#Masquerade of the guilty | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bunny-bear-blogs · 1 year ago

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Starstruck

Synopsis: A month ago, Lesser Lord Kusanali announced that Sumeru would be having its very first masquerade ball. She explained that it would take place in the Palace of Alcazarzaray and set two ground rules. Rule number one: no one is allowed to take off their masks at the event. Rule number two: you can only give hints about one's identity and are allowed to guess so. She exclaimed that the event would be fun, and she encouraged everyone to attend.

Word Count: 2475

A/N: I loved the concept of this :>

Since knowing the news of the masquerade ball, you have been running around town to find the perfect ball gown and mask to hide your identity. You were excited for the upcoming event, almost putting it above everything, except your feelings for him. You wondered if he would be attending the ball too. Who was he? It was the Wanderer; he was your partner for a big project within the Akademiya. During the time you both were working together, you two managed to grow closer, becoming friends, with residual feelings lingering on your side. At first, all you could think about was how insufferable he was and how you would have wished to get another partner. However, as time went on, all you could think about was how grateful you were to have him as your partner and how you couldn’t go a day without him being around. Hence, to why you were wondering if he would be at the ball. Everyone in Sumeru was supposed to be at the ball; that’s why you were hoping he would be too. You hadn’t seen the Indigo hair boy since the Dendro Archon’s announcement. It was as if he had disappeared without saying a word. You went asking around, during the time of his disappearance, from people in the Akademiya to people you would meet on the street, but no luck. The boy was gone from your sight.

The day of the ball came, and you had rushed home early to get ready. Your theme for the ball was to have something inspired by the stars. You had picked out a gorgeous blue-gray dress to wear to the ball. It was a sleeveless long gown with different sections of tulle decreasing as the gown went down. The top was corset-like, with the top part of it being the dress color and the bottom of it being embedded with small little stars. You did your hair as you planned and placed some small diamond stars on it. Your shoes were beautiful heels comparable to those of Cinderella, and then you put on your mask, the most important part of the ball. It was a white mask with outlines of blue around the eyeholes. It had blue embedded leaves on it with small pink stars on the corner, followed by pearls around and strings of gold at the end. You were all set to go to the ball; you felt content with your style choices. So, you really should be happy, but you left home with a heavy heart, wondering if you would find the Indigo eye boy today.

You had arrived at the ball, making your way through the palace doors. Walking in, you could see the archon mingling with her people, who seemed to be having a grand time. There was music blasting, and you could see the people dancing along. You then noticed a very familiar fox boy who had green hair leading back to his black roots talking with a white haired red-eyed male on the dance floor. You could hear one of them commenting on the other dance moves and the other saying to just go with it. You then saw the fox boy sigh and agree to dance. It was pretty easy to guess who those two were after hearing that conversation. Then, as you walked over to the buffet, you heard two men arguing. They were arguing about the architecture of the palace, with the blonde hair boy going on and on about the historical value while the gray hair boy brought up the other living situation. You did not want to get involved in this quarrel, so you continued walking until you found a balcony at the palace.

The balcony was peaceful and had a clear view of the stars, which were just what you wanted to see. I mean, after all, you had based your whole outfit on the stars. You were admiring the view when you saw something from the corner of your eye that caught your attention. An indigo-haired boy walked to stand beside you on the balcony. He wore an outfit inspired by the stars. In his hair were a star hair pin and gold-dangling star earrings. He wore a purple top with a star in the middle, and then it was as if two fabrics crossed his chest, one being white and the other a mixture of purple and black. His shorts were purple, with a white, thin rope going across with a dangling, small star attached. Speaking of stars, it was a beautiful mix of purple and gold with small stars spread across. It was easy to say that the boy was breathtaking. You were starstruck just looking at him. It was as if he was the brightest star in the world.

“I like your outfit.”

He turned to face you, flashing a mesmerizing smile that made your heart skip a beat.

“Thank you. Can I ask your name?”

“I can’t do that, mister; remember the rules of the ball?”

"Aha, smart girl; well, smart for a mortal.”

That word, "mortal," It sounded just like something the Wanderer would say. It would explain the man’s indigo hair and eyes that matched. But that’s just a theory; after all, you don’t know for sure if that was him. I mean, he's been missing, remember?

“Mortal? You sound like someone I know."

You paused, waiting to hear his reaction to your words. Maybe he’d flinch? Or you’d get a telltale sign it wasn’t him.

“I’m not sure what you're talking about, Y/N.”

You froze; he knew who you were! How? What gave it away? You, out of nerves, began to scrunch your nose as a way to further your thinking about what was going on. Thinking rationally, you had never met this man before, so how would he know who you are or how to recognize you? Having limited options, you decided to lie and see how far it would go. Maybe he was just senselessly guessing.

“That’s not who I am; you're wrong star boy.”

“Starboy, is it? Is that my new name? I’d like to believe that my worth is that much higher than a star, one that surpasses even the heavens themselves. Plus, I know it’s you, Y/N.”

“Once again, I’m not Y/N; I’m someone else, and you won’t know my identity, okay?"

Then the starboy next to you turned to face you, grabbing your hand in the matter, and spoke confidently with his words, so confident that after they were said, a pink blush spread across his face.

“I know your Y/N because of your mannerisms and tone of speech. Like how you scrunch your nose when you're nervous or use your hands a lot when you talk. It’s small things like that that I know your Y/N."

You were shocked. This was definitely someone you knew, but who? His hair matched that of the Wanderer, but he had been missing for a month; it couldn't possibly be him.

“Fine, I admit defeat, but you recognizing all that means you're definitely someone I know.”

"Well, that's for a mortal like you to find out."

He was cocky, making it seem like a challenge to find out his identity.

“Well, according to the rules of the ball, I can ask you questions about your identity. Isn't that correct?”

"I didn't know a mortal like you could read, but yes, that is correct.”

Choosing to ignore his insult, you thought carefully about what questions to ask him that could confirm his identity.

“My first question is, have I met you personally?”

He feigned innocence on the question.

“I mean maybe or maybe not. It’s up to you to find out Y/N.”

“Don’t call me that out loud; people aren't supposed to know others' identities.”

"Stargirl, it is then.”

"Well, then answer my question, for real this time.”

“Fine, I do know you, stargirl, quite well, actually.”

“My second question is, do you attend the Akademiya?”

“Nope, I’m not answering personal questions like that. That would make it easy for me to find out, and we don’t want that, do we? I won’t answer super personal questions like that, and you just wasted a question.”

“What? That’s not fair. I didn’t know.”

“That’s common sense, stargirl. But, since I’m so generous, I’ll give you five questions.”

Ugh. He was infuriating, but you had faith you could still do this.

“My third question is, why did you choose to center your outfit around the stars?”

“I believe the stars are capable of making great things happen, such as making wishes come true and bringing people together. Not that it’s any mortal like you’s business, but there is someone I’d like to be brought together with.”

He seemed shy saying this, but it was a step closer to his identity.

“Now, my fourth question: do you like cats?”

“I will admit, I do enjoy their company.”

Now it was time for your fifth and final question. It was this or nothing; you had to think carefully about what you would ask the male, and then you got it.

“Starboy, are you in love?”

“Love?”

“Are you in love with someone?”

“I’m in love with you, stargirl.”

Your heart stopped. What if this really was the Wanderer? He matches the answers to the questions you asked. But is the Wanderer in love with you the way you are with him? However, before you could respond to the boy, he ran off. You ran with all your might to catch up to him. He was only a few seconds ahead of you, which doesn't seem hard to catch up to, but with heels, it was. You were running and, at this point, shouting for him.

“Starboy! Come back”

No response.

“Please, listen to me!"

No response yet again.

He was already going down the stairs. You then had an idea. Well, a gamble, hoping it was true that he did love you as he said he did.

"Hey, Starboy, look up at me!"

You then waved your arms and jumped down the stairs, shutting your eyes and bracing for impact. You hoped this boy actually loves you enough to save you. Then you felt warmth; he had saved you. You were in his arms as he carried you bridal style.

“You idiot! What if I wasn't here to catch you or didn’t look back.”

“That was a gamble I was willing to take.”

"Well, don’t do that ever again. You're always doing dumb stuff like this at the Akademiya or when we go out to eat. Like that one time you fell into a river trying to save a cat or when you fell into a bookshelf trying to get a book you wanted me to try.”

He then swiftly covered his mouth, a red blush spreading across his face like fire.

“Wanderer?”

“No, that's not me; you must have confused me with someone else.”

“No, it is you. You're the only one who was around me at that time. It’s you, Wanderer; that’s your identity.”

"Maybe I am him, okay?”

You were right! You felt content knowing now that the boy you love, loves you back, but it begs the question. Why did he leave?

“Wanderer, why did you disappear for a month? You left me alone for a month without contact. It was so lonely, and so many bad thoughts ran through my head during that time.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I know my explanation might not help, but I do have one. You see, I have close relations with the Dendro archon, so for the month I was helping her set up for the ball. I meant to tell you; I just didn’t know how, and when I figured it out, I felt it was too late. So, I was just watching you from afar for a while. I’m really sorry, Y/N; I should’ve been better.”

“It’s okay; it just better not ever happen again.”

You chuckled at his response, then reached up to lift up his mask. You saw his gorgeous face; this was your indigo hair boy. You then broke out into a smile and lifted up your mask—not that it made a difference since he already knew who you were.

“Also, going back to your love confession earlier. I love you too, dummy. I have for a long time now.”

He was stunned that you had actually returned his feelings.

“You love me?”

“Yes, I do more than anything.”

“Y/N, there was another reason my outfit was star-themed; I wanted to match with you and hoped that us dressed as two stars would bring us together. Y/N, you're my star; you light up my world, and you have ever since you came into my life. I want to be with you forever, united as lovers, because I truly do love you.”

You felt starstruck by his love confession; it was so full of love.

“I want to be your lover too.”

“Then let’s make it official.”

He then turned, moving closer to you, and placed one hand on your cheek.

“May I?”

You nodded eagerly, excited for what was to come.

He then kissed you; it was the perfect moment, and you two could practically feel each other smiling. After a few minutes, he pulled away from you, smiling, and then back again, until you both ran out of breath. He then put you down from his arms and placed his hand into yours.

“Shall we get back to the ball?”

“Yes!.”

You both then walked back to the ball hand in hand, with a new love brought between you both by the stars.

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