Masquerade Ball

[Admin]

Here is the ball. Listen to Asher and the Irish band, dance, but watch the shadows-someone may be lurking nearby!

Running from December 1st to the 31st.

[Chase]

Mush walked into the hall and he looked around. The place was packed. He had no idea who anyone was of course. The girls looked beautiful in their dresses and the guys looked better than usual. He spotted someone in a mask with musical notes on it. He smiled and walked over. "Hey Ash." He whispered. "Nice mask." Mush laughed. Only Asher would wear a mask like that. Then, he laughed even harder. Someone entered the hall with a cat mask on.


Chase hesitated outside before walking into Irving Hall. People, he thought, great. He took a deep breath and pushed open the doors. There were people everywhere. He looked around for someone he knew then he could have kicked himself. Of course he wouldn't see anyone he knew. They were all wearing masks. Idiot, he scolded himself. He grabbed a drink off a nearby table and watched people dance and sing and laugh.

[Street]

Levi had come with Asher and now stood by him and Sean, all dressed to perfection (Street and Mercury threatened them) and with them, Eli. They were the babysitters. Being paid five dollars when they brought Eli back to Goldie. Irish was lounging somewhere in the corner, being anti-social. Mercury was running back and forth, trying to take care of everything and everyone. Levi sighed. Street had told him she'd be here, but where was she? She hadn't told him what she'd look like and Asher was being mum. Levi knew that if he didn't guess right he'd be in the dog house, permenantly.

Street entered slowly, closing the door quietly behind, almost shutting her large dress in the door. But she saved it, and as she moved to the side, she bumped into someone wearing a cat mask. "Sorry." She said absently, scanning the room for Levi.

Ophelia entered from a side door, so no one would see her dateless. She knew she looked awesome, she had spent a lot of money on the costume, and on everybody that use to be her friend. Street and all them.

Killer slinked in and pushed past a short blonde girl in a black dress. He smiled to himself. Maybe. He saw a tall, curvy blonde in gold just come. Probably. Mostly, it was other boys. A little black boy pushed past him hurriedly, to get to five teen boys standing by the stage. Killer growled, he hated kids. He hated himself when he was a kid. That's why he drowned the Indian boy when he had stayed in that village in Dakota.

[Chase]

Chase looked through his mask to see who bumped him. His stomach did a backflip, it was Street. He could tell by her voice. He was about to say hi to her when some tall guy walked in. Chase couldn't tell who it was. A small kid rushed passed and the tall guy growled. He actually growled. The kid ran towards the stage and stood by 5 teenage guys. He inched his way over there. Drink in one hand and the other in his pocket. He scanned
the entire place for a sign of Street. He couldn't find her anywhere. His spirits fell and he grabbed another drink.

[Street]

Levi turned to face the newcomer. He bumped Asher, and he spilt his drink down his front. "Dammit, Levi!" Then he spotted Chase. "Oh hey. Didn't see you there? Do I know you? I don't think I know you... Do I know him?" Levi grinned, but shook his head. Sean sighed and drained his drink. "Nice to meet you, I'm Asher Cromwell." Levi winked at Chase, he was planning on getting Asher drunk and unleashing him on the 'stranger'. Namely, Chase Neumann.

Street hummed a tune and moved towards the drink table, by six teen boys. She laughed as a cute little black boy danced, then she recognized him. "Eli!" She called, waving him over. Levi's head snapped towards her voice.

"S***. She's lookin' good tonight. Too good." Sean said slurring, he'd started drinking hours before. Levi and Asher nodded mutely, Levi was stunned. This was Street?

Ophelia looked around the room some more, desperate to find Mush. She needed to find him, and find him NOW.

Killer grabbed a drink and dumped some, to look like he'd been drinking. He wasn't going to tonight. No, tonight he had work to do... He frowned at the small blonde girl, she was attracting to much attention. He narrowed his eyes at the other blonde, the one in gold. She seemed lonely... He smirked and turned his back on her. Later, when more drinks had been consumed.

[Chase]

Chase waved at Asher, not wanting him to know who he was. He glared at Levi who just smired at him. Levi had that look that he knew. Chase turned away and bumped a tall tan guy with brown curly hair. "Excuse me." He said and he moved to the drink table. Chase looked after him thinking he knew him. He shrugged and looked for Street again. He found her and walked towards her. "Hey." He said coming up behind her. He had given his other drink to some kid so he reached around her to get another one. "It's meh. Chase." He smiled at her.

[Street]

Street smiled. "I know. I can just tell. Besides, the cat thing." She tapped his mask. "Tiger, remember?" She laughed quietly. "Do they know who I am... beside Asher I mean? I didn't know ya were comin' Chase, else I would've done me hair." She was joking of course, Scarlett had attacked her with a hair brush and pins and Street believed she was scarred for life now.

Levi sighed. Chase was moving on Street. Asher sighed too, the cute new guy had walked away. Asher knew he was cute because of his voice and how he carried himself. Like Sean and Levi, with a swagger. "I wish Chase was here..." Asher said, taking another drink.

Ophelia was by the drink table, but she turned to alcohol done and settled for a water. She glanced to a boy to her left. Then again. "Mush..." She said, "Mush! I am so glad I found you... I need to talk to you. It is important." She said hurriedly, touching his arm.

Killer yawned, by passing the dozing Irish. When was the music gonna start? Well, seeing as the singer was currently getting drunk, it seemed it would be a while. The band wasn't even here yet.

Eli was bored. Goldie had shoved him into this suit hurriedly, Bairn was crying. She had given him a nickle and her good pocket watch. She told him to tell Levi, Sean, Asher, and Mush that he was their responsibility. She'd pay them five dollars when they brought him home. Surely five drunk boys could equal one sober one to watch him... He sighed. Not likely. He knew them. Levi would disappear with a girl-maybe Street, Sean would get drunk and pass out, Mush would leave, and Asher would probably find a boy to play with. Eli didn't quite get it when Levi said 'play' with that wicked grin, but Eli shrugged it off, Asher was only a little older. It was his birthday too... Eli thought about attaching himself to Irish, but he knew Irish's goil was probably coming, so no. Maybe he should play with Mercury's young son, even if he was only six or so.

[Chase]

Brooke and Abby only just arrived and walked over to the guys they saw. Brooke smiled and walked over to Sean. She knew which one he was because of the way he stood and his hair. "Heya Sean." SHe smiled at him. Abby came up beside her. "Heya guys." She sounded a bit put out. She'd seen Irish when she walked in and remembered that he was engaged. Damn boys. You couldn't find a good honest one anywhere.

Mush looked up at the girl that was talking to him. "Ophelia?" He asked in awe. She looked beautiful in her new dress. And her mask was just... It all made Mush speechless. He nodded to her, unable to talk, and led her away from most of the crowd.

Chase looked at Street and smiled at her. "Nah, ya couldn't get any perttier. Ya look amazin'." He grabbed a drink and raised his glass in a toast to her.

[Street]

Sean turned hurriedly. His hand jumped to his hair, he ruffled it. "Oh, heya Brooke. How are ye doin'?" He smiled. "Oit's nice to see ye here, Oi mean it. God, ye're beautiful..." He said softly, well, what he thought was soft. Asher heard it from five feet away. He turned to Brooke's friend.

"Hi. I'm Asher, Brooke's sister. Here, have a flower." He said, smiling and handed a rose to her. He had pushed his mask up, the better to drink. "You look nice tonight Brooke, you too." He said to Abby. Levi said nothing, he was still watching Street and Chase, and grounding his teeth too.

Street blushed slightly. "Oh, I don't drink. I never did. Don't like it. Only time I ever had it was when Irish poured it down my throat when I was stabbed by Levi." She shrugged. "Ya look handsome too, seen Asher yet?"

Ophelia hugged Mush briefly. "I have something I must tell you. But, you cannot tell anyone and I also have a favor I need to ask of you." She bit her lip slightly, suddenly nervous. She believed she was going to throw up again.

[Chase]

Abby blushed and took the rose. "Thanks. My name's Abby. Abby Langston." She smiled at him. She looked him up and down. "Nice tux." She took a sip of her drink.

Mush took Ophelia's hand. She looked pale. "It's okay. Ya can tell meh. Come on sit down. Ya look sick." He lead her over to a chair and made her sit in it. He knelt down next to her on the ground.

Chase shrugged at Street. "That's probably betta for ya. I should stop to." He took another drink and downed it. He set the empty glass down and shook his head.

Brooke giggled and smoothed the front of her dress. "Thanks Sean. Ya look real handsome to." She stood by his side watching Abby talk to someone. She supposed it was Asher, but wasn't sure.

[Street]

Asher grinned, drinking some more. "Nice dress." He told her, nodding to her. He wanted his pretty sister out of Chase's view. Best keep her even prettier friend occupied. Street, however, was a bigger problem. Levi needed to get the molasses out his ass and do something for once. Asher smirked. "Staying to see me sing later?"

Ophelia bit her lip. "Mush. I am in... trouble. Not anything dangerous. A different type of trouble. A trouble that cannot be taken care of so easily. A girl like me cannot be in this kind of trouble." She started to cry, she took her mask off and dabbed at her eyes. "Mush, I am pregnant and I need you to say it is your's. Please..." She begged, a true tear leaking.

Street smiled. "Here. Take this." She handed him a water. "This'll clean out yer liver. Ya may wanna be sober tonight." She tried not to, but she was unsuccessful and glanced at where Asher was flirting heavily and Levi was glaring at him. "Wouldn't want ta make the wrong move, eh?"

Sean kissed Brooke's hand gently. "Ye smell wonderful." He glanced at Asher. "Oi don't think Asher's gonna switch sides anytime soon, so... Might wanna drop some hints for yer friend there." He nodded at Abby gently. Then grinned. "Bet somethin's gonna happen."

[Chase]

Abby smiled at him. "Of course i will stay and sing with you." She looked at him closer. She'd heard of him beforre. Asher, the entertainer. She smiled, she had heard him sing before. SHe loved the sound of his voice.

Mush stared at Ophelia with a blank look on his face. "Wha- How- Who? Whose is it?" He asked clenching his jaw together and looking anywhere but her. He couldn't believe it. She'd broken his heart, whored around with his friends, and now she was pregnant and wanted him back...

Chase smiled at Street and took the glass from her. He did drink water...sometimes. He just perfered alcohol. He shrugged and drank the water. It had kind of a bitter after taste to it since he'd just drank before he'd had it. He swallowed heavily and shook his head roughly again. He looked up and saw Street smiling at him. He smiled back then looked over to where Asher was chatting up a pretty girl. He gave Street a questioning look. "Whadda ya mean?"

Brooke's hand tingled from where Sean had kissed it. She smiled. She liked that. She glanced over at Asher and Abby and sighed. "Heya Ash." She called. "Enough with the chit chat, huh?" She gave him a look that said don't get her hopes up she's been through enough. He seemed to have caught it but went back to talking to Abby anyway. Brooke sighed. "Ah, well. She'll figure it out, eventually."

[Poet]

Walking in, Poet didn't seem her usual self, she seemed abit nervous to be around so may people for once. She looked around, scanning the room anxiously for her fiance, Irish. She wondered how many people knew...of course Sean knew right? She tilted her head and bit her bottom lip absently trying to focus enough to make out the different people in the room. It was quite easy to tell Street from the rest of the crowd so she walked over to the Bronx leader. She tapped Street on the shoulder lightly and cleared her throat,"Hey have you seen Irish?"she asked her voice as calm as she could make it at the moment. She felt as though the world already knew about her and Irish and with her committment issues in the past, she wondered what people thought.

Walking up behind Poet, Hunter grinned wrapping his arms around her waist playfully,"Looking for the fiance are you?"he taunted. Poet hissed and looked over her shoulder at him. "HUNTER!" she groaned as he smirked. She rolled her eyes,"I'd watch your arms if I were you...I'm pretty sure Irish will kill ya if ya don't" she warned. At that Hunter dropped his arms and looked over at Street,boy did she look good. He felt horrible he hadn't seen or talked to her in awhile, and it looked like someone else got to her before he could make her his own. He sighed softly and rested his chin on Poet's shoulder. She laughed abit and patted his head,"You'll be fine Hunter...."she whispered for only him to hear.

Ace stood in a corner by herself, drink in hand wondering absently where Spot would be. She sighed and looked down allowing her waves of hair to fall into her face. She hadn't seen him since the day they met, she kind of missed him. She thought foolishly to herself that she may stand a chance with the Brooklyn leader, but she doubted it as well.

Lucky looked around anxiously as she stood by the stage, her eyes scanning for Mercury, she owed him...alot. She ran a hand through her hair keeping her eyes open for him, he was probably upset that she hadn't made it to the store to help him out yet. She wondered if he would be upset with her or if he would be ok and just blow it off.

[Street]

Street laughed at Chase's face then felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned. "Oh! Hi Poet! I think yer boy is somewhere near the sofas. Sean told me he got off work late this mornin' and didn't get much sleep. I heard he was tryin' ta find the perfect outfit, just fer ya." Street smiled. "Have ya met Chase Neumann?" She asked, introducing the blonde boy to Poet. "Chase, this here is Poet, Irish's goil." She informed him. Street smiled at Hunter. "Hi Hunta! How've ya been? I don't get ta see ya enough." She told him, hugging him with one arm. "Still Poet's guard dog?" She laughed. "This here's Chase, a good friend of mine and Asher's."

Asher laughed. "I'm going on pretty soon so..." He stopped and looked at Levi. Levi was glaring at where Street stood with Chase. And now Poet and Hunter. Uh oh. "Look man, Hunter had his chance right? She went with you and if she hasn't left you yet, she won't. I'm taking care of Chase, alright? Hunter lives and dies for Poet's safety, so I don't think he'll go all the way to the Bronx..." Asher assured his friend quickly and quietly.

Ophelia shook her head. "I do not know, Mush. But... If Grandmama finds out, I'll be disowned and everything will go to Mercutio and Rosalind. Mush, I lived all my life as an heiress. Please... Just claim it is yours, maybe marry me, then when it is born I will give it up for adoption and divorce you, I promise. I cannot be disowned!" Ophelia sobbed, buring her face in her hands.

Sean grinned. "Well, would ye like me to get him drunk so something slips?" Sean asked playfully. "Oi've been dying to get Asher out there. And soon. Oi'm tired of him sneakin' around with lads and me and Levi havin' to clean up the mess with Moira and every other lass in love with him..." Sean shook his head. "Oi think yer friend Abby joined the line, too."

Mercury sipped his drink, checked his watch. The new boy he'd hired to watch the store had promised to run and get him if anything happened. The doctor had said Scarlett was due, and she'd been over-exerting herself lately with all the costumes. He had tired to teach Street and Asher how to sew but only Asher got it. He sighed. That boy was strange. Never saw a girl with him. He looked around. "Oh! Lucky! How are you doing? Okay since you fell through the floor?" He winked at her, and handed her a drink. "Look wonderful. Who made your dress? I don't remember you coming into the shop...?"

[Poet]

Poet looked at Chase and nodded politely,"nice ta meet ya...ummm I think I'm gonna go wake the bum up maybe he'll be more alive if he sees my face,"she said with a grin. She looked at Hunter when Street hugged him and she saw the slight pain in his eyes,poor thing.She took Hunter's hand momentarily,"you be a good guard dog and stay here ok...I think irish can take care a me just fine ey? maybeh you should try and find a nice goil to protect besides meh...ya need it hun,"she muttered to him. Hunter sighed and squeezed her hand abit before she let go,"Poet I think I'm damned ta hell ta watch over ya the rest of meh life whether yer with Irish or not,"he said lightly as he grabbed a drink from a passing waiter boy.He took a long drink before winking at her,"Go sweep the man off his feet Poet...you have a knack of doin' that ta most men...he's the lucky one,"he added before looking over at Street.

"Yeah...wish I had seen ya abit more ta be honest..."he said to her as he met her eyes finally and it hit him in the stomach hard knowing she was with Levi.He watched as Poet walked away toward the sofas and he felt lonely now.


Poet found Irish, sprawled across a sofa and in a light sleep it seemed. She smirked and plopped down sitting on his stomach acting as if he weren't there and crossing her legs humming softly as she looked around the room wondering how he'd react.

Lucky looked up,"Oh Heya Merc...sorreh I neva made it around tah da store...I got realleh caught up and ya know how Spot is, with everythin' that's been going on lately he's protective of us...don't blame him...oh the dress....I honestleh dunno I found it at a store and just had tah have it..."she replied her voice sweet and her smile bright.