|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 5:38 pm
( Zurine )
After finishing her glass and her grapes with relish, Zurine looked down at her phone to see the time -- and was greeted with one missed call and two text messages from Phiel. Her expression pinched slightly as she read them, and she huffed softly, hardly aware of the tiny drama blooming feet away as a pout poked her lower lip out. Did Phiel never stop working? It was New Year's, he ought to have been in here, kissing Nara and drinking champagne, but instead the texts apologized profusely for him leaving. An urgent call that he'd had to take. Nara had driven him home and would come back if Zuri needed him. Did Zuri need him to come back? asked the second text, this one from Nara, with a questioning emoji. Had she had a foot she would have stomped it in frustration.
"Cesc," she said, reaching out for him, smiling hopefully, her cheeks pink with champagne and sheepishness. "Can I ride home with you...?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 6:01 pm
((Nell -> peace out!))
Fatigue quickly started catching up with her around the time that the other partygoers started to trickle out, and a quick look at her phone showed that it was, indeed, way past the time she usually went to sleep. So she drank the remainders of the champagne in her glass, made a quick trip around the room to say goodbye and wish everyone a happy new year, and with a final wave goodbye stepped out into the cold to drive back home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friendly Conversationalist
|
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:12 pm
(( Claire & Cadi -> Mordekai, Aina, Gabe, Cesc, Vivi all on the way out -> exiting! ))
Through it all, Claire smiled. She found herself very intrigued by this new face, different as he was from the nurse and Ethiriel both. The text from Aaron came during the lapse in conversation between them while small clusters of people were saying goodbyes and being ushered out (Mordekai reappeared to acquire a fussy Aina) - a simple "heading home see you in a few hours" was her exit cue. With so much activity now, though, Claire remained seated.
"Happy New Year, Mordekai - send Duncan our best, okay?" she replied with a small wave of her own. Aina's sleepy, fond call out ushered a softer smile. "Bye, Aina - let's see each other again soon, okay?" It did not take long after that before Ethiriel reappeared at Gabe's side and the two readied to leave; once again, the Raevan looked preoccupied, drawn and sad. Claire's smile downturned just a touch; this was not a good way to leave a party. She wondered secretly what had elapsed when Gabe said his parting words, bringing her back to the conversation at hand. He certainly had a point, they likely would see each other again if both her husband and Henry managed to concoct another meeting (which, knowing Aaron, was already in the cards). "Certainly. Have a good night you two, safe drive." Her eyes lingered on Eth's back for a moment when they exited.
"Hey." Cadi materialized next to the couch, chewing slowly at a skewer of grapes and looking much less frazzled than she had (although Claire was certain there was a slight redness to her cheeks that answered that). She was folding a piece of paper and shoving it into her pockets. "Ready?"
"Yeah." Claire stood up and quickly redonned her outer layers. As she worked on buttoning up her coat, her mind kept drifting back to Ethiriel. There was more to this than what let on, and while she did not consider herself a snoopy sort of person, she would have to see if there was any way she could help. Maybe another meeting between the Holmes and Knight households was in the cards after all. "All set. Text Aaron and let him know we're on the way, could you?" She handed the phone over to Cadi who set to work on her task, and Claire knotted her still-damp scarf more tightly around her neck, leading them onward. She turned to Cesc and smiled kindly, hand held out. "I'm sorry we didn't get much of a chance to talk tonight, but have a Happy New Year. We'll have to stop by Vermillion again." She patted his arm gently and the two moved ahead, and before they were fully out the door, Claire also stopped to say goodbye to their hostess. With another fond handshake, she said, "Thank you for such a lovely party tonight, everything was wonderful. Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year," Cadi echoed, mouth half full with grapes but a smile that was still genuine. And with that, they exited into the chilly night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:09 pm
(Cesc & Co --> Out!)
Cesc watched Ethiriel leave with his lips parted and his brows raised, confusion clearly scripted across his face. He ran through the last few moments with her in his head: he'd given her a gift, she'd laughed and enjoyed herself, she went to the couch with Aina, he'd kissed her gently for the new year. The only thing he could think was that the kiss had crossed a line with her, although Vivi had always been so free with physical affection that a simple, friendly, chaste kiss hadn't seemed like a bad idea...
But then, Ethiriel had always put a prime on ladylike behavior. Maybe it HAD been a bad idea. Still, even that explanation felt wrong, somehow.
Cesc snapped out of his reverie quickly when Mordekai came to claim Aina. He smiled broadly and wiggled his fingers for Aina, and all the sparkles faded again into light. "We can throw them together any time," he promised.
Then, he turned toward Claire and her niece, who were also heading out. "Next time!" he promised, his voice earnest and friendly.
Shepard patted Mordekai on the back as he sent the group off. "Keep safe out there!" he yelled after them, and Nell, and all who were setting out.
Vivi smiled and said her own goodbyes, hugging and air-kissing everyone who set out, her hand still holding her champagne glass. She waved after Ronan and blew kisses at the sleeping Amity, and parlayed Claire's handshake into a pull forward and a kiss on each cheek. "Thank you for coming, two beauties! I hope to see you soon with a third-- or fourth, rather, I suppose!"
Finally, Cesc pulled himself up and helped Shepard gather their things. He heard Zurine's voice and looked up at her, grinning gently.
"I don't know..." he said, considering. "We might just leave you here."
"Why, Cesc!" laughed Vivi.
"I think she'd do well up here!" Cesc continued with a nod.
"You can come with us, of course, cheri," said Vivi, smiling.
With a few last looks to make sure nothing was forgotten, the foursome exited to their own car.
----------
FIN!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
