The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Neroon on 17-04-2009, 12:42:08</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 12:42:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Francesco Attendolo, once colonel of the Grey Company, had served the Doge of Venice in various campaigns for five years.&nbsp; The former <em>condottierro</em> had chosen to accept the Doge's generous offer to remain in Venice as general, coordinating the actions of each of the free companies and reporting directly to the Doge himself.&nbsp; Consequentially, Francesco had surrendered command of the Grey Company to his... nephew, Giacomo, and had taken residence in Venice.<br><br>This tall man, in his mid to late thirties, brooding, dark haired and dark eyed, who carried himself with an unconscious air of command, found himself in a particularly uncomfortable position.&nbsp; It really was not his preference to spend any time in social gatherings, yet Venice seemed to run on them, even more so than the&nbsp; decadent Byzantine Empire, in which Francesco had served with his company when he was merely a lieutenant.&nbsp; Yet, his new position demanded that he must serve the Doge by attending at least some of these functions.<br><br>As he stalked through the palace doors, he sighed and hoped that his mask would hide much of the scowl that marred his normally handsome features, he was sure.&nbsp; He looked around at those present and shook his head at what he saw.&nbsp; He did not deny that some of the women present were easy on the eye, nor could he argue with the fact that many of the most influential people in the city were here.&nbsp; Yet he was not sure if either he or the aide the Doge had assigned to him were the right people to attend.&nbsp; And while he was certain that the permission to bring female company was meant kindly, it felt like a slap in the face: he had hardly been here long enough to find anything to warm his bed other than a bedpan.<br><br>Francesco strode through the cowd and pulled a goblet of wine from a tray held by a liveried servitor.&nbsp; He took a good gulp of the wine and went to stare out of the window.&nbsp; He should never had left his Company.&nbsp; He was better out on campaign than in this maze of manners.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 21:21:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				From an outsider's point of view, the party could be considered a maze of feathers, jewels and colors, with the most expensive fabrics used to clothe both men and the women of the venetian elite.&nbsp; In the main room, the sound of music guided the choreographed steps of the basse danse, and the dancers filled the dance floor with graceful walks and exchanges while the seating areas were filled with laughter and quiet chatter.&nbsp; Further along the walls the windows opened over the gran canal, with the water reflecting the light of so many lamps as to make it look, almost, as if the sun was out.<br><br>From an insider's point of view, things were dramatically different. The masks and clothes told more than faces might, the dance was the perfect chance to flirt and arrange meetings without raising suspicions, and&nbsp; the chatter at the chaises was mostly repartee where the veiled insults were the most common cause for laughter. There were other rooms more private and with different flavors to them, but one'd have to know where to find them, and behind columns and in balconies it was easy to find the odd couple who sought to be away from the rest.<br><br>Indeed, if one wanted to be alone in a crowd, the best choice were the windows, and someone else was already there. Mostly concealed by the open curtains, Lucia watched the gentleman approach. She'd have to go find Cesco soon, but she was in no hurry at this particular time so she simply turned back to look at the water. It was a soothing imagery, by comparison, and the gentleman would take a little longer to get there. She would use however many seconds she had left there to herself, and enjoy them.&nbsp; <br><br>Her hair was loose on the back, its black curls drawing shadows against the lamp lights, and held up at the front with two ribbon-bright braids, and her dress was simple in comparison with most of those around her -simple, straight lines that marked the sculpted contour of her body without quite clinging to it, with just enough underskirt to lift it from her hips without making it overtly voluminous. When she heard the steps nearby, Lucia straightened her shoulders just enough. "Boredom, exhaustion, or just looking to breathe?"&nbsp; The question was posed without malice, and the voice that carried it was a soft contralto, more suited to poetry than song.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and CShades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>19-04-2009, 15:07:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The question was unexpected, and Francesco cursed himself for not noticing that this particular window was occupied.&nbsp; How long had he been in the city?&nbsp; Three weeks?&nbsp; A month?&nbsp; Already he was growing soft, it seemed, to be so unobservant as to not see the woman by the curtains.<br><br>His dark eyes flicked up and down as he swiftly took in his companion, while he composed a suitable answer.&nbsp; He did not doubt that many of the conversations this evening were laden with snares and sundry other traps for the unwary.&nbsp; There was, about her, a pleasing simplicity, her dress nowhere near as ornate and gaudy as those of the other ladies present, and Francesco approved of that.&nbsp; It had been his experience that gilding a lily served neither the flower nor the art worked upon it: both were less than they would have been separately.&nbsp; And so it was here: the simplicity of the dress was such that it drew attention to the comeliness of the figure it enclosed rather than the skill of the dressmaker.<br><br>"I'm sorry," Francesco replied after a moment, looking out through the window.&nbsp; "I am a simple man, madonna, unused to the sophisticated pleasures of court.&nbsp; The window seemed a safe refuge."&nbsp; He turned to her, resting his goblet on the sill and offered her the bow customarily given when uncertain of its recipient's station.&nbsp; "Francesco Attendolo, late of the Grey Company, at your service, madonna."&nbsp; He turned to the view from the window once more, the necessities of politeness completed.&nbsp; But then, he couldn't resist a little counter-attack, a little response more than an introduction.<br><br>"And which of your three choices, madonna, is it that brings you to the window?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>20-04-2009, 01:32:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It wasn't really Francesco's fault. The simple dress itself accounted for much of the concealment, and it didn't hurt that its tone complemented the curtain's own. The rest was simple positioning, of course. Lucia turned at the introduction, revealing the silver filigree of a mask that was closer to accentuating her features than to hide them.&nbsp; Emerald eyes rose from behind it to take a long look at the new arrival's masked face and shoulders. "A refuge indeed" she murmured, taking her time to appreciate his poise while he was otherwise entertained by the flickering of lights upon the waterway. <br><br>The ghost of a smile rose to his introduction then, a light gleam of amusement in her eye as she offered a practiced curtsey of her own, just as far as the enclosed space allowed for. The sound ended in a playful tsking however, as the lady straightened herself and looked once more into Francesco's eyes. <em>So this was him. </em> "Unused enough that nobody has ever told you that you should wait till midnight before removing the illusion then." A wink, and then she leaned against the windowsill, breathing in as deep as her clothing allowed. It wasn't too deep. "It is a pleasure to meet you, signore." His question didn't catch her unprepared, only thoughtful enough not to reply right away.<br><br>"I would say much of the first, enough of the second, but none of the first. You must know, the most successful of ladies have learned to forget the need to breathe, I understand."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>20-04-2009, 20:06:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It seemed that almost with his first words in this gathering, Francesco had stepped into one of the snares of sophisticated behaviour.&nbsp; Stupid code of manners, this, he thought, utterly ridiculous.&nbsp; How on earth were you supposed to behave if you didn't know the station of whom you were speaking to?&nbsp; He shook his head, turning back to his enigmatic companion.<br><br>The apology almost withered on his lips now that he had a good sight of her.&nbsp; Even with the mask, he could see that his earlier assessment of her figure as comely would not do if applied to her face.&nbsp; She was, quite simply, breathtaking, those green eyes of hers made brilliant by the contrast with the luxuriant curls of black hair that crowned her head.&nbsp; A poet might have compared the sweep of her hair to a raven's wing, but having seen enough ravens loitering on the battlefield in search of carrion, Francesco might well have slit such a foolish poet's throat for the insult implied by a comparison with such a filthy thing.<br><br>"I am afraid, madonna, that you have me triply at the disadvantage," he said, having regathered his wits.&nbsp; "For as well as needing to breathe less than I, you have both my name and knowledge of my most egregious error of manners."&nbsp; He smiled, his teeth flashing white in the darkness.&nbsp; "Allow me to apologise for my fault of etiquette.&nbsp; I would place myself in your hand that I might be instructed in navigating the dangers of this gathering, but I fear that would only add to your ennui and tiredness."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 00:48:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lucia knew better than letting her assessment of the gentleman show, but she was well pleased by what she saw. A tall woman herself, she appreciated the difference of meeting a gentleman who was taller than average, and the quirk on his lips as he looked at her told her enough of what he thought himself. This was going to be interesting.&nbsp; "This is good" she remarked after he spoke, dismissing his latter comments to start with to focus upon the first one. "I somewhat enjoy to have gentlemen at a disadvantage as you put it. Triply so, it is even better." <br><br>She rested her hand on&nbsp; her waist for a moment as she looked up, the flush on her cheeks more from lack of breath for speaking so much than from coyness, but most men wouldn't know the difference.&nbsp; "Having them in my hand sounds even better." The tone was dry, even, so it could be a taunt or she could have been completely unaware that what she was saying could be taken in a different way.&nbsp; All of a sudden, she found herself enjoying his smile --even if she didn't quite return it.<br><br>Her eyes met his through the masks again, and there was a brief, almost mirthful gleam to them. "Fear is not an attractive quality on a man. Most of the time." There, the woman's lips curved just slightly at the corner, a passing thing.&nbsp; "But I would feel dreadful if you were to make the same faux pas to another lady and I had had the chance to stop it." She turned then to face him fully, looking down to his drink and up to his face again with the lightest twitch at the right corner of her lips again. "Perhaps it might even help my boredom, and I can't say it hasn't already been refreshing. I don't care too much for small talk, but I will ask nevertheless: What brings you to our fair city these days?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 18:52:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That, madonna, is a very masculine attitude and one I heartily approve of," Francesco said, his words belying the obvious evidence of her femininity presented to his eyes.&nbsp; "Indeed, I should say that the capacity for small talk is not within a man's constitution, just as no real man can ever hold a genuine opinion about upholstery."&nbsp; His mask wrinkled a little as his cheeks rose higher with something close to amusement.<br><br>"And your question, madonna, is hardly the inconsequential empty muttering that I've learned to loathe so much since coming here," he said, inclining his head to her taking another sip of his wine.&nbsp; "For I see that you are testing me now, to see if I have truly learned from my earlier lapse of judgement.&nbsp; At the moment you have but my name and my late profession.&nbsp; Yet, were I to answer more fully, you would surely know my rank and station within this fine city, and that should surely compound my earlier error."<br><br>Francesco stepped back from his beautiful tutor and, quite suddenly, executed the most elaborate bow, one favoured at the Genoese court.&nbsp; "I see, madonna, that I have chosen wisely in asking for your tutelage, for in so testing me you have shown a cleverness that many of your fair companions lack."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>23-04-2009, 09:38:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>The silver filigree of Lucia's mask lifted slightly to the right, the better to betray the lift of her eyebrow when called masculine. "A barbed compliment, signore," she murmured, the underlying current of humor in her words barely noticeable through the deadpan inflection. "I would have to say that any lady would love to have a talent such as yours when the time comes for subtle strikes of the tongue." This time there was another, inconspicuous twitch at the corner of her lips.<br><br>She waited for the gentleman to settle on the lowest point of his bow before taking a step forward and to the side, just enough so to pull the curtains to the side with her shoulder and to set her lace-clad hand atop the one closest both to her and to his lips. It was a gentle, fluttering touch that didn't put any weight on his hand and rather stayed there in waiting. The shift of the curtain had to be either extremely providential or otherwise deliberate, because it just so happened to conceal the gesture from most of the curious eyes around. <br><br>"You shouldn't speak thus about my companions, either" Lucia stated from her vantage point. "You might be made to spend the evening with one of them instead, and then what sorts of mischief would your boredom contrive?" These words were stressed with a tap of forefinger to the point where his hand joins with his wrist, almost too quick. "But if I should tutor you with all these pearls of my knowledge, it is only fair that you should do the same for me.&nbsp; What will you give, to earn?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>27-04-2009, 21:43:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Francesco laughed, the sound light and carefree, his eyes dancing behind the mask.&nbsp; Perhaps this was not dissimilar to fencing, he thought: parry, feint, thrust.&nbsp; And that last thrust of hers had been a good one, particularly after that distracting feint of hers with those delicate touches.&nbsp; What would he give her for her tutoring?&nbsp; That was very much a loaded question and so he laughed, partly from rueful amusement and partly to parry the thrusting question while he prepared a riposte.<br><br>"Madonna, I am but a simple <em>condottierro</em>, only recently from the field," he said softly.&nbsp; "I know not how I might repay you for your kindness; I doubt the <em>doge</em> would be too impressed if I used my martial skills for you, after all I'm here mainly to put a stop to that sort of thing."&nbsp; He stepped to the side and then around her, almost dancing, to look at her profile appraisingly.<br><br>"So, madonna, I am at a loss as to how best repay your kindness and I am wary of asking for your advice, lest I end up even deeper in your debt."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>03-05-2009, 23:21:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her hand was gone as soon as she finished speaking, and back to rest against the one holding her fan at the level of her waist. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She followed his quasi-dancing with her eyes, and there for a moment there was a flicker of mirth in their depths. "That is why, when you are not sure, you should always offer a boon." Voila. Looks like the tutoring has just started, paid for or not. Aware of his interest on her profile, Lucia turned just enough to offer him more of it while lifting her hand to the curtains again, this time to look past them and towards the main room.<br><br>The woman's shape was undoubtedly artificial --nobody could have a waist that small-- but she carried it with enough grace to make one second-guess that opinion.&nbsp; The cleavage left by her dress was discrete enough, and it was the length of her body that just made everything balance well. From the side, the strength of her jaw was showcased in the hard lines of determination that continued all the way to her chin and the expressive, full lips. Said lips moved to speak: "It is, however, unwise to offer one without limitations to someone you hardly know. I am flattered. " Wait, did he offer one? It looked like she had accepted it anyway and it just might be too late to back out.<br><br>She was most certainly not looking at him when she added a quiet "It seems to me that you are dying to dance."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>10-05-2009, 00:40:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'd say that I might die if I do dance," Francesco replied, his eyes twinkling mischievously.&nbsp; There was something beguiling about this woman, something that at once put him at his ease and yet kept him wary at the same time.&nbsp; It was an interesting dance they had begun, circling each other with words.&nbsp; It was a dance, he hoped, and not the other thing that such elaborate manoeuvres could be: a duel.&nbsp; In either case, the strategy of choice was to play the uncultured military man.<br><br>The maxim: no enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution, was one that proved advantageous in politics as well as on the battlefield.&nbsp; Francesco did not doubt that this ball was very much an arena of political warfare. Each encounter could be with a possible ally or an enemy and it was as wise to let them underestimate him until he was sure.<br><br>"I have always considered that courage is the ability to risk death for a noble cause," he said, stepping out towards the dance floor.&nbsp; "And never let it be said that I am a coward.&nbsp; I am, however, a quick learner; I will follow your lead and seek to master the dance within these halls."&nbsp; He offered her his hand, his eyes straying over her figure when he thought she was distracted by the offer of the hand and he smiled and waited on her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>10-05-2009, 13:06:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ah, a Valiant Soul." The comment was Sahara dry, but the light in her eyes bore no ill-will, on the contrary. Lucia even took the time to enunciate each word carefully as she set her hand atop the offered one.&nbsp; It was a soft, feather-light pressure that brushed skin without adding real weight to it; would that be considered a feint, or a block? She took the first step to match his, and it would be hard to tell which one was first or if they both did go at the same time. <br><br>She turned her face towards the dance floor, giving her newfound companion enough time to slake the thirst of his eyes on her figure, yet she returned her gaze to him just before it could be considered flaunting. Timing is an art,too.&nbsp; "I shall assure you then," she remarked with the lightest upward shift at the corner of her lips, "that I&nbsp; can lead the dance as well as any Gentleman I have been acquainted with, provided my partner is as adept at following as any Lady." So maybe there was the lightest hint of a taunt there, back in the undercurrent of her tone.<br><br>Out and into the light, her hair looked even darker as the true colors of her skin and dress acquired the gleaming golds from the lanterns and candles set carefully to illuminate the area. The current dance was coming to its predictable end, but she seemed to be in no rush to reach the floor quite yet. "I wonder now, however, what part of the dance would cause your heart to stop."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>11-05-2009, 21:09:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It has been my experience, madonna," Francesco said, "that he who would lead must first learn to follow."&nbsp; He looked down at her briefly and then out to the dance floor, offering a feint.&nbsp; "I see no loss of masculinity in learning from one with superior knowledge, just as a doubt that putting you in the leading position would do anything to lessen your essential femininity."<br><br>His eyes gleamed in the candlelight as he watched the dance wind down.&nbsp; And then, he turned to her and smiled efore executing a verbal ballestra.&nbsp; "As for the part of the dance that would cause my mortification, it would be where my leaden feet fail to follow the prescribed moves for the dance and I lose what little esteem I have gained in your lovely eyes."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>13-05-2009, 00:20:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>"Is it, now?" It was a surprised tone rather than disbelief, and it kept the masked woman silent for a little longer as she watched the last figures of the dance complete its perfect symmetry. "In theory perhaps, but I think the widespread opinions say otherwise." She almost grinned there for a moment, though, a brief brightening of her face. "To most, appearances are everything."&nbsp; She left it at that, and took a step closer to Francesco to make room for an exiting couple to go through. <br><br>Her hand tightened briefly atop his a moment later, and Lucia glanced towards him from over her shoulder again. "As long as you don't step on my slippers, I may be able to forgive you a small transgression now and then." They were still speaking about dancing, right? Probably.&nbsp; A moment later, however, she was taking a step forward with the first accords of the song.&nbsp; "This one shouldn't be too difficult, in either case"<br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Masks we Wear [Neroon and Cshades]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Neroon</strong> on <strong>20-05-2009, 23:31:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Francesco allowed her to lead him, after all, wasn't that what he had asked her to do?&nbsp; He was a bit unsure how they had ended up talking about dancing in the first place but here they were about to dance, so it was best, he decided, to get on with it and just dance.<br><br>"I believe your slippers are safe, madonna," he said, his eyes twinkling behind his mask.&nbsp; "Provided, of course, you were not lulling me into a false sense of security by underestimating the difficulty of the dance."&nbsp; In truth, Francesco's dancing ability was more than credit worthy.&nbsp; Hours on the drill ground and even longer hours sparring had given him balance, poise and- most usefully where dancing was concerned- the ability to place his feet in prescribed patterns without having to concentrate on it.<br><br>"So, madonna," he began, as they began to move according to the dictates of the dance.&nbsp; "If it does not break the code for the evening, might I enquire as to what you do aside from teaching old soldiers new steps?"
			</dd>
		</dl>
		<div id="footer" class="smalltext">
			
			<span class="smalltext" style="display: inline; visibility: visible; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?action=credits" title="Simple Machines Forum" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF 2.0.19</a> |
 <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php" title="License" target="_blank" class="new_win">SMF © 2021</a>, <a href="https://www.simplemachines.org" title="Simple Machines" target="_blank" class="new_win">Simple Machines</a>
			</span>
		</div>