((Y'all know what time it is? time! Tradition says character avatar should be worn or included in post, or as forumset image. Be nice to the players. Focus is on social interaction -- violence is discouraged (but watch out for Boudewijn!) Feel free to drag ping friends. This rp may go beyond the end of Masquerade, though invariably we start losing people at that point. Still, if there's folks still interested, I will most likely stick around!

(just because!) (as promised) (likewise, and bring with you?) ...did I forget anyone?

you kinda vanished but I can have shy turn up with Hikaru, if that's convenient. Or not -- I don't want to leave her out of the game for too long.

On with the show!))

Jean adjusted her mask and made sure the goggles atop her head were sitting right before entering the Ziaran ballroom. She'd come to love the Masquerade, and the combination of elaborate dress and formal dancing. She wondered, very briefly, just how much trouble she'd get in for convincing the band to play the Electric Slide, and set the thought aside. She'd reconsider if things grew terribly dull, but the odds of it being necessary were low. Even if it would be good fun.

For now, she was trying to locate more-or-less familiar people. In particular, she wanted to be sure that Quercus wasn't overwhelmed if the ranger decided to show. The ballroom wasn't exactly crowded, but that was by a suburbanite's standards. Then again, the woman had done fine in Crystania, and that was the same kind of feel, most of the time. Either way, Jean would feel guilty if she didn't at least make the effort.

Of course, the real fun was finding a specific person in the crowd of masks, particularly if one wasn't certain that person was present.

( ? Do you think Ven might be able to join us?)

Quercus gazed about her and adjusted her mask. It was a strange feeling to hide your face from others. 'But am I really hiding?' She thought. A glance at her outfit showed her skin tone of rainbow patches across midnight hues hadn't changed. Her hair, a mix of vibrant orange with vines, living plants connected to her, fell across her face. She shoved it back, away from the delicate mask she was currently wearing. When she had first been invited she'd thought to dress in some of the fashions from her homeland. Until she'd been told that clothes made from natural things like leaves weren't really the right thing to wear. The result was her borrowed gown though she did own her mask. The blue with butterflies reminded her of the spring time back home when everything was coming alive. It was a contrast to her current surroundings. A brilliant room of glorious crystals, lights and views of the city and stars offered a beautiful space to dance in. The band played strange lilting melodies that she found quite restful but not something she'd dance to. People danced with one another, dressed in strange outlandish clothes which seemed to involve a lot of metal. Her thoughts turned to Crystania, the designers were similar but still strange. Of course the main difference was the lack of her companions. Tipper and Star had been left behind for this. A ball room was no place for a fox or a song bird. Without them, Quercus felt as if part of her was missing. She hadn't been without them since she had left on her quest and she was finding it harder as a result. 'I'm fine.' She thought to herself. Though she was finding it a little worrying that one of the gifts for sale referenced how long it had been since the last accident or murder. She turned to move through the crowd in search of something she could relate to. 'I don't know these dances, this place or these people. How do I go about this?' Outfit Not Found

((Wow it's been a while. <3 ))

The usual grandeur of the ballroom was something to behold, especially after a period of absence. The swirling colors of the other guests, gaudy or subtle masks on each face. The music was punctuated with laughter and the low murmur of conversation rippled throughout. Delicious scents of food wafted around the ballroom, not pungent enough to overpower a woman's perfume, but still noticeable. The incredible sky and glimpses of the planet below could be seen through the skylights and windows of the ballroom.

Very pretty, Orion thought to himself as he turned his head. He took in every person there, each subtle swish of silks, the different tones of voices and of laughter. It was something he hadn't had the pleasure of partaking in for a long while. A gentle touch at his elbow caused him to turn. He came face-to-face with a violet-eyed angel.

Platina smiled at him. "I don't think I've seen you around before. First time at the Masquerade?"

"Is it that obvious?" Orion asked with a subtle, flirtatious smile. "My name is Orion. You're welcome to call me as such."

Platina laughed. "Perhaps a bit. But it's always breathtaking to me too. Call me Platina, Orion. It's a pleasure. Come this way." He slipped his arm through Orion's and lead him through the room. "It's been forever since I've been here, but I'm glad I came back."

"Oh? Well I'm flattered I'd be the first you'd choose." Orion winked at Platina through his mask and he was pleased to see a tinge of pink under the angel's mask.

(( AAH YOU MADE IT! tackles I was definitely hoping would bring Venom, and I'm sure agrees, if she's about. Although Cheshire has a TON of chars... Quercus looks gorgeous. Love what you did for her arms. And you'd be surprised how many animals show up to the ball....I guess Jean forgot to mention that. Oops!))

She shouldn't have worried. Even with Quercus in a mask, Jean managed to spot her without too much trouble. It helped that the ranger was just arriving -- and of course Sihr's senses helped too.

Quercus! The faeling leaped off Jean's shoulder and arrowed over to the other woman. She inspected the fake butterfly with interest. You made it! Though she was usually painfully shy, Quercus was a good friend, and Sihr was more than comfortable clinging to the vines woven through the ranger's hair.

"And you look great," Jean added as she caught up, holding out a hand to shake in greeting. "Don't worry. I expect several of the people I know to come, and most won't give you a hard time if you don't know all the steps. Everyone has to learn at some point, right?" She tilted her head towards the Lounge. "But if you'd like to watch before you jump in, they've some delicious fruit dishes this year. My treat."

((Hey guys <3 Super hella busy so I can't say how great or frequent my replies will be; that this and the local convention have to hit at the same time every year hurts me inside))

Every year the Masquerade came and went. Some years were more eventful than others, but each year was just as enjoyable. Kai smoothed down his aqua blue waistcoat and nodded a thank-you to the driver while Archer ensured the man was properly paid. Looking up at the grand double doors, Kai was struck momentarily by the giddy, childish desire to run up the steps and right inside. The familiar flutter of excited butterflies brushed his insides and he grinned. "In we go," he said to Archer as the man joined him. Kai secured his mask and reached over to straighten Archer's before taking his hand.

Kai still wore the amethyst ring that bore his family's crest, but since the last Masquerade he'd added a very simple band of metal to a different finger. His fingers found and traced the matching one Archer wore as they walked sedately up to the doors and were admitted into the building. The wave of sound and scents broke over them, the ballroom already awash in a riot of colors as attendees danced and mingled. With his smile nearly a permanent fixture on his face, Kai shot Archer another glance and then led the way through the crowd toward the lounge where they could take better stock without blocking the entrance.

(( Sorn wants Ven to come XD)) ((care to come?))

Sorn glided in the room like he was walking on air. He was holding what looked like a demonic sword. It flashed red every so often with veins. He slid the sword in his sheath that was hidden on his back. His torso was only adorned with glittering golden beads. The dark elf glanced around for anyone he knew. He had been going through a lot lately and was hoping for a familiar face to stave off the loneliness.

((yeah and I are stupid crazy busy, but we can at least establish our kids there and after next weekend we might actually be able to do things))

Archer gave Kai a bright, mischievous smile before letting go of his hand and offering his arm instead as they went up the stairs to the ball room. He could barely take his eyes off Kai, loving teh joy that appeared in his eyes as Kai spotted the ballroom and the sights it held. He paused and glanced over his shoulder at Kai's sister Kia and her fiance, Lucas. "Come a long you two, or Is your headdress going to not fit through the doorway Kia?" He winked at her before looking back at Kai.

Kia rolled her eyes at Archer. "Ha. Ha. Archer you realize that now that you're my brother it just gives me more of a right to kick your backside, correct?" She sighs but gives Lucas a bright smile as they join the others in the ballroom. She takes a deep breath as her smile widens and she drags Lucas with out immediately out to the ballroom floor to dance.

ooc/ I missed this rp!

Goldy hovered at the edge of the dance floor, determined to dance this year. Her companion leaned against her leg for emotional support, although it had no intention of following her further. She recognized some familiar faces, although she rarely spoke to them. "I should just go snack on things like I usually do." she muttered to herself, waiting for a break in song to enter the dance floor. The people dancing intimidated her, all of their bright colors and swirling masks. In previous years she'd gone for mysterious but for whatever reason this year she'd convinced herself it wouldn't be fun and to actually don a dress and fancy mask rather than a hood and a simple mask to cover her identity.

The music paused for a brief moment, entering into a bright tune, her companion nudged her then walked away. "Chicken." she teased before straightening into a more proper posture and stepping onto the floor, doing her best to pick up on the pattern and rhythm of the song.

Orion's eye caught sight of a rather exotic individual with dark skin. He gently patted Platina's hand and nodded to the aforementioned. "Someone you know?"

Platina turned his head, his honey-blonde ponytail slipping over his shoulder. "I don't believe so. But it has been a while." He did, however, recognize three individuals he would rather avoid for the rest of his life. "Oh, I think his name is Sorn if I remember correctly."

"Sorn," Orion echoed, tasting the name on his tongue and nodding to himself. Another not-so-human being then. He smiled to himself, his pale blue eyes glittering. "Anyone else you recognize?"

"No."

Orion could feel the lie on the air, even as the angel tugged him towards the refreshment table. The ballroom was packed with tons of people, some more brilliantly colored than others. It was really quite fascinating. Orion allowed himself to be pulled towards the table where Platina ordered some drinks and handed over a small handful of trinkets. The white-haired male touched his empty money pouch, pressed his hand to it, and it filled itself. Satisfied, he removed his hand again.

(( )) Garrin had been on the dance floor with a pretty round faced brunette before finding a table and sitting down at it. He pulled a tiny reading book out from a hidden compartment in his boot and pretended to read from it. He was not tired really, he just seemed to have a lack of dance partners at the moment. The last one had commandeered his time so that his dancing card had her name scrawled across it for the past 4 dances in a row. She was a lovely woman with large round brown eyes and lips the color of cherries. She'd given him a big kiss on the cheek at their last parting, promising him more dances to come. As Garrin wiped the red stain off his cheek he heard a few women near him gasp in shock. He looked up to see the source, expecting to see someone swooning on the dance floor when he saw him. Sorn had just arrived. Laughing softly at the scene, Garrin noticed that many people had taken an involuntary step back, while others danced on pretending not to notice Sorn's flamboyant entrance into the hall.

The dark elf stood there in his semi-naked glittering glory casting what looked to be angry glances around the room. Surely the dark elf did not mean to look so stand-offish but he had accomplished just that. Garrin quickly closed his dance card and stowed his tiny rescue reading book back into the compartment in his boot before standing and walking quickly to greet Sorn.

"Hey! How're you doing Sorn, my friend?" Garrin's words were punctuated with a friendly slap on the back.

Sorn wasn't able to hear the conversation the duo was having despite his keen hearing. There was too much noise to pick out many voices in the din, let alone the conversation itself. He glanced at the pair with intrigue as they headed to the concessions. Just as he was contemplating moving toward them and attempting his unique socialisation skills, another man approached him.

The dark elf growled. "I was looking for someone I liked," he said gruffly, "too bad you found me, Gwyndolen. I am well enough I suppose. You look like you are too... at least you have not died yet. Much to my dismay. I received your letters with the inane babble. How could you possibly expect me to read it is beyond me. Were we not still on the basics?"

(( pushes Ven in ignoring his grumbles lol ))

A lean man dressed in dark attire lingered wearily outside the ladies powder room. His rigid posture not entirely out of place here among the fancy folk, but it was not his status that caused him to carry himself in such a way. A very pale complexion almost glowing in stark contrast to his dark eyes and choice of clothing invited a few awkward glances. But thankfully no one had been inclined to speak with him. Perhaps it was the placid look of general distaste he wore, or the uncomfortable way he shifted inside his clothes occasionally tugging at the collar of his buttoned shirt.

()

"Oh yes, my fine dressed friend," Garrin's eyes twinkled with genuine pleasure at having spotted Sorn on the dance floor. "We were on the basics but I figured you could do with a letter from me even if you could not read it. You know why?" He did not pause for the drow to answer but continued on while causally glancing around the room and angling so his back was to the girl who'd been hounding him for dances for the past half hour. "Because I knew you would forget that I was -- alive."

He wanted to say the word friend instead of alive, knowing that Sorn would probably have been trying to disown his newfound feelings of friendship towards the 'weakling human Garrin' or even his friend Jean, but did not want to push his luck.

(idk if anyone remembers me, I kind of just tend to lurk around the ball! Gonna try and actually Do Stuff this time! Hello! Bothering specifically in this post, hope that's cool.)

It was always a change, coming from Underground to the city of glittering lights, but it was a change that El always looked forward to. She actually managed to look... elegant, this time around, with fancy frills and gleaming silks, for once shrugging off the grunge of her usual aesthetic.

Still, you could take the girl out of the zombie den, but you couldn't take the zombie den out of the girl. Dark stitches still rose from her collarbone and cheek, neat but noticeable. Undeath gave her a signature sickly pallor, and the smell of flowery perfume couldn't quite mask the ever-present stench of formaldehyde and grave dirt. And then there was the... less-than-fleshy companion at her heels, its bony face twitching as it caught the scents of the ball.

But hey, El never let her "condition" get her down. There was no hiding it, so she didn't even try. Instead, she swished through the crowd, pale eyes picking out the grumpiest person she could find.

"Dance with me?" She asked, grinning broadly at the figure in black. Why not? Worst thing he could do was say no.

( )

Lucas wasn't as comfortable with all the pomp and grandeur as the other three, but there was still plenty to enjoy at the Masquerade. He'd barely taken a good look around to get situated before he was being pulled onto the polished dance floor. "Kia!" he exclaimed, half-laughing. "I thought you wanted to get a drink first?" Though he wasn't as graceful as others on the floor, his dancing had improved since the year they'd met. They may have practiced in the off-season.

While Kia dragged her fiance off to dance, Kai picked the group of them a table for use whenever they needed a break from dancing. A few of the people around looked familiar - there was at least one who Kai was reasonably certain he knew - but he didn't want to interrupt. "I've been looking forward to this. It feels... the same, but different. Do you know what I mean?" While Kai's gaze remained mostly on Archer, it also drifted in the effort of looking for people he recognized. It was a little surprising to not see one in particular... or at least her begging cat.

The first thing he noticed was the scent. Even here, mixed in with the perfumes and foods the smell of death was unmistakable. “Well, don’t be rude. She asked you to dance.” A soft voice sounded from behind the man as he was nudged forward. He didn’t like the tone, but she had been in a foul sort of mood for a while now. No doubt seeing him uncomfortable on the dance floor would put a smile back on her face. Ven acquiesced letting out a sigh. “Very well.” He held out a hand to the lady who had asked as was customary. Giving only a slight glance down toward the strange creature at her heels. ( ~ also welcome back! )

Stepping around the man, a much shorter lady with multicolored hair and a flat smile emerged fully from the powder room. “I’ll be in the Lounge.” She hardly gave them a second glance as she turned and headed away.

((! Good to have you. snugs I've missed everyone here too. Hey , I think I remember you. More from Morostide than Masque, I think. waves Ahaha, and El went for Ven. This should be amusing. <3 AAAH IS THAT LIANA?! Woo!))

((lessee. yeah, I've no idea where is, but I'm gonna guess Quercus and Jean head over to Ven, or maybe Sorn/Gavin -- or one of those worthies heads for the ladies. So let's throw Shy at Orion and Platina, shall we~?))

Shylarah had no qualms about taking the steps at a swift pace, using one hand to lift her gauzy skirt just enough to keep from stepping on the hem. She'd found clothing that reminded her of mist and smoke this year, just the right color to match her unusual and inhumanly-large eyes. She'd picked a mask that echoed the shape of her wings when she spread them fully, but for the moment they hung down her back in a gleaming drapery of irridescence.

The press of so many people always took a little time to get used to, so she skirted the edges of the dance floor and used trinkets from the year before to purchase a juice drink. She sipped it as she looked around, casting about for people she knew. One in particular immediately jumped out at her. The wings alone made Platina distinctive. A smile spread across her face as she made her way over.

"Hello Platina. How are you?" She'd made a dedicated effort over the past year to improve her grammar and it showed. She still had work to do, but it was a process -- and a slow one. Her pronunciation too had improved, though she'd never lose the lyrical accent that clung to her words.

Hesitation curled in El's posture at the exchange between the uncomfortable-looking man and his lady friend. The fact that she didn't seem to be the one doing anything wrong was a small comfort, at least. She took the man's hand and joined the dance, unable to keep a nervous grin from pulling at her cheeks.

"Everything alright?"

The partially-skeletal rabbit curled around her feed, disappearing periodically in the mass of lace and silk. Somehow, she managed not to trip over the thing. She barely seemed to notice.

"Oh, here's a familiar face," Platina said with a smile as he saw a bejeweled young lady with a butterfly mask approach. He swept a graceful bow and Orion inclined his head regally. "Shylarah, dear lady, it's been ages. Your pronunciation has improved by leaps and bounds, I see. Ah, and my brother passes on his regrets for being unable to make it this year. It seems other duties are keeping him away."

Orion trailed his gaze over the girl. A fairy, perhaps? Those large eyes and unmistakable wings were giveaways. He wondered if she could sense what he was... or rather, what he used to be. He smiled at her, and Platina gestured to him. "Shylarah, meet Orion. He's a newcomer of sorts. Orion, this is Shylarah. She's a friend of mine and of my brother's."

"It's a pleasure," Orion murmured in his gentle yet confident tone as he offered her a hand with a smile.

“Quite alright.” His tone was deep, but not unkind. His hands were rough to the touch, well callused and tipped in small black nails that pointed like claws. “Forgive me, I’m not a very good dancer.” His dance partner however seemed to have everything under control. Even managing to never step on her small companion when it darted in and out of view. Perhaps it was a familiar of hers and couldn’t actually be touched, Ven wouldn’t know as he had no great perception of magic. Really the only thing he was concerned about not stepping on was his partners toes. Hopefully she couldn’t sense the sweat he felt building on his brow.

Once or twice around the floor and he was starting to find the proper footing. Recalling the past year when he had a lesson or two, it was beginning to come back. Albeit more sloppily than he would have liked. Again the smell of death was lingering around them as they twirled. He found himself watching his partner curiously. Were the stitches on her collar real or a costume prop? The nature of the party made it impossible to say for sure without outright asking, and Ven was not so uncouth as to blurt out every wandering thought he had. “Your costume is lovely.” He had overhead other persons exchanging such compliments and decided it was better than personal questions. (( ))