[D4 LE] Information Event: Eyes wide shut - Roleplay thread

[Susumu Sumiko]

Rei was more than happy to mingle at the party. He wore a kimono in Hare colors, but open a bit in front in the Scorpion style, revealing the masculine lines of his chest. The mask he wore was a plain black one, up over his face, but leaving his smiling mouth exposed.

He had a drink in hand, because of course he did.

(PM or quote!)

Sumiko had been watching from her vantage point, looking for interesting targets. Senshuken would have been the obvious one, but she decided to go with the less obvious - or in this case the most obvious in the room - and took a few steps towards the man in brown who looked happy to be here.

"I would ask if you're enjoying your time but your smile says everything" the taller than normal girl (thank you heels) said in a soft voice, an amused expression on her face.

(ooc acting roll - D4 LE disguises are fun - Acting/Awareness plus Prodigy. Calling 2 raises because why not - TN25 | 7k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 25) TN25 to recognise)

[Usagi Rei]

Sumiko had been watching from her vantage point, looking for interesting targets. Senshuken would have been the obvious one, but she decided to go with the less obvious - or in this case the most obvious in the room - and took a few steps towards the man in brown who looked happy to be here.

"I would ask if you're enjoying your time but your smile says everything" the taller than normal girl (thank you heels) said in a soft voice, an amused expression on her face.

(ooc acting roll - D4 LE disguises are fun - Acting/Awareness plus Prodigy. Calling 2 raises because why not - TN25 | 7k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 25) TN25 to recognise)

Rei looked at the young woman, pale eyes flickering over her figure. But he couldn't seem to identify enough characteristics to get a good handle on her...

He shrugged, still smiling. "I'm having a good time. It's an enjoyable party." He lifted his glass as in a salute before taking a sip. "This is my third time, actually.

Tilting his head, he looked at her. "Are you having a good time, miss?"

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D4LE, Identify Sumiko, Inv/Per, Witchfinder 1k1 | 7k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 25)

[Kaiu Setsu]

Senshuken is very agile, but by no means that good of a dancer. So she decides to surrender herself to the masked man like a leaf in the wind. She has to admit that the Kaiu is a very funny man, too tall but admitedly funny with great responses to her teases. And brave of course. Such nasty rumours would make any other man hide in his room till the end of days. She chuckles while dancing.

Another approach and another whisper. "Fortunes favor the bold they say so I'm going to admit it." Another swirl, another approach, another whisper. "Your mask has set my heart aflame tonight, charming stranger."

Setsu is not a good dancer either, but tonight, it seems like he's the avatar of mambo behind that mask blessed by Sakkaku spirits. He replies, taking the rose from his mouth into his hand, "It masks my face, but not my admiration." then, after the second swirl, he offers the rose to such beautiful princess of the realm, "Flame red like these petals?"

He adds with a bow, "Such a painful sting, but a rather pleasant sensation."

[Bayushi Tenma]

Tenma is quite dedicated to the play, despite mostly being trained as a bushi.



The woman's red eyes are hidden and red hair lightened to pink for the occasion. Unlike the trade party, Tenma isn't shy about drinking this time, so already has a glass with some liquor on ice in one of her hands. Either way she was calm and quite happy to be there. Sure, it wasn't exactly her thing, but it felt good to learn the local scene and get some drinks.

/usual PM or Quote if approaching

[Boogiepop]

"I pale in comparison to your presence." His shoulders tolled back as his posture straightened. Taking two drinks from a wandering servant with a tray, he offered one to her. His red eyes focused on her. Without his glasses, the mask wasn't helping his vision. While he could see her clearly, seeing at a distance was a struggle, the details lost in the costumes and goings ons of the other attendees.

His voice slipped low. "I don't think many would need masks for me to not recognize them tonight." There was a small laugh at himself and the condition, grateful that she was here to confide in.

Susumu Kimurahime

"Hardly, my prince. You understate your magnificence," she quipped back before watching him go out of his way to take two drinks for them. There might have been a moment that she held her breath when he performed that move on mobile containers with liquid, knowing full well of his vision issues. She bit back a sigh of relief, okay, not more 'stunts' tonight. The mask probably shouldn't stay on tonight, that's a small pity... "Such flourish in your hospitality! Thank you very much..."

"You're doing pretty well," she reassured him after accepting the drink. "I'm sure you'll be able to tell them apart more so than I could."

While she hasn't personally met many here, she only had his stories to go on. Some might have had more descriptors than names, maybe some of their antics here and there.

Kimurahime did a grand gesture motioning toward the heart of the hall. "Shall I guide you into the light or perhaps will we receive subjects into your domain in the shadows, my dark prince?"

[Susumu Yakumo]

With the quests speaking in hushed tones, Yakumo was likely able to hear him smirk, even if his mask hid the grin that flickered on his lips, the lord magistrate letting his 'paw' drop. "Alas, my face is literally all over the place, not much unlike yours." Of course Yakumo's face was associated with posters telling about her Imperial tour while Mineichi's face decorated much of the local propaganda posters. "And honor is all mine. It seems that the whole city is talking about a certain lady peacock, yes?" He looked markedly at her, trying to catch her eyes with his for a moment. "So I figured to see myself and not trust the lesser birds and their words." Mineichi curled his wrist, again mimicking a paw for a moment before snatching a small cup of sake from a tray that passed them.

The cat-like mimicry was kind of cute and amusing, and she couldn't help but to chuckle in response to it.

"Ah, I suspect you manage to pass undetected more easily here than I do, but it makes sense when it is your home. You know what the locals will look for, hm?" she smirked and took a sip of her drink.

"As for the gossip, I guess you mean the nonsensical stuff going on? I don't really pay it any mind since it's so far-fetched, anyone with half a brain would know it has no root in reality." Though the gossip about a certain Kaiu creeping on her wasn't her favorite. Maybe she'd have to talk to the hotel staff to keep him off the premises there... sure she had avoided any drama related to her fame, but she knew what Hashinako had gone through, and she'd rather not go through that herself.

"But a smart man like yourself, you probably had that figured out already."

[Bayushi Mineichi]

The cat-like mimicry was kind of cute and amusing, and she couldn't help but to chuckle in response to it.

"Ah, I suspect you manage to pass undetected more easily here than I do, but it makes sense when it is your home. You know what the locals will look for, hm?" she smirked and took a sip of her drink.

"As for the gossip, I guess you mean the nonsensical stuff going on? I don't really pay it any mind since it's so far-fetched, anyone with half a brain would know it has no root in reality." Though the gossip about a certain Kaiu creeping on her wasn't her favorite. Maybe she'd have to talk to the hotel staff to keep him off the premises there... sure she had avoided any drama related to her fame, but she knew what Hashinako had gone through, and she'd rather not go through that herself.

"But a smart man like yourself, you probably had that figured out already."

"Well, not so much." Mineichi chuckled. "I am fairly sure that every Scorpion here knows who I am. It's hard to keep a secret in this city." he added, sounding amused. "Sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes, well. Sometimes you wish the walls didn't have ears. But, it's our way and it doesn't look like people are too bothered by that." Mineichi nodded at the crowds, dozens of samurai gleefully mingling among their peers. "Oh yes. Little birds chirp all sorts of nonsense. That is why we call them little birds." Turning his palm upwards, he curled his fingers as if he was a cat admiring his claws. "It is not what the birds chirp, but how loudly they do that, yes?" Letting his hand drop, he pointed at an alcove as if to invite Yakumo to chatter in a slightly more private place - they could still be seen of course, that was the whole idea of the masquerade. Still, there would be fewer ears around. "Clearly lady peacock has made an impression, I would say?" An ephemeral question lingered in the air - an invitation to wordplay as old as the city itself.

[Susumu Sumiko]

Rei looked at the young woman, pale eyes flickering over her figure. But he couldn't seem to identify enough characteristics to get a good handle on her...

He shrugged, still smiling. "I'm having a good time. It's an enjoyable party." He lifted his glass as in a salute before taking a sip. "This is my third time, actually.

Tilting his head, he looked at her. "Are you having a good time, miss?"

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D4LE, Identify Sumiko, Inv/Per, Witchfinder 1k1 | 7k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 25)

"Third time? The popular mystery man" Sumiko laughed quietly "as a newcomer, any advice you wish to impart? Or would that be delving too much into your secrets."

She looked over the party, taking a small sip of her drink.

"I am enjoying my time, it's very unique here. Playing a guessing game of who is who while others are also trying to guess. It's such a fantastic idea."

[Miya Nishida]

A slender gentleman entered the Tower of Sins wearing nothing less than a mask reminiscent of a Ram, paired with a lush wig reminiscent of a slick coat and a sleek matching kimono suit, albeit one with a large V cut that, while not muscular, showed off his nonetheless smooth chest.

This unknown gentleman moved with a radiance that made it clear to everyone in the room that this was not his first event of this kind.

For Nishida, a wonderful evening would begin....

[Usagi Rei]

"Third time? The popular mystery man" Sumiko laughed quietly "as a newcomer, any advice you wish to impart? Or would that be delving too much into your secrets."

She looked over the party, taking a small sip of her drink.

"I am enjoying my time, it's very unique here. Playing a guessing game of who is who while others are also trying to guess. It's such a fantastic idea."

"Hmmm..." Rei's finger tapped the rim of his glass thoughtfully. "Everyone's wearing a mask. You can't tell who everyone is. You can't tell what's real and what's not. Tread carefully, until you're more sure."

He watched her watching everyone, his pale brown eyes, almost amber, standing out against the dark mask.

"It's quite the game. Speaking of which, if we've met before, you certainly have the advantage of me. As players of the game go, you're doing quite well." Rei bowed, still smiling.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Well, not so much." Mineichi chuckled. "I am fairly sure that every Scorpion here knows who I am. It's hard to keep a secret in this city." he added, sounding amused. "Sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes, well. Sometimes you wish the walls didn't have ears. But, it's our way and it doesn't look like people are too bothered by that." Mineichi nodded at the crowds, dozens of samurai gleefully mingling among their peers. "Oh yes. Little birds chirp all sorts of nonsense. That is why we call them little birds." Turning his palm upwards, he curled his fingers as if he was a cat admiring his claws. "It is not what the birds chirp, but how loudly they do that, yes?" Letting his hand drop, he pointed at an alcove as if to invite Yakumo to chatter in a slightly more private place - they could still be seen of course, that was the whole idea of the masquerade. Still, there would be fewer ears around. "Clearly lady peacock has made an impression, I would say?" An ephemeral question lingered in the air - an invitation to wordplay as old as the city itself.

"Gone are the days of secrets, I suppose, and we're left with the veil of pretending it's all secrets when in fact we all know?" she mused with some humor. Were the Scorpion really the clan of secrets if the city knew the secrets? She was sure some monks were heavily debating the philosophical nature of secrets in some of the temples in the city.

Noting his gesture for them to move somewhere a bit more sheltered to speak, she took him up on the offer and moved alongside him towards the alcove.

"Have I?" black-painted lips formed into a smirk. "Is that based on your own feelings, or the chatter of the lesser birds who wish they could be as majestic as a peacock? Because I am curious what sort of impression I may have made, Lord Cat."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

Kiyoshi was wearing a playful fox mask he'd been allowed to keep after The Case of the Nine-Tailed Techno Trickster. A mischievous otherworldly spirit seemed fitting for this evening. He walked about and mingled, looking for anyone interesting to chat with.

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"Gone are the days of secrets, I suppose, and we're left with the veil of pretending it's all secrets when in fact we all know?" she mused with some humor. Were the Scorpion really the clan of secrets if the city knew the secrets? She was sure some monks were heavily debating the philosophical nature of secrets in some of the temples in the city.

Noting his gesture for them to move somewhere a bit more sheltered to speak, she took him up on the offer and moved alongside him towards the alcove.

"Have I?" black-painted lips formed into a smirk. "Is that based on your own feelings, or the chatter of the lesser birds who wish they could be as majestic as a peacock? Because I am curious what sort of impression I may have made, Lord Cat."

"Oh, I am sure you can find actual secrets, if you care to look for them - and if you are willing to pay the cost." Mineichi murmured. "I suppose the real secret is, who knows what?" The masquerades were set up just for that purpose. To both enjoy refreshments in an intimate setting and to try to figure out who knew what. The hosts would try to collect tidbits of information, trying to see if they could distill something of value out of all the gossip. In many ways the high society played games of its own under veneer of polite chatter, games whose results would later play out in the city. "Oh, I trust that you are magnificent." Yakumo could see Mineichi tilt his head as his eyes traced her outline. "I did saw you at the beach the other day." Sadly, her team had not won, but the lord magistrate had gotten more than an eyeful. "But, first impressions can be deceptive, yes?" he added, curling his fingers into a paw as he tilted his head to the side. "When we gaze the unknown, we often see what we would like to see." There was a brief pause, Mineichi liking his lips behind his mask. "Someone like me would be more curious to know what lays beneath the mask. I trust that Susumu-kashu is not strictly what the Imperials would have us believe, yes?"

[Asahina Hinata]

A slender gentleman entered the Tower of Sins wearing nothing less than a mask reminiscent of a Ram, paired with a lush wig reminiscent of a slick coat and a sleek matching kimono suit, albeit one with a large V cut that, while not muscular, showed off his nonetheless smooth chest.

This unknown gentleman moved with a radiance that made it clear to everyone in the room that this was not his first event of this kind.

For Nishida, a wonderful evening would begin....

The shiny ram mask caught the attention of the white haired fox.

"Oh wow, what a great mask!!!"

Yeah . . . Hinata was awful at this 'anonymity' thing.

[Miya Nishida]

The shiny ram mask caught the attention of the white haired fox.

"Oh wow, what a great mask!!!"

Yeah . . . Hinata was awful at this 'anonymity' thing.

"If it gets your attention it has done everything it was supposed to do, hasn't it, my beautiful fox?" said Nishdia, examining the dress Hinata was wearing. "You're a real looker too, Kitsune-tan."

[Asahina Hinata]

"If it gets your attention it has done everything it was supposed to do, hasn't it, my beautiful fox?" said Nishdia, examining the dress Hinata was wearing. "You're a real looker too, Kitsune-tan."

He looked extremely pleased at the appearance praise, his grin readily apparent.

"Oh thank you, err . . . Ram-samaaaa!"

So he did remember they were really supposed to not reveal their identities, despite his voice being very recognisable.

"This hasn't been quite what I expected, but the Scorpion do good parties."

[Miya Nishida]

He looked extremely pleased at the appearance praise, his grin readily apparent.

"Oh thank you, err . . . Ram-samaaaa!"

So he did remember they were really supposed to not reveal their identities, despite his voice being very recognisable.

"This hasn't been quite what I expected, but the Scorpion do good parties."

"Is this the first party of its kind, Kitsune-tan?" he asked, amused.
For Hinata's luck, he had just made contact with the man who would probably recognize him the least. Nishida's acquaintances knew that his playlist consisted of classical music and heavy metal, pop was hardly to be found there. " Would you like to stick with me so you don't get lost in this scorpion's nest?"

[Asahina Hinata]

"Is this the first party of its kind, Kitsune-tan?" he asked, amused.
For Hinata's luck, he had just made contact with the man who would probably recognize him the least. Nishida's acquaintances knew that his playlist consisted of classical music and heavy metal, pop was hardly to be found there. " Would you like to stick with me so you don't get lost in this scorpion's nest?"

And for Nishida's luck, Hinata had no clue whatsoever that Ram-sama was a Crab.

"Oh thank you. There's so many little rooms and things here. This entire mansion is a maze. Scorpion everywhere . . . well they might be Scorpions. We all might be Scorpions!"

[Miya Nishida]

And for Nishida's luck, Hinata had no clue whatsoever that Ram-sama was a Crab.

"Oh thank you. There's so many little rooms and things here. This entire mansion is a maze. Scorpion everywhere . . . well they might be Scorpions. We all might be Scorpions!"

He offered Hinata his arm to strut through the maze in search of refreshment. Cold tea or sake wouldn't be bad.

A smirk settled on his lips, "Isn't that the exciting part? No one knows if behind innocent cat mask is a dangerous scorpion, or behind predatory lion mask could be a tame dragon." He chuckled, sounding really cheerful. "In a way, you can do whatever you want without having to wear your clan's mask, don't you think?"

[Hotaru Sakura]

Cherry Ghost-chan flitted about, smiling teasingly...which wasn't that much obvious. Still, there was some grace and some coyness in her movements, belying some experience.

[PM or quote if approached]