callipygos | holiday party post

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.

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One spark crackles up to her knee, just below her hemline.

"I knew what to do before. A lot."

Elle shifts her shoulders against the wall. "Now I don't."

"Oh."

X considers that, too. It makes a lot more sense to her.

"You could do what you want."

Beat.

"If you know that."

She remembers when that was part of her own problem. Sometimes it still is.

Beat.

"I have more opinions now."

Apparently.

"I like it," X offers.

Carefully.

Because it is true. On multiple levels.

Elle glances up to her.

"What do you like?"

"Having opinions."

Beat.

"It also makes other people less confused. Sometimes."

Which can also be helpful.

She hesitates, but then -

"I had them before."

Okay, there was that brief point when she didn't. But it's not what she's thinking of.

"Now there are... more."

"Oh."

Now X is frowning. Apparently this change does not make as much sense.

Life experience is funny that way.

"You do not like it? Having more."

"I'm not - used to it."

Which isn't quite the same.

X considers that, head tilting very slightly.

"Practice will help?"

She leans her head back against the wall.

"It usually does."

X shifts position a little, leaning against the wall, too.

Her shoulder is pressed lightly against Elle's.

"I do not mind."

Helping Elle practice, that is. If she wants to.

Elle nods.

Then, she admits, "I'm not - sure how to practice."

"I am not, either."

This is problematic.

She stays quiet for a moment.

Then -

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I am okay."

She looks a little uncertain for a second.

"It is relevant?"

Elle looks away.

"It's always relevant."

Oh.

X leans over a little, nudging against Elle's shoulder with her own.

Gently.

For a moment, Elle leans back, slightly.

Then, she takes exactly one step away, and turns on her heel to face X.

She doesn't look anywhere else, but waits, as though she expects the other woman to follow.

X looks startled at the sudden position change.

But after a moment or two she moves to mirror it.

Even if her expression gradually shifts -- inasmuch as her expression ever really shifts -- into something that starts to ask 'is this movement relevant?'.

Because she doesn't know.

Edited 2012-12-06 05:41 (UTC)

Elle looks up.

It was probably intentional that her step brought them under the mistletoe.

Her eyes stay on it as she asks, "You're still okay?"

(She doesn't have the vocabulary to ask a different way.)

"Yes."

X's response is prompt.

Largely because her response is true.

Then she, too, looks up, nostrils flaring as she scents the air.

"I do not think they are dangerous. The berries."

Unless they are magical, maybe.

(Or unless anyone eats them.)

"They're not there to be dangerous."

In case X doesn't know.

"Oh."

X absorbs that, watching the berries for a moment before looking back at Elle.

"Okay."

Beat.

"I am allowed to ask?"

She pauses for just one moment.

And then, slowly (and allowing ample time for X to move away), Elle lifts her hands, and settles them on X's shoulders.

She's quicker about it when she leans forward, and very briefly touches her lips to the bridge of X's nose. A thin sparks snaps from her nose to X's as she pulls away, but only a moment later, she's released X's shoulders, and stepped back again.

Quietly, though she's smiling slightly, "That's what it's for."

Re: Mistletoe

cutting_edgex23 - 2012-12-06 06:21 (UTC) - Expand

ellectrical - 2012-12-06 06:26 (UTC) - Expand

cutting_edgex23 - 2012-12-06 06:30 (UTC) - Expand

ellectrical - 2012-12-06 06:35 (UTC) - Expand

cutting_edgex23 - 2012-12-06 06:41 (UTC) - Expand