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

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."]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Diarmuid stops next to Suzaku on the staircase on his way down to the floor. Diarmuid is both curious about the invitation he received and worried, especially since thanks to Tohko he knows for a fact where the words on the back of the invitation come from.]

Not going in, Suzaku?

[Suzaku looked round at Diarmuid's voice and nodded at him in greeting before shaking his head slightly.] This floor can get dangerous, I thought it maybe best there was someone to help people out if need be, someone who can't get caught up in it all.

[Diarmuid gives him a curious look.]

As far as I know, the only danger to this floor is that if you take off your mask you are forced to give a truthful answer to any question you are asked. Is there another danger I am not aware of?

[Because if there is, Diarmuid wants to know it so he can update the floor information he has. So many floors have hidden secrets that it is just impossible to find all of them out without the help of others.]

I did no know that. [Another danger. He looked at the masked figures again wondering how many of them knew.] I once had to rescue someone from this floor, she had been dragged into the dancing and couldn't escape. It may not be such a problem with so many of us on this floor. She was alright, just blisters and exhaustion but it wasn't a pleasant experience for her.

[Diarmuid's expression grows concerned as he looks from Suzaku to the people out dancing on the floor.]

I was not aware of that danger--merely the one about telling the truth and masks. Do you know why she was forced to dance like that? And did you just pull her off the floor or did you have to fight them to free her?

[He looks back at Suzaku and bows his head slightly.]

Forgive all my questions, but I am trying to make sure my information on the floor's dangers is as complete as it can be.

[He nodded, it was always best to have as much information as possible] I think she just got caught up in the phantoms, and couldn't escape. I don't believe there was a specific reason unless she did something before I got there and she forgot to mention it.

I didn't have to fight, I just pulled her out.

I am glad you were able to save her without too much trouble. While it might not be an active danger of the floor, it is a passive concern. I will certainly add that to my notes when I get back to them. Thank you.

[He falls silent for a moment, seeming to think about something before continuing.]

So, what do you think of those invitations we got? Are the administrators pulling some kind of trick on us or is someone in the tower up to something?

[Diarmuid already knows the answer to the question, but he is curious as to what Suzaku's view is.]

I always suspect the administrators of tricks but this doesn't seem like something they would do, it is less elaborate and so far nothing awful has happened.

[He frowned] Though I am not sure what it could be accomplishing if it is someone in the tower either.

I am not exactly sure myself.

[Even though Diarmuid considers himself a member of the resistance, he knows he is not really important in the grand scheme of things. He relies on Tohko for most of his information and while he knows of others involved in the effort through her, talking to them would not be the same as talking to her if for no other reason than none of them know him--and hence would not trust him--as well as she does.]

Perhaps they wish to spread information or maybe this is actually a distraction of sorts for something else. It could be just about anything I suppose.

Perhaps, I only hope no one is doing anything dangerous. [Recklessness only hurt innocents most of the time. Suzaku had taken part in his fair share of rebellions in the tower, but he had not done much lately. It was too dangerous- for them not for him. He couldn't be trusted to go into danger with them when his Geass might force him to betray them.]

I agree completely.

[Especially since from what Tohko had told him the microchips would not be completely safe until the end of the month when they could do whatever they needed to do. Surely, no one tied to the Resistance would be foolish enough to do something that would attract the administrators' attention after all that work?]

Will you come into the party later or do you just plan to stay here? Would you like me to bring you something to eat or drink? I won't mind.

I'll stay here, I'm not really good at parties. [He shook his head] Please don't bother yourself, go and have fun.

You are no bother to me. However, if you chance your mind or need any help for anything, let me know. Watch me as I go into the room and get my mask. I will turn back to you so you will know what mask to look for. If you take whatever one you are given off once you enter, you shouldn't have a problem finding my mask and me. Otherwise, the power of the masks may prevent you from knowing it is me even though you know if that makes any sense.

[He heads down into the room, being careful to pause and turn back toward Suzaku with a bow once he has been given his mask. He then disappears into the crowd.]

Thank you. [He watched carefully as Diamuid entered and bowed back in return memorising the mask.]

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

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