OPEN ♔ I WISH I COULD SAY IN JUST ONE SWEEP WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME

[socialgraces]

♬ Silent Shout - The Knife

WHO || Anyone and everyone! [OPEN]
WHAT || Francesca's birthday party
WHERE || One of the big parlor rooms on the castle's second floor.
WHEN || [Backdated] July 11, Evening
HOW || Actionspam

 

[Earlier in the week all DRAKENET devices received a message announcing Francesca's birthday party, courtesy of Sir Bancroft, to be held the evening of July 11. No RSVP needed. It's especially good timing now that many mission groups have returned to the castle, at least for the time being.

As the guests make their way in, it's clear the party's been well stocked with food and drink. There's plenty of room for mingling and some music in the background. Gifts are completely optional, but welcome. Come in and get comfortable.]

(OOC: Feel free to make your own threads/threadjack, etc.)

Comments

[everyredcent]

Your optimism is well noted.

[socialgraces]

And perhaps you shouldn't try so hard to make friends. [Definitely sarcasm, but in good humor. And just to be sure he knows it, she gives him a sly little grin.]

[everyredcent]

Perhaps if there were any worth the making, my methods would change.

[socialgraces]

I wasn't suggesting you change your methods. [She changes her tone a bit before she continues to sound sincere, but not uncomfortably serious.] I like you just the way you are.

[everyredcent]

I imagine that makes you the only one here with any taste.

[socialgraces]

The only one worth mentioning, at least. [She gives him a playful smile over the top of her glass before taking a sip.] Is there any way I could rectify your evening?

[everyredcent]

You're doing a fine job, by simply providing conversation that doesn't grate on every nerve.

[socialgraces]

[Wow, Christos, you sure know how to make a girl feel special 8| You can start grumbling anytime now then.] Seems easy enough.

[everyredcent]

Not to mention that you look rather pleased with your evening.

[socialgraces]

[Oh. Well then. That makes her face light up and she smiles wider.] I'm enjoying myself, yes. Although the crowd can get a bit overwhelming. Come outside with me?

[everyredcent]

I thought you'd never ask. [ he says it as a matter of course that he hates being in crowds, not as if he were waiting on bated breath to ~go outside with her~. naturally. ]

[socialgraces]

[Yeah, she figured as much.] Besides, you chose a poor station for avoiding confrontation. [Her smile lingers for a couple seconds more before she turns to navigate through the crowd, quickly reaching an exit.]

[everyredcent]

[ he draws the door open for her, glancing back to give one more look of contempt at the room ] Should have stayed shut up in my room, is that it?

[socialgraces]

No. [She rolls her eyes with a smile.] It certainly wouldn't feel like a party without you here. [She teases lightly, before trying to ~oh-so-casually~ add.] At least not to me.

[everyredcent]

[ he looks at her sidelong for a moment before stepping out into the crisp night air ] Should I presume that you're feeling in good enough spirits to begin taking assignments again?

[socialgraces]

[She tries to take that as a friendly push to keep moving forward with her life, but its hard to ignore her sudden fear that he just wants her out of the castle (and his face) already. She attempts a casual facade (bluff check 21) and a simple answer.] Sure.

[everyredcent]

I imagine a return to the trials of fieldwork would be a welcome respite from merely having time to dwell on your-- [ he seems to catch himself ] vast quantity of free time.

[socialgraces]

[She gives him a little smile, unperturbed by his slip. She's relieved that someone else said what she was thinking. Or rather feeling.] Perfectly astute, as usual. I'm not... afraid of returning to work. Not in the sense I think everyone would expect, at least.

[everyredcent]

I never expected you would be. [ don't lump him in with those other posers, ok ]

[socialgraces]

[Her smile brightens before quickly fading as she looks away.] I would also rather not repeat my recent mistakes anytime soon. I feel more... cautious, but that's also not why I've hesitated.

[everyredcent]

I imagine you have your own reasons. [ his tone betrays his curiosity but also that he is TOO PROUD TO JUST ASK ]

[socialgraces]

[She'll just pretend like he did ask. She slowly starts to move further away from the building and into the night.] I just don't want to be treated differently. And it really has nothing to do with pride, or fear, it's just... uncomfortable. Even this party- [She cuts off, shaking her head.]

[everyredcent]

[ he follows after her, like a shadow ] That's because Thomas is a bit of a buffoon. [ mocking dragon's claws will make you feel better, right?? ]

[socialgraces]

He only meant well. I think this was his nice way of telling me I'm being ridiculous.

[everyredcent]

He could learn to make his point with less extravagance.