A Grand Masquerade Ball

"Bronze." He corrected to her about each time she said Siresh out loud in public. They were getting too personal. Maybe she didn't like being called miss Ward and was getting back at him? But what was he supposed to call her? Miss Daniel? The Daniel thing was getting old. And it wasn't working if she was dressed like this. He knew he couldn't believe it anyway, and this was coming from a man who forgot he was really living with a woman half the time. Tonight was one of those nights until she came out of the bathroom in this gorgeous dress and he stood dumbfounded until she left the comfort of their home. Even now, as he held her, the tiger was in a bit of disbelief. Reality was a hard enough concept for him sometimes, and Jasmine kept finding ways to keep him on his guard.

He was even surprised she came to dance so easily, even after admitting she didn't know how. It wasn't like her to try new things, especially new things that he suggested. His partner seemed skeptical at first, looking to other couples as his  hand reached for her back. It wasn't a spot she trusted him with on a normal day unless they were on a mission. And that was to purely watch it, not touch it. He led her through the dance without a care in the world, only feeling her step on him every other time due to one foot not actually being real. He didn't care regardless. She made a comment how he was full of surprises though and he wasn't quite sure what the half angel meant by that. "Is that a good thing?" The devious hacker decided to ask her, not exactly sure what sort of answer he expected to hear out of this.

Not much longer after, she tried to break away from him. She claimed she wasn't good enough and all that typical angsty Jasmine shit. The tiger rolled his eyes eyes of shimmering gold and reached back out for her hand and pulled her into him, holding her close to him at the waist with her back against him. "We're not done." Graceful or not, the young lady was going to give him a dance. A full one. Not a give up half way into it. "I have all the time in the ball to find Julianna and dance with her later. The first dance though, this is your honor. No one elses." The Brozus spoke smoothly to her, right into her neck as if they were lovers. Siresh took her moment of being off guard to throw her back out and pull her back in to continue their display. He'd wait until they were done before they talked business or the reason that they were here to begin with. This first dance was theirs. No one elses.

Joshua Rossi


Joshua had no problem being told where and when to go by his wife, honestly who would if they had a good looking woman like that. Not just good looking but she was also smart, classy, and strong. Tonight he wore a tailored white suit, with a red dress shirt underneath. Pity if he had to shed blood, but he'd cross that problem if it rose. On his face was a simple golden mask with a few small red flowers on the side. It matched his wife's.

Turning his head to his wife, he offered her a matching smile. His tone was gentle as he spoke to her, "Ants indeed. Let's hope tonight they make their queen proud, hm?" As the continued to walk together a soft chuckle escaped him, "Such a classy place, I do hope nothing bad ever happens to it. That would be a real shame." Then she would make a request, Jenever a German juniper liquor. "You have such a delicate refined taste my, dear. I will go and see if this... Classy establishment carries a taste as fine as yours." Before she left his side he would pull her right hand to his lips, pressing them to her soft cool skin. Giving her a gentle smooch he released her, and nodded softly to her. As he walked away from her his focus was now on the bar.

Once he was there he would ask the bartender for this Jenever that his wife craved.

Info learned:
NPC Jesus is armed and deadly under his suit and tie. Don't let that Brozus smile fool you.
Biran: He was talking with a blonde woman who then walked away. Biran is also the leader of Untamed. No mask for him

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Arden would show Biran his best smile as he listened to the man carry on about nothing he cared about. The unicorn didn't care about some lame ass boot-camp where your only incentive was a cold beer. Out running cops, now that was a real reason to run. Like much of his teenage years were spent, still he would wear his favorite fake smile. Which always came across as real. Reaching out, Arden would take the man's hand in his own. His handshake was firm, his grip was strong. The unicorn had to make sure not to allow his annoyance come through the handshake, which would have meant squeezing harder then he should. "Edward Phillips, Haha. I wish my life was as interesting. Personal fitness trainer. Unfortunately I don't have any special titles to throw out, but I'm great at making people sweat." His smile was playful, genuine. Half of his intro was the truth, he did indeed make people sweat, but not from working out. It's a wondrous thing what fear does to a person.

Next Arden looked to the Barkeep smiling, "I'll take a scotch on the rocks." As he got his drink he would, turn his attention back toward Biran. Even though Carz was smooth talking the other guy, Arden already had a hook in the open mouthed mercenary. Carz went on about a condom for his 'body type,' Arden wasn't grossed out by this. It didn't bother him at all actually, sex was just a normal thing to him. Sometimes he used it as a tool to get into homes to get to a target. And if Carzeah needed a special condom made, then good on him for getting his problems handled. It really wasn't any of Arden's business to be embarrassed. Nodding gently, and passively to Carz, Arden would grin (as said before) back to Biran. As of now he was ignoring the young woman who had put herself in the middle of the conversation, he wasn't interested in her right now. "So tell me then, Mr. Everard. What does a coordinator of the Untamed do? I've never heard of that group before." Sipping his scotch, he waited inquisitively.

Jasmine tried to escape. She did her damn best to do so. She wasn't a dancer by no means. Sure, York asked her to go dancing before and she did try. But she always ended up stepping on him and walking away. He always let her walk away too. He gave her space when she asked for it. But this wasn't York. This was Siresh. A part of her knew this. Okay maybe more than a part. She knew this wasn't York. Not by a long shot. She felt as if she could simply walk away like every other time. This time, when the blonde woman attempted to walk away like she always did, the man she was dancing with pulled her back in against him; trapping her there.

His hands held her at her hips as his lips spoke into her neck. Jasmine turned her head away from him, embarrassed at this. Embarrassed that he caught her? No. That was something she learned to deal with at this point. Siresh didn't understand personal space. Or rather he chose to ignore it and bother people with how close he was
It was how he dealt with his social awkwardness. That was something she dealt with now. It didn't phase her nearly as much as it used to. Not until he took it to the next level. What was causing the half angel to blush were the words he gingerly spoke to her. As if speaking to a lover he held dear. She wanted to stay like this. If only for a moment longer. To pretend they were lovers....if only for a time. Deep down she knew it wouldn't last. It never did. Why be happy when it was going to turn to shit? Why enjoy the small things when horrible days were around the corner?

It was when Siresh spun her out again Jasmine came up with her own answer. Because it was nice to feel wanted. To know someone simply wanted to see you. The thought caused a smile to spread her lips as her blue eyes glanced away from his brilliant golden ones. The dance was not over yet and Siresh Brozus was not going to simply let her walk off like she normally did. Mentally, she thanked him for it.

"Jasmine." She spoke her name as the half angel returned her gaze to the tiger. "My name is Jasmine. Stop calling me Miss Ward." It was here Jasmine studied Siresh's face more closely. How did he enjoy calling her by her first name in public? Not The Yazmine, nor Jas or Yaz, or even Daniel...Jasmine. After all, that was her name. And that was whom she was planning on being tonight
She had no reason to hide behind Daniel's name tonight. Not tonight.

Once the song came to an end, Jasmine continued to stand in front of Siresh, her head hanging low. It was just a dance with a guy. A guy she has been spending months with. A guy she was starting to learn to deal with. Letting out a sigh, she returned her gaze to him and smiled in earnest. "Thank you for this first dance, Bronze. Though, it would have been nice if you would have shown up earlier. I got stuck speaking with my new boss. Biran Everard. I got done telling him of how we had a miscarriage. Jesus was not happy to hear it and Biran looked as pale as a ghost. But told him I, Miss Jasmine Olson, would be returning to work shortly." hint hint, nudge nudge. Siresh surely could decode that. At the very least understand that Jesus now thought they had a child and it failed. But...just in case....Leaning up, Jasmine wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered to him. "When we go home...I need you to insert a file of me into the data base. I won't be able to play it off much longer." He should have gotten it now if he had any doubts

Travis listened to Patience as they walked and talked. What she said to him, he internally recorded and processed. At the mention of speaking with a Twin City Police officer, Travis looked at the young girl. For most everyone, Travis Valentine had a very blank thousand yard stare. Some found it intimidating. Good, he liked it when they did. Some, not many, could pick up on the slight differences between simply staring at you to try and harm you and staring at you as if you said something worth while. In this case, it was the latter of the two that was being used to Patience at this moment. "I see. Crime these days seem to go unchecked. People say the streets of our lovely town is starting to get unlawful. Your new friend, I take it he agreed with you on the fact that something needs to be done? If you could, extend my gratitude. Unless that person is here tonight, then I would enjoy thanking him or her for their hard work."

There were few cops that were useful. But when you found one that was willing to work for him, in some way or another, you never wanted to sound ungrateful. Joseph Travis and Chandler Valentine, his grandson and granddaughter-in-law both worked for this fine line of work. He respected their choice to shine away from his affairs, though they both still helped him when they could. Not because they were family, but because some things even the law needed help with. Harper was finding this out as well. Her soul was pure, much like his own son, Trever Valentine. The two wanted to do good not just by the family, but by the world. Trever simply would never be the son Travis wanted him to be, but with what he had done, he gave his first son respect. He had earned that more than a few times, though has many times earned his disappointment. Regardless, Trever would never be able to take over the family business. He wasn't made for that type of work. To make the really hard choices. Harper? She too would never take that role and he wouldn't want her too. What she was doing was what was right for her. She was helping in ways he could not nor would. With light there was darkness. Harper was too pure to be bad.

Travis' attention returned to Patience as she asked if there was anything she should be interested in. There was always something to be interested in. As to what exactly Travis wanted her to look into well that was the real question, wasn't it? Keeping his gaze forward, Travis spoke again to the animalian beside him. "I believe that there are some waves that are going to start soon. Who is going to start the first wave is yet to be decided. Then again, not all the players have entered. However..." Lazily, the demon glanced over to Rachael Rossi as she sat down at a table while her husband ran off to the bar. "I believe there might be some rodents scurrying around. I'd like for the vermin to be dealt with swiftly." He moved his gaze away from the blonde woman and continued walking until Patience decided to leave or take her to see this mystery cop.

Patience you see shit. Legit shit man. Something shined directly into your eyeball and it's hard to see anything.
But what you hear is this: "Ants indeed. Let's hope tonight they make their queen proud, hm? Such a classy place, I do hope nothing bad ever happens to it. That would be a real shame."

You don't know WHO said it, but you did hear it at the very least.

Chandler had been over the night again and again with JT. More times than she wanted to admit. It was one of the few times they got to speak to the family in a public setting without anyone freaking out. They had masks and most of the people who would recognize them would be people they have spent a very long time with. A very long time with. Chief Leo Prince had the night covered. Harper was covering the shift tonight. She seemed like she wanted to take the night off, but she toughed it out. Chandler had convinced JT that it was a good idea and told Chief before it was too late. Everything was going fine, he was just worrying. Yes, there were going to be a lot of people here. Yes, there was likely going to be a few people they needed to keep an eye on. And Yes, there was always going to be a Rossi to do something to them or the family. But that didn't mean that they couldn't enjoy their time. Not but a long shot.

Chandler escorted her husband in as he continued to worry about this that and the other thing. Her gaze glanced around the area, trying to find anyone that look familiar. Be it her grandfather, Luke Rossi, Harper, Travis and Elaina, or even Trever and Willow. Someone was going to stick out one way or another. They always did. "You are worrying too much...." As she said that, her eyes locked onto an officer that was fairly new to the city yet was making big waves in his department: Daamodar Bhatia. With a smile, Chandler started to move herself and her husband on over to him. Once she had reached the other officer, Chandler nodded to the man and spoke. "Officer Bhatia, how is your night going? My husband here was wondering if we're all secure or not, as he feels us taking the night off was a bad idea." She smirked to JT as he was likely going to make a comment about that. Oh well. He was cute when he was frustrated.

Jesus Brozus


After dropping that bomb, Jasmine was off. Done. Nothing. No other words. His heart ached as if another brother of his was dead. Why didn't she tell anyone? Why didn't Siresh say anything? They had been partners all this time and didn't once talk about how they lost a child. Maybe that was for the best though and purposeful in how they handled it. Mom would of been devastated. Jesus couldn't help but feel...rather sad inside. He was going to have to discuss it with them another time, they were probably terrified to start a family now after that heartbreak. But something was off though about Siresh starting a family with this girl anyway. His eyes narrowed over and tracked her movements up to Siresh and his eyes settled there a moment. Observing and still making heads or tails of what was said, someone began speaking to him.

A male with strikingly crimson hair tried to...compliment his business, he supposed. Of course, that's when he brought up his dilemma. His company caters to a lot of races and body types and phallus types. Of course, the research team couldn't find a solution to it all sometimes. "Yeah...trust me sometimes I have the desire to bang my wife as a fucking tiger. They have barbed penises though, ya know? 6 kids in now and we don't want anymore so my dreams will probably never be reality. Our research team works hard every day to bring new options to friends of all kinds though. Some are more difficult to find solutions for than others unfortunately so it can take some time." He explained to the fellow man before him. "But hey, I can look into your race and put it at the top of the stack of work to be done." Overseeing the management side of it, he couldn't really promise much more than that though, but perhaps it could help, especially if his race was less common. Jesus extended his hand over to him for a shake. "Obviously you know me. But who do I have the pleasure of speaking with this fine night?"

At the end of his tale of the old days, Soori came through to put in her two cents. Biran smirked over at her and nodded in regard to her. This Edward Phillips guy was a fitness dude bro of sorts. Maybe he can be persuaded to be interested in coming to their side of things and offering some muscle? The gentleman ordered a scotch on the rocks, a good hard way to go. He was a man Biran could come to appreciate perhaps. "I'm surprised. My boys are only the most well trained and experienced sell swords you'd ever meet. But I suppose you don't have much use for a few extra hands that are willing to get dirty sometimes. Real good hard work we do. When a job's too big for the SWAT asshole who likes to sit around all day and eat donuts, they hire my boys to seal the deal usually." Abel Malach was the fucking worst. Biran leaned over a bit toward his conversational partner and started again in a softer tone. "Sometimes we do less conventional work. Depends on what's gotta be done for who and at what price, ya know? We make good money in this town." He leaned back then and sent a big grin Edward's way. "We're looking for new able bodied men like yourself. Maybe you'll wanna stop in and tour the facility sometime." Biran offered kindly to him.

What was up with this red haired guy with him though? Fucking talking to a comrade of his as if Biran just didn't even exist. Sure. Not everyone needed to talk to him, but the moment he spoke a name, this weirdo was automatically into him like flies on shit. Was he looking for a fucking handout or for someone to feel bad for him because of his sex issues? Maybe some people just shouldn't get laid. Like rude ass losers like this fucking guy. The more Biran glared into the side of his face, the more he began to recollect. Right. This is the fucking jerk Saddie likes to hang out with. He better not be asking for condoms for her sake, Biran would throttle him where he stood. He kept an ear to the conversation beside him though, in case he incriminated himself.

Taking a moment to look around the bar, he saw an old buddy roll up and watched as the fag ordered a dirty martini. Not that Biran could say much on prime straight male drink orders some days. "Hey Orion, long time no see bud! You done crying about how I smoked you guys in volleyball yet? I haven't ya since. C'mon man, it was just a game." Ever the abrasive one, Biran Everard.

Did this Biran asshole ever shut the fuck up? He could talk himself up a damn pedestal, that was for sure. Personally, Carzeah didn't care but thought the guy could do the world some good by fucking staying up there in space after speaking so highly of himself. The actual hubris of some people was remarkable sometimes. Carzeah trusted Arden to take care of this though and turned his attention back to the conversation at hand.

Jesus Brozus shared quite a bit with him regarding his oddbarb...er ball, troubles with his feline bodied self. Carzeah didn't feel he needed the example or to be leveled with on that scale, but ok. Now he had more information than he needed and luckily enough it just rolled off of him. The rest of what he said made complete sense though. The man of volcanic nature took hold of the businessman's hand to give it a single firm shake and let go. "Carzeah The Warden." Yep, just playing it completely out in the open today. "I'm a Hellkin." Figured that information could be put to good enough use with the race now in the public databases. "If you can envision a human volcano, that's sort of what the deal is. Can't really blow a load into anything that doesn't have an internal body temperature or resistance to heat of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit." And there he was, being TMI when he just leveled with not doing so. Still, it was good for the guy to understand how extreme and deadly these matters were. "Anyway." This wasn't going to go any further, his personal mission was done. "You have a wonderful rest of your night Mr. Brozus. I hope you'll put in a good word." He bowed his head out of respect and went on his way from there.

I'm going to find something better to do. You give that drink I ordered to Mr. Everard. He assured his partner as he moved on. The indifferent male passed by the Lord and Lady of the Rossi house on the way and sent a slight nod their way in respect, but continued on without any words. Maybe it wasn't the most polite thing to do, but it wasn't like he was high enough on the pole to them to even know who he is anyway. Stopping to chat would likely paint a large target on his back anyway, even if he had any desire to. His direction from here was unclear but he navigated the crowd regardless.

Yep, she didn't like Miss Ward very much. Surprised by nothing typically, Siresh was shocked today. To learn that the name preferred was Jasmine above anything else. "Jasmine." The tiger slyly confirmed with a nod and a grin, one brighter with less mischief than usual. Regardless, he just knew she'd see it his way and continue to dance with him. They always come back. Even if he didn't really give her much of a choice in the matter. His partner was always so fun to mess with, as sometimes the littlest or the biggest things bothered her, but never both at the same time. She had her things she cared about and the things that she didn't. Apparently him pulling her in and acting all suave was one of those things that got to her. But wasn't just embarrassment she gave off to him in that moment. There was something else present at that moment. Something deeper, but he couldn't quite understand it. When he spun her out she came back smiling. No, that wasn't right? Where was Jasmine?

Of course, the angel that never left his grasp indeed was Jasmine. Their dance came to an end and still she was here. The golden eyes of the tiger shifted back and forth. What was she still here for? Why was she looking at him? But there was apparently business she needed to discuss after genuinely thanking him for the dance. "Ok..." His keen ears listened out for her every word but did not make eye contact. His partner spoke about the cover she had to provide to Biran due to the inconspicuous cover he had suggested to her that one time. He laughed actually. It wouldn't of been such a big deal, but apparently his brother had also been there to catch word of it and that wasn't good at all. Siresh was going to have to talk it out with the more handsome Brozus and let him know what was going on. Jesus could keep a secret like that thankfully, or at least he trusted the man to. "I'll talk to Jesus about it." and of course he was also thinking how he'd have to put her name in the system. He didn't have to be told, she laid it out in plain writing to him.

Alas, she took hold of him and got close. Craning her head to his ear he couldn't help but shudder a bit as her soft voice whispered directions to insert when they got home. He felt like he hung on those words for forever until she let him down and stated the obvious of him. He actually looked back at her to show discontent through narrowed eyes. "Really? Obviously, I heard you the first time." The tiger rolled his golden eyes then and made an irritated noise as he backed up from her. Now his boxer briefs were all tight for no reason and he was going to walk around funny all night until he could shake this off. "I read you loud and clear. We should go find Julianna if you say she's here. We have work to do."