice? Or is she just the most gorgeous girl that's ever existed? ]

[As the lights dim, initially Drake's on alert! Is it time? is it happening?? He looks around wildly, soon realizing that he should look towards the parting crowd and the grand stairway.

He moves quickly towards it, ready to rush at whoever the figure may be! But as he gets closer, he ends up stopping in his tracks, his beak dropping in awe as the figure seems to descend down the staircase in slow motion.]

Ah- aba- um... W-wow.

[ As she walks down, as whatever slow-paced love song from the eighties fills Drake's head, she doesn't appear to be looking at anyone or anything in particular. In fact, she actually looks a little... miserable? As if this is the last place she'd rather be. As she touches the last step, she accidentally locks eyes with Drake...

... and then just keeps on walking.

In fact, she seems to be ignoring everyone - anyone who is trying to talk to her or approach her is swiftly snubbed. Oblivious to the effect she's had on our hero, she continues making her way toward the balcony, as the annoyed party-goers begin to resume dancing and chatting. ]

[His brain's going to be cycling through a whole playlist for the duration of the evening-

He's lovelorn as he stares at her, blinking uncertainly and trying to smile at her! Only to get not much of a response. But then she keeps on moving, and he starts looking around wildly for the nearest being to consult.]

Did you see that? She looked at me. Right at me, in the eyes! We... had this connection. You can tell, right?

[ The monster he's decided to chat up just blinks at him with their oh-so-many eyes.

"You're not seriously thinking of taking a bite out of her, are you?"

"Personally, I like a girl with a little more meat on her bones." A nearby ghoul says under his breath, and a few murmurs of agreement from others go back and forth. She's not exactly popular, it seems.

"Besides, her fate has already been decided."

As for the Mystery Maiden, she goes out onto the balcony, choosing to be alone as she forlornly looks out at the stars and garden. ]

Hey now, she seems... perfectly meaty to me!

[He meekly tries to object. But after a moment, something else sinks in, and his eyes widen.]

Wait, decided fate? I- I don't know about that!

[Is she the sacrifice after all? Drake just knows that he has to meet her! And probably carry out his actual mission too! With that, he rushes over towards the balcony to meet with the mystery lady-!]

[ No one bothers to stop him, shrugging it off. His funeral!

As for the Mystery Lady, she doesn't seem to notice him approaching either. She sighs, closing her eyes as she hums, and then softly begins to sing. ]

I follow the night...
Can't stand the light...
When will I begin...
To live again...?

[ It's a sad, mournful melody. As if she's all alone in this world, and needs a knight in shining armor to save her... or one with a big hat. ]

[As Drake reaches the balcony, he stands transfixed as he beholds her there, framed by the moonlight. And that melodic voice echoing through his heart... he's still for a moment, his feathers standing on end. Then he gathers himself and raises his cape mysteriously as he steps forward to hum along encouragingly.]

One day you'll fly away...
Leave all this to yesterday...!

[ She hums along to the accompaniment... before realizing there IS an accompaniment! Startled, she whips around, not expecting anyone to have followed her. ]

Oh! You're... from the stairs?

[ Congrats, he made an impression! But her surprised face soon gives way to bitterness, turning away. ]

Hmph. Are you here to drag me back to that awful affair in there?

[She's looking at him!! He stands like a deer in the headlights, but then at her first question, he drops his cake and grins with doe-eyed excitement.]

Y-yes! The stair man! That, that's me! Ooh, you remember! [It was like a minute ago.

Then he processes the rest of what she said.]

N-no of course not! Those lyrics were supposed to imply that I felt otherwise. [He huffs up his chest!] I'm here to roman- I mean rescue you!

[ His jumbled nerves are almost endearing... but she keeps putting her guard up. As much as she wished otherwise, she doubts anyone can help her, even if they were sincere about it. She gives little more than a defeated sigh. ]

Rescue me... yes, I wish things were so simple. To just be taken away and never think about this place again...

[ She holds herself, closing her eyes. ]

But they'd drag me back here kicking and screaming... this is my last night of freedom before I'm trapped forever.

T-trapped forever?! I won't allow that!

[He tries to stand more heroically than ever! And he swishes his cape around.]

Trust me, I'll get you out of here and fight every fanged feathered friend that I have to in the process! [A loud whisper.] I'm a natural at this kind of thing. I'm a Van Shellsing!

[ Now there's a name she didn't expect to hear here! She jerks, clutching her chest. Is this the end of the line for her, is he hiding a stake beneath the cape? ]

A... Van Shellsing?! The infamous monster hunter? You're here to...

[ And that's when she connects the dots, much faster than he does. He's not here to hunt her, he thinks she's a helpless damsel in distress.

Hmmm. Hmmm. Now there's an idea.

Her entire demeanor does a 180, and she leans on the balcony, fluttering her eyelashes.]

You're here to... take me away from all these big, bad, mean monsters, all by yourself~?

Well, that is part of my basic job description!

[He smiles giddily for a moment, then he does a spin and poses beside her on the balcony.]

Fret not, dear maiden! I'm on the job! For you, I'd fight off a whole army! [A beat, and then a little meekly-] But a quiet escape would be ideal...!

That is the hard part... they'll all be keeping an eye on me. So me getting away with anyone would raise suspicion. Even now, they're probably wondering what we're doing out here, so until we can find an escape plan...

[ She uses a single finger to tilt his beak up, smiling quite wickedly. ]

... You may have to pretend to be my date for the evening. If you don't mind?

[ Translation : Use him as possible bait until she can ditch this place. After all, he's from a line famous for monster-hunting, he can handle it, right? His fault for being so naive. ]

[His knees grow weak as she tilts his beak! And her proposal has him blushing while going heart-eyed.]

I- I- I- We-

[He clears his throat.]

Truly a brilliant plan! I would love to date you! ...Er, pretendingly, that is. I- I do have a background in theatre, as a matter of fact! I'm sure I could do a very convincing job of acting head over heels for you!

[In fact, he looks like he's method acting already!]

[ He's playing the perfect part, all right... a helpless puppet while she pulls the strings. She just has to make sure he's so completely enamored he won't suspect her of ditching him when the time is right. A shame a cute face like his has to be sacrificed for her freedom, but maybe he'll die happy. ]

My my, a brilliant hunter and an amazing actor? So you won't mind that I might have to pretend to whisper sweet nothings in your ear?

[ Leaning in - ]

Or to cuddle up oh-so-close when someone else is watching?

[ Leaning in - ]

Or if I have to give you a little kiss for a job well done?

[ Leaning iiiin - all right, she's laying it on thick, but this is the most fun she's had in... a way too long time. ]

[With each set of words and leaning, Drake lets out an increasingly unintelligible noise while sinking a little, until he's melted into a puddle on the floor, blushing wildly.]

Y-yeah...! All, all fine with me...!

[With that, he tries collecting himself.]

See? I- I'm doing a real convincing job, aren't I? Almost like I'm already madly in love with you! [A nervous laugh.]

[ It's so easy, it almost feels mean. Or maybe she does have a shred of guilt about this after all.

After playfully booping his beak, she straightens up, lest she give him a heart attack before he can serve his purpose. ]

Yes, I think everyone will be properly fooled in no time at all... but until I - we make our daring escape, I will have to call you something... the name Van Shellsing won't do if I have to introduce you as my date. So, for the time being, what should I call you, darling~?

[He rises up to his feet!]

Ah yes, of course! One doesn't dance into a den of deviousness unprepared! I've devised a fittingly frightful name to fit in among those most malicious of monsters, those slaughterers of saints. A 'nomme de gore', if you will!

[A dramatic raise of his cape!]

Introduce me as the terror that flaps in the night!
The piece of food that gets stuck between the teeth of my enemies and just won't get flossed out!
Call me... The Darkwing Duck!

[He tries to imitate the sound of lightning at the same time.]

... Just don't call me late for dinner!

[ ... How was that simultaneously dorky, endearing, hilarious and yet also rather intimidating?

If her heart was capable of beating, it also might have skipped!

Trying to shake off... whatever weird feeling that was... she fires off a few girly giggles to keep her game up. ]

Darkwing Duck... mmm, yes, I like that. I'm afraid my name is a lot less... unique. But I am called Morgana McCawber.

[ She offers her arm, gesturing to the ballroom from whence she just tried to escape. ]

Shall we...?

It sounds like a one of a kind name to me! Mystifying and majestic all at once...!

[He slides right over to hook his arm around hers! ...While sweating bullets.]

Y-yes, Madam Macawber... Let's!

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