capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

(no subject)

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.
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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

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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.

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.

[ 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.

[ 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.

[ 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?

[ 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.

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.

[ 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.

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.

[ Nigel grins at her. There's a reason why he tolerates Cameron's company -- even welcomes it, sometimes; she has a tendency to see the world clearly in ways most people do not. The fact that she gets to the point quickly gets him to smile at her and then lean in close to whisper in her ear. ]

Well, there's you. And there's me. And there's Jack. But beyond that, who can say? Never underestimate a person's willingness to blind themselves from the obvious.

[ Cameron smiles in return, looking down as Nigel speaks and then looking up, scanning the room mostly to see who is and who is not observing them as best she can tell. ]

Oh, believe me, I do not. They believe ignorance is bliss and that a more complete understanding of the world around them and it's motivations are to be avoided. To be feared.

People like to live in bubbles.

[ He nods, quietly with a soft hum of agreement, as he loos at her face this close, eyes moving over her features as if studying a specimen with exploratory curiosity. ]

They do. [ A pause. ] I don't think Mr. Edgeworth likes me very much. For good reason, perhaps. Do you know if he's been watching me?

In the context of this party? Yes. He has been watching everyone, and you are included in that.

[ The smile stays at the edge of her lips and she glances at him without turning her head. Soap, tea, formaldehyde. It's a combination she's used to. ]

I have not seen him single you out in his observations as of yet. When did he say he does not like you?

[ He stares at her mouth for a while, considering it like it's some abstract concept. Eventually he says: ]

Something he said to Katurian. About myself and the doctor.

Ah.

[ Cameron doesn't sigh, or roll her eyes, though some of the thoughts that pass through her mind are definitely ones that would be associated with such gestures. Instead the smile remains, lingering still, as she scans the room again. ]

Katurian does not need the stress of people needlessly judging his associations. I wonder what, exactly, was the point Mr. Edgeworth was attempting to make.

Isn't it obvious? He's trying to save Katurian's soul. [ Nigel laughs and then grins at her brightly. ] From me.

[ Cameron shakes her head, slightly. ] Fascinating how such...moral proselytizing always seems to be unasked for.

[ She glances at Nigel. Really, she wonders what is wrong with people who have such strong moral codes wishing to forcibly imprint them on everyone else, especially in situations where they are not directly affected. ]

He would have just as much luck saving Katurian's soul from himself. The two of you are rather similar.

[ There is something almost sheepish in the way Nigel acknowledges this last statement from Cameron. It passes quickly, however, as he glances away and then back again. ]

Perhaps. I suppose we'll see, won't we? In the end, I can't force Katurian's hand any more than Mr. Edgeworth. Nor would I want to. Katurian has to chose for himself. [ He's quiet for a while and then adds, distractedly: ] And he will.

You have been a very good friend to Katurian - I doubt your faith in him is misplaced.

[ Now that Nigel is looking away she faces him directly. ]

It is only a matter of time until he does make his decision. Perhaps then he'll see fit to leave the house more often.

[ Nigel shakes his head, his attention still a little distant. ] It's not. I know it isn't.

[ When he turns his face to hers again, they're so close together their noses almost brush. His voice is quiet and he smiles conspiratorially at her. ] We should make sure he does, Cameron. Without fear.

[ There's a moment when Cameron just stares at Nigel - it's a habit they have and she rarely, if ever, doesn't take the opportunity to indulge it when she can. Eventually her expression becomes a bit less narrow and she nods, slightly, taking in a breath. ]

We should, yes. Most definitely.

[ Yes, staring is essentially a baseline fundamental aspect of Nigel's behavior. Whether near or far, he has a tendency to do it at friends, enemies, complete strangers -- but there are very few people he stares at from this proximity. Cameron is one; Alex, of course, is another. He continues to smile faintly. ]

Is John here? [ There's a note of sourness to his voice when he says his name. ]

[ Cameron shakes her head, slightly. She knows where John is and she knows it isn't here, though she has no idea if he plans on arriving or not. ]

No, he isn't. I would have told you if he were.

Good. [ He says this with a bit of territorial force, his eyes slide sideways quickly towards the periphery of his vision. As far as he knows Alex is in the other room and will most likely remain there until he gets back. Still, his motion is quick as he rocks forward on his feet and kisses Cameron briefly at the corner of her mouth -- a hand coming up to touch the edge of her jaw with his thumb. ]

I should go find Katurian before someone else does, [ he says quietly and before she can answer, he's pulled back and is tugging on the sleeves of his shirt, flattening down his tie. Nigel glances at her briefly, flashing her a smile before looking out onto the crowd again. ] Make it a point not to say hello to Jack.

[ She makes no move to try and stall his departure, settling instead on folding her hands in front of her and smiling at him.

When he mentions Alex she nods, slightly, a slow motion that if she allowed it to follow down her spine would be nothing short of a bow. However it is just her head that moves, nothing else, as Cameron adapts her natural stillness for a moment. ]

I shall.

[ She watches him return to Alex and her air becomes a bit more self-satisfied - each kiss is some sort of marker in a game she is not entirely certain how to play, a series of interactions she is only really learning with Nigel despite her past or perhaps because of it but they are hers nonetheless. ]

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