they've got all the right friends in all the right places

[sageprincess]

Characters: "Pandora" and the Tower populace.
Setting: Floor 82 - The Masquerade Ballroom.
Format: Party style - pick your poison.
Summary: As the lights begin to flicker and the month rapidly draws to its close, the mysterious "Pandora" has invited the residents of the Tower to a masquerade ball.
Warnings None as of yet.

"Between the noise you hear, and the sound you like..."

Well, now, that invitation certainly was mysterious, huh? Who is Pandora, and what's the occasion for this party she's holding? And what was that message on the back all about? Remember this: There will come a time when everything around you seems to be not what you thought it was, and you won't know what to believe about anything at all. At that time, look for something that is still true. In the wake of the chaos caused by those rumors written on the walls, perhaps it seems like a too-late warning. In any case, the ballroom on the eighty-second floor shimmers and shines exquisitely, awaiting the guests' arrival. The dance floor is open and spacious, and, as promised, refreshments line a buffet table on one of the far walls. While much of it has obviously been nicked from the cafeteria, there is also a variety of meats and seafood not otherwise available in this month's menu. Yes, this also means there is alcohol. Take care not to lose the mask that is placed upon your face the instant you step off the staircase, however. You don't want to be the single recognizable person in a crowd of anonymous dancers, do you? Who knows what you might hear from a masked stranger...

"... are we just sinking in an ocean of faces?"

[Description of Floor 82 from the setting page: "A masquerade party is taking place in this intricately decorated, expensive-looking ballroom, and you're going to have to participate. As soon as you step onto this floor a mask is placed on your face. Anyone wearing a mask is completely anonymous even to those with supernatural abilities. You can take off a mask, but anyone with their mask off is compelled to truthfully answer any question they're asked."]

Comments

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko, after her initial exploration of the lower floors, usually didn't wander down unless she really had to, since the lower you went, the more dangerous it got. So, she wasn't aware of this floors affects on everyone. She also didn't know where the group had gotten the idea to call themselves Pandora-even though she did appreciate the name-but she recognized the message on the back of the envelope. This was a ball for the resistance, and something that she couldn't miss out on. Something that she wasn't going to miss out on.

So, wearing a white mask, Tohko wandered around, trying to pick out who was who. She wasn't that good at dancing, but she didn't think anyone would ask her to. All she was worried about was finding the people who were in Pandora and making sure that she didn't give anything away to any Phantoms who had wandered in.]

[springserpent]

Excuse me, Miss...

[An unfamiliar voice begins, it's owner obviously female, though thanks to rather extravagant mask she wears it's impossible to gleam her true identity from sight alone. She approaches with wine in hand, an all too knowing and slightly familiar smile gracing her features as she strides confidently towards Tohko, each step bolstered with suavity and elegance that couldn't ever hope to be practiced. That smile of hers is familiar, but the voice, mannerisms and absolutely everything else are so unlike Mihli that it couldn't possibly be her... Could it?]

Might I have the honor of a dance?

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko's mask was actually rather simple, and the question surprised her. She didn't think anyone would be asking her to dance at a ball that was supposed to be a cover for the resistance..but Zelda probably invited other people. Tohko thought that was a little foolish, but it wasn't like Zelda had told her about this plan earlier.

Which meant that the girl would be getting some words later, if Tohko ran into her. But, for now, Tohko had no idea who this girl was. Sure, the grin seemed rather familiar, but the confidence, the stride, and the wineglass belonged to someone she didn't know. At least..that's what she thought. The grin did seem a bit cat-like though.]

Oh..of course! I warn you though, I'm horrible at it! And..before we start, do you know what's at the bottom of the box?

[springserpent]

The Box?

[Despite initial confusion, her voice does not falter.]

Something that shouldn't be gleamed by the eyes of mortal men, correct? Fortunately enough, I could care less for such petty restrictions. What fun could possibly lay in a gift that shouldn't be unwrapped? In my eyes it would appear that these "gods" mask the true meaning of such an artifact with the threat of punishment and despair... In short, though I have not witnessed the contents of Pandora's Box for myself, I suppose you could say that the prospect of uncovering such meaning--

[She takes a sip from her drink before leaving it on some random passerby's tray as a hand is offered up Tohko's way.]

Leaves me rather hopeful.

[She's allowed to make puns, dammit.]

[tohko_amano]

[At the eloquent speech, Tohko couldn't help but chuckle as she took the person's hand. So, this was someone else who was involved with the resistance. This was good to know, and narrowed down the possibilities of who this person was. With that smile..Tohko was thinking of a certain cat girl she knew, but she could be wrong.]

I see! I myself haven't glanced into the actual box..but you know, I think the god that stuffed the box was a bit foolish in thinking that the punishments would be bad. After all..without the suffering, you don't know joy, and without anger, you don't know love. If he really wanted to make people suffer, there would be no box at all.

[springserpent]

[Mihli only smiles as she draws Tohko into the faceless crowd]

Don't worry, I'll lead... You'll have to excuse the hammy speech, I felt the need to make an impression.

[She still sounds completely different, and while that might be thanks in part to the supernatural effects of this room, it's mostly all Mihli. Heck, even her accent's gone! Dancing seems to come automatically, and fortunately the song is slow enough for her to pace Tohko's steps, right hand guiding the Book Girl with Mihli's left rested upon her lower back to keep her close.]

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko followed Mihli, her hands in the same position..but for different reasons. Tohko wanted to keep this girl close so that she wouldn't drift too far away and have to run back or accidentally step on her feet. Since the latter of which could still happen, Tohko bit her lip a little as she danced, taking extra care so that she didn't do so.]

It's alright! Don't worry about it! It sounded great to me.

[sageprincess]

[What was that about needing to talk to Zelda A woman in a golden, full face mask approaches Tohko as she wanders, voice pleasant, if muffled.]

You seem nervous, miss. May I ask why?

[tohko_amano]

[<--Tohko just found the idea of sending letters to everyone and their sisters rather foolish.-- Tohko smiled at the woman and shook her head.]

Oh, I'm not nervous! I've just never been to a ball before, and I'm not that good of a dancer..but I do enjoy it. However, tell me something: what lies at the bottom of the box? If you don't know the answer, that's alright.

[sageprincess]

[They have to get the word out safely somehow She tilts her head, and then her hand comes up to move her mask out of place just slightly - just enough to make her identity known, and then the mask is right back on where it should be. Since this is someone obviously involved with her resistance force, she feels she can give that much.]

Hope, of course. Now, who are you to know of Pandora's Box?

Blegh..sorry for the html fail up there..><;

[tohko_amano]

[But sending letters to everyone was a good idea? Tohko recognized the woman when she moved her mask and smiled. Well, at least Zelda had managed to find her quickly, even if it was by accident. While Tohko wasn't willing to remove her mask, she did lift up one of her braids, as if that would be answer enough.]

Good. I'm glad you're aware of that..and I am just a simple bibliophile. However, who told you about that story anyway? It comes from Earth, so I didn't think that most people here knew of it.

no prob :|b

[sageprincess]

[To keep the identities of the members of the resistance secret, it was necessary Ah, Tohko, if her guess is right. Good to know.]

I heard of it on... an adventure some time ago. But never mind that, I have something I need to speak to you about. Will you dance with me?

[She holds out a hand for Tohko to take, should she accept.]

Alright then..><;

[tohko_amano]

[..If you were including people in the resistance, than you had to trust them to keep their mouths shut about such a gathering. Tohko took the hand that was offered to her and nodded, looking..a tad nervous, but still smiling.]

I see..I'll have to thank whoever came up with it then. It's always good to remember things like that on adventures. But I'll dance with you..if you don't mind the fact that I'm a terrible one.

[gran_grimoire]

[ Maybe Tohko should have thought about dancing. At some point, one melody changes to another and a figure clad completely in white, her eyes hidden by a silver visor and her hair bound into a ponytail, places one hand onto her shoulder. ]

May I have this dance? [ She sounds pretty optimistic about whatever answer she hopes to get. ]

[tohko_amano]

[While Tohko wasn't quite expecting that hand on her shoulder, she did smile at the person the hand belonged to. While she was terrible at dancing..it was probably best that she didn't mention that now.]

Oh, sure! Do you want to lead, or should I?

[gran_grimoire]

Oh, I'm quite good good at leading.

[ Respect for others' personal space has never been something Saya was good at. Now that she had a permission, she quickly answered by letting her hand slip down Tohko's arm, fingers wriggling slightly as they moved to grasp at the other girl's hand. Then there was another step, one that brought the two of them a little bit closer. ]

And I'm not merely bragging, either.

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko wasn't expecting the girl to move a bit closer to her either, so she took a step back for personal space's sake. However, she did held the proud girls hand and smile.]

Alright then! I suppose you'll lead then! I'll try to not step on your feet!

[gran_grimoire]

You can try to step on them.

[ She grinned carelessly about that, her free hand already moving to rest on her new partner's waist. ]

But I can promise to make the most of that in return.

[tohko_amano]

[Ah, right! Tohko, not wanting to be left behind, quickly put her free hand on her partners shoulder-if she was remembering correctly, that was where it went-and..pouted a little at the comment.]

I'm not going to be trying to! It might just happen though!

[gran_grimoire]

Mmmmhm.

[ Honestly, having her cute dance partner stumble and fall onto her was among the very last things Saya believed she had to worry about. With a hand on her shoulder and the music reaching its better part, she was more concerned with the dance itself. ]

Are you ready?

[tohko_amano]

[It should have been one of Saya's worries, since Tohko really was a horrible dancer. But, at the question, she smiled and nodded.]

Yup! I'm ready whenever you are!

[gran_grimoire]

Good.

[ Ah, worries were never high on her list of things to be concerned with. Accidents were a force of progress, while surprises, even unpleasant, could make for the fondest of memories.

As the melody struck a note Saya found agreeable, the first step was made. For now, her movements were slow, graceful and a little careless. If she really was concerned with the chance of being stepped on, she refused to show it. ]

[tohko_amano]

[Usually, Tohko didn't worry about accidents until they were either staring her in the face or if she felt like they were about to do so. This, sadly, was one of those times where she was a bit worried about an accident that might happen.

As Saya started, Tohko moved to keep up with her, going a bit faster than Saya and having a bit less grace in her movements. She kept looking down at her feet just to make sure that she was going to avoid her partners every time she took a new step.]

[gran_grimoire]

[ Now, Saya was no dance instructor, but even she knew when a rookie mistake was being made. She grinned a bit, then used the next step to surge forward and press herself a bit too close to her dancing partner.

Personal space? God forbid. ]

Are you looking for something to step on?

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko loved the idea of ballroom dancing and liked the dresses gowns and the idea of dancing gracefully..she just wasn't that good at it. Since she was looking down when Saya decided to press herself closer to Tohko, she wasn't expecting it and..blushed a little, embarrassed and a bit annoyed at the comment.]

O-of course not! I'm looking so that I don't step on you..but pulling me closer isn't going to help your chances!