July 18, 2011
Author's Note: This is actually really amusing to write! Hope you guys have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. Not to worry – I actually wrote half the next chapter of Trysts today too so not totally procrastinating on that story.
Not quite sure what I am going to do with Rachel – if you got any suggestions – willing to listen to them.
Please review :P
It's All a Masquerade – Chapter 2
Chandler couldn't believe he was here – at a fancy ballroom deep in the heart of Manhattan. One of his co-workers actually got invited to the party but somehow managed to convince Chandler to take his place instead.
The atmosphere of the enormous room was rather dark and lit with dim lights – adding to the mysterious air of the theme.
The party hadn't started yet – but people have already arrived – dressed in all sorts of costumes. Chandler amused himself by trying to name what everyone was dressed as. There were superheroes, Greek gods, wizards, princesses, princes – too many to name!
He himself was dressed as a ninja – a costume that the same aforementioned co-worker had let him borrow. So he was dressed in black from head to toe – including a black kerchief that covered most of his face – only leaving his blue eyes. He even had shurikens (ninja throwing stars) concealed in a pocket and he was lazily twirling a wooden staff in his hands – which had a red ribbon tied on one end.
He took advantage of the darkened room and hid behind a pillar to avoid conversation.
Or so he thought.
"Cool costume!" A man dressed as Wolverine came up to him.
"Thanks."
"Makes you look practically invisible behind this pillar." The man remarked.
Chandler rolled his eyes.
"Obviously, not well enough."
"So why are you hiding?"
"To avoid awkward conversations?"
"One generally does not avoid conversation at a party like this." The man replied.
Chandler shook his head. He generally felt awkward in these big social functions.
"Well, you should probably make the most of this night... even if you look like a fool, no one will know." The man mused.
"What about the de-masking?" Chandler refuted.
"Oh chances are that no one will recognize you. Most of the invitations were given out randomly." The man said with great amusement in his voice.
"And how do you know all this?" Chandler asked suspiciously.
"Because I am the host! Now go on and have fun!" The man lightly shoved a rather surprised Chandler out from his hiding spot.
Chandler ended up walking over towards the drinks table – if he was going to survive this night, he might as well do it with some alcohol.
/~^~\
"Oh wow, this place is huge!" Rachel grinned at Monica as they entered the ballroom after showing their invitations to a person dressed as a medieval guardsman.
"It's all spooky and mysterious looking!" Monica looks around at the enormous dimly lit room.
"Well figures, we are in Manhattan after all."
"That's true." Monica replied.
It wasn't long before two guys dressed as identical wizards got Rachel and Monica to dance with them. Monica found it quite interesting that everyone seemed to be using pseudonyms to conceal their identity – so she decided just to go with Cat Woman.
She noted with amusement that Rachel went by Princess Green.
Well, after all, Rachel was the one stuck in fairytale land tonight.
"So, my name is Mage Selwyn." The wizard dancing with Monica introduced himself.
"And I am obviously Cat Woman. Pleased to meet your acquaintance." Monica replied amusedly.
"To you too. Tis a fine night for dancing."
"Oh I know! Is Selwyn your real name?" Monica smiled.
Mage Selwyn had a charming personality.
"Oh no! If you seek my real name, you are going to have to look elsewhere, my lady." The mage's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Well, it is a masquerade after all." Monica replied knowingly.
"I agree. True names have power here." The mage tried to go for a wise and sober expression which ended up making Monica laugh.
The mage laughed as well.
"You see, that's the one expression I can't do well – looking wise."
"Well you are kind of young for the old and wise look." Monica remarked.
"I guess you are right." The mage nodded.
Too soon, the song was over, and another person dressed as a white knight cut in to dance with Monica.
"So I heard you were Cat Woman." The knight remarked with a slight English accent.
"That's me!" Monica smiled at the man dressed in bulky white painted cardboard armour.
"Well, I am Prince William of England, but I dropped my crown somewhere."
"That's alright – I was dancing with a mage earlier. So I can believe anything tonight." Monica reassures the "prince".
"Oh that's good."
"Yup, I've been having fun so far." Monica gave the knight a grin.
"Jolly, fun concept indeed – brings together a bunch of strangers – dress them up all fancy and have a party."
"Oh I agree. Whoever came up with this had a brilliant mind." Monica replied.
"So who's that fair damsel over there?" The knight inquired, pointing at Rachel.
"Oh that's just Princess Green; she's out hunting for her prince tonight." Monica gave the knight a wink.
"Mayhaps I should give a try." He grinned.
"I can introduce you to her afterwards." Monica was happy to set up her friend.
After the dance, Monica brought over Prince William to Rachel and they ended up dancing the next dance.
Monica decided that she needed a drink.
On the way over to the table, she stumbled upon a man all dressed in black – which caused him to drop his drink-filled glass onto the floor.