Against the Gods

34. Bond

^^ Finn

It's definitely a weird feeling to see myself wearing an extravagant red and black ball gown after just washing all the blood off of me from my fight at the Bramble Club.

I fasten on my face a feathered mask in matching colors. It does little to hide my identity but no matter the mask, my silver hair and red eyes would have given me away immediately. 

Masquerades became popular about a year ago among the upper class circles after borrowing the idea of wearing a mask to a party from commoners that would wear masks at festivals. The first person to introduce it was the first prince at his birthday party.

I open the door to my room only to be met with Finn. He's wearing a light blue suit that matches his eyes. His mask is cat shaped and stops under the nose, covering half his cheeks. It's gold and white, with the white areas having musical notes painted onto it. I wish I knew music enough to be able to recognize the song.

"What brings you here?" I ask.

"Well, I um... I know you haven't picked any partner to go to the dance-" he starts.

"It's better that way politically," I reply, "If I could get my way I wouldn't be dancing with anyone tonight."

"I understand. So, I wanted to ask if I could have a dance with you before this all begins," he requests, "I actually have a present for you."

"Alright," I say. I don't have any reason why not.

He flourishes his hand and a record player appears. He sets a record he creates onto it, and places the needle down. The record player then begins to play a slow, yet peaceful song.

"You made this?" I ask. There aren't any record players in this world yet. Did he really invent one?

"Yes, I found I can record the music through grooves in the wax and play it," he explains, "here, check this out."

He raises his hand, and the volume increases.

"I can also change the grooves to be a new song using mana. Like this," he moves his fingers a bit, almost like he's controlling a puppet, and a new song plays. 

I don't remember this being an invention in the original game at all.

"How long have you been working on this?" I ask.

"Three years now," Finn says.

"Really? Your magical abilities never cease to amaze me," I reply, "I wish I had more mana. I can only really use physical strength. It's alright in a fight, but I can't create things like you."

Destroying I can do, but creation? That's something for heroes.

"You haven't seen half of it yet," responds Finn, grinning.

That's when I feel it. That familiar sensation of warmth. But usually, I feel this while becoming Venus with Nyx. But no... this feels a little different. With Nyx, the warmth feels like a burning fire, filling me with strength and power. This one feels more like a warm fire on a cold day, making me calm.

A bright light fills my vision, and I forget myself for a moment.