Le Masquerade

[tragic_mask]

[ooc: please go first to the Through the Door thread. Thanks.]

 ETA: As of this thread, all new threads in the masquerade are now after midnight [the links below are now re-linked to after-midnight sub-threads]. React at your leisure.

The ballroom itself is a burst of dazzling light. Hanging from the vaulted ceiling are two gold-wrought chandeliers, both of which glow brightly over the occasion, and tall lanterns shine throughout the room.

 

The grand staircase descends with a flourish and opens onto the main ballroom. A balcony, which providing a clear view of the goings-on below, runs all the way around the edge of the room. It can be reached via any of the four spiral staircases in each corner of the ballroom.

 

Below, the wooden dance floor flickers gently in the light from above, and musicians in the side room play soft, classical music. Meg Giry, the dance mistress for tonight, is on the floor with a microphone in hand.

 

A low, wooden bar in the corner provides hors d’oeuvres and drinks to revelers; small tables for two sprinkle the area.

Comments

Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[tragic_mask]

Are you ready to make a grand entrance? The staircase opens majestically onto the dance floor so that everyone can admire you as you descend in all your finery.

There is a smooth banister in dark, gleaming wood on each side of the wide steps. Beneath you is deep red velvet carpet that runs all the way down to the dance floor.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Grand entrances? He was a Malfoy. He *lived* for grand entrances.

So of course, there was a proud wizard, jutting his chin out. It showed off his fine dragon mask that much better. And went perfectly with his dark green dress robes that swirled around him as he strode down the stairs.

He felt very much at home like this.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[anythingbutblue]

Every woman knows that when you have an opportunity to take your mind off things there's nothing to do but take it.

Faye had kind of scoffed to herself when the invitation had appeared with her scotch one night, but the idea grew on her. It's not like she was going to do anything else interesting tonight.

The elaborate dress -- all in hues of purple -- is courtesy of the bar, and she's not likely to tell anyone how much it put her back. It's low-cut enough to seem impossible to wear, but nothing about Faye suggests she's uncomfortable in it. The mask she holds up to frame her dark green eyes is a black that glints purple under light with short fringes of lighter purple feathers on each side.

She takes the stairs at a leisurely pace, her left hand gliding down the bannister.

Now it's just a matter of finding something to drink.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[cywyllog]

There is no grand entrace here. Just a woman dressed in a poofy black dress, white wig and elaborate mask trying to make it down the stairs without falling to her doom.

Once safely at the bottom, Cywyllog hovers on the outskirts of the dance floor, watching all the pretty people go by.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[song_tra_bong]

Grand, perhaps, but definitely striking. A lady in red, her mask white and covered with a pattern like delicate lace, accompanied by a gentleman in black and white with a skull hiding his features.

The woman looks out at the party below, lips curving in a faint smirk.

"Do you dance, Patrick?"

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene stands at the top, looking down on the festivities with a gloved hand on the banister. Her black dress, which glitters gently with embroidered silver beads, is surprisingly stark against the soft glow of the chandeliers from above.

She hesitates, on the brink, then takes a step down, descending gracefully into the laughter and music.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

These two are used to grand entrances, or have become so since their new lives started.

Lord Rath - and he is Lord Rath tonight, not Michael, though the younger half is still in control - sweeps down the grand staircase with his wife on his arm.

Their masks are golden, and a matching pair.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[callmefelicia.livejournal.com]

Felicia practically struts down the stairs, enjoying the occasion thoroughly.

It's not too often she gets the excuse to wear her very best frock, and the glittering half-face mask is also a rarity.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

The old trickster is in his younger form, tonight, for the occasion.

He walks down the stairs like a warrior, in a feathered birdface mask.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[annwn-lord.livejournal.com]

Arawn is clad entirely in black, but it suits him. He's looking around at the beautiful costumes and appreciating the beauty. Weylyn has not deigned to accompany his master, and for once, Arawn does not mind this.

He doubts any of the ladies would take kindly to a dog sniffing at their elegant dress.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[fighter--pilot.livejournal.com]

Normally, Shalla's not one for grand entrances. But tonight is not normal, and she is not strictly herself. A grand entrance is not completely out of the question.

So with one hand on the banister and the other holding her dress, she descends the staircase. It is not as grand as it could be, not as attention grabbing. Really, it's just a dark woman in a mask and white dress moving down the steps gracefully and slowly.

It's a wonderful night for a party.

Re: Grand Staircase [a.k.a. entrances]

[tragic_mask]

It is late, and even the infamously late have already made their grand entrances.

As the bell tolls midnight, there is no fanfare on the grand staircase; for all its carved wood and velvet, it has turned out to be just a staircase after all, dank and prosaic.

Balcony

[tragic_mask]

Up one of the four spiral staircases is the balcony, with open-arched windows that look out on the glittering crowd below. From here, the dancers look like little dolls in their jewels and finery, and the faint tinkle of glass and laughter can be heard.

It seems to be a good place to get a good view, talk quietly with a friend, or eat numerous hors d’oeuvres without worrying about the spinach between your teeth.

Re: Balcony

[misterparker.livejournal.com]

Parker is standing with a glass of red liquid in his hand. He glances around for someone he knows.

Re: Balcony

[ironside-pixie.livejournal.com]

There's a girl. Lady. Or Fool? It's not easy to tell which. Perhaps she herself is not sure. She flounces, taking a step forward to peer over the balcony and then backs up, looking thoughtful.

Her pockets are filled with grapes. You make the conclusion.

Re: Balcony

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene sags onto a marble bench, away from the grand staircase; there is a light sheen of sweat on her forehead that says she's been dancing for a while now.

She fishes a cigarette from her reticule and looks around with shifty eyes beneath her mask before putting it between her lips and striking a match.

Aaaaah, the simple pleasures in life.

Re: Balcony

[tragic_mask]

There are no secrets now, even in the darkest corners of the balcony where whispered words are spoken with such urgency. The bell's last drawn-out note thrums and away.

It leaves the onlookers to peer down at the crowd that has already begun to laugh and dance again, or to go down the staircase and join them.

Dance Floor

[tragic_mask]

The dance floor is filled with swirling skirts and feet tapping in time to the music. Meg Giry stands at the edge of the floor with a microphone in her hand, watching the revelers and wearing a smile beneath her glitzy mask.

Don’t worry –for those unfamiliar with traditional dancing, the dance mistress is conducting step-by-step lessons before each dance begins.

From the sedate Duke of Kent waltz to the lively Virginia Reel, this is where it is all at. Gentleman, choose from among the many fabulously-clad ladies and take your partner out to the dance floor.

Re: Dance Floor

[yuppie-trash.livejournal.com]

A waltz may be sedate, but it is fashionable in these instances, and it is a dance which allows for a couple to remain close enough to hold a whispered conversation.

It wasn't going to be Talking Heads, but it had an antiquated charm of its own.

Keeping the three-fourth time, he leads (wants to dominate) her through the steps and turns.

Re: Dance Floor

[whitewitch-thea.livejournal.com]

A lady, to be sure, stood at the edge of the dancefloor. She did not seem to be the kind of woman who would be waiting.

Mayhap she wasn't. Thea Harman was a vision in white and gold. Golden curls spilled down beside her ivory (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/kinneaskink/for59521.jpg) mask. Her dress is a simple white shift, with a leather belt knotted at the hip; more suited to circle meetings, one might say.

She was admiring the dancers, a slight smile on her face, swaying to the music.

Re: Dance Floor

[fighter--pilot.livejournal.com]

At the moment, Shalla is alone on the edge, watching the dancing with a smile hidden behind her mask. Occasionally, she'll do some of the steps herself, dress swaying slightly.

Dancing is better with a partner, though.

Re: Dance Floor

[rebelheartalien.livejournal.com]

This Antarian lord has his own fabulously-clad lady to dance with - Michael's dancing has improved considerably, in the time since his accession. They may be monopolising each other for most of the night, unless someone wants to cut in.

Re: Dance Floor

[callmefelicia.livejournal.com]

Adam/Felicia stands at the edge of the dance floor, mask glittering, and surveys the room for anyone who looks like a willing partner.

Re: Dance Floor

[tragic_mask]

A lively promenade is just beginning as Melpomene and Billy join the dance. It's not fashionable, but it's great fun.

"Do you know this one?" she asks him from across the line, and claps to the music as the top couple comes reeling and spinning down the line.

[ooc: anyone else can join this thread, if they feel like it. this certainly isn't an intimate dance. learn as you go! :D]

[tragic_mask]

The wooden bar is laden with silver platters of good things to eat; each has a small label propped in front of it bearing a name and a description.

The menu includes things with flourishing names such as Croustades and Chaussons au Potiron; it may be best to just stick with the familiar if you aren’t daring.

Lady Ako is behind the bar, taking requests from thirsty revelers and making sure that no one runs off with the punch.

[tea-and-honor.livejournal.com]

Ako is decked out to the nines. She's got a lovely purple kimono (http://www.kyotokimono.com/WhatsForSale/WeddingImages/0406GWedKim8back.JPG) on, and for the evening is in her half-human form.

Which means that she's about five foot tall, but does have thumbs.

She has the bottles arranged just so, and is ready for people.