[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

[nascensibility]

[It seems to dawn on Joel shortly thereafter and Evelyn regrets that she had to tell him this at all, that he must learn that the woman who no doubt invited herself to his bed was not her. It has happened before. It may very well happen again, and here he is looking simultaneously hopeful and dismayed, waiting for her to negate things. To clarify.

His hand falls away from her and Evelyn scrambles to recall what she was doing on Boxing Day. Delivering last-minute gifts. Visiting the stables and riding her horse. Arranging the music selection for this very evening.]

The last time I saw you was Christmas day.

[She says slowly, familiar enough with Joel to know how he can snap at information he doesn't like, but not so familiar as to understand how a man who does not appear to have shown any explicit interest in her can suddenly say what he is saying.]

Your get-together. With Ellie, and Michonne. You made French toast?

[shivving]

[ He remembers, of course, with perfect clarity. The food, the laughter, the gifts. Evie in his own small kitchen for the first time, chatting with and gently teasing him as he flipped French toast. The coffee she'd given him as a present, with its little note.

Take your time.

A message he'd thought he'd understood, accompanied by a warm, affectionate look and an understanding smile. A message somewhat belied by her invitation the very next day - solitude, brandy, and an unexpected kiss.

But that was all right. He'd been ready.

He doesn't snap. This is too awful for that, too big and terrible to ignore. Instead, he backs away, shaking his head in mute horror. ]

No.

No, th' - th'roof.

[ It feels like his brain is caught in a loop, unable to progress. He gives her a pained, pleading look. ]

That wasn't you?

[nascensibility]

[It's worse than she thought.

Joel looks at her as though she has suddenly grown another head, a seeping horror that makes its way through him while he steps back from her, putting distance between them. To her credit Evelyn does try to avoid taking offence to something that is, genuinely, hurtful, but she realises that his comprehension must be...disappointing?

Wringing her hands in front of her, stock-still, Evelyn shakes her head. She is loathe to confirm it for him because he looks so disastrously mortified.

Her Mirror must have worked quickly, the way she has in the past, but more surprising still is the knowledge that Joel showed an interest. Up until now, he never has.]

That wasn't me.

[shivving]

[ He stares at her a moment more, searching, nearly praying, for some last glimmer of hope. But she isn't joking. She wouldn't joke about this, wouldn't take it this far. All of a sudden he sees his greeting to her in a whole new light. Something not just unexpected, but entirely inappropriate. Unwanted, even.

Christ, he'd fucking assaulted her, hadn't he? And she couldn't do a thing.

He stumbles back further, feeling sick, hating himself. That whole night, one of the best nights of his life. The week following, when he'd been so happy. Floating on air.

And Evie had never had any idea.

That wasn't me. ]

Shit.

[ The curse is sudden and vicious and doesn't come close to express how fucking awful all this is. She must - god, she must hate him. Think he's pathetic, if she doesn't just think he's a goddamn monster. ]

I - I'm sorry, Evie.

I'm sorry.

[ Without another word, without waiting for a reply, he turns his back and makes a beeline for the door. ]