houseofcards_rp | It's Swing Time~

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Elisha's motivation for organizing - or, honestly, delegating the organization of - a semi-formal dance party. Lucinda had suggested a ball, with stars in her eyes. She probably had already picked out ballgowns and themes in her head when Elisha had nixed the thing and - in a moment of desperation, with the memory of the swing-themed Fox wedding still in his head - suggest a Spring Swing, instead.

Everyone had run with it, and Elisha was pleased to say it had come out well. He was even more pleased to say that he didn't have to wear a suit, even if he stepped out into the lantern-lit gardens in everything but the tie. He paused near the raised dais provided for dancing and gave the small band the signal to start up the music before he attempted to fade back in the crowd. Not that that ever worked.

"Let the games begin," he murmured to no one in particular as he picked up a glass of champagne off a tray.

Note: Open to everyone and their brother; tag around, have fun!

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There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Even Elisha, who has admittedly all but wed his office in unholy matrimony in recent months, is having some fun. At the Queen of Spades behest, the jacket was flung across the dance floor, and so was the vest, so by the time he approaches his Ace, he's down to well-tailored charcoal pants and a crisp Turnbull & Asser shirt that's probably rumpled enough to make Gideon cry.

Eileen, on the other hand, looks like a picture.

"Please say you've at least tried out one of the bouncy castles," he says. "For science."

Gideon will forgive them, hopefully. Then again, hopefully, Gideon is actually enjoying himself at least just a little. It's important that everyone does it.

Even if the evidence is immediately hidden. Argine's got amazingly strong fingers for getting hair neatened back into place.

"Promise. With Leigh. She can verify." And, likely, the bright smile can verify as well. "Did you? Or is this--" the gesture at his rumpled state is without judgement "--just from entirely athletic dancing?"

One hopes. Of course, Gideon's version of enjoying himself probably involves making certain that no champagne flute leaves the castle without sparkling as much as it could possibly sparkle.

"There's a rumor that I've grown up too much for a bouncy castle." So, no. Not yet, at least. "But the Queen of Spades was offended by the presence of my suit."

Whatever makes a person happy, so long as it doesn't involve violating the free will of others, right?

"I won't brag about how much fun it is."

She will, however, grab his hand to swing absently if he doesn't stop her. Surely that's part of things being relaxed for the evening.

"Have you been dancing, then?"

"Here and there," he said as he swings with her, twirling her as the music gets going again. "We should both find Hadyn at some point and make him dance with us."

Things had been a bit strange - understandably so - since their spat earlier this week.

"Possibly not at the same time."

"Why not? You don't think he could handle it?"

It would be impolite to inquire about any ruffled feathers, real or imagined, right? Much better to just spin quietly and talk in the same light tone.

"Or are you afraid you couldn't handle the pair of us?"

"It might be too much for him."

It's probably best to leave it alone for now. Hadyn and Elisha, for all their spats, are usually able to work things out. And if they're not...maybe they're not supposed to. It's too nice a night to consider the states of a relationship, though.

He raises a single eyebrow instead.

"I'm game if you are, princess."

So long as she doesn't have to give up her not-father or her not-uncle-brother-Hadyn. Surely this is the age to be selfish about other people's relationship.

"It's a good night to be game for things, don't you think?"

Ride the good, happy mood while you have it, right?

He imagines that they're both - all - too firmly attached for that to ever happen. And as far as he's concerned, she's owed some selfishness.

He gives Hadyn a sidelong look. He looks so...unprepared.

"Do you want the right or the left?"

Family is difficult to give up. Family gets fought for. And family is absolutely who the little clan who had wandered New York late at night looking for desert to celebrate surviving dinner was.

"The left. My right hand's stronger."

For latching on and dragging.

It's Swing Time~

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