Nikhila was going to have to try and remember to thank the Pipers again for their help with the house and moving everything. It would wait though.
Table? That meant chairs. While determined to dance at some point tonight sitting would also be good right now.
Siberia? Nikhila curious, but she was always interested in other people's travels. But given the way Vivienne was moving about it might be some time before she got to ask that question. Instead she was distracted by an apparent strategy lesson.
"Closets are also stuffy and leave me with no escape route. So why don't we just go sit down instead?"Â?
She thought there were some interesting things going on but she wasn't certain and it wasn't really her business. Although she did raise an eyebrow at Lily, however, Nikhila knew even if Lily did chose to elaborate it wouldn't be here or now.
Letting Aidan settle her at the table she lightly kissed his cheek. He was trying so hard to be perfect and a provider, it was sweet.
"You'd brave asparagus for me? No, I don't think I'll stave to death right. Why don't you just sit down and relax for a little bit. Try and enjoy yourself?"Â?
Happy New Years 2011 (open to all)
(FYI - this is an open thread, but not an event meaning that the three open thread rule will still apply. Once I get to the ball dropping and fireworks, that'll end for any type of unofficial-official moderation. In the next few posts I will be giving minor descriptions of the ballroom, but you are more than welcomed to change anything up, other than the basic design. Waiters, buffet table, your seats...that's all you. Please also assume that the ballroom itself is gigantic, so feel free to attend the party unnoticed by prying eyes. Enjoy!)
Vivienne climbed the spiral staircase that led to the Grand Piazza's ball room and prayed to god that she would not trip herself on her four inch heels. Running her free hand over her hip, she slightly grimaced over how expensive her dress was, and more importantly, who had sent it to her that afternoon.
Reaching the top of the stairs, her hand on the rail had her embossed invitation and she handed it to a smartly dressed Grand Piazza employee wearing a black tuxedo with flourished gold GP emblems just below his left lapel. He took it with a perfectly manicured hand and laid it on top of the stack of cards in his other hand. With a nod, and nary a peek at her invite, he held a hand out toward the ball room doors where two more tuxedo wearing employees were waiting for her. With a murmured greeting, they opened the doors for her and Vivienne did her best not to gasp out loud.
Nikhila
13 years ago
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
"What?!" Viv said a little too loud and with an extremely high voice. Clearing her throat, she tugged on him, taking him out one of the balcony doors, away from the crowd. "What the...what? Tell them? Right now?"
"Right now," Brig said with a shrug.
"Oh well, sure why not?" Viv yelped with an incredulous look. "Uh, no. What about Hammer? What about...oh my god, what about your parents?" Viv began to fret. Seriously fret. "We should wait. Yes, waiting is good!"
Brig was looking calmly at her, no doubt waiting for her to stop freaking out, but the fact that he even suggested it and wasn't reacting properly was freaking her out even more.
"Brig, baby, I love you. Love. You. But we seriously have to think this through."
"Shut up," Brig said interrupting her in his strangely calm voice.
"Wha-? Rude! Have you lost your friggin mind?"
"Viv, really. Stop talking."
Her hysteria had now reached epic proportions. Her shoulders slumped, seemingly falling off her body at how weirdly calm he was being. She opened her mouth again and he held his hand up.
"What if," he started.
"What if what?"
"I'm not going to say this unless you stop talking." Viv bristled and crossed her arms angrily. "What if we wait to tell them, but you let me give you something first?"
"Give me what?"
Brig slowly dropped to one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket.
Then Viv fainted.
"Right now," Brig said with a shrug.
"Oh well, sure why not?" Viv yelped with an incredulous look. "Uh, no. What about Hammer? What about...oh my god, what about your parents?" Viv began to fret. Seriously fret. "We should wait. Yes, waiting is good!"
Brig was looking calmly at her, no doubt waiting for her to stop freaking out, but the fact that he even suggested it and wasn't reacting properly was freaking her out even more.
"Brig, baby, I love you. Love. You. But we seriously have to think this through."
"Shut up," Brig said interrupting her in his strangely calm voice.
"Wha-? Rude! Have you lost your friggin mind?"
"Viv, really. Stop talking."
Her hysteria had now reached epic proportions. Her shoulders slumped, seemingly falling off her body at how weirdly calm he was being. She opened her mouth again and he held his hand up.
"What if," he started.
"What if what?"
"I'm not going to say this unless you stop talking." Viv bristled and crossed her arms angrily. "What if we wait to tell them, but you let me give you something first?"
"Give me what?"
Brig slowly dropped to one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket.
Then Viv fainted.
Aishe
13 years ago
Aishe felt her face grow warm from the quiet complement. [You don't look half bad yourself,] she replied in kind, the 'words' colored with warm appreciation for Kem's appearance. He looked like ice, or a statue come to life, but she knew he was anything but cold or hard. What he was was gorgeous all dressed up like that. Maybe he looked otherworldly but she loved it.
[I'm fine so far, 'Isu-mery. If anything changes you'll be the first to know.]
Alexander's reaction to her tiny little request (okay, demand) was interesting and she took to it like a pit bull with a bone. "Just one dance Alex, you'll live through it. I promise! I haven't lost a partner yet."
She was doing her best to be persuasive. Eiryk was up for it she knew, which would be interesting. And of course Kem would dance with her. But Alex was a challenge. She sipped at the champagne in the flute, pondering the best way to go about convincing Alex to dance. Peer pressure? Possibly. Guilt? Also a possibility.
[I'm fine so far, 'Isu-mery. If anything changes you'll be the first to know.]
Alexander's reaction to her tiny little request (okay, demand) was interesting and she took to it like a pit bull with a bone. "Just one dance Alex, you'll live through it. I promise! I haven't lost a partner yet."
She was doing her best to be persuasive. Eiryk was up for it she knew, which would be interesting. And of course Kem would dance with her. But Alex was a challenge. She sipped at the champagne in the flute, pondering the best way to go about convincing Alex to dance. Peer pressure? Possibly. Guilt? Also a possibility.
Lothias LT Jameson
13 years ago
LT's jacket was on the floor of the broom closet, which was surprisingly large for what it was. Carol's dress was pushed up to her hips and she was moaning so loud in his ear that he was fairly certain people could hear them, but honestly...he did not care.
Pushing roughly up into her, he felt the sweat run down his back as he tried not to bite down on her skin. They were pressed up against a wall and she was squeezing her thighs and moving her hips, driving him insane as they reached the end of their quickie. Grabbing her thighs tightly, he pushed hard up into her until he finally heard her telltale, long moan of delight and the pressure of her nails digging into his neck and he joined her, his orgasm ripping through him, making him moan just as loud.
A year ago he would have never considered sex in a broom closet with anyone. He was a bit of a prude, he realized, after meeting Carol. She, on the other hand, clearly was not. She was always up for public sex, sex in tight places, sex in the open, sex in the car, sex in an elevator, sex in a pool, against a tree, in the middle of the night or during lunch. He had never met a woman who enjoyed sex as much as Carol did, nor gave it as good as she did, for that matter.
Carol began to giggle in his ear, dizzy from their climax. It was her 'thoroughly satisfied' giggle which was reserved for medium rare prime rib and mind blowing sex. LT was proud of himself considering it was just a quickie. He let her slide down to the ground and she leaned against the wall, smiling at him. Pulling his trousers up, he took a step back and blushed at her.
"Wanna do it again?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes, but no. We gotta go in and find my uncle," he said with soft laugh. He grabbed a paper towel from a dispenser over a sink in the closet and dabbed at his face. He handed one for Carol and she did the same. "Should we go out one at a time?"
Carol giggled again, pulling her dress back down and wiping at the wrinkles. "Probably. Meet you at the door?"
"Ok," he said and leaned in to kiss her softly, to which she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. He moaned into the kiss and she pulled him back up against the wall again. "Wait...wait," he said laughing.
"Party pooper, sheesh," she complained but then winked at him. "You go first then, I'm going to hit the bathroom to freshen up a little more."
LT pinched her chin with his thumb and index finger before he opened the door and discreetly exited. Heading back toward the door he was met by Charlie.
"You're flushed and sweaty. Why am I not surprised," Charlie said with a smile.
LT blushed and shook his head. "Everyone here?"
"Yup. Beta wants you to make an appearance at their table, right now. Where's Carol?"
"Bathroom."
"You did it in the bathroom?"
"Charlie...shut up," LT said trying not to laugh. "And no, we did not. I said I'd meet her at the door."
"I can wait for her. You should go on."
LT nodded leaving Charlie at the entrance and went to search out the Beta.
Pushing roughly up into her, he felt the sweat run down his back as he tried not to bite down on her skin. They were pressed up against a wall and she was squeezing her thighs and moving her hips, driving him insane as they reached the end of their quickie. Grabbing her thighs tightly, he pushed hard up into her until he finally heard her telltale, long moan of delight and the pressure of her nails digging into his neck and he joined her, his orgasm ripping through him, making him moan just as loud.
A year ago he would have never considered sex in a broom closet with anyone. He was a bit of a prude, he realized, after meeting Carol. She, on the other hand, clearly was not. She was always up for public sex, sex in tight places, sex in the open, sex in the car, sex in an elevator, sex in a pool, against a tree, in the middle of the night or during lunch. He had never met a woman who enjoyed sex as much as Carol did, nor gave it as good as she did, for that matter.
Carol began to giggle in his ear, dizzy from their climax. It was her 'thoroughly satisfied' giggle which was reserved for medium rare prime rib and mind blowing sex. LT was proud of himself considering it was just a quickie. He let her slide down to the ground and she leaned against the wall, smiling at him. Pulling his trousers up, he took a step back and blushed at her.
"Wanna do it again?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes, but no. We gotta go in and find my uncle," he said with soft laugh. He grabbed a paper towel from a dispenser over a sink in the closet and dabbed at his face. He handed one for Carol and she did the same. "Should we go out one at a time?"
Carol giggled again, pulling her dress back down and wiping at the wrinkles. "Probably. Meet you at the door?"
"Ok," he said and leaned in to kiss her softly, to which she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. He moaned into the kiss and she pulled him back up against the wall again. "Wait...wait," he said laughing.
"Party pooper, sheesh," she complained but then winked at him. "You go first then, I'm going to hit the bathroom to freshen up a little more."
LT pinched her chin with his thumb and index finger before he opened the door and discreetly exited. Heading back toward the door he was met by Charlie.
"You're flushed and sweaty. Why am I not surprised," Charlie said with a smile.
LT blushed and shook his head. "Everyone here?"
"Yup. Beta wants you to make an appearance at their table, right now. Where's Carol?"
"Bathroom."
"You did it in the bathroom?"
"Charlie...shut up," LT said trying not to laugh. "And no, we did not. I said I'd meet her at the door."
"I can wait for her. You should go on."
LT nodded leaving Charlie at the entrance and went to search out the Beta.
Kem`Raaisu
13 years ago
Kem rolled his eyes at Aishe. Naturally he'd be the first to know. he couldn't help being the first to know. She gave him a little smirk while she eyed Alexander speculatively over the rim of the champagne flute, just sipping; she wasn't a drinker normally.
He turned his pale eyes to Alex. "You might as well get it over with," he said. "I think you're out of luck."
Then, grinning at Eiryk, he added, "and I said stand-in, not stunt. Although with you I doubt there's much of a distinction. Maybe you should check with the band first. Because if they aren't insured they might appreciate some warning."
Eiryk's ability to create chaos was quickly becoming legend. Usually it was limited to himself but there were plenty of times when people within a three-mile radius were also in danger. With so many celebrants in close proximity Kem didn't doubt that this could quickly turn into one such occasion.
[You're really going to force poor Alex to dance, aren't you,] he stated more than asked. Kem wasn't sure Alex deserved that. Aishe's response was gleefully positive. [You realize it's cruel to torment him. At least offer him a slow dance so he can shuffle around without looking silly.]
He turned his pale eyes to Alex. "You might as well get it over with," he said. "I think you're out of luck."
Then, grinning at Eiryk, he added, "and I said stand-in, not stunt. Although with you I doubt there's much of a distinction. Maybe you should check with the band first. Because if they aren't insured they might appreciate some warning."
Eiryk's ability to create chaos was quickly becoming legend. Usually it was limited to himself but there were plenty of times when people within a three-mile radius were also in danger. With so many celebrants in close proximity Kem didn't doubt that this could quickly turn into one such occasion.
[You're really going to force poor Alex to dance, aren't you,] he stated more than asked. Kem wasn't sure Alex deserved that. Aishe's response was gleefully positive. [You realize it's cruel to torment him. At least offer him a slow dance so he can shuffle around without looking silly.]
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex looked at Eiryk with despair. "It's a dance, not a visit to the proctologist," he muttered at his boyfriend through gritted teeth. "Are you gonna tell me it'll be over faster that way too?"
No one seemed to be offering any sympathy. In fact Eiryk and Kem seemed to agree that he should just dance. Alex couldn't put into words how badly he did not want to dance. He might throw up instead. That would do it.
And yet Aishe looked so earnest. Creepily stubborn but earnest. And if it made her happy, maybe he could manage. Maybe. No. No, he couldn't.
"Sorry Aishe. I'm really not a dancer. I swear. You're better of with Eiryk."
That didn't sound good either. He smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand and peeked at Eiryk. "I didn't mean it that way but you know... I mean. She is."
No one seemed to be offering any sympathy. In fact Eiryk and Kem seemed to agree that he should just dance. Alex couldn't put into words how badly he did not want to dance. He might throw up instead. That would do it.
And yet Aishe looked so earnest. Creepily stubborn but earnest. And if it made her happy, maybe he could manage. Maybe. No. No, he couldn't.
"Sorry Aishe. I'm really not a dancer. I swear. You're better of with Eiryk."
That didn't sound good either. He smacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand and peeked at Eiryk. "I didn't mean it that way but you know... I mean. She is."
Eiryk
13 years ago
"I'll tell you anything you want if you'll play nice and dance with the only woman brave enough to accompany us. Just one little dance."Â?
Eiryk unabashedly turned on the puppy dog eyes. He wasn't above begging and pleading to get his way. He didn't think that suggestion would work on Alex under the circumstances. He'd try it but it would be a last resort.
He had to laugh when Alex verbally hooked him up with Aishe.
"I think that means I get to go first."Â?
Since he'd started the joke he could hardly give Kem a hard time for taking the bait. He only smiled good naturedly.
"We'll just paint flames on some of the instruments and call it action ballroom. We can sell hot dogs and popcorn."Â?
Eiryk leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs and sipped at his champagne, basically looking far too at home and comfortable.
Eiryk unabashedly turned on the puppy dog eyes. He wasn't above begging and pleading to get his way. He didn't think that suggestion would work on Alex under the circumstances. He'd try it but it would be a last resort.
He had to laugh when Alex verbally hooked him up with Aishe.
"I think that means I get to go first."Â?
Since he'd started the joke he could hardly give Kem a hard time for taking the bait. He only smiled good naturedly.
"We'll just paint flames on some of the instruments and call it action ballroom. We can sell hot dogs and popcorn."Â?
Eiryk leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs and sipped at his champagne, basically looking far too at home and comfortable.
Marthinus T. Steyn
13 years ago
Marthinus passed Charlie on his way out of the ballroom. The Sergeant was standing there, hands in his pockets, waiting when Marthinus noticed his lack of tie.
"You're a heathen, sir."
Charlie smiled and nodded at Marthinus as he walked by. "Me and bow ties aren't friends."
"Oh my, your grammar hurts me deeply, as well." Charlie laughed and ran his hand through his short brown hair. "Are you on a mission?"
"Waitin' on LT's girl."
"Oh right, I get to meet her finally."
"You haven't met her yet? She's...unique."
"I'm sure she'd have to be for the LT. Doesn't quite seem to settle very easily."
"That he does not."
Marthinus continued toward the bathrooms and waved to Charlie over his shoulder, leaving him behind. He walked slowly toward the bathroom to wash his hands when he reached up and touched the silk bow tie of his Armani tuxedo. He almost wasn't ready for Carol when she jumped on him.
"Oh jesus!" he yelped as the pretty blond jumped into his arms.
"Marty! Baby!" Carol wrapped her legs around Marthinus' hips, despite the shortness (and tightness) of her dress, and planted a large kiss on his lips. "You never call. Never write. I'm hurt!"
Marthinus laughed and let Carol kiss him. "Oh my," he mumbled through the kiss and finally she pulled back and smiled at him.
"Hi!"
"Hello, Carol," he said, lowering her to the ground. He half turned away as she adjusted her dress and straightened his tie as people stared as they passed by. "How have you been?"
"Superfine, thank you for asking," Carol sang as she smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress. "I'm here with my new man."
"Oh really? Everything going well?"
"Aye, captain. Very well indeed." Carol gave him an appraising look with her hands on her hips.
Marthinus looked down at himself and tried to see what she was seeing. Finally she pointed at him.
"I did not think it was possible, but you're a little hotter than before. It's completely changed you, hasn't it?"
Marthinus shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled. "It's been some time now, but I think this is as good as it gets."
"Well, I'm a little turned on, so it's pretty durn good." Her smile faded and Marthinus watched it change from happy to somber. Carol's voice was quiet and a little hurt. "You never return my calls or texts. Why?"
Marthinus put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to a set of soft, comfortable chairs that lined the hallway. Sitting her down, he sat next to her and took her hands in his.
"The line between the old world and the new has blurred considerably, but is still very distinct. The Pack has been very welcoming. I just," Marthinus looked down at Carol's hand and shrugged.
"You just don't miss your old life," Carol finished for him. "You don't miss me?"
Marthinus smiled at her. Her face was soft and suddenly very innocent. It wasn't like Carol to be sad, to expose herself to that kind of pain. He knew she went through it when it ended with Simon, but that had been her choice - not that she had any other. Marthinus reached out and touched her face.
"You were always like a daughter to me, Carol. You always will be."
"Only now I'll die before you will." Carol made a face. "Man...that will suck."
"You're a heathen, sir."
Charlie smiled and nodded at Marthinus as he walked by. "Me and bow ties aren't friends."
"Oh my, your grammar hurts me deeply, as well." Charlie laughed and ran his hand through his short brown hair. "Are you on a mission?"
"Waitin' on LT's girl."
"Oh right, I get to meet her finally."
"You haven't met her yet? She's...unique."
"I'm sure she'd have to be for the LT. Doesn't quite seem to settle very easily."
"That he does not."
Marthinus continued toward the bathrooms and waved to Charlie over his shoulder, leaving him behind. He walked slowly toward the bathroom to wash his hands when he reached up and touched the silk bow tie of his Armani tuxedo. He almost wasn't ready for Carol when she jumped on him.
"Oh jesus!" he yelped as the pretty blond jumped into his arms.
"Marty! Baby!" Carol wrapped her legs around Marthinus' hips, despite the shortness (and tightness) of her dress, and planted a large kiss on his lips. "You never call. Never write. I'm hurt!"
Marthinus laughed and let Carol kiss him. "Oh my," he mumbled through the kiss and finally she pulled back and smiled at him.
"Hi!"
"Hello, Carol," he said, lowering her to the ground. He half turned away as she adjusted her dress and straightened his tie as people stared as they passed by. "How have you been?"
"Superfine, thank you for asking," Carol sang as she smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress. "I'm here with my new man."
"Oh really? Everything going well?"
"Aye, captain. Very well indeed." Carol gave him an appraising look with her hands on her hips.
Marthinus looked down at himself and tried to see what she was seeing. Finally she pointed at him.
"I did not think it was possible, but you're a little hotter than before. It's completely changed you, hasn't it?"
Marthinus shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled. "It's been some time now, but I think this is as good as it gets."
"Well, I'm a little turned on, so it's pretty durn good." Her smile faded and Marthinus watched it change from happy to somber. Carol's voice was quiet and a little hurt. "You never return my calls or texts. Why?"
Marthinus put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to a set of soft, comfortable chairs that lined the hallway. Sitting her down, he sat next to her and took her hands in his.
"The line between the old world and the new has blurred considerably, but is still very distinct. The Pack has been very welcoming. I just," Marthinus looked down at Carol's hand and shrugged.
"You just don't miss your old life," Carol finished for him. "You don't miss me?"
Marthinus smiled at her. Her face was soft and suddenly very innocent. It wasn't like Carol to be sad, to expose herself to that kind of pain. He knew she went through it when it ended with Simon, but that had been her choice - not that she had any other. Marthinus reached out and touched her face.
"You were always like a daughter to me, Carol. You always will be."
"Only now I'll die before you will." Carol made a face. "Man...that will suck."
Pakpao
13 years ago
Normally this was the sort of thing Pak avoided. Lots of people and formal wear and forced celebration and all. But Kem had said something, and Aishe had said something and Eiryk had said something. She would have tagged along stag at that point but invited Artemis to come as well. She'd done an admirable job of not getting too giddy when he said yes.
Pak managed not to fuss with her dress. She wasn't sure about the plum color but had been assured that she looked good in it. As evening dresses went it was fairly conservative, with cap sleeves and a high choker neckline. The incredibly high slit and the open back negated some of that but still, it was mostly conservative. Her hair was swept into a complicated smooth up do to show off the back and the beading on the shoulders.
"Does formal wear count as a costume?"Â?
She mused aloud. If it did they were going for some wrapped sort of record. It seemed they never went out together while dressed normally.
They'd gotten her after the others, but between her bond with Kem and a quick bit of sending and receiving it was simple enough to find every one. And no one had to look foolish jumping up and down or resort to a cell phone.
Remembering Halloween she carefully lead them around the crowd to the table where Kem, Aishe, Eiryk and Alex were apparently trying to badger Alex into something.
"What did we miss?"Â?
Pak managed not to fuss with her dress. She wasn't sure about the plum color but had been assured that she looked good in it. As evening dresses went it was fairly conservative, with cap sleeves and a high choker neckline. The incredibly high slit and the open back negated some of that but still, it was mostly conservative. Her hair was swept into a complicated smooth up do to show off the back and the beading on the shoulders.
"Does formal wear count as a costume?"Â?
She mused aloud. If it did they were going for some wrapped sort of record. It seemed they never went out together while dressed normally.
They'd gotten her after the others, but between her bond with Kem and a quick bit of sending and receiving it was simple enough to find every one. And no one had to look foolish jumping up and down or resort to a cell phone.
Remembering Halloween she carefully lead them around the crowd to the table where Kem, Aishe, Eiryk and Alex were apparently trying to badger Alex into something.
"What did we miss?"Â?
Ellis Duban
13 years ago
Ellis watched as Simon strolled nonchalantly back into the ballroom. She reached out into their aura and poked around. Concentrating, she searched deep into their aura, trying to pick up Simon's disposition when she realized he was purposely holding back again. Subterfuge was ungodly unfair, especially since she did not have it. Simon's ability to suppress what feelings Ellis could detect was annoying, as well as hurtful. She had no choice in what leaked into their aura, but Simon did and she knew he hid more than he showed.
Her fingers clenched so hard on her champagne flute that it snapped in her hands. Ellis let the shards of glass fall away from her and she moved toward him to meet in the middle.
Simon immediately looked over at her. She could not help the intense anger and jealousy she was feeling, but she wanted him to feel it. To see what he was doing to her. Ellis watched as the happiness his face was betraying faded, leaving the typically smooth and unemotional expression she knew too well.
"Good talk?" she asked with glaring eyes.
"Wow, jealousy does not suit you, Ellis," Simon said dryly. "It's a little ironic."
Ellis felt the pain of despair at his sarcasm. "Why do you always pull away like this? What's the point of having this bond when it's only to your advantage?"
Simon's face clouded in confusion and then he reached out to her, taking her hand. Ellis resisted pulling away and just walking off. It had been several years since they had gotten back together and she was fairly certain Carol was nowhere in his life, but now there was this Vivienne Sena. He had said Siberia was all business, but now they were chummy, sharing secrets and forcing Ellis to share Simon yet again. She didn't give up everything for him, just to be cast side. Again. Granted the first time she never saw it coming, but now that she could, it frightened her almost as much as infuriated her.
Slowly she felt Simon release his hold on his feelings - the emotion trickled into the aura and she could feel his love for her.
"What is Vivienne to you? Now?"
Ellis waited for the inevitable feeling of arousal at the mention of another woman's name, but it never came. It was a very distinct, protective feeling of admiration Simon leaked into their aura. But could the aura lie? She wondered.
"It's always been you, E." Her suspicion flared into their aura and Simon pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her in response to it. "You know this."
But did she?
Her fingers clenched so hard on her champagne flute that it snapped in her hands. Ellis let the shards of glass fall away from her and she moved toward him to meet in the middle.
Simon immediately looked over at her. She could not help the intense anger and jealousy she was feeling, but she wanted him to feel it. To see what he was doing to her. Ellis watched as the happiness his face was betraying faded, leaving the typically smooth and unemotional expression she knew too well.
"Good talk?" she asked with glaring eyes.
"Wow, jealousy does not suit you, Ellis," Simon said dryly. "It's a little ironic."
Ellis felt the pain of despair at his sarcasm. "Why do you always pull away like this? What's the point of having this bond when it's only to your advantage?"
Simon's face clouded in confusion and then he reached out to her, taking her hand. Ellis resisted pulling away and just walking off. It had been several years since they had gotten back together and she was fairly certain Carol was nowhere in his life, but now there was this Vivienne Sena. He had said Siberia was all business, but now they were chummy, sharing secrets and forcing Ellis to share Simon yet again. She didn't give up everything for him, just to be cast side. Again. Granted the first time she never saw it coming, but now that she could, it frightened her almost as much as infuriated her.
Slowly she felt Simon release his hold on his feelings - the emotion trickled into the aura and she could feel his love for her.
"What is Vivienne to you? Now?"
Ellis waited for the inevitable feeling of arousal at the mention of another woman's name, but it never came. It was a very distinct, protective feeling of admiration Simon leaked into their aura. But could the aura lie? She wondered.
"It's always been you, E." Her suspicion flared into their aura and Simon pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her in response to it. "You know this."
But did she?
Brig Jameson
13 years ago
"Is that...?"
Brig smiled as he opened the box and showed her the diamond engagement ring he had been carrying around with him for weeks. It was a round brilliant cut three stone ring named after the Scottish Wildflower Poppy. Treasured for its beautiful, billowy petals, Poppy's center stone is accented with two flush-set pear cut diamonds. The diamonds were flawless and they sat in a platinum setting adding zero color to the colorless diamonds. The center round was just over 1.5 carats and the pear shape accents were .33 carats, not to overshadow the main attraction. Brig held it up to her and watched her fall forward and faint before he could even ask her.
"Viv...wait...oh shit," and she fell forward, unconscious, over his shoulder. He stood slowly and spun around as people began to gather. "She's fine just tired." Peeking into the ballroom, Brig searched for Hammer as he made a mad dash into the crowd, weaving in and out with Viv over his shoulder.
"Hi...excuse me...no, she's fine. Excuse me. Viv. Wake up, Viv."
Making it through the ballroom without seeing either a Piper or Hammer, he ran down the hallway in the opposite direction to find a quiet place. Turning a corner he ran up to a couch that lined the wall and lowered her into it. He knelt there in front of her, tapping her face lightly when a waiter came up to him. He was holding a glass of water.
"I thought she might need some water?"
Brig marveled over the service of the Grand Piazza and took the glass. He tried tipping the waiter, but the young man just held the tray against his chest and watched. "Try splashing some of it on her face?" the waiter suggested.
Brig dipped his fingers into the glass and splashed the cold water into Viv's face and her eyes fluttered. Immediately she sat up and grabbed her head. "Ugh," she muttered.
"I get ready to ask you to marry me and you faint?"
Sitting completely up, Viv moved her legs forward and made room for Brig. He settled down next to her with a nod to the waiter who smiled and departed. "Ugh," she muttered again.
Leaning back into the couch, he put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her with a laugh. "Can I ask you now or are you going to faint again?"
"God, shut up," she said, covering her face with a snort. "I can't believe I fainted. I didn't even get to see the ring." Viv turned and looked at him, snapping her fingers. "Let's see it."
Snorting Brig pulled the box back out but didn't open it. "You get to see it if you say yes."
"That's not how it works. My answer is dependent on the size of the rock. Come on, give."
Brig slid to the ground and onto one knee again. "Let me ask first..."
Viv grabbed the box out of his hands and turned to the side out of his reach. Opening it, she gasped and then pulled the ring out. Brig reached out and gingerly took the ring from her, watching her expression. He started to laugh at how shocked she was with her mouth gaping open like a fish. He took her left hand and slipped the engagement ring onto her ring finger.
"Vivienne Sena?" Viv pulled her eyes away from her ring finger and looked him in the eye. "Will you marry me and be my," he squinted his eyes and looked up, "uh...fifth wife?"
Immediately she punched him in the chest and laughed. "Oh that's just fucking nice, Brig."
He hugged her hips, dropping to both knees and kissed her as they laughed. "I love you," he said and for the first time knew he never loved anyone more than he loved her. "I'm ready to tell Hammer, my father...everyone. I'm asking you to be my wife."
"All right," Viv said pointing at him, "but just this once."
Brig smiled as he opened the box and showed her the diamond engagement ring he had been carrying around with him for weeks. It was a round brilliant cut three stone ring named after the Scottish Wildflower Poppy. Treasured for its beautiful, billowy petals, Poppy's center stone is accented with two flush-set pear cut diamonds. The diamonds were flawless and they sat in a platinum setting adding zero color to the colorless diamonds. The center round was just over 1.5 carats and the pear shape accents were .33 carats, not to overshadow the main attraction. Brig held it up to her and watched her fall forward and faint before he could even ask her.
"Viv...wait...oh shit," and she fell forward, unconscious, over his shoulder. He stood slowly and spun around as people began to gather. "She's fine just tired." Peeking into the ballroom, Brig searched for Hammer as he made a mad dash into the crowd, weaving in and out with Viv over his shoulder.
"Hi...excuse me...no, she's fine. Excuse me. Viv. Wake up, Viv."
Making it through the ballroom without seeing either a Piper or Hammer, he ran down the hallway in the opposite direction to find a quiet place. Turning a corner he ran up to a couch that lined the wall and lowered her into it. He knelt there in front of her, tapping her face lightly when a waiter came up to him. He was holding a glass of water.
"I thought she might need some water?"
Brig marveled over the service of the Grand Piazza and took the glass. He tried tipping the waiter, but the young man just held the tray against his chest and watched. "Try splashing some of it on her face?" the waiter suggested.
Brig dipped his fingers into the glass and splashed the cold water into Viv's face and her eyes fluttered. Immediately she sat up and grabbed her head. "Ugh," she muttered.
"I get ready to ask you to marry me and you faint?"
Sitting completely up, Viv moved her legs forward and made room for Brig. He settled down next to her with a nod to the waiter who smiled and departed. "Ugh," she muttered again.
Leaning back into the couch, he put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her with a laugh. "Can I ask you now or are you going to faint again?"
"God, shut up," she said, covering her face with a snort. "I can't believe I fainted. I didn't even get to see the ring." Viv turned and looked at him, snapping her fingers. "Let's see it."
Snorting Brig pulled the box back out but didn't open it. "You get to see it if you say yes."
"That's not how it works. My answer is dependent on the size of the rock. Come on, give."
Brig slid to the ground and onto one knee again. "Let me ask first..."
Viv grabbed the box out of his hands and turned to the side out of his reach. Opening it, she gasped and then pulled the ring out. Brig reached out and gingerly took the ring from her, watching her expression. He started to laugh at how shocked she was with her mouth gaping open like a fish. He took her left hand and slipped the engagement ring onto her ring finger.
"Vivienne Sena?" Viv pulled her eyes away from her ring finger and looked him in the eye. "Will you marry me and be my," he squinted his eyes and looked up, "uh...fifth wife?"
Immediately she punched him in the chest and laughed. "Oh that's just fucking nice, Brig."
He hugged her hips, dropping to both knees and kissed her as they laughed. "I love you," he said and for the first time knew he never loved anyone more than he loved her. "I'm ready to tell Hammer, my father...everyone. I'm asking you to be my wife."
"All right," Viv said pointing at him, "but just this once."
Artemis Bellezone
13 years ago
This was going to be an evening of surprises, shocks, and firsts. He just knew it. Artemis didn't let other people do the driving very often, but Pak had asked him out this time, so he didn't put up much of a fight when she wanted to drive. Not that he would have with her anyway, but he had been a bit surprised by the invitation. He was always surprised a little when she agreed to be seen in public with him, but this time it was actually her idea.
Pak looked especially lovely tonight. The color purple made her skin glow. Artemis did his best not to get caught admiring the view too much. He had to admit that he liked the parts of the dress that were missing. Smoothing the front of his suit, he smiled as he stole another look at his date. The suit was no where near as spectacular as the traffic stopping dress. A simple two button black Armani suit with a black silk tie. Artemis reached out a hand and let her lead him through the crowd. Perhaps of she held his hand, he wouldn't give in to the almost irresistible temptation to lightly caress her exposed back.
"Hmm. The suit is not my usual attire. It isn't particularly comfortable. I am not entirely sure that I put all of the pieces on correctly. Yes, I would say it definitely counts as a costume."
Once they found the others, he smiled and greeted them all warmly. He hoped they hadn't missed too much, or that the others had been waiting long.
Pak looked especially lovely tonight. The color purple made her skin glow. Artemis did his best not to get caught admiring the view too much. He had to admit that he liked the parts of the dress that were missing. Smoothing the front of his suit, he smiled as he stole another look at his date. The suit was no where near as spectacular as the traffic stopping dress. A simple two button black Armani suit with a black silk tie. Artemis reached out a hand and let her lead him through the crowd. Perhaps of she held his hand, he wouldn't give in to the almost irresistible temptation to lightly caress her exposed back.
"Hmm. The suit is not my usual attire. It isn't particularly comfortable. I am not entirely sure that I put all of the pieces on correctly. Yes, I would say it definitely counts as a costume."
Once they found the others, he smiled and greeted them all warmly. He hoped they hadn't missed too much, or that the others had been waiting long.
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
The music began to stream in softly from hidden speakers and the party goers began to disperse, leaving the center floor open for dancers. Couples swayed slowly to the jazzy smooth music as the center crystals dripping from the ceiling twinkled softly.
Simon slipped his right hand up above Ellis' shoulder blade and held his left hand out, easily stepping into a slow waltz with her. Finally the tight anger in her face dissipated, as well as in their aura. He spun her lazily, moving in between the other dancers, making her laugh occasionally. He was surprised at her reaction to Vivienne, but there was a lot about Ellis that still surprised him. However, her jealousy was just as angry as was her need for vengeance against the Council.
His return from Siberia was quiet with almost no questions from Ellis until he told her of the events of the past week he had been gone. Once Vivienne entered the equation, Ellis' attention was perked and her jealousy ignited. It was something he vaguely felt when Carol was mentioned, but she rarely ever was, so Ellis' anger had been tempered. As he spun her, flaring the hem of her long skirt out, he reminisced at how lucky and unlucky his love life had been.
There was a sudden murmur of voices behind them, but he ignored it, no doubt someone of note was passing through. He only caught the tail end of a tall man carrying an obviously drunk woman over his shoulder out of the ballroom. It wasn't even midnight, yet.
Simon carefully released more emotion into their shared aura and let it intermingle with Ellis' sudden and extreme happiness. They spent the next few minutes dancing close together until he guided them to the edge, leading her off the floor.
"Hungry?" he asked her as Ellis took a champagne flute off a passing waiter's tray.
"I could nibble on something, I suppose." Her smile was bright and conniving.
"Remember, not where we sleep." Simon left her smiling happily as she sipped slowly at her drink.
Moving through the crowd, he paid particular attention to avoiding touching anyone. It just bugged him, being jostled as he walked, so he took great pains to avoid the throng of people, leading him near the edge of the crowd to the doors back out to the hallway. Just as he passed it, Vivienne's lover Brig walked into the door with a large smile on his face, completely oblivious to his surroundings, including Simon. Curiosity got the better of Simon and he redirected his path toward the door and exited out, interested in seeing what was making the man smile.
Viv was standing at the end of the long hallway, in the opposite direction of the bathrooms and spiral staircase. He could just barely see the hip of her dress as she stood with her back against the wall, rounding the corner to the right. Listening, her heartbeat was unmistakable and suddenly he was filled with a ridiculous giddy feeling, obviously not his own. Holding the door open, he slipped through and made haste down the hallway toward her. Her mind must've been elsewhere since she didn't seem to react to his scent as he came up behind her and leaned against the corner of the wall.
"What's got you all giddy?" His voice trailed off as he leaned over and saw what she was looking at. Her left hand came up and on the ring finger was a bright, shiny bauble.
That was interesting. Vivienne was wearing an engagement ring.
Simon slipped his right hand up above Ellis' shoulder blade and held his left hand out, easily stepping into a slow waltz with her. Finally the tight anger in her face dissipated, as well as in their aura. He spun her lazily, moving in between the other dancers, making her laugh occasionally. He was surprised at her reaction to Vivienne, but there was a lot about Ellis that still surprised him. However, her jealousy was just as angry as was her need for vengeance against the Council.
His return from Siberia was quiet with almost no questions from Ellis until he told her of the events of the past week he had been gone. Once Vivienne entered the equation, Ellis' attention was perked and her jealousy ignited. It was something he vaguely felt when Carol was mentioned, but she rarely ever was, so Ellis' anger had been tempered. As he spun her, flaring the hem of her long skirt out, he reminisced at how lucky and unlucky his love life had been.
There was a sudden murmur of voices behind them, but he ignored it, no doubt someone of note was passing through. He only caught the tail end of a tall man carrying an obviously drunk woman over his shoulder out of the ballroom. It wasn't even midnight, yet.
Simon carefully released more emotion into their shared aura and let it intermingle with Ellis' sudden and extreme happiness. They spent the next few minutes dancing close together until he guided them to the edge, leading her off the floor.
"Hungry?" he asked her as Ellis took a champagne flute off a passing waiter's tray.
"I could nibble on something, I suppose." Her smile was bright and conniving.
"Remember, not where we sleep." Simon left her smiling happily as she sipped slowly at her drink.
Moving through the crowd, he paid particular attention to avoiding touching anyone. It just bugged him, being jostled as he walked, so he took great pains to avoid the throng of people, leading him near the edge of the crowd to the doors back out to the hallway. Just as he passed it, Vivienne's lover Brig walked into the door with a large smile on his face, completely oblivious to his surroundings, including Simon. Curiosity got the better of Simon and he redirected his path toward the door and exited out, interested in seeing what was making the man smile.
Viv was standing at the end of the long hallway, in the opposite direction of the bathrooms and spiral staircase. He could just barely see the hip of her dress as she stood with her back against the wall, rounding the corner to the right. Listening, her heartbeat was unmistakable and suddenly he was filled with a ridiculous giddy feeling, obviously not his own. Holding the door open, he slipped through and made haste down the hallway toward her. Her mind must've been elsewhere since she didn't seem to react to his scent as he came up behind her and leaned against the corner of the wall.
"What's got you all giddy?" His voice trailed off as he leaned over and saw what she was looking at. Her left hand came up and on the ring finger was a bright, shiny bauble.
That was interesting. Vivienne was wearing an engagement ring.
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
Viv walked slowly back to the main hallway with Brig. She wrapped her left arm around his right and fingered her engagement ring with her thumb, twisting it against the fluorescent lights, watching it twinkle.
"This is so beautiful," she said in a light and giddy voice.
"I'm glad you like it. It's from a Scottish jeweler. They called it the 'Poppy'. I thought you'd like it."
"I love it," she sang happily, smiling so hard she felt her face begin to crack. She sighed, knowing she'd have to take it off soon, but she knew she'd never be without it - always with her, more than likely on a chain if not on her finger. "About telling everyone right now...."
"It's all right, babe. We can wait. There's no rush. We'll do it when you're ready." Brig's hand came up and he placed it over her hand, stroking it with his thumb.
She pulled away from him gently and turned to put her hands gently on his chest. "I love you. You know that. I'm just...meh, a little scared."
"Well, I'd say you have nothing to be scared about, but the truth is we both do. We'll do it, soon, but we have to be careful about how we broach the subject."
"I am so relieved you said that."
Brig leaned down and kissed Viv softly. His right hand cupped her face as he rubbed his nose against hers and then pulled away to return to the ballroom. "Don't be long," he said with a smile.
Viv watched him go as she leaned against the corner of the wall turning back to the long hallway. Once he made it to the doors, she turned to put her back on the wall and stared at her ring. Just looking at it made her giggle stupidly, but she didn't care. Neither one of her ex-husbands ever made her feel this way when they proposed. Sure she liked them, cared for them even, but not like Brig. Pulling her bottom lip into her mouth, she chewed on it as she admired her beautiful ring.
"What's got you all giddy?"
Viv turned and saw Simon standing behind her, his eyes locked onto her engagement ring. She lifted her hand and wiggled her ring finger. She tee-hee'd with delight.
Simon flicked his hazel eyes up to her and made a face. "Did you just 'tee-hee'?"
Viv reached out and pulled Simon's tuxedo lapels, pulling him into the hallway with her, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting her feet off the ground. "Oh my god I am so happy right now!"
"Yeah," Simon said, pulling back and lowering Vivienne to her feet. He held onto her with his long arms as she looked back at her ring. "I can tell. I mean, I really can tell. I felt your giddiness from down the hall."
"Oh, is that a bonding thing?"
"Yeah." Simon paused. "So is this what it feels like to be a newly engaged woman? Because I don't normally want to giggle and scream like a school girl. It's kinda...neat."
Viv pushed him and then bit her bottom lip again as she looked at her ring. She felt the tears in her eyes.
"Now you're going to cry, aren't you? You are going to give me whiplash with these emotions, Vivienne."
"This is so beautiful," she said in a light and giddy voice.
"I'm glad you like it. It's from a Scottish jeweler. They called it the 'Poppy'. I thought you'd like it."
"I love it," she sang happily, smiling so hard she felt her face begin to crack. She sighed, knowing she'd have to take it off soon, but she knew she'd never be without it - always with her, more than likely on a chain if not on her finger. "About telling everyone right now...."
"It's all right, babe. We can wait. There's no rush. We'll do it when you're ready." Brig's hand came up and he placed it over her hand, stroking it with his thumb.
She pulled away from him gently and turned to put her hands gently on his chest. "I love you. You know that. I'm just...meh, a little scared."
"Well, I'd say you have nothing to be scared about, but the truth is we both do. We'll do it, soon, but we have to be careful about how we broach the subject."
"I am so relieved you said that."
Brig leaned down and kissed Viv softly. His right hand cupped her face as he rubbed his nose against hers and then pulled away to return to the ballroom. "Don't be long," he said with a smile.
Viv watched him go as she leaned against the corner of the wall turning back to the long hallway. Once he made it to the doors, she turned to put her back on the wall and stared at her ring. Just looking at it made her giggle stupidly, but she didn't care. Neither one of her ex-husbands ever made her feel this way when they proposed. Sure she liked them, cared for them even, but not like Brig. Pulling her bottom lip into her mouth, she chewed on it as she admired her beautiful ring.
"What's got you all giddy?"
Viv turned and saw Simon standing behind her, his eyes locked onto her engagement ring. She lifted her hand and wiggled her ring finger. She tee-hee'd with delight.
Simon flicked his hazel eyes up to her and made a face. "Did you just 'tee-hee'?"
Viv reached out and pulled Simon's tuxedo lapels, pulling him into the hallway with her, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting her feet off the ground. "Oh my god I am so happy right now!"
"Yeah," Simon said, pulling back and lowering Vivienne to her feet. He held onto her with his long arms as she looked back at her ring. "I can tell. I mean, I really can tell. I felt your giddiness from down the hall."
"Oh, is that a bonding thing?"
"Yeah." Simon paused. "So is this what it feels like to be a newly engaged woman? Because I don't normally want to giggle and scream like a school girl. It's kinda...neat."
Viv pushed him and then bit her bottom lip again as she looked at her ring. She felt the tears in her eyes.
"Now you're going to cry, aren't you? You are going to give me whiplash with these emotions, Vivienne."
Xeph
13 years ago
Xeph made a face and shook his head at Nikhila, sitting down next to her as she'd suggested. "I said I'd get you something with asparagus. I didn't say I'd eat it," he clarified. "I'd have to think about whether you're worth it before actually putting that stuff in my mouth."
He gazed at her innocently, hoping the expression would save him from retaliation.
Brig and Viv both disappeared again and Xeph considered them for a moment. They weren't being forthcoming on the details of what was going on between them but he had a reasonable idea. He wondered if his father knew. He wasn't certain. He might get along well with his Piper cousins but his own work had him away enough that he didn't know all the details of the dynamics between them. He tried to keep track but he wasn't always always successful.
He put his arm around Nikhila's shoulders and rubbed gently. It wouldn't be long now and they would have a baby. The though distracted him from anyone else's relationships and he smiled at her. "Do you want to dance, then, or wait until a little later?"
He gazed at her innocently, hoping the expression would save him from retaliation.
Brig and Viv both disappeared again and Xeph considered them for a moment. They weren't being forthcoming on the details of what was going on between them but he had a reasonable idea. He wondered if his father knew. He wasn't certain. He might get along well with his Piper cousins but his own work had him away enough that he didn't know all the details of the dynamics between them. He tried to keep track but he wasn't always always successful.
He put his arm around Nikhila's shoulders and rubbed gently. It wouldn't be long now and they would have a baby. The though distracted him from anyone else's relationships and he smiled at her. "Do you want to dance, then, or wait until a little later?"
Lily
13 years ago
Lily noted when Brig left and breathed a short sigh of relief. pushing her chair back she stood and looked at her son and his mate. "I'll go get some food," she volunteered. "It looks like they're delivering it right to the tables."
She wanted to look around the ballroom a little bit as well. The decorations were beautiful, and it would be a shame to stay at their table the entire time. It was all right for Aidan, who was sunken into a pool of Kadzait overprotectiveness, but Lily had to stop and greet a few people and may as well see about something to nibble on while she was up.
She stood with her champagne flute and looked down at Iov with a smile. "Come with me?" she offered. "I know we're going to get stopped a few times but I'll bet you can make those little meetings a bit shorter."
She gave him a hopeful look; if anyone could discourage social interaction with a glare it was Iov. Lily didn't mind a bit of public relations here and there but while she wanted to see the ballroom, she didn't want to be gone from the table for the entire night.
She wanted to look around the ballroom a little bit as well. The decorations were beautiful, and it would be a shame to stay at their table the entire time. It was all right for Aidan, who was sunken into a pool of Kadzait overprotectiveness, but Lily had to stop and greet a few people and may as well see about something to nibble on while she was up.
She stood with her champagne flute and looked down at Iov with a smile. "Come with me?" she offered. "I know we're going to get stopped a few times but I'll bet you can make those little meetings a bit shorter."
She gave him a hopeful look; if anyone could discourage social interaction with a glare it was Iov. Lily didn't mind a bit of public relations here and there but while she wanted to see the ballroom, she didn't want to be gone from the table for the entire night.
Iov Hammerthynn
13 years ago
Hammer had already decided not to keep getting up as Vivienne popped back and forth to the table. It would be like that all night, so why waste the energy, he decided. The second Lily rose an inch out of her chair, he did stand politely...and because he would follow her until she told him to sit, anyway.
"I'd be more than happy to blink my left eye. It's ghastly and would definitely ruin a few people's nights if you like?"
He gently smiled at her and nodded toward his son and Nikhila. "Eat your vegetables, boy. Builds character."
"I'd be more than happy to blink my left eye. It's ghastly and would definitely ruin a few people's nights if you like?"
He gently smiled at her and nodded toward his son and Nikhila. "Eat your vegetables, boy. Builds character."
Kem`Raaisu
13 years ago
Kem chuckled at Eiryk's willingness to jump into danger. "Actually, it means I get to go first." He shrugged. "My privilege," he said with a smile.
Standing, he took Aishe's hand and pulled her from her seat. "Shall we?"
As they left the table they ran into Artemis and Pak. Kem greeted them both, kissed Pak on the cheek and called her lovely, and continued on his way with Aishe in tow.
It had been a long time since he'd danced but you couldn't live sixteen hundred years without learning how, so he didn't worry much. The song was a waltz, a good way to start. It was natural to pull Aishe into his arms and she was more familiar with the dance then he'd thought she'd be. He didn't think her lessons as a youth had been extensive but clearly they'd been adequate.
As they moved across the floor they actually spoke very little; just the occasional short exchange. Everything else that could have been spoken was unnecessary. They just shared in a few minutes of mutual warmth and happiness before returning to their table. Kem hadn't been about to give up the first dance; he didn't begrudge anyone else a dance with Aishe even if he would have gladly hogged them all.
Standing, he took Aishe's hand and pulled her from her seat. "Shall we?"
As they left the table they ran into Artemis and Pak. Kem greeted them both, kissed Pak on the cheek and called her lovely, and continued on his way with Aishe in tow.
It had been a long time since he'd danced but you couldn't live sixteen hundred years without learning how, so he didn't worry much. The song was a waltz, a good way to start. It was natural to pull Aishe into his arms and she was more familiar with the dance then he'd thought she'd be. He didn't think her lessons as a youth had been extensive but clearly they'd been adequate.
As they moved across the floor they actually spoke very little; just the occasional short exchange. Everything else that could have been spoken was unnecessary. They just shared in a few minutes of mutual warmth and happiness before returning to their table. Kem hadn't been about to give up the first dance; he didn't begrudge anyone else a dance with Aishe even if he would have gladly hogged them all.
Aishe
13 years ago
[I wasn't going to be cruel about it,] Aishe argued lightly. [But the torment part, yes, maybe a little. And that's a good idea. I'll keep it in mind.]
She grinned at Alex to let him know he wasn't off the hook. "I'll take my chances with you both," she said. And then, as Pak and Artemis finally showed up, she smiled at them too. "Maybe with Artemis too, if he's brave enough and Pak doesn't monopolize him."
She didn't have time for long greetings though; Kiamhaat was ready to take her up on her offer... challenge... whatever. And she wasn't going to say no. Dancing wasn't always her cup of tea but here, it seemed like it was the main attraction. They were in a ballroom after all.
It only took a few moments for her to remember the basic moves of the waltz. Even if she hadn't, she doubted she'd have had a problem following Kem. Snuggled into his arms she nearly purred as they moved together. She remembered watching him ice skate a couple years back and was reminded that he was, as usual, full of surprises. Because he was a pretty decent dancer, when you considered how many men nowadays actually knew ballroom dance.
They'd begun in the middle of the song, so they didn't get to dance very long; a few minutes at best. It was enough to warm her up though, and as they made their way back to their table she almost considered letting Alex go. And then she noted the look of abject terror in his eyes when he saw her returning and that notion flew out the window.
She grinned at Alex to let him know he wasn't off the hook. "I'll take my chances with you both," she said. And then, as Pak and Artemis finally showed up, she smiled at them too. "Maybe with Artemis too, if he's brave enough and Pak doesn't monopolize him."
She didn't have time for long greetings though; Kiamhaat was ready to take her up on her offer... challenge... whatever. And she wasn't going to say no. Dancing wasn't always her cup of tea but here, it seemed like it was the main attraction. They were in a ballroom after all.
It only took a few moments for her to remember the basic moves of the waltz. Even if she hadn't, she doubted she'd have had a problem following Kem. Snuggled into his arms she nearly purred as they moved together. She remembered watching him ice skate a couple years back and was reminded that he was, as usual, full of surprises. Because he was a pretty decent dancer, when you considered how many men nowadays actually knew ballroom dance.
They'd begun in the middle of the song, so they didn't get to dance very long; a few minutes at best. It was enough to warm her up though, and as they made their way back to their table she almost considered letting Alex go. And then she noted the look of abject terror in his eyes when he saw her returning and that notion flew out the window.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Pak and Artemis arrived, giving Alex a respite. Kem took his fiance away to dance too, which also helped. Only, the thing was, he liked Aishe a lot. He was almost willing to bite the bullet and give it a try. Oh he doubted she'd be forceful. He'd known her long enough to understand the difference between her teasing and seriousness.
"You haven't missed anything. Just blatant coercion," he said by way of greeting Pak and Artemis, rising as he did and waiting until they seated themselves. "Happy new year," he added.
Eiryk was looking unfairly comfortable in this setting. It made Alex wonder just how many black tie events he'd been to; he did have some pretty wealthy clients. As Pak and Artemis made themselves comfortable one of the omnipresent waiters swooped by with another tray of drinks.
Alex looked at Eiryk, who hadn't been as supportive as he'd hoped with the whole not dancing thing. Then it dawned on him why. "Wait," he said. "Don't tell me. I'm supposed to dance with you too?"
Once again it came out badly. Alex gave up. "Okay, okay, I'll do it."
It was just about then he saw Aishe and Kem returning, obviously close enough to have heard him agree to this foolishness. "Gah," he added, looking at Aishe with something akin to panic.
"You haven't missed anything. Just blatant coercion," he said by way of greeting Pak and Artemis, rising as he did and waiting until they seated themselves. "Happy new year," he added.
Eiryk was looking unfairly comfortable in this setting. It made Alex wonder just how many black tie events he'd been to; he did have some pretty wealthy clients. As Pak and Artemis made themselves comfortable one of the omnipresent waiters swooped by with another tray of drinks.
Alex looked at Eiryk, who hadn't been as supportive as he'd hoped with the whole not dancing thing. Then it dawned on him why. "Wait," he said. "Don't tell me. I'm supposed to dance with you too?"
Once again it came out badly. Alex gave up. "Okay, okay, I'll do it."
It was just about then he saw Aishe and Kem returning, obviously close enough to have heard him agree to this foolishness. "Gah," he added, looking at Aishe with something akin to panic.