First Reply Midnight Masquerade

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: black dress and mask

The grand ballroom buzzed with energy, the chandelier's light reflecting off the sea of masked faces, each one hiding secrets beneath layers of silk and velvet. Valery moved with purpose through the crowd, her dark gown hugging her form, the fabric shimmering with each graceful step. A delicate mask, adorned with intricate silver details, concealed her features, allowing her to blend seamlessly into the throng of glamorous attendees.

But her mission tonight was anything but glamorous. Somewhere among the crowd, an assassin lurked, planning to strike at the stroke of midnight. Their target: a high-ranking diplomat whose death would send ripples through this stretch of space. Valery’s task was clear — find the killer before they could act, without revealing her own identity.

Her eyes scanned the room, noting every subtle shift, every too-casual glance. The assassin could be anyone — a guest, a server, even someone she had already exchanged pleasantries with. As the clock inched closer to midnight, the tension in the air thickened.

Then, she felt it — a shift in the Force, a presence nearby that sent a shiver down her spine. Someone was watching her, their intent concealed behind a mask as elaborate as her own. She turned, her gaze locking onto a figure moving through the room with purpose.

The dance had begun, and Valery knew this encounter was crucial. With every step, the clock ticked closer to midnight, and the assassin would soon make their move. She had to stay one step ahead, or risk losing everything in this deadly game of deception.

Open! Join as assassin or as someone helping her find this assassin!
(Preference for people I'm not already writing with)​

 

[Vokeo Iga]

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Hiding in plain sight was almost always preferable to sneaking in the shadows. For someone as asocial as Vokeo Iga, this was a simple matter. It was especially easy when he did not have to steal livery or uniforms to blend in as servantry. A masquerade was the perfect place to hide, though the masque did eerily remind him of his days as a Seyugi Dervish...

But that would soon be behind him. He had successfully taken out almost all those who had had a hand in the circumstance that had lead to the murder of his maternal family and his own kidnapping as an infant. He only had one target left. After that, it would be over. Vengeance for his clan would be served. He would have no more need for killing.

But for now, he had to get through this night. He would strike at the stroke of midnight. It would be poetic that way.

That is, until this odd feeling came over him through the Force. Someone was onto him. How? That shouldn't be possible, unless... Unless there was a seer. A Force user with a knack for Foresight, or someone who had been tipped off by one. This complicated things. He had no way of knowing if it was only one person onto him, or many, maybe even his target. No, that was unlikely.

The young man moved through the crowd. He had to keep the target in sight. There was no telling what might happen, but as long as his mission was successful, nothing else mattered. His eyes scanned the crowd, looking for eyes that might be watching him....

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[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: black dress and mask

Valery's breath hitched, the subtle but unmistakable tingle of the Force growing stronger with each passing second. She could feel the assassin's presence now, closer than ever — a dark thread woven into the vibrant atmosphere of the ballroom. Her eyes flitted over the guests, the servers, and every masked figure that passed by. Each one could be the killer she sought, but only one had that aura of lethal intent.

There. A figure moved with a calculated grace, a predator among prey, blending seamlessly yet moving with a purpose. He wore a mask that was simple, and understated, but there was nothing ordinary about his movements. She could feel his focus, the singular drive that pushed him through the crowd like a knife through silk.

Valery adjusted her stride, weaving through dancers and servers alike, her gaze never wavering from the figure. She allowed the Force to guide her, nudging her steps just enough to bring her into his path. Then, she caught his eyes, a fleeting glance that spoke volumes. He knew. And now, so did she.

But he hadn't done anything yet.

In the blink of an eye, the former Jedi Shadow disappeared into the crowd between them, vanishing without a trace until she suddenly re-appeared, much closer. She looked at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips, "Care for a dance?" she asked, as she held up her hand to be taken.

Would he bite?