Ensign Leran Perax - I Can’t Dance
Peregrine Falcon
((Holodeck 2, Deck 11, USS Constitution-B))
Perax made his way to the refreshment table and began perusing the options. He looked up and around, trying to keep his distance from others. oO If anyone starts singing “Masquerade” from The Phantom of the Opera, and a man dressed in a red opera costume and golden mask shows up with a sword, I’m gone. Oo
((OOC: I discussed the costuming ahead of time))
He didn’t see anyone with that description thankfully, but he did see another mask that he found unsettling. A woman was approaching who had a delicate and ornate heart shaped mask that was colored pink and white with flowers near the rounded tops. Perax knew just enough to know that this was a more traditional mask, and he gave the slightest shutter as the mask reminded him of some of those creepy porcelain dolls that he saw in antique shops when he was on earth.
Perax: ::he spoke tentatively:: hello.
Terpes: Ey, hi! Who might that be?
He tried to judge her voice, height, and build to determine if he had met her before. He decided he hadn’t.
Perax: I’m Leran Perax.
Terpes: Perax! ... Perax? :: She thought for a moment but didn't recall meeting him before :: I'm not sure this works like this, but ... I'm Maiman Terpes. A pleasure to meet you.
Perax: Don’t you find it slightly creepy that it’s hard to tell who is who? ::he glanced around to make sure he was keeping a slight distance from others::
Terpes: I see what you mean, but I believe it's the purpose of it. To mingle as equals, not worrying about who is it, but in our case, that won't be exactly like that.
He blinked behind his mask. oO Equals? But aren’t we already equals in the Federation? Oh! Maybe she means earlier. Oo
Perax: I suppose at one time that was a useful idea.
Terpes: I was affected by our last situation so sorry if I don't remember having meet you before.
Perax: ::smiles slightly:: Well, I wasn’t affected, and I don’t remember meeting you before either, so if we did meet and you forgot, so did I.
Terpes: At least this :: pointing to the mask :: keeps my face from showing what I feel so it helps being more forthcoming in some aspects.
Perax: I find it uncomfortable. So much relies on being able to read the people around you, and the masks obscure so much.
Terpes: Do you like these kind of parties? Or is there any other kind you prefer?
Watching her move slowly under the her cape, Perax had some concern. She could be hiding something under that cape. oO She could have a phaser or disruptor hidden. Oo He relaxed slightly when he saw her hand was empty, and she tilted her mask slightly.
Terpes: Don't worry, I'm with the couseling department, you can trust me despite that I'm wearing this.
Perax: oO A counsellor, I guess it makes sense a ship this size would have more than one. Oo Well, No, actually. I prefer to be able to know who I’m talking to, and I had a friend at the academy who read nonstop. I read a bunch of classics while at the academy as a result, and masquerade balls were always portrayed as opportunities for criminals. A ball is also difficult because I never learned to dance. ::he blushed slightly; he noted that he did that a lot recently:: I mean, dancing isn’t exactly a required skill on a freighter, and I hadn’t even considered joining Starfleet until…
He realized he was beginning to ramble and shut his mouth.
Terpes: response
Perax: ::he sighed heavily:: I’m not usually much fun at parties. I tend to stand in the corner and watch everyone else have fun. It’s different if I know the people there, but I still feel relatively new on the Constitution, and the masks make it harder to recognize people.
Terpes: response
Perax noticed a Cardassian male, unmasked, on the far side of the room. He suppressed a shudder
Perax: Another reason this party is especially hard is because the Cardassians are here. Lieutenant Ba’el has me reading about Cardassians trying to help me get over my fear of them, but I haven’t gotten far yet. I learned they like threes. ::he gave a slight chuckle:: Perhaps they would enjoy a waltz
Terpes: response
Perax: ::he turned away from the Cardassian and faced Terpes again:: It’s a long story. So, what kind of parties do you like?
Terpes: response