holiday party post

[callipygos]

Aphrodite's New York loft is done up to the nines.

The first good look as one enters is of twinkling Manhattan through the big windows, lights bright against a dark winter sky. The windows take up most of two walls; the rest of the space is largely empty, the star of the show a glowingly polished hardwood floor perfect for dancing.

There's a cluster of low-slung couches and chairs at one end of the room, velvet and leather and very inviting. They're situated by the fireplace, which lends them a cozy glow-- though it isn't cold anywhere in here, despite the windows.

Aphrodite is very proud of a few things about tonight:

1) The music, which spans a decent range of time periods and tempos, and will be playing for most of the evening.
2) The decorations, understated but quite lovely: softly glowing lights, silver and gold ribbons wound around columns and draped from the ceiling ... the occasional strategically placed bit of mistletoe.
3) Her dress.

And yes, darlings, there is a very well stocked bar and counter full of snacks.

That's what happens when you enlist the Three Graces to help you plan your shindigs.

Comments

[nita_callahan]

Someone plucks at his sleeve.

"You may wanna move."

[valiantrebel]

"I cannot fathom it," he says, not moving and still squinting up. "Wherefore should this be here? 'Tis not to ward off spirits, which is nonsense anyhow."

[nita_callahan]

"Well, no, it's not, although you'd be surprised at what can ward off spirits. But it'd be kind of rude to be warding off spirits at a party like this. C'mon, Harry, move."

[valiantrebel]

"How now?" He pulls his arm away, indignant. "I'll stay here if I like, if there's no harm can come of it."

[nita_callahan]

Nita sighs, folding her arms.

"Okay, look, modern tradition is that if you meet someone while standing under the mistletoe, you kiss. If you're okay with that outcome, be my guest."

[valiantrebel]

Harry considers this for a moment.

"You ambushed me," he concludes. "We did not meet. Did we?"

And how come no one's kissed him already?

HE'S NEVER GOING TO GET MARRIED. THERE IS NO ONE HE WILL EVER, EVER LIKE. WHO WILL LIKE HIM BACK.

[nita_callahan]

"No," firmly.

. . . She blinks and eyes him a little more closely.

"Are you okay?"

[valiantrebel]

Sharply: "Yea, I am very well."

He sighs hotly and sets his arms akimbo, shaking his head.

...no, he will not succumb to existential despair.

Maybe he should find those brownies again.

[nita_callahan]

"You just look a little -- hectic."

[valiantrebel]

"I am more than seventeen, and whenever I do come through that door, yet I am treated as some helpless child! I was perfect within my right to eat them, even without the sign."

[nita_callahan]

". . . Eat what," Nita says, flat.

[valiantrebel]

He grabs at his hair, already frustrated. "I cannot recall. They were sweet. 'Twas not cake. I only had the one, though the fellow told me 'twas like as my full body all as wine."

[nita_callahan]

"Hang on, what? Where was this?"

She has a terrible sneaking suspicion.

PLEASE LET HER BE WRONG.

[valiantrebel]

Uh.

"Why, at the table where all the rest of the spread lay."

He's spent... rather a lot of time there tonight, as it happens. How could he have gotten so hungry doing so little?

[nita_callahan]

Did she see . . .?

She totally did.

"Oh my god, you ate the brownies."

[valiantrebel]

"They did not kill me!"

And they might have, you know.

[nita_callahan]

"No, but--"

This is SO NOT WHAT SHE SIGNED UP FOR.

"God, Harry -- are you sure you're feeling okay?"

[valiantrebel]

"No," he says, after some consideration. "More strange than not." He gestures vaguely, which should be a sure warning sign. "Yes, maybe? It may be it is not so bad."

[nita_callahan]

"Oh, geez."

She sighs.

"Any idea what was in them?"

[valiantrebel]

"Poison? No, it was not poison... Mmmm...

"...Marry."

He shrugs and spreads his hands.

It has flown straight out of his head.

...wow, though, he's never noticed his fingerprints like that before.

[nita_callahan]

Fucking Milliways.

At least he doesn't seem to be hallucinating or anything freaky like that.

"Seriously," she says, reaching for his sleeve again, "how about you not stand under the mistletoe while you're high on who knows what."

[valiantrebel]

This time he'll be led away quietly. He's focusing on his hands.

"Nita, hast thou ever seen such things as these before?"

[nita_callahan]

"Hands? Yep. I've got two. Hands are pretty cool."

[valiantrebel]

"I never thought to look. How highly wrought!" He beams. "This is a good party. Art enjoying thyself?"