#y2 thread 14

[toa-masquerade]

They're not really here because they want to be, necessarily, but they must admit that the scenery is in equal part enchantingly beautiful and horrifyingly surreal — They had seen very little of the ocean even before coming here, and being underneath it like this makes them feel like an interloper. Uninvited, unwelcome.

...Ah, right. They have something they need to do here. It isn't as if they can simply ask if any given person is her, but...

They'll know. They always have.

"I have no ill feelings towards this kind of magic, but this place makes my chest feel... Tight. Perhaps I am only curious if anyone feels the same as I."

[thefirstknife]

I don’t understand people who are upset we don’t have all the answers about the Veil right now because quite frankly I thought that was the point? Like if we had all the answers then we get to the issue (that a lot of these same people had) where the seasons feel disconnected and like little actually matter until the last one before the expansion. They didn’t give us everything probably because we’re supposed to discover the answers as the year goes on before we chase the Witness through whatever portal it made. Bungie is doing what they wanted and yet people still complain

Yep, pretty much. They also did explicitly say in the latest TWAB that yes, the story will continue throughout the year. Some people took that as Bungie "having to tell us that there's more story because of how shit their writing is" but what I saw was community managers trying to politely explain to tens of thousands of raging players that the story isn't over. It felt almost passive aggressive to me given that this is exactly what players wanted:

We know there are still plenty of questions left unanswered at the end of Lightfall’s Campaign that you’re all eagerly awaiting answers to. As the events of Season of Defiance get into full swing this week, know that this is just the beginning of the next year of storytelling that will connect the events of Lightfall and The Final Shape. We can’t wait for the community to learn more about The Witness’s origins, its objective, and the ways we can thwart it and its disciples throughout Season of the Deep, as well as Seasons 22 and 23 later this year.

You made a great point about that. People asked that seasons become more meaningful. I remember that initially seasons were kinda all over the place and not really connected into a full story. Like, there were very few connecting points between Undying-Dawn-Worthy-Arrivals. Nothing that couldn't be summarised in 2 sentences. Even less if you look at Black Armory-Drifter-Opulence seasons from Y2.

On one hand, it meant that you could skip any and not lose much. But on the other hand, those that weren't skipping complained that the seasons aren't very well connected between each other and the main campaign of the year. This was a serious enough complaint that it became the reason for more connected seasons and also a reason to let seasons last the whole year, as detailed in a TWAB from April 2020:

We have been making progress carrying the overarching narrative Season over Season in Destiny 2. Saint-14 and Osiris led to the Warmind which leads to… [REDACTED]

It’s not perfect yet. The bridges between Seasons can definitely be improved, and we could do a better job of recognizing prior Seasons’ narrative threads in the active Season. 

In Year 4, we are going to build a better interconnected narrative and, more importantly, let players be a part of that narrative no matter when they enter the current year.

I'm putting this here because people have notoriously bad memory, but we have tangible proof of people asking Bungie for seasons that have more meaningful and interconnected narrative. Bungie listened, but that also meant that skipping a season became harder if you wanted to stay in the loop. Obviously you can watch a playthrough online, but you know. But clearly the majority wanted seasons to be meaningful and were happy when Bungie listened.

And now suddenly we don't want the story to continue during the year? I understand the FOMO complaints and monetary complaints. If you buy an expansion, you want to NOT feel forced into buying all seasons for it in order to experience the full story. It's just strange to me that we are dropping that issue at Lightfall when BL and WQ were the same. A lot will say that they liked it before, but now just got tired of the same thing over and over, but what exactly is that thing? A good and connected narrative that links expansions and seasons? Do we now want a break year where seasonal stories are irrelevant and nothing meaningful happens?

Obviously, connected seasons benefit Bungie. I am aware that connecting the narrative like this means more people will feel compelled to buy the seasons. But if they're already making contect they want us to buy, then people want their purchase to mean something instead of getting content they easily could've skipped. It's kind of an impossible conundrum? We want the seasons to be good and narrative rich and meaningful, but we also want the seasons to be easy to skip and not necessary to play. That's kinda contradictory.

I genuinely don't know what is the solution and I welcome discussion about it. I just find most of the discussions about this kind of stuff to be very strange. Like, in most cases it just boils down to a contradiction of wanting the story to feel worth investing yourself into, but also easy to sit out. Those two things just can't both be true at once.

[synnthamonsugar]

Since we’re about a month out from them being announced: one prediction I’d like to make for the upcoming season and/or fall expansion is the return of Variks.

My logic boils down to “there was a ton of Y2 lore about Eris Morn and she returned Y3, and a bit of lore about Saint-14 and he was introduced Y3... Variks got a whole lore book in Forsaken, so following this reasoning he should show up again, and fairly soon.”

Could be wishful thinking (gimme eliksni content Bungie), but I have a gut feeling we haven’t seen the last of him. The real question is how he could possibly fit into the open plot threads we have at the moment, since none of them involve the eliksni.

[lainahastoomuchsparetime]

…clearly I couldn’t think of a title for this post. Original Twitter thread found here.

Today we’re going to be trying to figure out the time period that Anne of Green Gables is set in and talking about the fashion of that time. This is going to be a multi-part series with a lot of images. Seriously, I have like 10 pages of notes and a LOT of pictures bookmarked.

So I’m gonna ask y’all to be patient with the speed on this one, okay?

Let’s start with what we know about the time period of Anne of Green Gables. (Not any of the sequels – in this thread, I will be treating AOGG as a standalone work.)

First, Montgomery wrote it in 1906 so it can’t be any later than that. In “Anne to the Rescue”, the Prime Minister who’s visiting Charlottetown is definitely John A. Macdonald. Marilla comments on his nose and that was something many political cartoonists caricaturized about him.

He was Canada’s first Prime Minister, and also technically the third as he served twice with another dude between his two terms. The first time was from 1867 to 1873 which is way to early to be Anne’s time period IMO.

Going by the fashion of the time alone, you’re looking at straight, tight sleeves and very slight bustles. Puffed sleeves don’t fit.

    Purple dress by Southend Museum Services via Wikimedia commons. Red dress photo is public domain from the Met via Wikimedia commons. First fashion plate is public domain via Wikimedia commons and the second is by Nicole.c.s.y93 via Wikimedia commons.

John A. Macdonald’s second term was from 1878 to 1891. “Anne to the Rescue” takes place in January of Anne’s second year at Green Gables. December of Y2 is when Matthew gives Anne the Christmas dress, and that year the size of the puffs have gotten even larger.

Let’s backtrack slightly and define our time periods.

Canada became a country (according to white people) in 1867. I’m sure y’all knew that. In any of the time periods Anne could be set in, the British influence will still be very strong. Because of that, in this series, I’m going to use the British eras for reference. (Eras in British history refer to who was ruling at the time.)

Queen Victoria = the Victorian era. King Edward VII, her son = the Edwardian period. Victoria’s reign was 1837 to 1901, and Edward was on the throne 1901 to 1910, but there is actually some overlap when you’re talking fashion, since fashion changes aren’t instant. Like, if you look at early 1990s, they look very 1980s.

As well, sometimes the term Edwardian is retroactively applied to fashion things that happened during the actual Victorian period as Edward was a big leader and influencer of fashion. So some stuff from before 1901 can be considered Edwardian. I know it’s a bit complicated, but we’re all on the same page, yeah?

Also Victoria Day is May 20th this year. Her birthday was May 25th so our holiday is the Monday before the 25th. May long weekend is also my town-wide garage sale. Not related, just a fun fact.

As Canada is a Commonweath country, obviously the British influence was huge. And still is, to some extant. We have the Queen on our money, we have Victoria Day, Boxing Day, we spell thing with u’s. It was even greater in Anne’s time period, though. Canada was colonized under Queen Victoria’s reign. So when we’re talking fashion, it makes the most sense to me to look to that direction than to look to the US for context.

Another thing I find interesting – they have afternoon tea in Anne, and Queen Victoria was the one who made that a Thing. One of her ladies in waiting began having a small meal in the afternoon, usually around 4, as she couldn’t wait for til a 9pm dinner. (I get that. My blood sugar isn’t down for that schedule either.)

The lady would invite friends into her dressing room for it and Victoria caught wind of it and really liked the idea, and it became an elaborate thing. That’s where “tea gowns” are from. Which I’m not going to get into because this thread is going to be long enough, but look up sometime. That was in the 1850s and you can see how normalized it is in Anne by our time period.

I just thought that was neat lol.

So, 1870s fashion we talked about.

Moving into the 1880s, it’s not too different. Still narrow sleeves, and skirts narrow as well besides a brief resurgence of the bustle in the middle of the decade. This is, I believe, the fashion period that Marilla is using to make Anne’s dresses in the beginning of the book.

This, for instance, is a great picture from the mid 1880s – from this site, used with permission.

This was a wealthy family from Ontario wearing their best clothes, so this wouldn’t be so much everyday clothes but it helps you get the idea.

Random trivia, the lady on the bottom left with the very short hair – she may have been recovering from a bad illness. A lot of the time when women in this time period cut their hair very short, it was because they were very seriously ill and couldn’t manage the upkeep.

In general, your early 1880s has a lot of 1870s influence… typical for most decades of fashion. It’s pretty minimal in silhouette.

    Brown plaid dress and floral dress by the Met via Wikimedia commons.

The bustles from the later half of the decade are kind of great though. (Bustles are the big butt bumps.) This isn’t even as big as they could get.

  LACMA, Met, Met, they’re all public domain, I’m getting tired here, lol.

Going up to the very end of the 1880s, you’re still in that same area.

Some pictures from 1888. Pictures from here out are from Libraries and Archives Canada or the Met’s fashion plate collection. All are public domain. Click to enlarge I think.

    And some stuff from 1889

    Oh and this is a series of photos from I think an ice show in early 1889 which… what is going on in this ice show? There’s another I can’t find now, I think, where her skirt is just a tennis net?

  Okay, back to establishing our timeline. Sleeves begin to puff as we move into 1890. Some of these pics have specific dates which is super cool.

So, we have March 1890, May 1890, and July 1890.

  I particularly like this one from October 1890 that’s titled as “Nidd, Mrs. & Friend” and how much it looks like an awkward prom picture.

Last one from 1890, specifically December 1890.

Moving into 1891, the sleeves continue to get larger but usually not as huge as they’ll eventually become.

Also I keep wanting to make up backstory for these people. Like that second picture especially. Who are they?

    More from 1891

  Now the reason I’m focusing a little extra on 1891 is because that is the absolute latest that “Anne to the Rescue” could happen. John A. Macdonald was no longer Prime Minister after June 1891.

He was also dead.

I found a couple articles that referenced Macdonald visting P.E.I. in 1890, but it was a casual visit to a Senator friend in Charlottetown. The political meeting of the book seems to be purely fictional.

That Senator friend just happened to be Donald Montgomery, one of L. M. Montgomery’s grandparents. (Her father’s father, not the one she lived with after er mother died.)

Montgomery even met Macdonald on that visit. It happened in August 1890.

There’s an article out there called “The Hijacking of “Anne”” by Virginia Careless that puts the year Anne came to Green Gables as 1880. She uses the sequels to make this timeline and honestly? My suspicion is that as we get into sequels we’ll mostly discover that Montgomery wasn’t great at math.

Careless uses later events that I’m not looking at because I only want to use evidence from AOGG itself for this particular thread.

And I’m sorry, but puffed sleeves were NOT a thing in 1880.

Do you see a sleeve puff??

  Careless says, “That date is more in keeping with her longing for puffed sleeves in 1880, when she came to Green Gables. In 1877, her eleventh year according to the Treasury, such sleeves were not possible with the fashions then current.”

NOPE makes no sense! I know the article is from 1992 but like. You got paid for that, Careless.

Going by the date of Macdonald’s visit to Charlottetown and his death, and the fashion trends of the time, I am comfortable saying Anne came to Green Gables between 1889 and 1891. Specifically I think she came in June 1890. I think Macdonald’s fictional visit happens in 1891, and Anne gets her dress in December 1891.

Thing in the sequels may contradict this, but that’s where I think we stand judging by AOGG alone.

The timeline I think works: 1890 – Anne comes to GG in June, is 11, Y1 1891 – Croup in January, Christmas dress, Anne is 12, Y2 1892 – Hair dye, Queen’s class, Anne is 13, Y3 1893 – Mostly just a lot of school, Anne is 14, Y4 1894 – Queen’s exam, white sands hotel concert, Anne is 15, Y5 1895 – Year at Queen’s, Matthew’s death, Anne is 16, Y6

Also you can’t just say any puffed sleeve fits Anne’s time period. Sleeve puffs in the 1830s are much lower than the ones in the 1890s (and beyond).

Plus it doesn’t work with the tea thing. Can you tell I’ve discovered a pet peeve?

I think that’s about good for today. Not the last thread you’ll be seeing on this though! We have many things to discuss.

Shout out to Library and Archives Canada and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s fashion plate collection.

Both were big helps in this and future threads.

Editing Laina: #LainaReadsAnne will be returning live soon! I’m getting caught up on a few things, and then we’ll be getting back into recaps! My summer job just got in the way.

Peace and cookies, Laina

#LainaReadsAnne, but make it fashion ...clearly I couldn't think of a title for this post. Original Twitter thread found here.

[toa-masquerade]

New experiences were something he couldn't, in good conscience, turn down, but that didn't mean they were always what he expected them to be. Curious fish flitted past, pausing for just a moment to marvel at the masked dancers before darting away. Light that filtered in from above was tinted by the deep, majestic blues of the waters, illuminating the scene with a shimmering, waving pattern that seemed to follow the dancers' own motions. The masked individual stood, awash in the splendor of the view before him, scarcely noticing that someone had come to stand alongside him. 

When his head turned, the look on his face was one of curiosity and surprise. Even with the mask covering his eyes, his emotions remained transparent. He had not thought he would attract anyone's attention, tucked away against the wall of water as he was. He had half expected to spend the duration of this event marveling at the scenery by himself. Perhaps it was because whoever had approached him did not know who he or any of the others were that they were so eager to join him. Maybe he ought to take that lead as an example for how he himself ought to behave.

"My apologies," he began, voice measured, if hesitant. "I hadn't noticed you there. Was it-- you seek a dance, I presume? I confess, I'm not much good at such things myself, but if it's what you wish, I would be happy to indulge you. Or... did you just come to look at the fish, too? It's fascinating, I think, to be able to observe creatures so candidly that we would otherwise never have the chance to stand beside."

[toa-masquerade]

Oh, that made sense in hindsight. Here Chyrses had assumed it to stand for "Masked Man". They could not shake the feeling that it spoke perhaps to a lack of creativity on their part (or, perhaps, a lack of faith in others' creativity), though they could find some solace in the fact that the nickname seemed to only fit if they were, indeed, Viscount Menja. Given the fact that Chryses was not the Viscount and was, as a result, already certain they were not the Viscount, they had simply failed to consider such a nickname would be applied to them.

For a moment, Chryses had to wonder if that was truly a nickname at all. After all, they did know of an August, one who, admittedly, had a personality and grand aspirations matching those displayed by the individual to whom they were presently speaking. They were fairly certain that that August was not in attendance, at least not to this masquerade. Chryses was unwilling to assume that there were not people in attendance of this ball that they hadn't even realized were at Garreg Mach at all. Even if someone had come here just for the ball and would depart for their home after, that would scarcely come as a shock. The allure of a masquerade in the company of political giants was one many would find enticing indeed.

"Very well," Chryses concurred, offering a small nod. "I accept your nicknames, Auguste. As for my stiffness, you'll have to forgive me, but I've no intention of discarding it. Actually, I'm not even sure I can. I've been acting like this so long that I'm not certain I know any other way to speak."

There was an easy excuse for the behavior, of course. Spending time in the company of nobles from an early age would breed that sort of forced cautiousness into almost anyone. Unfortunately, Chryses could not make such an assertion honestly. The fact that a lie would scarcely matter-- it was, after all, spoken to someone who did not know who Chryses was and may very well never meet them again-- did not make it any easier to be untruthful. Their conscience ever weighed heavy upon them, even in this peculiar situation.

"But you may speak as freely as you wish," Chryses added, offering a gentle smile to show they welcomed Auguste's honesty. "Do not take my reserved nature as discouragement. If this masquerade eases your spirits enough for you to drop such forced pleasantries, if it would feel better for you to do so, then I would not wish to rob you of that. Even if you gain nothing else from this night, I would be happy knowing I helped in some small way."

" Magical Marvels. M.M. for short. " It was a bad name. Sorry. But, Ivy thought it sincerely lovely. There was no sign of malice at all in their voice having said it. " But ah… "

" If I were to go by Auguste for the evening, I should at the very least give you a moniker to match prestige. Do you like Chryses? Gold, as your mask is. " It is a regal name, though from how little Auguste could discern from Chryses' movements, they did not know if it was the most apt. Chryses' dry wit made up for their lack of emotive aptitude. Auguste was used to being the more expressive of their companions, so this came at no expense on their part. However, it was Ethereal, and if under a mask one could not walk with the ease of ocean waves for skin, then they must have their own share of reins cinched to their expressions. A shame. " Still, for all your talk of treading carefully, you seem to restrain yourself just fine. "

There were plenty, stiffer than a plank, and Auguste had a fair tendency to read into it. " If we are both aware of forced politeness in high society, would it not be a matter of hypocrisy that you are holding back so much? Or is that simply your nature? "

[toa-masquerade]

"...I see. You need not apologize."

They don't know what else to say, really. It does make them think, though — Did she see his eyes in the stars like they did with him, when she was apart from them?

Did they see her eyes there, once?

"She is here, yes. We hail from a remote part of my home country—" They struggle a bit on those last few words. "So we have little experience with these sorts of events..."

It's actually somewhat nice here, now that they've taken a moment to become acquainted with their surroundings... It's still unnerving, but less all-consumingly terrifying.

"She is a more inquisitive person than I am. If not for her, I probably would not have come at all."

They can really tell their companion is trying very hard - they're not put off by it, having had silent companions before, and finding comfort in them. It's almost nostalgic, even.

"I have," they admitted, hands coming to clasp behind them as they walk. Schools of fish dart by, and the light of the moon reflects off of the movement of the waves, the current churning and flowing above and all around - in turns eerie and...almost soothing. "It's...I suppose a famous tale, where I'm from, but I fought quite hard to make my way back to family that...that had thought me lost."

It was a tale that, they had been told, brought hope to so many, and was bittersweet to them even now.

"I miss him every day, and I see his eyes in the stars that look down on me from - " They catch themselves, clear their throat and finding it thick. "From the sky, that is. I'm sorry. Now that you have found her once more, you intend to make up for lost time? She is here, then? Are you searching for her in this enchantment, or is this an attempt to acclimate yourself to these things you have little experience with? Balls, for example."

[toa-masquerade]

"I suppose so."

The comfort is appreciated, they suppose. Letting their tired eyes wander around the ocean around them, it does seem a bit less stressful than before, though maybe they've just become familiar with it by now.

"...Forgive me. I am only here for the sake of... Someone precious to me. You need not have any thought for me, if I've interrupted you."

"If you're unwell, you can take it slow. A step at a time." They tried to keep their voice calm, as though speaking to a wild animal and feeling perhaps as if the description was more apt than they initially thought. "It took me a minute as well, but look - "

A step, then another, arms spread wide, plopping back down to their sides. "It is...vast, isn't it? Unknowable. But with small steps at a time, it can become easier."

[toa-masquerade]

They can really tell their companion is trying very hard - they're not put off by it, having had silent companions before, and finding comfort in them. It's almost nostalgic, even.

"I have," they admitted, hands coming to clasp behind them as they walk. Schools of fish dart by, and the light of the moon reflects off of the movement of the waves, the current churning and flowing above and all around - in turns eerie and...almost soothing. "It's...I suppose a famous tale, where I'm from, but I fought quite hard to make my way back to family that...that had thought me lost."

It was a tale that, they had been told, brought hope to so many, and was bittersweet to them even now.

"I miss him every day, and I see his eyes in the stars that look down on me from - " They catch themselves, clear their throat and finding it thick. "From the sky, that is. I'm sorry. Now that you have found her once more, you intend to make up for lost time? She is here, then? Are you searching for her in this enchantment, or is this an attempt to acclimate yourself to these things you have little experience with? Balls, for example."

They don't quite understand what the stranger's reaction is about, really, but their indignation on their behalf makes them a little... They aren't sure what to call it. Confused, if grateful.

"It is... Fine. Regardless..."

Though the stranger cannot see it, their face twists up into a vaguely pleased expression, some levity lighting their face.

"I am also not used to being so still... That is fine with me."

And so they start walking. They take in the sight of the ocean surrounding them, finding it a little less stressful than they had prior, with the memory of her in their hands.

"She is very special to me. It has been a long while since we have seen each other... I wish to make up for the time I could not be by her side."

They have to think hard about what they want to say next.

"Have you someone like that?"

[toa-masquerade]

They don't quite understand what the stranger's reaction is about, really, but their indignation on their behalf makes them a little... They aren't sure what to call it. Confused, if grateful.

"It is... Fine. Regardless..."

Though the stranger cannot see it, their face twists up into a vaguely pleased expression, some levity lighting their face.

"I am also not used to being so still... That is fine with me."

And so they start walking. They take in the sight of the ocean surrounding them, finding it a little less stressful than they had prior, with the memory of her in their hands.

"She is very special to me. It has been a long while since we have seen each other... I wish to make up for the time I could not be by her side."

They have to think hard about what they want to say next.

"Have you someone like that?"

The urge to tilt their head again is a strong one that they resist, but there is a stillness that remains in the wake of that inaction.

"It is...unfortunate," they finally say, firmly, "that you must have been made to feel as though you must need to apologize so often for it to become so easy." A shake of their head, not judgemental, nor even disbelieving, but almost...indignant? "Not, of course, that a true apology should come easily, but neither should the thing worth forgiveness be so small. That it should be repeated so often, and to a child - "

Their voice shimmers with an unidentifiable emotion, before they take a long breath in through their nose, then release it. "Forgive me, perhaps that was uncalled for. If it would be easier, would you tell me of your friend? You've come to these lengths for her sake, she must be quite special."

A tap of hand against leg, before they gesture; "And, perhaps we could move? A walk. I've never been good as standing idly, even in conversation."

[toa-masquerade]

The urge to tilt their head again is a strong one that they resist, but there is a stillness that remains in the wake of that inaction.

"It is...unfortunate," they finally say, firmly, "that you must have been made to feel as though you must need to apologize so often for it to become so easy." A shake of their head, not judgemental, nor even disbelieving, but almost...indignant? "Not, of course, that a true apology should come easily, but neither should the thing worth forgiveness be so small. That it should be repeated so often, and to a child - "

Their voice shimmers with an unidentifiable emotion, before they take a long breath in through their nose, then release it. "Forgive me, perhaps that was uncalled for. If it would be easier, would you tell me of your friend? You've come to these lengths for her sake, she must be quite special."

A tap of hand against leg, before they gesture; "And, perhaps we could move? A walk. I've never been good as standing idly, even in conversation."

"...It is easier to apologize if you apologize often. So I was told as a child."

Well, they can imagine it isn't just him sharing the fish out of water (gag) mpulse, but it's nice to have it confirmed outright. Still, this stranger is right, and it's a bit odd to apologize so severely for minor infractions...

But they do it anyway. Because they don't know what else to do with themselves.

"I would not think of myself as being brave, really..." They say, flustering a little behind the bars of their mask. "But I could not stand by, knowing she is here. We were raised together from birth, and her will is my own."

[toa-masquerade]

"...It is easier to apologize if you apologize often. So I was told as a child."

Well, they can imagine it isn't just him sharing the fish out of water (gag) mpulse, but it's nice to have it confirmed outright. Still, this stranger is right, and it's a bit odd to apologize so severely for minor infractions...

But they do it anyway. Because they don't know what else to do with themselves.

"I would not think of myself as being brave, really..." They say, flustering a little behind the bars of their mask. "But I could not stand by, knowing she is here. We were raised together from birth, and her will is my own."

"I don't think being uncomfortable is something that one need beg forgiveness for, but you may have it if it's helpful. I'm not...exactly accustomed to things like this, either."

A revelation that could have proven either uncomfortable or soothing, depending on the listener's mindset. They tilted their head to one side, as though evaluating their new companion with new information, before coming to a decision.

"In the past, at these sorts of things, I've been given all sorts of advice, from all sorts of people. Make a friend, or find an activity, tell a joke." Their face scrunches into a frustrated expression beneath the mask, although their companion cannot see it - then, they laugh, as though to shake it off. "I never found any of it quite helpful. You seem to have the first two. A friend, and finding her."

A pause, thoughtful. "It's brave, to put yourself into a position you aren't used to, for the sake of another. Although...finding someone when they choose to keep themselves anonymous is...quite the task."

[toa-masquerade]

"I don't think being uncomfortable is something that one need beg forgiveness for, but you may have it if it's helpful. I'm not...exactly accustomed to things like this, either."

A revelation that could have proven either uncomfortable or soothing, depending on the listener's mindset. They tilted their head to one side, as though evaluating their new companion with new information, before coming to a decision.

"In the past, at these sorts of things, I've been given all sorts of advice, from all sorts of people. Make a friend, or find an activity, tell a joke." Their face scrunches into a frustrated expression beneath the mask, although their companion cannot see it - then, they laugh, as though to shake it off. "I never found any of it quite helpful. You seem to have the first two. A friend, and finding her."

A pause, thoughtful. "It's brave, to put yourself into a position you aren't used to, for the sake of another. Although...finding someone when they choose to keep themselves anonymous is...quite the task."

"I suppose so."

The comfort is appreciated, they suppose. Letting their tired eyes wander around the ocean around them, it does seem a bit less stressful than before, though maybe they've just become familiar with it by now.

"...Forgive me. I am only here for the sake of... Someone precious to me. You need not have any thought for me, if I've interrupted you."

[toa-masquerade]

"If you're unwell, you can take it slow. A step at a time." They tried to keep their voice calm, as though speaking to a wild animal and feeling perhaps as if the description was more apt than they initially thought. "It took me a minute as well, but look - "

A step, then another, arms spread wide, plopping back down to their sides. "It is...vast, isn't it? Unknowable. But with small steps at a time, it can become easier."

They're not really here because they want to be, necessarily, but they must admit that the scenery is in equal part enchantingly beautiful and horrifyingly surreal — They had seen very little of the ocean even before coming here, and being underneath it like this makes them feel like an interloper. Uninvited, unwelcome.

...Ah, right. They have something they need to do here. It isn't as if they can simply ask if any given person is her, but...

They'll know. They always have.

"I have no ill feelings towards this kind of magic, but this place makes my chest feel... Tight. Perhaps I am only curious if anyone feels the same as I."

[toa-masquerade]

Ivy's words were more poetic than the ones Gold would have chosen, but the rang true nonetheless. The sentiment contained within was precisely the one that Gold had been alluding to. It seems they both had experience enough dealing with the forced politeness of high society to have grown tired of it. That should come as little surprise at a masquerade ball. Events like this were often attended exclusively by the wealthy (and, of course, the knights that watched over them, though such individuals would hardly be considered attendees), though the Ethereal Ball served as exception to the rule. Garreg Mach was hardly populated exclusively by nobility, though some degree of wealth was typically required to pay the fees associated with attending. Assuming the status of anyone here would be folly, at least without some kind of evidence to back it up.

While Ivy made their dramatic gestures, Gold remained largely still, watching carefully. They were not quite so prone to speaking with their hands, as it were. Their stance was rigid, even at an event like this one meant to promote free-spirited socialization. The most movement came from their eyes, accompanied by slight twitches beneath the mask to hint at some expression. They seemed almost to be fighting against the impulse to allow their face to show their emotions, fighting to maintain a mask beneath their mask.

"I suppose I'd not thought of an alias to go by," Gold confessed, though one did come immediately to mind. It was not one they felt it right to choose for themself, however. "I would not refuse the moniker you've assigned me, if at the very least you would tell me what it stands for. Assuming, of course, it's not some kind of insult. I wouldn't expect it to be one. What of you, however? How do you wish me to refer to you?"

“ Ah, but do you not find that terribly tragic? ” They hummed, brow furrowed beneath their mask. “ — To be taught so carefully to speak that one forgets how to say anything at all? ”

Their hand flitted through the illusionary sea, setting off a laced line of bubbles. The gesture was artful, and yet there was weight beneath it—an irritation grown subtle in its polish. “ Power should not render one so fragile. And yet here we are, in a world where people carry titles like glassware, clinking with the effort not to shatter. I would like to think the Viscount is not like that. ”

A pause followed, and in that silence, the shape of their mask shifted ever so slightly in the low light—gold catching gold, reflective and unreadable.

“ You are not wrong, mind you, ” Ivy conceded, with a gracious nod. “ If anything, you’ve proven more discerning than most, and you are clever enough to know your place on the board. Many here have their tongues linked so intricately to their cuffs that they close themselves off to any line of discussion. ”

“ But forgive me. perhaps my mask emboldens me to speak too freely. Does your insight imply that you've been around nobility yourself? ” Ivy was truly are not hiding anything, as bolded glimpses of themselves cracked through the leaves. M.M, however… “ If you have this kind of insight what do you intend to do with it? Break out a smile and watch the glassware crack? ”

" Will you answer me honestly? Or would you prefer the politesse of wining and dining first? " A beat. " Ah, I've been calling you M.M. Perhaps we should start with that. What would you like to go by? "

[toa-masquerade]

Quite the assumption on Ivy's part to assert that the Viscount would be capable of parsing what was and was not said in jest. Genius in one area seemed to rarely correlate to social aptitude-- many examples of quite the opposite came to mind, in fact. After all, it was entirely possible that the Viscount would be the bookish sort, the kind of person who spent too much time holed up alone, denied the opportunity for social interaction. Why would someone like that be good at perceiving intent from words alone?

"From my experience," Gold countered, offering a wry smile as an edge in this little contest of words presented itself, "nobles tend to be all the more sensitive to anything that could be perceived as a slight. 'Cruel assumption' is precisely what the mind of someone in power tends to jump to. People who have to deal with high society are taught to tread as carefully as possible in their speech to avoid precisely such a circumstance. Why would you assume the Viscount would know your intentions? I think it all the more likely that the opposite would be the case."

Perhaps Ivy would be better off clinging to the wall the way the plant they based their mask on usually did. Mingling with others did not quite seem to be their forte... though the same could be said of many people here. That was, at least in part, the allure of the masquerade. You need not fear the ramifications of offending another if they did not know who you were.

" Annoy? Why, if I were a lesser person, I would be shaking in indignance. But by the good light, there is much you can accomplish by simply speaking to one another. " Briefly, they visibly sunk, before kindling themselves anew. From a quick glance, their partner had a penchant for the curious, and their gold mask had taken more to listening as soon as ivy lined words came into the picture. The markings, like white paint on ancient wall etchings, resembled ruins to him. He had much to study before understanding if his basis for the assumption was off mark. " So? "

They playing directly into their golden line of irony. " Are you the Viscount? " A grin cracked most readily. " I think your prowess precedes you. "

" I jest. " A hand goes up. " For the Viscount, in all his genius, would surely be able to delineate between a joke and a cruel assumption. It seems that you can not. "

" I will tell you this, M.M., the most accomplished are those that are unafraid to ask questions. "