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

[child_of_bhaal]

There's something to be said for masks and costumes. When she's dressed up as something else, things are easier. She still blushes at that kiss on her cheek, but her recovery is faster, easier. She reaches out for him immediately as he pulls away and snags his hand in hers, not letting him run off emotionally. Especially not after calling her that.

"Don't. You couldn't swing a proverbial sack in my past without bumping into something that went wrong. I'm fine. This is a good night. I'm having a wonderful time, and maybe I'm not a peace with everything behind me, but I'm dealing with it well. So stop trying to walk on egg shells and take your best friend to that champagne like you promised."

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Arthur stops, pausing at the hand in his. And then she has to go and say that. He can feel his ears turning red, and he presses his lips together, nodding.

"Yeah, let's... let's go drink champagne."

He pauses again, and decides to leave his hand in hers, walking her over to the bar they have set up there. "Champagne, please. Two."

He thanks the bartender when he hands Arthur two flutes of champagne, and hands Syeira one of them.

"To a good night?" he toasts her, still a bit bashful from what just happened, but smiling now as he holds out to clink his flute against hers.

[child_of_bhaal]

She can at least admit to herself she feels a little bad for embarrassing him. But only a little.

She takes the little delicate glass, eyes it briefly because it feel so fragile in her hand. Then she lifts it in toast with him. The little clink they make has her worried for a second that the glass will shatter, but it holds.

"And good friends." And then she drinks. The shape of the glass forces her to sip slower than she would have with a wider brimmed cup, which is likely for the best. He was not joking about the bubbles. They tickle her nose, making her wrinkle it up, eyes closing, she shakes her head shortly.

"It tickles!"

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

He nods as he drinks. Then he's watching her, chuckling.

"Yep. It's my favorite part," he laughs, patting her shoulder. "Do you like it?"

[child_of_bhaal]

"It's...interesting." She opens her eyes, gives him a wry, pointed smile. "Weak, but it tastes better than beer, certainly."

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

He nods with a smile. "Shall we take a load off? Those coaches look comfy," he says, eyes drifting to the couches in the corner of the ballroom.

[child_of_bhaal]

She doesn't ask what load they are taking off, because he gives her enough context to figure out he means they should sit down.

"I suppose we could sit for a little while." The night is still young. There's plenty of time for a quiet chat.

Mindful of the wings on her back, she sits on the arm of the couch, keeping her knees together to maintain decency.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

He sits down on the cushions next to her, sipping at his champagne. "What's your favorite part so far, Syeira? Of the party, I mean."

[child_of_bhaal]

"The dancing," she says with a smile. "The costumes are a close second though. I love seeing all the people dressed up. What about you?"