houseofcards_rp | It's Swing Time~

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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.

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Is she allowed to pat his arm? Hopefully it's not an overwhelming amount of fun if she pats his arm before crossing her own over her chest.

"What, was I supposed to lay down and resign myself when I hit forty? We've both got years left to kick around."

And, well. She had young people to show up. That couldn't be helped.

"I think most young people expect forty to be the end of the world." When in fact there were many more years to come. Time to seize opportunities, to right wrongs, to do everything that he'd never had the time to do when he was young and still struggling through each dreary day.

"But I can happily report that even at sixty there will be no locusts eating your food or toads in your bed."

Maybe she can't get dancing. Maybe a break would actually be good, after the workout of dancing with Ben and Johnny.

"Can I get that in writing?" The laugh is bright enough, certainly reaches her eyes as she glances back to him from looking over the crowd. "And a promise you'll send back reports from eighty? We've got to hit the age of decay sometime, right? My money's on ninety-three and four months."

He picked up a flute of champagne for her. She did deserve a break and a drink after conquering the dancefloor.

"I could do some writing tomorrow, but I'm not sure I'll make it to eighty," he said with a chuckle. Clearly the prospect of dying within the next twenty years didn't bother him.

"I'm sure you'll breeze past ninety-three and four months and still have more than half the energy you do now."

Being handed a flute got a calm little dip of a curtsy--was absolutely a waste of a good skirt not to take advantage of flaring it now and then. And really, the calm way he spoke meant there didn't need to be even the slightest arch of a brow.

Death wasn't scary. Age wasn't scary. Her mother had taught her that. More people ought to understand it. Not so bad being around someone who did.

"That is the plan, but I'll certainly take the vote of confidence." Ching-ching, now, good sir. "So what's a fox like you doing sitting around at a dance like this, hm, if you aren't going to be letting any of us tempt you to your feet?"

"Well actually I just wanted to try out the bouncy castle," he joked. He could have said he came for the drinks and no one would have been absolutely gobsmacked by the revelation. Or that he's just a pervert wanting to watch little girls dance - that might have raised a few eyebrows. He would have said it to Argine's face too if it meant he would get that priceless expression on her face.

But really it would have been impolite to have not turned up. Really, he did want to see Eileen be among friends and cheer up from her slump. Really, he wanted a break from shuffling between papers and dictionaries and brittle pages. ~~And really, he might have wanted Rachel to~~

"But I think my dimensions exceed the recommended limit."

It was a good answer. In fact, it was among the top answers he could give to her question. There was absolutely a beaming smile for him for it as she took a sip of her champagne.

"And did you let that stop you? Fight the man, Caleb. You've got kick left in you."

"But he did have a point about it being some years too late for a midlife crisis, and accidentally crushing some little monsters underneath my weight." Even though Caleb didn't really see a problem with either of those things. It was never too late to indulge the inner child, and the world wouldn't suffer with fewer brats around.

"I know you would think lesser of me for relenting, but I'd rather not start a riot in my own castle."

"We can let this one go, I suppose," she shrugged charitably around another sip of champagne. "It would put a damper on the evening if you caused an incident with accidentally smooshing a child."

And then how could she keep dancing? She couldn't. What a waste.

"I'm afraid you might be right," he said with a wistful sigh. Because clearly he must have been looking forward to flattening children for the entire evening.

"Well don't let me keep you if the floor and your boy-toys are waiting for you." He's quite content to stay in his corner and keep on drinking, but he can only say that for one of them.

The tightening of her smile was brief, slight. He didn't mean anything cruel by it, after all. It was a perfectly calm, friendly thing to say. She didn't have to let her prickling tonight take over her life.

"In a moment. Don't tell anyone, but I'm not actually made completely out of energy."

"You mean to say that the Goddess of the Hearts is actually a mere mortal like the rest of us? I would have never guessed." He doesn't know how she does it, how she hasn't deflated like a popped balloon after despite her setbacks - how she did right by the people around her after she'd been wronged - but he respected her greatly for it.

So she can tell him a cold, hard truth, and he would smile and nod in response.

"Don't worry my dear, your secret's safe with me."

It all makes him rather high up on her list of people she's entirely pleased to sit next to.

"Have they started calling me a Goddess now? Or are you just being coy, darling?"

"I don't know what they call you, but they shouldn't really be calling you anything else." Come now - who could claim not to be a fan and admirer of Rita James?

"We ought to talk some sense into them if they are."

There were two notable exceptions. The hard part of life was continuing to not care about them. Thank goodness for people who helped make it easy.

"I'd settle for Grand High Empress, really. Goddess might be a bit much. Wouldn't want to get entirely full of myself--just a little ought to do it."

"Well it is a bit of a step down to be calling you Grand High Empress instead. You're overqualified for the title." And yet it would do her no disservice, and no one would think lesser of her for settling for something less grandiose. It was a feat.

"Perhaps. But." And here she had to pause very slightly, eyes flitting out over the dancing crowd. They were open, honest people. They had something in the line of mutual respect. It still felt a tiny bit delicate. "I've got a daughter. She's going to need to learn to be the Goddess, mm?"

"I'm sure you already make her feel like one every day." Which is a lot more than he can say for most parents who didn't quite know what they were doing - and it showed, very obviously so.

"And there's no reason why there can't be two of you. You can't convince me that your sensibilities don't run in the family."

Now, clearly, is the time to laugh around a sip of her champagne.

"If I didn't know any better, Mr Caustello, I'd be afraid you were flirting with me. There must be a limit to your flattery."

"Oh I'm sure there must be. But I suppose we won't find out unless I've to grovel for something from you," he mused. It wasn't an entirely implausible scenario, even if it was quite farfetched.

"But you do seem like the accommodating sort."

"So I've been told, handsome." And so she'll drink to, glass lifted calmly in his direction. "Unlike some, who won't even indulge a self-proclaimed goddess in a shuffle around the dance floor."

"I know. Some Clubs can be so unaccommodating, so impolite despite being the hosts of such an event. It's no small miracle that they haven't been shamed into leaving the Deck entirely." And yet.

He'll smile anyway and lift his drink in return. It's the least he can do after turning her down.

There's a sparkling little laugh for that before she takes a proper sip of her drink. "Just promise me you are actually enjoying yourself."

"I am, my dear. As much as I can without being allowed into the bouncy castle." Which, obviously, couldn't be too much fun since the best part of the evening had been taken out of the equation.

Still, he could make do with the drinks and the small talk and the occasional polite declining of an invitation to drag him to the dance floor. He could count his blessings.

"I'll take your word for it."

And, actually, she'll be polishing off her drink, pushing herself back onto her feet again with an easy straightening of her skirt. Surely she's allowed to lean over and press a quick kiss against his cheek?

"Thanks for the drink."

Yes it was a nice vacation ^_^

heartbreakclub - 2013-06-02 05:28 (UTC) - Expand

Excellent! ♥

butneverbreak - 2013-06-02 05:48 (UTC) - Expand

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It's Swing Time~

106 right here. /highfive

We were made for each other. I mean lolwat?

You play dads, I play moms, and I think we cover the high-low age spread. \o

The two of us could almost solve the population crisis by ourselves.

Can we demand a medal? I'd like a medal. :|a

But who would make us a medal?

...I will make us a medal?

An acceptable compromise. I would like chocolate in the middle of the gold wrapping.

...that may be difficult. ...but I'll get on it.

Dark chocolate ^_^

You even like the right chocolat WE ARE A PEACH OF A PEAR.

I don't get the fruits reference, but okay x)

"We're a peach of a pear, but I cantaloupe with you." "Oh honeydew."

That's... actually pretty terrible XD Especially the cantaloupe part.

My grandpa used to think it was hilarious. It is ingrained in my brain.

I have no words.

I think there aren't any.

no subject

no subject

Back from my holiday within a holiday =| ohgodthetags

We missed you. So we tore up your inbox. We are like a puppy or something. \o/

D: It's not so bad now, but I did want to tag in to some posts but can't ._.

Why not? D:

I hardly have time to check my email, let alone tag ._. Back to Auckland in the weekend though x)

Maybe when you get back, then. Hope you're having a fab time!

Yes it was a nice vacation ^_^

Excellent! ♥