(Posted first on Ao3 under the fic name "Bending light in a way that shows")

Original Publish Date: 9/22/22

Word Count: 1699 words

Warnings and Disclaimers:
 - No romantic relationships (All platonic)
 - Overly descriptive description on masquerade ball wear
 - Zero plot progression not counting the party itself
 - Author messing around

Major Characters:
 - Xisuma
 - Cub

Short Summary:
[    Moonlight shines through the sides of the castle vault, music rushing through the atmosphere as chatter laced the usually empty, hard walls of the blackstone tiled safety place. Perhaps the usual wouldn't call this the best place to host a ball, though none of the participants seemed to care, or even acknowledge the oddities.
A figure stands alone near the curtains, away from the dance floor, pondering to themselves.   ]

(Xisuma Costume Party but I turn it into a dramatic masquerade ball just for the sake of it
And also added a lot of AU worldbuilding
Like a lot)

+---+---+

Gently tapping a finger on his glass of liquor, he raise his head up to view the people in attendance. There weren't that many, if he were being honest, or perhaps that's just because he's seen banquets grander than this one.

There were perhaps less than 50 people, though less than half of them actually stood out in the still fairly big crowd. As it was a masquerade ball, he knew none of the people in the room.

Standing at the opposite corner, near an open window curated with big red silky curtains, was a figure draped in a red velvet cape and obscured with a black swan mask, both features tipped and laced in gold. Illuminatied by the moonlight, it's as if their eyes glowed, accompanied by the color of feathers that were attached to both his mask and his attire. Had he not known this party was illegal, he would've probably mistaken him for the king.

Next to the man, near the serving table drenched in white cloth, were two people, one adorning an attire colored in hyperbolic blue and black, the other entirely grey safe for their silver mask decored with blue gemstones. They chatted with another pair of masked personnel, one draping a translucent teal over his shoulders, covering over his white suit and mask, the other had a long, flowy cyan dress, and a monochrome mask dressed with green and blue jewels, hanging from the edges via some silver tipped chains.

Decked on the tables were all the divine plates of food you could find, freshly cooked from the crastle's kitchen, and trays upon trays of baked goods. Next to those were also served drinks, ranging from all the various wineries to fancy served cocktails. Aside from that there was also a bowl of fruit punch that tried disguising itself amongst the grape wines, blending in like a jewel.

He had to hold a laugh, remembering the fact that all of these festivity meals were cooked, baked, and bought with the king's own riches without his knowledge.

What's more, even the king's right hand seems to be in attendance, as they were easily recognizable via the bandana that they seemed to refuse to take off even if the bright red clashed with the light porcelain blue mask they'd picked out. He ponders if anyone else has any idea about how outlawed this party was, but it seems he was the only one that knew.

Well, except for the host, that is.

Speaking of the host, they stood to the side of the ball, avoiding attention and chatting with another attendee. Though if he were to be honest, between the black and golden design of their mask, the fancy golden tipped bright yellow suit also with black details, they still stood out a fair amount.

And then, he heard music coming out of the speakers, wincing slightly when he realized it was his music.

"Excuse me, sir,"

He turned, to see a man in a plain white mask with minor silver details and a simple suit with a black inside, the tails of their coat reaching their knees, where they paired with black pants. Though the mask obscured his face fairly well, he could still make out the stranger's eyes, the black pupils glistening in the chandelier light.

Their smile was small and kind, a hand out in invitation. "May I have this dance?"

He gave them one look over, almost curiously, before slowly accepting the hand and returning a polite smile. "Of course."

And synchronized to the beat of the music, they started to waltz. He observed his partner's precise, but elegant movements. They moved fairly fast across the floor, moves complementing each other fairly well.

"You're quite the dancer," He said offhandedly.

They simply chuckled, soft and gentle. "I'd say the same for you."

They continued for a while, and then the song ended, fading into a stop, the same with the people waltzing. By the time the next song played, most were instead chatting by the serving tables, after grabbing a plate or two.

He himself had decided to take a single serving of soup, which got a small eye raise from the stranger, but they didn't question. He also has notably not drank anything, despite also taking back the glass of wine he had held beforehand.

"Did you decide to attend the party alone?" They asked out of the blue, presumably for small talk.

He shrugged, "Yes, I got the invite, but honestly I didn't know who else to invite."

"Understandable," They hummed, tapping the fingers his empty hand against the tablecloth. "I planned to go here with a friend, but they said they couldn't make it in time."

"I see."

They took a sip of what looks to be fruit punch, before continuing. "Truth to be told, at first I was a little cross on coming, since I thought the king would also be in attendance," They admitted, a glance around. "But now that I'm here, I don't see a spec of his hair."

Of course he's not here. He doesn't even know about the party. "Maybe he just decided partying just wasn't for him, and left." He made up offhandedly.

The other seemed skeptical of that, though they didn't seem to bother arguing. "That might be the case, but I could swear he used to be a party lover when he was still a prince." They murmured, tone almost reminiscent. "I guess time changes people."

He briefly raised his glass in agreement. "It certainly does, my friend."

The next few moments fell to silence, backgrounded by the piano music still playing as some pairs danced in the center of the vault room. He watched them swirl around, in rhythm to the elegant but soft music, glass down.

The other also watched in silence, though unfocused, seeming to ponder something.

"I'll leave you alone now," They said briefly, after a while, distancing themselves from the table, "I'll see you around the kingdom, Xisuma Void."

When he fully processed the statement from the other, he froze in genuine surprise, but then chuckled in amusement. "Well, well, I haven't heard that name in ages. Centuries, even!" He laughed, though it didn't sound fully joyful. His look was narrow, though it wasn't exactly hostile. "How clever, I'm quite curious as to how you caught that."

They simply shrugged, unable to stop the grin that spread on their face. "I have my ways, friend." After saying that, he stopped. Turning around, he gave one last, mysterious glance. "See you around."

In time with the stranger disappearing, the backing piano came to a halt.

The clock struck 9 as another song began, the upbeat high notes of a trumpet leading the opening as he stared off into the distance of the night through the window. The palace really was a wonder, seeing how even in a vault supposedly so low beneath the ground, they still bothered with placing windows. He had always questioned the first king about it, though they didn't really seem to listen. Even now, Ren seemed to have replaced the old, crimson ragged curtains with silky velvet ones, tied apart with golden rope. It's so unbelievably extra for a room people would rarely even see, he had to hold a snicker. Perhaps the extravagant nature just runs in the family?

Speaking of the royal family, he observed that the king's right hand was at the other end of the table besides him, seemingly chatting with a group of guests. He actually seemed miserable.

"Oh my god, Bdubs, stop. What are you so pressed about?" The woman in teal dress grumbled, almost in a whisper, but everyone could still hear it.

"Well- uh-" They mopped, staring blankly into his plate of butterscotch pie. "The king never really told me about this party, and I'm his right hand!" They gritted their teeth, their tone painted with frustration, maybe towards themselves. "If he were having a party, I'd thought he'd tell me first!"

"Oh- for the love of-" Another person standing beside them groaned. "Give it up, dude, he doesn't always tell you everything, does he?"

"I... guess." They deflated like a balloon pricked by a rose thorn, promptly before popping back up with something almost like fury. "But still! I feel betrayed!"

"Keep that up and the entire party will be hearing in. You've already attracted quite the crowd of listeners." The teal and white dressed masqueraded male sighed, tone between the line of frustration and amused exasperation. "Look, the best thing you can do is enjoy the party, that's what Ren- the king would want."

"You're right." They muttered, seemingly to themselves as an assurance. " You're right ." They paused for a moment, before slamming both of his hands on the table. "Waitress! Yes- you! Bring me whatever the fanciest meal you serve is!"

As supporting cheers and laughter erupted from the people beside them, it seems that whatever conflict was being discussed there has sizzled away. He gazed back his focus to staring blankly out the window, before he felt a light tap on his shoulder not a moment later.

He turned around to see someone in a whole white suit, silked with gold and yellow details.

"Hey! Shisswammy!" The familiar voice spoke out, a bright smile on their face.

"Keralis!" He greeted back, almost surprised. "I didn't think I'd see you here."

They had grabbed a plate, and forked a lot of chips from the serving table. "I mean, truthfully, I didn't really want to, but then I heard you were also in attendance!" They stated happily. "And that the king also wasn't going to be here. What a night, right?"

He snickered, shrugging as he twirled his glass. "Tell me about it."

Then, as the upbeat piano stopped, a guitar rift started playing out of nowhere, breaking the silence, and dread pooled in his stomach. Not again.

"My my my my my!" They said, above enthusiastically. "Shashwanny! That's your song!"

He mumbled out a curse, lowering his glass. "Good lord..."

"Well we can't just stay here!" He barely had time to react before his hand was pulled in theirs. "Let's dance!"

+---+---+