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

[sageprincess]

[...

Wow, and she thought she had bad social skills back when she was still adjusting to being around people as herself again. She makes sure to keep a respectful distance from this one. No need to cause someone to panic when the name of the game here is subtlety.]

I am, sir. Thank you for asking. It is a nice change of pace from the normal misery and dread. [Nevermind the fact she's feeling dread in full force. Still, her voice manages to keep its pleasant lilt.] Are you enjoying watching?

[Since it's obvious you aren't doing any dancing yourself there, bro.]

[doctor_dismemberment]

What? No! I mean, yes! I mean...!

[Richtofen's mind is racing, jumping to the worst possible conclusions in the blink of an eye. Is she implying that he likes to watch people dance, and if she is, is she also implying that only a freak would do that? Does she think he's plotting something? Oh, god, what does she know?

He forces himself to keep calm, to ignore the voices telling him to be paranoid and just try his best to pretend like nothing's wrong. He tells himself he's not out of place. He's merely... adjusting. He's blended in with "normal" people before, and verdammt, he will do it again.

He tries to remember what motions to go through. He's spent most of his life taking note of all those little things people do, their quirks and habits that seem to come so naturally to them, and he's done his best to copy them when he needs to.]

Um... [He shifts from foot to foot, bringing up a hand to tug at his earlobe.] What I mean to say is that... I was never one for parties. [He forces out a chuckle, and it sounds awkward, but that's okay. He can work with this angle.] I'm never quite sure how to act.

[He's about to leave it at that, but something feels off. He gives his ear another squeeze and actually manages to smile. With a mask on, it's that much easier for him to appear pleasant.]

But I'm sure you never have that problem, do you?

[Ugh. This is so weird. He hasn't had to act interested in other people's lives for a very long time; it's hard to get used to all over again.]

[sageprincess]

... Ah.

[It's... something of an uncertain sound as she watches him twitch and fidget, and she's glad her own mask covers the quirk of her brow. Quite the nervous one, this guy.

She shrugs, easily and relaxed, brushing off his concerns with a nonchalant wave of her hand.]

No, this sort of thing happened all the time, back home. [She lies.] You act as though you haven't a care in the world, and you hope everyone is too intoxicated to remember anything embarrassing you might have done when morning dawns.

[She's speaking complete nonsense, but hey, it's easy to do when she's actively trying to hide who she is.]

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen raises his free arm and rests his hand in the crook of his elbow, then gives the fabric of his sleeve a squeeze. He's still unmistakably tense, but he's getting better the longer the conversation draws on, at least.

He gives a hum in fake agreement as he listens to her drone on for what feels like an eternity.]

Sometimes I wish I was a better actor.

[He chuckles again; that part is true. To a point, anyway. It's not that he believes he's bad at it, but if it were to come a little easier, that would be nice.]

You seem so natural, so... at ease. You aren't telling me it's all fake, are you?

[There's a light, teasing smile playing on his lips, but giving out a compliment makes bile rise up in the back of his throat. Downplaying his own strengths isn't all that fun, either, and suddenly, Richtofen feels like he's back in that underground lab at home, kissing up to Dr. Maxis. His stomach turns at the thought, but he manages to keep a pleasant demeanor.]

[sageprincess]

That depends. Have I convinced you?

[The woman tilts her head, the fabric around her mask ruffling a bit with the motion. Natural, at ease... but she regards him with calculated thoughts now, her own caution flaring up at the idea her happy-go-lucky demeanor is an act.

Which it is, of course, but she's not about to go around saying that.]

[doctor_dismemberment]

[That mask makes Richtofen uneasy. All of them do, to be precise, but those full-faced masks are the worst. It's hard enough to get along when he knows for sure how a person is reacting to what he's saying, but when he's reduced to guessing through the tone of their voice and their body language? He'd be happier right now if he burst into flame.

He hopes that his own mask does a successful job of hiding any slip-ups he might make. It won't do much for how tense he is, but it might cast his suspicious eyes in shadow.]

You've convinced me that you're much better at this "ball" thing than I am. [Richtofen gives a lighthearted laugh.] If you are acting, miss, you don't make it obvious at all.

[Bleughrghrghrugrh. He hasn't addressed someone so formally since his time parading around equally pretentious parties back in Germany. It seemed so much easier to fit in back then, though... Hm.]

[sageprincess]

[The woman makes a showy bow at the compliment, as though she just finished performing on stage.]

Then I am doing something right, at least.

[Good, there's no connection between this peacock noblewoman character and the Princess of Hyrule. Not bad for winging it! But she's spent enough time here - time to say what needs to be said and move on. Leaning in just slightly, the woman drops her voice conspiratorially, though she keeps the playful lilt to her tone.]

But speaking of things not obvious, have you heard the rumor going around the party?

[doctor_dismemberment]

Rumor?

[Oh, now that gets Richtofen's attention. For a moment, curiosity overtakes his wariness, and he leans forward before he can stop himself. His mind buzzes with possibilities of what the rumor could be - something pointless? Something that will make life harder for him? - and he has to remind himself not to outwardly freak out.]

I haven't. But I'm good at keeping secrets. [He punctuates this by placing a gloved finger up against his lips.] Tell me, what is it?