“Well that was the silliest tea party I ever went to!”

[invoking]

WHO: GIL & SHARON + dinner invitees
WHERE: Gil and Sharon's penthouse
WHEN: 10/6 evening
WARNINGS: tba
SUMMARY: Sharon requested a lovely dinner with Gil's friends.
FORMAT: never


[ The entry into the building alludes to the grandiose apartment everyone will be heading up toward. The lobby is spacious and buzzing with people who work or live in the building coming in or out, or just standing about and chatting. Anyone who isn't sure or has forgotten Gil's apartment number can simply inquire with the concierge and make their way up via the elevator. It's not a short ride up, but it's not very long either.

When the guests enter the apartment Gil and Sharon are housed in, they'll find, while sleek and gorgeous, is absolutely not in Gil's tastes. How did he end up with a wonderful place like this again? Sue Storm was not only a genius, but an overly kind one at that.

(Also raccoons tainted his old MAC apartment. It's complicated.) ]

Comments

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[invoking]

[ Gil greets the guests in garbs of black and dark blue. His hair, usually a seaweed-like mess, is combed and pulled back neatly into a tiny ponytail. While Sharon is well versed in such events and the etiquette, Gil has never been too fond of them and despite the group he's gathered and is fond of in his own ways, he still greets them in a typically shy fashion.

When he's not greeting the guests and they've all arrived, he's moving about the apartment to ensure everything is in place. ]

[auntyquated]

( At some point she ends up by his side, sliding a hand under and around his arm to forestall his movement. )

Lovely as it is getting to know all of your friends, Gilbert, you're making them wonder if you truly want them here at all.

( She can and does understand his shyness: catering to it was another matter entirely. )

[invoking]

Ah...

[ He's engulfed by surprise due to the gesture, but he doesn't ease yet. ]

Are they complaining? I greeted them all already, but maybe my manners slipped me...

[auntyquated]

One doesn't usually run away after greeting one's guests.

( Gil did, but really, he was the host, and she the invited hostess. He might well dislike society, but surely he would eventually see how the kind he chose to surround himself by was only to his benefit to keep welcome and keep close.

Connections mattered. Gil knew that, or she assumed he must. )

Not when these guests are all your friends. Surely one at a time i snot too intimidating a task for you to handle.

( By then she's teasing, letting it show in her voice and the cant of her head. )

[invoking]

I'm not running away! [ He protests quietly, face burning at the mere accusation. ] It's... been a while since we've been to one of these, haven't we? Or hosted...

[ When was the last time the Vessalius or the Rainsworths hosted an event?

Isla Yura's terrible Coming of Age ceremony for Oz comes to mind. ]

I suppose I'm a little rusty?

[auntyquated]

Well, there's only one cure for that, isn't there?

( Steering him back toward the people he's invited. )

A little grease at the joints, and diving right back in!

( She'd be interested to see how people percieved Gilbert at his own gifted home, among those he's chosen to affiliate with. )

[invoking]

S-Sharon!!

[ He protests the way a child would when a parents ushers them off to early bed or to eat the vegetables they refused. ]

[auntyquated]

( This is why she is your friend, Gilbert, To tease you, push you, on the rare occassion comfort you, and to throw you mercilessly upon the alter of your other friendships.

You are so totally glad to know her in this instant. )

You may thank me later.

( Pat pat on his arm, and then look! LOOK ONE OF YOUR GUESTS, GIL! WE'RE GOING TO GO SAY HI! )

[themisfit]

[ After being greeted at the door by Lady Rainsworth, Gil is the next person Kurt seeks out. He catches sight of the other man's back and strides over to clap him on the shoulder. ] Guten Abend, Gilbert. You are well, I hope?

[invoking]

[ He startles, but only for the briefest second when he registers the shock of blue. ]

Hello.

Hm? Yes, I am. I'm ah, glad you could make it. Are you well yourself?

[themisfit]

I am, thank you. [ He smiles widely, and his voice carries obvious emotion when he adds: ] And thank you for inviting me. You obviously worked hard, here. It's quite lovely.

[ A lot of people have been leaving, lately. Something as simple as a party invitation helps to return a sense of belonging. It's the little things, as they say. ]

[invoking]

You're enjoying it all so far?

[ He's touched; he had stressed over the food and layouts to ensure people would enjoy themselves while they were here. ]

[themisfit]

Oh, yes. [ He nods enthusiastically, wanting to be clear on his appreciation of everything. ] I'm not sure I would have pegged you as so handy for party-planning, but you really turned it out.

Perhaps I'll have to ask you around to the school once prom rolls around again.

1/2

[invoking]

Well... much of it is Sharon's planning. She's a smart young woman.

[ She really is the picture of perfection. Those Rainsworth women! ]

[invoking]

Huh? The school? Prom?

What for?

[ Although he's hosting a lovely dinner, he still might break out in hives. ]

[themisfit]

To help me plan the thing, of course!

[ Which he says with a straight enough face, only to start laughing immediately after the delivery. Poor Gilbert! He had such reactions to things! ]

I am only teasing, Gil! Don't look so worried!

[invoking]

[ He might have fainted just before, but there's a slight look of relief on his face when Kurt announces he's simply pulling his leg. ]

A joke? O-Oh... I couldn't tell by your expression.

Although, while I'm no good with planning parties, I suppose if you needed help setting up tables or baking goods for it I could...

[themisfit]

[ His grin softens, and he gives Gil a friendly pat on the back. ] I could hardly say no to baked goods, now could I? The prom is not until June, however. We'll see how you feel then.

[invoking]

Is the school doing alright? There's been so many port outs lately, I'm not sure if it's been affected as a result.

[themisfit]

Ah. [ His smile fades almost altogether at that, although he keeps it up in an attempt to be positive about the whole thing. ] Hank and Angelica are both gone, now. Where I was co-Headmaster, I am now just Headmaster. There are also the teaching positions that they held, which... Are fillable, of course. It's felt rather daunting, however.

[ He looks almost apologetic, because he feels like one's struggles might not be the thing to bring up at a party, and now his mind seems stuck there. He can't think of a decent way to change the subject suddenly. There's only the eternal additive of: ] It will be fine. I am sure.

[invoking]

[ His gaze falls away, a look of guilt nestling into his features for having brought up a sensitive topic. ]

I'm sorry to hear, although... I suppose a congratulations is also in order for the promotion.

[ Does it count as one when the Headmaster is ported out? He has no idea. ]

If it's under your wing, I'm sure it will be.

[themisfit]

[ Both a hand and his tail swipe at the air in dismissal of the apology, and Kurt shrugs with a quick, deep breath. He looks slightly doubtful about the claim, but he is no longer panicked about the whole business. He's been settling into it, and he still has a ways to go, but it should be fine enough. ]

I hope so. One can only do their best, ja?

In any case, the sentiment is appreciated.

[invoking]

[ Gil nods and then gestures to the appetizers being served. ]

Anyway... would you like some food? Or something to drink?

[themisfit]

[ He perks up a little more at that, appraising the spread and giving Gil another well-deserved pat on the back. ] Why, yes. Everything looks so nice, you know, I fully intend on trying at least one of everything.

[ Here, let him grab a napkin and get started on that. ]

[invoking]

[ His cheeks and the tips of his ears remain rose tinted, but a rare smile appears. ]

I hope you enjoy it.