A Stranger's Mask

Lani finds her mask for the Winter Revelry, and is strangely drawn to it.

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The westernmost tip of Kalea, Wind Reach is home to an amazing group of people and their giant eagle mounts. [Lore]

A Stranger's Mask

Postby Lani Stranger on December 4th, 2018, 7:46 am

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20th of Winter, 518AV
”Are you prepared?” Lani swung around to look at the man, eyes wide and eyebrows concerned. She was surprised she had understood the Nari so quickly, but the odd way he spoke and the fact that the redheaded man stared straight at her was concerning. She carried her Talon Sword on her, and her mind floated to the long ornate handle on her hip. She had been getting better with it, and it would hardly be an effort to pull it. But why did his words concern her enough to think of her sword?

The Inarta man laughed, pulling an ornate mask from his stand and stepping out to her slightly. Lani paused, not moving closer to the strange man, but not running away either. ”I see you may not know our traditions, and so I’m trying to help you. If you wish to take part in the Winter Revelry, you must purchase a mask.”

Lani listened to his explanations, still silent as she digested the foreign words. Was she to attend a party? In a mask? ”What do you speak of?” She asked, her words perhaps too formal for the situation, but clear. She had been practicing.

”The Winter Revelry, put on by Inclement Weather.” The mixed blood was prepared to dismiss the party, realizing what he was saying, but he must had read the expression on her face because he held up a finger, grabbing her attention back to him. ”It is no ordinary party.” He spoke slowly, aware that she needed the time and context to understand what he was trying to tell her. ”For someone like you, it is nearly necessary.”

”Someone like me?” Anger flared in her voice and then dissipated in a few ticks. The Avora seemed to ignore the outburst, continuing past her accusatory tone to continue to explain his purpose.

”Someone with eyes and hair like you,” He clarified, clearly not afraid of any offense he might have caused her. ”Because the Winter Revelry required masks, anonymity.”

”What does anonymity mean?” She was curious about the world. She hated to admit, but his explanation had worked. The foreigner had stepped out of the crowd and towards the man to hear him better. She liked the idea of anonymity, but she knew that a simply mask would not do it. In the season she had stayed in this forsaken city, she had not yet met another with long straight black locks like she. The mixed blood had heard of a Konti, although she had not met her yet, and she count on one hand how many Isur traders she had come across, but they had not stayed nearly as long as she did, and she had not seen any in the winter. There was supposedly a Svefra Pod that had visited last season as well, but again Lani had not emerged from her cave to meet them. She was the only one who looked like her in the entire city, a mask could not hide that.
Last edited by Lani Stranger on December 4th, 2018, 9:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Lani Stranger
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A Stranger's Mask

Postby Lani Stranger on December 4th, 2018, 7:46 am

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”A lack of identity… the hidden face…” His poetic explanation did not help as much as he likely thought it did, but Lani got the gist, comparing the strange Nari word to the Common Tongue word for ‘anonymity’. Although he had piqued her interest, she would need further details to truly be sold.

”Why?” She asked, and realized she wanted further details. She wanted to want this party, she needed some semblance of fun from her hermitage and studying and fear of the people who surrounded her.

”Come, come.” the older Inarta placed a hand on her elbow, guiding her closer to the booth. Lani allowed it, stepping forward so that he did not touch her, and looking down at the selection of masks he so obviously wanted her to see. Lani looked down over the masks. There were ceramic, wood, leather, even metal masks. A few had gems, many were plain, and some painted. As far as Lani could tell there seemed to be no particular rhyme or reason to show how one resembled one another, each mask could serve a multitude of purposes. The Vendor seemed happy to let her inspect his ware for a few ticks before he began speaking again.

”The Winter Revelry is an annual—once a year—party that Inclement Weather hosts. Of course they have been interesting in the past years, as you know Morwen is not here, and I doubt this year will be any different” The Inarta continued to whistle words at her in a slow pace so that she had time to digest them, seemingly understanding of the language barrier. He was trying not to use too big words, but Lani still felt as if she was skimming what he was saying, understanding the gist but sure that she was missing details of what he said to her. ”Everyone is masked, anonymous. When you show up you are paired with a random someone, and that is your partner for the night.”

In a delayed response, Lani’s head snapped up after two ticks, a confused eyebrow raised at his words. ”Paired with a random someone?” She repeated his words with a question to her tone. He misunderstood, thinking she didn’t understand the literal words he had spoken.

”Umm, you,” He pointed to her, speaking slower now as if she was a Dek. She waved his explanation before he could get too far into patronizing her.

”No. Why?” She clarified her question, turning back to the masks while she listened. Her eyes were caught on painted ceramic mask that resembled the night sky with small reflective gems embedded in it to create the illusion of stars. It was only a half mask, but the mixed blood had an eye for it. She had grown to love her new God, of thought and transformation who took the shape of the moon, and thought the pretty mask would be fitting to her new deity. However when she reached to pick it up and inspect it further, the vendor reached out and placed a hand on her forearm, stopping her.
Last edited by Lani Stranger on December 4th, 2018, 9:02 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Lani Stranger
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Posts: 649
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Race: Mixed blood
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A Stranger's Mask

Postby Lani Stranger on December 4th, 2018, 7:47 am

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”That one is three hundred pinions.” Lani recoiled from the price of the thing, pulling her hand back into herself and wrapping her arms around her chest. She now saw the booth with a different light, recognizing that the artistry and craftsmanship that went into these masks would obvious affect their price.

”I don’t know why.” He finally answered, content that Lani was now looking at the more reasonably priced masks. She lifted a wooden owl mask that had been painted white from the table, inspecting it. ”It makes for a far more interesting night, I suppose.” He said, watching Lani place the owl mask down again. The last mask that caught her eye was a pitch black leather one. It was one of the few full masks, and but was plain in all other regards, with no color and little detail. It was clearly well crafted, but it would not stand out among the other masks if not for the large ears that sprouted from the top of it. Immediately the mixed blood recognized it for what it was, and was curious as to how the desert dog had inspired a mask this far north.

”What is this?” She picked it up, facing it towards the vendor. She knew what the Jackal was, only because she had been one during the last season, but she wanted answers as to how he knew.

”Not sure. The strangest dog I’ve ever seen wandering around in the mornings last spring. Must’ve died off or gone in search of water, because I haven’t seen it since. Perhaps it was a Kelvic, you know they tend to be strange creatures.” His words were speaking up and she didn’t understand the last part of his words, but her mind was caught up in wondering about him seeing her Jackal form from last season. She could feel the cool metal of the starfire key on her neck beneath her shirt, and she tried not to reach up and stroke it that reminded her where her precious entrance to Leth’s domain rested

Lani nodded absently, turning the face of the mask back towards her and examining the dark dyed smooth leather, almost enticed by the work. It was not very detailed, but the prominent features that identified her as the jackal, the large ears, pronounced brow, and long nose, were evident. For two ticks Lani wondered if wearing this to the Party would give anyone the opportunity to recognize her. Perhaps Narth, she had revealed her secret to him. But would Narth have any interest in such a party? Would he have any interest in her at such a party? Likely not. And if he did manage to recognize the mask, would he automatically assume it was her. The risk was low with it and Lani was so enamored with the thing that it seemed like her only option now. All other masks looked dull and same in comparison to this outstanding piece.

”This one, please.” She turned to the man, cradling the mask in one arm and hooking her Pinion purse out of her pocket. He told her the price, and she all but shoved the money in his hands, giving him a little more than it was worth. Something pulled her towards this mask that she could not quite identify. It was well made and pretty, but other than being a Jackal, it was not special in any other way. Yet, Lani loved it. She was obsessed with it. The vendor nodded at her graciously, but she barely paid him mind, immediately heading towards one of the seamstress booths before going back to her rooms, having already forgotten the things she had originally come to Market Day for. Her mind was already wondering to the Winter Revelry and how she was going to disguise her other traits so that no Inarta could tell her from themselves in that party.
Receipt :
0.3 Pinions (Mask) x1.5 (Dyed) x2 (Leather) x3 (Large) = 2.7 rounded up= 3 Pinions
White Beaded and Embroidered Scarf = 1.78 rounded up = 2 Pinions
-5 Pinions
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Lani Stranger
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Posts: 649
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Joined roleplay: March 21st, 2014, 11:48 pm
Location: Wind Reach
Race: Mixed blood
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A Stranger's Mask

Postby Ssezzkero on December 5th, 2018, 5:13 am

Observation +3, Socialization +3, Investigation +2, Location: Inclement Weather, Inclement Weather: Winter Revelry, Winter Revelry: Once yearly, Winter Revelry: Completely Anonymous, Black Leather Jackal Mask, Nari: Annual, Nari: Anonymity
+Black Leather Jackal Mask, +1 White Beaded and Embroidered Scarf
-5 Pinions
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