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

[beathach]

[he can't say it bothers him, considering exactly who he's friends with. But both eyebrows do go up, surprised]

That has to be an interesting - profession. Does it have you ending up at a lot of these kinds of parties?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Not really. Most of the time, I end up on a flight, or a back room, or a hotel room.

I steal information most of the time, and most of the time, it's inside people's heads. There's a technology in my world that allows you to enter someone's dreams. So I'm usually pretending to be someone else in a dream.

[beathach]

[you said the magic word, Arthur. Not that he didn't have his attention before, but now he has all of it]

—you can enter someone's dreams? Really?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[He smiles, eyes lighting up with Hank's interest.] Yeah, if I have the right chemicals and technology. Wish I could have brought a PASIV with me.

[beathach]

What sort of chemicals does it require? And what kind of technology is it?

—er, if I may ask, that is. [he looks a little sheepish] I'm a scientist, so this is - kind of falls into my interests.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Oh, of course. It require a chemical called Somnacin, and a sedative. Perhaps you could help me, then. I was thinking about trying to figure out how to combine chemicals to make a version of Somnacin, but I'd... rather not blow up the ships. Your expertise would help me a lot.

[beathach]

Somnacin? [he frowns, quiet as he tries to remember if he's ever heard of it] If you know what it's comprised of, it shouldn't be too hard, given what the moon has to offer.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[He nods.] I don't have much to offer you in return except the chance to use the device if I can construct it.

[beathach]

I'd like to see it in action, but - using it might be a step too much for me. I have - uh, experience with something similar and I've had my fill of that.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Ah. no problem. I'll try to find some way to repay you.

[He smiles, picking at his cheese again.] So what kind of things do you do as a scientist?

[beathach]

Mm, don't worry about it. It isn't as though I'd seek repayment.

[he too will pick up his plate again, adding one of the sharper cheese to what he already has] I'm a geneticist, and I studied biochemistry in college, too. I sort of - do all sorts of things if it catches my interest, even if my specialties are in those areas.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Wish I could've studied more in college. It was hard enough just to get my degree, though.

[Hank probably doesn't care about that, though.]

Do you like research, then?

[Please be a fellow researcher.]

[beathach]

What did you go to college for?

[of course he cares, Hank always cares about things like that.

He nods, looking a bit sheepish] You could call it a hobby.

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Architecture. I earned it while in the army and it kicked my ass.

[He grins, pleased to have found His People.]

In the dream sharing business, there are different job titles: extractor, forger, architect. I'm the point man, and I take care of all the research. So you're in good company.

[beathach]

That's impressive, though. I can't imagine - you know, being in the army and going to school at the same time.

[you have indeed found one of your people, Arthur]

It seems like. [he grins back] I'm - assuming most of those titles are self-explanatory, but - what sort of things do you research to prepare for that?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

Thanks. It sure took a lot of work.

I've researched a lot of different things for the job, but most of the time, it's combing through anything published or aired for mentions of the person, if they're famous enough for that. Then, unfortunately, it's a lot of stalking. Watching them and their habits, hacking into their email, tapping their phones. Then I research how to get us the in we need, where we need to go, the exits, any risks, and so on.

[beathach]

[a distant part of Hank's mind is telling him he shouldn't be so interested in something that's very highly illegal-sounding.

But then another part gently reminds him that he hacked the pentagon's security and it shuts right up]

That's . . . wow. [he sounds impressed] And - all of you work together after you get the information you need to - go into that person's dream?

[a pause]

What's e-mail?

[dontthinkaboutelephants]

[He's pleased that he's impressed. It's something that Arthur really loves, so he likes other people being interested.]

Right. And then really it's all about thievery and illusion.

Oh... It's... [How do you explain email wow.] It's... do you know what computers are?

[beathach]

[only a fool wouldn't be interested lbr here, this is utterly fascinating]

That's amazing. Do you all manipulate the dream itself, or - do you use what's there to your advantage?

[he nods, and looks apologetic]

I'm familiar with computers. And - the internet now, someone was kind enough to explain what it was to me.