Masquerade [Open to all]

[stringmods]

Who: Everyone
Where: Near Scorpio's Central Art District
Summary: You all did good. Halloween is being celebrated in style.
Warnings: Nothing for the moment. Costumes?
Congratulations!

You've proven your worth to the city of Hinoto-Ri and this year the Masquerade is dedicated to you. You deserve the party, considering you saved the city from the Zodiac Monster! Besides, on the most powerful spiritual days, even the demons take a day off and enjoy a time of frightful good times with the humanoids.



The lights are all colored blue and purple, and the streets are filled with partygoers of all ages, in both fantastic and some-not-that-fantastic costumes. Pumpkins appear to be floating in the air, but once you come closer, you realize they are Pyro Jacks attending around. This is THEIR favorite holiday and they wouldn't have let it gone to waste!

Originally the Masquerade was to be celebrated around Scorpio's art center, but with the rebuilding still in process, it was moved close by, with the office of wands preparing all the charms needed. The streets need to be protected, considering the Full Moon was just a few days ago.

If you find yourself without any money, no worries! The Government has given you a bonus paycheck for your hard work last week. Costume shopping should be no problem, and the are still stores nearby selling their wears for last minute shopping!

With a small secure sector, it's sure to be an extra fantastic celebration of dancing, music and just watching both humans and demons going at it without much care. Candy is floating around thanks to the Pyro Jacks, grab something and try not to ruin your teeth. Hey, who IS that guy just passed by? Hard to tell.

After all, with these combination of Halloween costumes and a more high class masquerade ballgowns and masks, who knows is really human and who isn't?

Comments

[pastalishe]

When Cloche arrived in the Scorpio District this afternoon, attending a masquerade party was the last thing on her mind. On the contrary, her reasons for visiting the Scorpio District are strictly practical: she wants to have a better understanding of Hinoto-Ri's layout, to view the damage caused by the Scorpio attack with her own eyes, and to evaluate the Government's relief and reconstruction efforts.

But, once she arrived in the District, she couldn't help but be drawn to the sounds and lights of the event. Cloche drifts into the crowd, hardly out of place among the party-goers in her feathery shawl, ornate headpiece, and tightly drawn bodice. She's not certain what the purpose of the event is--(Perhaps a celebration of harvest...? There are plenty of gourds around and it's the right time of year of it...)--or why the celebrants are all in costume. She is, however, certain that her own every-day clothes aren't suitable for such an event.

After some careful thought, Cloche holds her right hand above her heart and holds within her mind the piece she would like to wear. With pride, she lets out a bold cry-- "Transform!"

As soon as utters the phrase, a bright white light surrounds her--and just as quickly fades. When it does, she's wearing something completely different. Pleased with her quite literal transformation, Cloche neatly adjusts the katana at her hip to rest at a comfortable position. She then continues to walk through the crowd as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.

[greyerrant]

Loken, for his part, is wearing a giant hat, so large that it covers his entire chest, arms, and shoulders. There are holes poked for his eyes, which peek out. He is still hugenormous, however, so the 8 foot tall being entirely encased in felt kinda stands out, the top-hat like structure looking completely ridiculous. It turns to look at Cloche, and rumbles,

"I have seen someone carrying such a blade before."

[pastalishe]

That is, by far, the largest hat that Cloche has ever seen. How much cloth did it take to create? How heavy would it have to be to wear? Was it stuffy underneath the fabric? And, most importantly of all... ... ... how was he going to enjoy any of the candy floating about?! A mysterious costume indeed...

"... Truly?" Cloche rests a hand on the hilt. While she couldn't even call her apprentice in the art of war, she found it comforting to have. "I believe this type of sword is known as a 'katana.' It is famous for its single, finely honed edge."

[greyerrant]

"Impressive. I know I have seen several Imperial Fists and White Scars bear similar blades, as did a fellow who I believe was known as Jack, though he has disappeared of late. I liked him, he seemed a good fellow."

The hat sags sightly. As for the candy, he seems too stoic to care.

"Do you fight with a blade then?"

[pastalishe]

"My condolences for your loss." It would probably in bad taste to ask him if he knew anything about such disappearances... still. Cloche tucks away the piece of information in order to investigate it later. "I am trained in the basic forms of traditional swordplay, using a rapier. However, I only resort to protect myself with a sword under the most dire of circumstances."

[greyerrant]

"If you desire more detailed training, seek me out. I can teach you fairly advanced blade-work, and how to fight with projectile weapons like an autogun, or a bolter."

He nods his head, the entire hat folding as he does so, "Forgive me for saying so, but you do carry yourself like someone who is used to being protected."

[pastalishe]

"Thank you for the offer. If the opportunity arises, I would be happy to practice what I do know, but..." Cloche trails off, uncertain of how to put it. "My body is not well suited for physical combat."

There's... something patently absurd about a hat bowing to her. But, it's... just a costume. They can have a legitimately serious conversation while he's dressed up as a giant hat. She trained for years to be the best politician, she can keep a straight face for this!

Cloche shakes her head, distracting herself from her derailed train of thought. "None taken, sir; it's simply the truth. Metafalss has a long and proud military tradition of Reyvateils working with human partners called Vanguards. In combat, I am protected by my partner while I sing to support them."

[greyerrant]

The hat is silent for a moment. Cloche can probably get the feeling it is sizing her up.

"Interesting. Would you explain this tradition to me?"

It seems like an interesting system to him, though he wonders about the level of vulnerability of having only a single bonded partner instead of a connection on squad and company-level, like the Astartes bonds of brotherhood.

[pastalishe]

Cloche remains resolute under the scrutiny, looking the hat straight... in the eye holes...? ... it would probably a bit more intimidating if he weren't in costume.

"Gladly." Cloche raises one hand, pointer finger extended. The gesture is reminiscent of one a stern schoolteacher might use in front of a crowd of rowdy students. "When a Reyvateil sings, her concentration is entirely focused on the Song--leaving her vulnerable to attack. A Vanguard's duty is not just to protect his partner from attack, but to fight in sync with her feelings to ensure the smooth evolution and execution of her Song."

[greyerrant]

"That sounds remarkably complex, and rather interesting. So the Vanguard functions almost like a ground state for the psyker, then?"

The eyes peering back from the holes are stormcloud gray, and for the moment suggesting a degree of curiousity and gentleness, empathizing with her posthuman nature and apparently admiring her stern demeanor.

[pastalishe]

"Of a sort." Cloche frowns a little, as she tries to find the best way to explain it. "It's not absolutely necessary for a Vanguard to be present for Song Magic to be successful... but it certainly makes it much, much easier. I have learned to endure while I sing, regardless of what is happening around me."

When Cloche spoke first spoke with Garviel over the COMP Network his stern demeanor reminded her of the resolute Captain Leglius, her loyal (but always distant) guardian. Talking with him in person only strengthens that impression.

[greyerrant]

Leglius and he in many ways are cast from a similar mould. Stern, stoic warriors.

"You... do not have a vanguard here, do you?"

He sounds almost worried.

[pastalishe]

"... I do not." Cloche folds her arms, looking a little uncomfortable. "I haven't yet needed one, but. Being without has limited what I can do."

[greyerrant]

"It might behoove you to find one, and soon. I can smell a war coming upon this place, especially after our recent battle with the... beast."

His eyes show something almost like pain for a moment. Being made to feel fear AND having his senses scrambled was shameful to him.

[pastalishe]

"I'm well aware of that," Cloche replies, her voice and expression sharp. "This City is far more dangerous than it presents itself. Aside from temporary partnerships formed in the heat of the moment, it's not a bond that can be easily forged."

She knows, all too well, how dangerous it is for a Reyvateil to be in unknown territory without a reliable protector. Being without one makes her feel--uncertain. Anxious.

[captainofthe10th]

"I understand. I too am lost without my bond with my battle-brothers." Except on Istvaan, he was never this alone. And even there, he had his memories of Torgaddon, and eventually... the other Knights-Errant in the flesh.

He doesn't seem to take her sharpness amiss. As for himself, he's adjusting to it... anxious isn't something Astartes do, too much like fear. But Uncertainty? Yes, that has weighed heavily upon him of late.

[pastalishe]

"If it is not prying... what sort of bond do you share with them?" Cloche doesn't want to admit it, but "lost" is exactly how she feels. On Metafalss, even with so many of her loved ones gone across the skies to the other Towers, she had been surrounded by those who would gladly fight with her.

Anger is an easier emotion than fear. Cloche would much rather be annoyed or angry than uncertain or afraid.

[greyerrant]

"Bonds of genetic heritage, loyalty, blood shed with one another in battle, bonds of duty, and I suppose bonds of love." His eyes go very distant for a moment, as he remembers the Mournival, and his closest brothers in honor. Torgaddon, Vipus, and later friendship with Saul Tarvitz.

Anger is all the Astartes has. Wrath, not fear. For he must know no fear.

[pastalishe]

"Those are powerful bonds." Out of respect for the soldier, she will not question him further about them. There are some cards that are easier kept close to the heart.

[greyerrant]

Garviel nods assent within his incredible hat, and then asks, "So, what do you think of this strange festival?"

[pastalishe]

Truly, a greater hat has never been--and never shall be--created.

"Truth be told, I'm not sure what to make of it," Cloche admits, gaze wandering to the amazing costumes of the crowd. "I am in attendance purely by chance."

[greyerrant]

"I simply wished to wear a giant hat. I saw one once during the celebration of a world we had brought to compliance."

He peers at her, thoughtful.

"How did you manage a costume if you are attending purely by chance? This is not your normal attire, if I am not mistaken."

[pastalishe]

"Well, you have certainly accomplished your goal." Is it even possible for hats to be made any bigger than that...? Cloche has a hard time imagining it.

"Oh, this?" Cloche lifts one of her arms, causing the large sleeve of her costume to dangle. "It's something that I crafted within my Cosmosphere. I normally only wear it in battle. Given the circumstances, however, it seemed appropriate."

And, more importantly, it's the warmest out of all of her costumes. ... with the exception of Pipenna. Cloche has no plans tow ear Pipenna in front of anyone, ever.

[greyerrant]

"What is a Cosmosphere?" He looks in more detail over her costume, thoughtful.

[pastalishe]

"It is my mind," Cloche replies, her tone serious. "With the aid of a human Diver, I craft Song Magic within it."

Although Cloche claims that the costume is magical in origin, there is nothing to the naked eye that would indicate that it is anything less than real. The level of detail and craftsmanship in it is nothing less than superb. There's not a single fold or drape out of order.