It's Swing Time~

[cipherspeak]

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!

Comments

[headfollowheart]

"Of course that's all you can do, David," she murmured sweetly. "That's all anyone can do, after all. We can only judge you by the same criteria as well, right? Julien as your Ace, Athena as your Queen..."

She didn't need to know everything, and truthfully, this was a game. A dangerous one, no doubt, and one Victor probably wouldn't approve of her playing, but somehow irresistible for all that.

"The lowly Joker bit is good," she said levelly, "though I imagine you might want to cultivate a crazed-looking headtilt or wild eyes. Just to complete the picture."

[spysinspades]

"Hagen, Medea, Sean..." He continued her list for her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was under the impression we were busy naming of all of the mad leaders I've catered to in one way or another."

The smile he gives her is full of daggers. "Me as well, I assume. And since we all know I've gone off there's no reason to shove it in everyone's faces."

A sharp turn and a lift. "But of course you're right. Victor just makes the perfect addition, when we take his little habits into account. Just shows it was a bad choice, trying to change things for a better. Spades will be Spades."

[headfollowheart]

Was he going to claim, she wondered, that he'd had no say whatsoever in Julien's placement as Ace? Maybe he hadn't, which was...interesting, to say the least.

He could probably see the gears turning, though Zoe remained silent so that it wasn't clear just in what direction they were turning in. There was something nearly petulant about him, she thought. She'd never really seen it that way before, but the conclusion was inescapable now - he considered that he'd given everything to the Spades, he supposed, and they just weren't...hmm.

She smiled benignly at him, as the music ended. She wasn't capable of a smile full of daggers, and didn't wish to be. She'd already found it more valuable to be considered harmless and weak.

"I am sorry, David," she said with what seemed to be sincerity. "It must be terrible to feel so unappreciated after so many selfless actions. Thank you for the dance," she added with an elegant curtsy. "I can't say it wasn't interesting."

[spysinspades]

"No you're not," he disagreed with a smile. "You have no reason to be. It was all going to hell in a hand basket by the time you got here." A bow for the end of the dance, as was courteous.

He didn't believe for a moment she was sorry. He didn't believe she had anything to be sorry about. And he would absolutely continue to blame her so he could continue to avoid blaming himself.

But since he was living on honesty these days, there was no reason to let her leave it on a lie.