something something glass slippers

[mementosola]

[So, you know, let's call it a party. Actually, a series of parties, as is expected for someone rich and magical and possibly a sword! High fashion, masks (whoever had that idea ought to be shot, seriously), a lot of booze...you know, the kind of three-day long party that no one remembers what it's for. Graduation, or a birthday, or an excuse to break out the chocolate fountains, who even knows.

The point is, every night, some girl has shown up and totally stolen the show. Gleaming with magic and some truly amazing dresses, dancing with no one, and vanishing just as the clock strikes midnight. So in the preparations for tonight's party, everyone's wondering if she's going to show up, and the whole venue's abuzz with gossip.

I mean, except for this one girl, some hired florist, who's struggling with a flower arrangement the size of a person and losing. She seems pretty unconcerned with anything not being potentially buried in lilies, at the moment.]

Comments

[withoutmercy]

[Well, when she's trying to get it balanced, she'll suddenly find herself being braced from behind by a pair of surprisingly powerful hands. If she looks, it's... the guy who hired her?]

Another few degrees, you and the arrangement would have gone over.

[mementosola]

A-ahh...They're heavier than they look...

[She looks up and...immediately flusters rather impressively.]

Oh! Sir--I'm sorry sir, thank you!

[withoutmercy]

[He smiles warmly, even if she does fluster.]

No, thank you. I appreciate the work that you and your group do. The amount of artisanship that a celebration of this caliber requires is substantial.

[mementosola]

Oh, no, it's really nothing...I'm just glad you like my flowers.

[...Her flowers?]

[withoutmercy]

I only hire the best.

[He'll stand there for a long moment and then finally let her go.]

The lilies were a favorite of the former matron of the house, they say. It is out of respect to her that we have them on these anniversary soirees.

[mementosola]

Anniversary?

[She kind of blinks, before leaning down to pick up a stray flower.]

It was quite a hefty order...and rather suddenly. Was there someone else you usually got these from?

[withoutmercy]

We had another arranger lined up, yes. I simply happened past your store and, upon seeing the display, I realized second-rate work such as theirs would not do.

[He chuckles, then pauses and... lowers his head.]

Where are my manners? My name is Retsu Miyamae, head of the Miyamae House of the Mibu Clan. I am thankful beyond wors that you could work on such short notice.

[mementosola]

Fujiwara Hisoka. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Miyamae.

[Gathering up the last few of the stray flowers.] It is my honor to be chosen, honestly. Our little shop has seen better days...but there's no reason not to do our best.

[withoutmercy]

With someone as skilled as you are, I am certain those dark times will be well behind you.

[He begins to pace away, though.]

I am only sorry you cannot see it be properly appreciated.

[mementosola]

[She chuckles, a little.]

Oh, I wouldn't worry about it. After all...us smallfolk have our ways of seeing the show, even when we're not center stage.

[Wait, what?]

You seem like something's on your mind, though, young master?

[withoutmercy]

Oh just... nothing, i suppose. There was a bit of a surprise last night. A young woman, uninvited, arrived and was the talk of the party until the vanished. Like something from a fairy tale, I suppose...

[He shakes his head.]

These celebrations are masked affairs, and she was not among the invited guests, so, I haven't the faintest who she was, but there was something nostalgic about her arrival, something out of another century.

[mementosola]

Nostalgic? Some could say the same of masked parties.

[Tilting her head.] Did you not see her yourself? You speak like you're only repeating hearsay.

[withoutmercy]

No. She seemed rather intent on avoiding me. I haven't the faintest clue why...

[mementosola]

...Well, you are the heir of one of the richest families in Japan. You could cut a rather imposing figure.

[withoutmercy]

A branch of one of the richest families.

[He waves a hand.]

Yes, yes, I know. Semantics. You are quite right.

[mementosola]

If one of your cousins showed up here I believe the guests might actually implode. It's close enough for the people here.

[Her watch starts beeping, right about then.]

Oh--! I'm terrible sorry, but I've some work that needs to be finished...and you have to get ready yourself, don't you?

[withoutmercy]

Yes. Much like your arrangements, I too have my part to play in this matter.

[He nods to her again and smiles, then head off toward the bedrooms.]

[mementosola]

[Well, wherever she went probably isn't that important, right? Just an employee.

Of course, once again, the mystery guest appears at the party. With a dress that shimmers in white and gold, and an old-style noh fox mask...or no, maybe that's a wolf? Either way, it works remarkably well, particularly with the lily tucked in her hair.

She's avoiding dances as usual, but if he wants to approach, she doesn't seem to be hiding tonight...]

[withoutmercy]

[He is dressed in a tasteful black tuxedo, of course, with a matching domino mask. His red hair is costume enough, apparently.]

I see that our witch has chosen to look past the lack of invitation and grace us with her presence again.

[mementosola]

Witch?

[The voice might be a tad familiar, but it's hard to pin down past the mask.]

Goodness, there's no need for such titles. I'm not here to curse anyone.

[withoutmercy]

There are very few people outside of witches who radiate so clearly or cleanly with magic. I assumed it was only proper to make a guess to your title.

[mementosola]

You radiate quite brightly yourself, you know.

[She chuckles, and bows slightly.] I can only assume you are some mysterious young prince, with such a figure.

[withoutmercy]

That would be telling, and none such a thing happens until this masquerade's end. But that will come in due time; Miss Witch, would you care to dance with me?

[mementosola]

Since you've gone through the trouble of finding me to ask...yes, I think I might.

[withoutmercy]

[He will simply reach out to her then, with a white gloved hand.]

Thank you.