Renlin lay sprawled on the floor of his room, a chaotic collage of papers surrounding him. Some sheets contained intricate, dark lines spiraling across their surfaces, while others remained untouched or crumpled in frustration. His eyes were shut, and his face turned toward the room’s entrance. Was he asleepy? Certainly not. In his peculiar state, he floated between wakefulness and dreams, a realm where the desire for rest battled against the reluctance to let go into a nightmarish sleep. Though he longed for a peaceful sleep, the thought of the nightmares that awaited him in the realm of dreams kept him to this unsettling state of half-consciousness. The scarce hours of rest he managed the previous night were abruptly interrupted, leaving him in this disheveled and contemplative state.
In his motionless pose, Renlin could easily be mistaken for lifeless. Anyone entering the room might question if they stumbled upon a scene involving an autopsy. His dormitory door, left unlocked as was his habit, invited the curious or unsuspecting to witness this.
His serene moment shattered, Renlin’s eyes snapped open at the sudden intrusion of the swinging door. Papers scattered like confetti as his sister stormed into the room, stomping past him and claiming the bed as her own. “Sure, make yourself at home,” he groaned, pushing himself up from the floor. He rubbed his cheek and stretched his limbs.
He sensed her anger, a justified emotion that hung heavy in the room.Renlin acknowledged the reason behind her resentment. He had missed her performance – not entirely intentional, but his absence was a choice nonetheless that he made.
Despite the subpar reasoning, Renlin knew deep down that forgiveness was a given. Family dynamics dictated an unspoken pact of understanding and reconciliation. Their bond, resilient and enduring, would weather the storms of mistakes and misjudgments, for them, forgiveness was an unwritten rule.
With a pointed remark, Inessa made it clear that Renlin had obligations he couldn’t afford to neglect. Her parting words echoed in the room, accompanied by the decisive closing of the doorl. Renlin now found himself with a sense of urgency, acknowledging that he indeed had places to be – a reminder thanks to his sister’s visit.
The upcoming masquerade ball sparked a flicker of excitement within Renlin. Anticipation for the event surged through him, driven by the prospect of being in the company of others. He longed for the vibrant atmosphere, hoping that the ball would inject a newfound energy into his body.
As he readied himself for the masquerade, an energy drink coursed through Renlin, lending a vibrant edge to his preparations. Dressed in a brown suit with a casually unbuttoned white shirt, he skipped the tie and embraced a relaxed yet stylish look. Brown leather shoes covered his feet, while socks were deemed unnecessary. His fingers adorned with an array of rings, and gold necklaces intermingled not so gracefully around his neck. A final touch – a vigorous tousle through his hair, breathing life and body into the strands.
In the communal hallway, Renlin’s stride came to a halt as he realized a crucial element of tonight’s ensemble was left behind – the mask. Retrieving a gold mask acquired during a summer stroll with his sister and friend, he added the final, distinctive touch to his masquerade look.
In transit to the masquerade, Renlin’s fingers danced over a coin nestled in his jacket pocket. The coin, bearing the carved initial “R,” became a source of contemplation. As the destination drew near, he paused, setting the coin delicately on a nearby bench with a subtle smile, a quiet ritual performed before stepping into the vibrant realm of the ball.
The transformative magic of the masquerade worked swiftly on Renlin, rendering him a renewed version of himself. Buoyant and free-spirited, he navigated the festivities, flitting from friend to friend like a feather carried by the wind. Eventually, he found himself drawn to a red-headed raven, a captivating encounter he was thrilled to come across.
Sliding up to the golden girl, Renlin shot her an easygoing smile. In an attempt to charm, Renlin leaned in and playfully teased, Looks like Daddy didn’t sprinkle enough stardust to make this night truly enchanting for you?
Renlin, a keen observer, took in the nuances of the golden girl’s figure, tracing the elegant lines of her silhouette. His eyes, however, didn’t linger too long.
What secrets are you concealing beneath that gilded mask?