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

[ambassadorasshat]

[Luke hadn't ever set foot on this floor before, though he'd briefly poked his head in to check it out a couple times. So the sudden appearance of a mask was a bit weird and surprising, as was the inability to tell anyone apart. He's taken it off a couple times since he arrived, briefly, not knowing it's made him not-anonymous.

He can be found on the sidelines, either hanging around the refreshments table or on the sidelines, watching the crowd and trying to figure out if anyone he knows is there. Dancing isn't an entirely foreign concept to him, but he's not going to voluntarily seek anyone out to dance with. But feel free to grab him and drag him onto the floor.]

[forhislegacy]

[Anise is having quite a good time, dancing with Ion - she almost feels like she's a princess at a ball in Auldrant, with a dashing young man at her side and-- is that a solid gold mask?!

It sure looks like one, and while she feels a little bad about cutting it short, she's sure Ion will understand. With a bright smile and an "Ion, we should go say hi!" she takes the Fon Master by the hand again and pulls him over to Luke at the refreshment table, and almost immediately, she sidles up there.]

Hey, there... what's a nice guy like you doing in a place like this? ❤

[...Bro!Luke, Ion, I am so sorry.]

[fragileprophet]

[And naturally, Ion didn't mind at all. He was quite used to being dragged around by Anise. In fact, he was pretty sure he had been yanked on the same arm by her so many times that one was stronger than the other.

He also knew what "saying hi" meant in Anise-vocabulary. At least in that tone of voice. And considering the sort of mask that her target was wearing...well, it wasn't hard for the Fon Master to connect the dots.

Unlike Anise, Ion remains a respectful few feet away from the stranger, and smiles awkwardly.]

Please excuse my friend; she has a very different definition of "personal space" than most people.

[He, of course, means this with nothing short of adoration for his companion.]

[ambassadorasshat]

[No, you can't have his mask what would you even do with it?.

Even with the mask on, Anise's actions and tone of voice are fairly familiar. Though without a distinct face, she reminds him more of the female guests his family would entertain who would get all up in his business when he had to socialize with them.]

Yeah, I noticed... [Addressing Fon Master Anon first. And then to the female 'stranger', after taking a step back:]

I was invited. What do you want...?

[forhislegacy]

I was invited too! ❤ We must have something in common, then!

[Though he takes a step back, she... takes a step towards him. Poor, poor Luke. He's just lucky she's not sure of his identity yet, or he'd have a pigtailed barnacle to contend with.]

You looked lonely all the way over here. I thought we'd come keep you company!

[fragileprophet]

[Well technically, Ion was invited and Anise was his plus-one, but the Fon Master was far too gracious to point that out. At least not while Anise was trying so hard to impress this gold-masked party-goer.]

I agree. [Ion smiles.] I'd have a hard time if I was alone, unable to recognize those around me--which is why it's fortunate I brought a friend.

[It was true that Ion and Anise had...rather different motivations in wanting to talk to him, but that didn't change the fact that they did want it.] If it doesn't bother you...we'd be more than happy to accompany you for a while.

[ambassadorasshat]

[Another step back, then...and that seems to be the edge of the refreshment table at his back. Well damn.]

Okay, sure. You can keep me company from over here. [And then Anise is getting pushed to arm's length.]

I couldn't find anyone who wanted to come. [(Read: He didn't actually try to find anyone.)] And yeah, you can hang around, I don't care.

[forhislegacy]

[You'll never escape, Luke. Never!]

Hey! [Anise pouts, though the full extent of her displeasure is hidden by the mask. Lucky for Luke he didn't have to deal with the expression, though he does have to deal with how she stomps her foot.]

You don't have to push me away, you know! So... [And then she leans forward, suddenly all smiles again.] ...you been here for very long?

C'mon! [She glances at Ion.] Is there anything you want to ask him, too? Don't be shy!

[ambassadorasshat]

[Damn. Good thing everyone is anonymous right now.]

Well, you don't have to be right next to me.

[He'll ignore the leaning while he thinks for a second.]

Uh...I've been here about two months.