riverviewlogs | open: gold & glitz

open: gold & glitz

who: Bryn Zethir & Guests
what: A Gold & Glitz House Party
when: Evening of June 1st
where: Bryn's apartment
warnings: Alcohol, tobacco, and weed.

[Welcome to Bryn's apartment. The door is unlocked, and personal belongings can be tossed up onto the bed just at the top of the stairs. The party's theme is apparent at once. As mentioned on the network post, gold and glitz is strongly encouraged (though no one will be turned away for lacking either) in clothing, jewelry, accessories, or however creatively someone would like to incorporate it. Those interested in participating but lacking anything gold or glitzy will find gold glitter body gel to spread on their skin, compliments of the hostess.

There's a bar cart by the front door with a sign that reads WELCOME in gold script. It's laden with short shot glasses filled with what looks like liquid gold. When imbibed, however, it tastes like a faintly peach-flavored vodka. The rest of the alcohol and mixers can be found in the kitchen. Clear plastic cups feature labels that can be written on in gold permanent marker, then filled with any number of beverages. Really, there's no real rhyme or reason to what's available, as guests have been encouraged to bring whatever they like and add it to the kitchen island. For those who don't drink alcohol, there's a sign on the fridge indicating that non-alcoholic drinks and mixers are kept within. Anyone looking to fill their stomach a little between drinks will find platters of finger foods available throughout the apartment. Gold macarons, cheese and crackers, sliced fruit and vegetables are plentiful, but guests who are quick enough may find they can grab some of the thinly sliced beef arranged around a bowl of spicy dipping sauce. Of note, there is also a plate of gold fortune cookies for guests. While it's noted there's only enough for one per person, the fortunes feature not only a fortune but a party challenge. Dance with a stranger? Eat nothing that isn't fed to you? Try your hand at inventing a new drink? Why not try it and see what happens? Play a game of party jenga for that matter.

Beyond all this, anyone attending is encouraged to mingle and enjoy themselves. There's ample seating throughout the apartment for people to sit back and enjoy their food and drinks, including a plush rug in one corner covered in floor cushions and pillows around a hookah with a variety of flavors of tobacco. For those who are more inclined to activity there's space enough to dance to the music that booms throughout the apartment. With the windows open the space stays well aired out and comfortable, inviting any who attend to linger as long as they like. By the looks of things the hostess has no intention of kicking anyone out no matter how late it gets...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's incredible how at ease he seems to be with casual physical touch. Sometimes it feels as if they've known each other far longer for how well she fits against him, or how right it feels when his arm slings across her shoulders or her hand rests at his hip. Perhaps that's why it's so easy for her to smile at him, because she's comfortable and at ease, because he's sweet and he's charming so naturally he makes her happy whenever they're together.

She hadn't realized how significant his absence had been until he'd finally returned from the jungle. Is it possible to miss a person once they're back?]

It's not really crashing if they invited everyone. [Her cheeks pink a little at the compliment, but now that she's already responded to the one comment there doesn't seem to be any smooth way to acknowledge the other. To return it without some awkwardness.] I really do appreciate your flexibility however. I know going out was probably the last thing on your mind...

[There, she can do this. Here's her opening.]

Though now that you're here I have to say I may have done too good of a job helping you pick an outfit tonight.

Yeah? [ He can feel his cheeks coloring a bit as if he is actually still fourteen, which would be embarrassing if he wasn't mostly beyond really caring, for the moment. He'd also be lying to himself if tried to pretend that he wasn't hoping all along that she'd appreciate the end result. She'd worked hard enough to make it happen, after all.

He can admit, also, that while long practice and the continuous silent judgment of the most dangerous man in the world has taught him how to clean up for a formal event, being left to his own devices in this context probably would have embarrassed them both. Wanda’s a gorgeous woman. He doesn't want to look out of place beside her. ]

That a professional opinion, or should we chalk it up to personal bias?

[Wanda lets her fingertips tap against his hip. An eyebrow lifts as she considers his question, is if she doesn't have an answer immediately. Eventually, she lifts one shoulder in a half shrug.]

Since professionally I don't think there's any such thing as doing too well, for this it would have to be counted as a personal bias. [He looks very, very good in black. It's not as festive as some of the other people there, but with his black hair it just makes the blue in his eyes pop, and the overall sleek effect is very appealing to her. It certainly doesn't help that the fabrics he's wearing are all so very touchable...

It makes her pleased that not only is he there tonight, not only does he look so good when he's smiling at her, but he's there with her. Just her. Such things are not meant to be shared so soon, however.] If there's a next time I'll have to set the bar lower or risk being distracted by you constantly.

I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. [ If she's planning to keep looking at him like that, at least. He allows himself the luxury of a little cheekiness, doled out in a smile. As if she isn't the one who's impossible to look away from. ]

...Seriously. I appreciate you doing so much of the heavy lifting tonight. [ Which seems important to say, before too much more time slips away from him. Tired as he was this morning, the party's been an energizing experience. He really needs to make the effort to get out more. ] I kinda needed this.

[For Wanda, it doesn't seem like such a big thing. If anything she had been worried that she'd added more weight to his day by dragging him into this. A small part of her that she hadn't even known was still tense seems to relax, hearing this.]

It wasn't heavy lifting for me, and not a problem if this is helping you unwind after your time away. [She wanted to relieve stress, not add to it. She'd wanted to see him, yes, but when the party had come up she hadn't been able to resist seeing if he'd go with her. It had sounded fun and...and light. Something Wanda figured would help a great deal to keep her from getting too serious around him like she had on their first date.] In the end I just wanted to see you, however or whenever I could.

[Of course, her statement was meant to imply her flexibility primarily. Her brain doesn't catch up until later that she'd revealed just how much she'd wanted to spend time with him.]

Yeah. I- [ He’s stumbling there a little. It’s unasked for and unexpected, which somehow only makes it nicer to hear. He’s definitely blushing again. ]

Same here.

I was going to call as soon as I got in. See when you wanted to catch up. [ When not if. It still feels a little bold. ]

[Oh. Yep. There it is. She did say that. But...he responds in kind, in his own way. They're both still feeling their way through things but for once Wanda is starting to feel exhilarated more than awkward even as things slip out more and more.]

I'm glad.

[Her mind is far from quiet now. Knowing that their interest is mutual makes her think about future interactions, about the path that they're on and so much more. It seems stupid to expect that this will lead to anything of substance when they're still getting to know each other. She doesn't know if he just enjoys dating or spending time with people without getting too serious with them, or if it's the opposite. They've connected on such heavy subjects and he wasn't scared off so clearly he doesn't mind there being substance to what's between them...but it doesn't mean she knows what he wants.

It's too much to ask, far too soon, and in the end she knows that she shouldn't let herself linger on this heavily. Not yet, anyway. What she ought to be doing is staying in the moment. Toward that end, she reaches a hand up from his middle, cupping his cheek. Her fingers brush along his jawline as she watches him.]

Another time we could sit and do that, if you wanted. You could tell me about the last couple weeks out in the jungle and I can tell you about mine...

You really didn't miss much. Just some local cuisine... [ Truth be told they'd found several of the people they'd been looking for dead, which was a solid little punch to his heart.

On the other hand, he'd had a few grueling days on the walk home to punish himself and brood. It's the last thing he wants to do now, with that gentle touch pulling him back into this moment. He's leaning straight into it before he quite realizes what he's doing, letting his eyes fall shut.

He doesn't really... know what this is either, and only now is it starting to occur to him that maybe he should. Maybe he should be starting to wonder. They're friends, he's sure of that. Friends who hang out. Friends who share things. Friends who hold hands. Now suddenly, oddly, as she hypnotizes him with her touch, it's starting to feel as if it could be something else.

If that's even what she wants. If that's even what he should want, with the situation as tenuous here as it is. With all the responsibilities he's supposed to be getting back to at home. With the secret, hovering there in between them. It doesn't feel fair.

He's overthinking it, probably. He knows that. Is it so wrong to want to be close to someone?

And anyway, it's soon. Too soon. ]

...You know I always want to hear about you, right? [ He's reaching up to brush her cheek with his fingers.

He sure did just say that. ]

[Local cuisine doesn't sound particularly exciting the way he puts it, but it doesn't mean she wouldn't enjoy hearing about it all the same.

She doesn't press now, however. Not with the way he's looking at her, the touch of his fingers over her cheek. Leaning into the brush, she turns her head ever so slightly, kisses them lightly.]

I do now. [And yes, it pleases her to hear it. That despite all that she's told him in the past, so much of it darker than lighter, he still wants to know her. Her past and her daily activities. For her, it's much the same.] I always like hearing about you too.

[Though at the moment her mind is drifting in other directions. The temptation to use her powers to find out what he's thinking is always there, but she pushes it to the side in favor of just asking him:]

Is there anything else that you want?

Want?

[ From her? From this moment? From the world? Dick sits up a little, more so he can get a better sense of what he should be reading in her eyes than to break off the contact. ]

...Well, I'd settle for dinner sometime. A long walk on the beach?

[ He's teasing her a little, but there's an inquisitive look to his smile. Maybe this is her gentle way of putting him off? ]

[Well that's an unexpected reaction. From the way they'd been touching, the way she'd kissed the pads of his fingertips she'd thought for sure that they might be making their way toward something a little more heated...

But her question apparently makes Dick sit up as if this is somehow a more important conversation than she'd meant it to be. She's being too subtle because he is...definitely on another track right now.

Not that dinner or a walk on the beach sounds at all terrible--it sounds lovely, really--but it isn't what she'd been alluding to.]

I'd love that. Both of those. Though I should have been more specific. I meant the more immediate future.

...Oh. [ Haha well he sure as hell missed that cue. Dick blushes a little, regret and embarrassment there and gone in the time it takes him to recover. And a little smirk chases away the slip. ]

Well in that case... [ He leans in close, reaching out to slide his fingers through hers, brushing his lips close to her mouth. This is still new for them, and so it's meant to be a light touch. A tease more than a kiss. But there again he finds himself just... kind of lingering there anyway. Suddenly caught again in the spell of just how easy it feels to be close to her. How much this, just this, isn't enough. ]

[The fact that they're at a party with so many other people around doesn't slip Wanda's mind, but for the moment she feels enough in her own little world with Dick that she can't feel them. Her awareness of their minds and thoughts and emotions may as well slide right off of her for how focused she is on him now.

Her heart beats a bit faster the moment it's clear that he understands what she was alluding to. He blushes, but her cheeks heat too, even as her eyes close as he leans in toward her. Fingers intertwining with his, Wanda leans forward to meet him partway without a care for how eager she might seem. The last time she kissed him they were on their last date, before he'd gone out of town. That was just far too long for her to wait...]

[ There's an odd sense of anonymity that comes with the buzz of activity around them. Or maybe it's just that the party is attended by mostly perfect strangers, none of whom, by his sense, are all that interested just now in what they're doing over here. But for once he's not worried about eyes on them. He's not worried about casing the room for threats. He kisses her, softly at first, but unhurried. Unshy. He won't leave her any room this time to wonder about his intentions. ]

[Next time she wants a kiss, she'll simply go for it. Next time, she'll lean in to press her lips to his without asking for it from him. Laying there on the couch in some stranger's apartment, tucked in close against him, everything feels right. He doesn't leave her any room to worry that he didn't want this, or that he's not enjoying it.

It's like this is how this sort of thing should have been all along. Not just being on a date with someone or going out to a party, but being with someone. Strange, she never thought she'd ever be the sort to smile against someone's lips but there she is, doing exactly that.]

[ There's a sweetness there now that he doesn't want to let go of. That he knows will slip away if he lets it, because people like him don't get to have this. An evening shared without a thousand outside pressures calling him away. The easy simplicity of wanting someone and being wanted back. A kiss that makes his heart flutter.

It would be easy, too easy to disappear in the heat of that moment, but when he feels her smiling he has to pull back, if only so he can try to catch it in action. She has a beautiful smile. ]

You know if this was all a play for a little more of my attention... [ Too much distance already, he has to steal another kiss- ]

...I'd say it's working out.

[She's enjoying herself too much to feel any sort of bashfulness at being caught smiling the way she is. It's for him, after all. Why shouldn't he see it? For all that this is new, there's still that part of her that's seen enough, lived through enough to not shy away from good things when she has them. Leaning into it seems the better choice, in the end.

Besides, when she smiles, he smiles back at her and she can't help but love. It inspires her to do so more often.]

Considering it was a play for a kiss, maybe two, I'd have to agree. [But, interestingly enough, it's not all that she wants. They're close, there's the kindling glow of intimacy between them...but she's minded to take a bit of the plunge herself this time. Carefully, Wanda rises up from the couch just enough to turn, to settle herself on his lap with her back to the arm of the couch. She drapes an arm behind his shoulders, letting her fingertips brush against the nape of his neck.] This is my play for more of your attention.

[ Wanda has a way of surprising him, in unexpected, nice little ways. But there's no shyness to the way he welcomes her into his embrace, letting his arm slip around her, drawing her into a half-hug. Apparently he needs to leave more often. Or never leave again.

There's a dangerous thought. ]

All you had to do was ask. [ Luckily leaning in to kiss her cheek is an easy cover, with the added bonus that he gets to kiss her again. He hasn't stopped smiling, still teasing and light, when he pulls back. ]

Though if we're running against a two-kiss quota I think we might've passed it now.

[Even as receptive as she'd expected him to be, it's a relief that he accepts her shift in positioning so readily. His arms open at once to welcome her, and Wanda curls back into his embrace with surprising ease and comfort.

Each kiss is returned without hesitation, and her free hand slips up to trace along the line of his jaw, finding it hard to stop touching him.]

Well, then I suppose that makes us an overachievers.

Maybe you just bring it out in me.

[ Because somehow they've passed almost an entire evening together with no catastrophes or interruptions. Because things like this never last for Nightwing, and if he starts to think about that too hard he'll lose the moment here.

It's enough to feel affection again. To give it back to someone in an easy, uncomplicated way. Is it his turn to smile against her lips yet because if not he's taking it anyway. ]

Hmm. Wonder how long we can keep this up before somebody shoos us out with a broom.

[ Not that he's really in any hurry at all to get the warm weight of her off his lap. His other arm comes around her, and he strokes her cheek with his thumb. ]

[If he thinks hard about it, however, he might realize that if he includes their their evening at the rave, they've now had three sort of date interactions that have gone interrupted. Surely they could consider that a trend at this point...

Wanda returns every kiss, content to rest on his lap, to sit in the half-circle of his arms as she turns in toward him a little bit more.]

Maybe we should find out. What do you think? [She leans in, kissing the corner of his mouth, making her way back to his ear. Her words are soft and low, but she's not trying to be sexy. There's still a smile in her voice as she continues.] Could consider it a game. See how long it takes or what it takes before someone suggests we go elsewhere?

[ He entirely loses the thread of the conversation there, a little lost for a minute as she's working her way back to his ear. ]

I, uh- like the way you think. [ For all that nothing particularly scandalous is happening over here, kissing anyone in an easily observable space falls a little outside his standard level of comfort for moments like these. But Wanda's enthusiasm is having an effect on him, and somehow right now it's a little thrilling rather than just unsettling. Somehow he can't think of a real reason not to go with it. Not to let the moment breathe for itself.

There, he's got it together again. He leans in as if he's about to return the favor, then draws her hand up and kisses her fingers instead, eyes dancing. ]

Could be a prize for holding out until closing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

open: gold & glitz

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject