open ♔ november/december socialization

[wynn]

WHO || Everyone! [ota]
WHAT || Shenanigans.
WHERE || Anywhere in the castle, surrounding environs, London, Andres Isle, etc!
WHEN || November & December [backdated]
HOW || Actionspam

[ The castle can be a happening place, even on more mundane days. This log is for random interactions over the course of November and December.

You are encouraged to start your own threads and tag around, and feel free to threadjack into any on-going threads that aren't specified as 'closed' in the subject lines since people can enter into rooms even in the middle of what's going on. WE ARE BIG ON THREAD-JACKING HERE. You can also specify 'single thread', meaning you want only one response for all participants, rather than multi-thread, where a number of different scenes/threads can be done as replies to the top prompt.]

On this log:
Wynn & Section Heads @ Andres/London
Cheryl @ Reception desk
Sam @ Various
Elena @ Andres/London
Drax @ Dragon's Hide Wing
Des @ Pub / Castle
Paige @ Caste Grounds
Grimrot @ the Library
Vi @ Andres
Matt @ Andres/London
Alisha @ bars in London
Cora @ Library/ Castle Grounds
Will @ Castle pond / Hoard wing/ Firing range / Castle grounds
Malina @ Dragon's Fire wing/ kitchen/ bar / castle grounds
Alainn @ Dragon's Fire library / kitchen / Andres
Jordan @ Andres/ London
Sylar @ Kitchen
Logan @ Castle Bars / London
Faith L @ London / kitchen / training room / castle grounds
Dean @ Rose's room / bars / armory / training room/ firing range / kitchen
Rose @ Andres / armory / training room / bedroom
Des & Buffy | Closed
Thea @ Training Room / Castle grounds / kitchen / TV rooms / bars
Sam & Buffy | Closed
Alex @ Firing Range / Airfield / Room / Garage
Failboat @ Breakfast
Alice @ Andres/ London
Sweets @ Dragon's Light Wing
Lydia @ Medical / Training room / etc

Comments

[nothingsodivine]

A little of both. I could do without the gray hairs.

[not that he has many yet and better gray hairs than his hair FALLING OUT, but he's only really been properly aging for five months.] But like everything in the world, it's complicated.

[daredtobelieve]

I don't know. I think a little gray would look fine on you.

[Leaning back in her chair, she takes a breath before continuing.]

Am I to assume you may be looking for someone to help you celebrate?

[nothingsodivine]

It's a hard thing to celebrate with friends who've been mortal their whole lives.

[awkward pause as he lets her wrap her head around the important use of the word "friend" and how he still wants to be hers, regardless of the awkwardness of their situation.] So... Yeah.

[daredtobelieve]

[Relief floods through her at that very simple word. Friend. Well, there's her answer.]

Name the time and place and I'll be there.

[nothingsodivine]

Novemnber 23rd. Six o'clock. The Lamb and Flag.

[daredtobelieve]

I'll be there. [theres a smile that lifts the corners of her mouth, happy to be able to talk to him like this.] Thank you. For calling.

[nothingsodivine]

Thanks for writing. [There's a definite relief in his tone from his end of the phone.] I'll see you then, all right?

[daredtobelieve]

Yes, of course. Enjoy your evening. [She hangs up and takes a breath, trying to ignore a flutter in her chest. Her feelings aren't just going to disappear, after all. Shes just glad to have this chance to salvage their friendship.

The day in question arrives and Helen finds herself at a loss for what to wear. She doesn't really own much that would be considered casual. Even in a cream colored cowl neck sweater, dark jeans, and boots, she looks elegant and poised (disguise 29). Stepping into the bar he had named, she takes a look around.]

[nothingsodivine]

[At this late hour, the bar's pretty crowded, but Des has a seat at the bar proper with his legs draped across one of the stools to save Helen a place. He glances behind him, nursing a glass of whiskey and waves her over when he spots her, smiling.]

C'mon over, Peaches. My legs are gettin' tired.

[daredtobelieve]

[She feels a little silly that she didn't spot him sooner, but simply crosses the room and takes the seat he's saved for her.]

I see the birthday boy got started without me.

[nothingsodivine]

To be honest, if I didn't fear the hangover, I'd have been drinking since noon. [he presses the glass to his forehead.] Kind of a shit way to celebrate mortality, but I'm trying to overcome the whole... fear thing. [he takes a sip, and pulls his legs off the stool so she can sit down.]

[daredtobelieve]

[She sits once his feet lift from the seat, giving him a sympathetic smile.]

It's going to be an adjustment, but this is a good place to start, I think.

[nothingsodivine]

Drinking an average amount? [He smirks sheepishly and then drops his gaze.] I really do appreciate you... reaching out. I would've hated to lose you, Helen.

[daredtobelieve]

[She can't manage to keep looking at him as he shifts topics.]

I'm just... glad it wasn't an irreparable damage that I caused.

[Which isn't a healthy way to view having feelings for someone but...oh well.]

[nothingsodivine]

I was more worried about you, than I was offended. [Not that there was anything to take offense too, in his book.] Don't look at it like that, Helen. You didn't do anything wrong.

[daredtobelieve]

It's nice of you to say so, but... I put the both of us in a position that we didn't need to be in. As I said in my letter- I don't regret the act, but what came after was not exactly something I hope to experience again any time soon.

[closing up shop basically. Feelings aren't really worth it.]

[nothingsodivine]

[he swallows.] You didn't do anything crazy, did you?

[because it sounds like you did something crazy.] I, uh... went for a walk after.

[daredtobelieve]

Other than drink myself to stupidity and make a moronic wager? No.

Not my proudest moment, I'm sure you can imagine.

[nothingsodivine]

Anything involving wagers is rarely a proud moment. [Des has such bad luck with wagers and deals.] What'd you bet?

[He takes a sip of his whiskey.] I wanna know, 'cause I feel like I need to make it up to you somehow.

[it's funny how they keep blaming themselves for... that. IT'S MY FAULT I WAS IMPULSIVE. IT'S MY FAULT I DON'T FEEL THE SAME WAY.]

[daredtobelieve]

[She looks up at him suddenly, confusion etched into her expression.]

Make it up to-? Des, there's no part of this that's in any way your fault.

[nothingsodivine]

I still feel lousy about it. [Oh look, more whiskey.]

[daredtobelieve]

Please, don't. Believe me, I've been on the other side of this. Had I stopped to think about that at the wedding, we may not be in this position at all. But you should never feel like you need to apologize for being happy with who and what you have.

[nothingsodivine]

Oh, believe me... It's not that. It's you, Helen. I meant everything I said at the wedding. And I'm sure you'll find someone who makes you just as happy as Zarad makes me, but...

[He stares at his whiskey glass.] I'm tired of broken hearts. Even the ones that heal over quickly and the ones that seem so damn insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

[daredtobelieve]

Des. [She reaches out and places her hand on his wrist, fingers curling to take a light hold.] My heart isn't broken. A bit scuffed up? Certainly. Pride wounded? A bit. But we weren't anywhere near...that. And I'm not so quick to leave my heart unguarded, even when I'm snogging a friend without warning.

[Her smile is gentle, and still a bit embarrassed.]

it seemed like a feeling worth exploring. And I knew very little of your arrangement with this mysterious Zarad. From what I've gathered, you met long before the curse broke. Extended lifespans can lead to more unconventional circumstances when it comes to relationships. Again- something better discussed rather than my decision to simply force my lips upon you, but it was a bit of an odd night.

[nothingsodivine]

[There's a relief. He's seen the toll unrequited love can take on a person- Spike and Isabella, mainly. More Isa, than Spike, and maybe he was just having horrible flashbacks to what happened when Isabella decided to snog a friend and was ultimately rejected. He should have known Helen was much more sensible than a young woman who'd been harboring those feelings most of her life, but he also has this horrible habit of only seeing the worst in the world and what it can do a person. Too many years.

He stares at her hand over his.] It was kind of an odd night. And probably just as much my fault for not talking about him much or the fact that we're not attached at the hip all the time.

[He heaves a sigh.] But it's water under the bridge. We don't have to linger on any of that.