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

[notagiraffe]

It is, and the gods through the kirin make sure all the rulers rule fairly,

[altitonant_emperor]

You're connected to gods?

[notagiraffe]

Yes... um... well they chose the kings and queens, and then send the kirins the ouki... like a sign... so we know who is right.

[altitonant_emperor]

[ Maybe he's being too prying. ] Hm. So, it's your duty. It sounds like one you and the other kirin take pride in.

[notagiraffe]

Yes... it's really important. [He blinked, thinking about that. He had never stopped to wonder if he was proud of his duty, but he thought he was. He was glad he could help Tai like that.]

I think we do... It's a big job... when a whole country relies on you... But Lord Gyousou is a really great king... [He trails off because missing kings and dead homelands]

[altitonant_emperor]

With positions of authority, comes the responsibility to wield that authority correctly. [ He nodded. It was part of why he had such a poor opinion of the administration; they had a responsibility to play the role of good hosts to whose who relied on them, and care for whose they held power over. But they did not. It wasn't fair. It angered him.

...

When the child trails off, Hidetoshi has an inkling of why. He doesn't press beyond; ]

He sounds like a great man to serve.

[notagiraffe]

[He nodded firmly, it was right. People in authority should do what was right for those in their care.

Sometimes he wished the administrators had Kirin, that this world worked as his did, so there could be a chance of better leadership.

But the idea of any kirin serving such a person made him sad.