Ashira knocked lightly on the bedroom door before pushing it open. Moonlight filtered through the sparse curtains, illuminating the room in an eerily pale light. She crossed the small space, pulling open a closet door as she dug through the clothes.
The form in the bed behind her stretched languidly, arms pushing out from beneath the mess of covers. A long, bare leg followed next before a mess of dark hair and sleepy eyes peeked out. ?Time to go?? Lux muttered, rolling over to curl the pillow underneath her.
Ashira nodded, sliding on her costume for the evening. A mauve gown clung tightly to her curves, the grey corset cinching her waist to unnaturally small proportions before the skirt billowed out in waves down to her ankles, tiny grey ribbons decorating the material. Thick, auburn-red curls were piled high atop her head, those grey swirling eyes painted along with full lips for the night of celebration ahead. ?Get up.? She replied, tossing a shoe at the unmoving form.
Lux growled as the shoe collided with her backside, rolling out of the bed to pad naked toward the closet. She quickly slipped on her own masquerade gown, much more revealing than Ashira?s. It was a deep green to match those feline eyes, dipping and grasping every feminine curve of the woman. Leaving thick strands loose, Lux reached down to pluck the mask from the bed. Stripes slid across the gold mask, giving it a tiger like appearance. Ashira laughed quietly. ?How appropriate.?
?And what are you?? Lux shot back, watching the other woman slip into her shoes. Ashira lifted a silver mask, a single glittering horn slipping from between the eyes.
?A unicorn.?
Lux laughed, reaching down to slip her fingers into her friend?s. ?And you say mine?s appropriate.? She teased, pulling the woman from the bedroom and out into the busy streets.
Venice. The city never slept, especially during Carnival. Lux loved Carnival. Ashira enjoyed it, but knew this was the week her friend would shine. ?The Palazzo.? Ashira yelled over the noise of the crowds.
The colors were astounding, women dressed in every hue and men dapper in tuxedos and jewels. It was near impossible to tell who was who, thanks to the masks that were donned specifically for the purpose of keeping identities secret during a week of debauchery. It was the perfect timing for Ashira?s errand.
She had only agreed to take such a risk if the price was right, and with the money she could make, she and Lux could live in luxury for quite a while. She tugged gently on Lux?s hand as the woman leaned toward a gentleman, her lips meeting his for the briefest of moments before she was pulled toward the crowded palazzo.
?Awww, Ash?just having fun.? Lux purred, the mask still in place about her features as she followed closely behind. An orchestra played loudly on a stage erected in the middle of the palazzo. A few couples danced, spinning wildly around the cobblestone.
Ashira laughed, her eyes dipping and drifting through the people gathered. She was searching for one in particular, and at the parting of a few dancers, she spotted him. Dressed in the military uniform of one of Venice?s officers, she gently poked Lux and pointed.
Nodding, Lux slipped away before Ashira made her way through the crowd, sliding ever so quietly next to him. She took a few steps, tripping on a cobblestone purposely, a slender, pale hand reaching toward his arm. She felt his hands upon her bare skin, lifting her gently back to her feet.
?Careful, signorina.? He responded in a baritone voice, his lips pursing into a smile as he helped her to her feet.
?Grazie.? Ashira purred, curling her fingers about the sleeve of his uniform. ?It must be all the dancers.?
?Of course.? He slid his hand from her upper arm, the other fingers lingering a bit longer around her wrist before he slid them from her arm and instead held them out toward her. ?A dance with a pretty lady??
Painted lips curved into an inviting smile as she slid her tiny hand into his calloused one. ?I?d be honored.?
Ashira's hand slipped onto his shoulder as a muscled arm tightly grasped her waist. She tipped her head up toward him, grey eyes glittering as he lead her into the whirl of the other dancers. A glance over his shoulder into the crowd had her eyes finding the feline greens of Lux. She tipped her head toward the woman before focusing once more at the man who twirled her to the music.