[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

[bloodmagics]

[After he initiates his Master Plan, Hawke does actually want to spend some time enjoying the party with his partner and friends. So he takes an appreciative look at Ben, before joining him at the bar, clapping his hand on his shoulder as he does.]

You look like you're enjoying yourself.

[Did he miss the strange, almost upset look on Ben's face while ogling him? Definitely yes.]

[spycurious]

[Ben's jovial attitude chills over and he turns, eyeing Hawke's hand and then the man himself.]

I was.

[bloodmagics]

[This is not what he expected.]

Everything alright?

[spycurious]

[Ben faces Hawke properly, his shoulders squared, with a restrained, stormy expression.

He doesn't know exactly why this is bothering him so much. What Garrett and Cullen do together is none of his business, and yet--]

Does Cullen know you like to flirt so openly with other people? I met him. He seems like a very good man. I don't know if that's how they do it where you're from, but to me, making a pass at someone when one already has a lover is inappropriate at best.

[Usually he might have let something like this go, but this? This has ruffled his feathers considerably.]

[bloodmagics]

[Well, there's definitely a lot to unpack there.

He'd known Ben and Cullen might meet tonight, given he'd pointed Ben out to Cullen shortly after they arrived, but he wasn't expecting Ben to immediately want to jump to Cullen's defence.

At least it means Ben was watching what happened between him and Caleb, though. Score one for The Genius Plan.]

Ben -- [Don't laugh. Don't laugh. Don't laugh.] Calm down, alright?

[spycurious]

[Ben sets his drink on a nearby safe surface and crosses his arms over his chest. He's watching you, sir; indeed, his sharp blue eyes are focused, unwavering, on Hawke.]

I consider you my friend, so I'm not unwilling to listen to what you have to say.

[bloodmagics]

I'm glad.

[He's still trying not to laugh, for the record. Hawke sets his hand on Ben's shoulder and looks him directly in the eye.]

Cullen knew exactly what I was doing.

[spycurious]

[Ben squints. He'll tolerate the hand on his shoulder for the time being.]

I wasn't born yesterday. I've seen men get into ugly fistfights over less.

[bloodmagics]

Wouldn't be anything ugly about it if Cullen and I were to spar.

[NOT THE TIME.]

Ben. I asked Cullen if I could flirt with Caleb.

[spycurious]

What? Why? What for? [He gently shrugs Hawke's hand off and goes for his wine. He feels like he's going to need it for whatever conversation happens next.]

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke doesn't make any further attempts to touch him, at least.]

I have a very good reason, but I can't tell you what it is.

[That's not suspicious.]

But please know that I love Cullen, and if he had said it made him uncomfortable, or even looked for a second that it did, I wouldn't have done it. He knows it was never going to lead anywhere.

[spycurious]

With all due respect Hawke, that's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard, and I've heard my share.

[But...] ...I believe you about Cullen. I just don't understand what you're up to.

[bloodmagics]

[Okay now he's laughing.]

It sounds fake, right? But you'll understand eventually, I promise.

[Provided it works out as Hawke intended and doesn't... backfire spectacularly and get people killed like everything else he does.]

... So you liked Cullen, huh?

[HE'S SO HAPPY YOU LIKE HIS BOO.]

[spycurious]

Yes, it does sound fake. I don't like people being openly dishonest with me. [He sips at his glass and heaves a sigh.]

... I did like Cullen, yes. I assume you also appreciate Caleb. I thought you were him the first time I saw you, actually.

[bloodmagics]

Nothing I've said has been a lie. Refusing to tell you something isn't the same as being dishonest.

[They're shades of the same thing, sure, but not quite the same thing.]

Ha. I can see it. [He's going to wisely refrain from mentioning how much his naked flexing might have reminded Ben of Caleb, then.] But I'm glad you like Cullen. Everyone should. He's so great.

[Yeah he's... he's genuinely saying that.]

[spycurious]

Lies of omission are just that. [He debated politics in college Hawke. ... But he isn't a politician, and therefore knows when to back down appropriately.] But... You're my friend and I'll trust your word on this.

[He inhales and breathes out a slow sigh, just to cool himself down. It isn't too difficult to settle his nerves. Hawke's obvious infatuation with his partner is heartwarming.]

You sound smitten. [And that gets the flicker of a smile to show.]

[bloodmagics]

[He'd point out it isn't a lie of omission either, but it gets forgotten because of what Ben said.

Hawke lets out a wistful sigh.]

Wonderland's done a lot of awful things, but it gave us a chance to be together. We're from the same world, but it's... complicated.

[But enough about that.]

You should see him when he's training.

[HE IS A GOLDEN GOD.]