(no subject)

[hexappeal]

WHO: The Birthday Boy and Friends. And acquaintances.
WHERE: Bewitched.
WHEN: Friday, April 12th. 7pm - 11:30pm or so.
WARNINGS: Soon enough.
SUMMARY: The worst surprise party in the history of surprise parties.
FORMAT: Just make your own sub-threads and jam! Please remember to tag yourselves in!


Zatanna's club is more than modest in size and has a distinct art deco feel to it; the structure remains almost entirely as it was when she bought it aside from minor fixes (mostly make sure it was safe and clean). The glass ceiling that spans the lofty entrance makes for an interesting start. It's easier to get lost looking up than down the halls that curve to a vast library of strange and esoteric texts, dressing rooms, and various currently unused rooms that the magician has sealed and locked.

Past the ticket booth (and what appears to be a currently-closed gift shop of sorts) is the main show room and a few others to each side of it. While these aren't closed, there's nothing special about them for the moment. The interior of the main room is as it usually is, with no new decorations aside from plenty of balloons littered across the ceiling. The floor has left room for those who choose to dance, but plenty of tables and chairs for people to sit at. The bar is busy with more than one man behind it mixing drinks. On stage, there's a live band. Her employees are in the crowd mingling, entertaining guests when they see fit (and if they so choose); mostly, they're keeping to themselves and chatting with whoever catches their fancy.

Outside there are chauffeurs and large, burly men taking the invitations in exchange for entry. It isn't impossible to sneak in with fake ones or through other means...

Comments

OPEN;

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna had been there at the start, but left momentarily to drag James back with her and surprise him (where had he gotten off to since then, anyway?). She wears what looks to be an Alexander Wang dress, walking around and chatting with everyone while looking for her guy.

Of course, stopping to get a drink first is more important. She even waits patiently while others order before getting herself a Negroni. Might as well take advantage of her own open bar, after all.]

[retropolis]

[ Nelson's a little antsy, but he made it at least even if he's about an hour late; he's even dressed nicely enough for the occasion, but instead of any nervous mingling he heads to get a drink first. Though his friends do, Nelson himself doesn't know James, so he's more inclined to first gravitate toward people he does know. Including the hostess!! ]

Good evening, Zatanna. How's the party so far?

[hexappeal]

[Ugh, she loves a guy in a snazzy suit just as much as a guy that has a billion suits that look almost exactly the same. The color, the flair! How can she not be impressed by his taste?

She waves the bartender over and holds up two fingers -- two more of the same, one for her and one for him.]

Oh, not bad at all. A little less crazy than I'm used to, a little stuffy. But not bad. [She'd meant for it to be more like the charity gigs she was used to. Smaller, less crazy. The bartender brings over the drinks and she slides one toward him. It's small enough, so why not indulge a touch?]

[retropolis]

Oh -- thank you.

[ He smiles and accepts the drink, taking a small sip and glancing around the place. He nods. ]

I don't see how he couldn't enjoy a surprise like this. It's very elaborate. Quite splendid -- I especially like the music.

[ He is picky about music. ]

How did he like it? Is he here yet?

[hexappeal]

You're more than welcome. [She'd remind him about the open bar, but she thinks it's drilled into his skull by now and she doesn't want to encourage him to fall off track with his fitness regimen (whatever that may be!).]

He's... ah, not a huge fan of surprise parties. Or parties in general that he can't slip out of at will. [But she thought about music that would please everyone, not just her proto-punk and punk loving self. No Joy Division covers tonight!] He's off mingling. [By which she means moping.] I've got a better surprise for him tonight, though.

[It sounds like she means sex. She doesn't, however.]

[out_of_time]

[Jack's underdressed for the night since he's just dropping by to say hi and leave James's gift. His outfit got a couple looks from the burly gentlemen, but they didn't stop him and that's what's important.]

Hey, Zatanna. Is James around?

[He shifts the package under his arm.]

[hexappeal]

[It's refreshing to see Jack dressed so normally, though she'd be just as content seeing him in a suit with a flower pinned to his lapel (this is one of her "City goals," in fact!).]

He's somewhere. I think he might be moping in one of the closed wings of the building. [She pats the open seat beside her.] Relax a bit.

[out_of_time]

[Jack slowly sits down. He does not visibly relax. Perhaps he's able to sense Zatanna's sinister flower-related intentions for him.]

I'm guessing he's not too happy about all this, huh.

[hexappeal]

[Gosh, why is Jack always so tense around her? Maybe it's the boobs (it must be, they're pretty great).]

Parties are great, so long as they're not about him and he can come and go at will. He'll get over it.

[doubleoohbaby]

[Here he is!

With a dry Martini in hand and the tiniest of pouts for his betraying partner when he catches sight of her. Hard to stay entirely mad when she's dressed up so nice though, and he only hopes she'll make it up to him later for all of this.

She better.]

[hexappeal]

[The slightest smile tugs at her lips when she catches his eyes. Her head tilts to the side and she raises her shoulders just enough that it's noticeable.

He isn't too far away from her, so she slips through the crowd to get to him. Everyone else is a blur, like she's maneuvering around an ever-changing wall; it's all him. Her drink remains in the glass through the whole trip and upon arrival, she slips her free hand over his shoulder and she leans in to whisper into his ear.] I love you. Happy early birthday. [When she pulls away, she twitches her nose and peers up at him, adoringly.]

[doubleoohbaby]

[The hand that slips around her waist is automatic, ignoring the part of his mind that says he's meant to be pissed off at her. His features are less of a betrayal, still set in a soft frown even as she leans in, his only response initially coming out as a soft grunt and a roll of his eyes.

All the adorable expressions in the world couldn't get him cheerful just yet.] You've got a damned interesting way of showing it, darling.

[hexappeal]

Don't be like that. [She lets her drink go, placing it on a platter as a waiter walks by. With her newly freed hand, she slips it around his waist with a gentle smile that reaches her eyes.]

It's only a party. It's not even particularly lively; just a bunch of people here to give you things and enjoy some cake and an open bar. It's just one night -- one night that I've made sure ends before your real birthday starts and I give you your gift. [She shifts closer, hips pressed against his while leaning her cheek against his shoulder.] I hope you'll like it.

[solidorkable]

(While he's sure that James will hate every bit of this, he's not even impressed that she threw this all together. Zatanna, in his eyes, is able to accomplish a lot of things and this is just expected out of her.)

You look nice. (And he dressed up too (and no earrings, just for her).)

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna was certain that he'd hate it, too. At best, begrudgingly enjoy it (which is what she's aiming for). She understands he hates it but it's part of life. Suck it up, buttercup (etc.).]

You do, too. [The dress was made for someone with her figure. Anyone else, they'd just look like a doll.] Thank you for coming, Larsa.

[solidorkable]

I will always attend a function with you, should you need it.

(he offers her a small smile, wondering where to put James' gift- he assumes that he'd appreciate the old fashioned shaving kit and pocket watch.)

And dress the part.

[hexappeal]

I'm not sure if I'll ever need it, but I always enjoy your company.

[There's a pile over yonder that has yet to be touched, though some have given their gifts to him directly. Zatanna suspects those are the more dangerous sorts...]

You just like dressing up, don't you.

[enigmaestro]

[And when he set his sights on the belle of the ball, Edward could hardly help but maneuver towards her. After all, wouldn't it have been excessively rude to avoid thanking the hostess for such a charming celebration? He glides between bodies, seeking Zatanna's attention.]

I haven't heard him shouting yet. Did I miss all the fun?

[hexappeal]

[If he's looking for the belle of the ball, he's come in the wrong direction. James is some ways away, moping about on his lonesome...

She turns towards Edward when he speaks, raising her hand to the bartender, gesturing for him to send a second drink their way for her newly acquired company.]

No, he's been rather mature about it. [She sounds like a parent talking about her (former) problem child.] And that isn't very friendly of you, it's his birthday after all. [A lie. It was tomorrow, but she wanted him all to herself.]

You look rather dashing tonight, Edward. [She offers a coy smile while she sips at her drink.]

[enigmaestro]

Don't I just? [Eddie grinned back at her. The drink was an appreciated thought, and Eddie found himself gravitating towards her warm company.

Close enough to whisper, even.]

How lovely of you to say. [He moved for the drink, his motion taut with a trained elegance. He leans closer, invasive.]

It is, that's true. I've even got him a present -- aren't I thoughtful? [Another tease, of course, since he obviously had yet to make his way to James. He deeply hoped the other man would take note.]

[ecphrasis]

[Even dressed in her best (thanks to Zatanna's help), Molly still feels incredibly out of place here. She's been going to charity dinners and such, as expected of the de facto CEO of Rossum, but this is entirely different. She can hardly hold her own at those events, and all she had to do was make polite conversation with people she might never see again.

But these people are James' friends and Zatanna's friends, and many of them looked to be imports. That meant they were on the Network, or likely to come to the clinic at some point. Making a good impression on these people is more important because she could, some point, maybe call them friends of her own.

She's two people behind Zee in line, waiting to order a glass of wine, and smiles when she sees her. Molly keeps smoothing down the front of her dress, uncertain.]

Zee! It's good to see a friendly face.

[allbloodyhail]

[Spike is sitting at the bar, glancing over at her idly. If he had a heartbeat it would be wild, but as it were it's only his eyes that are a little wide; bewildered even. He had heard about the party and at the last possible moment decided to crash it. He still wasn't sure about his decision, and seeing Zee in that dress did nothing to quiet his mind.]

Who knew he was such a popular guy, [Spike gruffs out, speaking in her direction, but to his whiskey.]

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna had noticed him and even noticed him glancing her way every now and then (she assumes it is more that he doesn't want to be a bother and interrupt her mingling than... something else). She eventually breaks free from the crowd and gives them a wave and a promise to talk to them again soon.

She slips behind him, leaning over his shoulder to steal his drink. She takes a sip from the glass while turning her back toward the bar, sliding onto the stool beside him.] I'm a little shocked myself. [She grins from over the glass and takes another drink.] You should've worn a bowtie.

[allbloodyhail]

[He had done the best he could in tight slate gray jeans, his usual belt and a deep royal blue silk shirt, unbuttoned just enough. Though it clearly catches him off-guard, he lets the drink go without any argument, watching her carefully and leaning almost imperceptibly her way as he speaks.] I think that's somebody else's schtick.

[waiting]

[ Once he's given the birthday boy the requisite sympathetic pat on the shoulder, Bradbury has swanned off to find the party's hostess. He's already halfway through his first (and only, if he has anything to say about it) drink, but he catches sight of her by the bar, and makes a detour to politely tip his head at her.

Look, Zee, he's even decently dressed up! As a matter of fact, he's in the suit she gave him for Christmas, since he suspects his bodyguard standard isn't going to cut it this time. ]

Nice party.