Disaster Relief Charity Ball

    The Hotel Augusta's Grand Ballroom has been done up in style, which is to say not much has been changed in order to preserve it's natural grandeur. Already the room is buzzing with activity as men and women in tuxedoes and gowns file in past the reception desk where the finance director of Mitakihara General, among others, personally accepts charitable donations, bowing to each group or person that offers one. Those that enter without donating or without holding an event ticket claiming a donation was made in their honor are given narrowed, disapproving eyes and the curtest of receptions, along with the hushed whispers of peers.

    Indeed entry to this gives the distinct impression that you are being judged, and even modest donations by those known to be fabulously wealthy are met with a lifted chin and cool thanks. Likewise those that show their incredible generosity are given the deepest bows, and adulation, public admiration heaped upon the generous donor alongside the shame distributed to the miserly. Teenagers are discriminated against in a positive manner with much smaller amounts garnering them the respect of the greeters. Children receive the best treatment of all, lavished with praise if their parents have given them even a token to give, establishing the habit of donating to a worthy cause at a tender age.

    Everyone is here in their finery, CEOs, artists, idols, and politicians alike. The famous are given plenty of chances to have pictures taken as they make their donations, though fanfare can be waved away by request. Among these rich and famous are locals who jump at the chance to mingle in such company, and others who simply enjoy the pomp and circumstance of a fancy ball.

    Off beside the tables and seating is a large buffet of appetizers, clean finger foods, and deserts. Succulent squares of Kobe beef drizzled neatly in wine and mushroom sauce, enormous prawns with and without tempura batter and the choice of accompanying cocktail sauce, deliciously pinchable crab cakes, and four different types of upscale caviar, just to name a few.

    Everything is rich and succulent, close to the best money can buy. Close. Everything is also just a tiny, infinitesimally amount wrong. Oh, your common student would never notice, but the crust on that crab cake is just a little too golden, and the prawns are clearly trimmed ever so slightly wrong. While nothing tastes any less delicious it does give people one minor little detail to complain about, and who in this company doesn't love going on and on about how things could have been just a little better? Noses are raised and smug, snooty superiority is attained; just as desired.

    Up on the Ballroom's stage no band plays, and the beautiful grand Piano has been painstakingly removed. Instead several nearly transparent screens have been placed in the center with nearly a dozen projectors discreetly hidden around them. In a modern marvel of technology a switch is flipped after the dimming of the lights and as if by magic The Clash appear on stage as they were during their 1982 Tokyo performance. The hologram is near perfect, it's appearance changing as one moves around the room, and the sound fidelity is wonderful; a lot of work and a lot of money must have gone into the amazing reproduction of this legendary band and concert.

    Somewhere in the crowd is the events organizer, Madoka Kaname, staying far away from the reception area where the greetings will no doubt continue for hours. Instead a Salamander Salvage PR representative is there to accept the thanks and glory, as well as deal with the task of thanking everyone who shows up. She's dressed up today in a custom gown light pink in color with a tinge of red, inch wide shoulder straps leaving her shoulders bare and leading to a modest sweetheart neckline, a thin gold necklace with a small and tasteful deep purple diamond cut amethyst set in gold resting just below her collarbone. The bodice of the dress is gathered about her waist and accented by a gauzy sash, two layers of light chiffon lightening and softening the ankle length skirt beneath.

Kasagami White is of the opinion that Madoka Kaname is a genius when it comes to throwing parties, both big and small. High society, excellent (if just slightly off!) food, a hologram concert in the background, and PR and all of the shaming and arrogant aggrandizing one could possibly hope for.

About all that's missing is the eccentric new money CEO types, and Miss White is happy to oblige. She's eschewd the traditional gown for something far more militaristic: a full on deep blue uniform with fancy gold buttoned coat and expensive looking slacks, gold-and-diamond encrusted belt, and an undershirt that has that foppish white frilly cravat on fully display all leading into shined up black boots. Oh, and a cape over her shoulders emblazened with the WPS logo in stylized silver, as well as a full on rapier and parrying dagger at her side with accompanying hat with a feather sticking out.

What better to say you're rich than an outlandish outfit and openly mocking japanese sword laws to the point of indecency?

She arrives, of course, with haruna at her arm! She's grinning like a madwoman as she offers a formal duelist's bow to anyone who greets her.

The cheque she cuts right in front of the Salamander PR department is franky insane, even for her. Someone suddenly has extra money to throw around.

For once she doesn't beeline for a certain Pinkball, instead letting out a laugh as she hangs near the third individual to join them, ready to defend at a moment's notice like the stylish rogue she is!

First, yoinking a champagne glass. It's raised high!

"May wine and coin flow freely for the less fortunate than ourselves! Any who skirts their duties shall defend their honor against ME, KASAGAMI THE GREAT WHITE DUELIST!" Distractions are go!

Haruna Kurosawa abuses a PreCard before leaving- she stuck cards in of a Princess gown and the card was actually labeled 'Princess'. This means she is in a lovely formal seafoam green dress that has a ruffled long skirt, splayed in front with a similarly ruffled petticoat and gold tiara even. She has a white fan also with green accents.

She let's Miss White cut the check which she sures covers both of them because she's hanging off her arm. She grins a bit.

Oh god, White's dress is amazing and she's at least people will be talking about it for a while after this party is over. Can't say she doesn't leave an impression. She grins a bit, but then leans up to whispers into White's ear.

"Let's go easy on the bubbly-bubbly because I don't wanna be dragging anyone out tonight~" she says.

Pause.

"Also, not spiking anything tonight." she whispers.

Yes, Haruna is totally going to behave tonight. She is a proper princess tonight, duh! Princesses don't spike punch! They get stolen by dragons or something. Right? Or kidnapped and put into towers. Certainly not spiking things.

Her eyes drift to the holograms and she purses her lips and huhs.

"...What band is that?" she asks.

Someone doesn't know her music.

Takashi Agera is probably not on the list of people most would expect to show up at a party right now - for a lot of reasons, including personality, crazy work ethic, and general current state of punchability. But that did not in any way stop Axion from pinging during his work and telling him that he really should get out more, sudden Arrivals of Hannahs, nor did it stop his mind from wandering when he hears about the dance in the halls of Sunset Tower.

Of course, having Takashi Agera show up to a dance run by Madoka and therefore likely attended by a large portion of magical Tokyo's best and brightest was not really an option.

So the only option is to take some cue from Hannah, and go in an outrageous manner of his own. Takashi's normally white (with purple tips currently) hair is somewhat of a standout, so he's dyed it a light black. That helps a lot, but there's still the matter of looking like Takashi and having the still-healing shiner that proves it. And there was only one way to resolve that.

Which is why there's a tall, young gentleman in a slim tailored black suit and tie, with a very generous check for over two million yen (that's around 200k for you Americans like Hannah) between his fingers which he passes into the hands of the men at the door - which he hopes will be enough to distract anyone from asking questions like 'why are you wearing a full-face masquerade mask to a ball which is absolutly not a masquerade?' as he files in behind the WPS CEO and her Princess.

He might not have Hannah's title or pay, but what he does have is a horridly large bank account built up through years of requisitioning funds from Eclipse to buy expensive research equipment, then going out and stealing it instead.

    Homura hates the spotlight, and despite being the source for most of the money to run this function, she has thus far managed to find a dark, quiet corner to brood in. From the cold gaze that sweeps across the room, and the heart-freezing look in her eyes, one would never guess that she was the kind of person to support a charity dinner run and arragned by her cheerful and generous girlfriend.

    The lights dim, and Homura smiles, gliding across the floor in an ankle-length dress, base color purple with a chaotic black pattern. Layers hide underneath, alternating black and white silk lined with white and black lace. A black sash wraps around her waist, tied behind her into a large ornate bow. As she turns, her dress swishes, revealing just a hint of black and purple diamond-patterned pantyhose leading into black heels.

    Long black velvet gloves smoothly steal a glass from a tuxedoed waiter, passing champagne between her purple lips. Sharp black eyeliner frames the purple eyes search for the object of her desire. So silent is she, that the scent of lavender is often the only hint of her passing.

    Gently, with glass in one hand, Homura leans upon Madoka from behind, wrapping a free arm around her and whispering into her ear. "Good luck, my dear."

    Homura releases her, walking away with a wink. Her arm is slightly bent, should Madoka choose to take it, but Homura did say that she intended to mingle.

    The purple-eyed Puella focuses on Hannah Sharpe and her, not one but two companions. Homura politely bows, in proper Japanese tradition. "A duelist and her fair princess. Welcome, Hannah-chan, Haruna-san, um... and to you, sir." She doesn't quite recognize the masked gentleman with them, and she's tempted to question the mask. Well, no matter. If he's with Hannah, she probably doesn't want to know. "You never fail to go all out, do you, Hannah-chan?" There's a strange lilt in her voice. She is a bit too underspoken and polite. It doesn't seem outwardly malicious, but it's not completely normal either.

    To Haruna, Homura responds with a shrug, "The Clash, apparently. We thought they sounded nice."

    Kasagami White's appearance causes a murmur of scandal to waft throughout the room, starting near the entrance but quickly making it's way across the Ballroom. Her flamboyant outfit gets her a near sneer from some of her counterparts, and the greeter who receives her looks ready to throw her out for utterly ignoring the formalities of the white tie dress code. Or rather he is until he sees her check. A cry of, "My god!" can be heard, and suddenly flashbulbs are going off and Miss White is having her hand forcibly shaken by a myriad of hospital employees and other charity workers.

    As she makes her daring proclamation heads a gasp goes through the snooty crowd, and while many of the youthful laugh and whisper about her daring the Old Money in the room are wrinkling their noses and talking in not-so-hushed whispers about the lack of due respect and her ridiculous manners and dress. Many accusations of her being a loud, obnoxious American are spoken. Then again, when as Miss White ever cared about any of that?

    Amidst the sudden ruckus a near bald pharmaceutical executive with a sweaty forehead sneaks past without making a donation; none of the greeters take notice.

    Takashi's state of dress also gets him stares, though clearly not as much as Hannah's. A click of the tongue is given as the check is handed over. Deep bows of respect are given to Takashi afterwards, and he also gets the flashbulb treatment unless he asks them to knock if off. A perhaps foolish man discreetly attempts to offer him a small white bowtie by pressing it into his hand.

    Madoka leans back a little as she feels Homura, the scent of her perfume giving her away to her darling who would recognize it anywhere. "Thank you, my love." She waffles a little on the bent arm, only to accept it and wander over with her to the group of recent arrivals. She notes Homura's Champaign glass and gives her a questioning look, followed by a soft giggle, only to curtsy to Hannah, Haruna, and the masked figure. "It's good to see you all here. I see you still know how to make an entrance, White-chan." A playful smile is given to the white-haired American.

    A curious look is given to the masked young man, her head tilting a tiny bit. Suddenly her eyes widen and she gently elbows Homura before smiling to him, "I'm glad to see you've decided to come after all. I didn't see you the other day, so I'd like to thank you for everything you've done recently. You've made such a big difference." She even giggles and gives the young man a playful wink!

    She knew Sailor Mercury was going to come in a mask, but using magic to disguise herself as a boy really is genius. Though it does make Madoka wonder why she's associating with WPS, and even more why she's so keen to hide that fact.

Entering the Hotel Augusta's grand ballroom is a little girl in a silken navy dress, it's a formal dress for polite society, white gloves to go with it, as well as an elaborate blue hat with flowers attached to it. The clothes look like they've been purchased specifically for the situation, fitted perfectly to form.

The donation she hands out when entering is in the form of two cheques. One signed by her father, and one signed by herself, and even though the latter dwarfs the former, her own donation would have prevented her being shamed even if she was an adult. Truly, to the Kogane dynasty, being seen to spend money on charity is important.

The girl then moves beyond, clearly familiar with the Hotel Augusta and its grand ballroom. A little yellow star with a tophat and a cane pops out in the air aside Hoshi Kogane.

The young dilettante makes polite bows to various wealthy adults, ones she is clearly familiar with. And ever she repeats the same refrain, "My apologies, my father couldn't make it. He has an important meeting in Brussels tonight."

Eventually, she approaches someone she knows from a different charity project, and whom she knows would be here. "Kaname-san. Thank you for hosting this event. My father sends his apologies for being unable to join us, but he had an important meeting in Brussels that unfortunately takes precedence."

Big, smug smiles and firm Handshakes. She even does one raised sword pose, a valiant knight she is!

Leeeean back into the Gull-chan! She pulls her into a spin, and a hug!

"You're no fun. Fine, we'll spike it next time. Yeah, we've got...fun to take care of later, after all."

"But let's enjoy the party for now! In we go, kids!" She prompts to both Takashi himself, and Gull! But soon enough, one of the party hosts has her attention! Cue another overexaggerated bow.

"An ever loyal servant I am! Hey, Homura. Man, I'm a drab conservative compared to Pinkball. She did not go easy on things!" Both arms on her hips, nod nod nod in amazement.

Leeean in, wink. "The day I don't, do me a favor, and go ahead and shoot me right there." No, that lilt isn't missed at all. Her warm, if bombastic expression does fade a little into a raised brow that could almost be a taunt if she didn't look actively confused.

Not that she couldn't think of a few reasons Homura might be upset with her right now.

"Alright, you've got plenty of people to get pestered by, and a hostess to steal a dance with. You have fun tonight Homu!" For once, she's not going to menace Homura's hair. Tact, from Hannah!?

First objective: find the food. Kobe beef time. Also harrass fellow CEO's.

"Sooo, mister Taiyama of Yoko Chemicals, did you ever think about that stamp factory buyout I floated your way. I mean, c'mon, your business model's already dead! At least get some money out of it before you tank."

Said Mister Taiyama scowls at the American. "The day I sell to a greedy American like you is when I'm cold and dead."

"I knew you loved me, T-kun."

A bow to Madoka as well! "Never going to stop, Pinkball~! A plus job kiddo. Seriously, if you ever want to start a legit company for catering and parties, I'll match whatever Homura wants to throw in the pot. Have fun, huh?" Reeach, a slap on the bakc!

    Among the crowds walking in is a three person family. Dad in a full tuxedo, mom in a dark blue gown, and a frigid 16-year old student that one may or may not recognize from Infinity High. Taiko Tsume's dress is as pure white as the driven snow, parted layers of light blue chiffon complimenting her dark blue hair, and dark blue embroidery lining the edges of her dress.

    Taiko is quick to ditch her parents, her mother turning around to reach for her, only to second guess her decision and pull back. The mother calls out, "Careful!", which Taiko immediately ignores in order to vanish into the crowd.

Haruna Kurosawa is spun and she smiles~ Hug~ Yes she's happy right now. "Right. Fun to take care of later but right now..." she grins as Hannah goes off to cavort just for a moment as she fans her fan open and fans herself.

"Such scandal~" she says with a soft, teasing grin at Madoka and Homura. "Oh god, my sister is probably gonna see those pictures in the paper tommrow or something and have a gigglefit at my expense." she mutters.

She grins. "Not that I don't mind that."

She leans forward. "Nice party guys, seriously. The hologram stuff is super cool." she says. She leans back and looks back to Not-Taka. (It isn't Taka. Go away.)

"I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself." she says to him. "If you can't find a dance partner later... I'm always willing~" she winks before she makes her way to 'looking for some food'. Yessss. Expensive food is like the best food, right?

    Homura tilts her head at Madoka as she seems to know the person with Hannah, and when she realizes just who it probably is (it actually isn't that person at all) she covers her mouth with a muted, "oh!"

    Homura bows slightly. "Well, a friend of Usagi-chan's is a friend of mine. Please, do enjoy yourself. And thank you for your generosity."

    Homura's attention turns to Hannah, and she giggles lightly. "If you ever do that, I'll assume that a malicious clone has replaced you and deal with it accordingly." She's still a bit too cheerful as she says that, but maybe she's trying to pass it off as a joke?

    Homura isn't that upset at Hannah in particular. She's may be in a bit of a mood, but that's nothing to do with anything that Hannah's done, recently or otherwise. Secretly, she's just trying to avoid drawing attention to herself, and loathing the idea that she might fail at that.

    Overhearing her chat with the failing CEO does force her to cover her mouth. It wouldn't do for the date of the hostess to laugh at the expense of her guests.

    She kisses Madoka on the temple and releases her arm. "I think I'm going to mingle. If you want to dance, you know where to find me."

    At the mention of a scandal, Homura shrugs. "It wouldn't be Sharpe-san without one." As Haruna walks away, Homura waves. A glance and a small bow is spared to Hoshi, before Homura wanders off to make connections. This is a good chance to personally acquaint herself with the big names of the Tokyo business world, and she'd be a fool to miss it.

Takashi marinates far less in the attention than Hannah does. He only stands around for a few pictures and shots before he takes an oddly (for him) respectful bow and excuses himself. "After all, if I wasn't shy, I wouldn't be wearing this now would I?" he says. That should throw anyone off, he thinks. Nobody would ever think of Takashi Agera as shy of all things.

And that's about when he's stopped by Madoka and Homura and she... what? She recongizes him? Damn! And he barely recognized himself in the mirror! He's torn between running away and... wait. No, that can't be right. She wouldn't react this way to him. Case of mistaken identity.

There's a huge sigh from behind the mask and Takashi says in an intentionally disguised voice. "My apologies, but you appear to have the wrong person. It's a lovely party though and the etertainment is great." he says, making a polite bow to her and stepping away from both Madoka and especially far away from Homura.

Haruna gets a smile. "That might be nice later, but for right now, don't let me keep you from your date!" he says, and goes to make himself part of the group looking for food.

    Madoka recognizes the little floating yellow star before she notices Hoshi herself, one formal dress looking very much like another in a sea of the same. She smiles happily when the star seems to be heading in her direction, and as Hoshi appears in front of her Madoka bows back to the young socialite politely. "Thank you for coming, Kogane-chan," it may be a formal, but Madoka is still going to be friendly, "please give your father my regards and offer him the my best wishes in regards to his efforts." After straightening back up she smiles more warmly, "I am glad you could make it yourself."

    She steps slightly back and motions to the girl at her side, "Have you had the chance to meet my girlfriend?" Motions are made cordially between the two, "Homura-chan, this is Hoshi Kogane, a volunteer at Mitakihara General, all around wonderful young lady, and, I would hope, our future Prime Minister." A slight turn, "Kogane-chan, this is Homura Akemi, founder and CEO of Salamander Salvage, and of course my dearly beloved." Her smile is radiant for a moment, and she leans lightly on Homura's shoulder, though manages to keep from pressing a kiss to her cheek.

    The pink-haired girl is quick to give a shake of her head to Hannah's insinuation she start her own company, "Oh no! My expertise comes from knowing which companies to hire to do the work. I can orchestrate it and keep things moving along, but I'd be lost trying to manage the actual operations." Besides, she thinks, she's seen how much actual work it takes to build a company from the ground up. So far as she's concerned she still needs to help support Homura in her ventures, which in reality are nearly as much her own. They are partners, after all.

    The mysterious young gentleman who Madoka accosted with friendliness is not the young lady she thought he was! Oops. A flustered, embarrassed expression shows on her and suddenly she's bowing to him repeatedly, "I'm terribly sorry! Thank you for coming, and for your generosity!" She steps back and away, letting out a sigh of relief once he passes by. "Oh my gosh..." she whispers to herself.

    Homura excuses herself to go mingle and this time Madoka does lean in to return the affection with a quick kiss on the cheek, lifting her left leg briefly as she applies it. Don't worry, Homu, the cameras aren't pointed this way. "Go knock their socks off, my dear~!"

    Someone is being loud and distracting, and that's perfectly fine with Taiko. While attention is focused on Hannah, the high school student makes a beeline for the food. She cuts ahead in line, inviting the disapproving glares of many a snooty rich adult.

    "Now see here!"

    "What do you think you're doing?"

    "Haven't your parents taught you any manners?"

    She glares up at the third voice. She says nothing, simply staring at him. Her ice blue eyes go over his features, memorizing his eyes, the curve of his jaw, the color and shape of his hair. She carves his face into her memory. She'll have to freeze him later.

    "Don't give me that crap," she finally says. "You don't even care about the hospital, do you? You're just playing along because otherwise people will make you feel guilty." She reaches up, sticking her pointing, accusing finger in his face. "Liars like you have no right questioning my manners."

    The man stammers out a "How dare you?!" but Taiko is already ignoring him again to eat food straight off of the snack trays. Ah, delicious tempura. Oh, maybe another square of Kobe beef. Before long she's grabbing handfuls of food and putting it on a plate. The man demands, "I'm not leaving until I get an apology!"

    "Sorry you're a jerk."

Haruna Kurosawa has a plate of beef and shrimp and countless other lovely offerings off the table as she licks her lips. Mmmmmmm. She has a fork. This steak is going to be like butter, perfect and delicious and----

There's some arguing nearby. She blinks once and listens to the exchange between Taiko and the other man. She purses her lips and listens as she steps back. Huh.

Well. That's a thing. Her gaze go back to-- oh! Tiny star!?

She races over. "Heeeeey Hoshi~" she sings out. "Long time no see, how's it going?" she asks as she finally takes a bite of that beef. Oh god...

It's amazing.

"You need to try some of this food. It's /amazing/." she insists.

"I shall be certain to do so, Kaname-san." Hoshi is in full formal mode tonight, those well-bred upper class mannerisms not just showing through, but informing her every move and word. "Nice to meet you, Akemi-san. I wish you the best of luck with your business ventures" Hoshi bows, and then there's another familiar face.

"Kurosawa-san, it's nice to see you again." The girl doesn't break to given names, not in this kind of venue outside of very specific contexts. "I'm sure I'll get around to eating some soon, Hotel Augusta never fails to deliver."

    "And a pleasure to meet you too, Kogane-chan," says Homura with a slight bow. "Good luck on becoming Prime Minister! Never let anyone tell you what you can't do." She waves, and then goes on with the afforementioned vanishing.

Well, that explains it. She resists the urge to walk over and strangle Not-Takabaka for likely the fifth time since her little chat with Kyouko.

"Hey, hey! If I'm going to do a clone, it's going to be for actual clone use, not playing at puppets." Grin to Homu. She sounds entirely serious here.

Freaking mad science Hannah.

"Scandal is my middle, maiden, and nickname Pinkball!" She yells out. Pause.

"I MEAN HONORABLE LADY YOUR PINKNESS THE NINTH!"

Nom nom nom food. Haruna too is packing in, as is non-Taka. As she passes by, the INCOGNITO GENTLEMAN gets passed a champagne bottle and some food.

"Lighten up, my good investor. You're in good hands." Grin.

Haruna almost gets stolen for a dance, before mentions of hospital go out. Taiko suddenly has a dashing swordswoman behind her.

"What's all this about a hospital? We talking Mitakihara General? You know, I was in a bad car accident once. Would've died if it weren't for those guys." It was, in fact, actually Walpurgisnacht's fault. But who's counting.

Norie Okana wanted to go. Her father got two invites. He wanted her to go- to 'be social' and 'cavort' and 'not be a shut in'. She was also given a donation check for some sum and to top it off. She was supposed to meet Natsumi here. She promised. She invited her along. She was hoping she'd show up.

She didn't care to look at the check her father wrote. Now what to wear....

Ugh. Screw it. She changes into Lacrima- she'll go as a vampire is won't to go and do... vampire...nobility things or whatever. That's a thing. Right?

She does use her hand to sort of mold the dress. Mainly, those silly bat adornments go away. This leaves in a mostly beautiful black and purple gown.

She softly steps in and hands the check over. It's nothing outrageous- but it's enough to not get her a dirty look.

She steps into the ball and looks around, eyes glancing left and right. This is not her element- but she doesn't find it too bothering as she bites her bottom a lip a bit as she tends to hang around near the edges.

    Taiko turns around, and sees... a white haired girl who she totally doesn't recognize.

    Wait, no. Doesn't she know this person? Surely she's heard something about a white-haired girl making waves. Something her father mentioned when Taiko was ignoring him.

    "That's the one I mean. Isn't that part of what this dinner is for? That and other stuff regarding the storm last January," says Taiko, waving her hand. "I heard there was an accident there. I heard a giant plant stalk messed it up." The man who expected an apology sputters at her. "Oh, right. That's not the 'official story'." Taiko makes huge air quotes with her free hand. Then she says a bit more lowly, "... but that's what I heard."

    The indignant takes a look at Hannah and another, infuriated, look at Taiko and decides that he wants absolutely none of this. Which is fine by Taiko.

    Taiko takes a long, stern look at Hannah Sharpe, considering her and weighing her. "You look pretty healthy for someone who's been in a wreck."

Mamoru Chiba finally arrives, one of the people who waves off the cameras at the door and gives an absurd donation-- and as he's in his white tie and tails, with the neck badge and everything, he's also wearing gloves, because one does. It only adds to the snobbery, as if he's too good to touch anything or anyone, and will undoubtedly be using a tiny shrimp fork or his very own hashi. This time, though, he's also wearing an unobtrusive black velvet sash across his chest and back from shoulder to hip.

Once in, he absently accepts a glass of champagne from a server, eyes drawn to the stage--

No. Way.

Congratulations, Madoka, you've nearly made Mamoru's eyes fall out of his head. "I thought," he breathes reverently to someone he doesn't know, "it was just a really, really, really good cover band."

He raises his glass to the hologram Clash, then downs the champagne in a very un-snobbity way and VERY NEARLY smashes the glass on the floor but remembers where he actually is just in time, and coughs delicately and puts the empty on another passing server's tray.

Then he's adjusting his cuffs and wondering if he should actually not have henshined, but then he's thinking about what people would be saying about him wearing what he'd been planning without the context of Usagi's fairytale ballgown, and it very much ends up looking like he's brooding, already. Hands in his pockets, because his henshin tuxedo has pockets because of course it does, he turns Usagi's birthday gift over and over. Then he takes his hands out of his pockets and lifts his pocketwatch to check the time. Then his eyes scan the crowd to see who's dancing with whom, and then he probably looks like he's alternately staring at Hannah or Madoka but isn't actually (either of them would certainly be able to tell that he's preoccupied and using them as a point of navigational reference before working up the nerve to socialize with any of his friends at a fancy ball in his dateless state. On her birthday. Without looking like he'd been jilted.

Another pair enter to the front: a pair of teens arm in arm, and they stop to make a not insignificant donation on their way through the door. There's much bowing and thanks, but they both just seem happy to help rather than overly pleased with themselves.

The woman--Ms. Snowe--is dressed in a thigh-length powder-blue gown, adorned with snowflake motifs at the hem and at the bust. The gown is off the shoulder and strapless, but it does have half-length sleeves made of sheer fabric. She's accented the piece with a pair of strappy short silver heels, and a silver swan mask glittering with tiny rhinestones. On her wrist, the masked maiden wears a sapphire and diamond bracelet. Her hair is of a match to her dress: shoulder length, but that same fine powdery blue, and curled in at the ends.

"Wow, so many people," says Snowe to her date, smiling somewhat nervously. "You know I've never actually been to a dance like this before?"

Hannah has to do her best to not immediately squint at Taiko. Or take her aside and ask who exactly she is.

Instead, she just laughs. "...What is this? That beanstalk fairy tail? You listen to too many internet conspiracies." The infuriated man gets a glare from the CEO. She even adjusts the sword like a jerk.

A shrug. "That was a few months ago, I heal quick. Name's Kasagami White, by the way, CEO of WitchHunter Professional Services! If it wasn't obvious. What's your name, who're you with?" She does a little spin to show off the cape.

Pause. Inside her pocket, Hannah's device pings. "...Aww heck. 'Scuse me. Gotta go kill the Brood in the room."

A caped, sword-wearing, caped, feather-cap'd wearing Miss White is suddenly making an obvious beeline for him.

"Forsooth, oh ye Brooding Knight of the Corner, what doth trouble thee, my great kinsman!" Arms at her hips. /Hannah Blind Stare of Annoyance/.

    Internet conspiracy theories. Taiko squints at Hannah. She's already judging her. "Tsume Taiko. My father does..." she waves her hand. "Something. I forget. I'm with my parents." That's a questionable answer if ever there was one, but one might see a very embarrassed mother looking on in the distance, hands covering her face, silently praying that Taiko doesn't do anything terrible.

    "WitchHunter?" Taiko tilts her head. "That's right... that's where I've heard you from. Quite an interesting name for a company. Witch hunter."

    Hannah wanders off to kill something, and Taiko shrugs. She takes her plate of snacks, the one tolerable thing that will likely get her through this evening, and wanders away from the food and the scene she just created.

Tadase Hotori's smile is brilliant and probably makes little pinging noises as he gets a photo or two and a comment of 'beautiful boy' from an older photographer before he wrestles himself free.

Unlike some here, Tadase has come in the very definition of White Tie: full dress shirt, white bow tie, black tailcoat, white waistecoat and cufflinks, pleated black pants and black shoes. The only place, and it's a small one, he's allowed himself to break from the tradition is in his cufflinks - they're still white rather than gold, but they are in the shape of crowns.

Amusingly, Kiseki is dressed exactly the same, though he's kept his crown. Kiseki's the first one to respond to 'Miss Snowe', too. "You don't really need to worry too much about them. A lot of stuffy old people with stuffy old money who just show up here to keep up stuffy old appearances."

Tadase shoots him a glare. "Really, I'm just happy to see that the hospital and Mitakihara is going to get what it needs to get up... again. This place has been through a lot, recently." He's trying to strike the balance of propriety - standing close enough to Ami that he's not abandoned her already, but offset enough to not look like an item. This is so much harder than just going with Nadeshiko and just letting everyone think the wrong idea, but Snowe's tone made it clear that wasn't so much of an option.

Haruna Kurosawa grins at Hannah as she thinks about accosting her for dancing before she can, but alas--- there's bussiness being talked about and she peeks up next to Hannah as she listens. Oh it's that loud girl again. Not that she's saying that out loud.

"Hey, is everything alright here?" she asks as she headtilts. "Yeah the hospitals done a lot of good work. It deserves every penny." she insists.

She crosses her arms and nods- she has a plate in the off hand and a fork in the other. Oh god this steak is so good and she's probably gonna have to be forced to put this plate down unless she finishes it first.

She watches Hannah take off before she can say something else and--- oh she's heading towards Mamoru- she skips along, because...Princesses.. skip. Right?

That's what they do.

"Hiiii Mamo~" she sings out as she's managed to put the plate down. Pause.

"I thought you were well? What's so sad?" she asks. She peeks around a bit. "Hrmmmmm." she taps her chin.

    Madoka is mingling after having drifted away from the reception area, well aware that if she stood nearby for too long she'd have been sucked into a long list of welcomes and thank yous and endless bowing. She's literally paying to have someone else do that for her tonight, or rather Homura is, and it'd be a shame to waste such well spent money.

    So instead she's made her way closer to the center of the non-dancing crowd, which so far is larger than the dancing one. The Clash may be a good band, but it does take a special set of feet to sweep elegantly across the dance floor in grand fashion to their tune. After a short time spent getting fussed over by her parents she's doing her best to hold her own amongst the modern nobility, and mostly getting along by being modest and demure. While talking with some financier she notices the a tall, perfectly dressed young man looking vaguely in her direction, smiling softly when she recognizes Mamoru and lifting her white gloved hand to give him a wave of her fingers.

    A man of middling height wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo and a tophat with a white ribbon around the base pauses as he passes by Mamoru as he very nearly disposes of his Champaign flute against the floor. With a sniff he raises his eyes and very, very slowly drags them over what he assumes to be a indolent rascal. He goes from shoes, to pants, from the tails of his jacket to the front, looking for any minute imperfection. Finally eyes sweep up past the boy's hair and then down to eyes as blue as the ocean depths, grumbling a simple, "Hmph," passing by after singularly failing to find something out of place.

"Mmm, that's true," Ms. Snowe replies to Tadase, nodding her head. She stares out at the crowd uncomfortably, then shakes her head. There are, to be certain, some people she knows in that group, and she considers them briefly before turning back to regard Tadase again. "Well, here we are," she observes, awkwardly, inviting him to tell her what they're supposed to do next. What does one do at a charity ball, anyways?

And of COURSE Hannah blindsides Mamoru because he's looking at Madoka at the moment she decides to swoop and descend upon him like a great snowy cavalier peacock.

It's probably very satisfyingly that he startles, turning to look at her then doubletake because god knows how he even missed the extent of her array. "Maybe I should have just worn the thing the other thing instead of transforming, after all," he tells her musingly, lifting a hand to rub his chin and surveying the outfit. "Hi," he says, and leans to give Hannah a hug. Look! Volunteered, even! --and then Haruna skips over and the older boy looks sheepish.

"I'm not brooding," he tells them, "I'm moping. It's Usa's birthday and she's not here yet. Her parents took her out to dinner beforehand or something, but neither of us knew about it in advance. And you're dressed so fancily..." that the white tie and tails and black sash he's wearing make him feel underdressed. He lowers his voice. "Do you think I should switch? I only have to dehenshin..."

And then... THEN... he is proven wrong. He feels the eyes of judgement on him, and after a moment of them, turns to regard the old gentleman giving him the critic's eye, and gives him an arch look that is literally the epitome of 'I am a prince who is tolerating your presence because you amuse me'. Of course there's nothing wrong with him. The gentleman moves on, and Mamoru waves back to Madoka, flashing her a quick insouciant grin because my goodness he feels better all of a sudden.

Grin. "It's great, huh? Looks us up, I'll give you a tour of the office!"

Her grin does fade a little into something of real concern as she hears all of that. Oh. /Oh/. "Yeesh. Man, sorry you got jipped. But hey, look at it this way Mamoru. When she's done, you're going to have a pair of twintails practically /glued/ to you! You're going to dance with her, and you're going to knock everybody's socks off!"

Grin. A nice, biiiig hug. Heck, Haruna gets right pulled into it! Extra love for the Mamo-kun tonight!

"Nah. You look good." Slap on the back. Not that she's a good judge of these things.

"Now. Haruna. Mamoru. We're going to dance right now. Who's first!?" Griiiiin.

Haruna Kurosawa ohs! at Mamoru and flutters her eyes. "Oh! Well that's certainly a good reason to mope. I'm positive that Usagi will be here soon enough! And if not, she'll most certainly let you know in some manner. I'm positive!" she beams. She head tilts and grins over to Hannah.

"Mamoru first. I can wait. Besides." she says. "You won't have time later when Usagi gets here, I bet~" she says in that teasing manner.

"Besides. I think I'm addicited to this steak so... better I finish so I'm not thinking about steak while also dancing." she says as she reaches back for her plate.

Natsumi Matsumoto felt over-dressed. It was feasible that in this sort of party, it wasn't possible to be over-dressed, but for Natsumi this was the most elegant outfit she'd ever worn in her entire life. Her mother had suspiciously had it in the back of the closet, with claims she wore it to events at the observatory. Natsumi found this doubtful, since it fit her and she was a little bigger than her mom had ever been. It also didn't smell like mothballs.

The dress was organza, layered so that the sheer quality was lost in multiple layers, and it hung in a slim, hip-close skirt down her legs. She found herself grateful it didn't have petticoats. The dress was a startling pearl white, with gold embroidery of stars and planets around the bottom of the skirt and around a conservative knee-high leg-slit. The waist of the dress was secured with a dark, ruby red bow that tied in a big floppy, fancy mess at her back and made her look like someone's Christmas present. It was only a miracle her mother had pearl-adorned ballet slippers in the closet and not Prada made heels.

Natsumi stopped at the door and looked around for Norie, who had invited her to this event. She certainly wasn't going in by herself in this outrageous get-up.

Mamoru actually laughs nervously, there, and glances from Hannah and Haruna to the hologram Clash. "I'm not sure if I can punk dance. But it's all 4/4, can you do a salsa or a really fast foxtrot?" he asks Hannah dubiously. "I mean. Maybe? That would work?"

"Never doubt a duelist's talents, Good Sir Mamo-kun!"

She grabs one of his hands, sweeps by to give Haruna a kiss, then hauls him over with force and grace! Hannah doesn't waste time, moving into a hip-wiggle, followed by a stiff walk towards the center of the dance floor. A fast shimmy, she trades arms, and then does the classic backwards-flex with one leg in the air, relying on Mamoru to keep her up and not break her neck.

She doesn't even lose her hat.

"Now this is a party! Show me your moves, Mamoru! Haaah hah hah!" She grins to friend-slash-adoptive-bro, soon spinning around with him and only showing to show him the steps to follow.

    "Lost your bunny?" says Homura, who is suddenly behind Mamoru, finger on her chin. "Oh! It's her birthday? I had no idea. Well, if I don't see her, tell her I wished her a happy birthday?"

    Homura glides past Mamoru, taking a few steps in Madoka's direction. Apparently she's had her fill of talking with people who have an inflated sense of self-importance, especially when speaking to a angels and princes is an option. She reaches up to finger the pink sapphire teardrop necklace around her neck, looking at Madoka but talking to Mamoru.

    "You mean to tell me you have something even more classy under the henshin? As if that isn't white tie already."

    Homura smirks, but she doesn't stay long, stepping away, turning to walk backwards away from the three of them. "If I see Usagi-chan, I'll let her know where to find you."

    Then she's off, a wicked grin watching as Hannah sweeps him away.

Lacrima has mostly been keeping to the edges of the affair. This makes her look like a weird unsocial socialite. She's hoping Natsumi shows up eventually. She will. She's her friend... right?

...Friends don't lie... right? Yes, they do~ Shut up...

Then there's a girl in a gorgeous dress coming in. She glances at her. Ugh. What a fancy dress. With a pattern of stars and planets. She wishes she had a dress like that. Who's wearing a dress like that.

It's Natsumi!? Her eyes widen a little bit. Wow!

She sort of tiptoes along the edge and up and slides next to Natsumi. "A--ah! You made it!" Lacrima says with wide eyes as she gently takes Natsumi's hand. Her hand is cold- but that's expected in her current form. "I like your dress." she says quietly.

A pause. "There's food somewhere here. I dunno. I've been kind of hanging around the edges." she admits.

She wavered, and dithered, and fussed anxiously with a tiny pocket mirror for some time worrying that all the work Usagi did on her hair earlier in the afternoon must surely already be falling apart - but eventually, Makoto finds it in her to make her way into the ballroom.

Her hair hasn't come apart, somehow. It's been swept back from her face into the sort of tumble of curls that looks effortless and actually took Usagi over an hour to do, pinned with a dozen tiny gold flower pins and crowned in the back with a red rose in full bloom. The dress - Mako's treasure from last year's trip to the Land of Nice Things For Tall People (better known as Paris) - is the same vivid scarlet: strapless, floor-length, a smooth mermaid silhouette in the front giving way to a cascade of ruffles in the back. She's even dared to wear heels, strappy gold sandals that glitter with each step, matched with a pair of little gold hoop earrings and the single gold bangle on her wrist.

She's gripping a tiny red clutch purse with both hands, nails painted glossy red to match. She looks like she's regretting every last bit of this.

Her donation is paltry, but it's all that she can really spare. Fortunately she looks teenaged enough still not to get an elegant stink-eye for it, though in this getup nobody who doesn't know her is likely to take her for fifteen.

Natsumi Matsumoto flushes red as Lacrima nears her, recognising her friend there, and she sees her looking at the dress. She knew she was over-dressed. "Yeah... My mom had it in a closet, supposedly for social functions at the observatory.". She still vastly doubted this claim. "I'm glad you like it. It's not as lovely as yours. You look gorgeous tonight.". She smiled at Lacrima.

"Food? I thought the rich and elite lived off puffs of rich air in their top-floor suites.". It was very hard to tell if she was kidding, but she nodded her head and let Lacrima take her warm hand in her cold one to guide her about.

"I-- ACK," because my god nobody expects the Homura Inquisition, especially when about to be shanghai'd to the dance floor by Hannah Kasagami Sharpe White Cheddar; Mamoru's hand is over his sash and he's glad he's not drinking champagne right this second. Well, his other hand, Hannah's already grabbed the one. Then he gives Homura a look like 'are you kidding me': "Of course I do. This is a super posh affair and it's Usako's birthday and she's got a princess dress; there's no way in hell I wouldn't match that in upping the ante. I'll definitely tell her, though! And tha--"

'Thanks', presumably, but he is swept away by the most forceful casual personality this side of the Pacific.

Gamely and goodnaturedly, Mamoru follows Hannah's steps and timing, and he is a fast learner-- and he never once drops her.

Then it's time for the other reason for dancing other than sheer entertainment: conversation! "I forget even what I was going to ask you about, but I sent Agera a bill for my balcony because it was his fake copy of Jupiter that wrecked it. Just to keep you up to date on stuff. Do you know anything about that? I mean I'm not accusing you, it's just-- Jupiter said there were a whole lot of other empty fakes waiting around to be activated when she broke out of where he was keeping her. Because of COURSE he kidnapped her and thought it would in any way work out well for him. Bottled lightning. Do not store."

Tadase, on the other hand, has seen Mamoru. He's about to say hello when he's swooped up by Miss White and away he goes, the poor lost soul. He turns back to Ami and smiles. "Well, it's just like any other dance, any other ball. You socialize, you dance, you eat food." he says, though it might sound like he's humoring her a bit, he's certainly not trying to talk down at her.

"I suppose once Mamoru-sempai finishes his dance with the American Samurai over there we can talk to him - or we could dance, if you like." he says, smiling. "But I also wouldn't want to impose, I know you're here as a favor to me and I appreciate that." he says. And he's fiddling a bit with his cufflinks.

What does one do at a fancy party? Usually make everyone else look bad by dancing, if you're Seiyou's King and Queen, or King and Ace... But he's about half of either of those right now.

"Of course, if you wanted a chance to meet anybody important in Tokyo, they're probably here and easier to talk to than usual."

"Oh, I don't think I want to know anyone important in Tokyo," Ms. Snowe replies to Tadase with eyes wide behind her mask. She looks out towards the room, then watches as Mamoru gets swept off by all the women. This doesn't terribly surprise her, but it does make her wonder where Usagi has got off to.

"Well, I suppose we can try to dance, if you'd like," she finally says to Tadase. "I hope you won't be upset if I'm a terrible dancer. I've just literally never been to something like this before," she says with a frown. "I feel completely out of my depth, and now I'm worried I'm going to make you look bad."

Lacrima softly looks at Natsumi and raises her brows. "My dad is high up in the bussiness he works for so he was able to get invites." she says softly. "Like I said. He wanted me to come."

A pause.

"I'm glad you could make it." she says as she leads her around to the table, where there's mushroom sauced kobe beef and shrimp and various other expensive oddities. "Want to eat? First?" she says as she begins piling 'way too much shrimp' onto a plate. It's not like she's eating for sustence. She might aswell enjoy it.

"Before dancing." she says with a coy half-smirk.

Haruna Kurosawa watches as Hannah sweeps Mamoru to the dance floor and she watches with wide eyes and a clever grin. She's using that fork to eat more beef and soooooon-- she's done with it. Finally. Oh god. She feels horrible because she's over here now and all that delicious beef is over -> there now.

Well all the same. She grins wickedly as she whistles as Hannah and Mamoru dance! It's a cat call!

Natsumi Matsumoto spotted crab cakes with some sort of garnish on top of a silver platter as she neared the table with Lacrima. She didn't hesitate to take a plate and daintily pluck them from the platter and onto her own plate. She also took some of the shrimp, and with a swift glance around, tucked a few in her clutch as well as onto her plate.

She turned from putting one in her mouth as well to stare at Lacrima with wide eyes. She chewed and swallowed. "D-d-dance? In front of all these people?".

Oh yeah. Poor Ta-kun's cover is utterly blown. She enjoys the dancing with Mamoru, glad to have someone other than Gull who can keep up! She doesn't even drop her smile, this Hannah. She does give him the look of the ever suffering by association.

"I'll be honest with you, Mamo-kun, I can only say so much when it comes to stuff like that. But I've been in my labs, and training for the past few weeks, and running a business. I found out about all of this yesterday thanks to a certain little redhead and her sister. So, no, I don't know anything. For all I know, he could have made one of me by now."

She doesn't sound too put out by the possibility.

Hannah also sweeps by Haruna amidst all of this. A naughty little hip-check, and she manages to blow on Haruna's ear and whisper on the way back.

Then return to dancing with Mamoru as though nothing had happened, aside from an awful, smug look. "Glad she made out of it fine though. If she wants to come and try to pound my face in to let off some steam, tell her I'm cool with it. Been wanting to fight her seriously for a while now, and I haven't had a good spar since I've been working on new spells." She laments.

Tadase shrugs. "Well, you do. You know a lot of people who're very important, and I presume you know yourself?" he says, his voice getting a little bit more positive as he talks.

"I already told you, it's you doing me a favor, so it's not like you could make me look bad. If you hadn't agreed I probably wouldn't have come..." he admits. Then he smiles. "Trust me, you won't make me look bad." he says, outstretching a hand. "Dancing with you will probably be a lot easier than some partners I've had! Would you like me to lead, perhaps?"

Lacrima head tilts. "I taught you to dance a little. Why don't we put that to use?" she says coyly still. She eats shrimp. Shrimp goes in. tail comes out. Shrimp goes innnn, tail comes out.

Yeah she's gonna really put the shrimp away. She smiles.

"So if you eat crab. Does that make you a cannibal." she asks more quietly.

"Like it's okay for you to eat that, right?" she asks.

"Now that would have been a tragedy," Ms. Snowe replies with a frown as she glances back towards the entrance. "I know we probably don't have anywhere near the largest donation, here, but every little bit helps. I know my mother will appreciate how much of this is going back into rebuilding the wings that were damaged." Which implies her mother has something to do with the hospital, perhaps?

Then she looks back to Tadase, and sees his smiling face and outstretched hand, and her cheeks grow pink beneath the mask. "Oh, ah, yes. That sounds just fine," Ms. Snowe replies as she takes his hand. "How does one actually dance to this music?"

    Madoka can probably sense Homura's coming, both from the smell of familiar perfume and from the sound of her voice as she delightfully meets yet another Very Important Person, or at least a snooty person who considers themselves important. It might be hard to make out the individual words, but the tone of her voice is pleasant, friendly, and practiced. Once they part, Homura heads straight back to Madoka, wrapping an arm around her from behind and whispering into her ear.

    "Usagi-chan's birthday is today. I had no idea. I don't suppose there's anything we can do for her, on the occasion that she arrives?" After all, Homura isn't exactly broke, and Madoka is the coordinator for this event.

    "Tell me, do we have any spotlights? We might still have time to rig them up, if necessary." She leans against Madoka, closing her eyes. "She's been a good friend to us. It'd be nice if we could do something."

    Her hand reaches for Madoka's. "We could talk it over while dancing, maybe."

Poor? It's not like Takashi didn't blow his cover his own self-- but somehow, Mamoru's not rolling his eyes at Hannah, he's snickering. "Hey hey," he protests, sweeping Hannah up in the air and spinning her before effortlessly stepping back in time with the moves she taught him only a moment ago. "I'm just checking to see if there was anything you could tell me, I'm not mad or anything. Oh my god though are you on tumblr? Someone wrote a fanfic shipping Tuxedo Kamen with Frost Knight like three months ago and I think I'm going to die."

Then he laughs again, swinging Hannah out and then back in. "But I dunno. I'll tell her, but I don't think she fights because she's looking for a fight, for the most part. And if you think I pack a punch... man, she punched him right out of henshin. So try not to get her mad."

The song is ending, going into Rebel Waltz--

--at which point Mamoru smiles crookedly at Hannah and slows, then pushes her gently in Haruna's direction. "Waltz with your girlfriend."

"Um... I try not to think about it too much? I mean... I've never got hit by lightning or anything after eating stuffed crab, but it's possible it's not actually approved of since.... Crab.". Natsumi shrugs and takes a bite into one of the cakes before casting her eyes around the large room and the numerous guests.

"So.... Dancing in front of all those people? What if I trip us or something?". Worry, worry. She only learned to dance the other day after all.

Haruna Kurosawa can't hear the conversation which is good because she'd actually get concerned both over the fact Takashi totally took Jupiter prisoner AND also over the fact Takashi got punched outta Riventon in front of people.

So instead all she has on her mind is lots and lots of beef still drenched in mushroom sau---

Then Hannah hip checks her and she smirks and she gets ear whispered to- and she blushes a bit!

and then Mamoru makes an effort to toss Hannah her way with a shove and she holds out her arms.

"Ohhh Princess Seagull is ready to dannnnce~" she sings out.

Tadase nods. "It's uplifting to see all of the people here for this cause. Even if some of them are doing it for hollow reasons, there's a lot of them who aren't. A lot of people who dug deep to help others. It's that sort of thing that keeps me going when things are rough, thinking about how people unite together to protect each other's dreams..." The music changes up, though, and with a tilt of his head, he smiles.

"Well, a lot of what I've heard has been pretty difficult, but... this sounds close enough to a waltz, so this is probably the best time to dance amongst all the rest of it." he says, taking her hand and leading her out to the dance floor. "Na-chan always says the way to do a waltz right is to make it look effortless." he says.

Lacrima softly stops eating. (There's still so much shrimp on that plate that one hastily escapes- slipping off the plate and bouncing under the food table. Lacrima doesn't notice.

"Oh! Well. Maybe the uh... stars...? --are just happy you're enjoying the crab. I bet that's more likely the possibility." she insists.

She head tilts. "So you step on my feet or we trip and we recover. Right?" she asks. "I fell down a loooot learning to dance." she says. "It's okay to."

Another shrimp... another tail being slapped down onto the plate. She bites her lip after that one though.

"...I'd like to try to dance with you..." she says quietly. "I mean. If you don't want to. That's okay too! We can sit here and eat! Eat and eat! I mean. It's really good food!" she says.

The change to a waltz does not by any means help Snowe feel comfortable at the prospect of dancing, but she's not about to wuss out, now. So she follows Tadase towards the floor and just gives him a flat-eyed look. "Nadeshiko makes everything look effortless," she reminds him, amusedly. Nevertheless, she follows along well enough, and it doesn't take too long before she's at least got the hang of following Tadase's lead through the waltz. Not so bad after all.

There's a very dissappointed look from Hannah to Mamoru. "...Really? But she's so strong! Yeah, I know! That's why I want to fight her. I mean, I honestly want to fight /all/ of you at once, but I know most of you guys aren't the fighting type. I'd have at least hoped...but nah, I won't intentionally make her angry to get her to fight me seriously, as much as I'd enjoy it. Sounds like she's had a rough week."

"...Wait, seriously? Tell me it's a slash fic. Please, let the horror flow!"

Shunted to Gull! Oh yes, there's much dancing, as she pulls Haruna into a fast waltz, quickly allowing the world to fade away.

"And never shall I allow this humble princess to leave my side, for my love for you is eternal and unending, my beautiful, warm bird of freedom and strength." Lean in, smoooooch~!

Natsumi smiles warmly at Lacrima, setting her now empty plate where ever it is people put empty plates at swanky parties. Probably on some servant's head. "I'll dance with you, as long as I can stand close enough to you that nobody will see me mess up. Is that okay?".

She flexed her feet a little inside her slippers, trying to loosen them up for potential stepping on Lacrima foot stuff. She hoped Lacrima said yes, it was a nice excuse to stand closer to her. Natsumi needed to stand closer to someone familiar with all these people. She felt like the clock should strike midnight soon and her dress turn into a crab shell, and her slippers pieces of seaweed.

Once Mako's run the charitable donation gauntlet and made it safely away from the scrutinizing eyes of those accepting the donations, the question becomes - what next?

The buffet looks tempting, but Makoto turns carefully away from it. Frankly, she's almost afraid to breathe in this dress, never mind eating. Instead, as she stands off to the side, her eyes scan the ballroom for familiar faces. There's Haruna, getting ready to dance. Homura and Madoka look similarly occupied. Mamoru, of course, in his familiar formalwear.

A little smile tugs at Mako's lips as she watches the goings-on on the dance floor... and since it seems like maybe Mamoru's no longer otherwise engaged, she raises a hand in a little wave to try and snag his attention.

Tadase laughs. "That's a fair point, but I really do believe we'll be fine." he says, and - well, it's Tadase Hotori, and when he says something like that, it's clear he means it, and it can often make the other person feel it too.

But, to a certain extent, they're both varying degrees of wrong. Tadase's used to dancing with either the effortlessly elegant Nadeshiko or the boundlessly energized Amu, and while there's no tripping over each other's feet or toe-stomping, the two of them do seem to be just off enough they won't be turning any heads.

Still though, at least Tadase seems to still be enjoying it. "Maybe I should convince Kaname-san to run more of these." he muses. One thing that is clear is that despite the nature of the dance, he doesn't seem to be entranced by his partner. It's a dance, but there's no further subtext to it between them than that.

Lacrima nods. "Sure..." she says. Oblivious to the implications of what Natsumi is asking. 'Wanting to be close to her'. She gently places her plate down and gently takes Natsumi's hand and leads her to a spot as the waltz-like song happens. She 'ahs' and nods a bit.

"Remember?.." she asks.

She does the motions again. "One...." a swing to the right. "Two...." she whispers, pushing out a little--- "three..." the hand goes back. "Four...." push back in.

"Back to one..." she says as she begins to repeat. 'One, two, three, four...' to get Natsumi into some sort of timing. She's careful of feet- both her own and of Natsumi's.

    More polite introductions and small talk, short greetings and goodbyes to people Madoka knows are important without quite knowing how. Her best manners are given to the members of her mothers company, who likely still remember her as she was back when she was a little girl. Ah, the slow seniority based advancement of Japanese corporate society. Yes, she's grown up a lot. Does she look lovely in this dress? Thank you, it was so nice meeting you again.

    The scent of lavender mixes with rose and violet, and Madoka closes her eyes and takes a soft sniff, tilting her head before turning it, eyes opening to look into Homura's with a smile. A look of mild surprise is on her face, and a gloved finger lifts to her chin, "It's her birthday? I didn't realize it either. But if she's not here yet..." Spotlights are mentioned, and Madoka frowns slightly, giving a shake of her head. Halfway through she pauses, "No, we don't have spotlights, but I do have an idea. We should be quick, though."

    Her voice lowers and conspiratorial whispers are spoken as the pink-haired girl takes Homura's hand and leads her not to the dancefloor, but to the outskirts of the room.

A smart person would notice Makoto Kino and Rei Hino and, if recent interaction with the girls had involved burning and punching, would stay far away from them. A smart man would not tempt fate by moving his way through the crowds and shifting closer to the two Sailor Senshi.

Takashi Agera is a genius, but sometimes he is not much of a smart person.

Still, he doesn't actively approach either of them - he just guides his hobnobbing with various CEOs and Directors and the like - slowly ever closer to them, a sort of strange curiosity like a moth drawn to light.

"Of course it's slash," Mamoru says with something between a laugh and a sigh as Hannah does just what the doctor ordered, and he runs a white-gloved hand through his hair, letting out a breath. He edges off the dancefloor, scanning to do a check on who he knows is where, and catches Makoto sending a little wave his way. He gives her a bright smile, then weaves his way through the non-dancing crowd with his own hand lifted, but not in a wave--

--in a 'come dance with me' gesture, for sure. "Hello, beautiful, I see your date's not here yet either-- want me to thump him for you? Not that I'd win," he calls cheerfully on the approach.

    Rei Hino, in a long lacy red dress, stomps her way through the entrance, about to enter unimpeded by sheer force of 'lol if you think you're getting in my way'. However, a polite *ahem* stops her, and she turns sharply, looking at the greeter collecting donations.

    "Oh, is that where that is?"

    "Yes ma'am."

    Rei drops a check into the greeter's hand, one of the few things that her father actually manages to do right in her life, and walks on before she can hear the shocked noise and polite 'Thank you'.

    It's not long before she's making her way towards Makoto, who in turn is looking at Mamoru. "Hey, you two. How's it going?"

    A bit late she notices Mamoru asking Makoto for a dance, and then smirks, resting a white glove on Makoto's shoulder. "Well you two have fun. I'll catch up with you later!"

Haruna Kurosawa happily dances with Hannah as she smiles warmly. She's an okay dance. She keeps up with White-chan at least perfectly. She listens to Hannah's sweet words and she can only blush because what can she say to that.

She was always bad with words. She always will be. But this will never stop her from trying.

She grins. "--and I will always hold fast to my prince and love her for all eternity~" she sings out. Oh yes, this is a very happy Haruna~

Blue-sama has no idea what the hell he's talking about. Nope.

She opens her eyes and ... is that Tadase? She squints. Ugh. She wants to frown at him.

But she's just way too happy to do it right now.

One, two, three, four. Natsumi breathed in as she stood as close as she could to Lacrima without making the dancing very awkward. After all, this was a waltz and not a tango. Tango is for later. A few years later.

She calmly let herself be guided by Lacrima's gentle, cold hand through the motions like an automaton as her eyes and thoughts were only for her dance partner and not the dance itself. "I'm glad you invited me.", she whispered. The words were almost choked out of the air by the sound of the music, tinkling of champagne flutes and wine glasses, and the sound of meaningless drivel shared between rich people.

    Homura is all too happy to whisper and conspire with Madoka, especially if the subject is romance, or doing something nice for friends. Or both, in this case. "Quick? Sounds good to me."

    As Homura and Madoka move towards the outskirts of the room, Homura's smile grows ever brighter. One might overhear whispers of their conversation. "... the moonlight? ... wonderful.... Yes let's!"

    It might be hard to guess what they're thinking, but whatever it is Homura is excited about it. She gives Madoka another hug, saying, "It shouldn't be that hard to arrange. Be on the lookout for her, alright? If I see her, I'll signal you. I'm going to make arrangements with the staff... unless you'd rather? It is your party, dear, and you have my backing."

Lacrima doesn't even know the Tango. She could probably learn it easily enough given a week or two. It is more of an advanced dance though- and definitly not one correct for the current situation. She gently guides Natsumi. After the last round of one, two, three, four-- she stops muttering it.

She almost smiles. Almost. It's just that same bemused not-quite-a-half smile she gives-- but sure is trying hard to get past that, at least. "I didn't want to come alone." she says softly.

"---and I was teaching you how to dance. Not many dance with me nowadays and I burned a lot of bridges when. when this all started happening months back." she says softly. Vauge on the 'this' due to the public setting. But Natsumi should know she means the whole 'vampire' thing.

"Rei-chan!" Makoto brightens visibly at Rei's approach, takes a moment to regard her with an expression of admiration. "Hey yourself. You look great!"

Then of course Rei is smirking at her and Mako can't quite help but blush as Mamoru reaches the both of them, both at the smirk and the 'beautiful'.

"--No thumping!" she protests in reply. "He'll be here a bit later. If you want to dance, I'll be happy to keep you company until both of our dates get here."

She says it teasingly, but there's an eager sparkle in Makoto's eyes - she so seldom gets to dance.

PING. An idea has blossomed inside Natsumi's head, and if ideas were actually light bulbs her eyes would be beacons in a light house. "We should dance beneath the stars in my backyard one day. It's totally dark and the only light you have to see by is starlight and moonlight.". It's incredibly romantic. She isn't going to say that outloud though.

She steps in closer, maybe three inches more, as she becomes more comfortable with the dance and offers Lacrima a warm smile. After a moment her expression clouds with thought, as if she's pondering something.

Lacrima purses her lips and thinks. "That could be fun..." she says softly. The idea does come to her a little, that- yeah that might be 'romantic' and she blushes, just a little bit under the cheeks for a second. Not much- and it dissapates quick. She still dances though. She's glad she's not stepping on feet, or her feet aren't being stepped on too much if at all.

She head tilts a little. "...whatcha thinking about?" she asks. Natsumi does seem thoughtful suddenly!

Worded answers are for the people who neglect action. Theoretically, Natsumi is one such person but in this instant she let action take her and leaned forward to press a deep kiss to Lacrima's lips, eyes fluttering closed as she moved forward.

Ms. Snowe dances well, but dancing with Tadase just doesn't seem to click for her. When the song ends, she smiles and steps away, then says, "I think I'm going to go grab something to eat. I'll try to keep an eye on you so I can save you if there are any gaggles of girls attacking. Will you be alright?"

"Rei-chan!" Mamoru very nearly choruses with Makoto, then laughs about it and looks a little apologetic. "We'll catch up with you!" he promises as she shifts away again, wishing them fun. And then he snickers at Makoto's protest, but puts his hand over his heart and does his best to look solemn. "No thumping," he agrees. The solemnity, as sketchy as it is, dies swiftly in favor of a huge grin. "Excellent, let's cut a rug!"

And there they go: when Makoto takes his hand, he sweeps her onto the dancefloor and does his very best to live up to the outfit he's wearing. "Ooh, here, this one's reggae, good for a two-step," he says with delighted amusement. And if she doesn't know the steps, he walks her through them a couple of rounds-- simple but effective. And it's Makoto. He knows she can figure skate. Regardless of whether or not she knows this dance, it's not long at all before they're owning it. "Your dress is lovely! Has Neph seen it yet?"

Lacrima is somehow, completely and utterly caught off guard by what is technically kiss number three from Natsumi-- and in such a place as this!? Oh dear! There she is. Blushing again because whoops! This one's also a little more involved and deeper than the last two.

This isn't helping the blushing.

She breaks the kiss and swallows. Nrg, what'd Ayana say... let her keep kissing as long as you want it. Okay. Sure.

"...Haaaaaa." is all she manages to let out. She has not in fact, broken the handhold or the dance steps though she herself just tripped over Natsumi's right foot. Down she goes!

As Lacrima plummets to the plush carpetted floor, Natsumi's charm bracelet starts to glow a soft ruby and Natsumi feels a tingle race along her arms and throughout her body from her wrist. She moves with it, sweeping at Lacrima before she falls and making it seem like just another part of the dance.

If anyone could see her face, they'd realise Natsumi hadn't a single idea what had just happened, but she was nervously smiling at Lacrima. "Hey.".

Tadase smiles and makes a gesture towards the table. "I recommend it. The food at these places is usually just a step below perfect." A step below, so those people who've had the faire at Hotel Agusta's five-star resteraunt get hungry for it and return soon... "I think I'll be alright, but if you see Kiseki floating over a gaggle of girls looking worried that might be a sign."

She's rusty, cautious in her fancy skirt and her excessively high heels, but not for nothing has Makoto practiced ballroom dancing. With just a little coaching to help smooth out the initial uncertainty, she's nailing the steps with grace and aplomb.

It doesn't keep her from blushing again at Mamoru's question. "Not yet," she admits. "I'm hoping he'll be pleasantly surprised." Red and gold. It's pure coincidence, given how long ago she got the gown, but now it seems a bit like serendipity.

"Usagi-chan should be getting here soon, right? I've finally figured out what to do for a birthday cake, although I won't have a chance to actually make it until the weekend."

Lacrima is still blushing when she's caught and she blinks. "Huh? Wow. That was fast." she says. The blush fades as she resteadies herself. "Ahahahha..."

"Smooooth." she mutters to herself, barely audible.

She gently takes hold of Natsumi's hand and leads her back to the food table. She fumbles for her shrimp plate and begins eating again. Ahahahhahaha she's so embarassed.

"S--sorry about that." she mutters. "Usually. I don't trip." she says.

Natsumi nodded, holding her wrist up in front of her face and staring at the crab charm dangling from the bracelet there. Something was up there... "It's okay. I've fallen for you once or twice too.".

Yes. Those kind of lines.

It's a war in Mamoru's heart and mind every time Makoto blushes, because he half wants to tease, and he's half just so permanently pleased about Mako and Neph. This time, the pleased wins out, and he smiles one of the little smiles that's always been made of a hundred percent affection and ninety-eight percent understanding. "He's going to love it," he assures Makoto, twirling her out for a spin, then drawing her back in. "But yeah, Usa should be here soon. I think her dad's dropping her off? Not sure. She was out having dinner with them. It was just kind of a surprise. Which, you know, parental prerogative! And oh man, tell me of this cake, is there chocolate in this cake."

Ms. Snowe makes her way off the dance floor towards the food table, where she hovers for a moment, then begins loading up a plate with way too many hors d'oeuvres. It's really not ladylike to take so many, but she just grabs one of everything, (and two of the ones that look best), like she's found the mecha of great food and cannot stop herself!

Lacrima blinks once and head tilts a bit. She then seems meek. Like she should be blushing, at that statement. Oh my. She eats more shrimp because she can't say stupid things when she's eating shrimp because shrimp is in her mouth.

It's saving herself from more embarassment and giving her time to think.

Oh.

"Uhm. is your braclet okay?" she asks. She knows it's magical at least and she suddenly seems to be examining it.

Natsumi gladly let her bracelet take the conversation in a less awkward line of discussion. "Oh well. It sort of made me move to catch you. I'm not that good, myself. Maybe it's part of the whole astrological guide thing, you know?".

Takashi Agera is a master of timing. Even when he doesn't intend to be. Only instead of arriving at best possible moment like someone else in the room, he has a knack for occasionally arriving at the worst possible moment.

Takashi has grown weary of the hobnobbing and socializing, and somewhat innately gravitated to the food table before realizing that wearing a full face mask makes eating kind of not a thing.

Well, that's 2/3 of the point of going to a fancy dance completly worthless. There's no way he's going to have spent all of this time out for no reason at all. And that left the actual dancing. So as he's looming near the bar he sees an unattached person and taps her on the shoulder.

Naturally, that person is Ms. Snowe and it is likely just as she is begining to inhale some food item.

Makoto spins outward on cue with a swish of long skirt, steps back in laughing on her glittery heels. "None this time," she tells Mamoru apologetically; "sorry. I was thinking angel food and whipped cream icing. But I can make you chocolate pudding with all the extra egg yolks? I have to do something with them, and nobody needs that much hollandaise."

Lacrima gently looks past Natsumi at the man with the full face mask that's come near the food table. She finds this odd, but novel at the same time... a face mask... she ponders, this as she looks back down to Natsumi. She head tilts some.

"It..made you save me?" she asks. "Maybe it 'foresaw' I was gonna have an accident then. Because. Um."

"Horoscopes. Yeah."

"I bet that was in my horoscope. 'Saved by a pretty girl.'" she insists.

Pause. Oh. She just called Natsumi pretty. Did she mean to? She doesn't even know. Ugh. Feelings are so confusing when you're already naturally confused about them because you're a big ball of dark energy.

Ms. Snowe has a mouthful of something that may be crabcakes and sushi when she turns around, eyes wide behind her sparkly sequinned mask, to face the masked gentleman. She blinks at him once, twice, then chews and swallows before asking with her mouth still half full, "Cah Ih helf yoo?"

It is not the most ostentatious outfit that Nephrite has ever worn. It is not, for example, pink or red or electric blue. But the pure white Armani suit is guaranteed to fit in with the local millionaires, and more importantly, Masato Sanjouin has never been spotted wearing it. He, of course, cannot help but throw some splashes of color in, with a red tie and matching pocket square.

When he swaggers up to the entrance, beyond fashionably late and into the territory of just plain tardy, he recognizes a few faces from similar such events. The guy in white Armani with his long brown hair pulled back and a pair of aviator sunglasses receives no particular welcome, however. Those who had the privilege of meeting the eccentric philanthropist Masato Sanjouin have trouble placing his face now, the cloud of dark energy that used to accompany him somehow muddling those previous interactions. Which is why heads turn when he slides an envelope with a distinctive seal toward the staff, stating with a lazy grin, "Mr. Sanjouin sends his regards."

The whispers follow him all the way through the door. Let Tokyo's rumor mill chew on that one for a while.

It is not long before he finds the two people he would most like to see at this party. After all, both of them are dressed most startlingly. He takes a moment simply to watch them--watch her--before cutting in. Of course, his method of cutting in is to give Mamoru a mighty slap on the back. "Looks like we're in the presence of royalty tonight! Left your sword at home?"

Natsumi briefly considers faking a faint. High society does that, right? But instead her cheeks just turn as red as the bow around her waist. "You're pretty too, Norie.". She carefully steps around her and wraps her arms around Lacrima from behind, so as to not disturb the shrimp plate, mushing her face against the purple-haired girl's back. "Very pretty.".

"That," agrees Mamoru, dipping Makoto and pausing for effect, "would be a hell of a lot of hollandaise." And then the pause is broken and he swings them both out, then in again, and it's one, two, one, two across the floor and he's laughing. "I will eat all of the chocolate pudding you let me near. Even if it's an entire angel food cake's worth of egg yo--OLKS--!"

That... is the sound of Mamoru getting slapped hard on the back midword by Nephrite which means it's a freaking miracle he stays upright.

Letting go Makoto with bucketloads of dignity once he straightens up, Mamoru tugs his jacket and his sash back into place and gives Neph the most seriously arch look. "I'm incognito." He realizes belatedly that protocol should have been him handing Makoto, as in, not actually letting go, and then decides he doesn't care because odds are pretty damned good Mako doesn't care about that, or in fact, much of anything beyond Neph's swag right now.

He laughs good-naturedly, then punches Neph in the arm. "I never leave my sword at home. Tear up the floor, you two. Show 'em how it's done."

Takashi is... to say the least incredibly surprised to see someone else here in a mask. But it's certainly not anyone he recognizes. At least, not that he thinks. In any case, that's not relevant. Nor, truthfully, is the fact that the girl who just turned around has a face full of food.

And there are other concerns, anyways. "If you don't mind, once you come to a stopping point, I would greatly appreciate it if I could have the honor of dancing with you. I came here to dance, and none of the other girls here seem to be properly indisposed, nor do I think any of them could pull off wearing a mask like you and still manage to look so attractive."

Someone wants to dance with her!? Someone else wants to dance with her!? Well crap, this was definitely not on Ms. Snowe's agenda for the night. "Uhhh," she says, so demurely, then goes back to chewing, all the while staring up at the tall masked man in front of her confusedly. Chew chew chew.

Help.

Eventually, Ms. Snowe swallows the rest of her mouthful, loudly, then looks briefly around for anyone to save her. The problem with coming incognito to an event like this is that the people you know may not recognize you. And thus, her pleading look towards Makoto is probably not even going to be noticed, let alone dealt with.

Well, good job, Mizuno. She looks back towards Takashi, then offers a faint smile before slowly putting the plate down on a table next to her. "Uhh. Sssure? I'm not a very good dancer, though. I don't think I'll step on your toes or anything, but I might make you look bad."

Lacrima oh god, she's being hugged from behind. She sort of bites her lip-- yeah more shrimp. SHE NEEDS MORE SHRIMP.

She just ate one with a tail she begins to cough and hack but it goes down fine. Scratching her throat. She's okay.

"A-ahahaha. I'm not that pretty..." she says softly.

"..Um. Maybe like this I am though. I dooo like purple..." she says squinting a bit. "Are there purple stars?" she asks a bit as Natsumi hangs around her back.

Takashi is smiling so much from behind the mask that it's probably something that's clear even through it - if not by other parts of the way the face moves, maybe by raw aura itself. This'll be good - a dance with no strings attached, an excuse to let himself look good - even Hannah and Haruna aren't around, so even he made a mistake, it would be okay.

It's so rare for Takashi to be in a situation where he can let hismelf do that sort of thing - make mistakes without consequences like on that balcony, in the labs, or do something that might lower an ally's opinion of him - or far worse, an enemy's!

"I don't think dancing with a pretty girl is liable to make me look bad, but if you're worried about it?" he taps his mask, then he taps hers gently. "I can't speak for you, but nobody here even knows who I am, and at least I have no idea who you are. So what if you make the masked boy look bad? It'll affect nothing."

"There's nothing on the line, except for what fun you might miss out on if you let the yourself stress out about a dance with a stranger you may never even see again. Seems pretty relaxed to me."

Natsumi nodded, her cheek rubbing against Lacrima's back. "There are all sorts of different colours in the stars.".

She paused to consider something before a grin spread across her face. "Want to go up to the roof and look at the stars?".

Poor Ms. Snowe. If she'd shot that pleading look toward Makoto as little as a minute sooner, Mako just might have noticed it after all and been moved to action.

Right now, though, Makoto isn't paying the least bit of attention to any looks anybody else in the ballroom might be shooting her way. The moment she catches sight of Nephrite, her whole face lights up; even as she winces at the staggering thump to Mamoru's back, she can't quite stop smiling.

"I have no idea how this is supposed to be you incognito," she tells Mamoru, just barely managing not to laugh, "but thanks for the dance." She pats his arm lightly, and then Makoto turns toward Nephrite, holding out her hand to him. "I'm glad you made it."

Lacrima blinks a bit. She looks up to the ceiling and squints.

She looks back down as she gently slips from that grip and takes care of her plate. She isn't bringing a shrimp plate up to the roof. What if she leaves it? Ewww she'll attract seagulls or something with this close to the beach.

"Sure." she says. "That should be.. fun? Yes, fun!" she says more insistently. "Lead the way!" she says.

With no help forthcoming, and her lame attempt at getting out of this shattered by gentlemanliness, there is nothing left for Ms. Snowe to do but accept graciously and gracefully. "Well, I suppose," she says, once more shooting a glance towards her friends. But Nephrite is here (and oh my gawd does he look handsome), and Makoto is not even looking in her direction.

So, Ms. Snowe offers her hand to the Incognito Gentleman, and allows the man to lead her out to the dance floor to enjoy one another's mostly anonymous company.

Natsumi Matsumoto took Lacrima's hand and led her into an elevator, prodding the roof button over and over until it started moving. Off they go. Too bad it wasn't a glass elevator that would shoot out of the roof and fly around Tokyo.

    "Not the staff, we'll want to be more discreet than that if we want to keep it a surprise," Madoka comments to Homura, returning the hug and giving her a warm squeeze. After a moment, she reconsiders, "Actually, tell them to keep an eye out for her and that Mamoru-kun's donation counts for her too, just in case. That we can hurry if she shows up soon."

    But Usagi doens't show up soon, and really that is all for the better. Very quietly and discreetly as the party goes on the drapes are pulled shut one at a time. The lights are slowly lowered until only the faintest glow from the holographic band and the large overhead chandelier can be seen, giving a more intimate feel to the Ball while happening so gradually that people may wonder when it happened without being quite able to remember. Luckily the burners keeping the food warm provide enough light that few mishaps occur involving the delicacies.

    The waiters continue to carry Champaign around in tall flutes, though they walks slowly and languidly through the Ballroom to do so; the lower light has indeed had that affect on most of the patrons, lest they bump into each other.

    Seconds after Ms. Snowe accepts, Rei walks up right behind her, completely oblivious to her friend's plight in her quest to eat fancy foods. It's not exactly popcorn, but if she's going to watch her friends dance then she ought to have something to munch on.

    Look, supernatural premonitions happen on their time, not yours.

    The masked couple gets a curious look, but she walks off without another word.

Meanwhile, Mamoru's retreated to the wall by a window, even if the drapes have closed, and his phone's been on silent for the entire time -- if anyone really needs him, his iPhone's not generally the most certain way to get him. He hasn't checked it in a while, though, so it's about time. After, of course, he takes a few burst shots of Makoto and Nephrite dancing. Maybe he'll enhance them for photo exposure later and make them a couple of gifs.

But. Once the camera's off, he sees a red notification badge on his tumblr icon.

2,003,872.

And the number keeps jumping.

A ball of leaden ice forms in the pit of his stomach.

He quietly deletes the app and texts Usagi with a dry mouth and magic touchscreen tuxedo henshin gloves. Just like. 'Are you here yet. Heyyyy.'

He laughs at Mamoru's reaction to the thump on his back. "This is incognito, huh? Do they just hand those sashes out at the door?" He gives Mamoru an exaggerated bow as he steps away.

When he turns to Makoto, Nephrite's stomach is all aflutter like a schoolboy on his first date. Of course, he is technically a schoolboy still, and this is the first time the pair of them have done anything so formal. In fact, they have hardly gone out in the traditional sense at all, a matter that he clearly must rectify.

"You look stunning," he tells her as he smoothly takes Makoto's hand and slides the other about her waist. "Seriously, this... I've never seen you in red. It suits you."

    Homura grins, a glint shining in her eye as she conspires. "My dear, never stop being wonderful." Reluctantly, she releases her, arm dragging across Madoka's back, down her arm, and ending with a gentle squeeze of her hand before releasing. "I'll go ahead and tell them."

    Homura wonders just how long Usagi will be gone, but if she does come then she wants things to be perfect. She heads out to carry out the one task, informing the greeter of Usagi's description and saying to let her pass unimpeded. It doesn't take long, but with the lower lights it's a bit more difficult for her to find her beloved.

    Homura herself, like many others, has to walk carefully around the dancers, waiters, and patrons. Her eyes eventually adjust, but the light only goes lower. Eventually, she is back at her beloved's side, leaning against the wall and watching her with a smile.

    "How do you like it? It seems like a lot of people are having fun, and we've raised a lot of money so far. It's busy, but that's a good thing right?" Homura watches Madoka's expression closely. "Are you happy?"

    After all, this is Madoka's arrangement, so Homura would like to make sure that she has a nice time. She shifts a little closer, where their arms brush against each other.

The tall teen in the mask takes the hand from the masked girl and grasps it. Not painfully, mind, but in a manner that's devoid of shyness or concern. It seems that if he was selling his dance partner a sort of psychological snake oil about not worrying, it was one he bought himself as he strolls out boldly onto the floor with her.

Before slipping a hand around her waist he comments. "Remember, no pressure. Just have fun." he says, and then tilts his head, the eyes behind the mask regarding her. "I know for some people that's not an easy space to find, but it's very cathartic." Then he chuckles, but that's at himself more than anything, delivering that advice to someone else.

As he begins to dance with her - leading natrually rather than asking who should - he realizes how much he missed the freedom to be Takashi, without being Riventon necessarily at the same time, and it's a cold feeling - the feeling of being torn between missing being able to be 'normal' and the voice in his head telling him that thought is weakness.

It's a moment before he shakes that off and moves to dancing, and more importantly, to taking his own damn advice and just begining to enjoy dancing with a stranger without pressure.

"Thank you, Papa! I love you!"

Kenji Tsukino drives away as soon as his daughter enters the building.

She takes a breather for just a moment, finally checking her phone. Texting mamoru in front of her father is risky!

Eeeee! Many heart!

TXT Mamo-chan: whenever you get here let me know and i will change im still in outfit 1

TXT: I'm here! Sorry! Apparently it's my birthday today! Surprise birthday things are a surprise!

Clip clop clip!

She's running the best she can, which in a full skirt isn't very well!

She tries to buy a ticket and give her donation but apparently it's already been taken care of! (Maybe she can sneak Madoka her papa's check later!)

"Thank you! Have a nice evening!"

Clip clop clip!

She's out of breath by the time she's actually in the ballroom, so when someone passes by with a fizzy drink, of course she takes one!

    Madoka giggles softly at Homura's words, holding her hand out as Homura walks away so their gloved fingertips linger before drifting apart. "Thank you," she calls softly.

    When Homura finds Madoka again she's near the last pair of closed drapes, situated near the center of the room, letting out a soft sigh. She managed to finish before Usagi got here! Everything is now in perfect order. Hearing a familiar voice she looks over and sees Homura, a smile showing on her face. She looks out to the sea of dancers, foodies, and minglers. "I'm a little surprised at how many showed up, but in the end that's a very good thing for Mitakihara and the Hospital, right?" Is she happy? She blinks a little and looks upwards, "Well... I think maybe it wasn't what I expected, but there's still a lot of time left in the night." Her eyes turn over to Homura's, looking over her beautiful dress and all the effort she went to in order to make herself look good.

    A soft giggle escapes her as their arms brush, leaning so her bare shoulder rubs Homura's for a moment.

    Then, in the darkness, she makes a soft confused hum. She pulls out her (carefully hidden) phone and peeks at it, her face appearing pale in the electronic light. Eyebrows knit together and her head tilts, her expression growing more and more confused. Then, suddenly a sharp, horrified gasp, and in a single sharp motion her arm jerks forward and up, the smart phone launching like a shotput and flying up up and away. Somewhere nearer the center of the room loud clatter and the sound of cracking glass can be heard.

Mamoru TXT Usagi: oh ok good! i'll be there in a sec, homu-chan was looking for you

After all, he deleted Tumblr, all his troubles are over, right?

Stepping into the significantly increased shadows, Mamoru pulls off his black sash and puts it in his henshin pocket (and takes Usagi's gift out of that pocket), then drops henshin

(a crash of glass in the background; someone must have dropped their drink)

and straightens the suit so carefully assembled earlier. White with gold embroidery, in what is decidedly not a modern cut, it looks period, somehow -- just not attributable to any period in history books, quite. A little of this, a little of that, this time, that culture; it's a mandarin collar and has tails and something like a waistcoat, but there the identifiable pieces end.

The only word for it is 'regal'.

His hands are no longer gloved.

Then, and only then, does he step out and do his best to forget Tumblr ever existed, even if it's been wiped from the face of the Earth now anyway :D :D :D;; and goes to find his girlfriend.

    At first Homura nods, happily listening to Madoka. Yes, a lot of people are here, which is ultimately good. Not what she expected? Homura frowns. Well that's not so good.

    "I guess we tried to be more social, but in the end we just want what we want, don't we?" Homura puts an arm around Madoka, holding her close. "Maybe we should dance unt--"

    Until Usagi arrives. Homura doesn't fail to notice the princess's entrance. She gestures towards her with a tilt of her head. "Well, there she is."

    Should they greet her, Homura wonders? No. Someone's been waiting all night for her to arrive. They can say their birthday greetings later. It's not like the party is going to end soon.

    Madoka checks something on her phone, and Homura is blissfully unaware. All she knows is that her girlfriend is shocked, and then her phone is flying through the air?! Homura reaches out to catch it, but she's too slow without her timestop, and when the phone lands the pretty CEO winces. "W-well, we can find you a new one." She turns to a member of staff and whispers orders, and he goes off through the crowd to pick it up before someone slips on it.

    Afterward, Homura returns and leans against Madoka, resting her head on her shoulder, whispering, "In a moment, would you like to dance with me?" Not immediately, is the implication, but Madoka would know when the time was right.

As for Makoto, it's no surprise that a rosy blush is rising in her cheeks as she settles her hand on Nephrite's shoulder. "Thank you," she murmurs, pleased and flustered at once. "I thought... well, it seemed like it's a color that you like, so..." Serendipity. She trails off, blushing even more fiercely; fortunately the light's low.

The sound of breaking glass across the ballroom catches Mako's attention for a moment, and her head lifts. No chaos seems to be in the process of erupting, though, and soon enough her eyes turn back to Nephrite. The heels were a good choice after all; they don't quite add enough extra height to put the two of them eye to eye, but it's pretty close.

"You look very handsome yourself," Mako observes with a smile. "But then, you always do."

Out on the dance floor, Ms. Snowe and the Incognito Gentleman dance well enough, even if she still doesn't look like she belongs on any dance floor. It doesn't help that the music is ... unusual for dancing to. Someone jostles her from behind, and she winds up pushed in a little closer. "Ack, sorry," she says, then glances over her shoulder, before turning back to face him. "Ugh, I'm so bad at this," Ms. Snowe mumbles as she breathes in his scent.

There's a crash on the floor behind her where Madoka's phone explodes.

There's also a crash in her mind as she recognizes the scent on his collar.

For a moment, Ms. Snowe just doesn't move. She stops dancing altogether and just stands there, right in the middle of the dance floor, confusedly.

The Hotel Augusta is a wonderful, giant hotel. It is huge and expansive, and the Grand Ballroom given over to the evening's dance party is amazing. It is perhaps more than Kukai Souma has ever seen. He looks through the door, then back over to his date for the evening, picking at his slightly disheveled looking open jacket collar and dress shirt underneath nervously. "...Wow. You could fit every basketball court I've ever been on in there and still squeeze in an Olympic pool or two. Are you sure about this?"

He sniffs a little, perking up as he smells the delicious food from even out here. "That smells amazing. Oh wow." There is a grumpy looking little figure sitting on his head. "Can't believe you told me to go wander off for so long, Kukai. I've been hungry!" Kukai blushes and reaches up, patting Daichi, looking to normal people as if he's adjusting that spiky bird's nest of hair. "Sorry.. got distracted." More blushing and looking over at his date.

Nagihiko presses close to Kukai as he peeks over his shoulder and into the ballroom. "Hmm. Decent size."

At Kukai's concern, his cheeks turn a bit pink, but he still grins. "I'm sure if you're sure."

He tugs Kukai along and hands their tickets to the reception person.

Temari and Rhythm look at each other and shrugged. "I thought the pool was fun, though, Daichi!" Rhythm shakes his head and sprays a bit of water everywhere.

Nagihiko bites back a laugh, though he's blushing a bit more now. "The best kind of distraction, though."

There are a handful of advantages to being dressed like nearly every other man in the room, and not having a date. Chief among them is that one becomes part of the backdrop even more easily than usual - height and silver hair and all. At some point, Kunzite surrendered his outdoor watch in favor of Kazuo Takeba taking a place inside. He is not, presumably, actually all that worried about his usual charge -- not given who's associated with running the event. He might be concerned about someone else who might or might not be present. Someone who Madoka delivered a dress for.

The noise of glass breaking catches his attention for a moment. But there's no roil of crowd, no hint of an incipient fight, so he moves on.

    Madoka slowly looks back over to Homura, eyes moving in several motions before finally meeting her eyes. A gentle smile shows on her face and she nods, "I like social, but this has mostly been social with people I barely know, and I haven't been spending time with the person I've wanted to most, the one I dressed up for." She scoots closer as the arm goes around her, giving a slightly embarrassed look as Usagi appears just as she's about to be asked to dance.

    A few moments later and her entire mood has changed, flustered, shocked and embarrassed. She doesn't respond to Homura with words, simply nodding her head up and down and being very thankful blushing faces don't literally glow, because her skin tone is now several shades darker than her hair.

    Once she's calmed down a little she whispers back, "I'd love to, Homura-chan. Just as soon as the time is right." Then, with a slow agony, she pulls herself off of Homura. "It's almost time," she whispers.

One moment they're dancing, one moment there's a crash, and then there's a girl much closer to him than intended. He is even enough of a gentleman to make sure he helps her get to her feet and back into proper position rather than doing anything else - green eyes - those very bright green eyes - looking at her, tilting a masked head. "No, you were pushed." he says, very matter of factly. "Happens, don't let it get to you."

He tries to keep dancing, but his partner is suddenly an like an ancient standing glacier, unmoving. "Hey, look, it's okay, everyone has things happen, or makes mistakes - but you can't let it stop you from dancing more." he says, and tugs a little bit playfully, which causes the bracelet on her wrist to slip down and touch his hand.

When he turns and looks at it - well, one doesn't forget a bracelet you spent far too long than is strictly healthy looking for - (and paid a hefty sum for). He pauses for a moment too, and there's that recognition in his eyes there - a clear symbol that he didn't know who she was and now he does. But he's trying to act like he doesn't - poorly. And it doesn't help that mask or not, he's still Takashi.

"That's a really pretty bracelet. Whoever got it for you must have really good taste."

And there she is. And somehow, seeing the dress in the catalogue when she showed him isn't at all the same as seeing the dress on Usagi, and for a moment, the boy's breath is caught in his throat, and he's stopped on the dancefloor, staring. The dim light does nothing to stop the shimmer of all the gold on her: it merely enhances it, as if she were the source of light, with her long hair as bright as the sun and her gown glittering--

Mamoru remembers to breathe, and even if he were truly able to sneak up on her anymore, it'd be hard with that much dress around her-- but he tries anyway, slipping up to her silently to place a warm hand on her bare shoulder and leaning in. "Happy birthday, love. I think you may be the only person who forgot."

There's warm amusement in his voice, and when she turns, the smile he has is the one that's only ever, ever for her. "May I have your first dance?"

Momo huries along the hotel steps. Before she enters, though, she turns to her companion. "You're gonna hafta stay out here, remember!"

"Woof!"

"Because doggies aren't allowed inside! I'll try to bring you something!"

Dog is, of course, already trotting over toward some bushes to nap.

Momo hurries inside! Oh she's so late!

She gives her ticket to the nice lady! "I was invited, honest! See? Momo's me!"

The lady arcs an eyebrow and lets her in.

The reason why Momo is so late is because she realized today she didn't have shoes! So thrift store hunting she went! And, admittedly, she got distracted by some things! (One of which she bought, for Kyouko!)

However, though she was able to clean the cute shoes up, simple black little things with no heels, the tread is still...not there.

"Aieee!"

She's trying to stop, but she's sliding toward a familiar tall guy with familiar silver hair! Oh noes!

    The lights are low. Very low. In fact? They've actually gone all the way off just now, but they've come down slowly enough to allow people's night vision to kick in, even the holographic Clash dimmed down. And all for very good reason. Having recovered from sudden traumatic fiction, Madoka keeps a careful eye out for the Birthday Girl. It's pretty hard given Usagi's height and her own, but luckily Mamoru makes up for their height to the point she can actually keep track.

    Once they're out on the dance floor together she waits for the perfect moment when they're looking in each other eyes and then, "Now, Homura-chan..!" she whisper shouts. All at once the drapes are pulled apart, and the silvery white light of the moon pours in. It's a waning crescent low in the sky, but with so little light in such a large room it sends an elongated column pouring across the dancefloor, spotlighting Mamoru and Usagi in the purest of white.

    Up on stage the Clash begin to play Rock the Casbah.

    Well,everything can't be perfect, can it?

    "I really should be spending more time with you," says Homura. "After all, we dressed up for each other, didn't we?"

    Madoka is disturbed and embarrassed, and Homura is suddenly curious as to why. Maybe Homura finds it hard to see the pink of her blush, but she can almost feel the heat of her cheeks. She opens her mouth to ask, but decides against. Somehow, it occurs to her that forcing Madoka to explain it would only make things worse.

    Before she can say much more, Usagi and Mamoru drift closer together, and then meet. At Madoka's word, the curtains are opened. The prince and princess seem to shimmer in the moonlight, the music changes, and Homura whispers, "Happy birthday, Usa-chan."

    Homura pushes off of the wall, hands behind her back, before she turns around to face her darling. She extends an open hand, her own eyes seeming to glow in the low lighting. "May I have this dance, my little angel?"

Ami Mizuno--because is anyone really surprised that's who's beneath Ms. Snowe's wig?--pulls her wrist away from Takashi sharply and turns to glare at him. "You," she says, as the lights dim down to nothing, and the music changes. It's actually a good thing very few people can see them. Someone jostles Ami from behind again, and she turns to snarl at them, then turns her head back towards Takashi again.

"You!" she says to him, accusingly, as she rips the bracelet off her own wrist. "How dare you," she tells him angrily, hurtfully. "She's my best friend," she reminds him, before--with both hands--she pounds on his chest in a moment of uncontrolled anger and pain--and then shoves the bracelet at him before she turns to rush away.

Maybe not such good taste, after all.

Fortunately, the familiar tall guy with familiar silver hair has been keeping an eye out for something, or someone. Who may or may not have been Momo Sakura. Whether or not it's extra serendipity, it means that he's quite aware of that little yelp and careen. One arm comes up to absorb a thirteen-year-old's momentum, the other hand clasps her far shoulder to balance her, and a moment later the slide's fetched Momo up safely against his side with an arm linked in hers to lean on.

"You may not have noticed," Kazuo says gravely down to her, "but it's not the best time of year for skating."

Kukai erks as Nagihiko presses in close and looks into the room. "Decent? Nagi, you could fit my entire apartment building into this thing, I think. Where have you been that's better?" He shakes his head, leading Nagi into the room.

Kukai grins, then hugs Nagihiko's middle again, blushing as well. "It was a very fun distraction."

He hmms, stopping just inside the door. "I see... Wall-kun, Usagi, and I think that's Madoka over there but we've never been introduced. I think that's everybody I know... wait. That might be Tadase over there, drowning underneath unattached girls. Poor sod. Should we... nah." He grins. "So what do you wanna do first? Mingle? Eat? Dance?" And then the lights go down and The Clash begins playing. "Odds are leaning towards dancing. Oh boy."

Daichi looks over at Temari and Rhythm, then laughs. "Yeah the pool was awesome but I'm hungry hungry hungry! C'mon, if they're not going to the table I am!" He hovers up and heads across the room, a little magical symbol invisible to the normal people.

Her little glass is gone now. She didn't drink it all! She'd had a couple sips, giggled at the bubbles, a couple sips more, then set the half-empty glass on a table.

Now she's looking for people! Homura's looking for her, right?

But before she can find anyone, there's a familiar, warm hand on her shoulder.

She's smiling at him even as she's turning, and then she's beeming! "For me?"

She's surprised! "I don't even know how I forgot!"

The he's asking for her first dance! "Yes!" It's quick and eager, and she tucks the package under an arm to take his.

And then the lights! EEK! Is there a power outage?! But before she can get scared, curtains are drawn, and ohhhhhh, such pretty light! She feels all fairytail! Her eyes are glittery with awe! So pretty!

"Ohhhhh it's so pretty, Mamo-chan!" She holds her hand out in the moonlight and giggles.

And then...shr wrinkles her nose in a bit of confusion. "Do I know how to dance to this?"

"I like you in any color," he says with a smile. "But now we match. I love the gold. And whatever witchcraft you've cast upon your hair." He has bright, dreamlike memories of a princess in gold, but with green, not red. The lady before him is not a copy of the princess he remembers. She's so different, like this, with her hair up and the strapless red dress.

What luck that he found her already on the dancefloor. "I have to warn you that I haven't yet completed my formal dance training yet. Or any dance training. But I've faked this a whole bunch!" He gives her a lopsided grin. "The trick is, don't care about whether people are watching." Just to emphasize the fact, he pulls her into a twirl.

Momo is caught! And spared Great Embarrassment at landing on her heiny and showing the world she still wears cartoon print under things!

It takes a moment before her balance is regained, but she's happily leaning on his arm! She looks up at him with wide eyes when he starts talking, and then she giggles when he's done. "If that's what skating's like, I better stay away!"

    Madoka shakes her head softly, "You were doing what you should have been doing, and I had some of Mama's coworkers to meet anyway. I think I might prefer the dances that are a little bit smaller than this." A hand lifts and her fingers pinch from an inch apart to half an inch.

    Luckily the impromptu birthday present goes off without a hitch, and this helps lift her spirits. When Homura holds out her hand Madoka steps away from the window towards her as if magnetically attracted, pink and red dress backlit by the white of the moon. Her white gloved hand is set in Homura's, fingers curling to grasp so gently, her touch as feather delicate as it always has been. "This dance is all yours, Homura-chan."

    Madoka steps closer, squeezing her hand more firmly while whispering just loud enough to hear, "And so is your little angel."

Nagihiko shrugs, suddenly a bit shy. "Places I performed."

He looks around as well. He spots Kunzite and winces. "I know the white hair guy..."

In fact, Rhythm is holding Temari back as she lets out a little growl!

Soon Nagihiko laughs and pulls Kukai to the dance floor. "Don't worry, I can lead if you want." He looks over at Tadase and lets out a small hum. "I may give him a dance later. It's tradition, you know."

Temari is calm now! And so is Rhythm! The blue chara cheers! "Yes! Food! Yay!"

Temari follows suit! "Perhaps there is some decent tea..."

Ding!

The elevator door opens and Lacrima steps back out. The blush is just fading from her face. Natsumi-chan isn't with her anymore- so it's possible she had to go. She has decided- for whatever reason- to return back down to the ball just in time for the lights to go out and the curtains to be drawn.

She purses her lips and steps out- as she looks around.

What's going on here? She creeps around the edges of the room again. Hrmmmm....

"Sure," laughs Mamoru, "it's rock'n'roll, come on."

He takes her hand and pulls her to the dancefloor, and the two of them are bathed in the silvery moonlight, both glowing in their white and gold, and somehow-- somehow it's even more like a movie with Rock the Casbah playing instead of a romantic slow dance. Somehow they're not even getting dissed by the finely curated snobbery rampant throughout the room, because it's not what they're wearing or doing-- looking like that, dancing to this, the two of them don't even give off a sense of noblesse oblige, of humoring the choice in music because it's kind.

The princess and prince are having fun.

"It's just four-four, like the second dance we had at the second-to-last dance we went to-- we're good with that! It's even the same tempo, just-- that's right, you remember," Endymion laughs, holding Usagi's hand, guiding her until her feet remember the steps by themselves. He leans in a little and says under his breath, "Do you want me to put your package away for now?"

With the lights so dim, Usagi and Mamoru together silouhetted in moonlight, and the sudden change to the (quite good) song, the number of people paying attention to Takashi and Ami drops to just the two of them - everyone else's eyes drawn to the miracle couple or the beat of the music, or perhaps to the couple begining to dance like two storms meeting over the plains and becoming one, or the meeting of an Angel and a Protector.

But here in the edge of the room, in the shadows two people in masks are finding out how little they've really ended up hiding. Takashi and Ami aren't sharing a dance anymore, but something entirely different. He doesn't stop her when she beats on his chest and then he catches the bracelet in a cradles - and he almost doesn't stop her from running away.

Almost.

But he reaches out and grabs her wrist and pulls her back for just a moment - and tries to press the bracelet back into her hand, clasping her hands in his after he does so, looking down at her, into her eyes with his.

"I'm sorry, Ami." he says, hoenstly. "I'm sorry for hurting you - I never meant to hurt you. I never wanted to."

    "So many of us are introverts, beloved. I'm sure we aren't the only ones, but this is still an amazing night."

    Homura beckons Madoka closer, with the slight curling and uncurling of her hand, and the inviting, hungry look in her eyes. Her hand clasps gently around Madoka's.

    'This dance is all yours, Homura-chan. And so is your little angel.'

    Homura closes her eyes, and yet her sweet smile still seems to touch them. "... and what would I ever do without you?"

    She guides Madoka closer by pulling gently upon her arm, pulling Homura's dance partner past her and seamlessly scooping her arm around Madoka from behind, the end result being Homura starting their dance with a twirl as the first step.

    The rhythm of the music is no difficulty for Homura, and with all of the practice they've had lately she doubts it's a challenge for Madoka either. The two twirl together as they move further away from the wall, dresses swishing out to show hints of Homura's high heels and diamond-patterned hose. Purple eyes are locked onto pink, shining in the pale moonlight.

    It was Usagi's birthday present, but it's such a romantic lighting, and Homura is with the one she loves, and there's no reason not to dance.

    "I'm all yours too, Madoka-chan. I always have been. Since the moment we met, my heart was always yours."

There's a hmm from Kukai as he looks over at Nagihiko. Just how famous IS the purple-haired boy? He looks back across the room, then up at Temari. "Holy crap, Temari, calm down. You're gonna make me jealous-mad at you, girl." He winks at Nagihiko and continues. "You should go apologize or something later."

He grins, following Nagihiko. "Oh man. Dancing with you. I don't think I'm ready for this, but... sure, if you would. I'll try to pick it up fast." He looks over at Tadase, then grins. "OK. And I won't even be jealous or anything." Another wink. He's in a cocky mood, apparently.

Daichi finds the finger sandwiches and picks up one, taking a bite. Thankfully nobody notices one of the little sandwiches basically vanishing from the table, nomming.

Not knowing what's happening between Ami and Takashi, or that Takashi is even here, Usagi is happily oblivious as it takes her a few turns to remember the steps.

She beams up at him! There may have been a touch of worry about tromping on his toes. Not nearly as much as the first time, but she doesn't dance often!

She perks up at the offer. It's something from Papa, but she forgot to leave it in the car. "I don't wanna drop it! So could you?"

Ami wheels around and glares at Takashi, but her emotions are all ajumble. She's not just angry, she's also terrifically hurting. Scared? Oh, she's definitely that, too, and all of it's pointed right at the man in the mask: Takashi Agera.

When he presses the bracelet back into her hand, she starts to shake with her rage and upset, too, and pulls back as if she's going to hit him again.

But those words are not the words Ami Mizuno expected to hear out of Takashi's mouth. They're certainly not the words of a truly irredemable person; not the words of a man who fails to recognize how truly awful his actions were.

Kunzite stole Mamoru, and he never even apologized for that, as far as Ami can recall. And getting Kunzite back from the influences of Beryl was a long and hard battle. It involved a lot of trust, promises, and pain. In fact, if it hadn't been for Kunzite's inability to truly overcome the darkness, Ami would never have gotten so close to Takashi in the first place. And now, she trusts Kunzite implicitly to at least have the right intentions, if not to make the right decisions. Darkness isn't something you just overcome; it requires help.

And didn't she promise Takashi she'd help?

"Damnit," she finally says to him, after minutes of staring at him.

She doesn't hit him, and she doesn't run away from him. But she doesn't rush right back into his arms, either.

"'I'm sorry' doesn't ... it's not ..." she works her face through another moment of anger and frustration. "You can't just fix things like that, Takashi! It isn't magic! What you did doesn't just go away because of that!" But it is so much harder to hate him when he asks forgiveness.

There's a deeper blush at Kukai's hum and look...

Temari sticks out her tongue at Kukai! "A falsely pretensed woo is not an easily forgivable crime."

"Oh my gosh for the last time he DID NOT WOO US!"

He wonders if the floor could just...swallow him up now, thanks!

"Ummmm, maybe?"

Ug. Darnit, Temari!

Sweet, glorious diversion!

"Okay, not gonna do anything too fancy. We can even go slow at first."

And then he grins at Kukai, a bit cocky as well. "You have seen me dance with Tadase before, right?"

Temari uses her own place settings to get the three of them some punch. Rhythm picks up a sandwich and floats over to a darkened table where no one is even near. He goes back and forth, building the charas up a bit of a spread!

"Daichi, come on! We set up dinner!"

Rhythm plops down at his own little place setting and ties a napkin around his neck! Mmmmm, this looks yummy!

And Temari floats alongside Daichi!

Lacrima had walked around the edge of the room and has made her way back to the food table. She may aswell try some of this beef... and... more of these shrimps... and-- finger....

Sandwhiches?

Her eyes narrow at the tiny, headbanded wearing figure of Dachi eating one. Her eyes narrow a bit- she makes now harsh movements- but her eyes search the darkened room.

"So, it's you." she says to Dachi. "I see Souma must be here. Is he here to break more hearts?" she asks ever so coyly.

Then Temari comes over. And there's yelling about dinner between them.

"Hrmmm. Where have I seen you before..." she says, eyes narrowing at Temari next.

"Done and done," says Usagi's prince, taking her papa's gift and vanishing it in a quick sleight of hand, and then they both have both arms, all the better to party dance with. "They did this for you, you know," he adds, his eyes twinkling as he leans down to murmur it close to her ear. "I told Homura it was your birthday, and she vanished off to parts unknown, and I saw her and Madoka conspiring earlier, and then this happened just as I found you--"

He's totally breaking the dance pace here, slowed down and slipping his arms around her. "I've been thinking about you all day. You know I think about you all the time anyway, but usually I can manage to do my homework and make coffee without getting grinds everywhere."

"If there was any witchcraft done on my hair," Makoto says, "it was Usagi-chan's." The witchcraft of hair product and a lot of hairpins. A lot of hairpins.

She laughs as he sweeps her into the spin, blissfully oblivious to anything anyone else is doing nearby. "It's not exactly ballroom dancing music anyway, is it? It's fine." It's more than fine. Not caring what anyone else thinks is not something that comes easily to Makoto, but right now it doesn't matter at all. "We'll make it up as we go," she suggests. "Isn't that what we usually do anyway?"

It's easier to dance with both arms, too! And now she's able to focus all of her brain energy on Mamoru! Yay!

Her eyes widen and glitter in the moonlight. "For me?!" She looks around and breathes out a soft 'oh!' "It's so beautiful! I gotta hug them for it later! Remind me?"

Not that she's likely to forget, mind you...

Oh goodness. She very well may if he keeps talking to her like that! Her limbs get a ripple of tingly and she almost swoons! But she doesn't!

He wasn't even able to do his homework? Or make coffee? High praise on the level of being on one's mind!

She smiles at him, and it's large and happy. "I've been thinking about you, too." Of course she has. "When I realized it was my birthday, I could only think of one person I really wanted to spend it with."

"You'd learn," Kazuo assures Momo. "You'd fall a few times doing it. But everyone does." Speaking of falling -- no. He keeps an eye on her till he's relatively sure of her balance for the moment, and only then says, "Better now?"

It's after that that he glances up, surveying the room again. And in those few moments, everything's changed. Moonlight on the dancers, picking out a handful of couples. The pair in white and gold, almost glowing. The pair in white and red, or rather the quietly strange almost-color that moonlight casts red into. A pair of girls dancing together -- the sweep of Homura's hair would identify them anyhow. He'll be pleased for her and Madoka later. It's the other four that catch his attention now. That render the rest of those at the dance, on the floor or off of it, just a blur (except, perhaps, for the thought that there might be a blond head somewhere talking himself into trouble, or someone with a bright crown of fire rolling his eyes and pretending to be bored at watching the trouble start).

They fell a few times getting there, and with rather worse consequences than an uncertainly beginning skater. But that sight, just then -- princesses and their partners, in the open, in the moonlight --

There aren't many people who genuinely get what they wanted most from the world. If the rest of them didn't deserve it so much, he'd think there'd been a bookkeeping error.

    Her dark haired guardian angel is beckoning, and Madoka can't help but draw nearer, walking forward with such slow steps that she seems to drift across the hardwood floor rather than walk. Had she not already been blushing the look in Homura's eyes would have changed that fact, and Madoka follows with bashful eagerness.

    "Let's never find out," comes the quiet reply, her head tilting down so that their foreheads nearly touch as she passes Homura by, trusting her girlfriends guide and twirling gracefully, moving with such fluid ease as she never has before in public but many times has in the seclusion of Homura's private dancefloor.

    It may be a 4/4 beat and difficult to dance to, but it is practiced and effortless for Madoka, especially when Homura is her dancing partner. She twists her hips side to side as she steps, sending her skirt swishing back and forth in time to the music, her smile widening playfully at the sight of Homura's diamond hose. "I must have been blind not to see it, your sweet and loving heart. I promise to keep it safe my love, forever and always."

    She steps in close to Homura, twirling together with her again and pressuring her hip with a guiding hand to take momentary control, eyes sparkling before stepping away from Homura and spinning, skirt flaring and lifting to give a tease of her calves as she cuts between a pair of other dancers before coming back to Homura, catching her in her arms and using the momentum to dip her low, gentle gloved hand holding her steady by the small of her back.

Kukai just... sighs at the princess Chara, and maybe chuckles. Just a little.

He grins and then nods at Nagihiko. "OK. Yeah, we'll go.. kinda slow. I'll catch up, I promise." He begins moving on the dance floor with Nagi, watching his movements. "It's... hmm." He's focusing on the movements, the steps, the body rhythm, trying to get an idea of how it all works. Then those last words come up and he winces. "Yes. I have. It makes me want to have that green fire back. And to make it worse, dancing is a sport..." He goes back to focusing.

Daichi cheers and starts to join the other two Charas with his sandwich, but then looks up as a familiar figure looms over him. "... Oh, it's you! Um..." He looks around. She's not doing anything bad, and there's a bunch of good guys here, so... "He and Na-kun are over there dancing. I don't think he wants to break anything tonight." The little Chara peers up at Lacrima for a moment, then moves over in front of Temari - not that she needs protection, but...

It's hard to have Ami glaring at him - it's actually difficult, and it's probably the only person who's disdain he can actually feel. Sure, other people have looked at him with even worse feelings, with real hate or pure anger or utter disgust. And none of that has affected him. In some cases, it's only spurred him on. That isn't the case here.

It's so not the case that when she breaks away from him but doesn't run, here in the safety of the shadows cast by everyone else burning so bright around them, he looks down and takes off his mask, the other thing seperating the two of them - since he's facing away from everyone else anyways. Even in the dim light the healing bruise on his eye is still visible.

"I'm aware." he says, carefully. "I don't expect it to be fixed, and I don't expect that there are words I can say that'll make up for the way it all made you feel. I couldn't protect you from that, but I tried to protect you from what I could." Or at least, what he could within the bounds of the experiment, without shutting the whole thing down.

"I tried to warn you, too." he adds, slowly. "But I don't have anything that's going to change what happened. All I can do is tell you the truth - I didn't want to hurt you." he sayhs, again.

"I don't want to hurt you now. But I also can't just walk away anymore than you can. We talked about that, right? We both knew that wasn't an option, for either of us." he says, looking down and away, though it doesn't actually last long before his eyes are drawn back to her like some sort of magnetic force.

Momo sighs. "It'd be nice to learn, but." She shrugs!

And feels it Isn't Done to talk about money in fancy places! Even if it's on the lower side than most in attendance. But maybe if she can get a job, she can save up for lessons! Oh that would be fun!

"Yes, thank you!"

Momo would go look for people to hug and thank, but the room is now dark except for the moonlight, and the people she wants to pounce on next are dancing! And there's a tall lady and tall guy, and they look powerful! But also graceful! And then there's...are those two boys dancing?! EEEEEE!

But then!

She tucks in behind Kunzite, peeking out around his arm. "Kunzi-nii, is that the moon lady?"

The music is punk rock and their clothes are entirely modern, but the two of them have always been a collision of old and new anyway. "But we're in a ballroom, right?" He grins, dipping her low despite the complete lack of appropriate music for such a thing. His grip on her is steady and sure as he pulls her upright, his hands reassuring that he will definitely not drop her.

He pulls her close, ducking to nuzzle close to her ear so she can hear over the music. "I didn't realize before how much I was utterly failing as a boyfriend. I could have been taking you to fancy restaurants where we can dress up like this all the time instead of showing you the rooftop. Now that the latest world crisis is over, want to try going on some real dates? Ones that don't double as bodyguarding?"

"Well. Good thing you found him, then," Mamoru tells Usagi, pulling back a little and straightening, and his eyes are still blue, even in the moonlight; their darkness is bright, a little too shining; his voice is a little rough. "Again and again. And good thing he found you as many times. I'm sorry I'm so difficult sometimes-- I'm sorry things have been so rough for so long."

He laughs a little, and it sounds thick, but then he pulls away a little more, only enough to slip one arm away from around her waist and dig in his pocket again. He takes out something that glints in the moonlight, then draws her hand up to kiss her fingertips. "But you're the one who first figured out I was really there. Unlocked all the doors one by one-- and I've been afraid so many times that this or that fight or threat would be it; I was afraid even when I wasn't allowed to know. But you kept finding me. You always find me. Just like you promised."

And then he's holding her hand in both of his, and that something that was glinting is another promise, silvery in the moonlight on her finger. "And I will always find you," he says, looking up from her hand to her face.

Ami doesn't take off her mask; she doesn't remove that tiny barrier between them. Nor does she remove the wig, or the look of anger on her face. But her eyes do move to that bruise on his cheek, and her rage-born shaking at least calms a little.

"You tried to warn me?!" she asks him, frustratedly. "You tried to warn me that you would kidnap my best friend and use her as some kind of guinea pig in an attempt to break up our friendship!?"

She leans away, now, putting even more distance in between them. "If you want to stop hurting me, you have to stop hurting my friends," Ami tells him. "You have to stop hurting people in general! Every time you do something like that, you hurt me, because I care about them, Takashi! I care about every human being on this planet, even the stupid idiotic jerks, like you! And every time you hurt them, you hurt me, too. And the worst part is, I believe you when you say you're sorry. I know you don't mean to hurt me. You're just too screwed up from the complex your mother gave you, the ridiculously bad parenting your father never gave, and the overwhelming darkness that dominates your decisionmaking to do anything else! You probably don't even understand why you hurt me, or how you hurt me! All you know is that I'm angry and hurting and so you regret making me that way! But you didn't apologize for hurting Makoto. You didn't apologize for breaking Mamoru's balcony!"

She falls silent for only a moment, then crosses her arms tightly over her chest, still clutching that bracelet in her hands. "I guess you're not so smart as I thought you were."

There's a very good chance that Temari has been talked to, begged at, maybe even bribed not to glint her eyes tonight...After all, it would make for an embarassing date if he ends the night chasing people with pointy objects...

Nagihiko's impressed. His toes go unstomped, and despite the expected lack of coordination, there's already a bit of grace.

And his cheeks grow pink at the admission. "Well. It was from years of mutual self preservation. Besides, you're doing much better than he did the first time. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have to ice my feet when I get home."

Temari narrows her eyes at Lacrima! When Daichi scoots in front of her, she allows it, because sometimes boys need to be protective! And the fact that Daichi rarely ever does it means his shins won't get kicked later.

"Na-kun and Kukai-kun just wish to dance and be happy."

Rhythm floats over. "Hey guys, what--oh hey I remember you!" He glomps on a Lacrima Face! "You're a good fighter! Yay!" Then he darts back, behind Daichi and Temari both!

Lacrima looks at Dachi with a lopsides smirk, as her gaze traces up and along from Dachi over to where they might be, then back down to Dachi. Indeed, Lacrima doesn't seem up to anything tonight. No dark energy except her own ambient aura that Dachi can probably feel this close.

"Mmm." she says, she seems to be thinking.

"Oh, how /lucky/ for them, they get to be /happy/." she says with such an /ice/ to her tone.

Then there's this tiny tiny boy with a knit cap hugging her face and her eyes go wide and she's FLAILING for a moment--- before it gets off She scowls.

"If you touch me again, I'll find out if I can hurt a 'chara user' by draining thier stupid little sidekicks." she says WAY more hostily than the snark of her previous statement.

    'Let's never find out.'

    "I couldn't agree more," says Homura, whispering as there foreheads draw closer. As they dance, her pink teardrop necklace swings out slightly, seeming to also dance around Madoka's diamond-shaped amethyst. The twist of Madoka's hips warms Homura's cheeks, and the edges her purple lips curl just slightly further upwards.

    "Only you can, my beloved. It's only safe when it's close to yours."

    Madoka takes the lead, and it's another smooth transition. Hints of body language tell Homura what Madoka wants to do, twirling around in time with Madoka as Madoka moves between two dancers and Homura moves around them.

    Then, in synchronized step, Homura comes closer and then is dipped, her hair falling behind her in waves, ends splayed across the dance floor for a moment, the shine of the moonlight making it look as if, from Madoka's perspective, Homura were floating in the middle of a starburst. Her leg raises, bent at the knee, keeping Homura's balance but hovering close to Madoka.

    The support of Madoka's gloved hand is felt, and Homura giggles. The momentum from the dip brings their faces close together, and the moon glints in Homura's eyes. She leans up just a little bit more to press her lips against Madoka's. She sees the opportunity and she's taking it.

Oh. For the longest time, Usagi's felt...guilty. Because she knew she really hadn't been helping things. It's just, he'd been there, but not. And it had been the hardest thing, ever, but she knew even then that miserable around him made her more happy than being happy...not around him.

He kisses her fingertips and she looks down a bit, her own eyes a bit too bright. "Your most difficult is still so much better than if it...were someone else and easy." She shrugs a little and a blush spreads across her cheek. "You're worth every heartbreak."

When she finally looks up, her eyes catch the glint of silver. Metalworked hearts and an arrow key and...

Her eyes jerk toward his, and for a long moment she just stares at him as he continues to get more and more blurry--

Then she launches up, arms wrapping around his shoulders, and she kisses him.

Nice to learn. "But most of the rinks won't be open for months," Kazuo supplies, casually evading the topic of money. He likewise casually evades joking about her shoes working for the purpose. Some things would just be unfair.

And then it's quiet by the two of them for a moment. For more than a few moments. Plenty of time for Momo to look around. And look around more. And squee internally, as is endemic among thirteen-year-olds.

He almost misses that she said anything; he has to replay the question in his mind twice before he understands that it's both a question and directed at him. "This isn't a place to talk about things like that too much," he says back to her, quiet, turning his head a little but not so far that he loses sight of the dance floor. "Too many people."

... answers like that often mean either a 'yes,' or something close to it.

Kukai is doing his absolute best not to step on Nagihiko's feet. Which is good, because he's succeeding, but he's almost bumping into other people with as much as he's concentrating. Close, though! "I hope not. What, was he really that bad?" Whoops, maybe a light step on Nagi's foot. It's not enough to be painful, just enough to make Kukai curse under his breath and look highly embarrassed. "sorry....."

Daichi ohs, watching Lacrima look over, then look back, and get full Rhythm in the face. He's doing his best not to panic and it comes out as nervous giggles at how angry and funny Lacrima looks. "He was just hugging you! Wow!"

    On the dancefloor, some poor gentleman slips on a patch of ice that isn't there when his butt hits the floor. His dance partner is caught off balance and falls on top of him!

    Hiding in a stall in the women's bathroom, a Yuki-Onna is failing hard at containing her laughter.

Takashi holds the mask in his hand and as she talks more and more of him wants to consider putting it back on. He ends up holding it in front of him with both hands, running thumbs along the side of it, a tactile sensation to keep his focus and keep him centered.

"Is that what you think I was doing?" he asks, and the frustration creeps into his voice, too. "Do you think I planned that? Do you think this was some sort of intended result? You're witnessing the side effects and ascribing direct intent to them!" he says, though he keeps his voice low.

"Do you really think I sit in my lab all day dreaming up new ways to hurt people?" he asks, and the frustration comes with a layer of offense. "That doesn't even make any sense with what you know about me. Why not just let any number of threats do the job for me? I could've let the earth turn into a flaming molten ball! Cut out the middleman!"

"Do you know what the first thing I did was? I tried to show her what was going on and give her a little bit of the sorely lacking insight because I wanted to believe in your judgement and maybe she could understand what I was trying to do. She kicked me for it. I guess that's the lesson I should've learned."

"So I tried to understand more and since she wasn't being particularly amicable I had to come up with another way. And you know what? She turned out to have her own problems I wasn't expecting that changed the course."

"Are you sure you're saving all of these people you care about when you and your friends challenge me at every turn, or are you just leading a campaign against proper research and vaccination? Are you willing to take the responsibility and the blame when there's nothing to stop the oncoming storm?"

Takashi's frustration seems to be holding stable because, in his mind,this is what he's had to deal with in different ways for so long. "Maybe in your blind zeal to save everyone from all suffering you're dooming everyone to it in the end. People say I don't look too far enough ahead? Well, I think some people don't take a good look behind the curtain.

"Sometimes things have unintended consequences, colateral damage. I try to manage them as best I can but all of the people you care about, all of the people I care about, and this world itself doesn't have forever. Just like with Kunzite, sometimes I have to accept something that's as 'good as I can make it'. A perfect solution in 10 years is a failure if someone needs it right now."

"I understand what went wrong, Ami. I understand what hurt you, I understand how it hurt you! And do you know why I understand how to make sure it doesn't happen again? Because I ran the experiment! I understand it because I watched it happen. That's why I do these things! I will go out of my way to keep you from harm, but I can't keep protecting you or anyone else until I can see the effects of what we're fighting!"

"That's what killed my mother - not a lack of intellect, but a lack of knowledge. She left that knowledge to me. She didn't give me a complex, she gave me a gift."

Makoto dips back and for one breathless moment hangs suspended, perfectly poised, absolutely trusting in the surety of Nephrite's hold on her to keep her from crashing to the ballroom floor.

When he pulls her back up again, Makoto loops her arm around his neck and pulls herself closer, body to body, dancing closer than ballroom propriety really allows.

"The rooftop was nice!" she protests, breath shivering out of her with laughter and exhilaration. "But yes, I'd love to go out places with you, too. Really I just want to spend more time with you, however I can."

"Exactly!" Hee! Maybe he knows, maybe he doesn't, but if he did he made it seem like it was something else! So smart!

And then Momo droops like a wilted flower. "I'm sorry..."

She's been warned about that, and here she is, already making goofs!

"But..." Her voice is quiet! Honest! Like a mouse! "If she is, or if you know her...can you tell her thank you? From me?"

For some reason, she feels like if she were to thank the moon lady herself, the universe would implode.

Princess Missile to the face! Of course Mamoru catches her and holds her up, kissing her back. In public, in the moonlight, under the moon's warm silver regard.

These two don't need words anymore, not right now. And Endymion, for one, doesn't need dancing right now, either-- he carries Usagi, both of them trailing her voluminous glittery cloud of skirts, over to the windows so they can see that bright crescent better...

...and so no one can chance to overhear them...

...and because they make an awesome silhouette and he's been feeling theatrical all day.

He snorts! "It was a while before he could convince me to try again..."

Then Nagihiko sighs and stops them both in the middle of the dance floor. He catches Kukai's eyes, however long that takes. "You're doing fine, okay? Better than most people at your skill level. I promise. If you were really bad, I'd let you know. This is my job, yeah?" A wink. "I know what I'm doing."

Rhythm's not too fussed by Lacrima's threat. In fact, both of his thumbs come up! "Wow! You are so much yourself! That is amazing!"

Temari, however, is far from amused. Her hand is soothing Daichi, too!

"Lacrima-san, I do wish you would think more before making such threats. Na-kun and Kukai are not the only magically inclined individuals present. I believe one of them has twice stopped an apocalypse now, and at least one other is rumored to have control over time itself. And should you choose to harm Daichi and Rhythm in anyway, I will very much break a promise I made earlier this evening."

Lacrima seeethes as she takes her hand. "If I took my hand... and grabbed your face... you would scream bloody murder for Souma. But all I would be is grabbing your face!" she says. "But no, it's perfectly okay for you to do that to me, is that!? Just--- grab my face!?" she asks.

"That's what I hate about you all. The double standards." like she has any room to talk.

She looks to Temari as she talks about the threats in the room.

"Yes. I'm sure there's plently. There's also plenty of perfectly normal people here." she asides, as if to infer something. Something like a threat.

    Homura's lips curl up and in pale moonlight Madoka can see the color rise on her cheeks. A giggle escapes her lips and she dances close enough so their dresses swish together, clothing brushing and touching while bodies remain just apart, enticing and teasingly so.

    Madoka's twintails fall down beside her face as she leans with Homura, keeping her steady and secure with her gentle grip, her arm strong and sure when it comes to ensuring the safety of her beloved. A lift of Homura's head and their lips touch together, the barest of brushes eliciting a shiver that runs through Madoka. She looks into those sparkling purple eyes and holds the dip, accepting the press that follows and returning it with a puckering of her own.

    After a full four beats of the music she retreats, a trick of motion giving the appearance of the kiss breaking as she returns to her full height and disguising the fact that her lift of Homura began breath before, drawing her extra close as they raise. Her feet begin their joyous motions once more, the twist of her hips and body timed just as she takes in a breath, Homura's bottom lip escaping from between her own.

    Now the space between their bodies has disappeared, an arm wrapped around behind her beloved and keeping her close, even as she moves to the rhythm of the Clash.

    "Is this close enough, my darling?" she finally responds.

It's a beautiful moon. A beautiful sky. But even though the view here is amazing, it's much better viewed elsewhere.

Darting her eyes around, she tries the latch on the window...

It opens!

She turns to Mamoru, mischief in her eyes! "Come with me!"

She takes his hand and soon they find themselves on a roof.

Usagi will, of course, return. She has a dance to pout out of Kunzite and hugs of thanks for Madoka et al! But right now, in this moment, she wants to snuggle against Mamoru.

As ever, Ami listens to Takashi carefully, hears every single word before she even begins to formulate a response. Cutting him off just isn't her way. When he's finally through, she takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, then lets it out slowly, forcing herself to put the anger and hurt away, because this is an important conversation. And they're having it here, of all places, on this of all days!

Poor Usagi. At least she won't have to know.

When Ami opens her eyes again, her expression is chillier, now; devoid of the unbridled emotion she's shown since realizing it was him, in favor of a wintry analytic honesty. "I honestly don't know what to think you do in your lab, anymore," Ami tells Takashi, judgementally. "If I go through Virtue's extensive list of anecdotal stories about Riventon's villainy, the list of times you've hurt people is staggering. The worst part is, I know that in your twisted, messed up way, you think you're trying to help people. But it's also the reason I ever let you get so close to me in the first place. Because I know you think you're making things better. You're just bad at it."

Ami raises her free hand to motion to all of him, then says, "You stand here, so smugly assured that it's us that's wrong; that we're hindering science. You stand here decrying yourself a victim of small mindedness; of the ignorant stopping innevitable and necessary progress.

"Do you ever even stop to look at what you've done from the perspective of your victims?!" Ami asks him, a tiny bit of that rage cracking through her icy facade again. "This isn't good science, Takashi, this is barbarism. Ethical scientists take precautions against harm. Heck, it's not even entirely about ethics! Good scientists do their research in a lab, and they control the variables. Side effects?! Science shouldn't have side-effects!

"If you can't see how what you did was bad science," Ami tells him, "even putting aside the ethical issues of it, then you're proving my point about how bad that darkness within you is! It's screwing with your head. It's discrediting your research. No one will respect what you're doing if you can't even control the variables! It's ... it's just sloppy."

Temari blinks at Lacrima, unimpressed. "To be honest, your argument is invalid. After all, what proof do you have that Rhythm would scream if all you did was touch his face? Were you to drain him, of course. And secondly, that was a hug. I do apologize if the way of the chara confuses you, but being tiny as we are, it is impossible for us to hug in the way that is normal to persons of your size. Third of all, the complaints you have made against Rhythm and myself are based on your interactions with completely different people. As much as I love him, I am not Daichi. Nor, thank goodness, am I Rhythm. So basically, Madam, you can take your ridiculous claims of double standards and shove it up your--"

Here, Rhythm smartly covers Temari's mouth...

Kukai looks up at Nagihiko as the two of them stop, then grows faintly less embarrassed as he talks. "Well.. I guess so. I mean, if you say so. And I need to practice this - want to practice it more, but there's never enough time." He grins back at that wink. "Yeah, I guess so. And apparently you're very good at your job." He goes back to dancing, and thankfully doesn't step on Nagihiko's feet. More than once.

Daichi squeezes Temari's hand and waves a fist up at Lacrima. "Ok, yeah, we get it, you're all rotten and stuff. Why're you picking on us anyway?" He looks over at Temari as she begins picking apart Lacrima's arguments and complaints. When Rhythm covers her mouth, he looks up at the energy-draining girl and nods. "Yeah, what she said! Wait, love?" He blinks and looks back at Temari and Rhythm.

Nephrite holds her just as close, one arm around her waist, a hand resting on her bare back. They continue to sway a bit, their own slow dance that has absolutely no relation to the music being played. A warm puff of breath brushes Makoto's cheek as Nephrite lets out a silent laugh. "It's funny. A few days ago we were worried about the world getting ripped apart again and losing each other again and now? Now I get to see you in this beautiful dress and dance with you at a party. And we're going to eat fancy finger food and criticize it together and have a glass of champagne and nobody's going to stop us."

"I just... yeah, I'm the luckiest guy here. And I say that knowing that somewhere in this room is a guy who had to be planted and regrown from dirt." He grins, a flash of white and gold catching his eye across the room. A prince and princess, silhouetted momentarily in the window before they vanish through it. Some things never change. "So yeah. Let's keep on making stuff up as we go along. It's working for us so far."

They can't dance forever. Eventually, they will need to investigate some of that champagne and those snacks. There are friends they will want to greet. But for now, they have a dance, and it feels like the longest dance ever.

    Homura is enticed and teased, and her mind begins to flutter as affectionate thoughts run through her mind. The distance between them is temporary, she knows. It always is. Yet the chase is as nice as the catch, and so is being caught. 'Caught' is very much an apt description of Homura right now.

    Homura's heart stops as she feels Madoka shiver, looking deep into her eyes. There's nowhere else she'd rather look right now. She's lifted back up, and a sigh escapes her lips as their kiss parts.

    Now so close, Homura moves in time with Madoka's, feet stepping in well-practiced rhythm, perfect in ways only long-time dance partners could achieve. When asked Homura tilts her head, and those sparkling eyes seem to smile all on their own.

    "More than close enough. As always, you give me more than enough." Her velvet gloved arm adjusts behind Madoka's back, her embrace becoming a mix between hugging her and holding her as a dance partner. "This night is absolutely divine, and I have my sweet little angel to thank for it."

    The punk rock in the background does add its own little flair to an otherwise formal dance. It's not the kind of music Homura usually listens to, but in this setting it seems to work so well, if in a completely different way.

    "You really have become an amazing dance partner, Madoka-chan."

-- they're off of the dance floor, silhouettes shifting; Nephrite and Makoto aren't, but it's enough that it finally occurs to Kazuo to actually turn toward the girl he's talking with. Instincts suggest that Momo should be considerably smaller than she is, enough that he should have to crouch down to answer her in a like tone and still be heard. He's talked about that age difference often enough tonight to override them without a blink. "I think she already knows," he tells the young Puella quietly. "If she doesn't -- I'll tell her."

...Why is she picking on charas? That's a good question. She can't answer it. Maybe it's because she's confused about a lot of stuff that she wants to concentrate on stuff she's sure about.

Like she's /sure/ she doesn't like Kukai. She is positive on this. By extension, that means Dachi too.

"Because I felt like it." she snaps.

She scowls a little at Temari. "So you positively had to hug my face. My arm or my shoulder or anywhere else. Totally unusable. Practically poison I'm sure." she says.

"No. No, you're all alike. You all act the same." she spits. "You just /think/ you're all different." she says. Then thr word 'love' is brought up.

And she goes deathly quiet. She just has this hurt confused look on her face now for a moment. Ugh.

Why does this topic keep coming up at the WORST of times!? Stupid...word... stupid... confusing feelings.

Momo brightens. She doesn't mind the kneeling, appreciates it, even. "Thank you!" It's whispered in the same tone!

And then her tummy growls! "I needa go eat food. I hear there's a buffet! I promise not to skate too much! At least not until winter comes along!"

Momo unleashed on the buffet. Well. There are people whose job it is to take care of that. And Kazuo is, blissfully, not one of them. "There's someone I need to keep an eye out for," he tells her. "But if you have trouble, it shouldn't be too hard to find me." There are indeed a number of people here with white hair. But not so many with white hair towering above the others. "Go get yourself something to eat."

Nagihiko's cheeks turn a bit pink. "Well, you know. We could practice...whenever you want. I don't mind." After all, it's nice dancing with Kukai. Even the toe step isn't that bad. Then he grins. "Of course I'm good. Been teaching people since I was nine."

Temari tilts up her nose and crosses her arms. "Well, I certainly don't hate you."

Is that a blush on her cheeks? It sure is!

But then she's just rolling her eyes at Lacrima. "Yes, everyone is the same, no individuality exists ever, that's why everyone gets along with everyone."

Rhythm pouts at Lacrima. "But...the face is...it's where I hug people! I'm sorry! I didn't meanta hurt ya!"

He sulks over to his table.

Temari is also not amused by this! "See what you did!" She flies up close to Lacrima, puffing out her chest! "I don't care if you're a jerk to me, but don't be a jerk to him! It's like kicking a puppy! A puppy! Go be a jerk to someone else if you gotta be a jerk, ya jerk!"

    Taiko leaves the bathroom, as a normal girl in a white and blue dress and not a Yuki-Onna. Suddenly things are darker, the moon is shining, people are dancing, and a vampire is arguing with tiny people.

    Taiko just blinks. She knows that vampire, but is it really okay to talk to her right now? She's pretty sure mom would freak out if Taiko transformed here, but she doesn't really want anyone knowing who she is, so she simply makes note of the tiny people and walks past them.

    As Rhythm sulks over to his own table, Taiko follows him, tapping her chin and squinting at the tiny thing. She reaches out, with a single finger, to poke the Chara, just to see if he's solid.

    Then she looks around, wondering if anyone is giving her odd looks. When she notices no one is, she turns back to Rhythm and mutters. "What even are you?"

That sounds like both a perfectly good way to spend a lot of time with Nagihiko and a great way to improve his skill at a sport he doesn't know anything about. A wide smile goes across Kukai's face as he nods at Nagi. "Sure, ok! That sounds great." He curls his arms around Nagi even closer as the songs get a little slower.

Daichi can't help but grin at Temari, but then awws at Rhythm. "It's ok Rhythm, she's just..." He slumps a little and then watches Temari flit up. "Oh boy."

Takashi, too, listens to Ami's charges against him without interupting her, though unlike her he makes little mental notes and attacks the points seperately as much as together, though not necessarily in order. And for this, he pulls his hand away from her.

"You must have a significently lower opinion of me than I do of you in order to make some of these charges - maybe you really do think I'm stupid." This charge is spoken with a sort of hurt fury that he still manages to keep to below a normal speaking voice, but it's written on his face.

"Do you think if this was the sort of thing I could do in a lab, that I would choose to do it outside? Do you think I don't run computer models of everything hundreds of times, that I'm not aware of risk? What you see is just a mere fraction of the things I do!"

"But real science isn't clean and neat, it's not a bullet-point chart you can feed in and get a result out of! Real science is messy, and difficult, and dangerous. You taste a strange chemical and maybe it's a new artifical sweetener or maybe it's carinogenic, or maybe it's both. You go looking for one thing and find ten others."

"When you limit risk too much - when you are unwilling to accept a little bit - you limit success too. You put limitations on what you can achieve and understand. An experiment conducted in a lab doesn't work if it's replicatable in the real world!"

"I'd show you mine but you literally couldn't survive there. The energy would kill you or worse." he adds. "Does your model account for things like that? I'm not trying to make a better vaccuum cleaner or even make a better rocket! I'm dealing with things far different fundamentally. The sort of things you're talking about barely apply to the science done at Tokyo University, and that's not even on the same level. I'm dealing with the fundamental energies that tie the universe together, that make you different from me and both of us different from a youma."

"The whole of Tokyo is my lab and the only reason it's not under control is that certain entities keep screwing things up. And nobody will respect what I'm doing if it's only repeatable under perfect lab conditions and not out here in the real world. The place you think of as a lab, controlled, ideal, secure - that's where my work BEGINS. But if it ended there I'd only be really good at controlling threats in one room of one building."

"And you'd be dead. Or would you prefer I waited on that project until I was sure there were no side effects and no unknown variables>" he asks. The time it will apparently take Takashi to let that one go will likely not occur before the heat death of the universe.

Usagi's been gone more than a few minutes. However, a slightly mussed princess is soon spotted once more in the ballroom!

Mamoru is apparently trying to delete the entire internet for some reason, so her need for a potty break has turned into a social call!

But first, the table of snacks!

She waves to Daichi! He's with another little chara! She's pretty! She starts gathering herself up a plate of yummy food!

There's also a shy girl! Pale hair, cute dress! Usagi waves, but the girl 'eeps!' and takes her food elsewhere!

Oh wait! Was that Kyouko's sister?

Oh well! She can say hi later!

"Oh, doesn't this all look yummy?" She's next to someone she doesn't know! (It's Lacrima, by the way!) "Have you tried the punch? Does it taste funny? Oh! They're in little cups! So cute! Ooooo, I gotta go say hi to someone! It was nice talking to you!"

Zoom!

Lacrima just got hit by Hurricane Usagi!

Lacrima scowls. "The fact you're blind to what I'm talking about makes it even more apparent." she says. "Keep thinking you understand. Maybe someday you'll realize you don't." she says.

Oh, then she's called a jerk and she goes to reply when---

Hurricaune Usa hits. She blinks once. She goes to say something. Then she zooms away before she can say anything and---

This does not, in fact help her confusion and it seems to completely snap her out of her hostility with an almost comical 'pop bubble' somewhere above her head.

"Huh. What was I talking about?" she asks as she looks between the Charas.

"...." she squints.

"Oh. Right. Yes. Don't attack my face and we just won't have issues!" she spits out.

There's an Usagi. There's ... no Mamoru.

There's a Lacrima by Usagi; but there's no-one with white-purple hair that Kunzite's seen. Not visible in here, anyhow.

Adding two and two gives a reasonable but incorrect possibility for the value of four. Kunzite takes himself quietly off the way Usagi seemed to have come from, the better to try to find Mamoru before Riventon can catch him alone.

(If he knew what Takashi were actually doing right now, he might be less worried. Or might be a lot more so.)

His returning smile is very pleased. Dancing...is something he loves. And if he gets to share it with someone he loves? Bonus points. "Good. It will be fun! Just you wait!"

And the music turns slow, and the dance becomes slow, and it's an easy sway...

Nagihiko leans his forehead against Kukai's. He's a happy boy at the moment.

Temari blinks at the random blonde girl who swirled up! (Yeah, she knows who she is, because magical world, blah blah.) Goodness. How can someone be so energetic all the-- Oh yeah. Rhythm.

Temari blinks along with Lacrima's squint.

"Yeah, yeah, if that was an attack, scratches, blah blah."

She floats back over to Daichi before drooping against his shoulder in a dramatic fashion. "I'm so hungryyyyy."

    Madoka's reaches her other arm around Homura, hand sliding up her back to rub between her shoulderblades, beneath her hair. Even with a quick paced dance she can keep close while dancing, her feet finding the dancefloor always and never Homura's own. Smiling eyes put a twinkle in her own as her sweetheart gives her praise, and her embrace tightens further as her steps shift to half time so the dress swishing twist of her hips becomes methodical, and perhaps alluring.

    "It isn't the night that's divine, Homura-chan; it's your company." Wide soft pink eyes gaze steadily into Homura's, taking them in and giving windows into her heart and mind. Her happiness is in the sparkle, the fulfillment of her innocent desires Homura's own reflection, and her ardent love their very depths, boundless and unending. The slower pace of the dance gives each step greater but languid motion, the two drawing each other across the dance floor with each seep seeming to seek to pull their closeness apart, only to continue to move together as a single united pair.

    Another compliment is given and this time Madoka does not deflect or reflect, basking in the praise with a bright and shining smile. "Thank you, Homura-chan." Her eyes sparkle again in anticipation of the reply that Homura must know is coming, especially as Madoka's face moves so near, her breath an enticing tease against her lips. "I only hope I can be your amazing partner in everything, one day."

Ami stares at Takashi, from behind her mask. Even the icy cool is gone, now, replaced by something entirely alien to perhaps her and him both: misunderstanding. His words all make sense; they even make sense in context. But the meaning behind them--that he could actually believe those words--is utterly lost on her.

So she doesn't say anything else for a long time. Instead, she just stares at him, looks in his eyes, tries to find something she can relate to. Some way to continue the conversation. Some way to explain her side.

Instead, all she finds is the cold of the diamonds and sapphires in her hand. Ami looks down at the bracelet, studies it for a long moment, then looks back up at Takashi and holds it out towards him in an offering, palm up and open.

And it's then that she finds the words she has been running from for weeks: "I wanted to tell you that I loved you, too," Ami says softly. "At least I think I do. But that ... those words ... we're too different," she tells him quietly. "You would see the whole world as your laboratory, if it suited you; if you thought that's what you needed to complete your research. You would sacrifice anyone in the name of your science. Of your research ...

"Maybe even me," Ami tells him, quietly.

"I can't live in a world where that's acceptable, Agera-san," Ami says, deliberately altering the formality with which she addresses him. "I am grateful to you," she says, "that in a moment of emergency, you took a risk to save my life. Sometimes, medicine requires desperate measures that should never be accepted in a scientific experiment."

Ami takes a deep breath, then forces herself to truly meet his gaze as she explains, "But just because we can learn from badly conducted science, and just because it's sometimes the most expedient way to get results, doesn't mean it's the right way. I'm sorry," Ami's turn to apologize. "Thank you for your respect, and your affections, but I won't be needing your protection any longer."

Kukai smiles and nods. "Yeah, it'll be great fun. I may try smooching you a time or two though during it."

He feels Nagihiko leaning against him, swaying, and then blushes. "Like now." It's a warm, tender little kiss on the lips, and very sweet, and probably very public.

Daichi watches Hurricane Usa blow past and raises a hand, waving up at her before she zips off. "Hi...." He looks up at Lacrima and Temari, then hugs the princess, escorting her over towards the table where Rhythm and Taiko are sitting. "Hi..."

"Oh no, not the smooches, whatever will I dooooo." He grins at that. And his pulse speeds up at the light kiss. "Yes. This is nice and fun."

Rhythm jumps at the poke! He looks up at Taiko for a moment before the sulk dissapears! "I'm a chara! I'm someone's True Desire! You know, on who they wanna be!"

He floats up to Taiko. "What even are you? Would you get mad if I hugged your face? Are you nice? Hi! My name's Rhythm! What's yours!"

Soon they are joined by Daichi and Temari! "Hi, guys! Sorry I got all sad! I just didn't mean to make her uncomfy! I just thought she had awesome energy is all! But hi! This is a new friend!"

He blinks and looks up at Taiko. "What's your name, New Friend?"

    It's Homura's turn to shiver as Madoka's hand moves underneath her hair, and then rubs between her shoulderblades. So close as they are, their dresses almost seem as one, swishing together in time. Between Madoka's pink and Homura's purple, it truly is the 'colorful mix of girly' that Homura promised before. Homura's eyelids fall halfway as Madoka guides them towards a slower rhythm, admiring Madoka every step of the way.

    'It isn't the night that's divine, Homura-chan; it's your company.'

    Homura is taken to a blissful place by Madoka's sweet words. She's at a loss for a response at first, shaking her head slightly. "You say that, but how is it that I only feel like I'm in heaven when I'm with you? I think it's your company that's divine."

    The rhythm of parting only to come to closer, languidly and flawlessly gliding across the floor, and the sight of Madoka's loving and happy eyes... The pace of the dance may have slowed, but the pace of Homura's heart has doubled, and Madoka might feel it when they're close together.

    Homura's entire face goes so well with Madoka's hair after Madoka's comment. "You are, both amazing and my partner. I wouldn't have it any other way, because you mean so much to me, and you complete me."

Usagi zooms up! Probably at the most innoportune time!

But she's hugging Madoka and Homura, and giggling, and snuggling!

"Hi, you guys are amazing! Thank you so much for that!" She lowers her voice! "Madoka, apparently someone paid my way and made a donation for me, but can I still give you Papa's check?"

More hugs! Squishy happy hugs! "Oh! Have you guys seen Mako-chan? Rei? Ami? Nephrite? Someone? I wanna dance!" She lowers her voice! "Mamo-chan's trying to erase the whole internet, but I don't know why!"

    "Someone's True Desire?" Taiko raises an eyebrow. What exactly is a true desire, anyways? What desires lurk within the hearts of people? Taiko has never understood that. "How interesting."

    More tiny people join them, which Taiko now knows as charas. When asked for her name, she introduces herself as, "Taiko Tsume. I'm not entirely sure what I am, I wouldn't really consider myself that nice, and..." hugging her face? How does she even respond to that? It's not like she gets a lot of hugs, not enough to know if she'd like them or hate them, but at the same time she just feels so... indifferent.

    "I... don't know? I've never been face-hugged before. Maybe if you made it where I couldn't breath that might make me mad."

    At the mention of Lacrima, Taiko briefly glances towards her. "She certainly... seems... unique. So... how come only a few people even react to you? Don't they see you? I've never heard of anything like a chara before."

Lacrima frowns as they all leave and she makes a sour face, to go harass some other poor girl who has to deal with thier annoyance tonight. Then she goes off to sulk near the edges of the room again. The light of a phone lights up her face however as she taps it madly.

Daichi sits down besides Rhythm and begins using her utensils to cut her off a piece of sandwich. It's not as pretty as when she does it, but he does a good enough job. "Hi Rhythm! Hi Rhythm's friend!" He looks up and then waves at Taiko. "Hello!" Grin, grin, wave.

Kukai and Nagihiko seem to be lost in each other - a world for two. You can almost feel the hue hue hue from Usagi.

    Madoka's lips part to show teeth that shine extra white in the light of the moon as Homura's eyes half lid, enjoying that look in them as they take her in and adore her, a sweet flush kissing her skin as the admiration of her love is showered upon her.

    A moment of thoughtfulness comes after Homura's reply, a moment spent in the motion of slow and enjoyable dancing. "You're right," she agrees in a soft tone, "it isn't just your company; it's our company. Us together, that's where divinity lies." As cheesy as her lines may be sound to an outsider they're delivered with perfect sincerity. This moment, this dance, she's entirely engrossed in it, swept up in the moment and in tune with her dancing partner.

    The beat of Homura's heart quickening in her chest puts a thrill of excitement in Madoka, who hugs ever closer as they dance to better feel that glorious rhythm. She's trying to find a way to include that rapid beat in their dance motions and think of a response to Homura's newest sweet words when Usagi sweeps in and hugs.

    The blonde's giggly friendliness is contagious and with a smooth motion she reaches over and slips an arm around her waist as well, smile beaming as she draws the girl close and spins, their trio of gold, purple, and pink dresses flaring behind them like a multicolored clover. "Usagi-chan! Happy Birthday!"

    A blushing giggle made and she replies, "I wanted to make sure you got in quickly, and Mamoru-kun's was very generous. But yes, give it to any of the waiters or staff and they'll take it to the receptionists. We couldn't possibly turn down your Papa's generosity, not when it's in such demand."

    Madoka feels slightly bad because the names Usagi rattles off are not ones she knows with certainty, faces she wouldn't easily recognize out of their everyday attire. A look is given to Homura, hopeful.

    Suddenly Madoka's head tilts down, her bangs masking her eyes from the silver of the moonlight, casting a shadow over her features. "You don't want to know why," comes the low, foreboding reply.

Takashi's silent for a long time, and he doesn't look back up at her. He listens, though, he's aware and here, for the most part. When he does look at her, though, it's easy to see the way Riventon looks at things - the hair's wrong and the clothes are wrong and the angular face is wrong but the eyes are right and the eyes are piercing through to her.

"Never you." are the first words he says, and the last ones he says before that same detached attitude finds him again, before the shadows squeeze off and choke out anything else.

"What if the world is sick, Mizuno?" he says, mimicking and escalating the detachment by using just her last name without an honorific. "What if the universe is sick and dying and the moments of bright light you think you see as hope is just the last tiwtches of a patient on life support? Are my methods acceptable then?" he says, his voice growing more angry and harsh as he continues on. "Or is there some other hurdle I have to meet before you understand? Since you seem to have some sort of hurdle and it's clearly not your IQ so it's some other sort of artifical barrier you've erected to keep the truth out!"

"So you could live in your dysfunctional world and keep hoping your princess 'saves' the world when all she's doing is giving it a little shock here and there to keep it's battered, bruised heart beating for a few more moments? How many times has the Earth - no, the whole universe, been in danger since you gained your powers? How many times more do you think there were before you that I've seen? Can you even possibly imagine what inhabits the Dusk Zone? You have no idea what lurks out there waiting for its chance to destroy us all - to destroy everything."

"How many times are you going to roll those dice before you fail? It's only a matter of time, a matter of enough chances - surely you understand probability and can't find a fault with THAT branch of understanding."

"...I really thought I wanted your help. I needed your help. That you'd understand. But no, I always knew, deep down in the core of my soul I'd be walking this path alone. And maybe that's fine. That's my strength. I was born alone, I have excelled alone, and I will rise above everyone else combined, alone - and then I will solve everything, including the ills plaguing the universe, alone."

He looks her in the eyes, then points to the bracelet. "Those gems are aluminium oxide, and compressed carbon. They have no real value except that which we, humans, ascribe to them - not for beauty, but for whatever we decide they represent." he says, jabbing his finger in the air like the bracelet has personally offended him. "So if they mean so little to you, throw them in the garbage yourself."

He turns away, but then rounds on his heel and leans back in for one last comment. "If the love you value so much can't even 'help' me way from this thing that you think is so very toxic, then how do you possibly imagine it'll save the universe from the doom that threatens it?" he asks before he turns, putting the mask back and and moving to walk out.

She squeals happily as she's spun! "Thank you so much! And thank you for the light and the pretty and augh it was just so sweet!!" Usagi hugs them again! "I will, Madoka-chan! Thank you!" A swoony sighs! "Mamo-chan is the bestest!" You can see the hearts and bubbles and sparkles floating all around Usagi! And the glint of a shiny new ring!

She gasps at Madoka's response to the internet destruction! "Oh goodness! Now I really do want to know!"

Then she spots a Wild Rei across the room! "Oh! I found her! Rei!" A quick hug! "Thank you guys again so much!" More hearts in the air! Then she's off!

Usagi skitters across the dance floor toward Rei! But on the way she skids to a halt. There's Dance Partner! Kukai! And he's dancing with a boy! She has heard Rumors!

"Huehuehuehue!!!"

She would say hi to them, but for some reason she feels the universe would implode if she did!

Then she's barreling toward Rei!

"Rei-chan!!" CRASH hug hug snuggle love hug! "Would you dance with me? Pleeeeeeease? I'll try not to tromp all over your toes!"

    To be fair, cheese is pretty tasty.

    Oof. Usagi is here. Homura grins and says, "Happy birthday, Usagi-chan. It was the least we could do. Benefits of knowing the managers." She winks, slipping an arm around Usagi and pulling her into a hug. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. A lot of people seemed to. You two looked really cute together when the light hit you."

    When asked about Usagi's friends, Homura tilts her head and looks upwards. "Well I know Makoto and Nephrite were dancing. They might still be. I haven't seen Ami here. Um... as for Rei..." Homura glances around. She just can't seem to find the miko, who has been a foodie for most of the night.

    "Erase the internet? How does he plan on doing that?" She'd ask why but Usagi just admitted that she didn't know. How... strange? Madoka's reaction is even more strange, and Homura is about to ask, but she just said that Usagi didn't want to know.

    "Ooookay..." is what she finally manages to say. "Sounds like he has a very good reason, whatever it is. Seems like something he'd want Mercury for, though?" After all, Homura is pretty sure she's heard about Mercury taking down tumblr before. Or something like that.

    Then Usagi is off running towards a friend that Homura didn't notice before. She turns towards Madoka and clears her throat. "W-well! Where were we?"

    Rei Hino is in the middle of eating a square of kobe beef when suddenly a wild bunny appears! She barely has time to swallow before Usagi is throwing arms around her and hugging her and asking for a dance.

    Rei giggles. "Are you suuuure you won't step on my toes?" The miko considers. She's turned down many offers already tonight, and stands to turn down many more, but she'll make an exception for one of her best friends.

    "Okay, Usa-chan." Rei gestures towards herself in a mock-haughty manner. "I, Rei Hino, the goddess of the dance floor will dance with you!"

    A little late she silently regrets making that boast, because she actually doesn't dance that often and doubts that most people would call her a goddess of anything remotely related to a dance floor. Oh well, she'll just have to fake it.

"Nope! I'm totally not sure!" At least she's honest!

Oh yay! A dance with Rei! A happy squeal and another hug! "Yay!"

She pulls Rei onto the dance floor, and if anyone looks at her jealous because she gets to dance with the pretty Rei, well, neener on them! But Usagi won't see it, because Usagi is oblivious!

"Rei-chan!" A gasp! "Did you know I forgot it was my birthday today?"

She's not asking that for happy birthdays! But those would be nice! She's still genuinely shocked at herself!

Nagihiko is very oblivious to a world outside themselves. Because Kukai, and Kukai is warm, and dancing. The best three things ever!

Rhythm gives Taiko a happy wave! "Hi, Taiko-chan!" He hums in thought! And then glomps her face with a snuggle! But then he hops back! "That's a face hug! And it's okay if you're not nice, so long as you don't pretend to be! That's your rhythm, you gotta stick to it!" Double thumbs up!

He then leans over and whispers! "Because only magic people can see us! And sometimes Muggles, but they gotta know we exist!" He turns to Temari. "What's a Muggle?"

Temari slices up the sandwich. "A term stolen from the Harry Potter franchise to mean those without magic."

    Rei rolls her eyes. She's totally gonna get her toes stepped on. Not that it's stopping her. She lets herself be led to the dance floor, taking Usagi's hand in hers.

    "You forgot your birthday? Silly Usagi-chan." She sticks out her tongue, slightly fussy over Usagi forgetting such an important day! Seriously, how could she forget that?

    She shakes her head, and instead of expressing further annoyance she takes Usagi's hand in hers and... isn't sure. Is she following? Leading? Well Rei is pushy so she tries to lead.

    A few steps in, Rei smiles at Usagi and says, "Happy Birthday, Usa-chan."

Darkness slowly overcomes Takashi--he allows that 'Riventon' part of him to take back over, and Ami feels powerless to stop it. She feels responsible for it, even though all of her friends have told her she shouldn't.

It's not that she feels like she caused it. She knows better than to blame herself. But it's those same words she used, only moments ago, that give her that sense of responsibility; that feeling like this is her problem, and her mess to clean up.

Her story to change.

"Taka-" Ami gasps out, reaching up to grab his arm as he starts to turn away again--risking the darkness and not caring that in his madness and his darkness he might hurt her accidentally, as he already has, not so long ago.

"Please," Ami begs him, reaching up to rip the wig off her hair, to pull the mask off her face. There are tears in her eyes as she tries to bring herself so much closer. "This isn't what I want," she says to him. "I don't want you to leave here, hating me, and hating ... hating us. I don't want that, either. I don't want to hate you," she reiterates. "But this world is all we've got, and if it's going to burn out slowly, gasping and choking for breath from the poison of mankind, then I want to give it that chance to die beautifully.

"And I don't want to do it fighting you!" Ami exclaims, raising her voice now. "When Fiore's asteroid was hurtling towards the planet, I desperately wanted you to be able to help me. I told you already, I need your help," she tells him. "And I have to believe that love and acceptance are the right answer, because the other answer demonstrably causes pain! Whenever one man tries to impose his belief of what's best on another, it always causes pain."

She's silent for only a moment as she comes to what she really means to say. And then it explodes out in the silence between songs; in the desperate moment between heartbeats.

"Please don't leave like this. Please don't ... don't leave hating us. Let me prove that my way works. Stay here. Push the darkness away. Please give me the chance to prove it."

    More Usagi hugs! These are enough to remove the pall from Madoka because giggling and laughing and spinning is fun!

    Hurricane Usagi then abruptly veers away from the Homudoka coast, leaving Madoka giggling and laughing in Homura's arms, taking a little while to fall back into dance step. She takes in a breath and lets out a happy sigh, slipping her arms back around Homura and giving a close hug to see if her little heart is still going doki doki doki.

    Though really whether or not Homura is still excited when she clears her throat and asks what they were doing before Madoka lies.

    Sort of.

    Her response isn't words, but rather action. Her eyes closing as she lifts to dance on her toes, pressing a sudden passionate kiss onto Homura's lips. She leans her weight into her while mmming happily, paying off the enticing excitement she'd built up throughout their dances, her fingers curling and grabbing Homura to pull her close. It's no coincidence that not long after their lips meet a half turn and a few steps brings them out of the radiance of the moonlight, casting them into the more private and intimate shadows and veiling them from prying eyes.

    When their lips finally part Madoka takes a deep breath, opening her eyes just for a moment to make sure she isn't dancing them into some other unfortunate couple. They meet Homura's and then close again, warm breath on Homura's face as she lets their lips brush the tiniest bit before retreating, trying to draw her girlfriend into pursuit.

Usagi sticks her tongue back out, but she's too happy to really be mad, even pretend, so she hugs Rei! "Things have been so busy!"

Usagi gladly lets Rei lead! And if toe stomping happen, they're not too often!

"Eeee! Thank you! I'm fifteen now!"

A gasp! A lowered voice! "And loooooook!"

She shows the new ring on her finger! A promise type one!

    Taiko's face is hugged, and she reaches up to touch the spot on her face where the embrace occurred. How... strange. Well, she wanted to know. She smiles as she's told that she shouldn't pretend to be nice. "I like that. I hate it when people pretend. It's so insulting."

    That's a harsh way to put it, but Taiko states it like it's just a matter of fact.

    "I suppose I don't hate it." Hating would imply that she was offended in some way.

    Muggles. Hmm. "So that explains it. That's very interesting. I suppose that means I'm magical." Not that Taiko seems all that surprised.

    She reaches up with a single finger to pet Rhythm on the head. "I like you."

Nagihiko and Kukai have dissapeared. Presumabley, there's a broom closet nearby.

Rhythm hums and thinks! "Well, sometimes people pretend because it's a social standard! Or if they're afraid of judgement! They shouldn't really be blamed too much, they still have a nice rhythm! It's when you're a butt-turd and pretend to be nice so people won't know you're butt-turd, on purpose, to be all mean. That's when they should be tsked at their lack of respect for their own rhythm!"

Double thumbs up! "Yay! I'm glad! I'd be sad if I made a second person grumpy today with face hugs!"

Rhythm shrugs! "You could be magical! Or you could be a Muggle who can see us!"

Rhythm almost purrs at the head pet!

Temari just sighs and eats her sandwich. "Thank you for not making him sulky. I was beginning to fear I'd have to hug him for hours."

    Homura may have been distracted from her exciting dance, but it takes longer than that for her heart to really calm down. The pace of her heart begins to return to its previous heightened rhythm, and Madoka can probably feel that as they return to closeness.

    Oh, and even if her heart wasn't racing, that kiss would have done it.

    Homura closes her eyes as she accepts the kiss, breathing in deeply through her nose and letting it all slowly out. Being held so close and kissed, it's impossible not to enjoy this kind of thing with Madoka. It may not be where they were, but it's where they're going that really matters~.

    When Homura's eyes open again, they are dancing in the moonlight. Homura reaches up to brush her nails against the side of Madoka's face, bright crescent moon shining upon them through the large windows. Light plays against shadows, and once again Homura truly does feel that the two of them are in their own little world.

    Madoka teases with her lips, and Homura, ever willing to play these games, chases after. She leans forward as Madoka pulls away, moving slightly faster so that she can catch up, sliding her lips against Madoka's. Her hand clutches Madoka's shoulder, holding her tight.

    Yet, despite how close, they still manage not to lose their rhythm or misstep.

    Rei chuckles as Usagi sticks out her tongue. "We have been, haven't we? Well, we have time for a break right now, Usa-chan."

    Fifteen now? So Usagi's only a couple months younger than Rei. Well, Rei should've known that, actually. She just never thought about it before.

    Upon seeing the ring, Rei blinks. A promise ring?

    Less teasingly, and a bit more sincere, "I'm glad you two can have fun like that again. It really has been worrying regarding Mamo-kun, hasn't it?"

    She actually isn't that bad of a dancer if she doesn't go too fast. She does, at least, manage to keep up with the song.

    Do social standards really excuse people being fake? Taiko isn't sure. "Maybe it makes sense if people want to avoid trouble, but I do think it gets taken too far sometimes."

    The term 'butt-turd' earns a laugh from her. "Oh I know exactly what you mean! That's the most disgusting of all. I can hardly stand it when people act all sweet and kind when secretly they hate you."

    At the mention of possibly being a muggle, Taiko shakes her head. She extends her hand, and the air above her palm grows cold. She creates a pair of snowflakes, offering them to the chara. Her hand almost looks pale. "I have a little bit of magic."

    Temari gets a glance from her, and a nod. "Well, he hasn't done anything to me. There's no reason for me to make his life miserable."

    Suddenly Taiko's head turns, and she overhears someone calling her. She lets out a deep sigh, turning towards the two chara. There's... a distinct lack of emotion in her eyes, with maybe just a slight amount of irritation. "I need to go. It was a pleasure. Thank you for telling me so many fascinating things."

    She waves to the two charas, then turns away to go fulfill some sort of family obligation.

She gives a happy nod! "Oh yes! A nice, cozy break! And the biggest thing we hafta worry about for awhile is grades!"

And maybe a fight or two, but that'd be so much better than a fight every day! And impending doom over their head!

She's a ball of warm fuzzies as she nods. "Yes!" She lowers her voice a bit, as though telling a dark secret! "There were times...where I couldn't finish dinner I was so worried. But don't tell him that!" He probably already knows, anyway.

And then she's all gasps and squees! "Your dress is so pretty! Oh my gosh! Just...wow! So pretty! Yay!"

    Rei snorts. "You better worry about your grades, Usa-chan. At least if the world isn't ending we can have more time to study, and we have Ami-chan if we need a tutor."

    So worried that she couldn't finish her dinner? Rei looks... a little sad at that. Well why wouldn't she be? This is her friend who was worried sick about her beloved. "I won't tell, but it's a good thing that you don't have to worry, right?"

    Rei grins in an almost cocky way as her dress is complimentd. "Well of course! I have impeccable taste, after all. You have a very pretty dress too, Usagi-chan. Is that a birthday present, too?"

    Rei might be slightly envious if it is.

    Homura's quickening heartbeat entices Madoka's to chase after it, excitement begetting excitement and prompting cheeks to warm and smiles to brighten. Anticipation becomes action and the kiss is given and received, Madoka making a happy sound as her affection is returned in full.

    Fingernails brush against her face, but Madoka ensures that isn't the last of the touch, tilting her head and pushing her cheek against Homura's fingers, her face into her hand. The instinct to chase is ignited and Madoka's lips curl into a smile as Homura pursues her, stepping backwards as they dance as if to enhance this feeling of pursuit, even as her arms hold fast and ensure her own potential for escape is impossible.

    More delightful kissing, her bare shoulder firmly but softly held by Homura's hand, her skin warm and soft to the touch. Her lips are gentle but passionate, lovingly pressing into Homura's again and again with tiny variations of position and pressure, each one a different and special way to express her rising affection.

    Before long her passion is mounting to the point where she has no choice but to pull away, gasping quietly for breath and turning her head to rub her cheek sweetly against Homura's, remembering where they are and that letting her legs give way beneath her is not an acceptable solution to weakness in her knees. Her heart beats quickly and strongly, though now it slows as she tries to calm herself, her embrace once more loosening as a hand is lifted and brushed through Homura's hair, fingernails scritching against her scalp as passion gives way once more to tenderness.

    The tight dancing hug becomes a warm dancing snuggle, and Madoka whispers quietly into the ear of her beloved, "I could do this forever," her breathing still a little heavy.

It's probably a great demonstration of how gone he is at this moment in time, at how much he's allowed that darkness to swallow him up that he doesn't stop when she says the first sylables of his name. And there's no mistaking it - hiding from the way all of it was making him feel, he allowed himself to fall into the darkness, to drown away in the shadows, to dull the searing white-hot pain of the feelings she was making him feel.

Because that was so much more comfortable, so much easier than facing up to it, than dealing with it. Retreating into himself. But she does more than just speak, she grabs his arm, and that physical connection is, admittedly, harder to run from. He turns back to her again, quickly, sharply, and it's likely that for anyone else there might have been a tinge of dark power in his free hand.

But right now it's all inside of him, coiling like a snake around his soul, constricting and restricting it, but in a way, protecting it from the pain that being truly 'alive' and aware can require a person to endure.

The removal of the wig and mask changes the tables, flips them - now he's the one wearing the mask, both physical and more, and she's the one ditching them.

He meets her halfway, once again ditching the physical block but not the spiritual one, even as he tries to pull away, his voice is still tainted with that hostile anger he uses like a shield. "While you were up there on that asteroid it was all I could do to not be there, and only because I knew I'd be more detriment than help." he admits, even with that feeling that he's just on the edge of exploding. "I spent so much time just staring up there, just hoping!"

His fists clench and unclench. "Waiting to see that you were okay, and wanting to be there, and worried. And now all of this, today?" he says. He just leaves that frustrated question hanging in the silence. Like even continuing to express himself there is too much.

He hasn't left, but he hasn;t stepped out of that mental space, that almost-gone part of himself. And there's another long burst of quiet before he says. "I don't even know how to do that, Ami. I don't want to leave, I don't want to hate you. But I don't even know how to go about doing what you're asking me to do. Like I can just leave it behind. It's not a henshin I can just end."

"I don't even know how to give you that chance." he says, but he stops pointing his body towards the exit, instead turning towards her. "It's as hard to explain as..." he stops. Pauses for a moment. "...I would have to show you. I tried to show Jupiter. I took her to the Dusk Zone but she was too busy trying to fight me to make sense of what I wanted her to see. But she was safe. I could take you."

Usagi preens! "I'll have you know I'm not failing any classes!" A beat. "I'm almost failing two of them, but I'm not failing!"

Usagi nods! "Oh yes! Very nice! And Mamo-chan's safe, and Rei-chan and Mako-chan and Ami-chan are safe, and Minako-chan is talking to me! It is a very, very good time to be this bunny!"

Instead of scoffing, Usagi nods eagerly! "You do, you do! So very fashionable, my Rei-chan!" Vicarious pride!

And her cheeks turn pink and she grins a bit. "No. Papa gave me some money for a dress." She looks a bit...shy. "But it was a tad over, so Ami-chan helped a bit, too."

He meets her half-way, and some of that darkness recedes, at least to Ami's point of view. Maybe it's still there; maybe she's enfolded in it, now, and she just can't see it.

It doesn't matter. What matters is there's still a chance to save him; a chance to change the story and take responsibility for his plight.

With these newest seeds of hope being watered by his every word, Ami seems to gain confidence and certainty in her decision to beg him not to leave. She grows bolder, steps in closer, places a hand on his chest and stays near him.

That he was thinking of her, while she was on the asteroid, is no surprise. The feeling is certainly mutual. But the gap between them is still there, even now as they're touching.

And there's that offer; that request even.

Ami's eyes widen just a little--scared at the very idea of going to such a dark and terrible place. If it's even half as bad as she imagines, she's should run away screaming at his offer. "I'll go," she says, instead. "But ... with a condition. If I go with you, and I see what you want me to see, you have to give me something, too. Some ethical control on your experiments. Some way for us to meet half way. That's how you can give me a chance: let me be the ethical guide on your work. And ... let me be your girlfriend, again." Because it's love or nothing. YOLO, indeed.

    Homura's hand stays in contact, adjusting slightly so that her palm is resting along Madoka's cheek. If Madoka wants that touch Homura will keep it there. Madoka stepping back only encourages Homura to step forward and keep up, being lured by Madoka's bait. How could she not be so enticed? She is already hooked.

    Affection escalates in the form of kisses, and it's all Homura can do to not be carried away. When Madoka pulls away, Homura also must catch her breath. She giggles in between breaths. Voice full of love, she softly says, "Oh, Madoka-chan."

    Both of their hearts are beating fast, and Homura can barely tell Madoka's own heartbeat from her own, their heartbeats matching in rhythm and tempo. The tender touch bring a smile to Homura's lips, and as the dance turns more into a standing, dancing snuggle, Homura's eyes close, nuzzling her cheek against Madoka's.

    "I could, too. Just floating... adrift in your arms forever."

    She means it, too. She always did, as many times as she's said it.

    Well. Almost failing isn't failing. Rei has to give Usagi that much. "So long as it's only almost. Don't get complacent."

    She realizes that she's starting to lecture and decides to cut it out. It's Usagi's birthday and Rei can nag her at any time. Instead, she nods as Usagi says they're all safe.

    "That's right, we are. I'm glad that Minako-chan is starting to warm up to us. I admit I was a bit worried... but we are safe. We're safe and we're here and we're so happy we get to all be friends. Especially with you, Usagi-chan."

    She giggles as she's called fashionable. "You were given money and this is what you picked out? You have good taste, Usa-chan."

    Rei will continue dancing with Usagi for as long as Usagi wants, and afterwards she'll likely head off to eat food or maybe go home once it's late enough.

She giggles! "Do you really think Ami-chan or Mamo-chan would let me? I bet they spend time together plotting ways to get me to study!"

Then Usagi nods! "She is! And I think part of it is...she's not used to having us? And she's not used to me sorta taking care of myself? And..." Oh, she just has to do it! She hugs Rei, mid dance! "I'm so very glad I have you all as friends, too! I feel all complete with you guys around!" This, of course, extends to Mamoru and his guys!

She clears her throat and she's back to dancing! And blushing! "I just saw it and...the color reminds me of his glow." MORE BLUSHING OMG!

Usagi will dance with Rei forever! Until she gets hungry! Which probably won't actually take long at all!

Truth be told, there's not a lot of joy with Takashi in the idea of bringing Ami there, but he's convinced himself that people don't understand what he's doing because they're not aware of what's around them, of the barbarians at the gates. So as little as he actually likes the idea of bringing her there, exposing her to the place and to the danger it represents, it's the only way he can square how badly he wants her to understand with the reasons he's told himself people don't understand.

"We're not going today." he says, flatly. "I have to make all the preparations to bring someone else along who's not a 'native' - so we don't have to decide now." And then he pauses. "And if you decide not, that's okay." he adds, after a moment of thought. "...it's not a condition."

"I don't know about you being my control. I... we'll have to talk about that too. Once we've both had time to rest." he says. The two warring parties inside his mind of 'tell her yes' and 'run away laughing no madly' will have to put down arms for today in order to make sure his experiments can go on.

And he realizes so much of this is noncommital, and he moves a hand around her waist and pulls her in closer still. "But we'll find some way to meet halfway, like you want. I just..." he pauses. It's still difficult for him, even now, to speak exactly how he feels.

"I just miss youy whenever we're apart, and the more apart we are - physically and emotionally - the worse I feel and the more I just don't want to feel anymore. So... I'm willing to work with you. I want to work with you. I want you to be my girlfriend, again."

Ami lets him pull her in closer still, and puts her arms around him in turn. She closes her eyes and rests her forehead against his chest, then lets out a tense, shaky breath. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't scared, right now. Scared of this 'dusk zone', scared of being anyone's girlfriend, scared of taking responsibility for a creature of darkness, and scared of having to explain all of this to her friends.

She nods her head at his decision not to try it tonight. She would have told him 'no' to that, anyways. There's no way she's doing this tired and emotional; without her magic and without warning people. No way she's doing it without setting up ways to record and observe what she's going to see.

But she's committed, and she's not going to turn back on the idea of going to this frightening and alien place just because she's afraid. Besides, a not insignificant part of her is also curious to see this world that is part of Takashi. How else can she possibly understand him except to study this, too?

"Okay," Ami says quietly. "But no more taking people against their wishes until we've worked this out," she tells him. "If you can't even agree to that, then we'll never be able to meet half way."

Ami grimaces and squeezes him gently, then says, "It's Usagi's birthday. I ... I should go tell her happy birthday. And I need to save the boy I came with from the girls overwhelming him. But this weekend, I'll come to your house. We can talk there. Work this all out. And then .. I'll go with you to the Dusk Zone," she reiterates. "I'll understand what drives you as best I can, and try to see the world through your eyes, if you will try to see them through mine."