(no subject)

[natureinblood]

Who: Moonybase and YOU
When: 23 December 2009. 8am - 10pm
Where: Moonybase.
Summary: An open invitation to a party never looked so good. Check your weapons and powers at the door.
Warnings: Probably everything. Please see this post for details.
Format: Whatever works. Don't forget to add your tag.
-
Remus had been to enough Christmas parties in his lifetime to know when one would end disastrously, including those that had been specifically dated to avoided interfering with other Christmas plans that the guests might have. This was one of them. But his tolerance had kept him quiet, the happy act of cleaning and decorating taken to as easily as any other task he did.

The twins had also been enlisted to help, given the important task of stringing a length of bright red ribbon and pine up the staircase to the second floor. The soft white lights that followed were magic. In fact, none of the lights, save for whatever lamps or overhead lights that Miles insisted upon, were run by electricity, and many were candles, kept only from setting anything ablaze by a flame-freezing charm.

By the time the morning of the party rolled around, the house looked as if it had been pulled straight out of a Christmas card, Remus borrowing from what he remembered of Christmases as Hogwarts and the Burrow, including a single bit of mistletoe in the entry. The snow helped, piling nicely (if in an oddly organized fashion) outside thanks to a little help from Miles, adding to the image; if nothing else, Remus was happy with it, the certainty that he would wind up having to transfigure another person into some sort of object nagging at the back of his mind.

Tin whistles, toy rocking horses, and sprigs of mistletoe were likely going to be very common later in the evening, he mused, tapping his wand rhythmically against the palm of his hand in thought as he checked everything over once more, walking through the sitting and dining rooms and out into the backyard where the tree house had been built out of ice and wood into the tree there. The floating green structures that Kyle Rayner had promised to provide were still missing, but they would be there soon enough.

He pocketed his wand and walked back into the house, shaking free the snow from his boots, and glancing at the clock. People who had offered their assistance had been asked to come early, which meant that the kitchen was soon going to turn into a madhouse, the extra stove only offering so much help. It also meant he had best make tea before he was banned from the room.

ooc; alkdsjfa you guys are amazing <3 For your convenience, links to the separate comment sections. To keep the death to your bandwidth down a little.

EARLY ARRIVALS: VARIOUS PREPARATIONS
TIMELY ARRIVALS: CHECK YOUR MOTIVES AT THE DOOR
SOCIALIZING FOR FUN AND PROFIT
GO AHEAD! TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!
I'M GOING TO PISTOL-WHIP THE NEXT GUY WHO SAYS 'SHENANIGANS'
THIS IS WHY MANKIND INVENTED THE 'GUEST BEDROOM'
AND THEN EVERYTHING ELSE HAPPENED HERE
TAKING YOUR TOYS AND GOING HOME

Comments

[pike]

[ Nigel isn't actually socializing, per say, but he has broken away from his companion's side long enough to be caught on his own. He is, for the most part, inconspicuous as he makes his way through the small islands of people, weaving a beeline path towards the door. It's only when he stops to survey the crowd that he becomes a bit more noticeable. It's something about the way he stares in a vaguely dispassionate way, like he can't be bothered with most of the people here (which is truly the case).

He is, in fact, looking for one person in particular -- a friend Katurian Katurian. Whether or not he actually finds him is still waiting to be seen. ]

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

[ Eventually there's a girl offering him a cup of tea with a slightly amused smile. ]

You look rather...put out, already.

[pike]

[ Nigel's disdainful expression brightens considerably when he turns to look at Cameron, reaching to touch the side of her arm as he smiles generously at her and the tea she offers. ]

I have a habit of looking 'put out' in general, Cameron.

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

I've never seen you in such a large social situation, honestly. [ It's always been more personal, not that Cameron minds it at all. ]

I bought Alex a gift but I am not certain if I should give it to him here or wait until dinner on Friday. Or simply mail it.

[pike]

I make it a habit of avoiding them. For obvious reasons.

[ He takes the tea from her with both hands, lowering his face to inhale a bit of the steam as he is want to do. When he looks up again, he lists a dubious eyebrow. ]

You bought Jack a gift? [ He almost laughs. ] That's rather generous of you.

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

[ She tilts her head in what's almost a shrug - while Nigel cannot stand these sorts of situations and does not thrive in them, Cameron can take quite a lot away from being able to observe so many people in what is, for most of them, a new or uncommon social setting.

She will never tired of watching people, but Nigel knows that. ]

I did - a book, though while I know the subject as a whole is of some interest to him, I do not know if he will think much of it in particular.

It seemed appropriate.

[pike]

[ Nigel straightens and looks at Cameron curiously for a moment before turning his attention towards the crowd, back in the direction where he knows Alex is sitting. ]

It's a gift. [ Nigel smirks. ] Jack always enjoys receiving things. It appeals to his ego. [ Considers a moment. ] Though I don't think you should give it to him yourself. That wouldn't go well.

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

[ Cameron makes a small noise of consideration, processing that. It was about the answer she had expected - she's still not certain where she really stands, in regards to what Alex thinks of her, and it makes for careful assessments during interaction. ]

If I gave it to you to give to him, would that be better?

[pike]

[ Nigel shakes his head as he gives his tea a sip. The fact that she remembers how he takes it gives him the faintest sense of satisfaction. ]

I wouldn't give it to him either. Just leave it somewhere he could find it. Having me present him with a gift from you would be little more than adding insult to injury, I'm afraid, my dear.

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

I can do that. [ With little effort, even. ] And what does he think of all this so far? It is interesting, but does not strike me as the sort of thing either of you would enjoy.

[pike]

[ Nigel smirks. ] It's everything we expected it to be -- inanely pleasant, sanctimonious, and self-congratulating. Quite the social experiment really, if you want to look at it that way.

[mobius-bound.livejournal.com]

I do, but you already know that. What I would like to know is who recognizes the function for what it is - an attempt at gathering information and observation under the umbrella of 'goodwill' and 'holiday spirit' and who believes it to be much simpler than that.

[bluffing-ruffle.livejournal.com]

While Nigel is doing his bit of crowd surveyance, standing in the middle of a scab of people looking about, someone is intently watching him from some small way to the left. He has been, off and on, ever since it was decided to let him onto the premises; Phoenix and Remus were quietly warned to do so as well when they had the chance. Edgeworth is not a fool; he knows more than most people think he does, and lets on about very little of it.

Given how both Nigel and Alex/Jack had reacted to his declaration post, and their prods at his reasoning and temperament, he felt it a wise idea to make sure neither of them did anything out of line.

Still--as the rule that happened to apply to everyone, hero or not, stated: if they could keep themselves within the boundaries of said line, then they were as welcome as the rest.

If.

[pike]

Nigel has every intention of behaving, which is how himself and Alex managed to pass door inspection in the first place. There are, of course, varying degrees by which one can behave, but neither of them have any intention to do much beyond sit and stare and be perfectly judgmental of all the Holiday cheer. Chalk it up to bah humbug or some ingrained cynicism from their grim-faced fathers, they are otherwise a bit tight-lipped around others as to what exactly they find so detestable about the entire exercise. Either way, thanks to Katurian, Nigel is well-aware of just how much attention he's already garnered from the former prosecutor.

As he wanders, looking for his friend, he notices Mr. Edgeworth glancing in his direction. A smile -- boyishly pleasant -- and a raised glass acknowledge the attention innocuously.

[bluffing-ruffle.livejournal.com]

A rather large fan of the I Know He Knows I Know game, what with his prior job and all, Edgeworth has no problem with returning the raised glass with a wave of his hand and a genuinely pleased smile. He's actually glad to see that Nigel and Alex are there, after all.

Of course, that may be due to the fact that he's been able to watch them at his leisure, but still, the end result is the same, isn't it? And that's what counts, in a game of body language.

[goryteller]

[Katurian is surprised at himself for showing up, and even more surprised that he's... well, having a good time isn't quite right the right phrase, but he isn't as hopelessly overwhelmed as he imagined he would be. The decorations are beautiful. The magic snow is impressive. It's almost nice.

Still, he doesn't really know anyone, and so he awkwardly moves through the crowds, seeking out familiar faces.]

[pike]

[ A familiar face does make it a point to find Katurian fairly quickly. He is looking for him in particular, after all. Catching a glimpse of his friend from over the heads of a few strangers, Nigel smiles -- brightly -- in his direction and weaves his way over. He offers a hand as he strides up, a glass in his other. As territorial as Nigel's internal thought-process might be towards Katurian and wanting to make sure he has a nice time, there is part of him that is genuinely glad to see him. ]

Let you in, did they?

[goryteller]

[He beams, taking Nigel's hand and shaking it. It's a relief.]

They let you in.

[pike]

[ Nigel laughs and, without a second thought, offers Katurian his glass with his eyebrows lifted as if to silently as if he'd like a sip of his cider. Taking Katurian by the elbow, he starts to lead him to a couple of empty chairs tucked away in a corner. ]

It is the holidays, Katurian. Apparently, Jack and I somehow manage to qualify for the 'goodwill towards men' part of the equation.

[goryteller]

It's pretty funny, but not all together surprising. --Oh, no thanks. [Still smiling, he raises a hand at the drink offer, but lets Nigel guide him to chairs, glad to escape the larger crowd.]

All the same, I'm thankful they were willing to spread some of their Christmas spirit your way. How are you? Jack's here, too?

[pike]

[ Once at the chairs, Nigel gestures for Katurian to sit before dropping down into the chair beside him with an audible huff. His posture's lazy, casual -- a silent indicator that he's in a good mood and in company that he more or less trusts to be himself around. ]

I'm fairly well, considering the circumstances. [ Nigel gives Katurian a knowing glimpse. ] There's a reason why people like us don't make a habit of attending things like parties. But, the guests in general seem to leave well enough alone -- Jack and myself included. [ With one hand he gestures in the direction of the other room, where he last left Alex. ]

I left him in the other room before I went off to find you. He's trying to keep himself entertained by avoiding the more inane conversation. And you? You look...well.

[goryteller]

You went off to find me. [He laughs because he can't believe it, and sits down in a chair of his own. He shakes his head, gaze down at his knees.] You went off to find me. Well, I'm, uh. I'm glad I'm here, Nigel, or otherwise you'd be looking a long time.

[He looks up again.]

I am better. For now, I am better. [And then, with an almost playful grin:] "Considering the circumstances."

[pike]

Better's good. We like better, don't we, Katurian? [ Nigel's smile quickly becomes Nigel's grin and he has to pause for a moment to relax the muscles of his mouth in order to be able to take a sip of his drink without fear of making a mess. There's an odd buoyancy to his mood when he's around Katurian, like they share some sort of understood complicity that seems to come -- for the most part -- easily (at least, comparatively, when taken alongside Alex). It makes Nigel wonder if this is what it's like to have a sibling of some sort, though he really has no idea or point of reference. He turns to look at Katurian and nods once, slowly. ]

Of course, I was going to come find you -- what, did you expect me to leave you to the wolves? I knew you'd come. Cause you knew I'd be waiting.

[goryteller]

[It's been a long time since Katurian's felt this comfort level with another person, and it shows in his fluency of language compared to just a few short weeks ago. More jokes. More certainty in his words.]

I'm here for a lot of reasons, actually. I'm here because of you... [He acknowledges this with a nod towards Nigel, and a smile.] ...I'm here because of Cameron, and I'm here to show them I'm not afraid. I'm not. Now, I'm living my life for myself. [pause] I got your delivery.

[Just thinking about it makes him smile wider.]

[pike]

[ Nigel attempts modesty, though he's not very good at it. He has very little practice with emotional pretense since -- for the most part -- he experiences very little of it compared to other people and even if he didn't he wouldn't see the point. So he laughs, perhaps a bit self-satisfied and settles back in his chair to get a bit more comfortable. He leans slump head in Katurian's direction so that his head is close to his shoulder and Nigel has to look up slightly to meet his friend's gaze. ]

I hope it's the right fit, Katurian. As unsurprising the sentiment may be, I'm unused to having friends. Nevermind friends that are artists. [ He gives a loose shrug, lie it's no big deal. Nigel does that a lot -- shrugging -- there's an entire unspoken language to them that perhaps, one day, Katurian will pick up on and begin to understand the nuances between one or the other. ] I wasn't sure what else would be appropriate. And I did promise to keep you writing.