[img]http://i.imgur.com/aBIXoi8.png[/img]

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[b][u]Los Paraísos: The Pellagio[/b][/u]

Lisette was about to give up hope when she spotted flowing, platinum locks standing in her path. Unfortunately, absolutely nothing else matched the person she was looking for. But at the very least, she was willing to help the frazzled, directionally-challenged Lisette, and asking for some assistance was better than wandering around for ages.

The woman, nearly spilling out of her corset, was dressed and posed in a manner and confidence that was rather intimidating to Lisette, who felt like an unremarkable, mousy, lost child in comparison. Nevermind that she did in fact have a rodent in her arms, and she [i]was[/i] lost.

"Um, yes Miss, I can't find my friends. Have you seen a really nice-looking man with hair the same color as yours and glasses? Or a little girl with brown hair? Or a girl my age, with really bright red hair? Or a blonde man, or..." Lisette continued her vague descriptions of each of her friends and acquaintances to the woman, whose meticulously-sculpted eyebrows arched higher and higher as she went on.

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[img]http://i.imgur.com/4x7ExiI.png[/img]

[b][u]Los Paraísos: Beach[/b][/u]

Just from sheer will from not wanting to be noticed by the oni-masked men, Selan kept dancing, although without any of the joyful vigor from before; things had taken a turn towards the unexpected, and she doubted that any of them could have predicted any sort of violence getting added to the mix of things.

To their luck, Moira, Syed, and Amy dashed and quickly disappeared into the crowds to escape the paddle-wielding men, who followed after them in pursuit. 

Aria returned a brief time after she had departed, and suggested going to the casino, which was drawing closer and closer as the parade was coming to an end.

"[I]Anything[/I] to get away from this..." Selan concurred. If they didn't already have enough reasons to leave, an obnoxious [i]bang! bang! bang![/i] erupted from the center of the crowd, sending sparks and confetti flying into the air to signal the conclusion of the march. While some shuffled off in confusion of what they had just participated in, other tourists stood with their mouths agape, curious and interested about joining in for the next one. And thus the cycle continued. By the time the mass of people dispersed, the main dancers had arm-and-maskfuls of coins.

The three quickly ducked into the Pellagio, covered in bits of paper and chucking their headdresses and hats into the bin at the door. They could still hear muted whoops and cheers outside, but the steady hum of the casino below was much more prominent. "I suppose we could check things out down there?"