Story Relates to our 2007 Colorguard Show
Throught the Eyes of the Mask ((Version 2.o)) I smiled looking in the mirror of my devilish handsome face. Satisfied I picked up my velvet black mask and tied it around my face. It hid who I was almost too perfectly. I never felt more charming and I knew that the night on that glistening ballroom floor I would have the ladies falling at my feet. I took the paper the advertised this mysterious masqurade with the address on the back. Giving myself one last charming smile and tugged at the collar of my black vest lined with thick white lining and silver buttons. The red rose pattern the adroned my mask seem to make my smile stand out more and almost gave a sparkling look to it.
I made my way to my carraige that awaited me outside my castle. Its black majestic horse stopped their hooves and heaved heavy breaths, eager to ride off into the setting sun of the night. The carrige driver nodded at me in approval. He was a good friend of mine. Climbing into the red padded seats, I played with the cuffs of my shirt.
" Jean-Claude? Do you know whom will be attending tonights festivities?" I asked politely to my driver.
He coughed and resonded respectfully. " Why of chorse the Grand Dutchesses of only the highest of family pedigrees!"
I smiled and gave my head a nod to the side. "But which ones my good friend?"
Jean-Claude gave a light laugh. " Expecting someone in particular?"
I laughed at that. " Well, In a way. Are you going to tease me or answer the question?" I replyed, slightly teasing as well.
Jean-Claude slapped the horses reins and the horses rod off to the grand ballroom that awaited me. " You are hopless master, but I believe The Royal Family that will be attending consists of about 5-6 girls, So if you plan to take on them all you will have your hands full with them all."
I chuckled. " I will do my best to have fair share with them all! Even it it does take all night. This royal family has never met me before so they wont expect someone like me sweeping them off thier feet tonight Jean-Claude! By the night comes to it's end I would have had my fun and the mystery of my identity will simpley mystify them!"
We arrived the the ballroom and I stepped out of the carrige. Jean-Claude shook his head, He bared a wide grin across his old cheeks. " Im sure, Good luck Master, I will return on the eve of the masqurades end." And with that, he snapped the reins , and the horses galloped into the now dark night sky.
As he did so I stood at the entrence of the ballroom door. The Gray and black marble floor seems to reflect the gleam of the lights of the glistening chandeliers. The tall window and glass doors wore dark blood red curtains that went from the ceiling to inches off the floor. Other, unknown faces looked at me in awe and I knew the excitment of the night had only started to begin. I immediatly tucked my hand behind my back and gazed around the room and the music had begun.
I spotted the Royal dutches immediatly, and took the smallest one closest to me. She was beautiful with her own sense of grace. Delicate in the way she held herself upright. I took her hand and we danced in the center of the ballroom floor.
Dacing with her was magical but I knew if i wanted to try all the beautiful women I would have to move on, I ended our duet and she blew me a kiss. As soon as she looked away I spotted my next target.
This one slightly more taller with bright blond hair that made her eyes stand out. Her face looked almost porcelain, and perfect. I made my way over to her in favor of a dance but before I could, the first small dutches came in want of my mask. I push her hand away.
HA! The night had not even made its way past the beginning and already I was on the run. She looked so hurt and took off. I had hoped she hadn't taken too much offense to the jester.
AS I turned back I realized the the whole room had revealed themselves. I refuse to do so however. I refuse to give up my identity until I reached my bed later that night! Besides I had a few more dutchesses to go.
I took the dancer with the beautiful blond hair by the hand and kissed it lightly. She seemed charmed and tickled pink. The other dutches, well..nots so charmed. Almost insulted that I didn't pick them as my next choice. Little did they know that I would be after them soon enough.
AS we danced she told me her name. " Stacy" And apparently, the little one I had danced with first was " Bianca". Finally at the climax of our dance together she moved in closer to my face. First I thought... " yes a true kiss at last!" but to my error she touched the cornor of my mask and I realized her true motives. I pushed her away, disappointed.
I gazed around the room and spotted yet another Dutchess. Brown curly hair that framed her face. She introduced herself quickly. " Oliva" she said her name was, and with her perky smile she reached for my face. Already learning my lesson before I pulled away. She had a better grasp on my that I thought because before I could blink, she had pulled off one of my gloves. Knowing that it would be silly to dance with one glove, I took it off and threw the other one at her. I didnt need gloves anyway and For all I cared she could keep it as a souvenir. Something to remember me by.
Next was another beautiful blond. She danced with a much bigger man that I was and I knew now was my chance at her. I came up from behind her and whispered in her ear. 'Come with me and we shall dance the night away under the moon light that reflects in you eyes'. While doing so I managed to grab her hand and pull her away.
However my attempts where usless for it seems she wasn't ammused. She gave me an evil glare and yet I still tried. After what seemed like ages she slapped me across the cheek and mummbled between her teeth. " My name is Courtney, now if you excuse me I will return with my original date..you flirtatious jerk." And with that she walked off.
I held my cheek in shock. My night wasn't going as smoothly as I planned after all. No matter I had only a few more dutchesses to go.
My next choice was the tallest, not to mention the oldest.
She was graceful and light on her feet. The music however was not on my side either. The music started to speed up and the floor became crowded. I tried to dance my way over to her but the wave of people was't working to my advantage either. Finally I got next to her. I asked for her hand and Again I had made my way to the center of the floor. She told me her name, " Avarra". We danced a beautiful dance, until I realized the trap I was caught in. It seems the dutchessess we not all amuzed with my mysterious carming manner. All desperate to find my identity, they trap me in a large circle with Avarra. I pleaded to her to help me. She gave me a loving smile and stroked me cheek. I moved cautiously. She touched my face lightly again, then Suddenly she ripped off my mask with a jerk.
The dutchesses gasped, the dance had ended.
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I climbed into my carrige lined with red velvet and Jean-Claude smiled at me, looking at me as I held my black mask in my hand. He didnt say a word until the horses took off, thier powerful hooves sounding loud in the night sky.
" How did it go sir?"
I chuckled and smiled. " I got them all but one."
Jean-claude laughed at me. As he did he looked at me with his old wise eyes. As if he had already knew how the ending of this evening went.
" It looks like your night didnt go the way you wanted it to."
I shook my head. " No, I guess not, but dont worry. They will see me again, at the next dance, but next time....the ball will be in my court"
Jean Claude smiled shaking his head.
" I am sure it will sir..Im sure it will...."
FIN
The Dutchess that got away on the night of the masqerade.......Courtney.
