capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

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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...

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[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?]

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?

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.]

Why throw him one, then? [ He'll just enjoy this one drink very slowly... he also doesn't want to come home drunk.] Getting him out of the house? That's as good a motive as any. Some people are determined to avoid social grouping.

[ It does sound like sex; Nelson's face goes a bit red. ]

Er -- well, don't worry. I know I won't be too long; you two will have plenty of time together.

You answered part of it. [Plus she doesn't want him getting incredibly hammered and being even more depressed. Somehow the fact that he's out and about stops him from moping in the same way he would if he were left to his own devices. At least this way he knows people care -- even if that caring can feel a little forced in this scenario.]

Well, his gift's a little way out. It's a good thing I can teleport. It makes the trip all the more easy. [Maybe it's sex in Spain.]

I know how it goes with antisocial types. Not just socializing, either; is he one of those types that you need to push to have some fun now and then?

[ Mostly joking, but with Zatanna he can't be sure: ]

It's not a house, is it?

Oh, he has plenty of fun! It's just only the kind he likes -- which is often alone. [Or with her. So basically, yes. Technically anti-social behavior going on here.]

May-be! [It's suspiciously sing-song.]

You know what I mean. Some fun that includes other people. Or is non-violent.

[ He raises his eyebrows. He's curious but... ]

Something big, by the sound of it. Congratulations?

I know, I know. I tried. [But she understands how James works. They're similar in a lot of ways.]

Possibly. It all depends on how he reacts.

Are you concerned he might like it? I can't imagine why he wouldn't. Anything coming from someone as lovely as you must be something special.

I don't think he'll dislike it, but I don't think he'll react strongly. [Might as well just give him a hug or a sandwich.] But at least someone here is up for flattering me.

[ He smiles a little sheepishly. ]

I just think gestures like that -- whatever it may be -- ought to go appreciated. Too often they're taken for granted.

I'm used to it, I guess. [Like the whole mindwiping some people she didn't want to because her friends asked it of her thing.] I just want to make the people I care about happy.

That's very noble. [ He purses his lips and takes a long sip of his drink, nearly emptying it. ] Still -- you ought to be happy too.

Ah, well, I do a lot of stupid things on the side. [Like throw parties for people who hate them.] I am happy, anyway. I've got a wonderful kid and a great significant other -- which is more than what I had back home, anyway.

Would you like another?

Um. All right. Just one, though.

[ He looks in his glass and finishes the last sip. ]

This places seems to be good about giving you new opportunities and second chances. I do like that about it. There's a freedom to it.

What'll it be? Might as well make it something crazy and take advantage of the open bar, right? [Otherwise she'll just get him something like an appletini. Welcome to the future!! (Of cocktails...)]

It's one of the reasons I'd be conflicted about going home, assuming I was given the option to do so.

I guess I could indulge a little more. [ He rubs his chin. ] What sort of bourbon do you have? Oh... and that reminds me, here you go.

[ He reaches into the bag hanging off his arm at the elbow, passing over two ribboned-but-unwrapped wine bottles. ]

Before I forget my whole reason for stopping by. [ He smiles a little faintly. ] It's probably for the best if we don't have the option.

Most kinds? Anything aged we have by request only. [By which she means, if you're a bro then it's a go!]

You know, I almost thought you were kidding about that. It's very cute; first time I've gotten a "his and hers" kind of gift. I'll have to mark it down on the calendar! [There's an underlying sarcasm to it, but she is mostly very genuine about it. She's happy. Zatanna looks over both of them, studying the labels.] You have good taste.

Whatever's the most accessible, then. I'm not too picky.

[ He tilts his head a little. ]

I think most people must assume a gift for one is the same as a gift for the other, but you're always better off gifting in pairs, in my opinion. [ Especially since you never know when people are going to split up, but that's not the right thing to say. ] Thank you -- I'm just glad you like them, good wine for good prices can require some hunting.

[She nods at the bartender. Physically, it is one of the most accessible bottles he pulls out...]

I've managed to acquire a rather decent cellar full of wine, but most of it was sheer luck. You just don't find vintage steeps easily these days. Too much competition. [Estate auctions aren't bad, neither is becoming chummy with rich folk (she has more luck with the latter).]

That is lucky. I'm not really a collector, although I usually try to keep a fully stocked cabinet at least. When I'm not saving up to move I'll be able to afford not only the good stuff, but the more excellent stuff on top of it.

[ He holds his hand out along the bar, in anticipation for his drink. ]

But everything in due time.

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