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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Julien hasn't once stepped foot on the dance floor since he'd arrived. It's unlikely there's anyone at the event who could compel him to do so, save perhaps Katya or Eileen both of him he is more inclined to indulge than is probably wise.

So he's standing by the bar with a tumbler of whiskey that he raises in greeting when he sees Ivona approaching. "I believe you might ought start with water before wine, m'lady."

Asking for a vodka tonic, Ivona leaned an elbow on the counter and smiled lightly. "Perhaps, but I think I'll take my chances tonight, Julien." A sparkle of mirth lit green eyes and she chuckled. "You never know, there might be magic a-waiting just around the corner, hm?"

All right, so it was hokey and cheesy, but damn. She'd been busting her ass for nearly six months without taking any time to breathe, much less relax, so Ivona figured it was high time to just kick back and...not care. And now that she had the chance, she was determined to make the most of it.

Come what--or who--may.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know much about magic, unfortunately. I believe there are those who might say I lack the imagination."

But he certainly had his own imaginative flair in other arenas. Just less socially acceptable ones. "Perhaps you ought to show me sometime."

"But you've such flair elsewhere, Julien. Not a gift to be overlooked, you know. Despite opinion to the contrary." Ivona knew it well; not all hobbies were politically correct. Didn't make them less enjoyable, in her view; quite the opposite, in point of fact.

"Oh? Of course, I'd love to. Working magic is one of my specialties, sir." Or at least, several ambassadorial princes, seconds-in-command, and high ranking officials had sworn to by the time Ivona Wolf sailed from their figurative ships.

"Is it? I don't believe I've ever seen you with a wand or a top hat..." he muses.

"Or does that mean you're an incognito magician?" The idea of Ivona hiding away and practicing stage illusions is, at least, rather amusing.

"Tsk, I don't bother with such trite little objects, Julien. I just wiggle my nose..." she demonstrated, "...and things happen. It's quite amazing, I must say."

She took a delicate sip of her drink. "If by 'magician', you mean, 'someone who makes things happen the way she wants', then I believe I have to plead guilty." Well, save once. A failure she still wasn't over, damnit.

If that is a Bewitched reference, it would be beyond him, so he just nods knowingly and raises his glass to her skill."

"Plead guilty all you like, that is something I believe no one should be partticularly ashamed of."

"Oh, I'm not ashamed in the slightest, my dear Julien. I take great delight in watching the webs I weave slowly take shape, inevitably bringing about the result I want." A coy little smile shaped her lips. "I take great pleasure in it."

"Then I shall have to enjoy watching your work. I do seem to have a great deal of extra time on my hands lately, after all."

As if the making of that time had been of his own volition.

Ivona's smile was one hundred percent charming. Which was probably terrifying in its own right.

"I'd be delighted of your perusal, dearest. I always do seem to perform better with an audience, I've noticed."

It's Swing Time~

and for a more actually-polite sort of thread

Heeee, <3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject