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

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

[bothbutneither.livejournal.com]

"I like Atlantean." And yes, she's right: the evening does call for something like that. "Should we see what refreshments they offer here?"

Years of playing music in a bar means he knows exactly where to find drink at least, and often food, and so he nods in that general direction. "I have to say, I was surprised that something like this was going on. Do you know the hostess?" He doesn't, but at some point he'd like to meet her, if only to offer up his thanks for setting up something so elaborate.

He's not sure how long he'll be able to keep up the formality, or how long he'll want to. Usually with Faye, their conversations tend to stray to places he never expects, and that's just fine with him. In a way, he feels like the luckiest man in the place or he would... if women were his style. Still, though, Faye's his friend and he's honored to be here with her. He doesn't intend to monopolize her all night long; that would hardly be fair. But he'll stay with her until her interest wavers or her attention starts to focus elsewhere.

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

[anythingbutblue]

She won't say it aloud, but the attention's flattering.

Oh, she's dolled up and she knows it, and there's never been any doubt for either of them about the identity of the other. Neither one of them could be so easily disguised as they are.

But this is a masquerade, and he could be off talking to as many complete strangers as he'd like. Women aren't his thing, as the man says, and he still came to her.

Well, what can she say? Sometimes you've just got it.

(Even if the only people who seem to appreciate it are men who are more interested in other men and weird, pushy guys.)

"Let's go find some Atlantean." Walking with him over to the bar, she raises an eyebrow. "Know the hostess? Are you kidding? I barely know anybody here."

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

[bothbutneither.livejournal.com]

"I finished your song." He blurts it out almost unintentionally, but now that he's said it, he continues. "You should let me play it for you sometime soon."

Linking arms with her is somehow comforting: it's about the most human contact he's had at this place since Julia and he almost finds himself craving more as they make their way over to the bar area (http://tragic-mask.livejournal.com/5352.html?thread=94184#t94184), which isn't so very far at all, even when one is negotiating a strange space wearing a mask.