Post by VALKO KALUS on Jun 27, 2012 12:19:54 GMT -5
Valko had been at the gala for hours. All of the younger guests had finally begun to trickle out and the horrible popular music they had been playing had faded into traditional dances, such as the waltz and the quick step. It felt more like a proper fete and far less like those ridiculous clubs that filled the city. The later it got the more the liquor flowed and the mood lightened. It was late, after eleven anyways, and many of the patrons had departed, leaving the dance floor somewhat vacant with enough room for actual dancing and less confusion spawning from collisions.
This was how he preferred it. His figure was swathed in a fine green suit, not some gaudy green but a deep olive that suited his skin tone. His blonde hair was let to be wilder, keeping some of its unruly wave to give rise to the image of fields of wheat. The mask that sat upon his brow was shaped to look like the leaves of the green man. A once popular effigy now forgotten by culture. A sign of rebirth, which he thought droll in it's own way. He could gift a new life, well at lease he used to be able to, on anyone he chose. White, forking horns raked over his brow, extending from his temples, lending a mildly demonic flare to the whole affair.
Even if he was not the tallest man in the room, in fact several of the men dwarfed him by comparison, he cut a swath through the remaining crowds. A glass of red wine clasped in his hand. He looked like some demigod sprung from the pages of a book to join in the revelry. Stoic and distant, he could have been anyone. He could feel eyes trailing off of him, as he slunk through the crowd, looking for anything worth his while. He was not hungry. He had been smart and fed before he came. However a masque could not be avoided. It spoke too much of older times. A ball was always something worth attending, a memory he could live and pretend he was his old self. An important man. Besides Dr. Klaus was said to be a charitable man. He gave money to several causes. It took effort to maintain a normal guise after all. So attending these functions was a good way to show his support of the cause.
His usually cold gray eyes were bright with life, and shown beneath the curled brow of his mask. Uncomfortable and strange as lightening within the gray sea of his iris. His careful footfalls hardly making a sound as he finally came to rest far from any refreshment table. His glass was brought to his lips and he contemplated the wine. It wasn't fine, but this wasn't a high class ball. He would much rather be sipping on one of his own bottles at home, but appearances had to be made. It did help that he felt powerful behind the mask, much as he did in his animal forms. No one knew what he was, or who he was. He was a faceless creature, a man in disguise.
It was strange how culture hated disguises, yet a few times a year humanity found a reason to cover it's face in masks and forget about fear. It was foolish, but he loved the game it presented. If he hadn't been full he would have reveled in the hunt of some daft young dame who forgot herself to the drink. So instead he would play a different game. He had no reason to seduce, but for the mere pleasure of knowing he could woo women at will. His glass rose to his lips again and he took another careful swig, looking for his mark. For a woman who would be interesting, rather then vapid.
Most of the girls had paired off already, flipping their hair vacantly, leaning drunkenly on their companions for support to keep themselves upright. That was not the sort of company he craved. He wanted something more. He had, for a time, entertained such a notion. But youth was folly, and he avoided it. Another sip was drawn from his cup as he observed a portly woman with disinterest. Not really his type. He was vain, and he needed a more subtle, knife like beauty. So he was being picky, he had right to be in his mind. He was a count, despite the year and appearances. Despite what his medical degree stated. He would always be a count. Any woman in the room would be lucky for his attentions.
A girl even approached him shyly, but he shot her a look that could curdle dairy and she quickly absconded from the situation, mentioning need of the restroom. How uncouth. Still she should know better then to approach a man so far above her. She hardly looked eighteen. He wasn't about to be buying wine for minors. Talk about an excuse to have himself under suspicion. He didn't understand all the new laws about alcohol but the authorities were very, very concerned about them. So he did not ever cross that line. Still the girl had been pretty, but not what he wanted. He was looking for something specific tonight. Something worth his very worthwhile attentions.
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His suit
his mask
