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

[silencetoreason]

Very much so, thank you.

[It wasn't the whole truth, but France smiled nonetheless. He was nothing if not a convincing actor. His fingertips lingered on the girl's shoulder for a few moments as he spoke.]

It's nice to see everyone having fun at a dance, isn't it? [He gave a wistful sigh and drew back his hand to brush a strand of hair away from his face. He didn't wait for an answer before he continued to ramble on.] It reminds me so much of home - the costumes, the décor. Tell me, dear, did you attend balls often back where you came from?

[tohko_amano]

[While it might not have been the whole truth, there was no way Tohko could have known that. She was good at seeing through facades sometimes, but only if there was a clear opening for her to do so. Here, there was none, so she just smiled as she spoke.]

There wasn't a place for us to dance back home, but I did read quite a few stories were people attended balls and the like, so I do know a bit about it.

[Even if she still was a horrible dancer.]

However, you must have been pretty famous and rich if you were able to dance like this a lot back home.

[silencetoreason]

[France chuckled into his hand. There was something charmingly naive about that stranger, in how she was so confident despite only reading about balls in books. He couldn't help but flash her a fond smile.]

No, no, not rich and famous. I just had a lot of time on my hands... [He winked.] Why don't you let me teach you, hm? Learning firsthand is much better than reading things in a book.

[tohko_amano]

[That was Tohko for you. A great reader, yes. Actually good about the things she read about..most of the times, no. Not that it ever stopped her from trying. As she spoke, Tohko returned the smile.]

Ah, alright then! Still..even with a lot of time, you probably needed quite a bit of wealth to prepare for those parties. But I wouldn't mind having a lesson! Books are wonderful..but there's nothing wrong with learning things firsthand.