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[center][i][color=burlywood]the old Polyvore set[/color][/i][/center]
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[center][i][color=burlywood]a better look at his cape[/color][/i][/center]
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[center][i][color=burlywood]matching jacket[/color][/i][/center]
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[center][color=e21400][h1]A L E X A N D E R [/h1][/color][/center]
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"To the esteemed Mister Alexander Damien Amidale:
 
You are cordially invited to Supreme Commander Phillip Osborne's estate for a masquerade ball being held in honor of his daughter's twentieth birthday, to be hosted on the twenty-fifth of March, in the year eighteen-hundred and ninety-two. 
 
You have been invited because you have accepted an offer to work with some of the city's most talented individuals. We humbly request that you confirm your acceptance by attending the ball. The library should be of particular interest.
 
Sincerely,
Supreme Commander Phillip Osborne
Minister of the Legionnaire Guild"

[hr]

What a dreary affair this was turning out to be.

"Elric, please have someone take a peek into Commander Osborne's place, or wherever this event is to be held, and have them inform me of how...well...how do I put this..."

"The masquerade will take place at his home, which means it will be very drab, sir," Elric informed Alexander as he poured the man's tea.

The craftsman looked at his chief of staff with a raised eyebrow. "And you'd know this...? Ah, yes, right. Legionnaire. Military. Never mind." He sighed a bit dramatically, tossing the paper and envelope into the fireplace behind him once he wrote the address in his datebook. "Not the...first choice of location I would make, but something tells me if this event is to be as...dismal as you seem to know it will be, they will be making the other guests' homes be the better options for the evening." He sighed again, picking up his tea once the spoon was finished stirring in the cream and sugar. "Thank you, Elric. It looks like I'll be saving my better costume for my own event later this year." He sipped his tea and dismissed his good friend.

The night of the masquerade, Alexander made sure his black suit, cream cravat with a gold, pearl, and garnet cravat pin, cream dress shirt, heeled black dress shoes (to make him just [i]that[/i] much taller), and black cape with gold embroidery were as clean and stately as they could be. He polished his choice of pocket watch, the case matching both the head of his cane sword and the gold detailing on his cape as well as his cravat pin, and brushed off his top hat before bidding Elric a good evening. He went on his way via carriage as usual, preferring it to most other automated transport that had a tendency to break down or leave the safety of the ground. He placed his dark gold half-mask on as the carriage approached the Supreme Commander's estate, and upon entering he had to stifle a yawn. The place felt disused, abandoned, choking him with its dust. He used his handkerchief to discretely clear his lungs, passing through the ballroom to take in every detail. He pitied the musicians, he really did. Their instruments were cheap, and even [i]he[/i] could play in better tune on such a terrible purchase. Still, he made his way into the parlor, and after nodding his head at a few individuals and taking in all he could, he set his gift for the host's daughter - a beautiful clockwork jewelry box that played music as the gears shifted to open it and reveal a mirror - he entered the library.

Now this was much more like it.

True, it was a shame that the best of a party would be saved for an exclusive set of individuals, but all the same Alexander was pleased that at least Osborne had a collection he took care of. He bid Captain Kingsford hello - 'and please, next time an event like this comes up, tell someone to contact me for help in decorations and musicians so the [i]other[/i] guests can actually enjoy themselves' - before making his way around the room. A glint caught his eye, and he chuckled before making his way over to it. He sat in a chair nearby, sipping his sherry.

"I had no idea you were coming, dearie," Alexander said to Rowena. "I'm afraid we've overdressed for the occasion. I couldn't even oblige myself a single dance, the musicians made me far too sad. I almost wish I'd brought an instrument or two to replace with theirs or to play with them to make things sound...well, appealing."

He sighed, taking another sip of his sherry before resuming his talking and eating. "At least the alcohol is good and this pie is decent enough to keep eating. I'll have to throw another one of these, perhaps for some obscure yet not too obscure holiday or another, like St. Nicholas' feast day or just an ordinary yule ball or perhaps even a fall event…something. Or perhaps I should think of something sooner. It might be a bit late for an equinox gala, though I would love to see all the florals and light colors..."

Alexander sighed again. "Well, I'll let you get back to your…[i]intriguing[/i] reading material” - at this he made a face after glancing at the book itself ([i]so[/i] un-Rowena) - “and attempt to enjoy myself. Do find me if you get bored. Perhaps we can inspire the musicians to play a happier tune.” With that, he stood, gave her a wink and a small smirk, before perusing the shelves and taking a book over to another chair. His choice of seating was both hidden and within view, just as he was, and as he set his sherry down on the nearby table, he opened the book and began to read, his blue eyes often leaving the gold-leafed pages to scan the crowd, wondering if he would have even a [i]little[/i] bit of fun tonight.