maskormenace | [video] ♕ First Bell

[The screen is dark at first, and someone unseen mutters quietly enough that the words aren’t able to be made out over the sound of swishing silk. All this goes on for a few minutes, until, at last, the camera quickly pans up over a magnificent - albeit revealing - purple gown to settle on the face of a young woman, covered by a mask. She smiles triumphantly.]

Ha! I knew I’d get it right, eventually. That is, as long as this thing is on. [She squints at something on the device she holds, as if trying to discern that it is.] I’ve never run into a gadget like this before. How fascinating, to be able to communicate across a distance! And so clearly, too! [Sophia would love this weird little thing.] I knew this night would change everything… but I had no idea things would change this much.

[She grins happily, excited - and not a little nervous, at this novel situation.] Why, I never imagined I’d run into anything like this in my life! How strange this kingdom is. Strange, and exciting, and… well, a bit frightening. Of course, it’s nothing I can’t handle. [Said with all the confidence of a young person who really has no idea of what she’s doing, but is sure of herself nonetheless.] Anyhow, hello, everyone! You can all call me Cinders. I’m from a place far from here, from what I was told, and… I guess they need heroes? I don’t know that I’m much of one, but I’m certainly willing to try. [After all, if she can charm the prince the way she just did, she can do anything! Right? Right. Of course she can! Moving on.] Although, I really wasn’t expecting my shoes to pop back on after the length I threw one of them. [And here, as if to demonstrate, she ducks out of sight and rummages around her skirt a bit until she can remove a beautiful, delicate slipper, composed of leather and glass - and just a bit too small to be comfortable on her feet. Sitting back up, she displays it to the camera, curiously watching it glitter in the light as though it’s going to do a trick.] As lovely as this get-up is, I rather wish I were in my old rags. After a night like the one I’ve just had, at least I could be comfortable.

[And just like that, her slippers, mask, and ballgown vanishes in a puff of magical-looking, almost Disney-esque, smoke and glitter, showing Cinders’ face in full, and displaying some carefully patched rags, along with an old leather vest and waist-cinched the looks as if it should be falling apart. She jumps a bit and gasps, blinking for a fair few moments, confused.]

… Wait, what?!