It didn't dawn on Jamie then how strangely flawless Shiloh's appearance was, he'd been too far away to notice the lack of bags under his eyes when the mask was off and too preoccupied with taming his own guilt to think about how bright his smile was. Subconsciously, sure, it was something that might creep up on him later, when he was alone and able to mull, but for now his shoulders visibly relaxed and he let his hands fall with Shiloh's.
"I know... Thank you, Shiloh." When Jamie smiled then, it was a genuine one, though wavery and small. He still felt somewhat melancholy in the face of his friend's suddenly upbeat disposition. It struck Jamie as odd, but again, it was in that subconscious sort of way. He didn't think to mention it even as the smile wobbled a little more.
"I've... seen a few people. Other, um, moonwalkers. I think maybe, um, the grandpas... and everything..." He rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to will away the fog he felt. How would he get into the investigation this way? "I... I guess you're probably right." Except Jamie didn't want to split up, he didn't want to be separated from Shiloh again. "I can... look around on my own."
Melancholies
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:32 pm
algernon mercer || 25/25 || with jer, speaking mostly to adoelle but also burning man
"I have actually met Alois, at my bookshop," Alois' nod and silence was a bit different than the man he'd met previously. Though his personality was a contrast to his own, Alois had been chatty.
Alg tucked his hand back when the Burning Man, Ezra, didn't take it. By Alg's continued pleasant expression it was hard to tell if he was in anyway offended, but there was a tensity that slipped from his shoulders when he realized he could have almost just set himself on fire.
This was a party, they didn't need any more unpleasantness than the already impending murder.
At mention of Adoelle's loneliness he looked genuinely sorry, "We really tried to find you but apparently weren't able to until now. I'm sorry it wasn't sooner."
The professor became suddenly aware, as people began to join the Spinel Lady, that he recognized several and they were all acting oddly. Alg got a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach that it took everything to swallow down.
He glanced Adoelle again, just a moment, remembering her face from a memory and smiling slightly, "It's been a while since I've been to something so grand. What was the last one like?"
After a few moments of silence and consideration, Eve addressed Pride with care. "You didn't need to apologize to us," she began, referencing his address to Jamie. "We understand there's rules to these things by now. I appreciate the consideration, though." She gave a polite tilt of her head towards him and repositioned her hands in her lap before continuing.
"You must be used to attending these. Has the... tithing... ever failed?"
[25/25 | LEILA]: leaving the room
Meanwhile, Leila had caught sight of her accountability buddy Thorne -- and feeling the need to check up on him, followed him into the Emerald Alcove.
jeremiah mercer || 25/25 || with alg, speaking mostly to the burning man and a little to adoelle and alois
The name was noted, Ezra, and Jeremiah was careful to not focus too much on the Spinel Lady or those that were around her (people who looked familiar, people who he knew, people who were off). It was her that was more of a warning to his senses. A constant sense of danger that he knew was her and not so much the Burning Man.
It was an odd predicament.
"We've met. It's been some time but we have," he replied when Alois was introduced, a small shake of his head at the wine. No, he did not want any. As Algie was conversing with Adoelle for the most part, Jeremiah's focus was on Ezra, the Burning Man. Without thinking about it, he rolled a thumb across the bone ring on his pinky.
"Are they always the same? These balls?" If this were the nineteenth one, perhaps. "It must all blend together in some ways, sometimes the same faces and other times ones that are not quite the same at all." Jeremiah's head tilted towards Algie briefly, though his focus was on the Burning Man and thinking of the art he had seen and his past self. "We are all pieces that have been brought into play here, scrambling to figure things out, with what the gate guards laid out for us, but why bring us here to stop it?"
It was an honest question, one he wondered. If this was meant to happen, then why had they been brought in. If those within needed the sacrifice to happen, then why bring in those that could potentially stop it?
Green and Gold Rabbit Vaughn: 25/25, chaste-macking Hux
He almost voiced an objection. The Spinel Lady and her broken children didn't frighten him, but when he heard the addendum—she was busy—he nodded.
"All right."
Rabbit watched Hux retrieve his drink, take a sip, and look off at his copy. Oh. They were here, were they? He scanned the edges of the room, finding his own. His double was angry, but not nearly angry enough. Rabbit faced Hux with a smirk, ignoring the glowing glass. He stood on tiptoe, pressing his lips to the taller man's for a teasing moment.
Pins and needles. "Interesting." He took the drink, downing another mouthful. "I'll admit I still don't know what to do."
happy bonsai
Chain-Smoking Rabbit Vaughn: 25/25, stomping away
In his corner, Rabbit watched. He seethed. He turned and left, flicking his cigarette at the nearest gossamer curtain as he went.
[ he gone ]
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 9:28 pm
Hux in a Dress - 25/25 - exiting to ebony spire
Hux frowned at Adoelle and didn't bother to return her greeting, then frowned at his double just as Rabbit leaned forward to brush their lips together.
His hand clenched around the wine bottle's neck so hard it might've shattered, had he been in the world that was not this one. Instead, the glass became malleable. It formed a grip exactly the right size and shape for his fist to safely close around it- then it loosened back to it's original shape when the force of his fingers and palm had subsided. He drank, angrily, then he turned to march back up the stairs.
Smerdle
shibrogane
Hux in a Suit - 25/25 - talking flirting plotting with Green & Gold Rabbit
"Tease." He said, and his grin seemed just a bit too wide.
"I suppose we're just hear to enjoy ourselves, aren't we? Until what is done is done and what needs to be decided is decided." He didn't mind dropping the facade a bit, not now that he'd already been in the same room as his double. He reached out and plucked the glass from Rabbit's hand, grinning roguishly from beneath his mask as he swirled the bright liquid. He took another long sip, then looked at Rabbit for a long moment before finally formulating an idea. "We could dance? If they return, they'd be jealous." He smiled.
Smerdle
happy bonsai
Offline
shibrogane Vice Captain
Stellar Lightbringer
Offline
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:00 pm
The Sinister Stranger: 25/25, talking to Ashton and Shun
"Of course I do," says the Sinister Survivor. "But if you don't, then perhaps you weren't meant to." The mask turns towards Ashton. "You, young lady, need to work on your manners. You may be masked, but I can tell you're frustrated. It's quite rude."
Daekie
Blade Kuroda
The Spinel Lady: 25/25, waving Thorne and Shiloh away
The lady lifts one hand in farewell, confident that her orders will be followed.
elkbones
Melancholies
Adoelle Nashua: 25/25, talking to Algernon
"It was very nice, actually," she says. "The red moon comes along not nearly as often as you'd think, the last time was the, um... early nineties? So it's about every twenty-two years. But anyway, I had a nice time. D'you like balls? The dancing is ever so pretty."
iloveyouDIE
Prideful One: 25/25, talking to Eve
"It depends on what you mean by failure," says Pridey. "Anything can happen, though."
cibarium
The Burning Man: 25/25, talking to Jeremiah
"Not so," says the burning man. "They are never boring. Many people might find them so, but I do not. It amuses me, and breaks up the years enjoyably."
azuredreams
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:09 pm
Ashton Carver: 25/25, leaving the room
"My manners -- of course," Ashton smiled, and very intentionally blanked her mind (on her nails, patterns of crimson veins drew and redrew themselves into existence, glitter-bright as diamonds). "I'll take my leave, then. I'm sorry to have bothered you." She turned with precise, sharp steps, ballerina-like; and was gone from the room, with only an inclination of her head to Shun to signify she'd noticed him at all.
Shun Kuroda 25/25 | Talking to the STRANGAAAAH still
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. I am just trying to learn as much as possible to see what can be done about it," Shun stated, "There are a lot of unknown factors. Too many. You likely have no obligation in fill me in on anything, but perhaps it could make things interesting."
Shibrogane
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:21 pm
jeremiah mercer || 25/25 || with algie; speaking with the burning man
He glances briefly over to Adoelle, hearing mention of the last ball. Before Jeremiah's gaze flicks back to him, he realizes he is idly spinning the bone ring on his finger. Earlier he had thought he had heard it try to whisper but he had not really been listening, now ...
Would it work here? On the very being who had left it to him? It was worth a shot.
"With such an extensive life, it would make sense you would find amusement where you can," Jeremiah finally replies. "Especially if there are humans here, trying to make sense of everything." Not just the ball but in everything that was other ashdown. "Though trying to figure out what piece you are on the board as well-" His head tilts, his smile wry. "It isn't easy but I certainly keep persisting."
alois scholz (masked) || 25/25 || being offended af how dare
Alois did not recognize the man who spoke, but he didn’t need to. The Burning Man commanded a powerful presence, beyond the swell of heat about him and the licking flame and the eternal cooking, he held a personality that matched his appearance. Alois feared little when in the company of such an individual. He found little reason to conceal his scorn. To cower in fear at the first signs of spurning.
At the refusal of wine, Alois cocked his brow behind the mask. A hidden gesture, perhaps, but one that found expression through body language nonetheless. „Father,“ he started without interrupting the Burning man in his discourse, „may I be excused? I’m afraid I find present company leaves me parched. I do not relish colloquy with the uncouth. It's so... contemporary.
„Refreshments are low too. I can send for the wretched one to replenish.“
shibrogane
azuredreams
iloveyouDIE
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 11:44 pm
Marcus LeCroix 25/25 panic at the disco party
When ushered into the hall, Marcus was taken back. Mostly as SUDDENLY A LARGE GATHERING OF PERSONS WHOM HE DID NOT KNOW and 'oh wow everyone is dressed so nice I am very impressed this really is like a magic ball I feel so under dressed'.
However, anxiety rose above his awe over people's outfits and for a while he hovered around the familiarity of those he'd lingered around before. "Oh. Um. Yes. Okay. Very good idea. Hmm yes. Very nice." Marcus's voice was pitching and his fingers began to pick at his sleeves, wearing into the lacework as he began to fidget. Too many faces. Voices. Nodding at Jeremiah's words eyes flickered around in a sudden frantic want to make himself less exposed.
Less noticeable.
"Um, I will see you all later." Jeremiah's words ended up ultimately falling on deaf ears as Marcus quickly darted through the crowd looking for a place to gather himself.
Where he found himself later was pressed against a wall, counting his breaths in slowly spoken numbers. In through his nose, out his mouth. Held a few seconds, released. He wasn't supposed to panic in groups. In the city there was always a place to go to. To get away. To escape. Here there wasn't and that was made his fear, his anxiety spike.
Away from the throng.
A few drinks, some food he told himself. This was just like any other party he had to attend. Just pretend. Just pretend. He could fake it in front of millionaire types and government officials he could fake it in front of magical persons. Sure. He had evaded the Illuminati right? This would be nothing. That's all he kept telling himself. That's all he had to remind himself. This wasn't the worst thing. He'd weathered worse. He'd made it how long on his own with strange looks and so many therapists trying to dig into his head?
The Burning Man: 25/25, speaking with Jeremiah, letting Alois head out
The ring whispers to Jeremiah: He longs for his mother's touch. A man in constant pain and this bothers him the most.
Ezra doesn't hear it. "You do," he says. "I have noticed this. So, too, do your allies. I'd watch them closely tonight. It would be very easy for them to... slip."
His attention sways to Alois. "Of course," he says. That paternal bent again. "Thank you, dear boy."
azuredreams
Hetzerei
The Sinister Survivor: 25/25, speaking with Shun
"Things will be quite interesting regardless," says the sinister survivor. "If you're so desperate, perhaps you might like to offer me something in return?"
Blade Kuroda
you don't gotta do it again but i figured I'd link this for timelining :3
algernon mercer || 25/25 || with jer, talking to adoelle
"I do enjoy balls, though it's been quite a while" He smiled, noting the information about the blood moon and that Adoelle had a good time. He'd assumed if she was killed she may not have, or if perhaps someone close to her was killed. Or maybe the blood sacrifice had gone a different way then..
"I'll have to dance with my husband first of course," Alg chuckled, hand sneaking to find one of Jer's again and squeeze, "But perhaps I can steal a dance with you tonight also?"
It would be more time to talk and perhaps slip questions in.
"You can imagine this murder business is a bit much for us-" Alg glanced around a bit, as one would do when surrounded by dozens of strangers, "-we aren't used to bloodshed as a rule. Or- as such a social activity."
His hand rose to adjust glasses that weren't there, instead bumping then adjusting the edge of his mask, "How is the victim chosen?" His inquiry sounded nearly academic.
