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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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."

"Proudly sponsored by Castle Clubs," he replied cheerily.

"It was nice to see you again, brief as it may have been. We'll catch up soon?" He gave her a brief hug before letting her ease herself back into the fray.

"It's a date, doll."

When there weren't ex-husbands to show up by having a good time dancing.

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It's Swing Time~

...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! ♥