ɪɴʙᴏx [ᴇxᴘɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ]

[chemex]

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masquarade event

[murderingjustice]

[It's already pretty late to the night, clock not too far from striking the midnight. Yet no one is showing a sign of slowing down, least of all Goro Akechi, who is actually enjoying his time at the party. While it's true that the atmosphere was to his liking, with all the opulence and dramatics going on, it was the mask that made him feel rather relaxed. It brought a certain feeling of safety in its anonymity. No need to keep up any pretenses or worry about what others might think or not think of him.

But despite that, Goro couldn't help but feel a little weird at the dance party. The hall was a little hazy and he found himself to feel somewhat lightheaded, almost as if he was tipsy. Truly, he wouldn't be too surprised if this turned into something out of the Cult of Dionysus. The masks, opulence and almost hedonistic indulgence would fit.

Well, whatever. Goro travels through the sea of masks, taking part to dancing and the games at will, feeling his steps light as feather. But then he comes across a stranger donned in dark with red jewelry, sporting a crimson colored rose on his mask. A match to the flower he had purchased from the vendor at the beginning of the party.]

Evening. It looks like we match.

[chemex]

[If Akechi feels tipsy, Akira is downright wasted. He hasn't worn his glasses in weeks, so even without the influence of the toads the sheer identity cloak provided by the mask is liberating in a way he didn't expect. He glides across the dance floor, drifting from partner to partner like a butterfly pollinating flowers, the whole time positively drunk on the anonymity.]

[He'll laugh about it all later, given how starkly obvious his entire ensemble is to anyone who actually knows him, but he supposes he has the frogs to thank for that forced lack of recognition. He turns at the approach of a new face, honey-blonde hair and a mask with horns that tug his memory oddly, and smiles, holding out a hand for Goro to take.] Looks like it. Care to dance?

[murderingjustice]

[Neither of them are very subtle when it comes to their costumes. In any other situation they'd be pretty obvious to pretty much anyone who knew them. But tonight, under the influence of the night they were just two strangers, meeting each other at the cross roads.

Lips pulling into an amused grin, Goro places his hand on top of Akira's, accepting the invitation and stepping forward into the other's personal space.]

Of course. But I warn you, stranger. I'm rather good.

[chemex]

[Akira's expression is mild, but pleased, and he curls his fingers around Goro's hand, reaching out to set his other hand at the dip of his waist.]

Yeah? Should I let you lead?

that icon...

[murderingjustice]

[With one smooth movement, Goro flicks the cape covering his right side over his shoulder. His own hand snakes behind Akira's back, finding its place resting against the other's shoulder blades.]

Maybe that might be for the best. However, I'll be curious to see if you could take the control away from me.

Re: that icon...

[chemex]

[Dark eyebrows raise behind a smoky gilded mask, and his mouth pulls into a sharp grin at one corner.] A challenge when we've just met? You're bold.

[murderingjustice]

Or maybe you might have bit more than you can chew by inviting me to dance? [He chuckles the answer. It's funny how relaxed he feels. It's almost as if even though his mind can't recognize his partner, his body does and reacts melts into the other so naturally.

When the band begins to play their next song. Goro pulls Akira's body closer to him, takes a step to their side and leads him to dance. It's proper waltz this time, with a tempo that requires much faster pace than their little private moment back in their living room during the Christmas Day. Goro keeps moving smoothly and with grace, body bouncing and swaying like he was flying.]

[chemex]

[Akira just croons a pleased little sound, shaking his head.] Doubtful. I love a challenge.

[He can't quite shake how familiar this guy feels despite the fog to his memory making who he is just out of reach. Their bodies simply fit together, like puzzle pieces, like they're meant to. With the challenge at hand, and Goro goading him, he stays focused to the motions and keeps up, not hesitant like he was on Christmas. His steps are smooth, heels clicking decisively against the dancefloor, following Goro like a shadow.]

[murderingjustice]

[Goro keeps grinning at his partner, clearly satisfied with the answer. In a way, it even makes him feel a little giddy inside to receive such attention from the other. Normally, he'd shun away from it. But now, with the influence of the whatever toad-magic was filling the air and liberation of the mask, he feels more safe to enjoy from the little treats of life that was normally so afraid of.

They keep spinning and twirling along the music, moving fluidly around the rest of the bodies inhabiting the dance floor.] I must say. You're much better than my usual dance partner.

[chemex]

[Another crooning chuckle, and Akira turns the tides, pulling Goro close and simultaneously bending forward, dipping him elegantly.] That's not very charitable of you.

[murderingjustice]

[A very pristine eyebrow raises behind the mask when he feels his upper body being maneuvered backwards. The grin on his lips gains a mischievous tone to it as he allows himself to be bend and dipped. How bold.]

Is it not? However, I only speak the truth. [When the dip is over he returns the favor, gripping tightly on Akira's hand as he proceeds to spin him and then pull back to him. They're breaking some of the steps here but it's fine. Goro sees a challenge.]

Or could it be that you don't like to hear of others being spoken about in middle of a dance?

[chemex]

[Akira spins neatly at Goro's guidance, coattails of his vest fanning out around him. He comes to a stop with his back to Goro's chest, and-- even tall as he is in comparison, leans over his shoulder to grin at him in a positively feline way.]

It could be that I want your attention only on me.

[murderingjustice]

[Goro is no means short himself, so it is rare that he finds someone else to be tall enough to lean over him. No doubt it's thanks to the sharp heels he's wearing. Their chime against the dance floor had caught his attention through the music. ]

I see. [He hums, voice light of laughter. Goro cocks his head to the side a bit and lowers his voice just a few tones.] Then you need to work harder than that. I'm not won over just by good dancing skills.

[chemex]

[Akira pivots in place with a few steps, never completely losing contact with Goro.] The chase only makes the capture more rewarding.

[murderingjustice]

[Goro looks at Akira with a curious yet assuming eyes when he takes the step back, inviting him to follow. A subtle and discreet act of dominance. How intriguing. While Goro has no intentions of letting himself to be swayed but that doesn't mean he's not going to enjoy from this game.

Using their tethered hands as a leverage, Goro pulls himself back to closer his partner, chest to chest.]

Careful. In the heat of a chase even smartest hunter might get lost and end up being the one pursued. [He flashes him a wolfish grin, places hand on Akira's back and pulls him into the dance once again.]

[chemex]

[His heels clack decisively against the floor as he follows Goro seamlessly.]

It's thrilling, isn't it? The push and pull.

[murderingjustice]

I'll have to agree to that. I do find the cat and mouse game rather entertaining, too. Along with solving mysteries. [Goro keeps leading them along the music, their bodies swaying ever so lightly as they keep spinning. The dance is rather physically taxing, especially considering that he's been doing this for a quite while. Also, despite the cold air outside, Goro can feel himself growing slightly sweaty underneath his royal garment. Good thing that the song is about to reach the climax he supposes.

And just when the last beats were about to play, Goro decides to be a little cheeky. He pulls Akira's body close to him, and decides to dip the other without any warning, his own body following as he presses his face close to Akira's.]

[chemex]

You sound like you'd get along well with my partner.

[He leaves it at that, matching Goro step for step-- his shirt is loose enough under the stylized tailcoat-vest that he isn't quite sweating, but adrenaline keeps his veins buzzing from their chemistry.]

[As the song draws to a close, he figures this mysterious stranger might try something, but the dip and the closeness of his face stuns him. His eyes are wide behind his half-mask, the curled locks of his fringe still mostly covering the half not covered in the decorative blood smear, and he adjusts his arms to hold onto Goro at the shoulders with both arms to reduce the amount of weight his arms have to keep at their dipped angle.] If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to court me. Then again... do I know better?

[murderingjustice]

Thinking of someone else during our dance? [Goro shakes his head and softly clicks his tongue in mock-reprimand.] I thought that was, ah how you put it, not very charitable?

[There is a light laughter in his tone, clearly enjoying the reaction from the other as he holds him in the final position just a tad bit too long, just for dramatics.] I did warn you about the danger of becoming the hunted, here.

[But the question does stir something within him. Do they know each other? Of course not, but at the same time... He can't help but have the feeling that he knows this body. It feels so familiar in his arms just like his scent. Yet he can't quite place his finger on it.

Goro straightens their back and takes a step back, giving him a small bow.] It is a masquerade. Thank you for the dance, my good sir.

[chemex]

[Goro he is never going to let you live down my good sir once the toad shit wears off, holy shit.]

[He folds into his own bow in respond, grinning sharply.] Anytime. Come back for another if you find yourself in need of some arm candy.

[murderingjustice]

[And here he is trying to be charming!]

Hah. Such bold words. [Goro chuckles, matching a grin with him.] Well, then. I ought to say same to you. In case you desire to have someone sweep off your feet again.

[chemex]

[By midnight he's taken off his figurative glass slippers, the half-mask previously covering his face pushed up into his hair in a last ditch effort for it to hold the style it's steadily escaping from. The red aster adorning the side of it now looks like it's just placed directly in his hair along with the ribbons and little red gemstones on the mask, and the height from his heels lets him scan the crowd for a familiar burnt honey shade of hair.]

[When he finds Goro he somehow manages to make no sound despite the heels, reaching his arms out and around his shoulders from behind and settling against him.] Boo.

[murderingjustice]

[Goro's standing by the balcony, looking out to the snowy view while holding a half-drunk cocktail glass in his hand. Despite still wearing his own mask over his eyes, he can sense the intoxication from the earlier slowly fade away, revealing a weariness underneath. He feels strangely both content yet uneasy. The sea of masks doesn't invite him back to the dance anymore, but presents itself as dangerous and dreadful.

A strange mix of feelings. Too overwhelming.

Goro raises his glass back to his lips, taking a sip of his honeyed-juniper tasting nectar. Then, feels pair of arms around him and soft voice against his ear. His eyes widens underneath the mask and he spins quickly around, almost spilling his drink.]

Yo-- [He almost shrieks, the last effects of the previous haze disappearing upon seeing familiar grey eyes.] Akira.

[chemex]

[Akira takes a half-step backward, just enough to let Goro spin in his grasp without either of them toppling or getting stepped on, and carefully reaches out to steady the hand he's got his drink in.] Hi. [His tone is warm, but noticeably tired as well.] You good?

[murderingjustice]

[The red eyes focus on the ornaments on the mask pushed up, lips pursing into a small frown when the memory from the earlier clicks. The dance, flamboyant gestures and all the flirting.]

How did you know it was me?