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

[alephbet]

I'll follow, if that's all right with you.

[Hm.]

[silencetoreason]

Oh, my love, I'm very flexible.

[France winks and takes the stranger's hand. He pulls him into the proper position and almost immediately starts to move in time with the music, though he takes care not to go too fast to start off.]

[alephbet]

All I'm asking for is a dance.

[Aleph chuckles and falls into step. It seems like he has no difficulty keeping up with France's movements.]

[silencetoreason]

There are many different ways to dance, though, aren't there?

[France tugs the man a little closer, a wicked smile playing on his lips. As always, he's not shy about getting handsy, even if it's in a crowded ballroom with someone whose name he doesn't think he knows.

Were it not for the effect the Tower had on the people wearing masks, or were he more clear-headed and not dwelling on the bear incident in the back of his mind, he might have thought the ease with which the stranger danced was a little bit familiar. But as it stands, he's on a single-minded quest to throw himself into the party atmosphere, and to him, that means flirting and dancing up a storm.

So gomen to your girlfriend, Aleph.]

[alephbet]

[Sh-she'll understand that he can't punch random people.]

Not everything matches this music - but there's always a way to stand out in the crowd, I think.

[Without disobeying public decency laws.]

[silencetoreason]

Oh?

[France's eyes sparkle behind his mask. His voice is positively devilish, smooth and silky with intonations in all the right places. To someone looking for a flirty partygoer to sweep them off their feet, it would make a heart flutter, no doubt. To a person who's in a happy relationship, though? He probably just comes off like a douche.]

And how do you like to stand out, dear?

[There are heavy implications behind that question. Feel free to punch this stranger, Aleph, he can take it.]

[alephbet]

[Aleph raises an eyebrow as far as that eyebrow will go.]

Jumping into a dancing competition halfway through and still beating everyone there. I was more used to that style of music, though. More disco. Less waltz.

[silencetoreason]

[France isn't sure if he wants to laugh or just stare. He settles on giving a small, unsure chuckle as he sways around with the stranger.]

I- Euhh. Well, that's... [He tilts his head to the side.] ...that's certainly noticeable, I will admit.

[Congrat, you have successfully thrown off the pervert.]

[alephbet]

[Does he win a prize?]

Sorry about that. I have a girlfriend - I really am just here for the dancing.

1/2

[silencetoreason]

[His prize is France backing off, woo!]

Oh. [France's face falls.] Why does this keep happening to me...?

[Because it's the same person, you dolt.]

2/2

[silencetoreason]

[He looks upset for a second, but then he sighs, and the smile reappears on his face.]

No matter! If it's a dance you want, my friend, then a dance I shall provide!

[He loosens his grip on the stranger's waist, but dances with fervor, resigned to being platonic for the remainder of this encounter.]

[alephbet]

[Aleph can more than match him in the dance, even if most of the flirting sails over his head.]

I ran into someone trying the same thing on me recently, actually. His name was France - an excellent dancer, like you.