<center>



Masquerade </center>

A gigantic chandelier hung above the grand staircase. A hundred candles, crowning the crystal masterpiece of light, lit the entrance and far into the room beyond. The staircase, lavishly painted with real gold and ornately decorated with birds and beasts, stood awaiting those honoured enough to walk upon it, on this night of nights. The banisters were entwined with black, gold and creme garlands and the steps themselves were of the finest polished gold marble. In the Ballroom four smaller chandeliers were hung, and the walls of the room were strung with garlands that matched the stairs. A minstrels gallery was in place, and the musicians in position. All were wearing masks. But most importantly, the guests had arrived. Their faces concealed, their costumes ranging from the elaborate exquisite to the positively ludicrous, all the colours matched the theme of the splendorous surroundings. Black walked with black, and creme and gold matched perfectly. Then the musicians began the first notes of the opening song, and as if perfectly rehearsed, the guests sang with enthusiasm and delight: "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you!"


<center>Confuse everyone by changing your identity for the Masquerade days. Post here at the Masquerade and take part in other Ball threads - but remember, don't reveal your identity until after the Masquerade has officially ended.</center>








***************************************

General Yule Ball Information

Ball Dates:

- Friday 19th until Sunday 28th December

Pre-Ball threads:

- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19529" target="_blank">Who Are You Going With?</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19532" target="_blank">What Are You Wearing?</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19531" target="_blank">Garlands & Baubles: Decoration Discussion</a>

Ball Room Threads: (to be posted)

- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19644" target="_blank">Banquet Hall</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19643" target="_blank">Ballroom</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19645" target="_blank">Gardens</a>

Ball Planner:

- Friday 19th: Introduce yourselves and familiarise with the surroundings
- Saturday 20th: Masquerade
- Sunday 21st: Snowball Fight
- Monday 22nd: Snowball Fight
- Tuesday 23rd: Decorate A Tree
- Wednesday 24th: Decorate a Tree/Build A Snowman
- Thursday 25th: Build A Snowman
- Friday 26th: Reveal Secret Santa's
- Saturday 27th: Reveal Secret Santa's/Masquerade
- Sunday 28th: Say goodbye to fellow guests

Event Threads: (to be posted)

- Masquerade
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19640" target="_blank">Snowball Fight</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19642" target="_blank">Decorate A Tree</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19639" target="_blank">Build A Snowman</a>
- Reveal Secret Santa (Kitoky)

Your Guide To Each Event:

- Masquerade: From midnight on the stated Masquerade days, if you are taking part, you change your username and signature so no-one will know who you are. You can even disguise your partner if he/she is fictional by changing their name to something else. The idea is to a) confuse people and b) be someone else for a day. You can post in the Masquerade thread or any of the ball threads, as long as you keep your real name a secret. At the end of each day, return to your normal Yule Ball name. When both Masquerades are over, reveal who you are in the Masquerade thread.

- Decorate A Tree: On the correct days, find the Decorate A Tree thread and choose from a multitude of trees and decorations to create your own very unique tree.

- Snowball Fight: On the appointed days, go the Snowball Fight thread and join in with the mayhem and madness in a special area of the Gardens.

- Build A Snowman: Let your artistic talent shine, as from the objects provided, build your snowman and then decorate it with POTC, LOTR, HP themed accessories as well as many, many more.

- Reveal Secret Santa's: Let all of AU know, to whom you gave tour gifts.

Special Events:

- Caroling: As you move around the forum, bring some Christmas cheer, and with each post, write one line from any carol you wish.

Contests:

- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19557" target="_blank">The Photography Contest Round 3: Christmas Baubles</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19556" target="_blank">The Photography Contest Round 4: Christmas Decorations</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19555" target="_blank">The Photography Contest Round 4: Christmas Food & Drink</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19554" target="_blank">The Photography Contest Round 6: Christmas Lights</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19553" target="_blank">The Photography Contest Round 7: Christmas Foliage</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19561" target="_blank">LOTR Christmas Contest</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19560" target="_blank">Christmas Writing Contest</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19559" target="_blank">Christmas Carol Contest</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19558" target="_blank">Decorate An Edible</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19563" target="_blank">Christmas Cracker Contest</a>
- <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19565" target="_blank">The Great Christmas Graphic Contest</a>


Any questions? PM me or post <a href="http://arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19498" target="_blank">here</a>

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Groucho entered the room with his signature stride, cigar in hand. "Paper faces? Gee, I wish they were paper. At least then you might have the chance of having something decent underneath. Oh, you *have* got something underneath, have you? Fine thing, fooling a person like that. You know I might not have recognized you?" He bounced self importantly on his heels. "And that's another thing. How can you go around expecting other people to take you at face value? Only rich people do that. Oh, you *are* rich? Well, fancy that. I was just saying what a great friend you are."



ding-a ling, hear them ring...soon it will be Christmas Day

_________________
going on a journey through my old claims

With a crash, the door at the end of the hall burst open, revealing a man standing at the top of the stairs. "Greetings, one and all! I am the Duke Charming." He flipped his dark blue cloak back with one hand and squared his shoulders. Striding down the steps, he continued, "It is an honor to be here and to grace this lovely room with my presence. I'm so pleased to meet all of you." He stopped and looked around for the first time, noticing that not many guests had arrived yet. His smile faltered a bit. It was a shame his grand entrance didn't have the audience he had been expecting. "Ah, well- I'm pleased to meet all of you that are here... That is, I'm-" he recovered his composure and walked over to Groucho, offering his hand. "I'm very glad to meet you, my good sir!"

Gloria hurried toward to giant door, excited to participate in the masquerade. Now, she could act in whatever way she wanted, and not be held accountable. Wouldn't this be fun! Then, upon opening the door, Gloria found herself standing alone on a top of a huge staircase. Suddenly, she felt nervous, unsure about whether she could keep up her disguise. After making sure her mask was tightly in place, Gloria went down the stairs hurriedly, and tried to find a place where she could sit by herself, and watch the goings on.


Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King...

Holly Short stood in the corner, next to a slightly uncomfortable looking Domovi Butler. She giggled slightly at Duke Charming's entrace. "He must have an ego." she whispered to Butler, who merely smiled in response and kept on scanning the room for danger.

_________________

Married Artemis Fowl on July 16, 2007
[!+^$%=#?&]
The Seemingly Nice But Actually Really Nasty Nazgul
School ate my life. *sigh*

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Lord Death walked into the room, looking highly intimidating (and just plain awesome) in his Turin gettup. His right hand rested on the hilt of Gurthang, his left arm in Lady Deaths right arm. Together, they just looked awesome, (in a sorta non flashy, kinda sophisticated way)

Lord Death turned his handsome face towards his companion and said "Well, we seem to be a bit early, what say we just dazzle everyone here with your beauty?" He flashed a smile and winked in a mischievous way.

_________________
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? "

Lady Death blushed, but smiled prettily nonetheless. She gazed around at the golden hall, admiring the decorations. She hardly recognised anyone, although, recognising her headless friend, she waved at Algernon from across the hall.

"Is that a blush I see under that white mask m'lady?" asked the Lord of death grinning, "Because if it is, and every time that happens you smile, I shall be forced to make you blush far more."Smiling, he took her hand and kissed it. Noticing her other hand waving, he looked around, and noticed the Headless Algernon in all her finery.

Raising his bowed head, he said "Shall we give Algernon some company M'lady?" he asked, offering her his arm.

_________________
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? "

"Oh, you are cheeky, m'lord," Lady Death said playfully, but continued to beam. She nodded in response to Lord Death's question, and taking his arm, they made their way through the crowd to where Algernon stood.

Lord Death flashed another dazzling smile, and taking Lady Death's arm in his, they walked over to where Algernon stood.
Lord Death bowed in the fashion of a court gentleman to the Headless (but still able to see somehow ) Algernon, saying "It is nice to see you here Alge. What have you been up to these past few months?"

_________________
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? "

Morning Glory in a purple dress simply walks in, the infamouse Joker(Dark Knight version), at her side. At least, that was what their masquerade masks(and makeup), made them out to be.

They make their was over to where a group of masked people were standing together.
"Greetings from the gardens, I am Morning Glory," she introduces herself to Lord and Lady Death, and Algernon. "And beside me is my esquart and hubby, the Joker."

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Lady Death curtsied slightly, but not ridiculously so, for she knew how her friend did not wish to stand upon too much ceremony. "Indeed," she chimed in after her husband, "What have you been up to since I last saw you at the Hallowfest?"

Groucho stared at the hand being offered to him, then shook it vigorously. "Gracing this room with your presence? I wish you'd grace another room with your presence. Unless by presence you mean presents, and then by all means, sit down, have a chair! Don't take it with you though, people might make a fuss. Say, you know who you remind me of? A man I once met at a party. I had to leave him before I got bored to death." With that remark he strode across the room towards another group of people.



sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

_________________
going on a journey through my old claims

"Oh dear," Lady Death said, stifling a laugh. "That wasn't very pleasant. . ." She turned toward Morning Glory with a smile. "Lovely to meet you. You look quite glorious."

Lord Death offered courteous bows to Morning Glory and the Joker, who had appeared from seemingly nowhere.
"Greetings friends, who are you all enjoying this splendid occasion?" he asked with a smile on his face.

_________________
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? "