Thread: Asassination Halted (Me x FemShep)

A finely paved road twisted through the rolling countryside of southern France, passing through acres of well tended lands. Upon this road rumbled carriages of fine quality, emblazoned with crests and symbols of high status. Those riding within wore the finest of dress and highest of fashions. Men and women dressed to the nines, all with equally elaborate masks upon their faces. What lay at the end of the road explained such excessive finery and flair. A spacious manor stretched atop a hill, lit with lanterns and chandeliers that made it a beacon in the growing evening. It was there that the distinguished Desautel family was holding a grand Masquerade for their cherished daughter, in celebration of her birthday. Guests poured into the elegant home, greeted at the door by the party's illustrious host, Monsieur Desautel himself. The warm, brightly lit hall was filled with the laughter and merriment of the guests, young men and women dancing about across the smooth marble floor. However, some chose to mingle and chat idly with others, rather than tire themselves upon the dance floor. Men and women of all ages spoke cheerfully of the splendor of the ball and of the mistresses' beauty. Among the chatter there was one man who remained quite silent. He did nothing to draw the eye to him, nothing to elicit more than a simple glance from those he passed. Despite his fine clothes and elegant mask, he still managed to be someone that none could pay more than a passing glance. He was dressed in a black coat with a great deal of red and silver adornment, silver buttons marched up the front, and intricate embroidery in thread-of-silver lined the hem and spread across the sleeves and breast of his coat, intertwined with strips of red silk that seemed to leave a pleasant balance between the colors. White ruffles and lace peeked out along the edge of his high collar and sleeves. His pants were black as well, more silver stitching along the sides that ended below his knees, ending at snug black boots, again decorated with silver. His young face was hidden by mask that covered his entire face, coming out at a slight arc down the center, bearing no facial designs. His mask was divided in half down the middle, one half black as midnight, while the other was as red as blood. The eyes were black, his own eyes hidden behind thin fabric between his eyes and the mask, making only the eye on the red left half clearly visible. His skin was hidden by his high collar, mask and gloves, and his dark brown hair was held in a short ponytail by a strip of black velvet. None knew him, though some asked and received the answer, A guest of the Lady of the Evening. before he vanished into the crowd again. However, this man was no friend of the Mistress. It seemed there were some in the land who wished to gain the status that her family possessed and believed that perhaps if the daughter were to have an accident, then her family would be weakened. Dante, as that was the man's name tonight, had no interest in such things. He merely did his job as he was paid to, and tonight he would be payed well, once the dear Mistress had been... dealt with. For now though, he continued to act as a guest at a fine party such as this should behave. He danced with a few beautiful women, as well as a few less than beautiful ones. He pretended to partake in the the various drinks that were being passed about by men in brightly colored silks, slipping gracefully between the guests without spilling a drop. He laughed at bad jokes told by half drunk old men and nodded as their equally drunken wives told him of the hardships of living in extravagant manors surrounded by an army of servants. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the arrival of the guest of honor was announced. He watched for her to emerge from the top of the steps with the rest of the hushed crowd. The time to act would be soon at hand.