the book (hosie)

Masquerade

Overwatch never really had any problems with funding. Ever since they defeated ethan the whole world suddenly saw just how much they were needed. Sometimes, a private organization was better for dealing with certain problems.

However, that didn't stop the organization from hosting events to raise funds. This time, they decided to go all out and a masquerade ball was held at a fancy hotel in France. The party was already in full swing, the guests wearing masks in different colors and styles.

Hope O'Deorain walked slowly around the crowd of people that had gathered around the perimeter of the dance floor. She wore a fine all-black suit with her signature purple necktie. Her mask was also purple, covering the right side of her face and her left eye, leaving her left cheek and mouth exposed.

Hope stopped by the bar and ordered a drink. While the bartender poured her a glass of whiskey, the redhead's gaze drifted until it fell upon a woman standing amongst the crowd. She was wearing a pure white dress and her golden blonde hair was intricately styled. Her mask was also white, covering only her eyes. The woman would've emanated innocence, had it not been for the deep slit on the dress and the woman's piercing glare...right at Hope.

"Your drink, ma'am."

Hope was shaken from her staring by the bartender placing her drink next to her. The redhead looked back to where the woman was but found that she was gone.

"Are you alright?" the bartender asked Hope.

Turning back. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," Hope said as she took her drink. She walked away from the bar and back into the crowd, eagerly looking around for that woman. She drank from her glass as she passed by a few colleagues, some workers, and the various other wealthy guests.

Finally, Hope stopped when she saw the woman again. She turned her head and gazed at Hope, giving the redhead a sly smile and a quick wink.

Returning the smirk, Hope began to walk over to her but was stopped by someone stepping in her way.

"Hope! There you are!" Gabriel loudly exclaimed.

Hope stopped in her tracks and looked passed Gabe; the woman once more had gone.

Keeping her anger controlled, Hope said, "Gabriel, enjoying yourself I see."

Gabe laughed. "I know I am. I just came by to see if you were."

Hope smiled. "Gatherings like this aren't normally my favorite, but maybe something tonight will change that." Like that mystery woman.

"What? That the bar doesn't close early?" Gabe laughed as he patted Hope on the back and walked away. Hope merely rolled her eyes as she lifted her drink to her lips, only to discover it was empty.

"Dammit," she muttered to herself. She stood still as she swished the ice cubes around and surveyed the crowd.

"Perhaps I could get you another?"

Hope froze as an almost angelic voice spoke behind her back. Slowly, she turned around and audibly gasped when the woman she had been seeing from across the room was right behind her.

"Hello there," Hope managed to say without any change in her voice.

The mystery woman smiled. "Greetings to you. What do I call you?"

"Hope," she answered, gaining back some of her confidence. "And by what are you called?"

The woman giggled. "Oh, I am known by many things, but for now, you may simply call me 'A'."

Hope chuckled. "A mysterious name for an equally mysterious person."

A smirked. "Mysterious? Whatever do you mean?"