Jaynehkins and Polokins again. :)

We know the plot.


My character:

Name: Shaun Collins
Appearance: Image
Age: 23 Years

Name: Amia-Anne Lychester
Age: 20
Appearance

It does let me see your dude's appearance.

Eep that's scary. XD

((So it should be! ))

The party was in full swing, but as usual, Shaun stayed near the back. The loud music was welcome in these troubled times, but the vibrations that it sent through the floor confused and disorientated him. He leaned back against the wall, his breathing sounding rattled and mechanical from behind the mask he wore.
"Nice costume, Mister!" A little child called as she dashed past.
"Thanks..." Shaun replied quietly, a bitter smile lifting the corners of his lips. This was why he came to this party, every single year. The mask was part of his usual attire, and usually it made him stand out like a sore thumb. But at this party, it made him blend right in. This was the one time he could be himself. His one escape from lonely reality.
A new song suddenly began blasting through the speakers, and Shaun let his foot tap along in time to it.
He wanted to get out there and talk to somebody. Dance a little, maybe... But solitude had made him timid and shy, and every year it became more difficult finding the guts to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Amia stepped into the party. Alone. Her emerald green gown flowing behind her. She had a mascaraed mask on as she floated through the room. Eying each guest as she walked past. Some were dressed in rather morbid costumes that made her skin prickle. Others were not so bad. Though, she realized she was the only one dressed as she was. Elegant and lovely. No one else found a need to look like that anymore apparently.
Sidling up to the drink table she poured herself a cup of the red punch that glittered in the crystal bowl. Taking a dainty sip of it she let out a small sigh. Watching the guests dance, and enjoy themselves. She was glad they could, people had been getting along well in these times thankfully. Though she was battling her own heart.

Shaun turned his head as he heard the soft tapping sound of approaching footsteps. He would guess from the sound that it was a woman... And as she got closer, and the sound became clearer, Shaun's assumptions were confirmed.
He could almost see her... Almost.
Letting his fingers trail over the bar so he didn't lose his bearings, Shaun edged toward the woman. She had come to him... This was as good a time as any to make an attempt at being friendly. "It's noisy, huh?" He murmured as he reached the woman, his one working eye tracking what he could see of her through his gas mask.
He couldn't see much... But it was better than being stone blind, at least.
"Shaun Collins." He introduced himself, holding out his gloved hand to the lady. "You are?"

Amia jumped when she heard a groggy voice coming from beside her. Turning to face the man in the gas mask she tilted her head for a moment and narrowed her green eyes before smiling.
"That it is." She replied in a friendly tone. When he reached out his glove masked hand she reached out and place her own small hand in his. "Amia Lychester." She said softly, but loud enough that her voice would be heard over the sound of the music.
"It is a lovely evening though I must say." Her smooth voice said as she leaned back against the bar casually.

"It is." Shaun agreed quietly, drawing in a deep breath of the crisp, clear air. "About time, too, with all the thunderstorms we've been having."
He sighed softly, and hoisted himself onto the bar stool behind him. The weather? He thought to himself in despair, I'm talking about... The weather?
"Hm, what a cliche conversation." He muttered with a chuckle, "Let's mix it up a bit, shall we...?" He paused a moment, letting his eye track the movement of the dancers with the help of his sensitive hearing. Finally, he pointed at one - his finger following the movement of a man dressed like Dracula. "What do you think his story is?" He asked, glancing curiously back at Amia.
He often did this by himself. Just watching people, and imagining what their lives might be like... Creating identities for them in his imagination. Perhaps, if his many assumptions had been correct, he would not have been such an outcast. But alas, it was human nature to fear what was different... And also, to hate what one feared.

A small smile played on Amia's lips as she took a sip of her punch. Then her reply came, "I love thunderstorms." It was soft and quite elegant, even though she didn't make her voice that way, that's the way it sounded.
Shifting from foot to foot in her high heels she shrugged slightly. She peered at the man Shaun pointed at and tilted her head slightly. A small delicate chuckle escaped her full lips as she watched the man dancing rather wildly. Though it wasn't even an attractive wild, it was more like an attention grabbing wild. Quite revolting actually.
"I'm assuming he's never had a girlfriend and never will by the way he dances." She said softly, but loudly enough that Shaun would be able to hear her over the sound of the blaring music. Not really caring for parties she just minded her own business usually. It was quite a shock that this 'Shaun' had picked her out to talk to. Though, it was nice to actually talk to someone normal. It seemed all the other people who tried to talk to her were like 'Dracula', attention grabbers.

Shaun chuckled softly at Amia's reply, his voice keeping to the same soft, low pitch as hers. It was nice. He hated conversations that were shouted over the music... There was no need to shout, as long as one spoke clearly.
"I think you're right." He replied, the tone of his voice showing the smile that his mask hid. "He's got a pretty expensive costume, so my guess is that he was born into a wealthy family. Most likely sheltered from the harsh realities of the world by overprotective parents. Now, he wants to leave the nest, find a girl, start a family of his own... But he's not ready to face life as we know it. He's like a bird trying to fly without flapping its wings."
His voice settled into a storytelling quality as he spoke. It was soft and melodious, and soothing in a way. The sort of voice that made a person want to listen - like a kind school teacher, or a radio host.
When he finished speaking, however, Shaun's voice resumed it's normal pitch. "Sorry." He apologised with a lighthearted voice. "I like making up lives for strangers. It passes the time, at least."
He turned back to face Amia, his head tilting slightly to one side. "So what about you?" He asked quietly. "This isn't really your scene, is it? Why did you decide to come?"
He spoke with a polite curiosity, his voice clear and casual. Ever since he was a child, he had been a rather good speaker. But of course, since the accident, there was seldom anybody to listen. Unless, of course, it was October 31st... On Halloween, nobody cared. On Halloween, he could be himself... Without being a monster.

Amia listened to his words intently before sipping her drink once again. She was extremely lady-like, but was never 'snotty' or 'bratty' seeming. Amia watched the group of people mingle and shrugged to herself, she really dislikes parties. But it beat staying home alone and, she met Shaun. It was nice talking to someone who wasn't like everyone else.
Shifting from foot to foot again in her too high, high heels she shook her head.
"Oh, no need to be sorry. I would do the same thing." Amia said as a smile tugged on her lips.
Tapping her foot Amia thought for a moment to answer his question. Why was she here? There was no one here she really wanted to be in contact with. Not many people that was. "Had nothing else to do." She replied with a shrug. "Stupid excuse but it's true."

"All true excuses are stupid." Shaun replied with a laugh, "That's why people lie, I guess. Makes a welcome change speaking to one who doesn't though." He reached out for a handshake, tilting his head slightly to one side with a grin hidden by his mask. "My thanks."
The music changed then, switching to a faster, more exciting tune.
"That's more like it..." Shaun murmured to himself. Then, turning back to Amia, he added, "Want to dance? There's nothing else to do, right?" His friendly tone held a hint of playfulness, and when Shaun himself heard this, he felt himself cheer up a little. He had grown accustomed to being alone... But at times like this, he remembered how much he missed socialising with others. He was really enjoying himself, now...

Amia laughed along with him, though it was soft. She reached out her hand and shook his before smiling. When the music sped up she knew things were going to get slightly crazy now. "I-I don't dance." She said softly and then fixed her gaze on the floor. She could feel her cheeks growing hot and she didn't like it one bit. Knowing Shaun, even the little bit she knew of him he'd try and teach her to dance. Though that was just about impossible, thing was that she had three left feet... yes, three.

((By the three left feet I don't mean literally. XD))

"Neither do I." Shaun retorted, taking Amia's hand and leading her onto the dancefloor, "But that's the beauty of costume. We can make complete fools of ourselves, and after tonight, nobody will ever know." His grin showed in his voice, if not on his face, as he walked backwards into the crowd of energetic dancers, his gloved hand gently gripping Amia's.
He knew he couldn't dance - even more so now than ever before, what with being partially blind - but he didn't care much.
It would be fun.

Amia shuddered slightly when she felt Shaun's grip on her arm but hoped he didn't notice the way she had reacted. When he pulled her onto the dance floor she shifted in order not to be smashed into by a drunk, 'Luke Skywalker'. Chewing her lip slightly she let Shaun continue to pull her into the crowd of people. She wasn't a people person, not one at all.
When someone bumped into her she jumped about a mile before resuming her place with Shaun. Having no idea what to do whatsoever she just stood there.

"Come on." Shaun murmured encouragingly, "Relax. You can't be worse than me, anyway." His tone was lighthearted and friendly, and held his hand out politely to Amia. He could tell she was not too keen on this idea. He wasn't feeling very eager himself, but he knew he'd probably enjoy dancing once he started, even if it was just swaying from side to side. It couldn't hurt, anyway...
"Be daring." He challenged with a gentle playfulness. "It's Halloween - anything could happen."

Amia tilted her head and eyed him curiously before he dragged her out some more. Stopping when she didn't want to go any further she stood still. Not moving a muscle.
Though everyone was moving around her she didn't move at all. Not being one for dancing to begin with she simply stood there. Watching the people with an interested stare.

Feeling somewhat humiliated, Shaun merely chuckled and shook his head. "Okay, point made." He laughed, "You don't dance. I shoulda listened to you from the start, I guess."
He nodded toward the open door on the other side of the room, then began walking toward it. Perhaps it would be better just to get some fresh air. He certainly wouldn't mind... The party always got too stuffy for him.
But then again, it was dangerous outside... One never knew when some old, deactivated bomb would suddenly go off - or where some forgotten landmines might lie. The world was a disaster - all rubble and danger...
He supposed it was ironic, really, how he still preferred the harshness of the outside world that had ruined life as he knew it, to the lively, vibrant atmosphere of the party - with warmth, colour and company.

Amia watched Shaun with sharp eyes for a moment before pushing slowly through the crowd and following him out the door. Breathing in the crisp air when she made it out she let out a small sigh. "You're right, I won't dance. Not ever." She laughed softly, her laugh was one like a melody, it always had a small tune to it. No matter how hard she tried to not act lady like, it wasn't possible.

"You should try sometime." Shaun teased, glancing back as he heard Amia's voice behind him. He couldn't help but smile at the sound of her laugh. She had a sort of elegance about her that was rare to find in people since the apocalypse. They had become, for the most part, animals. They lived how they good, and the modern day society from just a few years ago had nearly been forgotten completely.
"What's your story...?" He murmured curiously - barely aware at first that he had spoken aloud.
"Oh, sorry... It's not my place." He hurriedly corrected himself, "I was merely curious. You're very... Different from the rest."

Amia smiled over at him before leaning against the railing and staring off the three story high building. "Well," She started, her voice soft. She felt tiny goosebumps form on her flesh as she took in a deep cool breath.
"Something happened to me right before the apocalypse, and I just choose to make the most out of life, not to act like an inhumane creature." Shrugging she shifted awkwardly.

"A good choice." Shaun spoke respectfully, inclining his head slightly. "Though it leads me to wonder how you even get by... Hell, just yesterday I watched a man chew another man's hand off for a scrap of mouldy bread. Theses are dark times we live in..." The faintest ghost of a laugh escaped his lips, and he turned briefly to stare back into the building. "Makes me grateful that things like this are still happening." He said, nodding toward the party, "Even if they are a little too hot and noisy, at least they're human, huh?"

Amia listened to him, taking in all his words like she often did when she was being spoken to. Shaking her head she let out a shaky sigh, "I guess I'm good at hiding how terrified I am." She whispered, green eyes glimmering with spots of tears as she clutched the railing. Brushing her red curls away from her eyes she looked back over at Shaun and shrugged slightly.
"We'll all die someday, we just don't know which. That's why I live like I'm dying, because I am dying. Technically, we're all dying." Chuckling at her own words she closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. "It's messed up around here..."

"Wise words, my dear." Shaun murmured quietly, his gloved hand brushing gently over her cheek - an automatic gesture at the sight of her tears.
"But if you can shed tears, and I can show compassion - then humanity is not all lost after all." His fingers ended their caressing motion with a friendly pat on Amia's cheek, as though to prove his point - and had it not been covered by a mask, Shaun's face would have been wearing a goofy grin.
"It's not so messed up, really." He said, turning away and leaning against the railings - staring out over what remained of the city he had once loved.
"Well, maybe it is. But it's never too late to turn it around."