Welcome to Gaia! ::

Michiko frowned "Well I more so wanted to see the rare plants at the botanical gardens." She shifted uncomfortably with the conversation she wasn't sure why but she felt like she needed to say goodbye to this person in the gilded devil horn costume. Michiko wasn't very good dealing with social anxiety without her mask she was a nervous person when meeting new people. Toby had been the one to come to her and Elex had complimented her mask. Many other encounters were by chance. Michiko shook her head "I think I'd rather flutter about the garden or the gallery by myself." Michiko said softly she didn't feel comfortable anymore if she ever did with this strange figure.

Jada // Outfit - Hair

As she made her way around the ballroom, she realized that yes- that was Genevieve! "Hello!" she cried, wings and white dress fluttering behind her, pasting the brightest smile she could manage on her face, to hide her current emotions. "Aren't you looking lovely this evening? Sorry it's taken me so long to get to you, I had a surprise guest I simply had to spend some time with." the lie of omission stuck, but it was easier than explaining the full truth.

Still, she extended her hands, for Genevieve to either grasp and shake, or disregard in favor of a hug. "I'm glad that someone I know could make it. Did you come alone? Have you had the opportunity to get any raffle tickets? Seen anyone you know?" she paused, grinned. "Seen anyone you'd like to know?"

Giulia - Cinderella - Mask

Giulia giggled as her best friend chastised Daddy and Uncle Marlo, her hands wrapped in the larger hands of two of her favoritest people. She beamed between them all, and then tugged on Yvaine. "Oh!" she gasped, and pulled on them both. "I saw a girl I know from school, earlier. Her name is, um... Alise? She's a real proper big kid, like, so old? But she'd probably love to come to the haunted house."

And she knew a magical kitty! Though, did she know her kitty friend was magic? That was a question she hadn't asked. Probably! But she couldn't tell Vainey and Lucia about the magical kitty- secrets were important. And that wasn't her secret to tell!

She led Belle and the Faun in the direction of the pretty witch she had seen, bouncing happily. Ah! There!

"Hi!" she cried cheerfully to the pretty witch, "You're Alise, right? One of the big kids from school? I'm Giulia! We're going to go visit the ghastly gallery. Do you want to come be scared with us?"

Jack Burnett as a Fox

Whatever reason he had come there that night, whether or not Elex or Rowan or anyone else would have approved of him and his efforts to seem more sophistocated, at the very least, this enchanting, lovely young woman seemed to appreciate Jack. And here he'd thought he wouldn't have been able to enjoy himself. "That may be true, but if you've managed in the past to devour as much as you imply and still keep that figure, I'm afraid I don't see cause for your concern. I, too, am not one for letting free food go to waste. Why squander a rare and perfectly good chance like this?"

A crooked smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he finished loading his plate and looked back at her. "Regarding that dance, it would be my honor and pleasure. I may require some guidance if you believe you have the patience to instruct me, and I may not possess your avian grace, but I'm a quick learner. And I'd like to think I can handle a little heat."

The remark about telling her that he loved to eat caused him to exhale sharply through his nose in amusement. "I'm a fox. What fox doesn't enjoy a decent meal? In many stories, I seem to recall they are among the top animals most vilified for their appetites." Tilting his head slightly, he added with a chortle, "In regards to kidnapping, I find it's usually the fox ensnaring the bird. What a twist for this tale to be the other way around. Then again, the bird isn't usually a phoenix, either."

He nodded in acknowledgement as his feathered friend explained her motives. "A grand event to network at, to be sure. Certainly a fine opportunity for rubbing elbows with those too far high up the social ladder to associate with common folk on a regular basis." Beneath the smiling snout of his vulpine mask, Jack's own grin sobered. He recalled, underneath the splendor of his pricy, extravagant garments, how inconsequential he was in the world of important names and figures of worth. Perhaps if the woman knew who he really was, she wouldn't have bothered wasting her time with him after all.

Though he had quickly been warming up to the phoenix, this thought chilled him enough to negate that warmth and he silently chastised himself for allowing his emotions to get the better of him. Surely a true member of higher-class society wouldn't have been so simple to beguile, especially since, even under ordinary circumstances as himself, Jack had usually made it a point not to get too close to anyone. Was he really so lonely that said loneliness was causing him lower his guard? Was he using the anonymous role granted him by his mask to try to fill his void? How pathetic had he become?

"Yes, it is a fascinating pastime to make observations at a place like this, circumstances being what they are. You never know who you might be talking to but for the subtle hints and faint clues more often than not unwittingly betrayed. However," Jack continued, pausing to taste an exotic-looking morsel, "As far as networking, I was under the impression such endeavors involved getting to know others and having them get to know you. When compared to the appeal of a masquerade ball, though, particularly at a charity event such as this, don't those objectives completely defeat the purpose of concealing one's identity behind a mask?"

Shannon Mccord // Costume+Mask -i really need to make her a journal >.<'-

Shannon was eyeing the costumes of the other guests when a little blond haired child (Giulia) practically raced up to her and circled her like some kind of toy. She blinked at the kid in surprise as the little Cinderella, she recognized that dress... pretty much anyone who breathed knew about Disney's live action movie, rambled on about Queen Elsa and Arendelle. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the kid equated her Ice Queen with the Frozen character. "I'll keep an eye out." With a wink and a smile Shannon did her best to give off the whole royal feel. She might not be a big kid person but that didn't mean she would let others see that. It wouldn't look right.

As the kid ran off to the next person the 'Queen' turned towards her 'Prince' and made a face at his comment. "Yeah well... I'm taking in everything so I can write a fantastic article." She nearly glided away but the announcement about the gallery opening had her scooping up Alex's arm and asking, "What do you say we go check out the 'Ghastly Gallery' and then you can shepherd me around to get some quotes." She was pushing her luck here since Alex was kind of her boss when it came to the more magical side of the city but it was too amusing to act like the royalty she was dressed as.

Genevieve

"Of course, it's understandable. I know how these events go." Waving off the others words she was smiling brightly, happy to have the others attention. Jada was a friend, and right now the only one she had here, it was good to get to talk to her and not just wander and sample food and other things. It wasn't that the food, or drinks, were bad it was just more entertaining to spend time with people talking and laughing. "I'm glad you like my costume. I had hoped it wouldn't be too much." But she'd seen some very well dressed people mingling around the party so she didn't feel too over dressed.

"Your dress is lovely, the wings and the mask add to it - a very nice touch." Ignoring the out stretched hands the dark haired female moved in close and hugged Jada to herself for a brief moment. "I came alone. I didn't want to subject Christa to such a thing - I hope you don't mind. She's not so social and especially at such an event." She didn't think the other would like it very much. "We should, just the three of us, have a get together. Maybe a movie night at my home or yours. We can do it in pajamas and talk and watch movies." Like she had done back in high school. Only they would likely talk about being senshi as well as talk about guys, it would be nice though.

"Raffle tickets? Oh...no. I didn't notice them." Glancing about, as if they might just pop up out of no where she turned questioning eyes onto the other for a moment. "I've seen a few I believe I remember from school, some older...others maybe from my grade but not in my social circle." She answered before feeling her cheeks warm just a touch. "N-no...I haven't dated since high school." Since eleventh grade actually. It wasn't like she had tried to date but she hadn't avoided it either. It was simply something which had not happened for her since then. "Why? Were you planning to play cupid if there had been?" She asked,
grinning at the other and nudging her gently.

Of course you did. Everyone did. No one spoke of overgrown arachnids coming to liquefy the guests.

Do you think, Moth?

She offered her own departure, finally finding the voice beneath her demure demeanor. Elex bowed with manners second-nature to him. He found no need to offer parting words; Moth spoke for both of them.

In the interim, wandering eyes crossed the whole of the ballroom as feet carried him between couple and couple. Most looked engaged — some enamored — and the masque grew to be its own people-watching experience.

Yet even now, nothing went amiss. Curious.

Rowan Cameron || as a Faun

Many at the party were well dressed. Very well dressed indeed. The masks ranged from hokey, elegant (like himself, of course), minimalistic, and...like one fellow, very over the top and eve catching. So much so, actually, that Rowan found himself watching the young man with the demon-esque mask with horns that scaled higher than one would expect a mask to handle. That thing surely must be top heavy. He mused, eyes roving over the golden goat-like horns, cream face and white beard. The rest of the ensemble matched in its flamboyancy and Rowan couldn't help but smile as he made his way across the dance floor.

Thankfully, he had managed to direct himself across the dance floor without being molested to be a dance partner. A part of him was disappointed that not a single person had deemed him interesting enough to intrude upon, but perhaps his focused intent upon the golden demon was more obvious than he had intended. No matter, he'd fix the problem soon enough. But first...

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help not noticing your masque. It's so unique and eye-catching. I hope you don't mind if I steal a bit of your time? A person wearing something as well put together as you just demand my attention." Rowan grinned. His half mask the perfect medium between partaking in the festivities and still being able to express himself through facial movements. "Is it of anything in particular? From across the room, it made me think of a demon of some sort."