Theea
True is false, who is who?
I’ve never been to a masquerade before—never even been to a real party, not like this—and the excitement fizzing in my chest feels like it’s going to float me right off the ground. The path through Ludo’s Woods is alive with sound and light, music rising from the trees like laughter, and will-o-wisps bobbing ahead to show the way. Every step I take sends my heart fluttering.The clearing spills open before me like a secret garden of chaos and color. Lanterns swing above my head, ribbons flutter in the branches, and people in every imaginable kind of costume dance and drink and laugh. I step forward, and the air itself seems to welcome me.
The dress I’m wearing clings close from the chest down to my hips, the bodice deep violet-black and shaped to hug my body just right. At the waist, it bursts into movement—ribbons of purple and silver swirl and sway with every shift of my legs. They’re cut like fire or water, layered in sharp and soft shapes, brushing against my skin in uneven lengths that glitter when they catch the lanternlight. I can feel the breeze between them, cool against my thighs, and it makes me feel bold, like I belong here. Like I’m not just pretending.
And then there’s the mask.
Shards of mirror, sharp and gleaming, cover every inch of it. They glint like teeth, like broken stars, pieced together into something fierce and beautiful. I chose it because it reminds me of the mask my dad used to wear before he gave up that part of himself for me—sharp and quiet and unreadable. I never got to see it in action, not really, but I remember how he held it. And tonight, wearing this, I feel like maybe he’d be proud. Like I get to carry a piece of him with me.
I hope my mom will show up. She said she might, but I know she's still unused to being so exposed to everyone, so seen again. I step further into the clearing and scan the crowd, nerves curling beneath my ribs—until I spot her.
"Flora!"
I light up, waving as I make my way toward her—and then freeze mid-step when I see who’s standing beside her. "And Nikandr!" I break into a grin. "You’re here!"
I practically bounce as I reach them, my mask catching light with every breath I take. "You both look amazing. I mean it. Seriously—wow." And then I cringe. "Ah. I'm interrupting aren't I? Don't mind me..."
I duck between them and grab a drink—I've started to understand the appeal now—and take a hardly gulp of whatever I grabbed. It's strong, and taste like actual fire.
costume thread: [SE] rags to riches
curl of lip, swirl of gown
