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]

[morbid-midweek.livejournal.com]

There's a girl near the bottom of the stairs that he might recognize, mask or not.

Wednesday is dressed in a floor length off-the-shoulder gown, with a simple mask - all black, of course. Her hair is loose, but gently curled, and she's standing with the grace of someone who is all too used to attending large, grandiose parties.

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

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

She did look familiar. Very familiar.

There was a smile lurking behind the mask now.

And oh, look, he was now at the base of the stairs himself, bowing, and offering his arm.

"Milady? Care for some company?"

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

[morbid-midweek.livejournal.com]

That's a familiar voice. Wednesday turns and finds pretty much who she was expecting.

"Sure. Nice mask."

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]

[bothbutneither.livejournal.com]

"Look, it's a fairy." Despite the mask, it's not difficult at all for him to recognize Faye. "On Titan there's a legend that says when fairies wear masks, all men should give up hope. They know their hearts will be stolen right out of their chests." Smoothing down the front of his tux with one hand, he holds his chosen mask in another.

Everyone wears masks of one kind or another. These are just less obscure than most.

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

[anythingbutblue]

Even if she didn't recognize the voice, the mask would have given Gren away. It's a lot more appropriate than most other people know.

(The hair, which is enough to make most girls jealous, gives him away, too.)

"Well," she tells him, a playful curve to her mouth, "that's too bad for you, isn't it? Personally, I prefer to think of it as borrowing. People get less defensive that way."

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]

[yuppie-trash.livejournal.com]

A hand folds over his chest, the other tucks against the small of his back and he steps forward and dips in the suggestion of a foppish bow, completely comfortable wearing (yet another) mask.

"Are you enjoying the night?"

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

[cywyllog]

"Oh, yes." She grins, slightly awed. "Everything is so beautiful. Our parties at home are nothing like this."

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

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene is standing at the bottom and greeting people as they come down the staircase. Now she nods to Cywyllog, and steps forward as the girl clears the last step.

"Welcome to the masquerade."

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

[cywyllog]

Cywyllog smiles at the woman, even though this is someone she can't place just by voice.

"Thank you. Are you the hostess?"

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]

[yuppie-trash.livejournal.com]

One hand (gloved in doeskin) is resting on the bannister. One arm, occupied by a lovely woman in a red evening gown. The (jagged) teeth of the skull half-mask cuts an even line across his lower face, exposing the (bright, white) grin.

He turns to his companion, "I certainly do. Would you do me the great pleasure of dancing with me?"

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

[song_tra_bong]

She beams, ducking her head and yet failing to appear demure even with half her face covered.

"I'd be delighted."

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]

[tragic_mask]

... and Melpomene is there at the bottom - apparently this is one of the times during the evening when she's been standing by the banister to greet people as they come down.

She doesn't recognize his face, but she has her suspicions.

"Welcome to the masquerade," she nods at him, sinking into a quick curtsy and back up. "I hope your time this evening is pleasant.

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

[annwn-lord.livejournal.com]

Arawn takes her hand, bowing over it before brushing it with his lips. "Thank you, my lady. I am sure I shall have a marvelous time."

He straightens up and smiles. "Everything looks very beautiful," he says, looking at her and not at the surroundings.

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.