Meet the cast and future mask wearers... So far. (Patreon)

Apologies for the delay in posting the first chapter—it’s turning out longer than I expected! I have to set up the world, introduce the main characters, explain how the mask ends up with the protagonist, and cover a lot of other details. I’ve been spending about two hours a day writing, and honestly, I thought it would be easier—but I think it's coming along pretty well so far. Once I finish writing and revising, I just need to add the transformation sequence. After that, I plan to post everything, hopefully by Wednesday, along with a cool image of our main character wearing the mask.

A small introduction:

Gabrielle/The MaskQuietly creative yet endlessly driven, Gabrielle works behind the scenes on film sets as a sound engineer. She’s of average height, with dark hair that often cascades loose around her shoulders, and she lives in hoodies, scuffed jeans, and sneakers. Though she appears mellow—soft-spoken and easy to overlook—she harbors an intense artistic spark, whenever she’s not wrangling cables or fine-tuning microphones.

Phoebe (Karen Gillan)Gabrielle’s best friend and roommate, Phoebe is a lively stunt performer who wears her bruises like badges of honor. She’s tall, athletic, and exudes fearless energy—equally at home dropping off ladders for a stunt or offering a supportive hug in the apartment’s cramped living room. Quick-witted and bold, Phoebe teases Gabrielle about her late-night sessions but also cheers her on unconditionally. She thrives on momentum, forever juggling new gigs and training sessions, yet always finds time to check in on her quieter friend.

Victoria (Christina Ricci)Once the queen of more glamorous productions, Victoria now headlines a daytime soap that tests both her patience and pride. She carries herself with the poise of a star—a gleaming presence on set, whether she’s fussing over her hair or pronouncing the latest script “beneath her talents.” The big stage spotlight might have dimmed, but Victoria’s diva-like critiques, outfits, and standards still remind everyone of the fame she once enjoyed—and the frustration of settling for less.