Soaring Through Adventures discussion

You and your friend are walking home from dinner after a long night in New York City. As you are nearing 4th avenue you both look up at The Black Masque Chamber of Commerce. The place to be in the 1750's when it neared nighttime. The place where it was magical each night and as soon as you put on your masque, you had an entirely new identity. As you and your friend near the entrance you both push open the door and step inside. On the floor there is an invitation to a masquerade ball and two masques. You each slip one on and the next thing you know, you are in the middle of a ballroom, and you and your friend have no idea how you got here or where you are.

((OK, I'm gonna start my character, because she's like back in time.))

1757-

"Arabella, the carriage is waiting! We musn't delay!" her mother hollered from down the stairs. "I'll be down in a moment, mother!" Arabella screamed from her bedroom. She turned back towards her bedroom mirror, adding a bit more white powder to her face. She had to look good for the Duke. Tonight was his famous annual masquerade ball.

Arabella placed the powder back into its case, placed it back neatly inside the drawer, and took one last look at herself. Her blonde hair was looming freely below her shoulders, her deep purple dress cascading over her body. She had on the perfect pair of earrings that were just the lightest shade of purple, in order to accent her same shaded jewel in the middle of her gown. After the waist, the dress broke off into beautiful layers, as it was very fashionable to own large flowing dresses. Her shoes were covered up by her dress, but they were the same shaded purple as her jewel and her earrings, brand new and shimmering high heeled shoes.

Arabella rushed to the left of her vanity, and examined her shelve of masquerade masks. Out of all of the masquerade balls she went to, she had a feeling that this one was going to be...magical. She bought the mask by herself for the special occasion. It matched perfectly with her outfit, to create the perfect entourage. The mask was the same shade of deep purple as the dress, with curly silver designs accenting the mask and a beautiful violet on the right side. She gently picked up the mas with her right hand, and slowly placed it over her face, covering her forehead and most of her nose.

"Arabella, the carriage is off. Do hurry!" Arabella heard her mother scream yet again, this time sounding a bit more rushed.

"I'm on my way down the stairs, Mother!" Without a second thought, Arabella took one last look at herself in the mirror, smiled, and dove out of her room.

((Hey, thanks!))

~Present Day~

Charlie walked down the cool, New York City street, her shoes clicking on the slick pavement. It had just rained the other night and the puddles on the street were evidence of that. Wondering if it would rain again tonight, Charlie glanced up at the sky. It was too dark to tell - the moon and stars already out - but judging by the way everything was calm, she didn't think it would.
Walking with her fingers laced, Charlie looked next to her. Cossette was walking beside her, her hair it's usual rugged, stylish look. The two had been friends for quite a while, ever since that day back in elementary school when they first met. The two had been like peas in a pod, Cossette's tough exterior balancing out Charlie's soft. Cossette looked out for Charlie a lot and she was eternally grateful for that. Cossette was a really good friend.

Cossette was wearing shoes. But it was only because Charlie had insisted and she was going to work. And it wasn't like they were Gucci shoes or Giavinni style like Charlie, just her old chuck taylors that she wears when she goes out..with Charlie. Charlie was a more of a stylish chic type girl than Cossette but there is some saying that says that two different people are closer or something like that? Cossette was glad that she met Charlie though. She seemed to be the only friend in the world that understands her and knows what she goes through. Flipping her hair back, Cossette looks down at her sky blue plaid button up with her pale blue jeans and chuck taylors. This was basically her everyday outfit, occasionally without shoes and a different plaid button up once in a while from Abercrombie. She liked her style though and never really cared what other people though of her. Squeezing Charlie's hand, Cossette smiles at her, "Just two best friends, walking the New York City streets at night as the stars shine brightly above us. An exquisite night I'd say." Cossette says. This was most definitely not her usual choice of words, she was just mimicking the politeness that Charlie had toward her art class earlier.

Charlie turned her head toward Cossette. She smiled at her, laughing, "Quite exquisite." She said, her eyes flickering to the street in front of her. They were nearing fourth where they would have to turn. Her eyes rested on the building next to it. It was an old building, first built back in the eighteenth century. It had been quite the place to be back when it was first built, and she thought it must have been beautiful. Actually, she was certain. There were pictures of it in an article in the paper back in... September? Charlie remembered reading about it over her father's shoulder. He had given her the article for her collection of newspaper clippings that she pegged on her cork-board. She studied the pictures of the old buildings for architectural purposes and she could see it in her mind now. The intricate interior with chandeliers and masquerades. It really had been something. Now though it looked like any old run down building on this side of the city. No one really went in to it anymore or even noticed it. It was just another building. She gazed at it, wanting very much to just take a step inside and get a blast from the past.

"I'm not sure why it is, but I have a strong feeling in my heart that this night is going to be...different." Ever since Arabella entered the carriage, she had been ranting to her parents about how special and unique this masquerade ball this was going to be.

"Arabella darling, you've said this for plenty of the masquerade balls that you attend. What makes this one any different?" her mother replied. She had a compact mirror in front of her, and began to apply some more white powder on her face, even though she already looked as pale as a ghost.

Arabella paused. Her mother did make a good point. But her mother didn't understand what was going on inside her head. She couldn't fathom being able to place them into words.

"It's just..." her voice trailed off as they pulled up to Fourth Avenue. "We've just about arrived, darling. Gather your belongings," her father stated as he adjusted his suit.

Arabella sighed and watched her parents tidy themselves up. Their carriage pulled up to the palace doors. The stairwell leading to the entrance was crammed with princes, princesses, and other wealthy parents with their snobby children.

Her father hopped out of the carriage and scurried to the other side in order to lead his wife out. As soon as they both exited, her father opened the carriage door nearest Arabella and held out his hand. He smiled at her. "I hope your night is as magical as you believe it will be, my darling." Arabella couldn't help but smile back. Sometimes, her father understood her more than her mother. She outstretched her arm and placed her hand in his as she hopped gracefully out of the carriage and began to proceed up the palace steps.

As they neared fourth avenue Cossette tilted her head up to gaze at the disintegrated building. It had once been quite the place to hang out during a Friday night. How beautiful it must've been as all different kinds of people, dukes and paupers, dancing away on the ballroom floor. For one night, just one mere night, anything could happen. You were a whole new person the second you put on your mask. Cossette eased her head to the left in wonder. She wasn't usually the Cinderella glass slipper type of girl, but just grasping the idea of putting on one small mask and creating a whole new identity was...was...thrilling. And Cossette wasn't sure why she felt this way. It is as if a tether was connected to her and to the history of that building. turning to Charlie Cossette spoke to break the silence, "Now that is some place huh? How'd you like to go to one of those soirees." She twirled on the dusty gravel on the road, and felt her Chuck Taylor's scrape on the ground. If she did ever go to one of those, she would do it barefoot, just so everyone could look at her in wonder as her hair twirled around her carelessly with each step. Cossette smiled just thinking of that.

"I'd love too." Charlie smiled as she watched Cossette twirl around. In all honesty, Charlie had gone to events similar to the balls they used to have in the old building. Because her father was CEO of a major manufacturing company, there were often parties held for the clients and employees, and families of the employees, and families of the clients - basically, if you were related, you were invited. So Charlie, being the daughter of the head of the company, naturally had to attend. The parties weren't anything special - really just rich people flaunting around their money and having casual arguments on who was richest - so Charlie was often bored with them. Usually, she just wandered around, counting how many minutes she had left until she could go home.
But this place... She couldn't imagine the dances there ever being dull. They must have been so extraordinary with love and betrayal and lust. Something right out of a movie. White knights, women dressed as princesses - it sounded too good to be true.
"Hey, Cossette," She said, looking up at the building's deteriorating exterior, "Could we go inside?" Just the words leaving her mouth filled Charlie with both excitement and anxiety.

As Cossette finished twirling around, Charlie asked her a question. "Could we go inside?" Just through those four mere words, Cossette heard her anxiety loud and clear. And Cossette had to admit that she was a bit curious as to what really lied in there also. What if they found 260 year old dresses, that are full of intricate details and exquisite colors. And right next to them would lie hundreds of masks that were once worn by all different kinds of citizens. The wealthy people that went there would most likely have gold masks that perfectly arch around your eyebrow as dozens of tiny ruby pearls encircled the outer lining. Cossette chuckled at the idea of wearing one of those corsets that would tighten up your bosom and block your airways. She wondered how they could dance in their enormous hoop skirts that would help make your skirt look more graceful and large. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad living in their age. Living like a princess just for one night. Cossette turned to Charlie and slowly shook her head, "What the hey. What could happen anyways.?"

"What about him? He looks...mysterious." Arabella and her friends were standing near the marble staircase, marveling at the hundreds of women and men in their masquerade attire. At the moment, her friends were doing their usual routine; at 11:30, they would peruse the area, checking out men and their suits, imagining how they look without their masks.

"Mysterious? Please. He looks like a pauper! Who let him in here?" another one of her friends joked, and they broke into giggles.

For some oddity, however, Arabella didn't laugh with them. She felt...different. Like she wasn't supposed to be here. Something amazing was going to happen at midnight tonight. She could feel it pulsing through her veins. She didn't want her friends to know though; they wouldn't understand.

"Excuse me ladies, I'll be back in a moment," Arabella turned away from her friends and walked towards her father, who was giving her a quizzical expression. He broke away from his friends and confronted Arabella near the refreshments.

"Is everything alright, darling? You're not acting like yourself." Her father took his mask off his face and gripped it with his left hand, while he took a sip of his champagne from his right.

"I'm not sure father." She took off her mask as well in order to communicate with him better. "I don't believe it's anything detrimental. I just have a feeling that..." her voice trailed off as she found the proper words. "Something unusual is going to take place tonight." She sighed, hoping her father would understand.

"Something, as in the Duke proposing?" Her father smiled, hoping he hit the right note.

Arabella paused. The Duke? The Duke? Proposing to her? Well, her dress was exquisite. She had never considered this before. Maybe tonight was the night. Maybe tonight was the night the Duke will finally find a Duchess. Maybe this was it. Arabella had to make every second count.

"Rumor has it," her father started. "That the Duke is going to have one special dance with his special someone. It will be then that he proposes." Her father took another sip of champagne. "Just keep your head up, Arabella. Stranger things have happened." And with that, he gave her a quick hug, put the mask back on his face, and walked back towards his friends.

Arabella began to stroll back towards her friends, then backtracked. If she told them, they'd get jealous. They might ruin it for her. She paused, placed her mask in it's rightful position, and rushed to the bathroom to tidy herself.

Happy beyond belief, Charlie gave a little hop of excitement. She had forgotten she was wearing her good shoes and nearly fell on her rear in the street. She retained her balance though and grasped Cossette's hand in hers, quickly walking up the stairs. Looking down, she had to watch her feet as to make sure she didn't trip and send them both tumbling down the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, Charlie released Cossette's hand. There was a small plaque beside the door. It was covered in debris and was beginning to rust, but wiping it off with her hand, she could read what it said: 'The Black Masque Chamber of Commerce.' Sounded fancy. Charlie turned to Cossette, a huge smile on her face.

"What are you staring at." Cossette asked, as she blew raspberries at Charlie. Bringing her chewed fingernails up to the plaque, Cossette etched each intricate letter with her fingertips. Every letter must've taken a month to make, considering the delicacy of every word. "Well, if this was my house I would bring all the suitors to my home and party til midnight. And through that whole time, I wouldn't take my mask off once." Cossette snapped her fingers in Charlie's face.

((You on?))

((Yeah, sorry. I was caught up in another thing. Give me a minute or two :) ))

Charlie laughed as Cossette snapped in front of her, "You wouldn't want to take off your mask and show all those suitors who you really were?" She wondered, if she was around back in that time, if she would have taken off her mask. Maybe, but then again, that got rid of the element of surprise. Then again, how we're you supposed to fall in love with someone at one of these balls if you never even saw who they were? She smiled. "Do you want to go in, Miss Mystery?"

((Sorry! Took a break from story writing! Back now though!:) ))

"Heck yeah! I want to find me some elaborate dresses that were tailored in the most finest shop of all of New York City." Cossette exclaimed in a British accent, as she bowed down to Charlie. Turning her body toward the door, she began to survey every angle. The doors were extremely large, presumably so the slick men in the tailored suits could tip down his top hat at them and welcome them inside the Black Masque Chamber of Commerce. The two handles were brass and made a line through the middle. The handles were just as beautiful as the door was. There was little golden leaves messily, yet perfectly covering it.It was as if a magical, golden tree had embraced the two handles. The whole door was covered in pearls. In the 1950s they must've looked downright beautiful, but now, pearls were missing from the door. Now the door had ugly holes spread messily on the door. "Wow, this door must've been amazing in it's day." Cossette said in wonder. "How about this, we each open a handle because if one of us opens the door, then that person would get shot by the 500 year old man inside. But if it is the two of us, one of us won't regret letting the other person open the door, you get me?" Cossette said as she winked at Charlie.

Charlie just smiled at Cossette's suggestion. Shrugging, she put her hand on the metal handle of the door. It was cool under her palm. The part of the handle that Charlie had her hand on was worn down, the metal wearing from all the times it had been used. Charlie wondered just how many important people had placed their hand in this exact same place as well. "Sure." Charlie said, answering Cossette. She let out a small breath, looking over at her friend. "Ready? One... Two... Three!" Her hand tugged on the door, eyes watching for her friend to do the same.

((It's okay! ^_^ ))

Cossette placed her hand on the door, following suit of Charlie. As they both pushed the door handle, it seemed to not be able to budge. Questioningly, Cossette looked over at Charlie. "Try pulling harder."

((Sorry I didn't write a lot I got to go somewhere :D ))