Gathering: Masquerade Ball

[concierge]

A large sign placed prominently in the Nexus lobby reads:

The Nexus Hotel
proudly presents the
MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE BALL

Event Location
Nexus Dining Hall
8 PM - 2 AM

Masquerade dress recommended, but not required for all guests

The Dining Hall's central table and chairs had been removed to create a dance floor wide enough to accommodate fanciful masquerade costumes. On one end had been placed a long bar providing free drinks, and on the other a small chamber orchestra providing the music for dancing. The entire room was bedecked in gold bunting and twinkling candlelight, and masks were available for those guests who hadn't brought their own.

Comments

[phrynefisher]

Behind a polished, silver wattle door on the third floor, her whole world stood waiting. All that was her life at the present - her friends, her home, Jane, Aunt Pru - were held back by one door among hundreds within the hotel, and where there was a security in knowing she could return at any time, her discovery of that door had been too well timed for her to want anything but to explore what the Nexus had to offer. She needed the freedom to chase what adventures might come without thought to what she had left behind for the time being, and where it would surely not always be the case, Phryne felt no guilt in taking some time for herself.

No more than she did for smiling over her glass at a handsome musketeer and speaking in double entendres with the taste of champagne on her tongue. She drained the last mouthful of the drink from her glass, swallowed, and then spoke. "And if I suggested we begin tonight?" she asked, setting her glass back down on the table with a care that belied the feeling of lightness that had only a little to do with the champagne, and the curl of anticipation in her stomach when she looked at him. "I could always borrow another bottle"

[praiseandglory]

"Let me get that," Porthos answered gallantly. It wasn't that he didn't think her capable of appropriating a bottle, but offering to do that for her seemed like the thing to. Especially given what they were talking about. Being gallant to a woman inviting you to her bedroom seemed akin to a duty, albeit a very pleasant one.

Never one to say things he did not mean to go through with, Porthos stood to go and fulfill his duty - after he gave her another small bow, first, eyes glinting in promise.

[phrynefisher]

Let it never be said that the Honourable Phryne Fisher missed the opportunity to appreciate the view in watching a man walk away. Better still that he had left her with a half smile pulling at her lips and the darkness of his eyes at that last look adding a speed to her fingers as she bent to retrieve her heels from where they'd been abandoned beneath the table.

It was an easy enough thing to slip her feet back into them and tighten their delicate straps. As it was to collect their glasses in one hand and make her way toward the door, catching Porthos once he had appropriated them another bottle. There she smiled at him and slipped her arm into his to lead him off toward her room and away from the chatter and buzz of the masquerade soon left behind them.

Had any been looking for either of them, the last that would've been seen of them was of her slow smile as she let them through the door, her arms wrapping around his throat as she pulled him in after her and let the door click shut behind them.