The new outfit had been a purchase he'd worried about, Aiden didn't like when he spent money in excess especially on things he didn't need. He knew he didn't need a new suit for an event, he had enough of those already, but he'd decided something new was needed anyway, because when wasn't a new outfit needed? Alexandre had also bought something for Aiden, already knowing the others measurements helped in making a purchase without Aiden knowing.
It wasn't until shortly before getting ready for the gala that Alexandre had presented Aiden with the purchase he'd made for him, keeping the purchase for himself hidden until he'd stepped out of the bathroom dressed for the night.
The suit he wore as he stepped into the gala was tailored to fit him, since he had a smaller frame everything had to be tailored to his frame or he risked drowning or having clothing hanging off him. His hair had been washed and brushed out and tied back loosely, his bangs swept back and incorporated into the pony tail.
Small fingers, cause like the rest of him he had small hands and fingers, reached out for Aiden's hand as he let his eyes move about those in general area. It looked packed and people were dressed so nicely! Though there were a few outfits which stood out as being either very nice or really kinda not. For the most part people had dressed nicely.
"It looks like a good turn out." He didn't see his parents but that was ok, no doubt they were mingling with the older people here.
”Careful,” he said as she nearly spilled her water, his hand lifting to maybe offer to assist if needed, but her bright grin had him easing up a little, his own lips quirking into a smile as she reached for the flower on his lapel.
“I didn’t expect to see anyone here. I’m used to avoiding these things, but I figured it’ll be fun,” he explained, trying to recover from his awkward stuttering when he hadn’t recognized her.
“I’m here with my brother and his fiance,” he said, lifting his thumb to jerk over his shoulder at the taller man with the same coloring as himself, save for their eyes, and guy who looked much younger than he was with the black hair. “Sort of. I’m going to pretend I don’t know them if I can help it,” he admitted, but grinned a bit wider, completely ignoring the comment he heard from Caspian, and really just wanted to flip him off, but decided against it. He happened to like his tie, thank you very much.
“Who’d you come with?” he couldn’t help but ask, because he definitely didn’t want to intrude if that were the case.
”Michael allowed Caspian to tug him towards the food table, and went ahead and picked up a couple glasses of the champagne that was being carried around, turning back in time to see Caspian jostle into someone.
He frowned in concern, but they didn’t seem to be hurt at least.
“Everything alright?” he asked as he held out the glass to Caspian and peered around him to see the dark haired woman in a white and gold dress.
Anxious as all get out was probably the understatement of the year. He felt as though his heart was going to beat right out of his chest and leave him in a heap on the floor. A fancy heap or fancy clothes. He was not such a stranger to fancy clothes as he was not used to just staying near the wall during events like these, but he’d hesitantly agreed to accompany Adrien to the gala, because it was no fun to go alone.
He had his hair brushed back and off his forehead, making him feel a little ridiculous, mostly because he was used to having his bangs to hide behind when necessary. His suit fit him well, at least, and he happened to think his solid colors complimented Adrien’s floral rather well.
There was an attempt at opening his mouth to say something, but instead just squeezed Adrien’s hand harder, trying to swallow back his nervousness as he peered around the room, making sure he had a good view of all the exits in case he needed to escape.
"I'd love that." Seth hadn't given him a name so it was potentially not a famous designer. That meant there was a chance that their magazine could be the one to discover the designer if the rest of his pieces were well put together as well. Score one for Lysander's bad habits.
Lysander was a bit surprised at the 'Mr, Cadwell' but liked how it sounded coming from Seth. "I work for a fashion magazine assisting the creative director, writing, hunting up new things. Smaller magazine so most of us have a lot of hats." It was hard sometimes but it was good work and they paid extremely well.
Probably because they knew everyone who worked for them had expensive taste. It was also good to make sure your staff looked like they knew what they were talking about.
He caught Seth's gaze, looking where the other man had shifted his eyes but couldn't quite tell who the other man was looking at. "No plans, at least not yet. Didn't' think I'd run into anyone interesting here so I was going to suffer through some small talk and rub elbows."
He rolled his eyes as he lightly elbowed his friend. "If you were planning on that you would have worn the other shirt and tie. Can't be James Bond if you're not going to go all out." Lucien knew Arin would have been more uncomfortable in the other outfit though if he was already wanting to fuss with what he was wearing. "Plus if you're going to try to look sexy sipping something it should be something you like the taste of."
Champagne was an acquired taste, one he didn't have, so he'd been avoiding the trays all night. "I've gotten a lot of good pictures, plenty of photogenic people and the venue makes for a good backdrop. And no. The invite said it was black tie." He reached up and straightened Arin's tie from where he'd been fussing at it. Giving the other man a little slack he did loosen it a bit, not enough it would look sloppy but enough it wouldn't be right against Arin's neck.
Benji didn't seem to have expected such big blue eyes to turn on him, and suddenly, he felt sheepish as he watched obvious excitement come over the little girl before him. Oh gods, what had he done? She was giggling and blushing and he just wasn't sure at all how to handle such a thing. But it made her smile, and in turn his own smile became much more natural.
The little handshake was cute too, especially how she changed her mind and switched it's position after a moment. It was much fancier this way, for sure. Maybe she thought she was a little princess or something. Well, let the kid pretend, right? In response, Benji dipped his head in a bow, finding it all goofy but enough to put him in a better mood than he had been in a few minutes prior. From here he could tell that the little one's guardian was alright with him escorting her around for a bit, to which he felt surprising relief. Good, he didn't have the energy for a confrontation about stereotypes and what not.
"Dance with you? I'm not much of a dancer, I think, but I can try. Luckily my feet aren't that big so I am fairly certain that I won't be stepping on your toes either." With that, he continued to hold Giulia's hand, his other giving a sweeping motion that ended in a little bow and an open palm pointing to the dance floor.
"Shall you lead on then?"
Infinities
Giulia Montgomery - Addressing: You precious little thing you! <3
The conversation with the younger man seemed to go well enough, and he took a seat beside him, pulling out his own phone to save the place. He didn't often wear suits, but if he did plan on conducting proper business one day, it would do best to have more than just his standard wear. Compared to the boy next to him, he wasn't -quite- as thin, one would even call Nischal fairly muscular and large these days, which was funny in it's own right given how tiny and scrawny he was back in the day.
"That would be great, thank you. Hehe, flirting, you say? It must have been terribly awkward. But she definitely knew her job well, because that color really does look fantastic on you. I wonder if I can run into her some time and she can find something that would look at least halfway decent with this mess of curls on my head." To emphasis, he reached up, pulling on one weirdly angled curl, pulled it straight, then let it bounce back into it's proper position before grinning a little at Xi-wang. "Oh, by the way, my name is ----"
Before he could quite introduce himself, another man came bounding in, certainly looking out of place considering the exact style of the event.
Immediately Nischal felt uncomfortable at the sudden display of affection Caleb had decided to show, as if he was intimidated by his presence and not caring at all that they were talking. Why else would he come up out of nowhere to lace fingers with another person while they were in the middle of the conversation. And yet, somehow the man offered his hand to shake, which Nischal took kindly and returned before standing back up. It felt wrong to be here all of a sudden, and his own shyness was beginning to creep up the back of his spine.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I hope you enjoy the gala." Rather than meet Caleb's smile again, he turned to Xi-wang and gave a slight nod. "I'll leave you two be then, as I don't wish to interrupt your conversations with my simple ramblings. I also have to go thank the board of directors for the invitation and maybe find out just how out of it I was one day to have donated so much and not have any record of it. Have a good evening."
Before protests could be made, Nischal nodded one last time and turned to head towards the buffet area for a drink. He truly didn't mean to offend anyone, or come off as being put off by the sudden appearance of another... He just didn't do to well with multiple new people at once, even now. Plus the possessive feeling Caleb gave off, even if it was just in his own mind, made him feel incredibly unwelcome, something he just didn't want to have his mind dwelling on at this time. .
Galas weren't normally Cass' sort of thing but when she'd found out that some of her favorites were attending she figured it wouldn't hurt to buy a nice, sexy dress and dress up a little bit. Weaseling a ticket from some rich client at the club wasn't too difficult, because she made for lovely arm candy when she tried.
And boy had she tried today.
The dark green dress she'd picked out hugged her in all the right places and showed of her long, toned dancer legs that she was quite proud of. Her hair had been curled, falling across her collarbone where a simple necklace rested to make up for bare expanse of skin the strapless dress provided. She'd forgone the lip ring she usually sported because this was a classy affair and just painted her lips with a darker green and went for subtler eye make up.
Her eyes drew attention on their own without being too done up.
The train of her dress fluttered behind her with every confident stride Cassadega took as she walked through the room, appreciatively eyeing all the lovely dressed up men and women in attendance. With how well most of them cleaned up, she was considering making this more of a regular thing. She definitely enjoyed looking at well dressed, attractive people.
But a very specific someone caught her eye almost the immediate moment her gaze drifted across him. Well, well, Jericho cleaned up nice. She caught sight of Ilian too, but he wasn't paid nearly the same amount of attention as she abandoned whatever she'd been thinking about doing and made a beeline for the boys who were arguably her favorite boys.
"Well don't you both clean up nicely," she practically purred, sparing the shorter teen a glance with that cat-grin on her lips before diverting her attention more specifically to tall, dark, and handsome. "You," she stated very firmly, lifting her hand and pressing her finger into chest, "are going to dance with me." She said it in a way that didn't lend room for argument.
Acidic eyes glanced at the boy behind her general and she waved fingers at him. "I'm coming back for you, Ils." Dancing probably wasn't something either of them wanted to do, but Cass was sure gonna try and make them as she reached for Jericho's hand and began to walk backward, tugging on the limb.
The Mr. Cadwell was more of a tease than an actual attempt at civility; Seth was pleased by the way it sounded anyway, and by the look on Lysander's face as he said it. His brows were still raised, and he said, in a tone of mild surprise, "I had no idea you vere so talented. At least, in that area," he added, grinning. "That is impressive."
He tapped a finger against his glass of wine. "Vell, you haff me to talk to, I assume I am interesting." Knew he was, more like. Seth exhaled a breath, depositing his newly empty glass onto a passing waiter's tray and plucking up a secondary one, a white wine that looked promising. He took a small sip and then nodded his approval.
Wonderful was an acceptable substitute. Julian's icy blue eyes flickered over the young woman's face, wondering vaguely if he'd offended her by his correction and not particularly minding if he did, mostly because it was a simple fact, not arrogance. But it seemed that she'd accepted it without question, which was a nice change from the others who had rolled their eyes or become outraged at the attempt to set the record straight.
It was no loss. Julian reached out as a waiter passed by and lifted two glasses, one of champagne, one of sparkling water; the former of which was passed to Cerisse without him looking at her, Julian raising his own glass to his lips to take a sip.
"A history is what makes a player, not the one who can play the loudest," he said, his other arm wrapped around his midsection, mostly just out of habit. He wished he could go back up on the platform, but the conductor was still talking, and the group of simpering donators around him had grown exponentially larger.
If he'd been any less of a professional, he would have snorted derisively, or perhaps in annoyance. Instead, Julian's eyes narrowed slightly, resigning himself to several more minutes of mingling, as the conductor had said. It wasn't even that the woman beside him was terrible company, it was just the principle of the matter.
"The DCBC orchestra will be performing at next week's ballet recital of Thumbelina," said Julian. "If you'd care to watch, I will be playing."
His smile widened significantly at the compliment to his name, shoving the smaller part of his mind that whispered liar liar pants on fire your name isn't actually Steele to the back of his thoughts and ignoring that the voice sounded unpleasantly like Rob's. "Thank you, darling," he said instead, beaming at her. "I'm quite pleased with it myself."
He straightened his tie again, and caught the rest of what she was saying with a certain amount of duh, Moore. Steele cleared his throat noisily and then said quickly, "Well, yes, that is the case, I did indeed receive, uh, a lovely invitation from Doctor Hadley." He coughed into his hand, smoothing down his tie a third time and turned up the charm full wattage. "But I'm very pleased to have been invited in the first place, because it means I get the pleasure of meeting you, doesn't it?"
Steele's gaze flicked sideways, caught sight of Rob, and almost choked, because why did Rob have a date and he didn't why was life not fair? Swiveling hastily back to Jada, Steele opened his mouth to say something, but she'd stepped back, accidentally knocking into someone, and he skittered forward in one smooth movement to extend a hand out as well.
"No," said Fritz, because it was true. He was used to seeing Cordelia in jeans and teeshirts and leggings and sometimes the occasional skirt or dressy thing, which had always been cute and pleasing - but he had never seen her like this; in a full on, black tie dress that fit her so perfectly it was almost like he'd stepped into another world.
Focus.
His head was not wanting to focus. Everything in his chest ached in a way he wasn't used to, in a way that frightened him, because he didn't want to understand what it meant, his pulse too fast in his veins, his heart pounding too hard against his ribcage. Cordy's flustered reaction was endearing, and he traced the lines of her flushed face with his eyes, watching the blush deepen with a warm, affectionate expression on his face that he wasn't even aware he was wearing.
A laugh escaped, Fritz shaking his head. "I never flatter, only tell the absolute truth," he said, smiling. A glance over Cordy's shoulder saw a familiar white haired girl fluttering about, but Fritz's attention moved back to Cordy almost instantly.
On a breath, without knowing what he was even doing, he said,
Adrien gave Yuuri's hand another squeeze, fingers wrapped securely around his boyfriend's, half just because he could, and half because he knew that Yuuri needed an anchor of some sort to hold onto. "Don't fret," he said soothingly, which was obviously impossible, but he said it anyway, because he wanted Yuuri to know that he was thinking of him. "You look lovely, and you're a delight to be with."
Lovely was possibly an understatement. Yuuri looked downright gorgeous, and normally Adrien would have gushed about him a lot more and in much more detail, but he was trying to make sure that Yuuri didn't pass out right then and there. Instead he simply tugged him along through the crowds towards the drinks table, because that was always something to keep oneself occupied.
He jostled unintentionally into someone, Adrien flashing whoever it was a smile.
He was still sidling awkwardly through the crowds in the hopes that he could avoid Actual Human Contact, Basil pushing his glasses a little further up his nose as he sidestepped a laughing woman and her date. He disliked this, not because he wasn't used to it (which he wasn't), but mostly because it forced him into situations that involved talking, and Basil's ability to communicate properly was somewhere in the negatives.
Plus he simply just did not have friends.
Or acquaintances.
Or anyone, really.
That knight, Connie, had been pleasant enough to speak to. And Arachne had promised him another book, but it wasn't as though Basil could call on either of them at present, and besides, powered lives and civilian were two entirely separate things, especially since Basil had no idea how to go about starting conversations with either of them in the first place.
He was lost in his own head as he rounded a group of chattering people and didn't see the waitress until it was too late. Basil smacked straight into her, letting out a small yelp of surprise, hands shooting out automatically to grab onto whatever he could that was possibly falling or breaking or dropping or exploding.
In the process, he knocked into someone else behind him - a small child, by the feel of it, or maybe just a really small human, Basil wasn't entirely sure.
She accepted the glass when it was offered, passing Julian a vague glance before taking a sip. Lord, how did anybody drink something so... sweet and bubbly. Certainly, it was considered a fancy drink, but Cerissé wasn't sure she'd drink it at anything outside of such a grand event as this one. At least it added to this strange appearance of class that seemed to be trying to ooze out of everything.
Cerissé sort of liked that. In a weird, backwards way.
"Hard work and rough fingers," she agreed, rubbing her fingertips together to feel the callouses on them. "It's nice to know there are others who dedicated the time," not that she would have called anybody in the Symphony undedicated, but between Colette who flirted with everyone who moved and Giselle who was content being in the Symphony at all, she wondered at what point a normal person petered off in dedication.
"Thumbelina, hmm? I'll make a point to go. I know I'll be beyond impressed."
Well it seemed Mercy wasn’t oblivious to what her comment had drudged up. That was a point for the girl, but really the teen got what she wanted. Mercy was now well aware that Gwen was not only single but recently so. A sigh escaped Gwen. What was the teen going to do with such information anyway? Still, Gwen’s mood, which had looked like it might have been lifting, fell again.
“No, not really.” She remarked her disposition closing off. “I’ve never been good at this sort of dancing.” Which was the truth, Gwen preferred the dancing at clubs which was close, loose and free. Here there was a clear sense that someone better know what they were doing before stepping out onto the floor and Gwen wasn’t sure if she was in any mood to attempt that right now.
In fact, she was feeling the need to make an escape from her current companion.
“Thank you for coming over to chat, but I need to go take care of something.” She gave Mercy a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes before she excused herself and set off towards the other side of the room where she had thought she had noticed a bathroom. Not that the need was there but it worked as a plausible excuse to get away.
“Oh, I was hoping I’d run into someone.” She said brightly. “Otherwise it was going to be a long night of watching adults drink and dance.”
Chailee glanced over in the direction that Peter indicated. There, she found a man who looked like an older version of Peter. It was somewhat odd to practically be looking at a man who predicted what Peter would most likely look like in a few years. Though, if Chailee was any judge, Peter would keep his good looks that was for sure.
The man, Peter’s brother’s fiance, was also fairly good looking if younger than his companion and chailee caught the tail-end of his comment to Peter. “I think it’s nice. He’s probably jealous that he couldn’t pull it off.” She winked.
“They’re a cute couple, though.” She remarked as she briefly wondered if Peter was also the sort who was interested in men. She wouldn’t have cared. Well, not in a sense that she would be offended or angry at him. Just more upset at herself for always finding the taken or gay boys. To tell the truth, Chailee was just plain bad at deciphering such things and really, if Peter was willing to spend time with her in either case, she didn’t mind. She’d enjoy the company while quietly pining.
At the mention of a date she blinked before giggling. “No. I am alone. Well...as alone as I can be with my parents. They’re off floating around somewhere.I sort of went my own way once we arrived and I haven’t seen them since. Knowing dad he’s off talking to so big wig about something or mom pulled dad into a conversation with some of her friends.” She shrugged.
Ildri hadn’t seen the young man coming as her focus was on the orchestra that was performing some classical piece that Ildri couldn’t quite put her finger on. Upon impact the tray and horderves went flying, and would have have been a complete loss if it wasn’t for the man’s volleying attempt to save what he could. Still several of the crackers and cucumber littered the floor around ******** christ.” She cursed as she glared at the man. “Watch where you’re going will ya? Not everyone is going to jump out of your way when they see you coming.” Ildri had enough experience with the rich and prominent figures to know that many expected ‘commoners’ to move out of the way for them. Then again, Ildri was one to talk. She herself expected people to bend over backwards for her.
She knelt down to begin picking up the food that was on the ground. Mentally she cursed herself for not suggesting she perhaps perform in the orchestra as opposed to acting like a damn servant at this event. Playing her violin would have at least been enjoyable. But, then again, the orchestra was probably a local group already in existence and not contracted individuals.
With the crackers and cucumbers cradles in her hand she stood back up and roughly took the platter from Basil. “Are you going to help or just stand there and gawk?”
"I would not kill them, Mathias, I need them alive to appreciate me." she also did need an outlet, and together they made their way towards two very good-looking potential outlets.
"Ariel. Andrew." Shahar let her accent trip lightly over the way she pronounced the names, lingering over her tongue as she considered their owners. Let the man at her side be formal- Shahar was not the type unless it became absolutely necessary. besides, this was an informal little introduction, to spice up the boring formality of the party, was it not? Or perhaps... what did they call it? Networking? As Ariel lifted Shahar's hand to her lips, the Captain's smile was sharp and interested.
"I almost always have suggestions," she told the woman with a soft laugh, "and almost all of them are bad ones. I would be more than delighted to discuss some of those suggestions with you later, however, if it would interest you." That really was some good lipstick that Ariel Mishnah was wearing- Shahar's own would not have been able to stay so well, but she usually wore the cheap s**t. Having put out for this dress, she had got slightly better, but... "I have never been to such a fancy little- what do you call- these are shindigs, yes, Mathias? They have mini quiche." Shahar was still very excited about the treats on the table.
And the free champagne, but she was not going to bring that up yet.
The General lifting his voice as he spoke to the redhead turned her attention away from her interested perusal of the lovely Ariel, and to his words. "Do not tempt me just yet, Mathias. As much as I enjoy getting in over my head to trouble, going into the professional circuit is money. I want to make sure I can play with my food, and not become the meal." still, a smile played about her mouth, amused and interested.
He bowed, and Giulia couldn't stop the bright little smile that somehow expanded even further across her face. Even she couldn't say how she suddenly turned into a pink-cheeked little sun. "Oh," she told him joyfully, "I would appreciate any dancing you could do with me. I dressed up and I wore comfy shoes and I really want to feel like a grown up dancing on the floor and the skirt doing the whoosh?" she spun in place, her massive tulle skirt obligingly doing a whoosh around her.
She took his open palm in her own tiny hand, tugging him gently along after her on her way to the dance floor, sidestepping the adults and the other people who were already on the floor until she found a good spot that made her happy. "We don't have to be great dancers so long as we have fun, right? That's what everyone says is important?" she gave him a curtsy as she turned to face him, because in the movies all the princesses were supposed to give a curtsy before dancing.
Holding out her hand for his, she was not quite tall enough to put her hand on his shoulder so they would have to just hold both hands. "Okay," she said aloud, focusing as much for herself as for him, "A waltz is a one-two-three, I think. Have you ever one a waltz before Benji?" she was very excited- and when he was ready, she would lead him off, counting out loud in-between her loud giggles.
Kapoodles
iStoleYurVamps
Just making sure u can see ur little sister being a princess and waltzing with handsome little princes, elzo
Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 12:32 pm
It was true, for all the flirting the female had done with him the suit did look good on him. He was, maybe partially with thanks to the others words, glad he'd bought it so he could use it again at a later date if ever needed. He'd actually planned to just rent something for the night, even if it was a bit expensive, as it was cheaper than buying something. He let the female talk him into it though...that he could wear it over again rather than rent something where the price would add up over time. Even if, looking back now, he couldn't think of another time he'd need it. It was still nice...and the other male even thought so.
Just as he was about to get the others name an unexpected person turned up. "Caleb..?" He had only mentioned this in passing to the other and hadn't expected him to turn up, he knew the other was busy with school and in the lab.
Watching his new friend, whom he didn't have a name for and couldn't even really call a friend, stand up and make his excuses to leave. He saw Caleb offer a hand to the other and introduce himself and saw the curly haired male return the hand shake but not respond in kind by giving his name. He worried that maybe the other was upset? Maybe he was just upset that there was another person here? There usually was a reason people sat themselves alone in corners or sought out one other person in a corner.
He felt bad, guilty even, as he watched the other leave. Pouting at the retreating back he gave a small little sigh. Maybe he could try and see if anyone knew them so he could talk to them another time? Find out that they hadn't been upset. He didn't think he'd done anything wrong, since the other had been talking so kindly right before hand. So it was likely the appearance of Caleb.....was there bad blood there and Caleb was acting like they didn't know each other?
Not wanting to potentially ruin tonight he opted to not ask, not not question.
Turning his focus onto Caleb, finally, he pushed his own feelings to the side for now. Taking in the others clothing he nodded his head slowly. "You are a bit under dressed..." Though he sort of felt the same, but that was just due to all the lavish dresses he was seeing and the tailored suits as well. He'd even seen a person or two in a tuxedo. He had known, due to the word gala, that this would be an event were dressing up was a thing. He hadn't expected tuxedos though...or some of the dresses he had seen.
Olivia seemed put out by his leaving, but Trey carefully kept his eyes forward rather than offer her a chance to reclaim him. Passing between party goers, his arm was suddenly caught at the elbow and he was pulled around in his expensive, well-cut suit to meet a set of fierce golden eyes set in a severe, but achingly perfect, face. The lines at their corners might have suggested that their owner laughed a lot, but Trey fancied they were from scowling at errant interns and junior designers.
“Mother.” Trey greeted her, his smile firmly back in place. Just the right amount of soft curve to look genuine without being overly enthusiastic. Joellen sparkled from neck to stiletto shoes in a dress she had designed herself. It flattered her lean frame, managing to be provocative without actually showing anything, and it screamed money. He should know, since she’d expounded on it all through the process of making it.
“Was she showing you her designs?” Joellen murmured, her voice low.
“They were nothing fantastic, but she has potential. Her name is Olivia Stenton.” Trey responded mildly, as though he had been waiting for just this question. Truthfully, he had. As engrossed as Joellen had seemed with her little group, he’d known she was watching every move he made. She probably had a mental scorecard she was grading him with, if not a real one… it made him tired.
The older woman made a noncommittal sound as she released his arm, allowing him to tug his sleeves down before they creased unflatteringly. He straightened the cuffs with long fingers as he glanced around the gathering, ready to move on now that his routine check in had been satisfied. A pair of eyes were looking his way and he caught them for a minute, saphire into rich amber. The man looked familiar, and following the line of his sight, Joellen hmmed again.
“Chase Black.” She confirmed, both of them recognizing him, though neither had truly met him.
“His mother passed just last year, wasn’t it? Fall.” Trey dropped the gaze before it got awkward, returning it to the woman in champagne beside him.
“Go say hello.” She said, already turning away to put her attention back on her little gathering. Make a connection, went unsaid, but he heard it clearly. His dark head bowed lightly and when he straightened, he’d settled inwardly, prepared for the next task his mother had set him. At least he wouldn’t be wandering around… and what he’d heard of Chase and his family was just enough to pique his interest. He was older, if he remembered right… which explained why they hadn’t spent much time together, even in some of the same circles.
The flute of cider found its way onto a passing tray and two new ones were snagged as the tall man wove his way through the crowd, circling around to where the young man stood with his date, a frilly creature in an abundance of pink that suited her coloring and her bubble-gum curls. His warm smile emphasized his cheekbones, softening the angles of his face, and was offered to both equally when he finally approached.
“I’m terribly sorry to interupt, but if I may, I wanted to introduce myself.” He said as he smoothly offered each a flute, his fingers lightly gripping the stems. “My name is Trey Cameron. I've heard of you before, but we've never had a chance to meet in person."
He would have preferred to be drinking scotch, or vodka, or something other than damned sparkling water if he was meant to stay intermingling with the masses; but eventually the orchestra would be back to playing, and Julian couldn't afford to be drinking alcohol if he was also going to the violin. He would never have risked it in any world, so he would have to be content with the water that wasn't actually water.
"And a lot of resin," Julian muttered in response. "Not enough people are dedicated for me to waste my time with, the musical world is, unfortunately, filled with people who are not willing to put fort the work necessary for actual production and sound. Riding the coattails of the rest of the orchestra carrying one person is a nuisance and essentially a throwing away of valuable time, effort, and talents."
Cerisse had hit yet another chord, though it wasn't her fault for not knowing, and his annoyed ramble wasn't even meant to be directed at her, specifically. Julian disliked having to play when it meant that someone else was simply going off of him instead of doing their own work.
"The DCBC is extremely well performed," Julian agreed. "The dancers are quite capable."
He had not yet heard back from either of the two pups, which meant that Archer was forced into keeping up his own entertainment for the time being. An irritation, like a skin rash, because they were supposed to have been an attempt at keeping him from murdering everyone in the room, but self-control was, in fact, unfortunately necessary, it seemed.
Focus. You came here to observe, so observe.
He hated being Archer again. He hated the lack of power, the pretending, the assumption that he was just like everybody else, that he was as low as them. Three hours was not a great deal of time to do anything, but it was enough for Archer to feel trapped, claustrophobic, even, a heady rush of desire to break free of the damned glamour chasing its way through his veins.
Not. Yet.
He caught sight of a woman, vibrantly red haired and attempting to push her way past the people in the room to get, apparently, to the other side, perhaps. Archer was reclining against a wall, one hand in the pocket of his dark slacks, the other holding a glass of wine in a deep red shade. The woman's path took her directly beside him, and dark brows rose, Archer's gaze flickering over her dress.
"Going somewhere?" he asked, keeping his voice calm, level. Casually curious without being intrusive.
Her brows raised, ever so subtly as Julian unraveled a thought that frankly she didn't blame him for having. She didn't interrupt, but Cerissé also didn't seem bothered by the assertion. "I agree, fully." she finally said quietly, though not meekly. The strong opinion hadn't guilted her in the least, but rather she was pleased to hear it said out loud.
People like them shouldn't have had to live with being a 'second seat'.
"It will be a treat, then." she took another sip of the drink he'd handed her, green eyes darting off across the way towards where the conductor was making Julian wait, seeming a bit bothered. "Well. Perhaps I should go stir him up from his patrons to remind him some of us appreciate listening to hard working musical talent." she suggested, almost seeming to be asking if he'd like it if she did.
