[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rtXVnSR.png[/img] [color=black][b]Time:[/b][/color] Dawn [color=black][b]Location:[/b][/color] Roshmi Slums -> Upper Roshmi District [color=black][b]Interactions:[/b][/color] N/A [color=black][b]BGM:[/b][/color] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA9yls4EbFo[/url] [/center] [hider=Inventory] [b][u]Wallet:[/u][/b] 65 Amas [b][u]Bank:[/u][/b] 3,500 [b][u]Gear[/u][/b] [list] [*] Formal Wear [*] Wakizashi [*] Two razor-sharp metal fans [Only one on him at the moment] [*] Throwing Knives [At home] [*] Rope Darts [At home] [*] Climbing Claws [At home] [/list] [b][u]Items[/u][/b] [list] [*] Drystone (For sharpening weapons) [At home] [*] Gourd of water [*] Steel wire [*] Caltrops [At home] [*] Smoke Bombs [At home] [*] Large Red Potions (x3) [At home] [*] Medium Red Potions (x3) [At home] [*] Magic Resistance Potions (x2) [Black] [*] Antidote/Medicine (x1) [Green] [/list] [/hider] [hr] As the day of the ball neared, Kuroi had decided it best for Baraian to go on ahead of him. The vulpine stayed on the rooftop and meditated until dawn, not wanting to risk being caught in the light of day. The first half of his day was spent lurking in the shadows, only showing himself when he was certain he wouldn't be met with any sort of opposition. Sure, choking a guard or two out may have been necessary from time to time, but other than that, Kuroi was able to arrive at the upper-class district of the city. [center][color=black][b]Time: [/b][/color]Afternoon[/center] What one would consider the wealthy's territory is where Kuroi soon found himself in. Around him were well-kempt streets and buildings, children running around in colorful, high-quality gambesons, and luxurious neighborhoods where the more fortunate lived. Kuroi was now wide in the open, standing in the middle of the cobblestone-paved streets. Were it not for his rather good standing among his neighbors, he surely would have been ratted out ages ago. Nonetheless, there was no need to put too much trust into those he considered friends (or acquaintances, at the least). Stalking throughout the alleyways, it took Kuroi another couple of hours in order to reach home. Comparably, his abode was far smaller than many of the neighbors' - the patrician-esque mansions overshadowed the smaller cottage in which the Usagi's lived in. Nonetheless, it still upheld the luxurious standards one would imagine of the upper class. After making his way into his house through the backdoor, he was suddenly called by his mother's voice, "Kuroi? We have much to talk about..." [center]---[/center] The rest of the afternoon flew by as Kuroi explained how he had unintentionally been dragged into rebels' plans, gotten into a near-lethal scrap with the city's beloved governor, and his encounter with a human a few days prior. Akane was not one to jump to conclusions nor put disbelief into her own flesh and blood. Everything that her son said to her was received with the utmost of empathy and understanding, and she soon came to realize that she would soon have to pull her own political strings once opportunities showed themselves. "I met with the governor's self-interest with my own ears and eyes. If you were to leave now, any underhanded tactics of theirs would be-" Akane put her hand up, stopping her son from speaking. "If I am to do my job as a mother and to Roshmi, regardless of corruption within its political workings, I will continue to teach the city to defend itself if the need ever arises. Do not worry about your mother, Kuroi, I shall take caution in my work and do my best to clear your name rightfully. Remember who taught you the skills that brought you to local fame." The young fox's mother softened her expression and soon began to rub her son's cheek endearingly. "I shall inform your father when he returns from his journey to the elven villages. For now, you best play your part as one of Roshmi's champions," she reassured him. Akane pulled back and reached for a sealed letter on the table behind her. Placing it in Kuroi's hands, she began to speak once again, "The city and its less corrupt officials will be somewhat more understanding if you attend the ball as unexpected. No one would expect a wanted criminal to walk straight into the political maw of the nation, and that is where you will be the safest." The young fox stayed silent for some time, staring down at the letter that had been meant for him and him alone. He had already assumed that his mother would have wanted him to go to represent their family under normal circumstances. Said circumstances had instead resulted in Kuroi being coaxed by his mother to show his innocence by sheer fearlessness. Although he wasn't fond of how dangerous such a public stunt might be, he believed it to be one of the safest options at this point in time. With a nod of his head, Akane began to speak to her son once again, gently scratching behind one of his ears, "I have already prepared your formal clothes, my son. I shall keep myself safe and do my best to make use of my own political connections. Stay safe." His mother leaned towards Kuroi and placed a kiss on his forehead before walking away. [center] ---[/center] An hour passed as Kuroi prepared himself for what possibly might be the riskiest night of his life. After his bath, his hair had been styled for the event accordingly, and his original makeup had been washed off in order to properly adorn his face for the occasion. His skin was a tad lighter than what it naturally was, resulting in pale, albeit flawless skin. Only minimal contouring was requiring for the vulpine as genetics had graced him with rather dashing cheekbones and a strong jawline. The eyeliner he had applied was complimented by the gray and black eyeshadow he used, resulting in a mildly androgynous look. Once he had considered his face to be the perfect blend of masculinity and femininity, he began to dress in the clothes his mother had laid out for him. Against his bare skin, he wore a black kimono, and over it, he wore a thin trenchcoat which had a jacket-like shawl attached to it. He had a leather girdle tied around his waist, one equally as dark as the rest of his attire. Around his neck, he wore a scarf, one half of it white, and the other half black. As one could imagine, his dress shoes, although well-made, stayed true to Kuroi's aesthetic. All that remained now were his accessories which leaned against his wall. He put on his gloves and picked up his crystal handled cane, jerking it upwards in order to catch his hat on his head. Stepping out of his room and moving towards the door, he called out to Akane, "Mother, I'll be back sometime early in the morning. Pray that I not run into any trouble, please." [center] --- [color=black][b]Time:[/b][/color] Late Afternoon [color=black][b]Location:[/b][/color] Roshmi Hall [color=black][b]BGM: [/b][/color][url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOC_oceeSEA[/url] [/center] As Kuroi could imagine, the guards who inspected his letter of invitation were, well, rather shocked. As predicted (or perhaps arranged) by his mother, the dark elves made no effort in stopping him from entering the formal ball. Entering Roshmi Hall, Kuroi had put on his fox mask as requested by the party host. As to not ruin his aesthetic, Kuroi positioned his mask off to the side of his head, allowing his face to be fully admired with little obstruction. The unified cacophony of instruments filled his ears as he neared the festivities, and soon that cacophony turned into a beautiful composition that graced his being. Kuroi strode into the ballroom, using his cane for mild support due to the unfortunate injury he had sustained a day ago. He stopped in front of the doorway, taking a deep breath before he pushed open the doors and walked inside. The vulpine was already well aware that the governor of the city was in here somewhere. He prayed for Baraian's sake that he would not lose his temper upon seeing him and cane him to death. 'No...I must enjoy myself. I must prove myself by enjoying myself...' Kuroi thought to himself before walking into the nearest gathering of people. Now it was time to relax until called upon - it was time to enjoy socialization and a glass of the finest wine given to him by one of the many servants on the premises. --- [hider=References] [u][b]Kuroi's Formal Wear[/b][/u] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/621436998472695811/622209019234484224/a7a0431c9b43943f854bb62f5d048080.png[/img] [b][u]Kuroi's Mask at the Ball[/u][/b] [img]https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vMMAAOSw7mNcs~71/s-l400.jpg[/img] [/hider]