Masquerade Ball - Totally not an ambush

[hiken]

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.

Comments

[hiken]

Hah! You might have, but it was one just for my crew. We've got plans, after all.

[Ace didn't mind speaking frankly even out in the open. He had his attention in ten different places, despite how composed he looked.

Still, he remembered--he invited Kodachi because she was the fancy type. He needed a fancy sort of date to blend in just a touch better, after all.]

That aside, you look stunning. Ready to put the Navy to shame?

[cherrybombpie]

I can't wait to see what will happen.

[She anticipated some grand heist, and she knew she wasn't going to be disappointed.]

[Kodachi positively glowed at his compliment. Looking one's best wasn't necessary when one was out at sea, and even if she would have donned her usual gowns and kimono, it wasn't as though she had her usual wardrobe.]

You mean it? Oh, I'm so happy!

Of course. They deserve every bit of retribution.

[She smiled.]

[hiken]

Of course. This is going to be a gentle fight compared to the ones we usually go for. [Ace reached the bottom step and paused to face Kodachi. He knew at the last step, he was supposed to watch and bow so she could take it gracefully--so he did.]

It would probably be boring normally, but I think this is a good time to show just how scary we can be.

[He extended his arm.] Are you going to join us? You could make it your baptism as a pirate.

[cherrybombpie]

[Oh, how perfect his manners were! Kodachi positively glowed as she glided onto the floor, smiling up at him daintily as she sank into the proper curtsy.]

Gentle? They don't deserve that kindness.

[She let out a derisive sniff that was aimed at the Navy's lack of consideration for marooned ladies.]

[Kodachi looked at his outstretched hand, taking it after a moment's hesitation.]

I didn't think I'd ever be a pirate, but . . . [She was certainly ruthless enough for it.] If that's what it takes for a lady to survive in this world, then I shall do it.

[hiken]

[Ace stood right back up properly, looking from Kodachi to the carpet ahead. Most people didn't stand on it, knowing it was the main walk to the ballroom. While Ace would have normally wanted to have gone straight to the party, he figured it would be better to linger by the entrance and get a hold of how people were shuffling in.]

Oh, you don't need to. [Ace held Kodachi's hand gently, snickering at that.]

But, it would be boring if you didn't try it.

[cherrybombpie]

And a boring life is not a life at all.

[Kodachi lifted his hand up above her head and gave a twirl, allowing her dress to flare out dramatically.]

I doubt that you've had a boring life. Mine was, once. It had a little excitement brought about by my fiance, but here, there's always adventure at every turn.

[hiken]

That's good. [Raising his hand up, Ace assumed the right posture as he walked. One hand was set behind his back, since his main arm was supposed to be cast as the guide for Kodachi. It was all a weird little ritual that he didn't understand, but had a distinct knack for.]

Given what we've talked about, it sounds like that guy might be a bit dangerous. Is he a criminal, too?

[cherrybombpie]

My fiance?

[Kodachi raised her eyebrows up, a smirk of amusement quirking at her lips.]

Ranma-sama, a criminal? Why, the very idea is laughable. He's simply rambunctious is all - I think he's quite sweet.

[She blushed at the thought of it, wondering who among his fiancees knew and understood this about him other than herself.]

[hiken]

Ahh? Is he a lawman, then? [He wasn't joking or teasing. Kodachi and Ace talked about raising a Kraken as a pet and fighting. There was little else they mentioned that would infer she was interested in someone with a peaceful side.]

People tell me my gramps was that kind of guy.

[cherrybombpie]

Not at all.

[She let out a sigh before thinking about it, her lips pursed in thought.]

He's simply the kind of person who looks out for himself and the people that he cares for. He's not interested in the law or in criminality.

[Some would say that he's selfish, but Kodachi would simply say that his world was small, consisting of only him and the immediate people around him.]

Your grandfather was a part of the government?

[hiken]

Hmmm. [Ace thought highly of that Ranma guy immediately. Kodachi's description was one that came with how he liked to be described, himself.]

Anyway, my Gramps is a Vice Admiral. He's some hero, apparently. I think he just likes torturing kids.

[cherrybombpie]

[He was also a rash and big-headed with a million fiancees and a lack of courage to tell the one that he loved the truth, but that was a story for another day.]

Oh! He sounds very respectable. My father likes to teach as well.

[And terrorize the kids.]

They would probably get along.

[hiken]

[Ace didn't miss a beat. 'Teaching' and 'torture' were the same things to him, easily.]

Ehhh. I don't think Gramps gets along with anybody. I've never heard good things about him from officers. Mostly just talk about how strong he is.

[cherrybombpie]

Strength is a good thing to be renowned for.

[Kodachi tilted her head to one side, looking up at her companion for the evening.]

Did they not refer to his strength with reverence?