Chosen by the Fates

Paper Faces on Parade

Sol ~

Aisling is stunning. Her dress appears to be spun of billions of tiny sparks of light with the way the small pieces reflect the lighting of the grand entrance. Each piece is skillfully woven to hug her curves, complemented by accents of structured raw silk. The design tastefully exposes lengths of her skin in uniquely flattering ways. Her mask is fashioned after an eastern Kirin design, gilded and accented by a veil-like net of multicolored pearls.

My wolf spent most of the hours between morning and evening running, but even now I feel her gravity. Her scent is intoxicating, but the mingling of it with Ashleigh’s beside her raises my hackles, even with my wolf asleep.

However, I have had centuries to center myself, and with my wolf asleep I remain perfectly composed when she feigns polite indifference. Ashleigh is watching me with concern, but doesn’t seem to recognize me, or my name.

I bow my head to her as I would to one of my own pack.

“I owe you an apology, and I regret to have to make it under these circumstances.” When my eyes return to hers, I watch as a rush of raw emotions pass behind them. I sense something within her move. It feels as familiar to me as my wolf. Curious, I take an involuntary step forward, closer to the feeling.

But what I see behind her eyes next drives a knife through the knots of my heart. Pain. Distrust. The sensation of something else withdraws suddenly.

“It’s fine.” Her muttered words squeeze at my chest. I have to make this right.

When her eyes finally lift to mine, her expression seems calmer, but still raw. I try to find the words, “It’s not fine, Aisling I –“ But my explanation is cut off when Sionainn steps in front of me.

Sionainn’s smile is the kind that is honed from childhood by stage performance, charming, bright, and meant for the world. “If you’ll excuse us, we have others to meet up with.” He bows politely as I keep an iron grip on my frustrations. He doesn’t recognize me either.

Ashleigh has already ushered Aisling into the crowd.

Her scent lingers, strangely helping me keep my cool. “Of course.” My smile is cool, and mostly empty. I watch as Sionainn flashes one last smile and walks away.

Both men intervened with the ease of individuals used to dealing with unwanted and persistent attention from strangers. They brought her here.

I already suspected when her scent was mingled with theirs in the elevator, but now I am certain.  

This complicates things.

As I am left standing amidst the crowd, Aisling’s scent lingering in the air just before me. I close my eyes, heart hammering in my chest. A singular thought echoes through me. She’s not just human.

Something within her moved. Even with my wolf asleep, I sensed something else. Similar to what I might sense from another wolf in human form. Yet she is not a wolf, of that I am certain.

Most importantly, my wolf remains asleep.

I heave a long sigh as the music starts. Before I try to meet with Aisling again, I need to take care of other matters.

***

Aisling ~

Performers in elaborate dress wearing equally intricate masks fill the room as Ashleigh, Sionainn and I make our way to Cian and Tiffa. I feel numb, but something within me restlessly stirring beneath the surface. Sol in his golden wolf mask keeps interchanging in my imagination with the wolf from the woods that day.

We hug the wall as a dance begins. The performers sing while gracefully sweeping attendees up from the crowds drinking and mingling near the dance floor. The same can be heard in rooms throughout the entire building. Before we get to them, Tiffa and Cian are swept up in the dance by two performers.

Another performer approaches us, offering a hand to Sionainn, who offers a warm smile accompanied by a polite shake of his head. He glances my way as he does so. He almost seems worried about leaving me again. I can’t help but feel a little bad for worrying him.

As we arrive at the table, Tiffa and Cian are delivered back. Tiffa is breathlessly laughing. The performers offer hands to Sionainn and me. I accept, hoping Sionainn will as well this time. He arches an eyebrow, a broad grin spreading across his features. He follows my lead and within seconds we are both swirled into the mix. The dance is simple, but the professionals lead confidently, adding flourishes that make us all look practiced.

Once I have the steps down, my partner spins us around and we exchange partners. Cool hands take mine confidently in contrast to the warm body that now presses close to mine. I look up to find Sionainn’s eyes on me, and feel heat rising into my cheeks.

He leads me as surely as if he had learned the performance with the professionals. His voice is teasing, “I thought I’d never get a blush of my own from you.”   

“I didn’t know it was a competition.”   

“I assure you, where you are concerned, it definitely is.” Sionainn winks at me.

My stomach flips, my heart racing. I can’t tell how much of it is from the dance, and how much is from Sionainn’s charm directed at me in full.

He dips me as the music ends, his lips separated from mine by only the veil of pearls trailing from my mask. His eyes are on me, and me alone. My heart flips. It’s the charm.

He gives me his angelic smile, pulling me back up as he rises. His gaze holds mine the whole way. He leads me off the dance floor, and my heart thumps firmly in my chest every time he casts a glance or smile my way. It’s definitely the charm.

Ashleigh’s expression is unreadable behind his mask when Sionainn and I return to his side. The music around us changes, the dancers on the floor grow still.

Men approach an over arching balcony above which can be seen from all the lower-level rooms. Their voices are projected across the speakers for what sounds like an announcement mixed with conversation about the production and who the new lead singer will be.

Ashleigh offers me a drink. I realize he must have gotten it for me while Sionainn and I were dancing. I lean in, “Thank you.” I take the drink, and his warm hand squeezes my shoulder in quiet answer.  

A pure soprano fills the building, accompanied by a soft piano. Her voice is soft at first, growing in confidence as she continues. The lights around us shift and change as a young woman walks along the above balconies, her arcing notes carrying through the building.

As she continues, her voice is joined by tenor of another man singing along hers from where we are in the audience. A man moves through all the rooms below as he sings up to her. When the song is done the entire building erupts in applause, and we are a part of it.

Throughout the evening the performance progresses like that. Dancers stealing the audience away during full numbers, punctuated by moments of solo performances and theatrical ‘stage announcements’ staged in the balconies and walkways above us.

More than a few times we are drawn out into the dancing crowds, and once or twice we end up changing partners into the arms of other attendees. One such dance partner kept apologizing profusely as he stepped on my feet or bumped us into others. I assured him it was alright, as I was equally as inexperienced. We parted with laughter and apologies.

We watch as the Phantom takes the rising star, Christine under his wing and even dances amidst us during several acts. We first-hand experience the growing relationship of the protagonists first-hand as they sing amidst us in the crowds below.  

By the intermission, the dancing and music has pulled my mind off of everything. The confusing and strange problems can all be delt with another time. This night is for my friends, both new and old. Cian has waved over a masked server for another round of drinks as we share a tray of finger foods. It is brilliant, really, as the bite sized foods are easy to eat between dance numbers while still participating in the show.

Tiffa is sitting in Cian’s lap, feeding him grapes. He pretends to bite at her fingers, and she pretends to pull her hand away hurt. To which he responds by taking her hand and kissing along it.

Ashleigh and Sionainn are engaged in a conversation about what mixing ingredients were in our current round of drinks.

I stand, gathering my skirts. Ashleigh and Sionainn exchange a look, but I stop them. “I’m just using the restroom. It’s just around the corner, I feel fine, and I promise I’ll be right back.”

Ashleigh frowns, and Sionainn gives me his usual charming smile. “Should you need us…”

“I know. And thank you, for all of this. This is so amazing.” I return his smile.

There is a crowd between our section and the hall outside. When I have finally made my way into the entry hall and spot the bathroom, I’m not surprised to see a line a mile along outside the women’s bathroom. There must be more restrooms around here.

Someone in a familiar looking uniform and mask walk towards me, and I stop them with a smile. After a brief exchange they direct me to a bathroom on the second floor that often is without a line. I thank them and head that way.

The second floor in quiet. It is almost as if the attendees below aren’t aware they are allowed to come up here. I trust the advice of the staff, though. Sure enough, the bathroom is empty. After using the restroom and washing up, I step out into the second-floor hall. I linger at the railing where I can see everyone below.

At the edge of my mind all my questions and emotions linger. But I let the experiences and joy of the evening be the center of my attention. It keeps my mind off the things I can not change. It’s almost meditative, people watching. Everyone is socializing, laughing, talking about the performance and generally just having a good time.

My eyes drift closed as I focus on my breathing. My minds eye goes to the beach without thinking. I stand alone, feet in the waves, and sand between my toes. The familiar scent of cedar, pine, and the forest stirs something within me, drawing my eyes open.

I stand alone.

My heart falls. Had I been hoping he was here?

A woman across the way on another balcony walkway catches my attention. She is speaking with someone who I can’t quite see. A lithe, tall woman, she is dressed in velvet straps and a sheer wrap dress that trails behind her. Her mask is that of a black raven, authentic black plumage reflecting the light in iridescent greens and blues. It is impossible to tell where the feathers of her mask end and her inky black hair begins. Her limbs are the graceful length of a model’s, her body poised elegantly.   

I memorize every detail, thinking I might draw her later. She reaches toward the person she is speaking to in an almost intimate gesture. Her fingers twine with the collar of a familiar tux, pulling them in close.

I see the familiar glint of a golden wolf mask, then she slides her mask off with a free hand before kissing him.  

My heart stops.

***

Sol~

I spend the evening with Fuchi. Her pack is nomadic, and native to islands in the far east. They have survived for centuries simply by moving from place to place. Never staying in one location for too long, avoiding the wars and strife sewn by humans.

However, Fuchi also enjoys music, dance, and the finer aspects of culture. It is said her wealth began with the silk roads. She is old enough to rival Skoll, but her mate died long ago. She has never taken another.

We share a bottle of Saki during the first act of the performance. Dancers who approach are met with a slow smile, and confident air as she barely shakes her head. Eventually the dancers stop offering.

I know better than to inquire about why she would come to an event like this, but then refuse to take part in it. Fuchi always has her reasons.

“Tell me of Skoll and Hati? How is your pack doing?” Her voice rolls across vowels in an accent that is musical and thick.

“Very well, thank you for asking. How have you fared?” The sake is always for catching up, and never for business. And so, the conversation goes through most of the first half of the performance. Until a comment that catches me off guard.

“There is something different about you.” We have done business together for centuries. Hati was the one who taught me Fuchi’s ways and introduced us centuries ago. Our exchanges have always gone well because I have always respected Fuchi’s customs.

“Perhaps a bit of gray hair? I have passed two centuries now.” She laughs at that, and I feel her wolf brush against me curiously. Investigating me.

The intermission begins, and the conversation shifts. “We should walk together.”

I rise, offering my hand to her. She places her hand delicately in mine. Her skin is smooth and warm to the touch. A smile graces her lips, and the dark feathers of her raven mask sway as she rises beside me.

She is dressed in a manner that would be considered shocking to most if she did not also carry herself like a runway model. Every part of her body is bare, except the most essential areas which are wrapped in black straps. Her gown is completely sheer, wrapping in the front and trailing behind her.

Her eyes are as black as a moonless night, and only occasionally she looks my way. Mostly her chin is lifted proudly, eyes forward as we walk together. “It was pleasant catching up after so long. You know I look forward to our visits. However, you have also come to me for a reason?”

I bow my head, exposing my neck to her. “This is true.”

She nods, pausing alongside a pillar to regard me. “I am listening.”

“Old magic revealed itself in our territory. It blackened everything around it, and we only managed to defeat it because of Hati’s long memory of the hunting songs.”

Fuchi’s dark eyes remain level with mine, “The forest answered Hati’s call?”

I nod.

Fuchi considers my words thoughtfully. “Then you have come to ask if we have encountered anything similar?”

I nod once more.

“We have not.” Fuchi pauses, lips pursed as her eyes look into the distance in thought. “If the old magic has returned, we must remain vigilant.” She returns her ebony eyes to mine. “You have done me a great favor in telling me this, and so I will do one for you also. Should we hear of anything in our travels, you will be the first to know.”

I bow my head both in thanks, and in tribute to her.

“Now, I think my wolf has discovered what is new about you…” A twinkle shines in her dark eyes.

I look up, one eyebrow raised in question.

Fuchi reaches toward me, graceful fingertips toying with the collar of my tuxedo. This behavior is unlike her and confuses me, but I keep my expression neutral. Then she pulls me toward her with one hand, while sliding her mask free with the other. Before I realize what she is about to do, her lips meet mine.

The kiss feels like fire, burning my skin painfully as my wolf snaps awake with a panicked snarl. Within seconds I feel our wolves clash in an unseen scuffle of wills before breaking apart. I gasp, eyes wide as I pull back.

A smile curls her lips, “Your wolf has found their mate. Congratulations.”

My wolf growls within me, the sound low, our hackles up. It has been a long time since I’ve experienced the pleasure of anyone, but my wolf has never responded this way to anyone.

My heart feels strangled as I bow my head once more to politely accept Fuchi’s well wishes. There is nothing to congratulate me for. I could see it in my mate’s eyes earlier this evening. Aisling feels rejected by my actions and doesn’t even understand the mate bond to know why it is affecting her in the ways it is.

As if reading my thoughts, Fuchi’s next words strike home. “The fates are playful. It is the journey they value. You yuan qian li lai xiang hui. The fates would have us meet from a thousand miles away.” Her voice sounds sad, and when I look up, her eyes are distant.

The intermission music changes, the lights shifting. My wolf, sure the threat has passed, has settled back to silence within me. I let out a breath of relief I didn’t even realize I was holding.

“You are welcome to join me, but perhaps you would like to explore and join the dance below?” The smile that plays across Fuchi’s graceful features as she slides her mask back into place.

“Thank you for our time together, this event has been executed beautifully.” With the assistance of our main office, Fuchi is the benefactor responsible for gathering the artists, innovators, and organizers for the event tonight. She has always loved the arts.

She bows her head to me this time, “Thank Skoll, Hati, and your family for me. Until next we meet.” She heads back to her seating in the balcony.

Aisling’s familiar scent catches my attention, mingling with other surrounding smells. I reflexively look around, but the second level is empty. I can feel my wolf still and a asleep within me once more.

It should be safe to go to her. I adjust my tux collar, take a deep breath, and steel myself. It is time to answer for myself.

A chorus of music fills the building as the dancing begins once more. One thought lingers as a sharp pain in my chest as I head down the nearest stairs, following her scent.

If she’ll have me.