[h2] 8:35pm, At the Ball[/h2]

The cool breeze that gently flowed through the window calmed Kazu’s uncomfortable feelings. This was the best place to be as more and more people came through the doors. He really didn’t like crowds. He only came here because Amie was coming. But he still didn’t know where she was. He was also hoping to meet other people, but perhaps this was a bad setting.. Although..

Kazu didn’t expect anyone to approach him, especially not a woman in a beautiful dress. Her eyes were green, much like his, however they seemed to have more a sparkle to them? Perhaps it was just his imagination. She was quite beautiful, even though she had a mask on. He would’ve given her a smile in return, had his mask not been full faced. He merely nodded in agreement to her questions before bringing out his phone. He quickly typed out a message for her, showing it to her. [color=82ca9d]”Yes, the view of the stars is quite nice from here. Are you enjoying the party?”[/color]

From behind her mask, Maribelle raised a brow as the man pulled out his phone. “[i] Rather rude…[/i]” was her first thought, though she became purely confused once he offered for her to view the phone. To her surprise he had written a response. Was he unable to speak? Sick with an awful sore throat, perhaps? Why would anyone come to the ball while sick? 

“[color=dodgerblue][b] Well, I’ve just arrived but it looks quite nice.[/b][/color]” She turned back from the window to look at the ballroom once again. “[i] Maybe he doesn’t speak English.. but can understand it?[/i]” Her mind kept going through a list of logical explanations as to why this man would not speak to her and instead used text messages. She turned her attention back towards him, her eyes scanning his mask. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Have you come to the ball alone?[/b][/color]” Suddenly she realized that may have been rude to ask. “[color=dodgerblue] [b] I-I… If you don’t mind me asking, of course. I’ve come alone myself.[/b][/color]” Her cheeks flushed, feeling embarrassed at her own poor manners. “[color=dodgerblue][b]Well, sort of… I came with a friend. She’s… off somewhere.[/b][/color]” 

Kazu realized that he might have come off a little rude. He’d been told that people think it’s bad manners to bring out your phone when speaking to others, but it was his only mode of communication, unless they knew sign language..

He nodded slightly at her question before typing on his phone again. He showed her the screen again, [color=82ca9d]”Yes, I came alone. I was looking for a friend, but I don’t see them anywhere. I’m not too comfortable with crowds, so I came over here instead. I apologize if it seems rude for me to use my phone, but I am a mute, so I have little means of speaking.”[/color] It said in some length. He paused for a moment before adding something else to his message, [color=82ca9d]”Perhaps you would like to dance?”[/color]. The question seemed pretty out of the blue, but he didn’t want a lady to feel bored at a party like this. Also he was quite confident in his ability to dance. A change of pace.

Maribelle read over the message on his phone, suddenly feeling awful at her presumption that he was being rude, though smiling at his offer to dance. At least that meant that he hadn’t considered her as coming off rude to him.  It had been at least three years since she had actually danced and it had been with her scummy ex-husband, unfortunately. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Sure, let’s dance.[/b][/color]” She lifted the edge of her dress and began walking out toward the dance floor, but a man’s voice suddenly resounded throughout the ballroom which made her pause.

“[color=green][b] Shut up, you’re making it worse![/b][/color]”

Maribelle turned her attention toward the voice just in time to see a dark haired man hoist the woman who had been making out in the middle of the dance floor with another man earlier over his shoulder and carry her out. With what sounded like a taser? People’s surprised gasps and watching them scurry out of his way confirmed that. “[i] Trouble in paradise?[/i]” She wondered, glancing back at her mysterious masked friend with an amused look on her face. “[color=dodgerblue][b] I wonder what that was about…[/b][/color]” She giggled, then turned back with all intention of going to the dance floor until a familiar voice broker her focus. 

Kazu gave the woman a slight shrug as if saying that he wouldn’t have a clue. It was a little strange to hear a taser go off in a party like this, but he paid little attention to it. Something weird was bound to happen at such a big party and he wasn’t about to stick his nose where it shouldn’t be.

“[color=springgreen][b] Hey, Mari! It’s so great to see you. You look great. And hello to you too![/b][/color]”

Alban, the father of one of her students whom she gave private lessons to. She smiled upon his arrival, the man’s joyful composure rather intoxicating. In fact, he probably was intoxicated. 

“[color=dodgerblue][b] Al![/b][/color]” She could recognize those blue eyes and mess of blonde hair anywhere. While Al greeted her new masked friend, Mari turned her attention to the woman at Alban’s side. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Pleased to meet you, I’m Mari.[/b][/color]” She was probably obligated to introduce herself to her client’s girlfriend, wasn’t she? She reached out her hand for a handshake, but instead of a hand Mari received a square piece of plastic. Looking down, Maribelle’s green eyes grew wide. A condom. In her hand. 

“[color=springgreen][b]Practice safe sex, you sly succubus, you! [/b][/color]”

Maribelle face instantly flushed; even behind that rabbit mask you could see her embarrassment. She hadn’t had sex in at least a year! And she wasn’t going to have sex with this man she had just met! She closed her hand over the condom and quickly shoved it back into Alban’s hands. “[color=dodgerblue][b] N-nononono… you’re mis-mistaken Al…[/b][/color]” She laughed nervously. Was he always this way outside of the usual client/teacher relationship?

The exchange between the two, whom he now knew as ‘Al’ and ‘Mari’, was quite a cheerful one. Kazu gave the Al a slight bow in greeting, but didn’t attempt to say anything else. He had caught a glimpse at what was given to Mari. It was a small square packet, it didn’t really click in his mind as to what it was, since he only saw it for a second before it was shoved back into the drunkard’s hand. It was only when Mari had said ‘no’ about five times in quick succession, he realized what it was. Good thing his mask covered his now, slightly pink face. He turned away a little, his body trembling slightly as he tried to suppress a laugh. Not that anyone would hear it anyway.

After a few minutes, they had found themselves sitting at a table, the masked girl had picked up some food from a waiter that passed by. Kazu wasn’t particularly hungry, not that he could eat or drink to begin with. He followed rules quite closely. One of those being, that he couldn’t take his mask off until the party was over. Or something to that effect. Instead, he decided to relax a little in his chair. [i][color=82ca9d]I guess we’re not dancing then.[/color][/i]. Slightly disappointing, but it’s not like he could step between two friends just to get what he wanted.

Seeing a waitress pass by, Maribelle reached out and took a glass of pink moscato wine from her tray. “[color=dodgerblue][b] I’ll be content with only a friendly drink, thank you.[/b][/color]” She cleared her throat, trying to gain composure. “[color=dodgerblue][b] Why don’t you introduce us, Al?[/b][/color]” She nodded towards Alban’s uniquely dressed girlfriend, trying a distraction. 

[@Stern Algorithm][@Viciousmarrow]