[ open: all arise! ]

[vorbratta]

WHO: you. yes, you there. you're invited
WHAT: Sonia is throwing a big party, because everyone needs an excuse to get good and drunk together right now. And dancing. There is always dancing.
WHEN: Justinian, shortly after the return of the jungle crew
WHERE: The suite at the top of the mage tower
NOTES: ♫ have some party jams ♫

The month in the jungle was a long one, made longer by the total lack of any alcohol to mitigate the experience. Utterly unthinkable. Sonia is addressing a public need by throwing a grand party -- a public service, even. Besides, it's what she does. When was the last time she got to plan a party, anyway? Granted, this is not a Denerim soiree for the young nobility, but the venue doesn't matter. Only the people and the drinks, and Sonia is assuredly rich in both. It is also a fantastic excuse not to think about any of the bad things that have happened since she was last in Kirkwall.

The decoration in the residential suite at the top of the mage tower would be best classified as improvisational -- one of those drapes tacked along the wall for ambience may be a bedsheet -- but it's the spirit of the thing that counts. One makes do with what one has. In one corner are a few tables laden with spirits, some provided by Sonia, others by generous partygoers. There are a few Barra vineyard vintages in the mix, highlights of her personal collection, a testament to the celebration she considers tonight to be. There's a small selection of food nearby, mostly for snacking to go with the drinks, though guests are free to bring whatever they like to share.

And there is, of course, music. Someone here has brought a fiddle or a flute or a bunch of pots masquerading as a drum set. Maybe you've brought your very own a capella choir. Whatever the accompaniment, there's something to dance to. Sonia makes sure there is dancing.

Tonight is not for licking wounds or swapping grisly stories of terror and survival. Tonight is for feeling alive, getting properly and delightfully drunk, and having a good god damn time.

Comments

[heirring]

She balks, and for a split second is on the verge of saying, I would never apologize to you, before remembering the exact words preceding her shock. Well, expresses the pinch of her mouth. Fine.

Her hand, however, remains where it is. She hasn't suffered through a month in the jungle to be less choosey about her choice of spirits now that the possibility is so immediately available to her.

"I must say, I'm surprised to see you here this evening. It seems somewhat out of turn."

[exequy]

"There's wine," he points out, and pulls their jointly-claimed bottle toward him in a way that's almost subtle, almost like he's just settling his arm into a more comfortable position and bringing the bottle along. Almost. "There are women."

Give him the bottle.

[heirring]

"I believe that is true of many places, Enchanter," is airy and light, and might easily be mistaken as perfectly innocuous were her hand slightly less willing to follow that small motion of the bottle. "However, I believe that you are something of a connoisseur are you not? Perhaps you might turn and refer to our company and give me your professional evaluation of which woman you find most handsome this evening."

No.

[exequy]

“Madame Fitcher,” Kostos says without surveying the room, because he’s already noted how she’s dressed. Several times. He pulls the bottle just a little closer. “Maybe Madame Asgard.”

[heirring]

And so her hand is accordingly drawn just a little closer as well.

"They are both the very definitions of loveliness in their own way. You should be congratulated of the diversity of your palette, Enchanter. In fact, might I make a recommendation? Do you see that bottle at the end of the table just there, with the red label? You might have doubts given its provenance from a vineyard near Tantervale, but I assure you that it is a perfectly drinkable."

It's, you know, fine.

[exequy]

Kostos glances down the table, because maybe, possibly, if there were a bottle that was actually better than the one they’re currently holding, he would choose luxury over pettiness. Potentially.

But, “You take it, then,” is what he says. It was a nice dream. “I am taking this one.”

[heirring]

"Ah, but you see," she replies, quite pleasant as her grip tightens. "I have already availed myself of it. I could hardly give such a recommendation otherwise. In any case, I think you will find that I am taking this one. But please, don't feel as if you need hurry making a decision on my account. I am perfectly content to let your hand rest where it is in the interim."

Gracious, she knows. It's all right. No need to thank her.

[exequy]

Kostos' head slides slowly to an angle. If he could play that game—the fake good manners game—he would try to beat her at it. But he can't, so he'd rather overturn the game board.

"This one," he says, "is coming to my room."

To his very limited credit, he wouldn't be saying this if he were thinking about the first time he propositioned her. He doesn't set out to be a complete menace, in that particular area. But that's the only credit he gets, and it's five points out of a hundred at most.

"You can come with it if you like."

[heirring]

The line of her mouth briefly draws so thin that it is somewhat miraculous that her lips were ever there to begin with. And yet, her hand remains steadfastly where it is. If anything, her grip has tightened and her pleasantness purposefully intensified.

"No, Enchanter. Thank you for the invitation, but I must decline. However, if you are so set on this particular bottle, then I suppose I might be persuaded to divide it between us. "