[OPEN] We'll Take A Cup of Kindness Yet

[nascensibility]

Who: EVERYONE, but especially you!
Where: Wonderland Ballroom
When: New Year's Eve
Rating: PG - PG13 (will change if applicable)
Summary: New Year's Eve Party
The Story:

[The morning of December 31st, all residents will receive a handwritten invitation slipped under their door.]



You are cordially invited to attend a party
celebrating the New Year

Wonderland Ballroom
8 pm - 1 am

Semi-Formal Attire
Buffet & Bar
No RSVP Required

All Ages Welcome

For inquiries, contact E. O'Connell

[Punctuality in planning is important: the ballroom itself will only be ready for guests at exactly 8 o'clock, bedecked in glittering golds and the red-green of Christmas' vestiges, still clinging to the old year. Dining tables surround a central dance floor, bars and buffets dot the edges of the room and both holly and mistletoe are expressed liberally through the interior.

Mingle, dance, eat and be merry! The New Year will come in at midnight - the band will play and the drinks will flow for long after.]

Comments

OTA

[circlejerked]

early evening

<sub>[Anders shows up because if he doesn't he's just going to spend another night barricaded in his room, wearing ruts in his brain matter from thinking himself in circles. It's a party, spirits are lifting with a little lubrication courtesy of the open bar, and there are people he'd like to catch up with. Might as well.

Smile in place, he makes his rounds as a dutiful party-goer, greeting friends and acquaintances and even dancing if a willing partner insists on it (and don't mind someone still getting a hang of these Earth dances).

He can be found a casual participant in the mingle circuit, and an unwitting participant with the mistletoe, not knowing the significance of standing too near it until someone explains. (He hasn't gotten to that part in his book on holidays yet partly thanks to Bucky spilling water on it. Thanks, Buck.) The lull between conversations sees Anders off to the side, leaning on the wall with drink in hand, looking a little in the vein of... pensive?

No, that can't be right. It must just be the light because as soon as he spots anyone approaching, he's smiling again.]</sub>

late evening

<sub>[Laughs have been had, drinks have been imbibed, music has been danced to, and now midnight is almost here to greet the guests.

Anders has surrendered to the warm and muzzy glow of several alcoholic beverages consumed over the course of the night, just the right amount to shore up his game face so that he doesn't end the year cursing obscenities at Wonderland under his breath. Waving goodbye to another year spent in captivity is just about the most depressing activity he can think of, but nobody likes a buzzkill.

Hence, he plays along as best he can, looking anywhere there are vaguely age appropriate by-standers as the countdown starts.]</sub>

All right, who wants a kiss?

_{[Also available in "peck on the cheek" varieties. It's all in good fun and not an attempt to impose on anyone.]}

late evening - i'd apologize but i'm not sorry

[sicvitaest]

[Age appropriate. Check.

Arcade is actively trying to avoid social situations if he can help it. He dressed up, he made an appearance, had some champagne. A lot of champagne. Hangover was a sure thing. He’s liable to do something he’ll regret.

Like set his drink down long enough to approach the resident rebel mage and lay a kiss on him when the countdown starts. He asked, didn’t he?

He couldn't very well ring in the new year without a kiss.]

good because neither am i

[circlejerked]

<sub>[When a stranger sets down his drink with the air of a good sport rolling up his sleeves, Anders doesn't hesitate to keep up his end of the offer by holding out his hands to beckon him closer. It doesn't matter that the taker's a man; that's mattered less to Anders than it has to some people, personally and historically. The important thing is there are no guards in suits of armor shuffling toward them to tell them to break it up.

The kiss itself is a light and chaste (this is still a family friendly show, kids!), made more casual by Anders resting a hand on the side of the man's neck. It's not all that weird to him; life would probably be more fun if everyone randomly kissed more strangers.]</sub>

And a happy new year to you.

_{[A smile graces his lips as he settles back amidst the cheers that accompany midnight. He always enjoys it when people play along with his stunts.]}

Thanks. That was about to get awkward if everyone in earshot pretended they hadn't heard me.

late evening, because I had to

[noble_son]

Absolutely not.

[Says Nathaniel, but he has had just about enough to drink by this point in the night to find the offer amusing, at least. He would have needed to be blind to have failed to notice the pensive expression crossing the mage's face at several points during the night, but it was always so difficult to talk to Anders about these things.

The rogue is certainly age-appropriate, but not entirely willing. Still, he does at least smile (yes, that is a smile, we know you don't see them often) and claps his hand lightly against the back of Anders' shoulder.]

I need to be at least twice as drunk before I consider something like that.

[circlejerked]

_{[Oh, it's you, Nathaniel. Who gave you permission to stand there? You're in the way.]}

I was doing you a favor, an incredibly selfless favor out of the goodness of my heart, but suit yourself!

_{[Also, twice as drunk? That's just rude. Anders poses his hand on his hip with a smile and magnanimous air of someone dispensing a valuable service to those lesser in need. Some people just don't appreciate a good thing when it's handed to them. Their loss.]}

Lucky for you, we're in a place outside of time where traditions don't matter as much.

[noble_son]

Traditions? You're going to have to run this one by me.

[He sips his drink. It's half gone and very green - something that Hawke had given him earlier and that he had taken quite a liking to despite its colour.

The rogue takes a quick look at Anders - a brief up-down sweep of his eyes - and smirks faintly.]

You haven't looked as if you've been enjoying this as much as I'd normally expect you to.

[circlejerked]

New Year's. You should really try to leave your den and talk to people more often, I highly recommend it. You pick up a thing or two about the holidays most of our fellow cellmates practice.

<sub>[Anders smoothly carries on with barely a break for breath. He's an expert at taking reality and bending it into the shape he wants it to be, and that's what he does now, answering his fellow Warden with a toss of his head like Nathaniel is, as ever, mistaken. A lamb that's wandered off the track, forcing Anders to play the part of the shepherd guiding him back in the right direction.

He's fine. It's Nathaniel who's seeing what he wants to see. Obviously.]</sub>

If I were enjoying it any more I'd fat on food and wine and need to be carried out.

_{[Punctuated by a dismissive laugh at the implication he's being less than festive. You're right, it's difficult to talk to Anders about these things. Some might say impossible.]}

[noble_son]

I find my conversations with people tend to hold more substance. [Nathaniel replies smartly, with a careful sip of his drink and a look shot at the mage that says very plainly he does not believe a word coming out of the other man's mouth.

Part of his work, his life, is being observant.. and he is. Very observant.]

You must think I'm blind and stupid, mage... but if you're going to insist on your personal fantasy, I shan't be the one to force it.

[Sip.]

But you should tell your face that you're having a good time. I don't think it's entirely got the message.

[circlejerked]

More substance like what? The best creams to use on frown lines?

<sub>[Nathaniel not that observant, or he'd notice Anders is too busy playing his own game to want to play Nathaniel's. Anders isn't in the mood for anything of substance--which is why he carries on being a glib shithead with the same impregnable smile like the other hadn't said anything. You said it, not me, that smile says. "Blind" and "stupid" aren't the exact descriptors he would've used, but sure, close enough.

The wine glass in his other hand goes up in a mock salute.]</sub>

I'll take that to mean an invitation for us both to get twice as drunk. Thank the Maker for free drinks.

_{[An extra big smile for you, Nathaniel. Satisfied now, or should he hold it another couple of seconds for it to sink in?]}

[noble_son]

[Nathaniel holds still a moment, then shakes his head.]

You can stop. Maker, you look like you're going to break something.

[And people said it looked difficult when he smiled. The rogue considers his drink - or, glass, the liquid mostly gone by now - then looks over to the bar. It hadn't exactly been an invitation, but the mage has a point about the free drinks.]

Hm. Very well. Twice as drunk it is. [He lifts his glass.] Cheers.

[circlejerked]

<sub>[The teasing is brushed off with another casual flick of a hand. A faked good mood, a genuine good mood--it's all the same, when you get down to it. Pin on a smile like a badge, exude charm and drop jokes at the right moments, and very few can tell the difference. Sometimes not even Anders.

Sometimes there isn't a difference, and that's the sad thing.]</sub>

It's called a smile, Nathaniel. I realize this might be a confusing experience for you seeing as how you may not have had many directed at you before.

<sub>[Lip service only. As quick as he is to to insist if anyone in the world looks like their face is about to crack to pieces, it's Nathaniel, it's not true. It's good to see his fellow Warden somewhat loose and relaxed.

Although Anders' glass is still mostly full, he follows along. He certainly won't talk Nathaniel out of letting his hair down.]</sub>

To parties with open invitations! And being in full control of our faculties again. Cheers.

[noble_son]

Sometimes, I do wonder what you honestly think of me, mage.

[This said with his lips at the rim of the glass, half murmured into his drink before he sips it. He will tell himself that he doesn't really care about Anders' opinion of him, but the fact of the matter is that the mage has managed to work himself into the position of someone that Nathaniel wouldn't hesitate to call 'friend', and as such... his opinion has become important.

Not that he's ever going to say it outright.

He drains the rest of his glass with a swiftness that would put most hardened drinkers to shame - and barely coughs - before he makes a small gesture towards the bar.]

Come on, Anders. Let's see if we can find the strongest drink they have.

[circlejerked]

<sub>[The mystery will stay alive. In typical Anders fashion, he doesn't seem in a hurry to enlighten Nathaniel one way or the other, settling against the bar with an elbow resting on the edge.

Well, we can't let the Howes have all the fun, can we! He joins in on draining his glass--more slowly than the last one before it. He's starting to feel the warm tingle of alcohol in his blood now and if he gets too hasty with his drinks, he might very well need to be carried out of here.]</sub>

I'm game. I've been here over a year now, I think I deserve it.

[noble_son]

[Typical Anders, and there does come a point where Nathaniel realises he just has to let whatever is happening take its natural course. If the man in front of him could turn into the person who had blown up a chantry for the sake of ideals, there is clearly a lot more going on in his mind than he ever says.

But, of course.. Justice will have had something to do with it...]

An entire year? [Well, then. It's already been some months for Nathaniel, but a year still feels like a long way off.] You must have some interesting stories, for that amount of time.

[He quickly has another drink in his hand - something strong and golden-coloured. If he's going to get drunk, he's going to do it properly.]

early evening

[uncaging]

[She'd spotted him across the room, drink in hand and a thoughtful look on his face that didn't quite match the festivities. Elizabeth slips through the crowd to stand next to him, offering a friendly smile.]

Enjoying the party?

[circlejerked]

_{[Parties are good for socializing oneself into a dry throat and empty stomach--a little break to refuel and he'll be good to go again, which is how he comes to be standing off to the side near the tables, nibbling on some stuffed mushrooms with a drink resting nearby.]}

Hello there. It's a nice change from white everything, I'll give it that much.

_{[Genuine thoughtfulness isn't something Anders wears comfortably when his own feelings are on the line. The smile he returns Elizabeth's greeting with suggests he couldn't be having a better time; they're all still sleeping off that doozy of a Christmas event, so any traces of deep thought can easily be mistaken for tiredness.]}

[uncaging]

[Elizabeth winces a little as she casts her mind back to the sterile, white Wonderland.]

Pretty much anything is a welcome change from that.

[circlejerked]

Yeah... Yeah. That sure was something. A something I hope not to repeat again anytime soon.

<sub>[Couldn't have said it any better himself. He'd have to down a few more of these drinks and let a few more expletives fly to come close, and he's not sure this party's ready for a drunk apostate to drag it down like that just yet.

He finishes the last bite of mushroom held between his thumb and forefinger, then holds the plate out toward her.]</sub>

Stuffed mushroom? They're good.

[uncaging]

Knowing this place, it'll make sure to repeat it just when we least expect it.

[Elizabeth wrinkles her nose, shaking her head.] No, thank you.

[circlejerked]

Knock on wood it's in a good mood now that it's gotten in its monthly quota of terrorizing.

<sub>[Shhh, Wonderland. Don't pay any attention to them baiting you to do something horrible and deprive them of sleep again. Shhhh, just ignore them and keep on keeping on, okay?

At the dubious expression on her face, Anders grins, still holding the plate out. Not a fan? Anders files that nugget away for later; favorite and disliked foods belong to the category of "possibly useful information one day." Could be handy to know if he ever has to prank Elizabeth by designing a meal to her much-hated specifications and send her fleeing from the kitchen.]</sub>

You aren't hot on mushrooms? Well, more for me, then. Whatever's in them is tasty.

[uncaging]

I didn't have much in the way of variety in my diet growing up. Mushrooms seem to be something of an acquired taste.

[Both due to the cuisine limited to her time and place, and the strict diet her jailers had kept her own to keep her healthy and to be able to use sweet treats as rewards for her compliant behaviour.]

[circlejerked]

They are, at that. If you're a cucumber girl, there are some delightful little cucumber bites that might be more your speed.

_{[He has mercy on her taste buds, retracting the plate to pop another in his mouth. Clearly neither Kinloch Hold's menu or the slop served in the Wardens' barracks have dampened his appetite for appetizers.]}

Are you having a good night, beyond the finger food?

[uncaging]

Oh, yes! [She gazes round at the room, the decorations, the people dancing and mingling.] I'm still getting used to these sort of parties. They are rather wonderful.

[circlejerked]

<sub>[She brightens up in a way she hadn't when contemplating his plate. Well, good. Someone ought to make the most of the night.

Anders remains in a liminal head space of not really being in the celebratory mood, but not wanting to be alone, a tug-of-war with no clear winner. For now here is as good a place to be as anywhere else.]</sub>

I know the feeling. Semi-formal is still rather more formal than my usual fare. _{[But hey, he cleans up all right, so there's that.]} But any excuse to pamper ourselves is to be embraced, if you ask me. There's no such thing as too many parties.

[uncaging]

[Elizabeth nods in agreement.] It feels like there isn't much to celebrate here, so it's nice to see everyone come together.