Blanche stumbled upon the secluded area holding a flower a stranger gave her. She didn't see the person's face - obviously -, and everyone wore ruffles and dashing outfits, she couldn't make out who was it exactly, but she had a feeling the person headed that way. The flower had a note: "meet me by the western salon's balcony doors." No signature.

She wondered if the flower and note were indeed for her, or if the person had mistaken her for someone else?

Either way, she headed that way. If she met the stranger, she could ask them what it was all about, or give them back the items if they were intended to someone else.

((Hi group!!! LONG time no see! Former Sui Leroux here .o/ I figured since I was away for literally YEARS, it was pointless to bring Sui back, but let's have a spin with another character, shall we? ^^ <3 thanks so much for smailing <3 ))

"Oh, not at all!" To tell the truth, El wasn't really the best ballroom dancer herself. Not really something that came up all that often in the Underground. But she didn't second-guess her steps, at least, and even when she made a wrong move, she just smiled and laughed and kept going. No reason not to have a good attitude about it, after all. The rabbit-thing seemed corporeal enough, though the pair seemed to always know exactly where the other was going to step. Necromancy! It does the weirdest things!

The compliment on her outfit got a real, bright beam of a grin from her. "Thank you, I, uh, I made it myself! Seamstress. Never made anything this elaborate for myself before!" And she was clearly proud of it. "You look very dashing too. Very Byronic. Uh. I'm El. I just kind of defeated the purpose of a masquerade. But this mask doesn't really hide anything anyways, so!"

Hikaru turned up unfashionably late. Of all days he had to get late on this very day? He contacted Shy before the appointed time, letting her know he'd be late but he'd definitely[/id] be there. Hikaru would look for her in the crowd, as he did when they first met.

He rushed to the main salon and before he een made it, he found himself overwhelmed by the sea of faces around him. He'd never seen anything like that in his life. Even the textiles - they were not in short in Shengui Guo, but such textures and different styles and seams and appliqués and ornaments... it all made him positively baffled.

When he finally made it to the Grand Salon, it was no better. He looked around for Shylarah, and even got whisked by some ladies - and [i]gents! That was a first! - for a dance. When the last stranger parted with him and gave him trinkets, he caught a glimpse of his fairy friend with two gentlemen. He did not wish to interupt, but he headed there anyway.

At the appropriate moment, he cut in and nodded to the men "Gentlemen," and turned to her "Good evening, miss Shy,"and bowed to her in his typical, almost stiff Shengui Guo way.

((Hi!! Shy, soooo sorry I vanished! Already smailed you about it!

To everyone else this is good old Eric Leroux! Same as Sui, since it's been years of no-show on my part (our part?), I figured I'd show up with another character, he's my current HA))

( And everyone )

Sorn kept a look out for Ven. The last masquerade he'd felt a kinship towards the other man and was hoping to chat with him. He focused his eyes back on Garrin.

"Ah, yes you like my attire. The trousers are made of silk. Though I am sure you would prefer me in less. Well, I know you are alive and shall lament. I do not know how such a puny human can remain standing... I suppose you were good in the last battle we had. You helped save my life so I suppose I should give you a tiny bit of credit." He flashed where the wound was. "No marks upon my body at all. How did you fair?" He frowned a moment and then added, "I have not been able to understand what the writing says on this card." He sighed. "I suppose we must resume some lessons."

(( Oh, I'd forgotten I was considering letting Shy improve at English. So...uh...she probably spoke better at their first meeting than I portrayed. She is also making a special effort for Masque, so there's that too.

I think I forgot how fast everyone here moved. ^.^;; ))

Shy beamed beneath her mask, and returned the bow. "I practice -- practiced -- a lot." She was disappointed to hear Kasiya would not be attending, but he'd warned her that might be the case. "Tell your brother I said hello. And Saintzer, if you see him -- or ask Kasiya to tell him."

Platina introduced his friend, and she let Orion take her hand and kiss it. He was odd too, though she couldn't tell anything beyond that. She might've asked, but instead someone else approached her

"Hikaru!" Her grin widened, and she bowed back, copying his style. "Meet Platina and Orion. Platina is one of ones I mentioned. Orion, he is new. This is Genji Hikaru from Shengui Guo. His first Masquerade also."

((I cannot focus enough to write more than this right now.))

"Well, I am glad you can rejoice a teeny bit in m being alive." The ballroom suddenly erupted in sporadic applause and chatting as a quick waltz came to an end. Soon another song was begun by the small orchestra and dancers were again crowing the dance floor.

Pulling a face Garrin lifted the sleeve of his shirt to show the edge of one of his scars. "I've got scars on my arm and upper chest here but that is it." He shrugged and his smile faded a bit as he looked at Sorn's dance card. "You know this dance card is mostly empty, but it says Jean here on the top line. That means Jean has signed up to dance with you." Quickly looking around the room, Garrin scanned for Jean. "I don't see her, is she still here?" he asked Sorn not really expecting an answer.

"As much as Kasiya pretends to have a heart of stone, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that from you," Platina told Shylarah with a wink. "Saintzer will too. I'm glad you still think of them."

Orion let go of Shylarah's hand to incline his head to the newcomer. His eyes raked over the man, taking in the richness of his clothing. "It's a pleasure, Hikaru." He smiled at Hikaru as a few strands of white hair slipped over his right eye. The smile alone offered a slight sensuality to the situation.

"Nice to meet you," Platina agreed with a smile and offered a handshake. "I should drop by Shengui Guo soon. It's been a long time."

ooc/ Is anybody free?

bic/ Goldy finished her dance with the stranger, awkwardly curtsying before fleeing once again to the refreshments, her companion finding her soon after. "That was rough." she told it, scratching it under the chin and offering it some smoked salmon. Her eyes wandering over the crowd, nibbling over snacks.

(( you can try Sorn if you want.))

"Well, you do amuse me," Sorn replied with a smirk. "Perhaps we can rid you of those scars with a healer?" Surely Garrin was pulling his leg. He doubted very much Jean wanted to dance with him and he was just handed the card. How could anyone have signed it? "I have not seen her." He sighed. Surely she wasn't friends with him and only told him that for whatever reason.

I'll give it a go

bic/ Goldy's eyes continued to scan the area, she took awhile, gathering courage to dance took time. Her companion, Tanwen, grew bored of the sitting and scampered off to investigate a sword that had an interesting smell. "Tanny get back here!" she hissed, doing her best to weave through the Masquerade goers. Tanwen planted her paws rather unpolitely on a dark elf's legs, her nose twitching excitedly at the sheath.

"I'm so sorry, she doesn't normally do this." Goldy apologized as soon as she got close enough, scooping up the offending companion in her arms. As if it had done nothing wrong it licked her cheek. "It won't happen again." she cursied politely hoping the poor man wouldn't be upset.

Sorn gave the creature a look of disdain. "At least it did not mark my clothing," Sorn said. He gave her a glance up and down, attempting to sum her up.

Goldy blushed a deep red, unsure how to proceed. Gathering some courage she stared back into his eyes, doing her best to ignore the blush appearing on her cheeks. "She's not that sort of kitsune. She usually has manners." she managed to get out, her voice barely wavering and with a touch of anger, she felt the need to defend her companion, being in this sort of situation was unfamiliar to the both of them but the costumes and food were to die for. The doe-speckled woman stood up straighter, still maintaining eye contact, almost challenging him to argue or insult Tanwen again, but she wasn't that confident to do something like that.

"I see," Sorn replied, "well it was likely attracted to the blade. I can hardly find fault with that." He shrugged. "I shall not hurt the creature for merely touching me, if that is your concern."

"You would be correct, your, uh, pants seem to be rather expensive." she got out, relaxing slightly and letting Tanwen out of her grip. She settled on Goldy's toes like she belonged there. The pattern on the pants seemed very finely made. 'Gods, you're so bad at conversation. Who talks about pants?' she thought to herself, her eyes breaking contact to watch the dancers again.

"They are," Sorn replied. Sorn wasn't used to socialising so was not sure what was required or expect of him. "Did you want something?" he asked bluntly.

Hikaru was glad Shy hadn't been alone for long, and had found such exquisite company. He was intrigued to think so, but he found the men to be as beautiful as he'd considered women. Funny enough, his best friend in Shengui Guo once told him Hikaru himself looked as beautiful as a lady, and the thought made him smile.

"Delighted to make your acquaintance," he said to both men, and turned back to Shy "I am terribly sorry I was delayed. But I'm glad to see you had company." Although he sounded very refined and was clearly as much a dedicated student as Shy was, he still noticeably struggled with some words, specially the Ls pronunciation, which faintly resembled very soft Rs.

Turning back to Platina, he showed intrest, "So, you have visited my homeland? It's been quite a while since I've last been there myself. I've been on the mainland for... two years and a few months now."

Orion's sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement, made by a tailed fox. He arched a brow when the fox made its way to the dark-skinned elf. The fox's companion soon caught up and they seemed to have a bit of a spat. Orion gently touched Shylarah's elbow. "Please excuse me." He set his empty glass down on the table and made his way over to where Sorn was. To attempt to diffuse the situation when he didn't know either people was going to be tricky. Upon reaching the two, he first turned to the dark-skinned elf with an unassuming smile. "May I have a dance?" Perhaps he felt a bit of a kinship with the elf; he had a similar aura to the man. A sort of cold, untouchable aura. It was unusual for him to find someone like that.

Platina watched Orion go curiously before he returned his attention to Hikaru, smiling. "I remember it being quite beautiful. I'm afraid I haven't been back in possibly 3 years or so. In any case, it's been a long time. I'm sure you've visited Shengui Guo, Shylarah?" he prompted the fairy girl as he swirled the leftover contents of his glass.

(( you two should stick your avatars somewhere in your posts, so newcomers still have a reference. You can put them in your forumset, if it's easier that way.))

"Will write them letters, after Masquerade," Shy promised Platina. "And don't worry, Hikaru. Masque is never lonely."

Orion left their little group, heading over to someone she'd at least met in passing last year. She remembered the dark elf because he wore as little as Devin.

"Hm? Ah, yes! I go -- went -- a few times. Is very different from Centropolis and Riverside."

The stir caused by Sorn's entrance did not go entirely overlooked, but Jean let the drow be for the moment -- especially as she saw Garrin approach him. She'd catch a dance with him later -- and he seemed to be enjoying himself, if only because he was causing a bit of a stir. The kitsune was cause for momentary alarm, but perhaps Coda had made enough of an impression that the situation was merely tense. And then a man in near-monochrome joined the small group, and she had to hide a smile. Yes, Sorn would be fine for the moment.

(( ...someone needs to capture my muse and make her behave. x.x))

"Not particularly, I'm not-" Goldy stopped talking as a new dancer appeared, offering to take the dark elf to dance. She paused and looked away, deciding it would be better to leave them be than to continue with the social awkwardness. Instead of waiting around she went back to the food, looking for more delicious appetizers.

()

Kia couldn't help but laugh sweetly at Lucas' discomfort. "Sorry, I think it was a good idea to get away from Archer for a moment before I ripped his mask off to tweak his nose," she laughed as she wrinkled up hers as they spun around the floor. "Besides, might as well work up a thirst or something."

Back at hte table, Archer scanned the crowd as well, seeing a few masks he knew from before he met Kai and would work the ball. He looked back at Kai with a bemused smile and nodded. "Yes, but I think you've been saying that about almost everything since we got married," Archer teased but gave Kai's hand a warm squeeze. "See any of your friends?"