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]

You look like a wallflower.

[Aleph wanders over to her.]

[technologic]

Eh? [She blinks over at him, before laughing sheepishly.] Y-yeah, I am a bit... I-I've always been too nervous to dance at parties.

[alephbet]

I've never really had that problem. Do you want me to teach you any?

[technologic]

O-oh, I actually know a few already. I just... Um... I get n-nervous around crowds sometimes.

[alephbet]

That's fair. It definitely is a big party.

[technologic]

Yeah, it is. I-I've gotten better, but trying to go out and dance on my own is still a bit nerve-wrecking.

... Plus, I haven't danced to this kind of music before.

[alephbet]

It's not one of my favorites. I'm more a disco person, really.

[technologic]

I've, ah, only really learned to dance to disco... I like listening to music like this though, it's really pretty.

[alephbet]

It definitely is. And it's good to be versatlie.

[technologic]

Yeah, that is true... [She looks at the dance floor again, looks like she's about to move from the wall, and then clams up again.] ... J-just wish the nerves would stop.

[alephbet]

I'm sure no one will judge you; you've just got to dance like you don't care.

[technologic]

... A-a-and nobody knows who I-I am anyway. [Just gonna swallow her nerves and go onto the dance floor.]

[alephbet]

[Aleph follows her and takes her by the hand.] Mind if I lead?

[technologic]

E-eh? [Blink, blink up at him.] Ah, um, I don't mind at all.

[alephbet]

[Then, he'll start leading her in a simple dance in time to the music.]

[technologic]

[And despite her anxiety, she follows his steps easily.]

Ah, a-am I doing this right?

[alephbet]

You're doing great, don't worry.

[technologic]

O-okay, that's good... I've only really danced with my boyfriend before, s-so this is new.

[Even though this is your boyfriend, April.]

[alephbet]

Oh, really? Is he a good dancer?

[Does Aleph know him?]

[technologic]

[There is the slight possibility.]

Yeah, he's absolutely amazing! We dance together a lot, though I doubt I'll ever get as good as him.

[alephbet]

Does his name... start with A?

[technologic]

Hmm? [Blink, blink.] Ah, yeah, it does! Do you know him?

[alephbet]

My name starts with A, and ends in -leph.

[technologic]

[Blink.] ... A-Aleph?

[alephbet]

Hi, April.