Aphrodite Dionaea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
callipygos) wrote2012-12-01 06:44 pm
callipygos) wrote2012-12-01 06:44 pm
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.
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.
Re: Mistletoe
"It usually does."
Re: Mistletoe
Her shoulder is pressed lightly against Elle's.
"I do not mind."
Helping Elle practice, that is. If she wants to.
Re: Mistletoe
Then, she admits, "I'm not - sure how to practice."
Re: Mistletoe
"I am not, either."
This is problematic.
Re: Mistletoe
Then -
"Are you okay?"
Re: Mistletoe
She looks a little uncertain for a second.
"It is relevant?"
Re: Mistletoe
"It's always relevant."
Re: Mistletoe
X leans over a little, nudging against Elle's shoulder with her own.
Gently.
Re: Mistletoe
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.
Re: Mistletoe
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.
Re: Mistletoe
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.)
Re: Mistletoe
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.)
Re: Mistletoe
In case X doesn't know.
Re: Mistletoe
X absorbs that, watching the berries for a moment before looking back at Elle.
"Okay."
Beat.
"I am allowed to ask?"
Re: Mistletoe
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
She does not, however, jump at the sudden spark.
And her gaze never leaves Elle's face.
"Oh."
Something in the set of her shoulders relaxes, very faintly.
"Okay."
And then, to state the obvious --
"I did not know."
But now she does.
Re: Mistletoe
Beat. "But it's better to know. If you're under it."
Not everyone is as good at explaining as Elle is.
Re: Mistletoe
"I will not forget," X says, very seriously.
It's like a promise.
Re: Mistletoe
She does, however, wait to see if X will move with her.
Re: Mistletoe
Then she moves to follow Elle, of course.
At least for a while.