Masquerade in Sliver

[Sophia Beckett]

Sophie felt as if she had sprouted wings, or was perhaps dreaming. The dress was made of the softest material, of the likes that she had never worn before. The color was smooth, silver, and even the years in a trunk had not pressed in creases to ruin it. The shoes were borrowed, the mask cool on her eyes rather then warm and clammy. Tonight, was perfect!

Hair powered, hidden in the safety of the mask and gown, Sophie entered the room. She took the steps one at a time, her fingers lightly touching the railing (more for something to do with her hand rather then balance). She smiled brightly as she looked over the room of dancers and peers. She was here! Everything looked so wonderful, and fancy, and everyone moved as if they had trained for their whole lives just for this moment!

And now she was apart of this! For one night!

As she reached the last step, a young man walked up to her and more followed. After a life of learning to stay in the shadows, Sophie held as if she was a butterfly for a night. This memory would last for her years!

_{Tagged: Benedict Bridgerton}

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict already knew what his mother was going to say. Her nonverbal motions and glances between him and Penelope Featherington who was standing alone, was certainly indication enough. After all, it was not a rare occurrence that she encourage him to dance with Wallflowers and well, any woman who was seen standing on her own. And it was not that Benedict disliked doing so. It was the rumors and watchful eyes from others that he did not like. Though there was a further sense of obligation this time as well, considering the Bridgerton family were hosting this event. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Once he approached her, he greeted her with a smile, about to ask her to dance and well, she knew it. But something shifted in the air. Benedict could not quite explain what it was but he felt something. The last time he felt such a thing had resulted in a tragic incident but this time, it truly felt different. Whatever this intuition -- if one could even call it that -- was, compelled him to turn his gaze from Penelope, and what -- or who rather -- it rested on, filled him with clarity of why he felt as if he just had to look up. A beautiful woman dressed in silver stood in the large room. He had never seen her before -- even though everyone was wearing a mask. But somehow, he knew that he had not seen her. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ And suddenly, all others were forgotten . . . including poor Penelope Featherington. It was as if he was in some sort of trance, his feet of their own mind making way towards the source of such beauty. The men surrounded her parted with ease, knowing who he was and making way for him. Once he stood in front of the mysterious masked woman, the other gentleman in mid conversation paused and lowered his head a little. Benedict paid no attention to anyone else. Only her. "Good evening," he greeted with a smile. He couldn't quite say what it was. Usually, he was not like this. Usually it was his younger brother who saw a pretty face and was lured towards it. But with this woman it was different . . . something certainly was different. Tag Sophia Beckett

                        the rules of society.

[Sophia Beckett]

One of the gentlemen was talking too her, as if he knew her! Sophie smiled along with his words, but her mind kept escaping to the events around her, and the dancing--the music--the feeling as if she was a bird escaping for the night. Someone approached her as well, and before she even looked over at him, his voice pulled her toward him. Turning her face to the side, the other gentlemen forgotten in an instant, she found herself looking at a very tall and handsome gentleman with a black mask over his eyes.

The stolen shoes, the weight of her dance card, the powder in her hair--it was all forgotten under the gaze of the handsome stranger. "Hello," she greeted, her shoulders turning to face him more then her previous guest. She could see his eyes, but not most of his face. His smile though felt genuine and it made her want to step closer.

_{Tagged: Benedict Bridgerton}