high_seas | Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

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Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

Who: Anyone going to the Corsair Island Masquerade Ball!
Where: ...IDK?
When: April 26th - 27th (Early AM)
What: The Masquerade Ball + Ambush (12am)
Warnings: D for dancing, V for violence, A for Ace, L for Luffy
Style: Action or prose.
Status: Open to anyone attending!

There are going to be two main threads. One for the ball itself and the other for the Ambush! There will be an obligatory third thread for FASHION. Just remember to tag your muse in the subject header and OTA or 'Closed to ???' as you comment.

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[He never would have thought that he would actually miss Saori, especially not as Saori and not just Athena, but it's undeniable that this would have been easier had she been there. After all this kind of thing was perfect for her and she had enough experience that he could just tail along while waiting for the part in which he was really interested. Then again, just one event isn't enough to compensate having to deal with her in this world, it would be too much of a pain. Except that it probably wouldn't and he knows it.

Ikki doesn't wander the place much, he spends some time at the lobby before moving to the ball room to play the role of a wallflower when he's not somehow roped into talking with someone. He's really not the socialite type, fortunately he's not the only one neither it's rare for someone who didn't really enjoy those events to be obligated to go due formalities, which is to what he sticks when asked.]

[Phoenix brother to the rescue!]

[Marco doesn't say a thing as he quietly hands Ikki a rum and cola. Drink it dude, you look as stiff as most of the marines, gosh.]

[Then he's playing the role perfectly. Ikki accepts the drink, taking a ship and looking around before talking in a very low tone to him.]

Remind me why coming to the ball part was better than waiting outside.

[Information.]

[Marco has to think on a code word for that though.]

So you can learn something.

Learn something, of course. Couldn't you have just passed me the notes of today's class? I could have been sick and unable to come to school.

[But he knows that Marco's right, information is important and they all have to do their best to get something. Though he honestly doubts that some of the Spades are even going to remember what they are supposed to do during the first part of the ball. Even after the forum Ace called for and where he exposed the full of the plans.]

You know that those social gatherings have never been my thing. My place's the battlefield, I didn't join for honours or rank, those aren't going to stop those bastards from killing children and attacking islands.

[Of course he means Isla Empieza and Kairi, not innocent nameless children all around the world and islands assaulted by pirates. But no one needs to know that and he has to play the part, hopefully he's doing it well enough.]

Promotions aside, sometimes you have to play the game to get ahead, eh?

I suppose. Though I'm more used to be played with than to play myself so don't bet too much on me.

[He takes another sip. Had Saori been there she probably would have been able to milk everything from everyone already, or come close to. This kind of thing was really her natural habitat, no matter how hard she tried.]

You seem to be more comfortable than what I expected.

I love a good party. It's fun to blend in while no one else knows the full truth.

Isn't not knowing the full truth the point of masquerade?

[A soft chuckle.]

Exactly. That's what makes it fun.

Aren't you a little excited too?

Excited isn't the word I would use. But even I'm not apathetic, that's for sure.

[He casts a glance around casually.]

They sure did a great job with decorations and all.

[Marco bites his bottom lip for a second.]

[The whole discussion about Mars is still weighing on him, and enough that even he can't hide it all. He nods though.] Not bad at least, but there's a lot of royalty here so they went all out.

Yes, a lot of royalty. And a lot of monkeys dressed up in silk who think they can pass as royalty just because of that.

[This time his tone is even lower almost just a mutter, as he disguises it with taking a sip from his drink. He smirks after that, focusing on Marco again.]

I bet that you have a full dance card for tonight, don't you?

[His eyes spark in amusement.]

Guilty, yoi.

This kind of thing is like a battlefield, but with lesser stakes and greater rewards.

I'm not sure about the stakes, or how it is like a battlefield. I've never had to compliment someone's clothing in the battlefield.

[No, really, how is this like a battlefield. Little brother is confused.]

Tactics, my baby brother. Tactics.

Pretty sure that if I used my usual tactics here the result would be different than in the battlefield.

[Though eventually it will boil down to that. As soon as Ace gives the signal. His eyes wander around apparently though he mostly does so to check if Ace is still not giving the signal.

At this rate Ikki will end punching someone just because Ace lifted his hand to wave or something.]

Do you use the same strategy for all fields, no matter the terrain or circumstances?

[BUT HE CANNOT EVEN HIDE HOW AMUSED HE IS. Damn it Ikki you are like, the best bro. Where have you been all his life?]

[He looks at Marco dead serious.]

Yes, with slight variations but still the same. It's a certified fool-proof strategy, guaranteed to work every time, why would I change it?

[It basically boils down to:
Is it someone/thing you can kill without remorse?
- Yes -> Is it someone/thing that can die?
{
-- Yes -> Burn/punch them until they die
-- No -> Burn/punch them until that changes and they die
}
- No -> Yell at them until they do what you want them to do]

[JUST SHAKES HIS HEAD.]

[BRO.]

[BRO.]

[Bro, plz.]

[No wonder Ikki doesn't get along with Athena as well as he could.]

You're the type to hunt rabbits with a cannon, eh?

One day remind me to teach you how to use greater finesse. Saves you a lot of energy and work, eh.

(no subject)

uccellodifuoco - 2014-05-14 23:06 (UTC) - Expand

((ooc: Costume involves a perception-filtering mask! If you're not okay with this, poke me and I'll back out.))

[Hello, morose-looking but sharply-dressed fellow idling by the wall--hope you weren't planning on staying hidden in this little corner, because the masked woman strolling away from the table of hors d'oeuvres sees you and your fancy suit and she wants to talk to you.]

I would ask if you're having a good time, but...

[He planned to stay hidden, thank you very much. But plans don't always work out the way they should and Ikki knows that well. He eyes the woman with a guarded expression, the voice is familiar, very familiar even if he has only exchanged words with her once. That doesn't mean much, though, even if he's sure this woman is another pirate, they are currently in the middle of a representation per say.]

Indeed, high class parties aren't a dish I'm used to. But I hope that my humour doesn't foil your own enjoyment of the night, madam.

[Pirates or not, Ikki's sure of one thing. By the end of the night he's going to want to cut his own tongue just to get rid of the awful taste that having to fake gallantries and a speech that isn't his gives him.]

[Codi giggles voraciously. The faked gallantries are the best part! Everyone sounds so pointlessly formal and silly, she loves it!]

What--in such a dashing suit? I don't think you could foil anyone's evening.

[Well, assuming the comment about his clothes isn't absolutely fake, he supposes that Saori would be proud of his wear choice then. Which is good. Probably.]

You flatter me, madam, but thank you. I hope you won't find me as too rude if I confess that your dress looks lovely on you, it's simplicity is refreshing among so many cluttered ones.

[Codi's giggling continues, and gains a sharp, almost teasing edge.]

Now, do you mean that, or are you still buttering up those high-class dishes you're not used to, so to speak?

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