Thread: A Fracture in the Balance (Translucentfeathers & Beelzing)

It was a beautiful evening stars were able to be seen sparkling between the occasional cloud trailing thinly through the night sky. With a frown twisting over her lips Claire left the window she was gazing out of to return to her preparations for the masquerade. If it wasn't required and likely that she would cause a scandal if she refused, Claire simply wouldn't go. It was all just a play for power, the races of men, vampires and werewolves all making a grand show of their supposed peaceful negotiations and acting treaty they were all under. It was all just a disgusting display of hypocrisy and a game. Claire knew full well how the other races viewed her type and she couldn't say she viewed them in any kinder of a light. With a slight huff of only mild irritation she smoothed pale hands over the formfitting silk evening dress that hugged her curves before flaring out just below the swell of her hips before adjusting the straps that were designed to fall and rest just over the curve of her shoulders. Her attire lacked the usual dark reds and cold black coloring that she felt was far too cliche and typical to her kind. No, it was a dark green that showed off her pale skin and set fire to her hair. The normally wild red locks had been swept off of her neck and onto her head, save a loose tendril or two that fell over her nape. The neckline of the gown was cut dangerously low and she knew she wouldn't be permitted to wear any adornments on her throat as was customary of one born to the life of a vampire. It was a show of class to have her hair pinned and her throat bare, revealing no scarring from being turned, showing herself to be one born into the coven rather than changed. It was as political of a statement as she would make, and she hated that she even had to stoop to that level, but if she dared appear at such a large function hiding her neck she knew it would get back to her family and she would never hear the end of it. It all felt so petty and wildly beyond her understanding as to why such things mattered, but if the Patriarch of her coven demanded it then it was her duty to obey...just as it was her duty to go and be civil at this event. Claire plucked a delicate little mask off of its resting place on her desk. The simple little thing lacked any feathers or wild decorations and was a simple dark gold with black accents that framed the eyes. She understood the metaphor that the ambassadors were aiming for by requiring all of those to attend to wear the masks though she never quite agreed with it. Hiding your differences under a simple piece of stiff cloth that fitted over your face to pretend everyone there was the same. It wasn't the skin that was hidden that left distaste in her mouth, it was the putting on an act while knowing everyone there was tense...except for the humans and sub-races who showed to get in on the fun. With a brief shake of her head Claire pushed the mask into place before making her way through her home and outside, locking the front door behind her as she took in a deep pull of night air and steadied herself the evening as she waited to see who was picking her up and would be required to spend the event with.