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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 5:49:36 GMT -6
The man swishes around me, wearing a multi-layered outfit of sleeves sleeves and more sleeves. He's muttering to himself, a dry paintbrush twiddling around in long fingers. "Now uh... where was I. Ah yes. Getting you ready for a party." I don't need help-, I try to tell him but get shushed. "Yes you do. Office clothes and a mask? Young master must make a STATEMENT. You have the looks, use them. I will tell you that nobody else in this entire city boasts black and silver fur. NOBODY. A little primping with paint and you'll be the talk of the town, I assure you." The man puts the paintbrush into my own hand, and turns me back towards the mirror. "Now. Look at your mask. Take it off if you need, and decorate yourself. I have all the colors you need. Blue, gold, maybe a splash of white?" My main concern now became if it came back off, as the man presented me with what appeared to be a bowl full of paint jars. 15
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 5:54:02 GMT -6
Being this close, the man never once opened his eyes up fully. His jovial nature seemed to paste over the long clever features with very squinted eyes. His movements said nothing about being unable to see though. One catlike creature came back with a few items that clinked around as they were carried. This cat looked different, with two tails and very femme-fetale uh...look? So a vixen cat? What were girl cats called? "Ran ran, you're confusing the poor boy. Thank you, go wait with the others now." A soft swish of tail against me and probably against the man as this Ran cat sashayed away, almost jealously. "Oh don't mind Ran, she's a bit quiet but has the best eye for accessories of my whole entourage." I keep my questions to myself. He holds up a jeweled vest, that accents the mask nicely, and an elaborate neckpiece. No on the neckpiece, I tell him. 16
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 5:57:49 GMT -6
"Why not?" the man asks, swooping behind me and holding up the piece to my neck in the mirror. "It suits you so well!" Brushing the object away, I disturb the fur on my neck to show the still rather visible... wait, I know that was practically days ago. It takes over a week to start growing fur back in bald spots! There's short black fur around the bald area. Twisting around, I see there's a shorter amount of fur on the shaved parts too. Uh...what?! The man smiles widely. I can see no fangs this time, just a big wide smirk. "As the bathmaster mentioned, dried worm salts are VERY good for the skin. It can even promote hair growth. Fur growth, you name it. I havent' tried feathers yet, as every bird that lands in my compound is eaten by my entourage." Lovely... I... guess I'll try the neckpiece then., I finally decide. Its attached to me rapidly. 17
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 6:02:45 GMT -6
Looks like a very elaborate collar. Hanging loose on my neck, the object sits on my fur but isn't heavy like its expected to be. "You're not a jewelry fox I can tell already. Just give it a chance, you might even find you like it." the peacockish man jabbers as he backs off to let me dress. I've never shown so much fur short of going for a swim. But, the vest is my size. Shifting with me, it clinks a bit with jeweled hangoffs. I think I have an idea of what I want to do. My brush goes into the gold jar, and does a few swirls on each wrist and hand, high enough that I can wash my paws and not ruin the paint so easily. Accent with a deep royal blue, and a hint of white, like a reflection. Finally, I put the caps back on the paints and admire my armwork and dawn my mask. 18
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 6:06:52 GMT -6
"The beauty of stage makeup, young master fox, is that you can change yourself without something drastic happening. Fur grows back, you can wash paint off, etc." the jovial man says as he lays long fingered hands on my shoulders. "How do you feel you look?" ...Exotic., was about the only word I could think of. Also comign to mind that I understood every word of what this man was saying to me. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, as the rest of my fur is drying and fluffing out. Reaching for my shorts and my shoes, the man blocks my reach. "Lets finish the look. These office clothes are much too human. You are a fox, young master. Foxes dont' wear SHORTS and SNEAKERS to a party. Ran, suitable bottom and sandals!" he calls out to the skulking in the corners twintail. She disappears and comes back with a pair of what look like human's sandals and a black pair of jeweled shorts. 19
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 6:20:23 GMT -6
"I trust Ran found the right size for you. She's got an excellent eye for detail." The man turned around and walked out of the room, shooing Ran away with small clicks. Oh, now he respects privacy? Weird. I hurriedly put the shorts on and fit on the sandals. Almost expected her to bring me two sets, but I'm not leaving on all fours. My limbs are too long for that. The mirror shows me in darker summer clothes with bright accents, decorated lightly with paint and a mask on my face. I don't recoginize myself, as I already have seen. Collecting up my 'office clothes' and sneakers, I thank the bathmaster, wherever the little old man had gotten off to, and come back into the other room. The peacocklike man is lounging in a pile of cushions now, Ran curled up on his lap, getting a gentle petting. She glares at me with a pale set of eyes, her two tails swishing occasionally. For some reason, it translates out to being jealous? 20 +1
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 6:24:36 GMT -6
"Ah, you look fantastic." the man gestures widely when he didn't get up. "Now. When you are finished partying, please swing by tomorrow and drop off the costume. I wouldn't make a credit if I let everyone into the wardrobe like that willy nilly; I'd be a broke man with not a credit to my name." So now he would bring up price. "Judging by your expression, for what I can see, you are questioning how much I intend to have you pay?" I nod. "mmm, you're new to town, I'd say its an on the house bath with a rental outfit for the night. Just return tomorrow before sundown with the costume and I'll consider us square. Fair deal?" His eyes open partway, and that expression, with his fingers laced together and held up close to his long nose... makes my fur prickle. He's serious about before sundown tomorrow. Nodding. "Excellent. Off you go then. That costume party is at the Archmage's tower. You can't miss it." 21
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 11:26:35 GMT -6
Can't miss it indeed, I think to myself. Outside the little bathhouse, a long line of orange and purple lights seemed to light up the path ahead, twisting through the city. The lights weren't just lights either, but floating pumpkins with fire spouting out of the top. Eerie shapes were carved on the pumpkin faces, reflecting the fires obscenely into the cobblestones. The standles clopped as I walked awkwardly on the little wooden shoes. Sneakers I can handle, but these will certainly give me splinters in my paws. As I pass the first set of eerie pumpkins, one turns to me and snaps its jagged mouth open and shut, sort of like someone or something smackign their lips. Was it.. alive? "Hmm... haaaa, teesting, testing. Good? Yes, hearing good?" I can't think of anything else but to nod. Magic was wildly confusing. "Good! Hello! Don't be shy, I don't bite. Every few pumpkins is enchanted with a talkie spell to guide you up to my bosses tower. So just walk down the path, follow the pumpkins, and you can't miss the bash of the century." 22
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 11:30:57 GMT -6
Don't poke a burning object with your fingers. Lest one becomes the next animal rolling on the ground to put out their own fur on fire. I keep walking down the path, noticing how the pumpkin shapes change with each pair. First a eyeless jagged mouth, then just eyes which seem to follow me as I walked. Changing to a human riding a sweeping broom with a pointed hat on her head, a witch. It cackles as I pass. A black cat, its back arched and scary looking. I swear the cat did a creepy growling thing as I passed. Mrrrroooowgh. A face with a pronounced look of a bat, with long teeth. A vampire? It sounds like someone is draining another something of blood to the very last drop. Like a straw on the lat amount of milkshake. As I finish the walk of pumpkins, ahead looms a tall stone tower, tipped with stone on top, lit up like a creepy beacon. And there's thigns everywhere. 23
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:34:27 GMT -6
Holding drinks, holding little plates of food I can't describe, impaled on what appear to be severed fingers, tall and short, humanoid or not, people are mingling all over the place outside of the tower. Its big wooden door is thrown open wide, orange and purple revolving light spilling out. And its not just people. Animals too. I'm honestly a bit afraid. Someone is brightly colored robes with SLEEVES is greeting people and animals accompanying those people, topped with a pointy hat of matching color, and a twist of lights around the crown of the head. "Welcome, welcome. Food, drink, over that way. If you want to try your luck, go to the other way." they keep saying to every group that pauses and holds up the invitation. Wait, did he have an invitation? "Move along, old timer." someone roughly shoves past and proceeds up with a larger then normal wolf-dog? to the wizard, barks once at him, and shuffles past. Old timer? How dare. I'm quite young. "Manners much, bull." the wizard mutters to himself. 24
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:39:54 GMT -6
As he finishes with that rude individual, the wizard looks up and sees me. "Hello! Welcome!" he gazes up and down on my costume of 'not so my choice'. "The esteemed Lord Anubis grants us his presence in the month of spirits and spooks." he bows, and I bow back. I also realize I can understand him fluently? I can understand you, wizard?, but what I hear isn't my usual language. The wizard grins widely. "Thats right, you can! Language is such a bothersome barrier among the people. So for tonight, I convinced my boss to perform a ranged ritual of Comprehend Language. You can understand everyone as well as you understand yourself, and they can likewise understand you. Isn't that a great way to have a party?" I do, yes. "Good good! Okay, left is food and drinks. Right is a raffle. Special prize but you've gotta see it to believe it. If you wish to dance, there's a dance floor inside the tower. I think... thats all I want to say, so go on, have fun!" he waves as I pass through. 25
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:45:07 GMT -6
I've heard of a raffle before, and the party looks quite different for the guests from the one memorable party I recall that was all local woodland creatures. Might as well go and take a look at that. Someone dressed in a cutesy costume is manning a table, guiding people about something that I don't quite hear until I get up close. But only when I was right in front of her did I actually hear her. "Meaow, hello! Oh you're a fancy doggy." the female coos in a fashion that makes me want to run away briefly. But something roots me to the spot. "We have a pretty fun raffle tonight mr Doggy. Enter to win a fancy prize meoaw!" Could she not see my fluffy tail? Fox, not dog. FOX. But I dont' feel like correcting everyone right now. "Just enter your name here on this page, and your kennel address. Or whereever you may be living, meaow." she points with an elaborate feather quill at a piece of paper with many names. 26
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:48:54 GMT -6
"Mr Wisardly wants to keep the prize a secret so I can't tell you what it is, meaow." she puts a thick pawed finger to her mouth to shush any questions. "But if you win, you'll get a fancy prize!" Offering me the quill, I take it. It briefly sparks in my paw-hand as I write down my known name and my kennel address. I had to think on the number a bit. "Good luck mr. Doggy!" she says happily while taking the quill back. I an't help but look at my paw briefly. Why had teh quill sparked? Pencils don't spark, and usually neither do feathers. Granted, thsi was a magic-laced area, it seemed? I don't know Or my ears just stopped working conveniently until I was rihgt in front of the booth. My stomach growled, reminding me of the lack of food I'd had all day. Might as well check out the refreshments. I hope those weren't real severed fingers. 27
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:53:05 GMT -6
There isn't a specific person dictating out the food, laden out on a big long wooden table that could've sat Badger's whole family and the woods. Plates and platters, bowls and goblets. Food of all sorts that I don't recognize at all. Food I don't trust when half of it looks partially rotten to the eye. "Don't worry kid, its just an illusion, touch a plate and you'll see what you're actually eating." someone says close to me. Looking around, its a person in a winged human costume, a yellow loop planted over their head, and big fake wings sprouting from the back. Its badly done but holds together? They gesture for me to touch their plate of... worms?! I do... and the worms become pieces of sliced adn sticked vegetables. The dip which looked like green goo is something that smells of herbs. "CLever trick, but might stop a lot from eating initially." Nodding at the rotting salmon in the middle of the table, its jaw sagging. 28
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Post by Kristofor on Oct 9, 2020 12:57:27 GMT -6
"I think the wizard may've been drinking when making up the menu's illusions. Or reading a creepy book. Or something." the winged human moves away, biting into a worm. Thats an elaborate illusion then, as it squirts a bit on being bitten. Was that real or fake? I don't sense anything. Lets see.... were there berries or anything that I could just have that was raw? I wasn't sure about that salmon, as those sunken eyes must be following me around. Briefly tapping the plate with a claw, the illusion stops and I see a normal salmon, head for decoration, sliced and ready to be taken with a fork. I do like fish... Carefully reaching for a fork, I take a piece of salmon while maintaining my claw against the plate. Finally removing it. The decorative plate turns nasty again, but the piece on my plate isn't. Thank goodness. Nudging a piece apart from the rest, I taste it. Hm. NOt bad. I wonder if those eyeballs just laying on the table are grapes or blueberries. 29
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