[Quiet Man Cometh]

The decor shone, and the guests paraded about in twirling dances and collections of conversation. Everything was like it's own fantasy, like the world inside a music box. Every once and a while the lid is opened and the world shines for a little while on the people inside before everything goes dark again when the music runs out.

People have their reasons for coming; for not coming. Perhaps they are seeking the queen's grace. Perhaps they are seeking fortune; a parter; a name; a title. Perhaps they are simply here for a good time, or to forget bad ones. Either way, it is the event of the year and most assuredly of the moment.

"Winter" made her way to a table of delicate canapes, liberating the table of a glass of port and a few cherries as red as the rose in her hat. Drink in hand, she made her way into a side room, away from the cluster of dancers.

She wasn't the only one taking time to explore the grounds. Others walked in and out, some in open admiration of the pleasanties surrounding them, others distracted with their own internal musings. She walked up to one individual looking out of a window. "Such a lovely evening, isn't it?"

[Demo]

"Quite." A man about the height of 5'-8" stood in the threshold of the side room. His hair a light unnatural shade of teal and eyes the color of a ripe lime. "I hope I am not intruding but mind if I join you miss?"

[Quiet Man Cometh]

"Of course not." Winter added with another sip of her wine. "This is an occasion for making aquaintances, is it not?" She blinked, her eyes a pale shadow behind the veil she wore. "And who, might I ask, have I just made the acquaintance of?"

[Demo]

Demo entered the cozy side room surveying the new acquaintance as well as did his pet dragon. "Terribly sorry for my poor manners. You may call me Demo if you please. Might i ask the same question to you miss?" Demo said giving a formal bow.

[Suzerain of Sheol]

As they speak, another man edges into the room, wearing an elaborate costume complete with a sorcerous enchantment making his eyes radiate violet light.

Muttering to himself, "Ah, sweet freedom from the throng," he seats himself in a lavish chair, only then noticing that the room is already occupied.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

"A sentiment shared by at least a few others." Winter says to the newcomer, before she makes her own introduction to Demo. "You may call me Winter for the time, or Lady Winter if you are one for titles, Sir Demo."

[Demo]

He smiles a bit when she refers to titles. "I am not a noble man my lady but call me what pleases you most. With that being said I shall refer to you as Lady Winter if you do not contest." Demo's eyes shift to the corner of the room where a curious man now sits. "I do believe though that we have new company my lady."

[Suzerain of Sheol]

The seated man snickers at the mention of the woman's name. "Quite taken with the anonymity of our celebratory reve, are you? Well, so be it, keep your secrets, but it's awfully hypocritical to demand another's name when you won't share your own."

Apparently satisfied with that triumph of logic and rhetoric, the man relaxes in his chair, looking at ease with din of the ball muffled by the chamber's walls.

[Demo]

Demo smiles before he fully turns towards the man. "Ah one should not judge another's name when he has not revealed their own." Demo's dragon now surveyed the man as demo carried on with the conversation.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

"But sir," Winter continues with a mild smile just visible beneath her veil, "it's tradition at a masquerade to play somone else. I made no demands, but asked, and it is up to whomever answers what name they wish to give." She finished her glass of wine before continuing, "if you have concerns, then know that it is also tradition that all identities shall be made true with the end of the ball. Can you enjoy speaking with a mask until then?"

[Poggio]

Quietly, glossed over eyes watched the blurred colors circumvent the room. Linx found himself at home already with his second glass of wine. He unconsciously twisted the burgundy liquid inside the glass, slowly moving about the room to a place where the colors stopped spinning.

[Suzerain of Sheol]

"Oh ho, a fair point, a fair point. One predicated on the assumption that I possess an aversion to hypocrisy, but, all the same." He meets the man's smile, purple light form his eyes coloring his teeth. "In the habit of our companion here, you may call me... Suzerain. Take from that what you will."

[Demo]

Demo turns to Winter when he says this. "With that the lady has a very truthful point. My name could be true and it could be false. However this does not make a difference. I do believe though that it does not matter." He now stands between the pair to get a better angle at talking with both of them. "Ah, that it a very interesting name. Along with this I do believe you already have heard my name but I will return the greeting. You may call me Demo if you please."

[Demo]

Demo's dragon's head swiveled to the direction of the doorway. Demo's head also followed after. "Sir, are you quite alright?"

[Rem]

A man suddenly slipped into the room, twisting around to hide behind the entrance door, seemingly in avoidance of a small group of females who swished past immediately after, giggling and surveying the ballroom with eager eyes.

The green-haired male exhaled a sigh and pulled a small white leather case from an inner pocket of his shiny coat. He walked to one of the large windows, pushing it open and slid a slender cigarette from the case. "Mind if I smoke?" he said to the room at large, then lit the cigarette without waiting for an answer.

He sat on the windowsill, back leaning on one side with his boots resting against the other and took a deep drag with obvious relief, exhaling the silver smoke slowly.

[Demo]

Demo acknowledged the man who walked in with caution. "I does not bother me as long as you dispense your vile smoke outside. I you should fail to do that I shall have no problem taking care of the problem. Might I ask ask your name sir though?"