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

[Bayushi Tenma]

Giving a delicate nod, she said "Champagne if you please. And thank you." She accepted the glass, hoping that no Scorpion would be so ridiculous as to poison something at such a public event.

Sensing another's eyes on her, she saw Usagi-san look her up and down. With a smile curving under her mask, she gave him a wink back and then turned back to the Bayushi.

"And how you are enjoying yourself this evening?"

"Oh most certainly. There's something so refreshing about being able to let loose and mingle like this every once in a while, no? Have handsome men and beautiful women winking at you while you enjoy the finest drinks a cosmopolitan world can offer."

Despite Tenma's care in dressing up for the event, she was no actress, and her attempts to change her voice or act cooler than she was were absolutely woeful, her excitement shining through even with her eyes covered.

[Ide Yamako]

Giving a delicate nod, she said "Champagne if you please. And thank you." She accepted the glass, hoping that no Scorpion would be so ridiculous as to poison something at such a public event.

Sensing another's eyes on her, she saw Usagi-san look her up and down. With a smile curving under her mask, she gave him a wink back and then turned back to the Bayushi.

"And how you are enjoying yourself this evening?"

"Oh most certainly. There's something so refreshing about being able to let loose and mingle like this every once in a while, no? Have handsome men and beautiful women winking at you while you enjoy the finest drinks a cosmopolitan world can offer."

Despite Tenma's care in dressing up for the event, she was no actress, and her attempts to change her voice or act cooler than she was were absolutely woeful, her excitement shining through even with her eyes covered.

Luckily for Bayushi-san, Yamako remembers her starry eyed wonder at New Kalani and has some sympathy for the state. "To shed the self and be something a little different can be freeing. Certainly, it seems to be a very popular event." She sips her drink again.

"Is this your first time attending?"

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Mhmhm. There is time and place for all things, yes." he took half a step backwards, smiling still, the 'dance' of bodies part of the game. "With rabble, it matter little. With more noble prey, the matters are very different. You never know who knows whom." It seemed that Mineichi was still discussing his line of work, even if his words were wrapped in additional layers. "Seems harmless, possibly? Appearing harmless is often wanted, I wager. Whether the songbird is actually harmless, I doubt. One does not manage Imperial sponsorship without some edge." he added with a grin, even if his mask hid it. "Seppun and Otomo would play timid songbird like a fiddle, no?" Mineichi presented his words more as an observation rather than praise, leaving it to Yakumo to pick up what he actually meant. "No, I would not think songbird merely a prey."

"That would turn more than just the tables." he quipped in return. "For who would expect to see a bird chasing a cat?" Evidently Mineichi had never seen otori of Asakaze. As filthy as World of Dreams was, the city was oddly sterile, with only few beasts managing to eke out a living among humans. "Maybe songbird is a bird of prey, hiding her claws beneath the shimmering feathers?" he asked playfully, shifting a little to her left, his movements relaxed - it seemed that the Lord of Cats considered the high society his territory. "Or perhaps she wishes others to believe this? Who knows?" The way he lingered around her made his curiosity rather evident.

"The right choice of locale matters too, I'd think, for a successful hunt." Yes... talking 'work'. The choice of words were veiled enough to give the plausible deniability of speaking of the magistrate's line of work. Though anyone listening would probably easily guess that it wasn't what they were talking about at all. "It is a delicate balance to be found - too harmless and too yielding, a bird would get eaten up. One needs to be both harmless and dangerous, yielding and controlling."

Hmm... too on the nose perhaps, she wondered, finding the dance of worse and veiled meanings intriguing but also challenging. Yakumo did like a challenge, but she also knew she was in unchartered territory here. And at worst, she'd make herself look a fool to the Lord Magistrate - one of the people closest to the Governor.

"Maybe the Cat Lord wishes to study birds more closely?" she giggled behind a raised hand. "Cats are known to be curious, and there is a mysterious bird to learn more about through careful observation."

[Miya Nishida]

"Oh the couturier-samaaaa! that made this is so very skilled."

He swirled the dress, of course showing off the slash and flashing the fishnet clad leg at the same time.

He looked closely at the kitsune's twirl, "Your dress fascinates me, Kitsune-Tan, may I ask for a dance?" the Ram samurai asked, nobly offering a hand

[Bayushi Tenma]

Luckily for Bayushi-san, Yamako remembers her starry eyed wonder at New Kalani and has some sympathy for the state. "To shed the self and be something a little different can be freeing. Certainly, it seems to be a very popular event." She sips her drink again.

"Is this your first time attending?"

She nodded, "Not been on the planet long, and back home certainly had nothing like this."

Tenma thought a moment before deciding that saying that probably wasn't giving away too much, no?

"So I consider it a learning experience, as well a refreshing one."

[Asahina Hinata]

He looked closely at the kitsune's twirl, "Your dress fascinates me, Kitsune-Tan, may I ask for a dance?" the Ram samurai asked, nobly offering a hand

The painted lips visible under the Kitsune half mask made a happy smile, as they took the offered hand.

"Oh I'd be delighted, Ram-samaaa!"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Among the guests Koyuki was left back to her own vices for a time. Parted from her previous company the woman walked the space of the party without intent, at least for now. Tonight she wore a gorgeous ensemble with a striking energy belonging to that of the element of water more heavily represented in her mask, all meeting the sophistication of this kind of high class event.

[Quote when Approaching, may likely return and see whom I might interact with later of my own accord.]

[Utaku Yesugen]

Sakura - for it was she under the MYSTERY GETUP - turned towards the cat, perfume hazing around her heavily. "Ah, Neko-chan." She bowed deeply. "A friend, and a silly name." She titled her head. "What inspired you?"

"Neko-chan... Right." Yesugen pointed to her ears, even poked one for good measure. Her nose, behind the mask, wrinkled a bit in hopes of learning more about this perfume. "I'm afraid I do not have such a fascinating story. I requested aid from my embassy and this is what they came up with." Someone had had a lot of fun with the dour lady...

[Bayushi Mariko]

In a societal gathering of many who's who, even if they were masked and their identity withheld for non-disclosure reasons, there were bound to be some local celebrities who were present for the event. There was a lady who was dressed in a bold ruby evening dress that showed plenty of skin while still leaving everything else to the imagination. It was perhaps a slight point of pride that this lady didn't face too many hardships to show this much flawless skin (by passing appearances at least). Her ensemble is made complete with a matching lace mask. She would cross the floor with her wide skirt with much confidence in her posture.

[Susumu Yuji]

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?"

"The shadows follow me where ever I go. But let's go to the light." The gesture was apparent, and he took reassurance in Kimurahime. While it wasn't that he was blind, but without his glasses he might as well be. Slowly he took a sip from the cup, while briefly looking about.

"The usual prods and barbs. The masquerade. Still, with Winter Court, there's something in the air, my dearest." His voice remained low, giving the pretense of continuing to play the game.

[Akodo Reki]

"Not a fan of the crowds hm?" Came a smooth and pleasant voice from behind Reki. A strange voice, one would have difficulty placing if it belonged to a man or woman hovering somewhere between.

Kazumi stepped up next to her a drink in hand and black eyes looking out to the crowd as they spoke before shifting to Reki.

"Sometimes one must step back from trees to see the forest," Reki smiled wryly, "Or so I have heard. Besides if I wanted to disappear from the crowd, there are other more shadowy alcoves."

Her copper colored eyes studied the man for a moment, trying to piece together if she had seen the man before. Which would have been difficult even if she had, given the nature of tonight's party.

"Though perhaps none so hidden as to escape our hosts' notice, eh?"

[Ide Yamako]

Luckily for Bayushi-san, Yamako remembers her starry eyed wonder at New Kalani and has some sympathy for the state. "To shed the self and be something a little different can be freeing. Certainly, it seems to be a very popular event." She sips her drink again.

"Is this your first time attending?"

She nodded, "Not been on the planet long, and back home certainly had nothing like this."

Tenma thought a moment before deciding that saying that probably wasn't giving away too much, no?

"So I consider it a learning experience, as well a refreshing one."

She nods. "Of course. One can always find something to learn. But the question is, what do our hosts want us to learn?"

[Boogiepop]

"The shadows follow me where ever I go. But let's go to the light." The gesture was apparent, and he took reassurance in Kimurahime. While it wasn't that he was blind, but without his glasses he might as well be. Slowly he took a sip from the cup, while briefly looking about.

"The usual prods and barbs. The masquerade. Still, with Winter Court, there's something in the air, my dearest." His voice remained low, giving the pretense of continuing to play the game.

Susumu Kimurahime

"Of course, perhaps let's consider this venture an expansion of your court then." She smiled encouragingly at the idea as she guided him away from the sidelines where the wallflowers would linger and toward the centre of the room. Her free hand would carefully find its way to Yuji's. This might be considered a public display of affection in other settings but she imagined that the masked event would let them be a little lenient on the decorum, especially when their persona (and themselves in reality) were an item together.

"I am all too familiar with those elements, my prince. However, I am curious if we can find some of your allies here...perhaps, prospects?" She would say curiously before leaning to whisper a few things in his ear, giving a quick rundown of a few notable costumes in the room to give him an idea of the other 'characters' present.

[Bayushi Tenma]

She nods. "Of course. One can always find something to learn. But the question is, what do our hosts want us to learn?"

"A good question. I fear it would take someone much more perceptive and savvy than myself to learn such a thing. Fortunately, there are unintended lessons one can take on their own, hopefully without stepping on anyone else's toes, as it were. Especially if no one actually knows who you are or what your intentions are."

The woman's masked face looked about curiously.

"I'm sure I could take some educated guesses, having mingled a bit. But at the same time, I think it might be wise not to go with what seems obvious."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

The glowing fox mask continued to weave its way through the party.

[Miya Nishida]

The painted lips visible under the Kitsune half mask made a happy smile, as they took the offered hand.

"Oh I'd be delighted, Ram-samaaa!"

Nishdia was not a good dancer, at least you could tell he didn't do it often, but for some court dancing it should be enough. Of course, there was also the option that the beautiful fox could daringly take the lead,...

[Hotaru Sakura]

"Neko-chan... Right." Yesugen pointed to her ears, even poked one for good measure. Her nose, behind the mask, wrinkled a bit in hopes of learning more about this perfume. "I'm afraid I do not have such a fascinating story. I requested aid from my embassy and this is what they came up with." Someone had had a lot of fun with the dour lady...

Sakura extended a hand to poke at the other ear in response, teasingly. Or something like that. For this, she had to step a bit closer, her scent reaching ever slightly stronger. "Ah, I see. Well, a cat born of Compassion and guidance then." She titled her head. "A little bit of a grumpy cat, neh?"

[Kitsu Kanna]

The glowing fox mask continued to weave its way through the party.

Still dressed punk, with no illusion about the fact anyone who would want to know her identity would have no difficulty acquiring that information and thus putting little work into pretending she was anyone else, Kanna strolled toward the person wearing a fox mask:

"Searching for Ysengrin, Maître Renart?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Her smart trap of colors makes a vein pop up in his forehead as he has to think fasto to give a satisfactory, and charming, counter-argument. He returns from the bow together with the princess in front of him to reply, “I would not dare hurt a flower, even as it pierces me back, and if I pluck it from the ground it came, it is only to root it at more prosperous and fertile grounds. Under a blue sky.”

Oh my! He is so funny! The young woman has absolutely no idea why people talk about him as if he is the most awkward creature ever to step food on the WoD. She could continue playing this game with him forever! She can already imagine meeting him in a random court ten years from now and continue down the same road acting all gallant, in love and on the verge of a marriage that cannot take place due to duty!

Senshuken chuckles. "Some flowers wither when they are taken away from the field they flourished for the first time, no matter how much care and attentiveness they receive, and some people just look absolutely hot in red and black colors." She winks playfully. "Think about it."

She offers another bow and a broad smile. "Fare well till then, my charming stranger. You will always be in my dreams."

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"The right choice of locale matters too, I'd think, for a successful hunt." Yes... talking 'work'. The choice of words were veiled enough to give the plausible deniability of speaking of the magistrate's line of work. Though anyone listening would probably easily guess that it wasn't what they were talking about at all. "It is a delicate balance to be found - too harmless and too yielding, a bird would get eaten up. One needs to be both harmless and dangerous, yielding and controlling."

Hmm... too on the nose perhaps, she wondered, finding the dance of worse and veiled meanings intriguing but also challenging. Yakumo did like a challenge, but she also knew she was in unchartered territory here. And at worst, she'd make herself look a fool to the Lord Magistrate - one of the people closest to the Governor.

"Maybe the Cat Lord wishes to study birds more closely?" she giggled behind a raised hand. "Cats are known to be curious, and there is a mysterious bird to learn more about through careful observation."

"Well, yes. I am sure the spider thinks twice before deciding where and when to weave her webs, no?" Lord of Cats asked, for a brief moment moving his fingers as if he was weaving a thread. His pastel colored kimono made him stand out like a sore thumb as most of the locals had chosen to wear deep crimson to the occasion with dragon motif mask being the commonly worn. "There is always freedom in giving in, just as there are chains that tie when you take the lead. Someone in my position knows that all too well." he added, sighing softly as he recalled the hundred odd unread messages on his communicator. With power came ties that bound you down as Mineichi had come to realize. "Oh, I am very curious." Mineichi murmured, lowering his tone, almost purring the last two words. "Yet you can learn only that much observing from distance, would you not agree?" he asked her, tilting his head to the side.