Legends of Olympus (On Hold)

Masquerade I: Glass and Shield

Paige's POV

I gently wore my navy blue feathered mask while in front of the mirror.

It was the same color as my off-shouldered gown with embroidered sleeves, and also decorated with diamond sequins along the edges of the large skirt.

Matagal-tagal akong napatitig sa repleksyon ko.

Silk gloves grazed my fingers as I slowly touched my hands in front of my skirt. I stood straight, and slightly turned around to look at my hair, that I braided into a loose crown.

Masquerade...

I wonder how Reign came up with this theme for tonight.

Nang masigurong presentable na ako, umikot at lumabas na ng aking kwarto. Nasa corridor ako ng mga kwarto namin nang marinig kong may bumukas na pinto.

"Paige?"

Nilingon ko si Amber na kalalabas lang mula sa kanyang kwarto.

Suminghap siya. "Ang ganda mo..."

She wore a rusty-colored gown made out of velvet fabric. It was off-shouldered too, but her neck line was way more lowered than mine and even tighter, exposing not a cleavage, but the top curves of her breasts.

She was obviously not contented with this exposure, of course, as shown by her hair that was tied into a high and curled ponytail, revealing her slender neck.

And Amber didn't wear gloves, but she did pair her gown with a bronze mask.

"I could say the same to you," tugon ko at nginitian siya.

Pagkatapos, napatanong na rin ako. "Is Bella finished dressing up?"

"Hanap nyo'ko?"

Napaharap ako kay Bella na lumitaw sa tuktok ng hagdan.

She gave us an excited smile, while covering her eyes with the black glittery mask that she held on a black stick.

Always dressed in her favorite color, which was black, Bella wore a sleeveless ball gown that she complemented with silk gloves. A black-laced necklace also hugged her neck, with a silver chain that draped around it in loose waves.

Naalala kong kaya napili niya ang damit na 'yan ay dahil may kaparehas daw ito na dress ng isa sa mga manika niya.

A strange way to dress one's self, but she still looked beautiful.

Napangiti ako.

Hauntingly beautiful.

"Reign's at the ceremonial hall finalizing the program," pagbibigay-alam ko sa kanila. "And I assume she's also already dressed."

A total miracle on her part. For being the earliest to dress and arrive at the venue.

"Eh, yung mga lalaki?" tanong ni Amber.

"Nauna na atang umalis si Henri, ih, para i-check kung nakabihis na rin daw ba si Raph," sagot ni Bella. "Tas yung iba di pa tapos sa pag-kain sa kusina. Naghahanda raw sila kasi magpaparamihan sila ng maisasayaw... ata? Yun dinig ko, eh!"

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Men."

Inunahan ko silang bumaba ng hagdan, at sabay kaming tumungo sa kusina kung saan kumakain ang mga lalaki habang nag-uusap-usap.

"Sinasabi ko sa'yo, mga bro." Nagkakamay pa si Zack, at suot niya ang pulang suit, ngunit mas makulimlim ang kulay nito kung ikukumpara sa kanyang buhok. "Ako yung pinakamabilis kaya ako yung mas makakarami."