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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Rogue

[touchofrogue]

While Rogue had originally planned an entirely different costume for the masque, even after seeing what Loki had planned she still planned on keeping to her first plan, but then, strolling down an indoor mall, Rogue saw It. Yes, it. She recognized it instantly and she couldn’t resist. She just… it was the perfect excuse. Masquerades were places for decadent extravagance, after all, and this appealed to all her Gothic roots and love of cheesy 80s films.

Dances and crowds, on the other hand, were two of Rogue’s least favorite things. But Loki loved to dance, so she was here, here and protected by the magical shield he’d worked so she didn’t have to worry about making contact with people (even if she wasn’t protected by the odd… hood… thing on her dress that she was still completely enamoured with.) And hey, some of these costumes are fantastic. She is just going to stand here with her fizzy drink and red and black mask and enjoy the view.

tag team coming through!

[passingthrough]

[Kitty is dressed in blue with a simple mask and she was not expecting the dark, elaborate gown on Rogue. But even with it and the mask the shocks of white hair tend to give her fellow X-Man away. So, with Winn in tow, she heads up to her reality-displaced friend and smiles.]

Hey, glad you're here. I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. [Oops. She's back to "friend." Sorry, Winn. She's braver when fighting sentinels than dealing with feelings. But introductions are something, right?] Rogue, this is Winn. Winn, this is Rogue.

[winn]

[ winn follows happily feeling massively under-dressed but at least his mask makes up for it?

just for a second, his expression turns strained - demoted back to friend already? did he do something wrong? he tries to remind himself that this doesn't necessarily have to be personal they talked about this but the fear is still there - he turns it back to a smile when he turns to rogue, offering her his hand ]

Hi Rogue, cool name - and - badass costume!

[touchofrogue]

[Rogue doesn't miss the subtle undercurrents here, but she takes Winn's hand with one of her gloved ones without a pause.] Thanks. Nice ta meet you, Winn.

[Not gonna say much more just yet, just gonna wait and see what happens as she retrieves her hand.]

[passingthrough]

[Kitty notices the way his expression shifts and instantly feels bad about it. She doesn't want Winn's feelings getting hurt just because other people hurt hers and made her gun shy.] Winn actually made my dress and Kara's if you know her? They're from the same world. [Is she rambling?]

And Rogue's from a...very parallel world? Yeah, I'm not sure how to say that. I know a Rogue back home too I mean and she knows another Kitty.

[winn]

[ winn, on his part, has kind of accepted that his feelings are always going to be at least a little hurt - it's apparently just his taste in women. ]

Nice to meet you too. You guys seem to be really popular in the multiverse -

[ so many versions of x-men, so few versions of winn. can it please stay that way? he'd rather keep on being the only one. ] Not that I can blame it.

[ they're cool, and beautiful and - is he rambling now? who is he kidding, he always is. ]

You got powers too, like Kitty?

[touchofrogue]

[Oh yes, let's start off by talking about her powers. Maybe next they can all go for a root canal without any Novocaine? Fortunately, you don't date a god of lies for so long without becoming well versed in the art of the dodge.]

Nobody's got powers like Kitty. Leastways, she's the only one I know. [A glance between them as Rogue tries to figure out which way she needs to poke this conversation, because the rambling is kind of obvious and awkward and... obvious to make it that there's some there there, and that shouldn't have to be so awkward.] She been showin' off for ya?

[The way she asks the question makes it plain that Kitty's welcome to answer as well.]

[passingthrough]

[She probably should have seen that coming and warned him about asking about Rogue's powers, huh? Live and learn? Not that she gets a do-over here.]

In the prison I think everyone might have had powers like me. There was my double of course. Then Tyki, M'gann, and Nico. All copy cats instead of Shadowcats. Well, except the other Kitty.

It's good to be an original again. Definitely showing off every chance I get.

[complicatedliar]

[After a set of dances where he doesn't stick with one parter--everyone deserves at least one good dance tonight--he comes inevitably back into Rogue's orbit. That's how these things go, away for a bit, then back to check in with her. He glides a half turn around her, hand trailing to catch hers and bring it up in a mock kiss, since he can hardly kiss through a full-face mask.]

[touchofrogue]

[After a startled moment - her peripheral vision wasn't great in this costume - Rogue recognized both his touch and his presence. She smiled, turning just in time to catch that mock kiss, and squeezed his hand. She'd managed to find black elbow-length gloves, and they just made her feel so much more comfortable in the dress despite its... well, everything else.]

Hey, sugah. Havin' fun?

[complicatedliar]

Very much so. The quality of the dancers is average at best, but they are game to try, and that suits well enough until I might carry you off again.

[He's definitely grinning. He's having a high old time.]

And what of my lady?

[touchofrogue]

[She can hear the grin in his voice and that makes her smile.]

I'm doin' alright. Plenty of good people watchin'. [A quick smile.] An' I think my costume's scarin' off people, so I don't have to worry 'bout being asked to dance.

[complicatedliar]

Perhaps. Though certain bits of your costume are rather more inviting.

[That cleavage though, Rogue. Has he mentioned he really likes this dress?]

Rather I think you are too regal for any to risk your wrath but fools like me.

[touchofrogue]

[He might have expressed some admiration, but she wouldn't mind hearing it again.

And look at him being all smooth. She smiled appreciatively at him.]

Is that right? An' what are ya riskin' my wrath for this time?

[She might be inclined to give it to him.]

[cajunspice]

[Mask or not, those streaks of white hair would always give Rogue away, even in a crowd. Remy had hesitated a moment before heading her way, partly to wait for Loki to flounce off somewhere but also due to the fact he hadn't really talked to her since Kitty's reveal of-

Pushing those thoughts quickly away, giving himself a shake to fall back into that mask he always wore, Remy headed over to her. No need to think about that tonight. His actual mask was teamed up with a rather smart suit, and he made sure to approach her within her view, so not to be seem like he was sneaking up on her.] Cherie, nice evenin', non?

[touchofrogue]

[Rogue turned her whole body - she didn't have much of a side view with whatever the hood thing was - to smile at him... until she saw his mask. She did a double take, the smile falling off her face, her response instinctive:] What the heck, Remy!

[At least it wasn't bleeding, as his mask had been before.]

[cajunspice]

[Remy jumped at her shout, shocked and surprised at the reaction he got.] Is that hood thing blockin' ya sight that much? Didn' mean to sneak up on ya. [He said this as he reached for the base of his mask, using his thumb to angle it so he could push it up and peek out from under it at her, looking very confused.]

[touchofrogue]

[Yeah, definitely no blood. That was good to see. But it was equally evident that he -- he didn't remember. And it wasn't something she wanted to bring up, not really.

...but holy hell, what a crazy --

Brow still furrowed, she couldn't really help herself:] Ya didn't. It's just -- wasn't expectin' that mask.

[cajunspice]

Oh yeah? [Remy dropped it back in place before holding his arms out wide, as if putting on a show.] Don't think it suits me? Always tend to lead towards the joker, wild card 'nd all. [Yeah, he had no clue about her reaction, no memory on what it was linked to.]

[touchofrogue]

[Yeah, she's linefacing at you, Remy. So much linefacing.]

Reckon that depends on how deep you're wearin' it. [A half a smile, trying to not get too serious.] Will say the wild card thing might get some play.

[Ha ha, see what she did there?]

[only_skin_deep]

[Despite all the excuses she could make of checking out the city, learning about the planet's inhabitants, or trying to get information out of other crews... Mystique was still there to spy on her children. Especially Rogue. The girl... girl seemed like the wrong word now as she was clearly no longer a girl, but she had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with Mystique. And Mystique would do that, stay out of her way.

But it didn't mean she didn't want to see her. She had changed to much, had grown up so much, but it was still Rogue. Still all attitude and fire. She had become a fine young woman.

So she maybe be accused of staring a little more than she should as someone who was just passing by, her mask doing nothing to hide her gaze.]

[touchofrogue]

[Rogue is used to getting looks (if you can't fit in, stand out with flare she gets that from her mama), but this one is making the back of her neck itch.

Sadly, she doesn't have any kind of innate Mystique!detector, though she is not unaware that the woman would be in her element here, so she just turns to return the blonde's stare evenly for a moment before cocking one eyebrow in a 'Well?' gesture.]

[only_skin_deep]

[Whoops, spotted. Putting on a smile what spoke both 'oops' at being caught and still sweet enough to show she had meant no harm, the 'woman' she was hidden as waved a hand in Rogue's direction.] Sorry, just admiring your dress, it really suits you. [And yes, Mystique knew what it was from, easily able to place it with a certain memory many years ago.]

[touchofrogue]

Uh, thank you. [She gestures toward the pure white dress on the other.] Guess we make quite a contrast.

[only_skin_deep]

I guess we do. [This was... oh so familiar, that they had been here before, and they had. When she had been 'Risty', when she had pushed Rogue to her limits and made her lose herself to the voices in her head. It had showed what she needed to know, to know those powers were there, hidden away and ready to just break free and be used, but it had also done damage in so many ways. It was why Mystique had planned to do as Rogue said, stay away from her and let her be, she owed the girl that much. Yet despite that, she was glad she had taken the chance to see her tonight, even if she had been caught out.]

You look lovely, Rogue, not just the dress. Enjoy the night. [Time to leave, she had been here too long as it was. It may feel a bit like running but Mystique knew retreating was a powerful tool when used right, and this was the right time. So she turned away after one more glance at Rogue to head back into the crowd.]