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.]]

Comments

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.]

[notzubats]

[Well this one will be approaching her! It's hard to say if he actually recognizes her, or just decided to approach. He's got his own mask on, but the spikey hair that was an attempt to tame in vain might give him away]

Whoooa, cool mask!

[experiencepoints]

[Well, Sora seems reasonably safe to be honest with. She tilts the mask up to show her face before lowering it again.]

Really? I was worried it might have been a bit over the top.

[notzubats]

[Oh! Now he recognizes that face! That makes him smile]

Oh, hey Nightingale!

[And he gives a nod] Uh huh! I think it looks really cool! Like a real costume!

[experiencepoints]

I'm glad to hear it. Thank you.

[well, she sounds like she's smiling, but it's hard to tell with that beak in the way.]

Are you here with anyone?

[notzubats]

[He rubs the back of his neck, awkwardly]

Uh...not really. I didn't realize that was a thing you're supposed to do.

[How the hell do balls work]

What about you?

[experiencepoints]

I'm waiting for my date now.

[let's handwave time.]

You know, if you wanted to, you're not the only one here solo. You could pretty easily find someone to dance with.

[notzubats]

You have a date? [OH MY] That's great! Hope you have fun!

[timey wimey stuff is my jam. And oh, that gets a snort outta him]

Doubtful. [He's younger and shorter than most people here. Not a good dancing partner does that make] But that's alright, I don't really know any of these dances anyway.

[experiencepoints]

Thanks. I hope so too.

[She's internally freaking out and praying it goes well.]

You're going about it wrong. Are there any dances you do know?

[notzubats]

[He shrugs]

Um...I know some Hula? The basics, at least. But that's not really the sorta dance for this thing.

[experiencepoints]

... I don't know what that is.

[notzubats]

It's a ceremonial dance back where I'm from. [You know, fictional Hawaiian-land] Not really something you do with a partner. [Groups, sure, but not...like this]

[experiencepoints]

Then you can play that angle. You know, find someone you like, mention you don't know any of these dances, ask them to teach you.

[incousinswithyou]

[sneaking is a thing Michiru does! Even if she'd really rather term it as "showing up to the right place at the right time."

Either way, here's a musical voice coming from behind you.]

You don't look like you're enjoying yourself.

[meanwhile, Michiru is easily recognizable and looks like she's definitely having fun.]

[experiencepoints]

[Ah, crap. She immediately straightens, and.... Well, a placating expression would probably be much more effective if there wasn't a giant bird mask in the way.]

Hm? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

[incousinswithyou]

It must have been me, then.

[the amusement in her eyes hasn't gone away]

How are you liking the masquerade?

[experiencepoints]

It's nostalgic. I haven't attended parties like this in a very long time.

[it's the neatest way she can think to evade the question.]

What about you?

[incousinswithyou]

[a quiet giggle] It's an excuse to dress up, to be honest.

[after months of beige jumpsuits, she's never taking clothing choice for granted ever again. Or make up.

That casino satellite city was the best.]

[experiencepoints]

[More like to spend money on dresses they'll never have an opportunity to wear again... But she's being polite. This is a formal place, she needs to act appropriately.]

It is interesting to see everyone's costumes. Yours suits you.

[incousinswithyou]

[well, ripping off the casino did wonders for her bank account]

Thank you. Yours is wonderful too, though I don't think I'm brave enough to wear that dress.

[nevermind the extremely short skirts she wears on occasion]

[experiencepoints]

Well... If I'm being honest, covering up my face made it a lot easier.

[incousinswithyou]

[here's a quiet laugh] I hardly recognized you, to be honest.

[smile] Do you have a date?

[experiencepoints]

In a good way, I hope?

I do. Do you know someone named "Laura"?

[incousinswithyou]

Of course. [it's the really big mask. But it made sense once she realized.]

Hmm. Can't say I do. Which ship is she on?

[experiencepoints]

The Red Fish. I'm not too familiar with that one.