open: gold & glitz

[inlaid]

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...]

Comments

[causational]

[There's definitely a flicker of irritation, but it smooths out after only a moment - thankfully, Eddie's used to this kind of needling. After all, he was bullied in high school, he isn't used to thinking of himself as attractive, and he's been a cop for most of his adult life. This is just dealing with another perp, whether or not it's on the job.

Shrugging a little, Eddie tilts his head.]

Honestly, if you're curious about what Taako sees in me, you'd have to ask him. [There's no spite in it, and Eddie offers Dodger a slightly crooked little smile.] Because I wonder the same thing a lot. Not that it matters much.

[Eddie shrugs, looking at Dodger with his best neutral expression.]

Did you actually have a point?

[smokedout]

[And Dodger just continues to give him that infuriatingly playful grin.]

That's real romantic of you. [He shrugs lazily.] I want to sleep with you. That's my point.

[Well, if nothing else, he's honest. But he is still flirting with a taken man specifically with the intention of hurting him and his boyfriend.]

[causational]

[Eddie's brow raises very high at that last comment, and then he snorts.]

Really? I'm so boring you want to get in my pants?

[Shaking his head, he sighs deeply.]

Sorry. Not only am I spoken for, and not looking for anyone to have a casual fling with, even if I was, you are one of the last people I'd pick for that, considering you're a criminal who is capable of nearly murdering a teenager in a wheelchair.

[smokedout]

[His remaining eye narrows sharply at that, and his body temperature rises slightly before he can cool himself back down.]

I don't know if you noticed, but he handled himself just fine. And he's alive, isn't he?

[But he's not here to fight. He has to remind himself of that for a moment, but he's cool.]

I'm a curious man - that's all. If I can't figure out what's worthwhile about you from looking, may as well use my other senses.

[causational]

[Eddie notices the reaction, and his brows raise slightly. Dodger's a dangerous person to get on the wrong side of, but Eddie can't help himself. He's always had a sharper tongue than is any good for him, and he feels a sharp little twinge of satisfaction at getting that reaction out of Dodger.]

He is. But it was really damn close, and I think a guy who can teleport versus a teenager in a wheelchair isn't really the fairest fight. Then again, he did some damage of his own, didn't he?

[Licking his lips, Eddie's eyes rest on Dodger's face, and when he says that last bit, Eddie snorts softly.]

Well, good luck. I don't have any intention of sleeping with you.

[smokedout]

[Dodger turns to avoid his gaze, although that puts the gauze eyepatch in plain view of him. It's always been his habit to hide his scars when he's feeling threatened, but now it just puts forth a new weakness.. and he really hates that.

More importantly... yeah, that's the response he expected to get. He can teleport, he's stronger, he's smarter, he's older. Ivar is young and handicapped. Poor baby Ivar. He can't even help the noise of disgust that escapes him as Eddie speaks.]

Too loyal to the elf, huh. [He shakes his head quietly.] Had you pegged for the type that knew how to negotiate with criminals - it's not real good practice to say no to a mutant, in my experience.

cw: talk of coercion for sex

[causational]

[Eddie's expression darkens at that comment, the dig about thinking he was the type who knew how to negotiate with criminals, that he shouldn't say no. Lips pursing, Eddie keeps his eyes on Dodger, his face hard while he tries to suppress the anger.]

I know how to negotiate with criminals. When I'm on the job. Right now, I'm not, and sex is not on the table as a bargaining chip with me. I will not be coerced into having sex with you.

[Shifting a bit, he holds Dodger's gaze, his own eyes hard.]

I'm loyal, but this isn't a loyalty thing. I'm not going there. Not with you, not with anyone.

[smokedout]

[Dodger's eye sharpens, watching him with a challenge in his expression. He's sure if he really wanted to, he could force it. It wouldn't be hard to teleport Eddie behind the house, where it would be harder for someone to get to him. But it just wouldn't have the same taste of victory, as forcing Eddie to admit that he'd fucked him of his own choice. That there was no coercion, but he was simply a disgusting enough man that he would sleep with a mutant murderer of his own volition.

So instead, he just shakes his head lightly as he looks away.]

We'll see.

[That's all he has to say, as he finally gets up. He's got no reason to stick around this party, and before he's even halfway across the apartment he's disappeared.]