MASQUERADE, ANYONE?!?!?! (SCHOOL DANCE)

[meigan]

All aboard the Good Ship Masquerade![/I][/u]


The cruise ship sat in the harbor. Yes, a cruise ship, something quite unusual to the Long Beach port, which usually harbored to merchant and fishing ships and privately own boats. A long gangplank extended from the wooden pier, leading up to the magnificent beauty. Both gangplank and ship were swathed in blue, black, and white crepe paper, the ship's fixings strung with lights. There was even music and colored lights drifting from the main deck, and voices began to gather as well. It was the end-of-the-year/summer-kick-off party being held by PHS 259, in the fond memory of the late Mr. Asiv, who was greatly into celebration himself. Every year this party had a theme, and this year was 'Masquerade.'

Students flocked to the gangplank, looking up at the two burly bodyguards, clad in black, who were flanking the gangplanks entrance. They were wearing simple black masks over their eyes, but instead of looking mysterious, they simply looked more intimidating. The didn't speak, and they didn't move…their orders were specific…

…a boy made his way to the plank in simple jeans and a worn t-shirt, his face not covered in the slightest. He made his way to the gangplank, whistling merrily; A large hand roughly the size of a spade planted itself square in his chest, needless to say, the boy stopped short.

"Mask?" A gravelly bass asked in a monotonous, demanding tone. It belonged to the hand.

"Dude, school spirit's for losers. You actually think I'm gonna-…!" He never got to finish his sentence, as a moment later he had been hoisted into the air effortlessly and flung into a pile of wooden boxes, his momentum splintering them like toothpicks. The bodyguards resumed their positions, beady eyes watching the ingoing partiers in their silent eerie manner.

The ship itself was flanked with these men, though they were in no way the enforcers that plagued the school. Their orders were specific, and unless someone arose that interfered with their orders, they remained hidden, unseen, completely off the radar of the rest of the party's affairs. You have been warned.


**On deck**

Thum, thum, thum, thum.. The bass pounded out of the giant speakers placed around the main deck, pseudo-dance floor/socializing area. Half of the huge space was bare, meant for dancing to the music that now played from the lofted DJ stand at the bow of the ship. There were colorful lights flashing in rhythm to the music, making shapes on the floor and on the people who were grooving to the tunes. The female DJ with wild purple hair, a purple mask with multicolored sparkles, large headphones hanging off one ear, was fiddling with the buttons on the large console in front of her.

The other half of the large-ass deck was scattered with small round tables and silver wirey chairs, both also reflecting the colored lights from the stage. Mini glitter lava lamps sat as center pieces to the tables, and to the back in front of the wall to the captains cabin, a bar was made up just for this occasion. A bar tender, a graduate of 259, had been hired for the evening, and given the instruction to discourage the purchasing of alcoholic beverages…but if he did, a cut of the profits went to the staff themselves, as they were the only other over-age people aboard and, ahem, who else would be able to supply the booze anyway? >_>



And. So. It. Starts.[/I][/u]

[Keith]

Keith needed the extra money. He agreed to work as the bartender on the ship for the party. The 17 year old college freshman stood behind the bar wearing a black dragon mask that would glow in the dark. He wouldn't be talking in his English accent. Instead, he would be talking in a New York Asian accent.

This was something new. But he didn't want to reveal himself. For tonight, he was but a "simple" bartender. No masquerade would be fun without the booze, though. Which was why Keith came prepared. Behind the bar and underneath, Keith had an assortment of liquors. There was Skyy Vodka, Bicardi, Captain Morgan, Remy Red, Hpnotiq, Hennesy, Seagram's 7, etc.

Keith also had the essential juices, sodas, and everything else to make the mixed drinks. Yeah, he was going to make sure everybody would get drunk. At the same time, Keith would be making a lot of money on the side. Of course he'd give a cut of the profits to the staff. But, Keith had many connections of getting alcohol.

He even managed to get alcohols from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Keith did a lot of networking while outside of school. Here's a secret, white peeps tend to enforce the drinking laws.

All the other non-whites don't give a shit. Keith had been to some liquor stores owned by Indians and Arabs. They just sold it to Keith without asking for an ID. The same went for the Asian liquor store owners. But Keith had a secret supply of moonshine and everclear with him. Moonshine is 94% alcohol while Everclear was 99% alcohol.

Moonshine and everclear were hard to get. It was illegal in the United States. You'd have to have some good connections in obtaining moonshine and everclear.

A few students came up to him.

"What will you be having?" Keith asked.

[Veyugan ~*]

Veyugan watched with delight as a student was flung effortlessly into a pile of boxers by the cruise ship bouncers. A white half-face mask was clasped within his right hand as he advanced toward the two bouncers. As he stepped between them, the same arm shot out, colliding with Veyugan's chest. A smirk crossed his face as he drew the mask up to his face, fastening it against his skin. The bouncers allowed him entrance, and he slowly trekked through the ship - scouting that there was hardly any people there yet. A sigh came from Veyugan as he noted the location of the bar. He was hoping that people would show. He planned on meeting quite a few people from the school. There really was no one he could call a friend.

The mask itself matched perfectly with his outfit. Tonight, Veyugan wore his more formal attire. A pair of semi-tight white dress pants covered his muscular legs. Upon his torso was his button-up, long sleeved blue dress shirt. However, every button was not fastened. The shirt was only buttoned up halfway, letting the upper portion of his abdomen and chest show to all. Strapped to his feet was his new pair of white dress shoes. Veyugan looked sharp - and intended on having a large portion of the female majority fixated upon himself.

Veyugan decided to take a stop at the bar before it got too crowded. His left forearm came to rest upon the marble surface as he leaned in to the bartender. The music was quite loud, and he had to scream just so the bartender would be able to hear him. "A glass - three parts Crown Royal, one part Pepsi." Veyugan didn't intend on getting drunk tonight, but more open. Tipsy, as one would call it.

His back turned to the bar, pushing against the ledge as both forearms came behind him, resting on the marble surface. Veyugan would scan the floor as the bartender would make his drink.

[hualord]

Jason was mingling amongst the crowd, wearing his own mask, which was a white porcelain mask with with jungle green markings on the cheeks, keeping an eye on the bar a little bit. Ok.. so he already had two shots of whiskey, but that wasn't enough to get him so drunk he slurred his words and not function properly as a whole. But he was walking without a gait, and he wasn't having any lapses in nerve function, so he was walking fine, speaking fine, and feeling fine. Just a little buzzed.

Mmmmmmm buzzzzzzzzzzz......

"Hey hey! Keep your hands outside of everyone else's pants, or I'll throw you off the boat and into that icy water, where it'll fall off."

He got up close and personal to a student that had wandering hands syndrome. It was a legitimate disease, some people just couldn't keep their hands to themselves. So King put an end to it, before he had to throw the horn dog into the water, and force the kid into castration due to frostbite. Oh well.

"I can barely hear myself think...."

Untz untz untz untz...

"Not that it's worth anything anyway..."

[seishounohana]

Emily stepped into the hall, a little ... uncomfortable with her clothing. Well, not like it didn't fit. But it was a baroque-ish sort of clothing - complete with a skirt hoop under it. Why? Emily didn't have any formal clothing, but she DID have a COSPLAY DRESS. DAMN YOU POVERTY!

Though it had been a year since she last attended an Anime convention and Cosplay contest in Japan, she found that this dress still fit her - but still, never the less, just as uncomfortable...

Primarily because it was a baroque style opera dress... A COSPLAY DRESS FROM Final Fantasy VI!

... No choice! Emily couldn't really buy a new one. Damned medicine's too expensive... not to mention shipping her manga to her publisher in japan. She sighed, standing at the corner as to not attract any attention to herself.

'Curses...'

[Mitsuki Park]

...can't...breathe..

It really wasn't her own little choice to come to this Masquerade Ball, seeing as Mitsuki was one to avoid such social gatherings. Her brother had bought her a dress, one that fit perfectly, though this corsette that came with was literally killing her. He tied it a bit too tight, as she figured this was his way to get back at her for ignoring him for a while. The dress fell down to her feet, gracefully, with a slit on the side going a little up above her knee, a mint green like color. It wasn't frilly, thank God, but she'd rather have a frilly dress than not being able to breathe. She had a leather bound eye mask underneath her somewhat show-like mask, as she was paranoid that someone may try to take it off of her. No one would probably recognize her, as 1) Mitsuki actually has curves, mind you, but is usually concealed by a sweater and 2) she covers, most of the time, the bottom half of her face with a black hospital mask, and since she was wearing an eye-mask...well, there you go.

Now, the explanation as to why she was at this music-blasting boat in the first place.

Simple: She lost a bet.

She leaned against the wall for support, concentrating on breathing, which wasn't exactly the easiest thing to do with music blasting and people mingling. The School Captain gave a quiet groan, as this surely wasn't healthy for you. Hair let down, straight, butterfly clip on the side, she looked around, seeing no one familiar. Figures.

Enter the masquerade, and your senses betray you.

Ugh...can't breathe...

Knife.. She needed a knife to cut the super tight knot he made on the back. Slowly she made her way to the bar, maneuvering her way through the dancers, as she leaned against the counter and looked over at the bar tender, obviously not caring about who was who in what mask and such. Maybe she would've been a bit curious if it wasn't for this *(@&ing corsette... People around her - guys, really - wondered who she was, since Mitsuki was fit and had a pretty nice body...and seemingly did not recognize her, but some noticed she had a staggered breath.

Leaning forward a bit, she focused on her breathing...

"...water, bottled, leave the cap on."

Said it loud enough for the bartender to hear over the blasting music. No way was she going to get drugged tonight, especially with this stupid...thing on.

Headache...

Probably because of the lack of oxygen she was receiving.

She threw her head up as she reached to the back of the corsette, trying to undo the tight knot her brother made, and this wouldn't be the first time she tried. More like her tenth, really. [/color]

[Veyugan ~*]

As Veyugan's eyes flickered across the floor - the orbs became fixated upon a female wearing a green dress. She was rather attractive, her body having a unique and appealing shape. However, something seemed off. His brow scrunched together, eyes narrowing. Behind the mask, the girl wouldn't be able to tell he was looking at her. She seemed ... fatigued? Veyugan couldn't place what was wrong with her. Her walk was what piqued Veyugan's curiosity the most. She made her way over to the bar, standing a few stools away from Veyugan. He would allow his head to cock sideways, gazing onward toward the girl as she seemed to gasp for breath while she talked. Again, his face took on a look of curiosity, matched with concern.

Still, he couldn't place it.

Veyugan watched as her arm reached behind her, picking at a knot that seemed to constrict lungs from expanding. Ahhh, of course! That thing she had on was prohibiting her from breathing. Veyugan chuckled to himself, surprised that he couldn't have thought about that being a factor. His right hand reached behind his shirt, going underneath it. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of his kris, removing it from his pants. He placed it on the bar - sliding it toward the girl. If she looked at him, he would offer a warm smile.

"Use that. I'm sure it'll help."

Of course, Veyugan had to yell at the top of his lungs just so she would be able to hear him. He hoped she would know what to do, and not think Veyugan was a creep.

[Kevin Collessano-Alvari]

Three words:

Love for Brazil.

Kevin hadn't been here a few weeks, wasn't even registered in the school & was already getting hook-ups to school functions? He'd have to thank the boys above for this one. And it was a masquerade?

oh, HELL yeah!

Kevin wore a blue tuxedo---aqua, to match the mask, with a green silk top underneath as a secondary color. And as for accessories? An orange stone acted as the piece that held the top button of Kevin's shirt, as well as similar pieces for the buttoncuffs. Hell, Kevin even had 3 ear piercings; one was an aqua stone in the right ear, an orange stone in the left, & even a green stone in the cartiledge of the left ear (he got it for the occasion, & damn, it hurt). The suit was zoot-suit style, so expect length & bagginess...& a blue top hat to, well, top it off. Boy, did he feel flier than a piece of paper.

Flier than a piece of paper bearin' my name, I got the hottest chick in the game wearin' my chain~

...God bless Sean Carter.

Kevin would step up on deck, not necessarily concerned about security...unless they stopped him for some reason. But if they didn't, which they shouldn't, since Kevin posed no threat, he'd examine his surroundings, liking what he saw, his head bobbing to the beat of the current song playing. He had to hold himself so he wouldn't burst into dance, shaking that shoulder-length hair of his, possibly losing his top hat & dirtying up his suit. However, he DID wear some casual boots he could dance in that matched the color of his suit for a reason...sometime later, he'd hear the right song, & would turn the dance floor into a sex scene, given the opportunity. Yes, he was that confident in his dance skills.

...But none of that. Right now, finesse! Style! Crispiness was a must! Especially if a lady caught his eye, yes?

[Jenna Scorn]

There was no real reason as to why she was there. White flats gently placing themselves upon the floor. Pink strands were lightly curled, and hanging passed her shoulders. Lips pasted with gloss, eye lids decorated with a little glitter.

Her nails were painted a soft pink, and her hands were resting at her side. But she walked on, even though she had no real reason to celebrate.

Not here.
Not now.

But at least she could pretend to be happy, her face, her true feelings.
All hidden behind a pale white fox mask.

And as she strode forward, her frame hidden by a kimono she'd glance up.

Let's try and have a good time.
At least for tonight.

[Kevin Collessano-Alvari]

Hm..there's always a Japanese in these sorts of schools. Did they have a penchant for teenage anarchy or something? After all, they flooded 552 worse than a termite invasion. Granted, Kevin wasn't racist, but still---either they were white & wanted to be Japanese, or they were Japanese. He couldn't make a connection.

The obi around her waist accentuated her body though, helping the entire outfit to do interesting things with her frame that Kevin licked his lips to; yeah, he'd have to see what was up with her later, or just make conversation now.

...Yeah, conversation now.

Kevin's tall body made its way towards Calamity's, boots rapping against the deck as Kevin reached inside his pockets, pulling out green velvet gloves. A confident, bright smile (with dimples to tag along for the ride) would greet her as he approached. "Yo, this school's obviously pretty well off to throw parties on boats. I'm impressed...hope it's at least half as fun, yeah?"

[Keith]

"A glass - three parts Crown Royal, one part Pepsi."

Upon hearing those words, Keith grabbed a bottle of Crown Royal. He grabbed one of the hoses hooked up to the various sodas to fix up the drink. From there, Keith would fix three parts Crown Royal and one part Pepsi in a plastic cup. The trick was to keep the prices reasonable.

Who the fuck wants to spend the night washing the glasses?

Don't go charging outrageous prices. Doing so will turn off a lot of people in the process. After fixing the drink, he would look to the person that requested the drink. A person with a white half-facial mask.

"Here you go, sir. Three-parts Crown Royal and one part Pepsi," Keith replied and added, "that'll be three-fifty". That meant three dollars and fifty cents.

He also took out some Chaser caplets designed to battle hangovers. Keith would hand it to the person requested the drink.

"Take this too. It should battle hangovers. I've been hearing about a messed up new teacher named Winklewood. We should be on guard in case he shows up."

Keith hasn't met Winklewood. But he wasn't taking any chances.

..water, bottled, leave the cap on."

Keith would turn his direction towards the girl that requested the drink. He put pull out a bottle of water from the cooler and hand it to the girl.

"Bottle of water... That'll be one dollar."

[Veyugan ~*]

Almost as soon as Veyugan had yelled at the girl, his drink was offered to him by the bartender, followed by the pill. Shrugging, Veyugan popped it, swallowing it dry. He raised the cup to his lips, taking a long sip as he bounced from the bar, heading over toward the girl. The price registered in his head as he took a seat next to the girl, his back once more against the marble ledge. His right hand reached into his pocket, retrieving a crisp hundred dollar bill from a small wad of them. The bill was slipped to the bartender as Veyugan leaned in, whispering a few words to him.

"This should pay for all the drinks me and this young lady could want tonight."

A smile would be flashed to the bartender, followed by one to the girl. His warm gaze would wash over her as he noticed she was still fumbling with the knot. A small laugh emitted from Veyugan as he leaned in closer toward the girl and asked her a simple question.

"Need some help?"

[Jenna Scorn]

Calamity was disgusted.
With herself.
With society in general.

And those lips pressed together, almost in a frown.
Of course hidden behind the Kabuki mask.

She'd let her head drift to the side, watching a couple walk past.
And as before, tears threatened those eyes.
She knew venturing to the dance was a bad idea, she was still upset.
So very upset over the death of Hiroko.

But she was trying to prove something.
That she was strong, so thats why she had come.

So she'd force her chin up.

But she was quickly pulled from her thoughts now.


"Yo, this school's obviously pretty well off to throw parties on boats. I'm impressed...hope it's at least half as fun, yeah?"

He came up, close to her in fact.
and he was speaking to her none the less.
She almost didn't believe it, and was silent for a moment.
Looking from side to side to make sure he wasn't speaking to anyone else.

she stepped back a little.
The hem of the Kimono an inch above the floor, revealing those flat white heels slipped upon her feet.

she bit her lip, her face hidden behind that white mask of her's.
And she'd breath in deeply.

"Not many people have showed up."

This was spoken to him, only thing she could think of.

She almost thought of leaving right then and there.
This place was filled with teenagers.

And almost all of the males were looking to get lucky.

But Calamity stood there, glancing off to the side.

[seishounohana]

After several minutes of watching random people get acquainted with each other, Emily found herself in need of a drink. Though, this WAS a masquerade dance and she had yet to wear that rather demented gold-decorated mask. She tied it around her hair - AFTER plucking all those feathers out. They looked stupid anyways.

All she did with them was put them onto her bag and reserve them for another cosplay thinger that she could be doing in the future.

Sometimes she missed how her life was before she became a mangaka... oh well. At least here in America, she doubt anyone would recognize her.

Emily made a quick detour to the bathroom, taking off that stupid hoop skirt under her dress and threw it on the trash - she's got another one back home, so one didn't matter. All she wanted now was to look the least stupid... but at least her dress looked pretty, just the same.

Then back to her original route, she began to wander and look around for a bar or something. There was just too many people!

[Mitsuki Park]

Okay... Let's put down Mitsuki's thoughts in a list.

• He handed me a weapon to undo this knot. Slight emphasis on weapon.
  
• They're at a masquerade, and he was a weapon.
  
• Who the hell carries a weapon at a dance?
  
• Terrorist?
  
• He paid for her drink, and future drinks.
  
• She probably won't have anything other than water.
  
• Why won't this knot get undone...

So, like any other sane person would, she first ignored him when the weapon was slid toward her. How could she use that in the first place? She'd probably end up cutting all the strings instead of the knot, and then her dress will fall, and...that isn't very lovely. Not for her, at least. So when he asked if she needed help, she most certainly wanted to straight up tell him, "no", but that was when she realized she was wearing a mask... Ha, lovely.

She stopped fumbling with her strings and looked over at the blue haired...hm, gentleman? And pulled her hair to one side in front of her as she turned around, back facing him to let him untie the corsette.

"Thank you..for this, and the drink."

She said as loudly as she could, as she was kind of short on air right now. Hopefully he had sharp nails or somethin', as it seemed to her that Reita did a pretty good job at knotting the two pieces of string.

"...can you..hurry?"