Statements

March 21st, 1723.

A Masquerade. A tragically elegant event, indeed. I was never one for parties, but I'd make an exception for it tonight, as my dear old acquaintance Jason Young was to be the host. For a fox with no frisk, I sure did take long enough to decide what to wear for a ball I wasn't even particularly excited about. I debated between a dress or a suit, and eventually decided on a suit. I'd be wearing a mask, so who'd be around to tell me I wasn't lady-like for my decisions? After checking myself once more, I grabbed my mask and invitation and made my way out. Many people would be there. Most came with the intention of dancing and finding love, or just to brag about being invited to a party hosted by Jason Young. Let's just say, I wasn't coming to dance. Wasn't my thing, anyway. I nodded to a guard at the door and walked in. An impressive sight indeed, Young's parties definitely never failed to fill a room, that's for certain.

I made my way through the crowds and pressed myself against a wall. I knew nobody here, but sure enough, I'd make sure everyone knew me. I shifted around when a dark coated dog stepped in front of me. He had clearly noticed I was a lady beneath the suit. He help put his hand to offer me a dance.
"May I?" He asked with a cool grin. I took his hand and we were off. I glanced at his peculiar purple-streaked hair as we waltzed. As much as I admittedly was not one for dancing, I couldn't say he was a bad dancer. I had picked up along the way that his name was Cliphord, and he apparently knew me as well, though we haven't formally talked.
"Miss Jane, I must comment on your choice of attire." He started. His gaze lowered as he checked me out, hardly bothering being subtle. I narrowed my eyes. Fine. Playing him over would pass the time easier. I leaned in close and I felt him tense up.
"Mr. Jones, are you suggesting that because I am a lady, I must always wear a dress?" I replied smoothly. We waltzed through our conversation.
"Ah! No, no! It's quite interesting, actually, a dainty woman such as yourself in such strong clothing. It's rather charming, actually." He reared in and kissed me. God damn it. I wasn't about to show my desire to rip out the tongue he just used. I had to keep my nerve. Luckily, a chime in the distance broke his kiss and I rested my finger on his mouth, once again swallowing my forbidden pride just long enough to choke back the craving to beat him with it. Finally, Jason rose to speak.

We all joined together at the large dinner table. I found myself sitting next to a charming young red panda. She was easy to make small talk with , at the least. She seemed somewhat surprised to find I was female under the suit and mask, which was somewhat flattering, because confusing people was my goal in wearing the suit.
"Such a fine party" she commented. I felt somewhat bad. Someone with a purity such as her own wouldn't last a second in the chaotic hell that this party would be after dark.
"Indeed." I replied simply. "I would get out of here before dark, personally." I said.
"Why so?" She asked innocently. Oh boy. I fidgeted for a moment.
"Once the alcohol gets to everyone's head. To be expected when it's free."
Her eyes widened for a moment, then she realized what I meant and her face lit up. Just then, Jason tapped a spoon on a wine glass to get everyone's attention.
"Thank you everyone for attending my annual Masquerade..." He began. I fidgeted with some silverware as I zoned his words out. He finished his mindless speech after what felt like ages. To sum it up, he thanked everyone for coming, bragged about how rich and successful he was, told us the food would be ready soon, and suggested we dance while we waited. I got up and strolled over to him once everyone walked back to continue their dances. I offered my hand to him.
"Would you by chance be interested in a dance?" I asked smoothly. He smirked and took my hand.
"Miss Jane, this is a first. You're never one for anything fun." He chuckled. "I do suppose your suit is a starter, you never were one to play by the rules. Always making a statement, aren't you." He commented boldly. This bastard and his clever wordplay. Though peeved, I would never give him the satisfaction of knowing so.
"You're absolutely right, I do suppose I am making a statement" I retorted. "I don't suppose you'd see yourself in a dress" I mocked. I wondered swiftly if he'd actually be up for the challenge.
"I'd say I'd look rather dashing in one myself. You, however, should probably have gone by tradition." His brown eyes flashed behind his black mask. He was trying to piss me off. Perfect. I smiled.
"So, you moved, huh?" I rested my hand on his chest. "Don't suppose you'd mind showing me how great your new house is?" I asked. There was nothing a Young loved more than bragging about theirselves and their success. He grinned, he grabbed his wine glass off the table and swiftly led me down the halls of his mansion. We turned into a side room and I took off my mask and looked up just in time to catch him staring me down. He hadn't turned around, but he looked at me from the side as if seeing right though me. He chuckled and turned to face me, looking me dead in the eyes.
"Miss Jane, my darling. I know you didn't come here to dance with me." His tone got darker.
"Good. I guess you're not as ignorant as I assumed. " I shot back. "Mr. Young, do you know why I chose to wear a suit tonight?" I asked him. I didn't unlock our gazes.
"Why so?" He asked. He didn't dare to move. His tone even stayed the same. I felt my grin grow.
"Dresses don't have pockets." I snapped. I didn't even need to gather the confidence or strength for my next action. I have waited so long for this. I pulled a knife I had grabbed off the table out of my unnecessarily large pocket and lunged at him. He was able to move just in time, but made this all more satisfying. A foe who fought back. As irritating as he was, I had to give him credit for being able to hold his wine glass without spilling or breaking it. I remember we went back and fourth with the kicking and punching for a hot minute before he finally punted me down. As I searched for the knife, he turned away with one hand behind his back and another around his wine. He slowly strolled to the window on the other side of the room to gaze out of it. What the hell was he doing? I grasped the knife and followed him over.
"I knew you had ice in your veins my doll, but never once did I expect them to be completely frozen." He commented. He didn't seem fazed at all that I was trying to assassinate him. He took one final sip of his wine before I knocked it out of his hand. It landed on the ground with a satisfying crash. He watched it fall, and I didn't miss a beat. I took the knife and with all of the strength and rage I built up, impaled him square in the chest. I narrowed my eyes with satisfaction, but he smiled. I tightened my grip on my knife.
"I could take this out right now and leave you to bleed or I could leave it in long enough to get medical help." I offered. Before I could state my demands, he pushed me off of him and without hesitation, gripped the knife and pulled it out himself. His eyes widened as if he didn't expect the pain to be as brutal as it was. But, he laughed again.
"I knew this would happen, someone would attempt to overthrow me. I wouldn't have hosted the party if I didn't welcome the idea." He rasped as he sank down to the ground. An interesting turn of events. Technically, he killed himself. I bent down and pulled the mask off of his face, and his gaze followed my hand as I did so.
"I look forward to dancing with you again one day in hell." I smirked as I turned and walked away. I heard his breathing labor as I left the room. I felt all eyes on me and it was satisfying. A woman in a suit, with a bloody kitchen knife and the host's mask upon my face. I walked steadily out the door, acknowledging every gasp and hurl I heard but showing no reaction. I didn't get what I came for, but I certainly left getting exactly what I wanted. May the bastards who didn't take my warnings seriously watch closely for the "statements" I've made.