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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4814191" data-attributes="member: 3285">Drakmar: ConclusionThe King in Yellow leaned in to embrace Sebastian.  Tentacles curled out of the cowl and reached for his face…When Sebastian awakened, he found Carcosa once again stopped in time between the Stranger’s arrival and the unmasking.  He walked freely through its streets and found the city much the same as it was on Arcanis except for one thing.The embrace of the King in Yellow was worn as a mark that all in Carcosa could perceive.  It was a taint, a disease, an infection.  Residents weren’t able to say what they found uncomfortable about him…was it his manner?  His appearance?  His soul?  Regardless, they shunned him.  Sebastian became accustomed to seeing others move away as he approached.  Each night, Sebastian saw the stars, Arcanis, the King in Yellow.  Sometimes the King appeared in his chamber—the King was the only one who would be with him.  Sebastian even grew to rely upon his familiar presence.  He took to regular walks in the city in flowing white robes, which were always set aside for him by the King. Carcosa was spread out beneath him, and over the roofs the lake itself was a great stain of shadow, except on its far, far shore.  There reflected the lights of the Palace.Although Carcosa contained many impressive structures, its Palace dominated the city.  It was extensive, boasting three huge, loosely defined wings, each with towers, parapets and spires supported at points with buttresses and joined to one another by soaring walkways.  The mostly separate wings were unified by jointly fronting three sides of a vast square.  The square itself became a balcony that depended out above the still waters of the lake that bordered its fourth side.  The whole building was a mixture of styles, but somehow a triumph of form.  The streets around Sebastian were small and twisted, rising and falling unexpectedly.  It seemed a more modest part of town, but the buildings still offered their own grandiosities—aerial walkways in iron, wooden carvings of fabulous beasts or nature, chimney pots that were cast simulacra of its owner’s trade: shoes and boots, muskets, silver fish.   As Sebastian turned a corner, he came upon a small group of masked figures.  As the rest moved off, the last turned to greet him.“And I am Noss,” he said, swaying drunkenly.  Noss doffed a blank, white disk of a mask. “Sorry, who?” asked Sebastian.“Noss.  I’m Noss.  Didn’t you ask just now?”“No,” said Sebastian.  “I didn’t.”“Ah.  Well, you look like you’re not from here.  Were you born here?”“No,” said Sebastian.  “I’ve just moved in.”Noss nodded.  “I’m sure it looks quite different from last time. There is a great festival happening that has given rise to much excitement. A Stranger has come to the city who promises further upheaval—we wear masks in the Stranger’s honor, hoping that all will be to the good.”“Me too,” said Sebastian.“If you need help, I can act as your guide.”“Yes, that would be nice. But there’s just one thing…”Noss turned, and Sebastian was very close to him. “I need your mask.”“What?”  Noss’ expression turned to fear.  Then his eyes became unfocused.  He slid off the knife Sebastian always carried with him.  Sebastian picked up the mask and put it on. He walked away, whistling to himself as he stepped over Noss’ body. Wearing all white with a featureless mask, Sebastian set out to amuse himself with the denizens of Carcosa. Several residents, all masked, suddenly appeared at adjoining windows in one building and leaned far out.  One was pointing behind them, while the others strained to see what the masked woman was indicating. There was a shout of recognition, a shrill scream, and some slightly hysterical laughter.“Mother, there is a Stranger in the city!”</blockquote>

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