Haven Masquerade (( OPEN ))

[Tatsu]

Nephra had thanked the man who sat down behind them before she went and danced with Tatsu. They talked but then danced silently. Tatsu swinging her around as if she was nothing, weighing nothing. She soon just let her hands slide from his shoulders down to his waist, and soon she wrapped them around his body. Hugging her husband. “Tell me… what do you feel?” She asked closing her eyes and listening to his heart beat more.

Tatsu slowly swayed until they were at the right length from the social event. He didn’t care for people and being here just simply made him more non-caring. However his job as the Light Sage made him have to care if they were in ‘need’. He sighed that off. “I feel… happy.” He said with the long silence ahead of it. He was lying… he hardly felt anything but with Nephra he loved her… and all he could feel was love when he stood near her.

Truly love.

Nephra squeezed him. “Don’t lie.” She said chuckling a little. Nephra wasn’t stupid she knew her husband had no real emotion towards anything. Sometimes it made her feel he didn’t actually care for her…then again he still kept trying to hug her as she clawed his chest…his chest. She placed a hand on it, releasing him from the squeeze. Oh how she regrets that, but he says he loves it…it reminds him of their love but its really pain?

She knows it hurts him to be near her, her dark Eco slowly creeping into his system, festering in there as if waiting for the right moment to attack him, to destroy his light.

Tatsu wrapped his hands around her too, his cloak slowly falling to the ground, they were nowhere in sight of people at the time being. His snow-white hair was medium cropped. The three long spikes, his signature look waved with the small breeze. “I’m not lien… I am happy only because I am here with you.” He smiled through his silver mask, the cloth folding with his smile. He gently put his hand on her face, under her mask and bring it down to her lips.

Nephra smiled and simply listened to his heart now. Little did she know he was swinging her back to the crowd of people. She didn’t want anybody to bother them now.


Adelaide gave off a shy smile as Benjamin had grabbed both her hands. New. Adelaide laughed as he was dancing. “This little boy shouldn’t be singing, you can’t even tell if he is a boy or a girl.” She laughed a little. Benjamin was different… she felt more peaceful more if you will happy. She hated it… this feeling going into her stomach. She wanted to badly break away from him and run off, out of here… yet she couldn’t she was lured more and more.

The romance of the area got to her. She expected this night to be dreadful; she only made Benjamin go with her because she ‘had’ to come here and see if there was any trouble brewing…but now her mind was adrift. He made her think of nothing…what hell. She was an excellent dancer… but still fresh to this, she would try to act and know what it is they are dancing. If anything he will see through her.

Adelaide smiled to him. “How do you like the night so far?”

[Jynx]

She looked at the creatures and smiled. They knew her ways well. She scanned the crowd, her mind working through the proper way to word her next mission for them. The didn't need to know the person they would be searching for was her sister. That was too much. The words settled in her mind, nice and orderly. She smiled under her mask.

" You are searching for a woman named Vallacenia. She will be hard to miss. She is about six three and has long dusty blue dreadlocks. Find her and bring her to me if you can. Be warned, she is a tricky bastard."

She nodded to them, looking out into the crowd. She had seen flshes of blue here and there, and she wondered if any of them would turn out to be her sister.

[raven]

"I did, but I wasn't sure if you were home or not.... Don't worry, you're not completely crazy."He laughed quietly. "I'm doing pretty well I guess, all things considered. I figured that going to a social gathering might be fun, especially if I was an escort. Which is why I'm here actually..." Jace spoke quietly, he tried being polite and charming without giving too much away.

[Nelly]

_______;;Alikae;;_________

Alikae’s grin only widened at the sight of the lovely emerald power that destroyed his own dark creation. It was truly lovely, he decided. He chuckled softly, and his eyes narrowed. This was going to be interesting. Yes, it did cause him physical pain to be around her – since he was not simply tainted with Dark Eco, but in fact was made of the very being of it. But he’d endured harsher aching before. She was just so pure and devoid of any essence of shadows.

“…besides the trick,” said the girl. “Was there another reason you came over here?”

He straightened and blinked at her slowly, eyes smoldering. “There is.” He offered his hand once more and began again. “May I have the pleasure to dance with you?” No rose was revealed in his palm this time, but the Darkness it had emitted still lingered. His slightly flirtatious, yet still rather quaint grin did not fade.


~
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[kelinna]

Kelinna’s eyes widen in surprise; leaning back in her seat she blinked in confusion. “Um..Sir perhaps you should ask another more qualified girl, I don’t know how to dance also I’m not um…” She couldn’t think of the proper words to say, just surprised in all that someone with such a strong dark aura would be asking to dance with her; knowing that they would be in pain. “I’m not comfortable with crowds…” Smiling politely she want to stand up, attempting to curtsy to him before walking away “little sister! There you are, and oh my you’ve made a new friend!” Indigo suddenly appeared next to Kelinna, smiling like a proud mother “now has this handsome young man asked you dance yet? Wait what am I saying of course he has silly me, now you go have some fun.”

Shoving the poor girl towards Alikae, she smiled even brighter the mask she wore amplifying the grin as she placed Kelinna’s hand atop of the stranger’s offered hand; not seeing the slight green glow coming from her friend’s own hand for a second. “Now Kelinna dear just remember what I told you, just follow your partner’s lead and you’ll do fine.” Ignoring the panicked look in Kelinna’s eyes; Indigo turned towards the masked man “just be careful with her she is fragile…” Giggling happily she suddenly walked off, mingling with the crowd almost easily if it wasn’t for the large pile of blue hair atop her head. Letting out a small sigh Kelinna looked up shyly at the man, a slight frown on her face “I’m sorry… Indigo is just a tad forward, you don’t have to dance with me; you’re a dark eco user just standing next to me will give you a head ache so being this close must be painful.” Looking down at the ground she went to pull her hand away, “again I’m sorry about my friend’s forwardness.”

“Madam Kiss, it seems we found the source of the counterfeit invitations; a guest at the part issued them out. We are able to only partially make out their name but I think we will be able to find our mark.” A waiter whispered to Indigo as she stood off to the side now, smiling and nodding to guest “good I want this person taken care of and their entire lackeys do you hear me.” “Yes ma’am understood.” Giving a curt nod she dismissed the man, smiling as she looked over at the man and Kelinna “just go ahead and dance you silly girl…”

[Paladin89]

What am I doing here, this is nuts!  I'm going to get caught, or shot!Ezekiel thought as a Krimson Guard walked by, patrolling the grounds of the ball.
Why am I even here? he thought, thinking about the events that had happened today that led to his very uncomfortable position.  Standing by a row of benches he tried to look innocent and not threatening as people walked past, eyeing his massive eight foot form.
Thinking back he tried to figure out the blur that was his day, which left him standing here.
It had been a busy day, especially for him.   He had spent most of his morning going to get lumber and nails to fix another leaky patch of roof and to make a support for a new section of the orphanage.  After that he was in the walls fixing some wiring, which he could still feel the tingle of several shocks in his left hand.  Then there was plumbing to be done, a bed that needed repair.  Once he had done all this the nuns had pretty much kicked him out of the house to go pick up some groceries and to bring some of the kids to the park for a few hours.  
It just seemed like he was all over the place.  About the only thing he vaguely remembered was sitting in the park and watching the city workers prepare for the ball.  He had received an invitation but who would seriously want to dance with him.  So he simply tossed it in the trash.  Of course soon after a nice breeze kicked up, blowing his cloak up, revealing his in-human legs.  Two old ladies sitting across from him had eyed him with a look of disbelief and a hope that there old eyes for once had failed them.  Then nervously they got up and moved to the other side of the park where the continued to knit.  
As the sun began to set he started to gather his little one and then walked them back to the orphanage.  They all had looked with awe and wonder at the lights and booths and smells and the colors of the ball that was being made.  The entire walk home was filled with squeals and laughter as the talked energetically about what was happening. 
Once he was home the children ran off among the house leaving Z with two nuns who rushed him off to a back room. They hurried him along giggling excitedly, causing him to nearly trip twice over his tail.  If Dr. Navan was so smart why did he have to give me tail, he thought sarcastically as he was pushed into the kitchen.  There he found several nuns and the head nun, waiting for him all with big smiles!  
"Ezekiel my dear," said the Mother Katherine, "Because of the hard work that you do around here we very rarely get to repay you besides giving you a place to stay and food to eat.  So we all put our heads to gether and decided to make you something!". Stepping aside, the old nun revealed a decorative dark blue cloak with crimson and gold trim.  Swirling designs could be seen in the dark blue, created by thread just a shade lighter making a beautiful hand crafted cloak with a gold clasp.  Along with it there was a pair of black pants that were specially made just for him, his tail, and his triple jointed legs.  Also with it was a white long sleeve shirt and dark crimson vest that matched the crimson trim on the cloak, specially made to fit around his wings.  Finally there was a pair of large white gloves with strips of leather on the inside of the tips so his claws wouldn't go through.
Ezekiel stood there in wonder,"What am I to do with all of this!"
"Wear it to the ball of course you dumb lizard!" Mother Katherine exclaimed.
"But, but-" Z stuttered. 
"No buts, you need to do something fun for once, take a break, relax, and go take a bath!"
And with that, the nuns left a dumbfounded Ezekiel to wash up, only returning to help him dress.  With in minutes he was clothed in such fine garbs he felt extremely uncomfortable.  
"Do you really expect someone to dance with me?" he asked with wonder.
"Perhaps, you never no what you might find.  Besides won't it be nice to just go out and just experience the sights and the sounds and the smells!" one of the nuns said excitedly.
Then he was being pushed towards the door.  There he found one of the nuns waiting with a dark blue mask with a large smile on it.  "Your invitation is in your pocket and don't even think about loosing it.  We all received one and we are not afraid to use them, do you understand me young man?"
"Yes ma'am," he said as his scales on his cheeks grew a little redder.  And with that he was pushed out the door were he eventually ended up here.  Nervously being eyed by everyone.
Oh I hope my tails not showing! 

[Altairas]

Leo listened to Shinrah's voice, hearing it taper off at the end. Jay. . . Jaythen. . . little Jaythen? He thought trying to put two and two together, his mind imagining the small brown haired boy who he sold artifacts to. Why would Shinrah have anything to do with Jaythen? He asked himself and then shook his head the silence between them being interupted by Shinrah's question.

Leo ran his fingers across the top of his cane, the tips running across the opening for the blade that was hidden inside. "Uh I'm ok. . ." He said his head not facing her but facing the crowd of people enjoying themselfs. " Were you going to say Jaythen?" He asked, turning his head slightly towards her.

Audra nodded. "So strickly for buisness purposes? " She said in a joking tone, her eyes simltaniously scanning the crowd. Her voice lowered." In my opinion this whole thing seems a bit shady. . . a big party, it could be to cover up something even bigger. " Audra said her voice barely audiable over the grumbles of the crowd.

"But it's just a theory." She finished loudly a smile on her face as she shifted her weight into a more comfortable stance. "Ugh I wish I was in my work clothing. This place would be so fun to practice on. . . " She shook her head dispelling the thought. " Right now I should concentrate on finding a dance partner. . "

[Neki]

She looked away from him for a moment. Somehow he knew who she was about to say. She was slightly suprised byt the fact. but then again they had known each other when they were younger.

" Yeah, I was about to say Jaythen. Gods above I miss him. He was a good friend. I don't think he;'s around anymore though." The last part she said softly, her tones mourning. She sighed again, trying to push the thoughts from her mind. She was going to have fun damn it. She would send anyone who argued straight to the black god.

" Well then, since we've decided that I can't start tlking to you without scaring the cripes out of you, and that I can get emo mood swings, what do you say we go..... I don't know do something stupid." She said to him, smiling. It was that look in her, the one that said what she was thinking of would get them in trouble, or would turn out well.
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Mykah nodded. It was strictly for buisness. She thought so anyway. But what if she actually enjoyed this. She grunbled, disgusted with herself.

" Stupid parties, stupid clothes I'm ready to go back and work on my new project." She mumbled, annoyed that she even had to be here.

" I want to see whoever is holding this party though so that I can talk to them about buisness. So I don't know who that is, and, well. ya." She finished lamely.

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Jaythen watched Indygo push Kelinna out with the man and he sighed. He had a feeling that it was not going to turn out well. The way she acted to dark eco... he shook his head and continued watching. Somewhere in the distance he saw a couple standing on the wall, talking. The mans bright blue hair was like a beacon. The woman was dressed as a red dragon, red black hair flyaway. He sighed, for a moment thinkaing about Shinrah. If he knew wher she was.... she wouldn't come to a party like this anyway. Not unless it was to make ttrouble.

[adeco]

The place was starting to fill up. What was once a good bit of people started becoming a crowd. The dance floor was even starting to get filled up. Rawling started to kick himself in the butt for not dancing. "I should have just danced. Why the hell am I nervous. I'm sure DB is here having a good time. Why can't I just dance with someone."He mumbled on and on about his regret. He passed several people he probably knew who might have heard him complaining. Even unknowingly passing Audra, his number one celebrity.

So in shame and embarrassment of himself he walked around the ball grounds with his head down. Watching his feet and being careful not to bump into other people.

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"I'm parched dear. Could you go find some drinks?" Aila pleaded to Starus.
"Certainly," He said as he stood. "I'll be right back."
He started walking around the grounds. "I didn't see a table for any drinks... maybe there is a server around..." He said surveying the ball.

He finally found one talking to someone. Naturally he didn't recognize the person but he went to try and get his attention but failed as he became lost in the crowd. "Damn..." he said to himself. "I can never catch them, heheh." He joke to Indigo her was stand at his left. He turned towards her? and chuckled. "But how do you catch them?"
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Khalorn nodded his head to Jynx's instructions. "Understood. I shall keep my observations to a maximum.". He then turned to John. "Happy hunting."

He lumbered though the crowd standing over everyone. He scanned the area in search of her sister. "Blue dreadlocks... Humans are a strange lot." He thought still searching for this woman.

[chetafox]

Jule walked up to the entrance of the park, clutching a thick envelope in her hands. She stared with wondering eyes at the crowds within, moving here and there, dancing, conversing. Everyone was wearing masks. She remembered hers, it sat perched on her head: a large bird skull, something she found and thought was cool. It was clean, of course, and she decorated it with sparkly things just for this occasion. She didn't really have any other appropriate clothing for the ball, but figured no one would really notice a sweater-clad ottsel moseying through the partygoers.
Pulling her mask down, she approached the desk set up at the entrance. It took her a moment to get the attention of the person sitting behind it, and she had to climb up onto the surface before they saw her. She thrust the invitation, one she had found on the ground in the street, and crossed her arms expectantly.
When the attendant nodded her through, their expression one of slight shock and confusion, Jule hopped down and continued to the ball. She didn't really go anywhere, just tried to avoid being trampled. This brought her to the outskirts of the crowd, where the fewest amount of people were walking, and she nearly collided with someone's legs. They were stationary.
Since someone was standing still, Jule decided this would be a good place to stop as well. No one would run her over if she were standing next to someone that was standing still.
She tilted her head up, the beak of her mask pointing in a straight vertical line, and examined as best she could the person she would be following around from now on. He was really tall, well... Even more tall than a typical tall person would be compared to Jule. And he looked a little different. He was tense, holding himself rigid and very still. But the most immediate feature she noticed were his feet. Aside from the fact that they were the closest thing to her, they were completely covered by the cloak this man wore, but she noticed a few points poking out from the hem, tips of claws. Interest sparked instantly, and she looked up once again. She wanted his attention.
"Hey, mister!" She cried, tugging on her stationary guardian-man's pants leg. "Hey! Down here! Pay attention to meee!"