The evening party proceeded as all masquerade parties did. It was quite the novelty to be invited, as the Lord Beningham was known for rarely hosting such gatherings. Although something that very few people knew was that these parties were a way for Lord Beningham to convey crucial information regarding the state to a vasal of the House of Lords.
Alicia stood on the balcony as she kept an eye on Lord Beningham. She felt extremely uncomfortable in the fancy clothes she was wearing as a disguise.
'𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘹𝘪𝘢?'
"Hello Madam, I don't believe I have met you before" A voice called out to her from behind.
She turned around and saw a man, probably no older than 25 judging from his voice. He was wearing a white shirt on top of which he wore a black coat which was unbuttoned. In his right hand he held a cane and he used his left hand to tip his top hat. On his face he had a black mask which covered the top half of his face. On the left side there was a black rose attached to the mask and on the right 3 black feathers most likely belonging to a raven.
"I am Noah, Noah Rozelle. A pleasure to meet you, Miss?" He bowed and offered Alicia a handshake.
"Alicia Lockhart, a pleasure to meet you as well" She shook Noah's hand.
"You seem a bit out of place, are you not used to parties such as this?"
"You guessed correctly. I haven't had the luxury to ever attend gatherings such as this due to my work"
"Ah, I suppose being the vice commander of the Anti Envoy Division doesn't provide one with enough leisure to be able to enjoy parties. Wait, could you be on a mission right now? I would hate to disturb you"
"How...did you know that..? I suppose you saw my picture on the paper? Anyways I am perfectly capable of maintaining a conversation as well as focus on my mission"
"Yes yes, of course I recognised you from the papers and I am sure everyone else can as well. After all there are only a few people with luscious blonde hair" Noah said and grabbed a few strands of her hair in his hand "And green eyes that seem gentle at first but on a closer glance also radiate confidence and bravado along with maybe a hint of foolhardy?"
"I suggest you don't touch me so carelessly unless you don't want your shoulder dislocated. I also suggest you keep your opinions to yourself"
Noah let go of her hair and flashed what could only be described as a cocky smile.
"Now now, there's no need for violence. I simply came to give you this" He took out a black mask with golden flower designs from his coat pocket and presented it to her. "If you plan on being undercover, especially in a masquerade party. Isn't it common sense to wear a mask?"
"I suppose you are right...Can you put it on" Alicia said turning around but almost fumbled and fell as she stepped on her skirt.
"Heh, you should really just wear what you are comfortable with" Noah said as he tied the mask to her.
"And you should really keep your opinions to yourself"
"I will... try to keep that in mind. Here you are done" Noah said as he finished tying the mask.
"I am truly grateful for your help, but do tell me. Is the mask really supposed to be this tight and hinder the sight to such extent?"
"Why yes of course. Perhaps you are simply not used to the life of the upper class? Oh well I will be heading down stairs now, if you wish to dance I will gladly accompany you" Noah bowed again and walked downstairs to the ballroom.
'𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 thanks to the feathers and the flower. Is this really how it is for everyone?' Alicia thought to herself. She then shifted her attention to Lord Beningham in the middle of ballroom waiting for the vasal.
She then spotted Noah again headed towards Lord Beningham.
'Is he one of these shoe lickers too?' Alicia thought 'No, I suppose not. He seems...distracted...'
Alicia saw Noah bump into Lord Beningham accidentally.
"A thousand apologies my Lord. I was distracted by the pretty flowers over there" Noah said with a polite bow.
"Everyone, please pay attention to your surroundings and not rush around like headless chickens" Lord Beningham said to everyone present completely ignoring Noah.
Noah didn't try to engage in a conversation with Beningham anymore. Instead he headed to the flower vase and pluck out a Peony when no one was looking.
'𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸... 𝘕𝘰𝘢𝘩 𝘙𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘩? 𝘙𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦... 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘸' Alicia thought to herself but then shook her head and paid attention to Lord Beningham again.
"Hmm... You are really paying a lot of attention to Lord Beningham huh?" Alicia suddenly heard Noah's voice and turned around to come face to face with him... More like mask to mask.
"Yes, I am. That's why I am here. To make sure he is safe. Also you should really stop startling people with your sudden entrances"
"Oh? Does that mean I managed to startle the Vice captain of the legendary and esteemed Anti Envoy Division?"
"Hah, surely you jest. I wasn't frightened at all. I simply have no reason for fear." Alicia said haughtily.
"Well. I suppose a frightened expression won't suit your face. Say, if you were watching Lord Beningham the whole time...did you see that too?"
"If you refer to your collision with the Lord like a buffoon then yes, I did."
"Ha ha don't you think calling me a buffoon is a bit too much?"
"No, I think it perfectly suits you. Anyways, why did you come up here anyways? If you think befriending me will help you climb the social ladder then I must point out that you are very mistaken."
"Ah, do I appear as that kind of a person to you?"
"Now that I think about it...no since if that was your goal you would have just tried to get close to Lord Beningham instead of me"
"Well, I am trying to get close to you though"
"And may I ask why is that?"
"Because.. " Noah put his free hand inside his coat and pulled out the peony flower "I think this will suit you. Also you seemed lonely."
"Lonely? What makes you think that?" Alicia said taking the flower
"Oh that's easy, I could see your loneliness"
"What?"
"Just kidding. I just assumed not many people dared to speak to you as equals. Most people either fear you or revere you as a goddess. So it's only natural for you to feel like you are alone."
"... " Alicia said nothing. She simple stared at Noah's face...mask.
"I will take your silence as confirmation that I hit the mark" Noah said and then turned around and started walking towards the window at the end of the hallway.
His boots clacked against the floor as he walked away and then it hit Alicia. Why something about Noah felt fishy to her.
"Hold it right there" Alicia said and activated her envoy ability, super strength. Her right hand glowed with a white light and she swung it towards Noah.
Noah turned around just in time and used his cane to redirect the punch away from him.
"Now now, is this how you treat all your friends?" Noah asked as a dark shadowy orb formed in his left hand.
"We are not friends" Alicia said and swung her fist towards Noah again.
"Calm down will you?" Noah threw the shadowy orb at Alicia. The orb turned into shadow chains and tied both of her fists to the floor.
"As if this can hold me" Alicia pulled against the chains with all her might and pulled out the very chunks of the concrete to which the chains were attached.
"You have gotta be kiddi-" Noah was interrupted by Alicia hurling the chunks of the floor towards Noah.
Dust erupted due to the collision of the concrete chunks and the floor. When the dust settled Noah was no longer there, instead there was a dark puddle where Noah stood. The dark puddle swayed and flowed and moved to the window sill. The puddle then frothed and a figure emerged from it.
"I have had lots of fun talking with you, Miss Alicia. But alas, its time for me to take my leave." Noah said and opened his mask and looked back at Alicia. "Let us meet again."
Noah spread his arms and offered a mischievous smile to Alicia before he jumped down.
"What the- it's the fourth floor" Alicia hurried to the window sill and then looked down at the street below.
Noah was nowhere in sight.
"That damn bastard, I swear I will catch him" Alicia proclaimed.
------------------------------------------------------------
While falling Noah managed to hook the hilt of his cane at the bottom of an overhanging balcony.
'𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘵... 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵' Noah thought as he hung from the third floor with nothing but his cane.
"How's the weather down there?" A voice called out from above.
Noah looked up and saw Jacques standing on the railing of the balcony his foot on top of the cane's hilt. His orange eyes looking at Noah with a judgemental expression through the bangs of his black hair.
"Oh it's surprisingly pleasant. The cold wind wafting my face as I am dangling for my life. Although I would really prefer your assistance my dear comrade"
"I would rather kick this stupid cane. I am sure you won't die , but you will probably end up having a few broken bones"
"And why would you d-" Noah started to say but Jacques kicked his cane unhooking it and Noah plummeted towards the ground.
"Goodbye my pitiful life" Noah said as he fell but just before he hit the ground Jacques appeared below him in the blink of an eye and caught Noah in what could be described as a bridal carry.
"Heh, I knew you would catch me.. My hero~" Noah said and caressed Jacques cheek in response to which Noah was dropped on his ass.
"Ow, that was rather rude don't you think?" Noah said as he got up and dusted himself.
"Where's my hat?" He looked around at the floor. Jacques suddenly vanished for a second and then appeared again with Noah's hat in his hand.
"Here's your stupid hat. Now did you succeed in stealing what you planned on?"
"I uh.... So there was like this really pretty lady and I... Forgot"
".... Remind me never to help you with anything again"
"Now now you can't blame a man for getting distracted over a gorgeous maiden"
"You can't be serious right now." Jacques said irritated.
"Aight that's enough messing with you. Check your coat pocket will you?"
"Why?" Jacques said checking his pocket and pulled out the envelope with the files. "You and your stupid antics I swear I will kill you someday"
"Sure you will"
"Anyways since when were you interested in women?" Jacques said with a scoff.
"Well she's just different"
"Different in what way?"
"She's useful"
"Useful?" Jacques inquired
"Well she's the vice captain of the AED , the legendary Alicia Lockhart"
"Please tell me you didn't pick a fight with the AED"
"Welllll... " Noah said dwelling on the 'well' far longer than necessary.
"Of course you did. There goes all of my free time. " Jacques sighed
"A free mind leads to sinful thoughts." Noah said and lightly touched the tip of his cane to Jacques's forehead.
"The only sin I want to commit right now is your murder."
"Feel free to kill me after I figure out just what my uncle's legacy is"
"So you plan to woo her just to use her to gain information about some elusive artifact that may or may not exist?"
"Well now you are just making me sound like a scummy person."
"You think you aren't?"
"I would like to believe I am not."
"Believe whatever you want to" Jacques said "I will be heading back, I suppose you will go and visit the informant again?"
"You guessed correctly. When I return let's read the files together" Noah said and dissolved into the shadows again.
"Don't get yourself killed by anyone but me" Jacques said unsure if Noah heard him or not and sets out for home.
--------------------Envoy stats-------------------------
1 Noah Rozelle(?)
Mutation : Type - D
Ability: Shade
Limit break : 0
Power - 4
Agility - 6
Trick - 7
Defense - 3
2 Alicia Lockhart
Mutation : Type - G
Ability : Brute
Limit break : 0
Power - 7
Agility - 5
Trick - 3
Defense - 5
----------------END OF CHAPTER-----------------