[NYE Party] happy new year and lots of fun

[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:

[ Previously in the month all residents received an invitation to a formal event: a black tie affair to ring in the New Year. The ballroom and adjacent areas are decked out for the party starting at eight o'clock sharp, meticulously planned and executed, glittering décor to match the no doubt glittering attire as music pours into the halls from the dance floor.

Bars flank each side, service for all manner of alcohol unless a minor requests something, and the primary setting stage features an enormous clock for the countdown. ]




[ Where will you be when the clock strikes midnight? ]

Comments

[mucked]

[ peggy is in red velvet tonight -- and looking all the world like she belongs here, despite a rather stiff and professional meeting the last time around in the library. she taps two fingers on the bar counter and requests another glass of scotch.

but while she waits she turns on a heel and glances at the soldier in all his dress. it's nothing like what she she knows from home, of course, but there's something strangely normal about someone turning up in uniform. ]

Enjoying yourself, Major?

[spycurious]

[Ben's poison of choice is a dark and dulcet wine, a glass cradled carefully in his hand as he turns to Peggy and smiles in greeting.]

You look lovely, Miss Carter. I certainly am, yes, and yourself?

[Despite his formal words, his movements are more at ease than their last meeting, perhaps eased by the wine and festivities. He's so put together, it's hard to tell.]

[mucked]

I'm certainly making a go of it.

[ gainful and gaming. she stands with an elbow crooked against the bar. and she watches him with an appraising eye. she can see the ease, yes, but she certainly doesn't know him well enough to determine its source.

not that it much matters. she'll happily enjoy it whatever the origin. the tip of her chin is all the thanks she needs to say in respect to his compliment. ]

-- And I would say something about how nice it is to attend a party a little deeper in my wheelhouse in terms of style and song, but I imagine that might come across a little cruel between the two of us.

[ after all, it must still be a far cry from his. ]

[spycurious]

Not at all. [he's quick to reassure her, his sincerity pulled from a place of honest relief.] Social customs are mixed here and that alone partly relieves the burden of a certain kind of propriety one would find at a formal society gathering.

I'm trying to think of it as another chance for festivities and perhaps an enjoyable learning experience. [He sips his wine and smiles.] It's going well so far.

[mucked]

And what, pray tell, have you learned thus far?

[ surely this topic is safe and amicable enough. peggy aims to skate just above the level of earnest -- play up that old easy socialite persona, one that has brought her in and out of so many rooms with nary a scrap of suspicion.

right now, however, it's more like a safety blanket. ]

[spycurious]

Nothing, I'm afraid, but the night isn't over yet. [There's a brief pause, and then--]

Actually, there is one thing. I'm taking great delight in seeing my best friend wear a uniform I was never able to order him into.

[Ben stifles a laugh behind another sip of wine. Feels good, honestly.]

[mucked]

Ah, yes. [ as outfits go, they've been hard to miss. ] In that case I do believe I've noticed your friend 'round the room.

[ truth be told, she's always loved a good dress uniform. it's been a treat to see some different examples from across time -- across space. ]

A touch more ornate than what the lads wore to the officers' clubs when I served.

[spycurious]

This--[He lifts his arm just slightly to indicate he means his uniform] It's hard for me to think of as ornate, at least compared to the coat of a general. You should see the older officers with their honors and sashes... [Ben gives an amused shake of his head.] I can't imagine going into battle in finery, but it looks like the definition of finery has changed.

... Pardon, though-- I'd like to ask more about your service if I may. I've already met other women who also served and I can only think of a close friend of mine at home who would have loved to meet all of you herself.

[mucked]

[ you know, it's just about the smoothest approach she's fielded with regards to her time spent serving thus far. there are (of course) elements of it she doesn't feel prepared to say aloud -- even knowing what she knows about the culper ring, even knowing that her knowledge of this man's life is damn near equivalent to how others in her future talk about her.

but she can start somewhere at least. so, with a nod of her head, she offers: ]

I liaised with the American forces on behalf of the British. Starting in 1940, although I'd already been involved in the war effort at the time. [ a beat. ] And I'll answer as much as I can. I'm afraid I'm not quite at liberty to say just anything.

[ it's a wink as much as it is anything else. a hint, a suggestion, a lantern in the window. peggy has all sorts of practice working around the official secrets act. ]