The Masquerade!

[avibusraris]

Have you signed up to go to the ball? Not everyone is going, and they don't have to! But they are highly encouraged to. Whether they have a date or not depends on how they'll be getting there. If they do have a specific date then the car that picks them up will be a regular guard car, and they will be told to get into the back and be escorted that way. The guard's cannot be harmed in their car, there is a metal blockade in the car, so sorry! For those that don't have a date, they'll be expected to get into a limo, taking about six or seven inmates at once! You might find your friends in the limo on the way there, yay!

The guards will take the inmates to a secluded spot on an entirely different island than the main one the prison is on. It's a coliseum, one that's used for special events involving horses and other fun animals. The Warden special ordered a massive tent that covers the entire coliseum, and there are heat lamps scattered about within. It's cold outside, these are a must! Around the perimeter of the tent there are several guards with loaded guns. They're standing about, watching very carefully, and if anyone tries to attack another inmate or tries to escape they will be shot on sight, no questions asked.

Comments

[unhappy]

[ Once Joan got tired of being out on the dance floor read: watching everyone else dance if she didn't get talked into anything she headed over to go get food. She's got a nice plate of it and is sitting at one of the tables by herself for now, since she didn't spot anyone she knew right away when she first came in. ]

[starcharted]

[ The last thing John wanted to see was one of his friends sitting alone, so he was quick to make a beeline and seat himself across from her without a second thought. ]

How many guesses do I get to figure out who you are?

[ He obviously already knew, but at least it was a pleasant way to start a conversation. ]

[unhappy]

One, since we have to test just how good you've gotten at solving things.

[ She knew he already knew, which merited a smile at least. ]

[starcharted]

I'd better make my guess count then! Let's see...

[ He propped his elbows on the table and put his chin on his hands, an overly concentrated look on his face. He had known before he had even seen her that she was likely to be feeling solemn -- he had too, after all, the first time he had died. He couldn't imagine how much worse it must have been to lose a friend along the way. Even if he didn't know how well it would work, he was going to try his best to at least make her laugh.

Abruptly he threw his hands in the air and stood up, making a show of circling around to Joan and leaning in close. ]

After careful consideration, I've come to one surefire conclusion. You, miss, are in actuality none other than the illusive Sherlock Holmes!

[ He pointed at her for effect. ]

[unhappy]

I think you might need a little more practice.

[ She knows he's joking at least, and her appreciation shows on her face, even with the mask obscuring some of it. ]

[starcharted]

Nonsense! My skills of deduction are spot on.

[ He couldn't say that with a straight face, so instead he laughed and once again found a seat. ]

I'm really happy you came, you know.

[unhappy]

Nothing ever got solved moping alone.

[ And it's easier to think about things that aren't that if her mind's occupied. ]

[starcharted]

Speaking of solving things... do you think we might have an opportunity to find a new lead tonight?

[ His voice was more hushed than it usually was. Didn't want anyone listening in! ]

[unhappy]

[ For a brief second Joan had to curb the urge to tell him that frankly, whatever they're planning can't be much worse than what the prison itself does. Everyone was in danger, anonymous vague-threat or not, and that was the truth.

..But they didn't need extra threats on top of the threats that were already there, and just because there was a very bad bad didn't invalidate the other bads. Joan was well aware the thoughts were just induced by distress from recent events. Two days wasn't long enough to recover from something like that. ]

We might, if we talk to the right people.

[ She hasn't exactly been proactive with that, but it could be something to delve into. ]

It might be kind of hard to tell much in person since many people act differently online than they do in person.

[starcharted]

I had thought about that, though if we're to believe they are, in fact, a girl then that narrows the possibilities quite considerably. Regardless, I wouldn't discount anyone. You never know what might be prove to be useful in the future.

[ He could tell that she was under stress, and normally he would have been all about trying to fix that problem but the truth was that Joan didn't seem to want to talk about her feelings so openly. Involving her in something else to think about was the only thing he knew to do for her. ]

That might be true, but we're smart. We'll get to the bottom of it.

[wayoutsidethebox]

Hey, mind if I sit here?

[This is someone she'd seen around but had never gotten the chance to chat with. Might as well, she needed a break.]

[unhappy]

Not at all.

[ Joan gave a little bit of a smile. Honestly, she didn't know how people got be so.. okay, for the most part, after only a couple of days. But that was why she was avoiding people for the most part, because she didn't know if she could constantly act okay. A little bit doesn't hurt though, and it is a party. ]

I don't think we've met.

[wayoutsidethebox]

Mnm, nope, we haven't. [Sitting first her food and then her body down, she reaches across the table, offering her hand for a shake.]

Skye.

[unhappy]

[ Joan shakes her hand back, very professional in nature. Firm handshake, confident, her posture is straight and everything. ]

Joan Watson. Nice to meet you.