#ball thread26 2

[boundlesschaos]

[ SNEAK ] - The Goddess Tower was a no-go before, but with flashy distractions at a high and visibility at a low, now is a better opportunity than you will get the rest of the night. The monastery staff have promised a very unforgiving punishment for those caught in forbidden grounds, but that only goes for those caught, right?

Poe herself traipses through the hallways of the Goddess Tower this very eve.

Being a member of the staff offers her some more flexibility to do so, especially under the justification that she's on the hunt for those who are where they ought not be. She soften her steps so that her heels won't click against stone. A floral scent already drifts through the air tonight, not just in her wake. Her dress trails behind her as she rounds the corner—

"Oh!" The sound that escapes her reflexively seems almost joyous. "I would recognize that silhouette anywhere!"

Throughout the night, she had wondered about the tower. For this year to have it barred away, protected and watched to ensure that no one heads up there? There had to be another reason for such extreme measures, and it bothered Niamh that she did not have the answers.

On top of that, as the highlight of the ball had started, and the curtains had rose on the shows, she found quite a number of people collecting around the various performances made with moving pictures. It was crowded, busy, and above all, noisy - she'd have to return to one of the later showings and take a look at the performance's magic then.

So, she ventures towards the tower. She uses the darkness to her advantage, tip-toeing towards the stairs...

Only to hear her voice.

"...no you don't." She reflexively responds. She ducks down, but she knows that she doesn't have the means to hide if the darkness does not aide her. Especially not if someone like her spots her.

Does she run? No, not yet.

Her curiosity beats her need to survive. She wants to know why she's here, too.

[mercenarymage]

[ SPOTLIGHT ] - One of the lights in the main hall is mistakenly left operational—and its angle readily adjustable. Set up for an impromptu performance of your own, or play the world’s most extra wing-man by making a friend the center of all attention.

With a too cheerful grin, Sara has been toying with him like the unfortunate ant beneath the halo a magnifying glass. It's quite subtle intitially. She can't have him catching on or he'll spoil her game. The persistent ring of light chases Hugh and his shadow only when his back seems to be turned.

"Ah...!" In her haste to hide this time, her hand slides further than intended and the light skids across the ballroom, leading to inevitable discovery if he happens to be looking in the right direction.

Finally, Sara wordlessly waves from afar, dropping the act for good.

It's been bothering him for some time now. It's that strange sensation of being watched, but whenever he looks? Nothing! No tiny face poking out from behind a corner, no hushed laughter.

...but he definitely knows it's happening! Hugh has long known that he's a magnet for this kind of thing. Even when he doesn't immediately pick up on it, it's a honed sense that he just, knows, you know? Ok, maybe the fact that the lighting has been a bit too favorable has helped him catch on. Maybe he doesn't want to admit that it's probably gone on longer than he's noticed.

Still, the newfound knowledge doesn't narrow down the culprit for him, especially when his sight outside of the spotlight is fairly limited. How does he find them, then?

Just as he considers his options, the spotlight suddenly veers past him. It's difficult not to follow the light's path, and when his eyes meet with Sara's, he has to blink a couple more times to connect the dots.

He then points at her. "You're the one!"

Hugh heads on over. Despite the accusation, he doesn't sound mad, far from it. "Ha, you got me good! How long were you going to keep at it?" Considering what he knows? He may have been dealing with a haunted spotlight for the rest of the event.