Masquerade Mingle

[thespaceopera]

[The night has finally come--the Gravity Rush is nearly upon us! What normally serves as a large performance hall has been gutted, emptied of its boring furniture and rigged up into a fantastical mismatch of technology and old culture. No matter where you go tonight, you're encouraged to move around, dance, play games, whatever helps you sleep in late tomorrow morning.

If you aren't one for scurrying around a ballroom all night, there's always plenty of people-watching to do. After all, so many people are wearing extravagant costumes and elaborate masks. How can you even tell who is who? Get lost in a crowd of sequins, chatter with a sun and a moon, or try to beat the guy in the monster-mask at a game of cards. Meet your friends or make some new ones--this masquerade party has begun!]


[[ooc: All sections are up now, have fun! A related ooc post is HERE for any questions or plotting you'd like to do.]]

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THE BALLROOM

[thespaceopera]

[This performance hall is part of an old, historic building. Dating back to a time before the persistent grime and pollution, the wooden floor has seen the shuffling of many feet during its life. Now, the old hall has been dressed up for the celebration, draped in expensive geometric tapestries and glittering garland. The ceiling has been rigged up with a digital display screen, making it look as though a colorful nebula is swirling gently above the crowd. A large, antique chandelier in the middle catches its light, refracting it back in fleeting little rainbows all over the room.

Guests who walk in may find themselves swept up in a sea of costumed people--natives in all kinds of strange outfits are dancing, mingling, and moving from one end of the hall to the other. A live band is playing a range of classical and more fast-paced, electric beats, which means the dance of the moment may be anything from a slow waltz to bouncing along with the crowd near the musicians.

For those who aren't really interested (or for anyone who needs a break), there are comfortable chairs and couches grouped together along the far wall of the ballroom. Whether you're lounging around with your friends or just trying to escape the crowd, a friendly server may come by to offer you some filtered water or a tiny cheese snack.]

[passingthrough]

[There's a lot to enjoy tonight from the costumes to the refreshments, but Kitty came to dance! You might see her with her date, Winn, but she will definitely take breaks to find others who need to take a turn on the floor with her. She might even just pull you out there with her if you're not careful.

Winn made her a dark blue dress with an open back and a slit up the leg and she purchased an open-style metal mask to go with it. She's not really much for disguises or hiding herself. Her hair is looking more styled than it ever has as it falls in soft waves while part of it has been pulled back in an a loose braided pattern.]

[precedented]

[ Leto languidly strolls into the ballroom. This was his element and it shows in his posture and his stance. Dressed in leathers and a delicate filigree mask over his features. Nothing will disguise or hide the wormskin and it merits a few curious and disgusted stares, but Leto glides by with nary a care. His only concession to his time on Aather was a small black choker with a red stone fixed in the middle.

He likes the idea of the dance. Banter, secrets and the intrigue was often shared on the floor. It would have been nice to take Sable here, he briefly thinks with a pang. But such regrets are empty. ]

Wrath

[pain_train]

[Wrath's gotten to go to a dance like this before, back home. She's excited about finding a good costume, but since she went as a sunset last time, she doesn't want to do that again. Not that anyone here would know, but she'd know. So instead, she's gone with something a little more unexpected but still in keeping with her personality, atop a thing that's can't seem to decide if it's armor or a dress.

It's not pink. She might be hard to recognize for that reason, and because she's also temporarily dyed her hair black for the occasion. (Her smile totally gives her away, though.)

But she's there for all the dorks like her who don't have dates, and she's having a great time people watching. (She's not really allowed to dance much, herself.) But she can sit in a chair and sway to the music, and still have a high old time.]

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka looks around excitedly as she enters, head turning this way and that like a child at a fair.]

You know, I've stood guard at these types of events before, but I never thought I'd get to be a guest at one...!

[She's wearing a high necked red dress reminiscent of her usual outfit, only this one falls to the floor and has some fancy lacing up the front, and her leather vambraces have been swapped for gold ones. She wears a cute black and gold cat mask over her face, though with her orange skin and giant striped horns, it's not much of a disguise. Unfortunately, being the only Togruta passenger in the fleet means it's laughably easy to spot her anywhere she goes, masked or not.]

[bryces_pup]

[Once upon a time, Riona would have rolled her eyes and grumbled about coming to this. But after having spent months in the wilderness, fighting all sorts of things and camping outside and not having even touched a dress in all that time... well, suddenly a party seems pretty great.

This whole shingding smacks of Orlais, but given that these people aren't actually Orlesian, she's willing to let it slide. For tonight's festivities, Riona can be found in a lovely ballgown, her only jewelry being a simple chain with a ring hanging on it. She managed to find a nice mask to go with it, and thanks to hands much more talented than hers, she's sporting quite the hair-do.

Riona can be found just about anywhere tonight, though she'll mostly be seen in the ballroom, mingling with people or dragging friends out to dance with her. Perhaps literally, in some cases. Occasionally, though, she'll be taking a breather on one of the chairs, if you feel safer approaching her there, where she's less likely to sucker you into a dance.]

[child_of_bhaal]

Syeira has never actually been to a real ball. It may actually show in the way she wanders, taking all the sights in, half dazzled by all the costumes. Her own is practically straight out of a fantasy, black, dusky blue and silver, and reminiscent of a black bird. A raven to be specific. Her mask is not a mask, but a painted design that highlights her features, accented with red to help her hair not seem utterly out of place with her costume. And on her feet are what will seem to be shoes to most everyone, unless they look very closely.

JIM KIRK

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ He had felt well enough to come down and enjoy the festivities (of course a doctor might have disagreed with this self diagnosis, but he was notorious for not listening to them anyways). Besides, he wanted to do something fun that didn't involve potentially falling in mud, and a part - especially a masked party screamed of fun.

Plus there was dancing. He hadn't done that in quite awhile, and it suddenly sounded like a a lot of fun.

He came dressed in a simple harlequin mask and a tastefully subtle suit. He was one for being flashy in his actions, not his dress. Besides, he liked the cut of it and he hadn't been to expensive. All wins.

He didn't particularly come with anyone, and even if he had, he would still be as happy to dance with anyone as he was now. He flashes winks and charming smiles, ready to hit the dance floor. ]</sub>

Vima Sunrider

[tobeajedi]

[It's been kind of a rough time for Vima lately, what with her mother being sent back and Stefan put into coldsleep and trying to figure out how to fix a sick moon when you can feel the sickness keenly through the Force.

So a big social function seems like it might help, really. And she wouldn't stay away even if she was feeling happy lately. Her masquerade outfit isn't anything too special: it's a formal white dress and she's let her hair down for once.

That's the outfit. But the mask itself, well, that might get more attention. Is it a triceratops or something? It looks like a space triceratops. With glitter.

So yeah, she's not much of a dancer, but come on and say hello.]

Nightingale

[experiencepoints]

[When Nightingale enters the ballroom, it may be fairly difficult to even recognize her just from how she carries herself. Heels have her standing a couple inches taller than normal, she has a surprisingly brave two-piece dress, a purple bird mask, because people have to recognize her somehow, and her hair has a section pulled up into a small bun, with the rest down and free. (Also visible on her left elbow is a large scar that looks like it came from a bullet.)

She's also walking with grace and poise that screams upper class, noble who belongs at these events. Her body language screams self-assured, confident, and probably better than anyone looking... Until she thinks no one else is actually looking, at which point all of that evaporates for her to slump over and tug at her mask like she kind of wants to set it on fire. How exactly did she think this was a good idea?

Still, as soon as anyone seems to be looking at her, the mask (figurative and literal) is right back on. You might have to sneak up on her.]

Arthur (ballroom and snack table)

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[The ballroom is grand, and Arthur finds himself enjoying the music, occasionally asking women to dance. He wouldn't mind dancing with men, but he would struggle not leading. He's a great dancer, the result of a lot of lessons. He's dressed in this fancy outfit and is wearing this gold mask.

He walks up to someone with a smile, dimples showing.] Mind if I steal a dance?

[He stops at the snack table, and after all that dancing, he's starving. It's almost embarrassing how many little cheeses and crackers he has. He chews on them slowly as he stands off to the side, admiring the dancers and the entire event (but also making notes in his head, because what's not being observant).]

Apollo

[neversets]

[ Despite not having been around long, Apollo has managed to scrounge together funds for a simple gold mask and an ankle length white coat that flares around him when he moves. He is, more surprisingly, still in bare feet.

Those who have seen him can easily recognise that big grin and the long, silver white hair. He's dancing with anyone who shows interest, male, female, young or old. ]

[moonbay]

[Despite her life on the road back home, Moonbay does enjoy the extravagant shindig when they come along, especially when she gets to dress up in things she bought with other people's money. (This time it was left over profits from the last station, so technically hers.) It was a long hunt, but she finally found a great orange and yellow floral themed dress with light material that turns with her. The mask is a matching butterfly theme in identical colors. With her hair down and slightly styled, she's a far cry from her normal appearance, sans the pink stripes tattooed on her right cheek, which are mostly covered by the mask.

All good parties involve dancing, so she's going to have her fill of that, whether it be natives or fleeters. Enjoy.]

Loki

[complicatedliar]

[Loki arrives escorting Rogue, but the thing he enjoys most of all is dancing, and he knows his lady doesn't care so much for crowds. He makes certain to have a dance or two with her, and checks back on her often so she isn't left feeling unattended, but otherwise he's moving across the floor, picking people from the crowd and taking them out for a whirl.

And as much as Loki loves dancing is reflected on how very, very good he is with it. He cheerfully compensates for an inexperienced partner's lack of skill, simplifies steps so that he can lead and teach and make the experience fun for both--since this is one time where if the other person isn't having a good time, he won't be either.

So don't be surprised if a very tall, rather sinisterly-dressed person, his face completely obscured by a mask, catches up your hand (his nails are lacquered poison green) to pull you out onto the floor.]

Re: THE BALLROOM

[robitussin]

[though most of her time is spent elsewhere, every so often during the party, a girl in a gown and mask can be found sitting in one of the chairs near the edge of the ballroom, listening to the music. she doesn't look particularly interested in dancing or even watching the assembled party goers dance, but whenever the band starts to play something classical or slow paced, she starts to hum along under her breath, soft enough that it's difficult to hear.

if you come approach her or take a seat close to her, she looks over for a moment before speaking.]

Hey.

FINN

[forcesensitive]

[To no one's surprise but his own, Finn cuts a striking figure in his costume - a black Hussar-style military uniform and a simple red domino mask. He arrives with Poe in a matching red uniform/black mask combo, and though he hangs out with his friend whenever he's not busy he's also not shy about approaching others - mostly to engage in conversation, because he's never danced before, but if anyone wants to take him to the floor he won't refuse. Judging by his grin, he's enjoying it here at the party.]

[thezerothlaw]

[Daneel tends to hang around the edges of the ballroom rather than actively participating. He wears a suit of pale gold and silver, with a paper mask covered in print and adorned with butterflies. A cape falls from his shoulder, in the same pale gold as his suit, with dark markings reminscent of the butterflies on his mask. He is a book, a butterfly, a paper moth.

And he watches the dancers, the revellers, a spark of interest visible in his eyes. His attention is multifaceted; he listens to the rise and fall of so many emotions in the people around him. There's a beauty in it, a sort of symphony. Daneel circles around the ballroom, watching. He doesn't sit down]

[huaaaaagh]

[Originally, Kirito hadn't felt much interest in the masquerade- the prospect of eating actual food, and the intrigue of seeing people in costumes had pinged him, maybe, but the dance itself wasn't a draw. Literally the only reason he's here now, in the GGO avatar and clad in a very simple black dress to boot, is because he lost a bet. One he'd expected to win, as a matter of fact. He's definitely sulking. The plain black mask he'd found for himself - he'd spent as little funds as he possibly could on the entire ensemble - can't hide that fact.

Thank god, thank god Asuna isn't here right now. The one and only time he'll think those words to himself as he tries his best to go unnoticed over the course of the dance, wallflowering in a corner.]

[invigorates]

[ it's beautiful. so beautiful in fact that lioriley nearly forgets that, outside, things are hideous and noxious and terrible. she loses herself to the sights, to the people in strange — and intriguing — outfits.

her own dress and mask almost pale in comparison, she thinks, to the extravagance of some of the others. but she looks good! good and very obvious to those that know her, even with her mask on. it's hard to conceal glowing blue lines and dark skin very well. not that she really cares.

most of the time she just mingles about the ballroom, speaking to anyone and everyone willing to indulge her about varying topics. if asked to dance, she'll always accept, but it almost seems as if she's waiting for someone specific even if she definitely didn't come in with anyone.

otherwise she's sitting down... still talking. always talking. ]

Lily Evans

[gifted_witch]

A ball! How exciting, she could hardly wait, even if the prospect of it being fancy dress was a bit daunting. Dress robes had taken enough getting used to. But Lily had settled on something she'd enjoyed in films she'd seen in her youth, so as a greek goddess, or version there of, she entered the party.

Everyone looked wonderful and she was just walking the hall and taking it all in. So many colors and costumes and so many beautiful women that she felt a bit of an odd duck. She wished she felt comfortable using her wand in front of people and she might have conjured something up but alas it remained stowed in the recesses of her dress. A lesson hard learned was that wizard or witch should never be without or out of reach of their wand.

"Oh, hello!" Lily called to one masked party goer she thought she recognized.

Remy LeBeau

[cajunspice]

[Dressed to the nines for the evening in a rather smart suit, he had managed to rustle up a mask that might feel a little familiar for some, even if Remy hadn't picked up the similarities.

Most of the night for Remy is spent on the dance floor, with the occasional trip to the bar for drinks and enough snacks to make sure he stays closer to sober than drunk. As far as he was concerned the night was for dancing and having as much fun as possible.]

[girlverine]

[In spite of how she had somehow acquired a date, Laura still wasn't entirely sure she actually wanted to be at the dance. Crowds made her a bit nervous, especially when they were full of strangers, and in this case, everyone was a stranger. Still, finding a dress had been more fun than she wanted to admit, though to people who didn't know her, the one she had chosen might seem a bit out of character. Still, she liked the colors and it didn't do much to restrict her movements. And her taste in clothing had always been a bit odd.]

[Her mask was much more simple and straight-forward, though it only covered half her face, and did little to hide her identity.]

[She was remaining near the edges of the crowd, content for now to just watch it seemed, not really approaching anyone, though people she knew would receive a simple nod of acknowledgement. See? She could be social! Sort of.]

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[Wanda's outfit had been a sudden gift from her "sponsors" that had come very shortly after she had accepted Vision's invitation to the ball. While it was always a little unnerving, the idea that whoever these people were knowing her dress size and shoe size, she had to admit that they had good taste. She loved the fabric of the black dress, the way it flowed down from her waist. Her mask had not seemed overly impressive to her at first, but she'd noticed that the jewels on it seemed to be faintly glowing with crimson luminescence, which naturally piqued her interest. Her hair hangs free like usual, except there is a bit more curl to it than the way it usually lies flat.]

[In the ballroom, Wanda was less likely to be seen dancing, and more likely keeping to herself. While she's happy to exchange small talk and pleasantries with anyone, she's doing very little else beyond conversing. Occasionally, she does need to take a seat though, as she has not had much experience wearing the kind of heels she was currently sporting. Thus, the pain was getting to her a little bit.]

[Feel free to come over, say hi, and keep her company, if you'd like.]

[onlyburnhotter]

[For the Vytal Festival's ball, Yang did not have quite as much of an opportunity to relax and enjoy it, as she had helped to set up and run the dance. So, naturally, she was very happy about having the opportunity to actually fully enjoy a ball like this, without needing to worry about anything. Her white dress was likely a bit shorter than most's, but that made it perfect for dancing. And that is just what she's doing, even accepting a few offers from strangers. Her mask does little to hide her identity, but that doesn't seem to concern her. In fact, it's likely purposely so that she can be recognized, as she does occasionally stop to take a breather, glancing around the ball as she does, apparently looking for familiar faces.]

[If you feel up for a dance, feel free to give her an offer. Otherwise, feel free to catch her while she's taking a break for some conversation. She's happy to talk with everyone.]

Beverly Crusher

[dancingmd]

[Beverly's identity is hardly a secret behind the half mask she is wearing (a mask which, by the way, looks suspiciously similar in style to the mask of a certain other party-goer - paper and printed word, matching pages in a book). If her smile doesn't give her away, her signature red hair will, done up in a high French twist. Her dress is old-fashioned, reminiscent of 18th century Earth, not at all like the clean lines and solid colors of her usual clothing. This is immensely fun for her, getting the chance to wear a costume for the first time in months and giving her love of both theater and dance a chance to shine. Though she spends a good deal of time with Daneel, she will happily dance or chat with almost anyone who asks. Or, she just might ask you! Who knows?]