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

[armedagainstlove]

"The man I found there explained that it was a park of amusements for children named Disneyland," he says, but the way he speaks it is as if Athos had witnessed a battle there that still scars him as he thinks of those awful, childish screams. "I assure you, you do not wish to go there. The other, however, I will endeavour to never let you go," Athos remarks.

"It is a city of gambling and vice," he says, giving Porthos a pointed look. "And you do not have the money for either."

[praiseandglory]

Porthos is about to answer on the subject of that 'Disneyland' when Athos keeps on talking, and then he hastily swallows the new bite of chicken he's just had and protests, "You don't need much money if luck's on your side!"

[armedagainstlove]

The look that Athos levels at Porthos is one of disbelief and questioning whether Porthos is really without that much sense to question such a thing. "I've seen your version of luck," he informs him. "And Las Vegas is equipped with security members with pistols and very little patience for kings up anyone's sleeve."

[praiseandglory]

"Sometimes, luck just needs a little nudging," Porthos replies, sounding absolutely unconcerned at the thought of security members, or their pistols. It'll be just like fleecing some Red Guards.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos is hardly as impressed with Porthos as the man surely wants him to be. "You realize all your nudged luck often involved someone following after you to ensure you weren't arrested, or worse?" he points out, feeling inclined to remind him of such things.

[praiseandglory]

"And how d'you reckon I survived all these years before I ran into you?" Porthos retorts, not about to put off his food - or his inclination to gamble - with his money and, let's face it, his life. It is where the thrill lies, after all, and it's not as if he lectures Athos on his drinking ways. To each their own habits.

[armedagainstlove]

"And yet the guilt will not go away if you were to get in trouble," Athos points out, knowing that Porthos can take care of himself, but that he shouldn't have to. "I only worry because there have been times that you had quite a close call," and if Porthos investigates these words, he will see the worry in them.

[praiseandglory]

Porthos does sense how serious Athos is right now, and he's not honestly sure what to do with that. Laughing it off seems inappropriate, but Athos doesn't usually say those things. He's stopped with another bite of chicken halfway to his mouth, and he shrugs, but holds his friend's gaze. "Close calls are part and parcel of a Musketeer's life."

[armedagainstlove]

"Perhaps," Athos says, but his most recent memory is that of the Court and of Charon telling him that Porthos had decided to abandon them. That is a hard memory to shake, despite knowing that the others are from a time far more in the future. "So long as you remain alive, well, and a Musketeer, then I will continue to fight at your side," he says, drinking more of the wine and feeling even more immensely out of place at the masque.

[praiseandglory]

"Have you just said you'd leave me in a ditch if I caught a bad cold?" Porthos asks, lips twitching, because he's done the serious thing for a second there, and falling back on humour now only feels natural. "That's good to know. Not to worry - you won't be rid of me any time soon," he adds, to let Athos know that, teasing aside, the sentiment is appreciated, and reciprocated.