CA: New Year's Masquerade

Winter Event 2:
"End of the year Ballroom Masquerade"

New Year's is upon us and this year the Trinity are celebrating in grand style! They've book a massive ballroom in New York City that over looks the city and water for a perfect view of the gorgeous lights and festive fireworks. Champagne, sparkling juices, all kinds of treats and sweets, all you can eat food tables, balloons, ribbons, glittering hanging crystals, brilliant beautiful lights, flowers, themed photo op corners, mistletoe hung everywhere, dance floor and DJ! Diamond Unicorn and Moonstone Kirin have gone ALL OUT on the decor and have spared no expense! They've even blocked off and rented enough cushy hotel suites for everyone to stay in and the best part about having this on the surface means that you can bring any date you want! Dress in your finest complete with mask and ring in the new year with your favourite person in the world!

Draw your girl at the party and tell us all about their night!

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Ruby let out a quiet giggle and kicked her feet, "It's going to be so much fun, I can't wait! All the pretty dresses and the music, and the food! I can't wait to see what everyone is going to wear!" She babbled excitedly into the phone as she wiggled on her bed. She usually wasn't this excited for a party. Normally, she'd try to avoid going to something like this at all costs, however, given who was all going, she found herself getting more and more worked up as the day drew closer. The girls she'd met in the Caverns had become a strange new family where she felt welcomed and accepted and not at all like the oddball outcast she felt like in her everyday life. Everyone at her school more or less ignored her to the point where when Prom had come up, she had instead stayed home and spent her night doing what she always did. Playing Pokemon on her DS and chatting over Skype with Sienna. 

The voice on the other end gave a chuckle and Ruby could all but see her sister from another mister shaking her head. "Oh c'mon," the brunette pouted, "You can't tell me you aren't looking forward to a night of dancing with the girls and fireworks." Not that Ruby would do much dancing herself, she wasn't too good at it, though she could wiggle and shake and spin just fine.  When she was alone. It wasn't exactly elegant or anything, but she had fun sometimes when someone managed to coerce her to dance in front of people. 

Sienna laughed again, "Yeah it should be fun! I just can't believe how excite YOU are getting over this! Parties aren't really your thing."

"I know, I know," Ruby's cheeks flushed as rolled onto her stomach, stretching her legs out and flexing her toes, "It's just...well, I mean, c'mon. It's New York. NEW YORK. New Year's in New York! I've never been anywhere like that and it's exciting, okay!" 

"It's true, that is pretty awesome," her friend agreed with a grin, "But it's late here now, I need sleep. Let me know what time you're planning to arrive and I'll see you there! Save a dance for me, got it?"

"Of course! Sleep well!" Ruby hung up the phone after saying their goodbyes and flipped onto her back again. Now to figure out what to wear. A masquerade ball. Not just a party, not just dress up. This was something special entirely. She didn't think she could possibly create something that would work. Her sewing skills were good, but not that good yet. And she wanted sparkly for this. Even if she did try to sew something, there would not be nearly enough time for what she envisioned when it came to beading. 

"New York?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by an incredulous voice and she grimaced. Uh oh. She slowly looked over at the doorway to her bedroom where her mother stood, arms folded across her plump figure. "New York?" The woman continued, "And when were you planning on telling us you were going to New York for New Year's?"

"I said I was going to spend the weekend with Sienna," Ruby started, standing up to face her mother.

She was cut off from further explanation, "Yes, but you didn't say you were going to New York with her. Do her parents know? Who's going with you? Who's going with her? Who is going to be there? Will you know anyone else? Where are you staying?"

The barrage of questions made Ruby cringe further. She hadn't exactly been forward with her family and her new life and new friends. She'd barely managed to get away with what she had been so far, using excuses like studying at the library or that she was staying at a friends. She'd told them she'd made a few new friends at school, through one of the after school clubs, but she never went into detail about the whos or whats and she didn't know how much longer she could keep it up before someone started getting too suspicious and asking her more questions. It was bad enough her older brothers keep eyeing her skeptically every time she said something or went somewhere. But so far, neither had confronted her. Thankfully.

She waited for her mom to finish before she replied, "Yes, her parents know, Sienna, me and a couple other girls we know from our clubs will be there, there will be lots of people there and don't worry, there will be plenty of chaperones to watch over everyone and we're staying at the hotel it's hosted at." She set her shoulders and gave a small nod, hoping it was enough.

Mama Carreira pursed her lips in thought for several long moments. Ruby shifted uncomfortably, praying she wouldn't ban her from going. Finally, the woman spoke, "Okay. You can go, on one condition." Ah, there it was. A shiver ran up Ruby's spine as her mother continued, "Javier goes with you."

"But mooooom!" Ruby's eyes went wide and she nearly fell, "Noooo! You can't, he can't!" No, no, no, this was not good. She couldn't have her brother there, couldn't let her real life and secret life collide like that. Especially not with him. Not Javier. That butthead would try to hit on everyone. EVERYONE. Her brain raced trying to think of some good and logical excuse to give that he shouldn't go, but her mother was faster.

"I will not have my daughter flying to New York by herself for a New Year's party of all things. You're only 17, Rosalina. You can either take your brother as your chaperone you can stay here with the rest of us and spend New Year's at home." Mama Carreira stood firm, one hand on her hip now as her stare challenged her daughter. 

The two stood in silence for a moment, before Ruby's shoulders sank and she sighed. She knew there was no way out of this. Either she agreed or her mom would keep her busy the whole time and not let her out of her sight. So much for an easy teleport there. She'd have to actually book a flight now. "Fine....Javier then."

Her mother smiled triumphantly and nodded, "Good. I'll sleep better knowing he's with you." Turning towards the kitchen, she called out to her eldest son, "Javier! Change of plans, you're going to New York with Ruby for New Year's!"

The reply was pretty much what Ruby expected from him.

"Hold up, I'm what now??"

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The plane ride was long and utterly boring. Ruby spent most of the time sitting in her seat, glaring at Javier and using her foot to constantly push his legs away from her, much to his own annoyance. But finally, after what seemed like forever, they landed in New York and soon enough on their way to the hotel where her friends were waiting. 

Reaching over, she poked her brother in the side of the head, her finger pushing a little harder until he tilted his head and glared at her sideways. "You," she spoke, answering his glare with one of her own, "Are not to talk to anyone, do you understand me? A-NY-ONE. Especially not my friends. In fact, if you'd rather stay in your hotel room I won't tell mom. Or if you want to go somewhere else. Anywhere else."

Javier rolled his eyes and pushed his sister's hand away from his face. It was true, he'd rather be anywhere else than accompanying his little sister to some silly kiddy party, but he'd made a promise and as loathe as he was to keep it, his mother's wrath was not something to toy with, "Look, you and I both know she'd find out one way or another, so let's just save ourselves the trouble and pain and do as we're asked. It's better for our health. If it makes you feel any better, I'll just hang by the punch bowl or something, okay?"

Ruby pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes at him. She was silent for several moments before she sighed. She knew he was right, but it didn't make it any easier for her. She just really hoped she wouldn't have to explain too much to him. "Fine..." She prayed things didn't get too weird. 

They got to hotel quickly enough and unloaded their suitcases. While Javier checked in, Ruby pulled out her phone and texted Kyung-Mi, letting her know she was here. Her friend responded with the room number she was in and as soon as the Carreira siblings had dropped off their things, Ruby took her leave and headed to meet Kyung-Mi and Kachina. Garment bag slung over one arm, portable garment steamer in the other, she rattled off which room she was going to in, how long she was going to be and where and when Javier could meet her when she was ready to go. Her brother simply waved his hand and flopped on the bed to take a nap. If he was going to be up for who knows how long after that flight, he might as well get in sleep now. 

Satisfied he wasn't going to get into any trouble, Ruby found the room number she needed and knocked, grinning widely when an equally happy Kyung-Mi opened the door for her. 

"You're here!!" Kyung-Mi squealed.

"I'm here!" Ruby relpied and hugged her friend, then squealed herself when Kachina bounced up behind them to embrace them both. Ruby giggled and grinned, "And Kachina! Yay! We're all here! Now let's get pretty!"

The three girls spent the next several hours de-wrinkling dresses, pinning hair, putting on make up and adjusting each other's outfits just so. It was all going perfectly until Kyung-Mi's twin brother showed up, interrupting their girl time. Kyung-Mi did her best to usher him out as quickly as she could, but Ruby could already tell she didn't like him. He had that cock-sure smirk she hated whenever her brother hit on girls. Huffing once the twins had gone, she turned back to the mirror to pin her mask in place, "At least I'm not the only one who has to suffer with her sibling tonight?" She laughed a little, sympathy for Kyung-Mi overriding her irritation. 

Kachina laughed, "Oh come on, he didn't seem so bad. And I doubt your brother is as bad as you say he is."

"You haven't lived with him your entire life."

"Besides," the dark haired girl smiled and straightened up, looking gorgeous in her chosen attire, "You'll be too busy with everyone else to pay attention to him."

Ruby smiled back, "You're right, and if he gets to be too annoying, we'll feed him to Fat Bastard."

They giggled for several minutes, talking about the different ways to rid themselves of annoying brothers on their way down to meet up with Ruby's aforementioned annoying brother. Javier raised an eyebrow at the girls as they tried to quiet themselves. He was half tempted to ask what they found so humourous, but he decided against it and simply stood to meet them. He had to admit though, he nearly didn't recognize his sister. He'd seen her in all sorts of costumes over the years, but nothing quite this...grown up. And her friend was quite the lady as well. Perhaps tonight wouldn't be so terrible, if there were going to be other equally attractive women for him to occupy his time with. 

"Javier," Ruby stated matter-of-factly, "This is Kachina. Kachina, my brother, Javier."

"Nice to meet you," Kachina giggled softly, extending her hand.

Javier gave a small, sideways grin and took the offered hand, turning it over to kiss the back of it. "The pleasure is all mine."

Ruby puffed her cheeks slightly and huffed, "C'mon, we're going to be late."

Her brother chuckled and turned, offering an arm to each of the girls, which they accepted, "Well then, shall we?" Yup. Perhaps tonight wouldn't be so bad after all. The trio stepped into the elevator and headed towards the ballroom.

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Oh man, it's been ages since I've properly written much of anything. Words, what are they?? lol anyway, poor poor Ruby, having to suffer her brother as her chaperone. XD Though I have a feeling he's going to spend more time trying to hit on the ladies and get in some dancing to bother with paying attention to Ruby. Not that he has to worry about her. lol She'll be too busy dancing with her friends anyway. XDDD 

Maybe if I have some time I'll do up another little write up from Javi's perspective at the dance. lol I'm sure he'd get himself into all kinds of trouble! With all these smexy ladies, yeah....yeah. lol Anyone who'd like to be included in that, feel free to let me know and how your girl might interact with him, and I'll see if I can work up something. No guarantees though, writing has not been easy for me lately lol. On the same note, anyone who might like to steal a dance from Ruby, by all means, steal her away! She'd love to get in there, though she's not the greatest of dancers. lol

Ruby, Javier, Mamma C and art belong to
Sienna belongs to
Kyung-Mi and Kevin belong to
Kachina belongs to
Background: Blackpool Bokeh Ballroom - free premade stock