goes to greet him. "Good evening, sir. May I ask your name?" These masquerades make it a bit difficult to check the invite list.

really did not want to wear one of those masks either, so his isn't quite as ornate as the others. "Good evening. I am Ludwig Beilschmidt."

halfway through his formal bow of greeting before he realizes the issue with that sentence. "I see. Er...Mr. Beilschmidt,

you are just arriving, are you not?"

[[I don't know what the hell kind of country they're in right now so I just say "Mr." ;orz ]]

frowns. "Of course. I apologize for being so late, but patrol takes precedent. I hope you understand."

shakes his head. "No, no, of course I understand. It's just that...there may be a problem.

Do you have identification?" He's cautious - this could be an impostor.

pushes the mask up onto his head irritably. "Of course I do." He reaches into his coat and pulls out a set of papers, both civilian and-

military identification, each with his picture printed on them, and hands them over.

examines each document thoroughly and says in a low voice, "Mr. Beilschmidt, could you please remove your mask for a moment?"

Whether this man is telling the truth or not, this could either be the result of an innocent gatecrashing - or a military spy.

removes the mask completely, glad to be rid of it. "You said there might be a problem?"

sees that Ludwig completely matches his identification and frowns. "Yes. Earlier this evening someone came in - claiming to be you."

automatically glances around them, but with everyone in masks, that proves to be a bit useless. "I understand you have received quite a few-

guests this evening, but do you remember anything about him physically? Clothing, hair color...mask?"

frowns. "Black hair, and a gray mask. A bit...cheeky, I suppose you could call it." Where the devil was he now?

isn't standing by the punch bowl, spiking it, if that's what your wondering~

's mind goes immediately to his older brother on that 'cheeky' bit, but...Gilbert isn't *that* stupid. "You have guards on the premises, do-

you not?"

nods. "Of course." It's odd to be working with a military officer in anything, but if it's effective... "I'll inform them immediately."

lifts the mask a bit. "Please do. If this person is unstable enough to impersonate an officer, there's no telling what all they are capable-

of. You will have to forgive me for not wearing this-" and by this he means the mask he's holding, I just messed my sentence order up there

. "-while in the process of trying to find this person. Excuse me, sir, and thank you for the invitation. I will have this matter cleared-

up immediately."

...is actually quite glad he decided to invite an officer or two. Really. "Thank you, sir. I trust your judgement in

this situation entirely." That doesn't means he trusts *him* entirely, but still.

nods and excuses himself to find this impostor, while trying to be tactful about approaching those who fit the description.

over by the punch bowl, spiking everyone's drinks with vodka, and doesn't even notice Ludwig.

notices Gilbert but because of what he's doing to the punch bowl rather than his appearance. That's what he notices second that draws him-

over. "Excuse me, Mr. *Beilschmidt*?"

"Yes~?" He answers before looking over. Once he does, he freezes. "...Ah....Ludwig...." He quickly looks around and clears his throat

before offering him a cup of spiked punch. "...Punch?" He nervously grins.

slaps the cup away and grabs his wrist to jerk him away from the punch bowl. "Take that ridiculous mask off. What do you think you're doing?

"

tries to jerk his wrist back. "I was just getting some punch! What did it *look* like?"

starts to take the mask off *for* him but stops. Last he heard, his brother wasn't exactly an upstanding member of society. So he at least-

turns so they aren't facing the majority of the crowd. "Mr. Edelstein said someone came in under *my* name. I assume that was you?"

slaps his hand away from his mask. There *was* a reason he dyed his hair and is wearing a mask, thank you very much. He scoffs. "Well, I

couldn't come under *my* name, can I?"

tightens his grip and shakes him a little, leaning in closer to hiss at him. "You cannot come in under *mine either*. I have a reputation to

uphold. One that does not involve *spiking the punch* at fancy parties."

leans away from him, tugging at his arm, trying to get it back. He snorts. "Well, it's not really *you* that's spiking the punch, now is

it? And anyone who *knows* you, knows you wouldn't do that, so, really, there isn't any harm done~"

isn't about to let go. "No, Gilbert. These people have never met me. They only know my name and, in some cases, my record. Now, either you

leave without causing a scene, or I allow Mr. Edelstein's guards to find you first."

huffs, tugging at his arm a few times. "Awww, come on~ I'm just having fun. You wouldn't kick your *brother* out, would you?"

starts dragging him the exit as an answer, making sure to stick to the walls to attract as little attention as possible. "Yes. Unless you-

want an escort the rest of the evening, because you cannot behave unattended."

digs his heels into the ground, trying to grab at the walls as they pass. "Awww, come ooooon. I'm not doing anything bad! I'm just trying

to figure out useful information!"

stops abruptly. "You're *spying* now?! For who? Are there no depths to which you won't sink?"

uses his surprise to successfully grab his arm back and takes a step back, out of grabbing reach. "For *myself*!"

...because he wouldn't work for anyone but himself.

advances on him again. "Gilbert...this is your last warning. I am doing you a favor *not* taking you in as I should. I'm sure you have-

enough warrants out by now as it is."

rolls his eyes. "*Please*. We're family, Lud. You wouldn't turn me in." ....At least, he hopes.

glares. "Do not test me right now. Edelstein's guards are already looking for you."

stares at him. "...Do the guards know what I look like?" Because he could still get away with this...

nods. "I assume he gave them the same physical description he gave me."

scowls, realizing he'll be kicked out sooner or later, which does not bode well with him. "Gott, all I want is information for revenge!

There's no need to get all uptight and tell the guards!"

rolls his eyes. "Gilbert, you are impersonating a military officer. I did not know at the time that it was *you*. I gave you a little too-

much credit and thought you were smarter than that. For all we knew at the time, you were some dangerous criminal."

prides himself on being a dangerous criminal, thank you very much.

tries not to think about this, since technically part of his job entails fighting said dangerous criminals. "I can help you get out-

without the guards noticing. But you *have* to leave."

doesn't want to leave! He just got here!

motions towards the very obvious guards making a circuit of the place. "...well?"

stares at the guards and huffs, but doesn't answer.

wacks him with that stupid mask he didn't want to bring in the first place. "I'm talking to you. Do you want help out or not?"

him a glare, rubbing his head where he was wacked. "I'm find by myself." He says. Of course, he isn't planning on leaving.

snorts. "Obviously not. ...either leave, or find a different mask. And stay where I can keep an eye on you."

raises an eyebrow at him. "A different mask?"

trying to compromise here. He doesn't think Roderich is slow enough to fall for that for long though. "Yes. And what have you done to your

hair?"

supposes he wouldn't have a problem beating up another servant for another mask... He shrugs. "I dyed it. How many people do you know with

*silver* hair, honestly. I'm trying to sneak in here, and I can't sneak in if I'm recognizable." Which is why he took on Ludwig's name in

first place.

"Elderly people. Find something else to wear, too." Why in the hell is he even entertaining this. He's supposed to be throwing his brother-

out on his ass. That's what he deserves for sneaking in like this, not to mention using his name as well.

everyone would stop comparing him to old people! Just because he's older than Ludwig and has silver hair, does not mean

he is THAT old. He rolls his eyes. "Oh, yes, let me just go put on the *other* tux I brought with me."

Like he owns more pair of nice clothes.

shrugs. "These are your only options and I suggest you decide quickly. Those guards aren't going to be near as careful about tossing you-

out as your own brother."

huffs. "This never would have been a problem if you hadn't showed up! You NEVER go to balls! What's so special about this one?"

definitely not saying he's impersonated Ludwig before. No. Not at all...

not aware of this. You're damn lucky. "I was *asked* to attend this one. A show of good faith." Something like that. More of a way for0

the military to flex its figurative muscles among the aristocracy. "How would you know? What have I told you about following people?"

his luck! ...except for tonight, when it obviously rebelled against him. He smirks. "Is it a crime to know what my dear brother is up to?"

finds it incredibly difficult to resist slapping that smirk off his face. "In certain instances, yes, it is. Especially the way *you*

go about it."

raises his hands in innocence, smirk still plastered on his face. "The way I go about it? Whatever do you mean~?"

pushes him a little closer to the wall when a guard gets a bit too close to them. "Stop messing around. You know what I mean."

raises an eyebrow at him as he's pushed closer to the wall and tries to shove him away. "I can take care of myself!"

shoves him right back, a bit like they're young again and he's getting retaliation for Gilbert picking on him. "Don't be dense. You're out-

numbered."

shoves him back, not even thinking that the fancy party goers might find it odd--he's used to rough housing with his brother. He scoffs.

rolling his eyes. "And your point is? I know ways out of here, and I'm sure if I take a hostage, then they won't shoot me!" After all, it

had worked before.

's defenses flare right back up to a stroke-inducing level. "A *hostage*? Are you insane?! That's it, get out of here right now or I will

carry you out myself."

raises his hands in innocence. "I'm not going to hurt anyone! If the guards find me, then I need to get out without being shot or

imprisoned! I take a hostage...and they won't hurt me for fear of hurting them! Then you back up to a door and run!" Simple, really.

gave him a few pretty fair warnings. But he's done talking about this, so he just grabs for him, intending on tossing him up onto his-

shoulder to haul out of here before he really causes a scene.

jumps backwards to avoid being grabbed, but hits the wall.

just settle for pinning him there. "This isn't funny anymore. They'll arrest you!" ...no, he really doesn't like sounding less like an-

officer and more like a worried sibling trying to help his brother escape proper punishment. Makes him feel weird.

huffs, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. "And if they do, I'll break out! Or you can bail me out. Either way." He shrugs.

laughs, but it's mostly a sarcastic, disbelieving sort of noise. "Like hell I'll bail you out! You're so damn resourceful, you do it-

yourself."

frowns. "Aww, come on! I'm your brother!"

crosses his arms and gives him a *strict. look.* "No. You heard me. I am trying to help and you're just being stubborn."

so totally scared of the *strict look*. Not. He rolls his eyes and waves him off. "I can take care of myself!

I don't need you to take care of me!"