
Many years ago, in a town similar to this, there was a growing generation of nobility; the children were all rotten, mean, horrible people, but such was society at the time. That very year started the tradition of the yearly Masquerade ball. All the young nobles from the most influential families were invited to attend the party at the mansion on the hill. The ladies, and even the gentlemen, wasted no time in demanding the finest masks, made of silk and jewels and all manner of expensive things. Their parents spared nothing, acquiring the finest of materials for their children, all the better to escape their wrath. When the night of the ball arrived, the great mansion was a sight to see. Ladies with masks sewn of diamonds, rubies, feathers, silk, and all manner of beautiful things; men, mysterious in their simple but elegant guises, all were ushered into the party. A night of dancing and merriment commenced, but little did the guests known that their happiness would soon be interrupted. As the clock struck midnight, the candles were extinguished, earning screams of frightened amusement from the ladies, and even some of the men. Those playful screams quickly turned to screams of terror as the grand masks adhered to the skin of the partygoers. Others screamed in pain as tails, wings, horns, grew; all the better to match their new selves. A voice was heard, telling the partygoers to change their ways within a year, and their masks would once again be just that: masks. The young nobles left the party in shame, scarves and hoods covering their faces. They tried to run, tried to hide, but somehow situations presented themselves, giving the nobles opportunity to better themselves. Some did, and they returned to their beautiful, albeit more pleasant, selves; others, though, did not change and were doomed to be set apart for the rest of their time among the living…
Every child knows this story in one of its variations. After all, it is a modern Beauty and the Beast. But, only our Chicago socialites know this version of the story. As one of these socialites, you have been invited to the party of the year, the annual Masquerade. As the child of the one of the wealthy, influential families of the city, it is imperative to make a stellar impression at this event. The night promises to be full of fun, dancing, drama, and maybe a little bit of romance!
The event, though differently themed every year, is always the same. Food, friends fun, generally in that order. But, this year it is different. All the young heirs and heiresses have heard the urban legend, but they thought it was just that: a legend. As the clock strikes 12, the lights go out, and 7 of the guests become the characters they have assumed for the night. Girls with angel themed masks suddenly are sprouting white, feathery wings, and men with splits masks suddenly have multicolored swirls twining up their hands and arms. Others receive minor punishments, but those 7 are the worst. A voice rings out, much as in the legend, telling the young adults to change their ways, lest they be stuck that way forever…
Every child knows this story in one of its variations. After all, it is a modern Beauty and the Beast. But, only our Chicago socialites know this version of the story. As one of these socialites, you have been invited to the party of the year, the annual Masquerade. As the child of the one of the wealthy, influential families of the city, it is imperative to make a stellar impression at this event. The night promises to be full of fun, dancing, drama, and maybe a little bit of romance!
The event, though differently themed every year, is always the same. Food, friends fun, generally in that order. But, this year it is different. All the young heirs and heiresses have heard the urban legend, but they thought it was just that: a legend. As the clock strikes 12, the lights go out, and 7 of the guests become the characters they have assumed for the night. Girls with angel themed masks suddenly are sprouting white, feathery wings, and men with splits masks suddenly have multicolored swirls twining up their hands and arms. Others receive minor punishments, but those 7 are the worst. A voice rings out, much as in the legend, telling the young adults to change their ways, lest they be stuck that way forever…