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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A tilt of his glass in Ethan's direction, and he takes a sip.

"So, why aren't you out there making good PR, hm?"

Ethan did the same, swallowing a good mouthful of amber fire. He leaned back in his chair and glanced out over the crowded floor.

"I'm waiting. Curious to see how many are gonna approach me, for whatever reason." He thought back and ticked off on his fingers. "I'm up to...five now, so far."

"You're quite popular tonight." And in general, really.

"Five ladies approached you, and you haven't danced yet? I think I'm disappointed, mio figlio."

"I think it's the promotion." And really, there were certain levels of stupid he didn't have to be, and taking advantage of said promotion was one of them.

But he had to add, "And two men," just to satisfy his need to nettle his father a bit. "But just because I haven't yet doesn't mean I won't at all. I made a few promises here and there. It's always more fun to play hard to get, sí?"

Dancing wasn't taking advantage. At least, not as far as David was concerned, and he'd always been pretty touch about that.

"You'll break dozens of male hearts at this rate." Nope nope nope, not laughing at you at all, Ethan. And carefully not thinking of the number of times he'd danced with a male partner.

David didn't discriminate when it came to dancing.

The newest Joker probably didn't see dancing as a means to an end, like his son had come to, either. Which was a good thing. Because Ethan hadn't been to a shindig like this in months, and the last one had been "business-related". Now, for the first time in months, he didn't have a secondary agenda--which was strange, really. He was free to just sit back, relax, and...do whatever he liked.

Ethan wasn't sure how to go about this.

But he chuckled along with his patron's smirk, shaking his head. "I hope not. I'd hate to be responsible for the largest collective stroke the Deck's ever had." Well, he might already hold that record, but for something else entirely.

"Speaking of, why aren't you out there boogieing down? You've cut your share of rugs, if I recall."

There were times when dances were work, and times that dancing had been a means to an end, but never had the act of dancing been work. With so few pure things in the world, he hated to sully what little he had.

"The night is young, my boy. There is time yet. And you can't rush greatness."

Besides, right at this particular moment he was drinking brandy with his son.

Ethan lifted his glass in acknowledgement of the point. "Touchè, mio saggio, padre." Taking a hit, he swallowed, licked his lower lip, then said, "Mm, oh, now that I'm thinking about it, just so you know, I'm taking Avery to my house in Firenze next week. A much-needed vacation, as were."

He tilted his glass David's way. "I'll bring you back a few bottles of the House wine, if you like. Mariana reports last year's batches were sorprendente."

A sigh of pure pleasure. "If you do that, I might just visit you at home." Bribery will get Ethan everywhere, clearly.

Slumping down more, David got comfortable by swinging his leg over the arm of his chair.

Ethan had to laugh. "I'll have a case or three shipped back when we arrive then, if it excites you that much." He polished off the last of the brandy and began to toy with the empty glass. "And no doubt I'll be loaded down with greetings from Don Santino, too. The old man still talks about you, y'know."

Still? That came as a surprise. David hadn't been to Italy in longer than he cared to remember.

"Don't believe a word he says, they're all lies." Except for all those ones that weren't. David rolls his mostly-full glass between his hands thoughtfully. Jokerdom had not changed his drinking habits over much.

"You could tell him hello for me while you're there, however."

"Oh, I only believe about one in three, promise. But apparently you impressed the old reprobate, somehow. I'll definitely tell him hi for you."

He watched David play with the glass too, wondering how to phrase the next, and finally opted to just blurt it out.

"You could always go visit yourself, y'know. There's no reason here not to." It wasn't a censure, merely an observation. "I'd even go with you, if you wanted."

"I could," he agreed slowly. Before, there'd always been a reason he couldn't. Something tying his down. And in coming back, there was... he hadn't known where else was possible.

"I will. In the Fall. I prefer that time of year for the house." At least, if memory served him correctly, he did. And saying it made it so, with David. He did hate breaking promises.

Ethan nodded, wanting to encourage this trend of thought.

"And you could even help with the wine-making. I hear they've gone back to stomping them...by foot, I guess the term is." He chuckled. "God, that has to be fun as hell."

"It's an experience," David laughed. "Feels strange between your toes."

A snort. "I bet it does." Ethan tilted his head for a fresh round of drinks, sliding the empty glass away with one finger before propping his chin on one hand.

"You've been all right, otherwise?" He had to ask. What son wasn't concerned about a father who'd come back from the dead?

"I am as well as can be expected," David agreed. He was fine. Sometimes. Usually. Except for those times when he wasn't. "I find I rather miss tea."

"You could always swing by the kitchens in the morning," Ethan suggested. "Declan'd serve you a pot or three, I'm sure."

He'd started doing that a while back--slipping into the Castle early and sitting in the kitchens while the staff prepared breakfast, sipping tea and just enjoying the relative quiet before the hustle and bustle of the day.

"I believe the lovely butler would be less than pleased with that." He said it lightly, but that particular rejection had stung quite a bit. He had hoped...

Well. Some things were beyond Declan's peculiar limits, and perhaps David himself was now one of those things.

"He's rather busy starting a family now, after all."

It's Swing Time~

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