They arrived to a swirling array of colours and bright spinning lights. Dizzying, and foreign.

Up close, the lavishness of an Echelon’s home was incomparable to the glimpses he got flying past.

His eyes darted all around, drowning in the glitzy sights, hardly able to focus on the furnishings and beautifications of the interiors.

It was a world Tyler had neither seen nor known.

Where creatures walked among men, like the old folktales of lore. With streaming colors from Link-ores splashing over their fantastical forms.

They barely entered, and already, Tyler staggered, drowning within the crazed kaleidoscope.

Luckily, Kovan held a firm grip on his arm, supporting him.

“I see, you did not get the memo, did you?” a fantastical being with a goat’s head on a man’s body, spoke at the entrance.

Tyler gawked, head reeling, trying to discern how much of the being was real, and how much was fantasy.

The goat-man had a long, sage-like beard, beastly appearance shimmering faintly like the luminous lights produced by Link-ores. It was an eye-opener, since he had never seen implements manifested into fractal imagery with such artistic realism, and with such stunning attention to detail.

The rest of him was dressed in lavishly embroidered tunic and billowy pants that were gathered at the bottom. A heavily embellished cropped outer, completed his look, bearing a regal, showy style that somehow matched the spectacular head.

“This is supposed to be a costume party.”

If the goat-man sounded scathing, Kovan was not affected. He laughed simply.

“Well, I am dressed as the ‘face’ I meant to show, as a mask.”

The other grunted. “That’s not much of a costume.”

“Not unless this is me ‘playing’ the part of ‘myself’, for the sake of garnering attention,” Kovan said smoothly.

He spoke with deliberate emphasis on selected words, in a tone Tyler had never heard him use before.

The sage-goat seemed to catch Kovan’s meaning, head cocking to the side in careful regard.

“Oh, and from whose attention do you seek, that you chose such a modest method of masquerading as yourself?”

Kovan gave a big smile, pearly whites showing.

“Your excellency has already graced me with this honor.”

Sage-goat grinned, looking frighteningly like a wolf. Thankfully, he turned his attention to the side for a bit, distracted by new guests that just arrived.

“The timing is not convenient as of yet,” he informed when he turned back to regard Kovan, “As a good host, I must welcome all my guests first. I shall call for you, at a later time.”

Kovan bowed his head.

“Duly noted. I will await your call.”

Sage-goat gave a laugh that was thick, almost like a chortle.

“Do enjoy the food and entertainment in the meantime.”

“I certainly will.” Kovan ended their conversation with a firm handshake.

Tyler didn’t miss those large beady eyes lingering on the emerald on Kovan’s finger. The jewellery was impossible to miss.

Despite the glittering splendour surrounding them, and the morbid fantastical decadence worn by the other guests, Kovan’s ring still managed to stand out, because it sparkled like nothing else.

A zillion stars might have been sucked into the orb and reflected out. Tiny iridescent specks danced across the glossy surfaces of both their rings, like live sprites. The effect surprised Tyler, as it didn’t look like that earlier. He surmised the effect came from reflecting off the differing, bright lights here.

In this case, the too-sparkly effect proved too much for Tyler. He glanced away, but found little reprieve. His surroundings were a visual feast for his senses. Yet at the same time, it was highly disorientating.

He felt his shoulders shrink inwards, the need to bolt from this place twitching in his legs.

A green expanse suddenly filled his vision.

Tyler reared back abit, taken back by Kovan’s sudden close proximity.

“Are you alright? You seem quite jittery.”

Tyler cleared his throat. “Thank you for your concern. Pay me no mind – I’m just unused to such an event.”

“I can imagine,” Kovan nodded in sympathy. “Come, let’s get you some refreshments first. That may ease your jitters.”

Kovan tugged his hand. “Are you hungry?”

“Not really. I’m still full from lunch.”

Rather, his stomach was too knotted with nervousness for him to eat anything.

“At least a drink then.”

Spotting the dessert table at the inner side, Kovan guided him through the packed disk, politely requesting for a path through. They weaved through knots of folks in all sorts of beastly incarnations.

From sweet rabbit-heads to ferocious lions in full, glorious manes. The majestic, bronze armored scales coating spiralling dragons. Or the elegant peacock with its long and slender teal necks, extending atop a human body with a lavish spread of richly coloured, feathered tail.

It was as surreal and hypnotic as it was absurd. Yet in this party of transformation, Kovan and Tyler were the ones who were unnatural. Multiple eyes turned and followed them whilst they passed, making Tyler increasingly uncomfortable.

He hadn’t known there was a thematic dress code. If he had, he wouldn’t have been so confident and overjoyed earlier.

When they finally reached the table, Tyler drowned his discomfort in a drink, but couldn’t keep from noticing the guests who stood closest to them. They giggled amongst themselves with taunting eyes aimed in his and Owner’s direction. Evidently, they must have found the two of them amusing.

Unnerved, Tyler couldn’t hold his peace.

“Why didn’t we come in the dress code?”

The glass Kovan held, froze at the tip of his lips. His gaze slid downwards to meet Tyler’s questioning ones.

“Do you have something against my decision?”

He settled his glass on the table.

“I’m just perplexed, why you saw fit not to follow decorum.”

“What an insolent bondsman –” came a criticizing remark from a portly man at the side – “For such bold disregard for his Owner, he ought to be disciplined.”

Tyler flinched and bit his tongue. He didn’t think he spoke loud enough for any near him to hear.

But this Echelon member had slunk in from the dim outer rim, with a youth in tow.

They turned to the fierce lion-head sitting atop the short, portly form, which didn’t quite bring out the majesty of the fractal lights mimicking the creature’s features.

“Fenwicke,” Kovan smiled faintly, seemingly able to guess the other’s identity despite the lighted mask covering his face. Perhaps his clothing or jewellery bore some insignia announcing his name.

“That is too far a stretch. Tyler merely asked a simple question. In no way had he insulted me.”

Fenwicke grunted disapprovingly.

“It is not in his place to question an Echelon. The fact that he does, only reflects on the poor handling by his owner.”

Kovan’s smile widened despite the slur.

“I must disagree, for patience and tolerance is a virtue I’m told to be gifted with. My Circle would see me as petty, if I required him to be completely without opinion or question. He would be no different from a mute.”

Tyler cringed at the tit-for-tat underlining Kovan’s words. It wasn’t lost on Fenwicke either, as he puffed up his chest in response.

“Considering your sudden appearance in Echelon’s nominal list in recent years, one can assume your associates come with questionable dignity and background as well,” Fenwicke sneered, “However, it all fits, I suppose, considering your poor taste in aesthetics.”

He gave Tyler a once-over, giving an impression of a leer that sent his hairs in every pore standing on their ends. He felt his skin crawl as if the other’s pudgy fingers were travelling up his limbs all at once. He stiffened from the dreadful feeling, sheer willpower keeping his feet rooted to the ground instead of fleeing Fenwicke’s damning stare.

Kovan cleared his throat, obvious displeasure heard. He eased forward a bit, shoulders coming to the front of Tyler’s, as if trying to shield him from such a distasteful, rude stare.

“Fenwicke,” Kovan started, tones low and warning, but Fenwicke cut him off.

“Much like your drab garments,” Fenwicke dared to criticize, “You may wear yours adequately well, but for your Torch, he might have given you some saving grace had he been graced with finer, more striking looks.”

Tyler felt himself flush every shade of red in a mix of anger and embarrassment. What an insult! It would have just been fine to comment on their plainer garbs, compared to the rest of the party attendees, but to also add such disparaging remarks? – damn the pig!

“I beg to differ,” a mystical bird – a phoenix? – stepped in before Tyler could erupt in a uncontrolled mess of anger, dressed in a long shift dress that was embroidered in gold threads and embellished with a sprinkling of tiny crystals.

“Alssya,” Fenwicke addressed her, taunting, pompous tone suddenly turned sickeningly sweet. He tried to go on, but she gave him no room to speak.

“The elegant simplicity suits Kovan’s Torch very well. Perhaps you do not see eye to eye because you prefer to flaunt your wealth, on any persons you consider your property – ”

She gave a fleeting glance towards the youth at Fenwicke’s side, who was the only other one without a creature mask, but was dressed in equal luxury.

“– Which, is simply not Kovan’s philosophy. Regardless, being in his Circle for a substantial period, I can vouch his aesthetics are highly refined, even if uncommon.”

Tyler could see the arrogant man stiffen visibly, lion’s mane rustling in distress.

She laughed lightly, but in a way that carried no warmth.

“That is my humble opinion. Of course, you are welcome to stand firm on yours, because after all,” her tone deepened, pausing a second for added emphasis, “I am a part of his questionable Circle after all.”

“A-Alssya!” the other Echelon stammered, “No – ah – certainly, I did not mean it quite that way.”

Tyler silently thanked the woman who graciously came to his aid whilst he watched Fenwicke fumble his way through his words. Finally, the agonized man made a hasty excuse and retreated, disappearing into the crowd.

“Thank you,” Tyler bowed in all sincerity at ninety-degrees, “You were most kind.”

She laughed again, this time, warm, and genuine.

“It is small matter. I merely said a few words to put him in place.”

“Perhaps so, but you couldn’t have come at a more timely rescue, or worded yourself any more aptly,” Kovan pointed out, full smile on his face.

He reached for her arm, drawing her in and thanked her cheek-to-cheek.

“Ever my shining moon in the darkest of nights, you are.”

She giggled, and exchanged conversation that confirmed the closeness of their friendship. It made Tyler curious, for whilst Fenwicke did not hesitate to pounce on Kovan, he seemed to hold this woman in high regard, daring not to offend her. And whilst he was grateful that she came to their rescue, he pondered at her timing, realizing by her admission, that she had overheard them almost at the start of their exchange.

He wasn’t able to dwell on his own thoughts for long, as several folks quickly came over, exchanging introductions and joining the chatter. Tyler was relieved they had the decency not to give lectures on his clothing. In fact, they were respectful, and rather friendly, giving courteous nods his way, and even offered their congratulations for his strong performance as the newest contender for the race.

Tyler felt encouraged, and thankful, particularly when a couple of them expressed their interest and support for his next match. He suspected he might have Alssya to thank for this, since he observed that the other guests, despite having watched him and Owner with interest, did not approach until Alssya came to their side.

He thought about Fenwicke’s earlier allegation about Kovan’s background, and wondered what it meant. As now it appeared amongst the Echelon themselves, exists differing ranks. And by ranks go, Alssya seemed to pull in a lot of weight.