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Even though he wasn't the team captain by any stretch of the imagination, you'd be hard-pressed to believe it by the way Emory paraded in at the head of the small gaggle of DCU Dragons basketball players. He carried himself with smug confidence in his black suit and crimson shirt, even as some of his compadres fidgeted with their ties and suit jackets. It hadn't occurred to him to attend the ball -- he wasn't much of a formal-event kind of guy -- but when it was suggested that it might help him get a better feel for Destiny City, he could hardly refuse. Sure was different than Chicago, where the Negaverse had a strong foothold. It'd be interesting to find out how different.

He paid his $10 fee and donned the black mask that had been provided to him while the others mobbed the poor people manning the table. "You boys go on and do what you want," he tossed casually over his shoulder at them as he raked his fingers through his spiky purple hair, not caring whether they heard him or not. "I'm going to find out where the party is."

Weaving his way with ease through the throngs of snazzily-attired people loitering at the entrance, Emory made his way to the first floor ballroom. No, this scene was SO not his, way too formal and refined. He located the stairs and headed up to the second floor. Cute, but more suited for his little sister Bethany than him. (She'd wanted to come, but he'd forbidden it; he loved her, but he didn't want her cramping his style tonight.) One more flight of stairs to the third floor, and he smiled as the loud music and colorful lighting effects hit him. Now this was more like it. He snagged a flute of champagne off a passing tray and entered the ballroom, finding a place to watch the revelers. A few young ladies caught his eye out on the dance floor, so he positioned himself for optimal viewing, content to observe for now before making his move.

Mask color: Black (Negaverse Agent)
Lieutenant Chrysotile

There. She saw him come sauntering right in, a drink in his hand and staring out into the throngs of masked people with this look on his face. This was definitely the first dance of the night material, prime and ready. (Didn't hurt that he was cute... but let's be fair, the room was full of cuties. Maybe it was because he was one of the people that didn't make a beeline towards a friend.)

Natalie made her way towards him, her hands clasped behind her back and a boisterous smile on her face. "Hey; you waiting for someone, or can you spare a song for me?"

Mask Color: Green
Senshi of Seashells

Having very little experience with “high class” events, Ilian couldn’t help but be intrigued about the party. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t own any fancy clothing, nor did he have ten dollars to his name… Luckily, Lovely was well off both financially and with his wardrobe. While Lovely’s taste in clothing didn’t exactly coincide with his own, he figured he didn’t know enough about fashion to complain. Jericho was too tall anyway. He would drown in anything he borrowed from him.

“There’s a lot more people than I expected,” he mumbled as he sheepishly avoided eye contact with the person collecting their payment for entry from Lovely, who of course paid for the two of them. He busied himself with getting his mask pulled on, figuring he didn’t look too horrible with the black suit and teal vest. Bowties weren’t really his thing, but beggers obviously couldn’t be choosers.

Ilian ignored Lovely’s comment about fitting in, not feeling like he was fitting in at all. “Jericho should be here…” he mumbled off handedly as he glanced around for his friend.

Nega Agent's Mask: Black

Whatever Chris's thoughts were on the concept of masks, Paris rather liked the addition to their attire. She squeed a bit when Rhiannon traded with her husband; the black suited Chris's attire much better.

Plus, they matched. Black and ivory. It couldn't have turned out more perfectly.

“I actually don't know whose coming aside from our little group,” she said. “This was kind of last minute. Or at least I didn't hear about it until very recently. You'd think they would have been advertising for this thing for months.”

Which seemed suspicious to her. That, and the low entrance fee. But it was for charity, wasn't it? A totally legit one, or so it seemed. The low admission could have been a means to encourage more people to attend, and therefore acquire more donations. Looking around the main ballroom, there wasn't anything that stood out oddly. It was just a nicely decorated room filling with nicely dressed people, with music and drinks and food, and absolutely nothing untoward.

Speaking of music... if Chris thought he was going to get away with a simple waltz or foxtrot, he had another thing coming.

Paris waved to her cousin as the other girl went off in search of a quiet corner. For a moment she felt bad for not spending time with Rhiannon, but all the times she'd tried before hadn't been met with much success.

Instead, she flung her arms around her husband's neck, smiling up at him cheekily. “So I might have heard there was another ballroom upstairs with music a little more upbeat,” she said. “How's about we head on up there and have a little fun?”

Paris's Mask: White

The plans for the night hadn’t included going out at all, much less getting all dressed up. ”Your father’s busy, I need a date,” his mother had pouted at him earlier in the evening when she came into his room holding his suit and tie. Something told him she’d either planned to have him go with her anyway, or at least had him as back up, as he noticed the hems of his pants and jacket had been recently let out to compensate for the couple inches he’d grown since he’d last worn it.

It didn’t take long for his mother to run into some of her acquaintances, and for him to be left either unintentionally ignored or gushed over. But after a while, he slipped away in search of “food”.

There was the “children’s” ballroom, of course. And while he didn’t consider himself a child, he felt too drowned out in the other ballroom. Maybe it was better if he could run into a classmate or two… if he had any friends, anyway.

So when Peter caught a glimpse of Haven, he was almost surprised, having not recognized her at first in pretty dress and her hair done up. Not that he looked like himself in a suit and tie and his hair actually combed down. “What are you doing here?” he stared at the low neckline of her dress before remembering to try and make eye contact with her.

He was only looking for scientific reasons, anyway...

Peter's Mask: Blue

Sunshine Alouette

Chailee had not made any progress in her debate on which room to go to. In fact, she continued to stand there unsure of herself and almost looking anxious. Until, that is, a certain something, or more like someone, caught her attention.

As she unconsciously watched groups of people enter the ball, a young man caught her attention. Well...in fact it was the little black furball attached to him that caught her attention more. The fact that there was a cat on the mans shoulder despite the numerous signs stating that pets were not allowed was not what perked her interest. Nope. It was the fact that this overly furry, adorable cat was decked out with a tie -and- a mask!

She was about to rush over to talk to them when she paused and frowned slightly. The young man was certainly much older than her. What were the chances he'd want to talk to a teen? Ugh! Now what to do?! I mean, there was no chance he or the cat would just saunter up to her. In their eyes she's just a kid.

Jessie paused outside of the door to the third ballroom. She had paid her money and securely tied her simple purple mask to her face. Her navy gown whispered along the floor, her mass of dark brown hair was pilled on her head and spilling carelessly down her back, and for once she was wearing her contacts so no silver frames were obscuring her intelligent brown eyes. It was one of her most elegant dresses she owned and even if she didn't want to be here she would look her best.

She drifted through the throng of people, towards the bar. Did she know anyone here? How many of these people had she sold books to? Jessie didn't really like parties but she promised her mother she would go and have fun so that's what she would try to do. She reached the bar and ordered a simple glass of wine. On a empty nerve spinning stomach, probably not a good idea.