video;

[whatsupcroc]

So Vanadi's hosting the big Masquerade Ball later this month, and that got me to thinking...

( Collette starts ticking things off on her fingers. )

There's no age limit, everyone's going to be wearing a mask and in costume, there's no supervision, and one of the most common questions out of new people showing up here is "where's the nearest bar," so it'll also have alcohol. Lots of it.

( Collette leans forward, chin resting on her interlaced hands, elbows on the table. She grins. )

This is so much better than Prom would ever be.

Comments

video;

[bratworth]

[ SEE THIS LOOK HE IS GIVING YOU, Collette? It is stern disapproval. ]

Who said that there'll be no age limit?

video;

[whatsupcroc]

( Uhm she sees that as silent approval there Big Red. )

You realize that even if there was, Big Red, there's no drinking age here right now. I mean there's common sense and personal taste -- but no regulation.

video;

[aceordisgraced]

That sounds more like a college party that ends in tears.

[...Nick.]

Can I come?

[whatsupcroc]

Of course! Weren't you already?

( Her grin just broadens. )

voice;

[urnotafraid]

Are you sure that the law isn't gonna show up and demand IDs? [ He sounds a little like Takegami save with a thicker accent and a definite slurring of his words. ]

[whatsupcroc]

Mister? That'd require having the law.

video;

[mistborn]

[Because she recognizes the face, Vin decides to reply.]

A ball? [Her expression is bright and eager.] With dresses?

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette straightens enough to pull her chin up off her hands, giving Vin an enthusiastic nod. )

Yes, with dresses, in all sorts of colors! Masks too, right over the top part of your face. Have you ever gotten to dress up and go out for a night of dancing and food on your own?

[ video ]

[hostage]

Right on! This place could use a party.

[whatsupcroc]

Jesse! Please tell me you're coming. It's going to be fun!

( If she gets all the people she likes to show up, since otherwise Vanadi's description sounded... sort of boring. )

voice;

[payback]

You're going?

[whatsupcroc]

( Not at first. )

Yes! Are you?

[Voice]

[nonedible]

Oh! I've never been to a ball before! I've heard much about them and seen the nobles that wear the most beautiful gowns!

[whatsupcroc]

( Nobles... sounds positively medieval! )

Dresses are a more personal affair around here, but hey, since we're having one, you need to go to this one! You can dress up and everything. Won't that be fun?

video;

[deadelfwalking]

[sourly.] There will be supervision.

[whatsupcroc]

Koltira, by supervision do you mean you're going to stand and frown in a corner.

[Video]

[foolish_seal]

A ball?

...This means I'll actually have to buy fancy clothes, doesn't it?

[whatsupcroc]

I hear that's what you're supposed to do! Best not forget about the mask, either. Are you going to go as something themed?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Festivities were not my first thought upon arriving here. Usually one wins the battle first, and it seems we are far from winning.

[whatsupcroc]

( A new face! Collette smiles. )

It's commemorative. You know, a memorial dance. We're celebrating the people who we've known, and the ones who've returned to us.

[Video]

[demonbloodblade]

Vanadi has talked me into going.

I have never worn a formal gown; I have my court dress but I suspect it will not be sufficient for something like this, being tailored from a man's suit. He has indicated he will also help me with dancing, but I may simply stay nearby rather than step on someone's feet.

[whatsupcroc]

Trust Vanadi! When he says he'll help, he does mean it. Weirdly enough. Besides, why not pick up a new skill? It'll be fun, I bet!

video;

[onemoredeath]

A party, Collette? Do you plan on dressing up?

[whatsupcroc]

I'm putting it into strong consideration. Are you going?

[video]

[acemedium]

[The video's on but Maya's nowhere in sight. HOW... MYSTERIOUS]

So you're going, right?

[whatsupcroc]

Secret Agent Fey, when would I let another agent go all on her own?

... Where are you?

voice

[commentboxtroll]

Except now that you've said that, someone is going to come up with a bunch of rules.

[whatsupcroc]

( She laughs. )

Which means then we get to break them all, Caesar. Think creatively!

[ex_bandai157]

Are you looking forward to the chance to drink yourself, or watch other people do so?

[ he's getting the hang of her sense of humor by now, okay. ]

[whatsupcroc]

I'm not sure! I'm at a very rebellious age, I'll have you know. Maybe it's both!

[sunlitcrown]

That doesn't sound like much fun at all.

[Grumpiest child, right here.]

[whatsupcroc]

( Lym this is where she was when Vanadi first suggested it. She gets it. For reals! )

The challenge for us, Lym, is to make it fun. Think you can do it?

[video;]

[heired]

You would expect supervision at such an event?

[whatsupcroc]

In my day and age? Yeah, it'd be stamped all over with adult supervision!

video.

[pantyraid]

Ooh, ooh, I'll be there!

[ and a sudden shift in mood: ] Just don't let daddy near any rapegay uicejay, if you atchcay my riftday!

[whatsupcroc]

Does he get drunk on the stuff, Trucy?

[grayatonement]

I don't know. You could have been Prom Queen.

[whatsupcroc]

( She laughs, shaking her head. )

No way are you getting me in the kind of frilly mess you always see Prom Queens in when they win in movies.

[Audio]

[asskickersunite]

You know, I should probably say something to the effect of you shouldn't drink, but there are going to be two problems with this:

A. I'll probably be a little too drunk to care.

B. I believe everyone should have the chance to fuck up and get hung over. Experience teaches moderation.

[Because Eddie is a reservoir of good advice.]

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette finds herself laughing. )

Hey, you're pretty honest! Though yeah, people usually don't learn until they've lived through something themselves. Awkward tendency of the human condition. Or the thinking condition!

voice

[neveraskedforthis]

You know, if you don't want the adults on your case, it's generally advisable to keep any planned mayhem on the downlow.

[ he'd be a lot more strict if he wasn't such a terrible teenager himself but REALLY NOW COLLETTE BE QUIET. ]

[whatsupcroc]

Oh gosh, I didn't think about that at all!

( She's sounding way too close to laughter as she tries to sound surprised that what Adam says... could possibly be true. )

Video;

[studieswaitressing]

You mean because you'll actually like some of the people going to this Masquerade thing?

[Teenagers, man.]

[whatsupcroc]

( She's putting a whole bunch of effort into making sure the people she likes show up, so... )

Don't forget the food's going to be ten times better than whatever catering company they'd dredge up!

video;

[sidecar]

So tell the truth. Were you trying to see how many adults you could get to lecture you?

[whatsupcroc]

Tiger, would I ever stoop to such lows just for a reaction?

( Attempted straightface. )

So you're totally helping make sure Bunbuns and Big Red come along to keep the peace and monitor the alcohol consumption and wild teenager craziness, right?

[Audio] Awww yeah late to the party

[strategic_guile]

I designate you picture taker of all the drunks.

[whatsupcroc]

Are you setting me up with the camera? I don't know if I'd trust my skills, but there's always a place to get started on any career.