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

Entry tags:

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."]

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[Lancer doesn't know about the effects of this floor. But he does know to follow his nose and find the alcohol. He's just gonna hit the drinks until someone approaches him, or some anonymous dancer catches his interest.]

[There was no way that any Fon Master Guardian worth her salt would let her charge wander off to some mysterious masquerade just on the say-so of an invitation that had suddenly appeared in his mailbox, so it probably wasn't at all surprising that they were approaching the eighty-second floor as a pair. ...it probably wasn't at all surprising that Anise was practically dragging Ion by the arm, either.

They step onto the floor and Anise is suddenly aware of the weight of a mask on her face. She looks to her side, and the person on her arm has a mask, too - if she hadn't been pulling Ion a long, there would have been no way to know for sure, but...]

What do you think, Ion? Isn't it neat? [...She sure hopes that's Ion.]

[[NOTE: THERE BE MIND READING HERE. Sheba's abusing Mind Read and since it shares across touch, as long as she and Asch are dancing together, he gets to see your thoughts, too. If you reply to them together in this comment, expect blatant invasion of privacy.]]

[It's been a long time since he danced. Years since the last time he went over ball etiquette, since he thought about going hand-in-hand through royal balls with his princess

This is hardly the kind of scenario he'd imagined back then - trapped in a tower full of horrors, a girl from a completely different world on his arm as they make their way through the masked crowd, picking up stray thoughts from whoever they pass. And yet he's smiling a little anyway, at the familiarity of it, a home longer lost than for the rest of the residents but suddenly the farthest thing from forgotten.

Forget the refreshments, forget standing on the sidelines - as soon as they're out on the floor, Asch is pulling Sheba along by their linked hands, spinning her into a waltz as though he'd never left the manor at all.]

[Taiki hadn't known whether to go or not to this masquerade, but the note on the back of the invitation made him curious. He wasn't feeling too good but he decided to go anyways, Jasmine's words ringing in his mind, he had to do what he was good at.

And though Kirin couldn't fight or be around violence, he thought they might be good at knowing what was true.

More physically there was a high pitched sound ringing through his ears. He couldn't have Gohran out as he couldn't stand it and Taiki didn't understand why the sound had started or where it came from. He thought maybe that music and the sound of people would muffle it though.

It was sort of scary having a mask on, and all the people being unknown to him and he tried to stay on the outskirts, avoiding the dancing.]

Edited 2013-05-27 21:47 (UTC)

[It's not exactly the kind of party April would typically go to, but she couldn't resist not going after receiving that invitation. Especially since there's alcohol here, which she takes a drink off for herself. The mask is weird, but she leaves it alone besides the occasional fidget with it, and she really isn't too bothered about the whole anonymous thing.

Even if it does make her more nervous about approaching people.

So for now, she's more content to just stand to the side and watch everyone dance, sometimes tapping her foot or humming along to the music.]

Edited 2013-05-27 21:52 (UTC)

[Tohko, after her initial exploration of the lower floors, usually didn't wander down unless she really had to, since the lower you went, the more dangerous it got. So, she wasn't aware of this floors affects on everyone. She also didn't know where the group had gotten the idea to call themselves Pandora-even though she did appreciate the name-but she recognized the message on the back of the envelope. This was a ball for the resistance, and something that she couldn't miss out on. Something that she wasn't going to miss out on.

So, wearing a white mask, Tohko wandered around, trying to pick out who was who. She wasn't that good at dancing, but she didn't think anyone would ask her to. All she was worried about was finding the people who were in Pandora and making sure that she didn't give anything away to any Phantoms who had wandered in.]

[Nesir frowned at the invitation, but it was too interesting to pass up on, and so she made her way to the eighty second floor. She was used to masquerade parties at least, the temple had hosted an annual one in honour of the god of justice.

It had been one of Nesir's favourite celebrations, the idea of anonymity fascinated her. And something that was needed at the moment, the mask covered the scarring on her face, she was quite worried about it coming back after her death; that had never happened before. But at least it had finally stopped bleeding.

She knew the floor by now, so dressed in the dress she had gotten as a reward and the mask she had been given on entering she weaved her way through the crowd. Worryingly she couldn't recognise anyone, not from body language or clothes... She suspected some kind of tower enchantment.

She headed for the alcohol, and watched, she could still listen even if she didn't know who anyone was.]

Edited 2013-05-28 07:36 (UTC)

[Argh, dancing. Dancing mostly brought back painful memories of his home and of Rat, but it was also something Shion wasn't that practiced at. He was quick on his feet, had more coordination than before Reno had gotten hold of him, but it didn't stop the fact that he was being dragged round the dance floor by some anonymous figure.

Someone help him?]

[Suzaku got the invitation and was worried, after all it had only been a few months ago he had had to rescue someone from this floor, he hoped whoever had organised it knew the dangers.

He remained on the staircase, figuring someone should be nearby in case anyone needed pulled out.

He stood watching the entrance to the floor, watching for danger of any kind.]

[Well that was an odd note to get, but Sam went to where this masquerade ball was to be held regardless, and was surprised to have a mask put on his face. The ball was fancy and Sam spent most his time looking around in awe, every time he thought he had seen everything this tower could throw at him he discovered something new.

He also spent some time at the food table, sampling the different dishes.]

[A woman in a golden mask is among those first on the floor, and could possibly even be mistaken as the host of this soirée by those who arrive early enough. She'll deny it, however, and flit off to the next person with a curtsey. She appears quite sociable, blithely spinning on the dance floor, visiting the buffet table, and even approaching a few wallflowers if they look unoccupied enough.

The woman underneath the mask is not so carefree, however. There is an ever-present swell of anxiety in Zelda's heart, even as she dances with some mysterious stranger, afraid that this plan could go horribly wrong somehow. They need to get the word out - the high pitched whining those with sensitive ears might hear is a good thing, honestly - but it's not as though they can just say it outright. This is the only plan she could think of that would keep the identities of those helping her safe.

All she can do now is hope they only say what's necessary.]

[He might not usually be one for balls and dancing (or at least, he would not admit to being one for balls and dancing) but Sokka's curiosity is just too strong for him to ignore that mysterious invite.

He frowns as the mask is placed on his head, but doesn't remove it, wandering around the place a little before he spots the buffet. And it has meat! Lots of it! Much better than what is on offer downstairs.

Yep. Worth coming for this alone. He'll just be here, leaning against the buffet table and snacking.]

[Unfortunately, mask or no mask, the whine that comes from the entrance by a certain red head in a white and gold mask is pretty identifiable. Luke had an obvious disgruntled expression on what part of his face could be seen, letting out faint notes of complaint as his companion half dragged him into the room. He kept picking at the dress clothes said companion managed to find from... somewhere; he didn't know and he wasn't going to ask. All he cared about was that they were just as damn uncomfortable as his dress clothes back home, and he kept pulling at the collar in an effort to not be strangled.]

C'mon... why'd you make me do this again?

[There is nothing but full on long haired whining going on. Prepare your eardrums.]

[Dressed in his best clothes and with a bandage wrapped around the lower half of his right arm, a long silk cloak wrapped around his shoulders, Legolas quietly made his way to the eighty-second floor. As he stepped onto it, he was given the addition of a gold and green mask with leaf designs covering it. He held himself straight and proud, a feeling he had lacked over the course of the past few weeks, steadily rebuilding himself.

The prince moved quietly between people and to the refreshment table, picking up a glass of wine before moving on to socialize. There's an obvious sense of discomfort from the now anonymous elf though, nothing he'll explain but there are some who will understand it. And nothing that he can't overcome.

Something like this though is natural for him. It takes him back to celebrations in Mirkwood, singing and dancing and feasting with his own people. For the time being, all his cheerfulness returns. He's laughing with some people, inviting others to dance with him and even asking if they'd share a drink with him.]

[Though John doesn't know exactly what the invitation in his mailbox is about, the note on the back, along with the location is more than enough to pique is interest. Having been on a date on this floor before, he has somewhat of an idea how the floor works. Sure enough, the minute he steps off the staircase a mask appears on his face and he has no idea who anybody else is, just like last time.]

[Earlier, his Zoroark had been whining and covering his ears in the dorms, as though able to hear something that John couldn't. But what was really strange was the fact that his Pokégear appeared to be picking up on a network signal. Granted, he couldn't do anything with it but the fact that it was even registering was something. He's choosing to take it as a result of the chips doing their job. Just like how he's choosing to believe that this dance is somehow related to both...]

[He's keeping mostly to the edges of the dance floor, smiling idly and occasionally waving at anybody who makes eye contact. Though every once in a while he makes a break for the refreshment table because damn is he glad to be able to eat without worrying about poisoning...]

[A man in an extravagant mask walks around with a little stiffness in his joints. Normally, he would prance around like he owned the place, like he hadn't a care in the world. But today, France is hesitant, at least for a little while.

Getting killed by a stuffed bear will do that to a person. He's trying not to think about it, but it takes him a while to warm up to the party. He'll throw himself in completely later, drown in the sea of dancers like he normally does when he comes here, but right now, he sticks to walking around and greeting people with a nod.]

Hello, dear. Hello. [Everyone he looks at gets a kind word, a light touch on their shoulder or their arm.] How are you?

[He may be stiff, but he's no less friendly than he was before.]

[Among the guests laughing, chatting, and having a good time, there's one person in a plain brown mask who looks painfully out-of-place. He walks through the room with his arms hugged to his chest, taking care to sidestep people and avoid touching them as much as possible.

As one might imagine, the best place for a ballroom guest who hates human contact is at the edge of the room, back to the wall. It's a good thing that the Tower renders everyone anonymous, because if it weren't for that, Richtofen's mannerisms combined with his voice would make it a dead giveaway as to who he is.]

[The alcohol is appealing, but Aleph's more interested in the dancing. He's masked, of course, and offering a dance to anyone who approaches him - there's no way he can tell who's who and he doesn't feel like bothering.

If anyone can tell who he is by the fabulousness of his dancing then props to them.]

Edited 2013-05-27 23:35 (UTC)

[It's not your average sort of deal. The invitation with it's careful and vague layers hinting at something yet unknowable. The meaning here, is confusing. Had it been given to him back in the game, he'd have understood it. Dave descends the tower staircase and the moment he steps off, a mask appears on his face. It matches his red gear shirt, while the black suits his jacket and pants.

He scans all the masked people about him, aware that any of them could be recognizable, but none are.] Great way to make it all confusing on top of cryptic.

[He steps forward, intending on stepping into the crowd with his hands in his pockets.]

[Luke hadn't ever set foot on this floor before, though he'd briefly poked his head in to check it out a couple times. So the sudden appearance of a mask was a bit weird and surprising, as was the inability to tell anyone apart. He's taken it off a couple times since he arrived, briefly, not knowing it's made him not-anonymous.

He can be found on the sidelines, either hanging around the refreshments table or on the sidelines, watching the crowd and trying to figure out if anyone he knows is there. Dancing isn't an entirely foreign concept to him, but he's not going to voluntarily seek anyone out to dance with. ~~But feel free to grab him and drag him onto the floor.~~]

Edited 2013-05-28 00:59 (UTC)

[The ball is a welcome distraction from mulling over what had happened to him the day before, and then the fact he had woken up as if it had never occurred. Dressed in his fall-colored coat and robes, they were matched nicely by the wood-toned bird like mask that the floor had given him upon stepping out into it.

Weaving through the crowd to the refreshment table with an ease born of much practice, he claimed a glass of wine from it and turned to observe the room from a place near a wall not too far from the table.

Given time to deal with overcoming the headache that had been steadily growing since his waking, he will leave the wall to mingle among the people present, and seek to properly enjoy himself at this ball.]

[ The second officer of the USS Enterprise could not have missed this. Not only was his curiosity picked, but maybe something interesting could be learnt and he was quite fond of these kind of gatherings humans appreciated so much.

Data was obviously masked as everyone else, even though his mask was of a somewhat older design. Data could be found walking around, with much interest particularly granted to the dancers. Maybe he should make efforts to become a better dancer himself. ]

[ A huge figure in white robes and wearing a massive wolf mask http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/001/b/d/wolf_mask_by_afiriti-d31zdg7.jpg stands just below the stairs, his expression well concealed behind the fairly elaborate affair. He seems... aloof, and quiet. The silent wolf is inclined simply just to wait. ]

Edited 2013-05-28 00:43 (UTC)

[ Mysterious gathering obviously meant to protect secrecy? That was something Ganondorf had to attend no matter the cost, and he would walk in right as most of the others people were coming in.

The King of Evil was wearing a mask that ensured none could recognize his, alas, infamous face. However, as he was one of the tallest if not the tallest resident of the tower, before attending this reunion he had tried to slightly shift his general build using magic (miserably, really not his sort of magic), but at least he appeared of a much more average size.

The Evil Overlord would walk throughout the room and sometimes stop by the buffet, acting as any other normal person in this room and even being courteous. ]

[Riku has to admit, he doesn't like the feeling of this room - the fact that apart of the tower's general feel, the only thing he can 'smell' is an unrecognizable blur of everything and nothing at all. Being down a sense (involuntarily that is) - especially this sense - always has a way of putting him into a tense mood, even though he suspects that whoever had called for this party meant him no ill will.

In the end it isn't really like he can do anything about it, so he'll just have to work with what he has, and that are still five sense left all.

As his usual for this gatherings, he has settled back against the wall in a more quiet spot, sea-green eyes searching for familiar faces, or well... otherwise recognizable clues from beneath his black-silver mask.

...Though. Maybe with this kind of set up actively participating in the mingling might work a little better after all, he thinks after a while, sighing as he reaches up to rub the bridge of his nose before he moves back into the crowd.

Oh well. As long as nobody asks him to dance...]

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Feel free to cut in! Replies can come from Anise, Ion, or both - just specify which you prefer. c:

[WALTZ OF THE MINDSNOOPS - Asch and Sheba]

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