[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

[cursebreaking]

[Emma lets out a brief, humorless laugh along with a grim smile-- unfortunate idiom. No kidding.]

Well, it doesn't show. I hope I can pull off convincing people I'm even half as well put-together as you are in a few months.

[It's the closest she's come to admitting that yes, she actually may be here a good while longer that she's come so far.]

If this place really is 'Wonderland,' though, I feel like I'm being sold a little short. Haven't been invited to tea by any rabbits, and I haven't been asked to play a single round of croquet.

[mucked]

[ her turn for a grim smile. peggy had hit the ground 'put-together,' perhaps. but part of tradecraft is presenting one face while inwardly panicking over every little detail that might get you made. it's funny, really, how much of an overlap there's been between spywork and simply existing here in the mansion.

she accepts the compliment with a nod of her head and: ]

Well. It's a little late for tea, I hate croquet, and I'm no rabbit -- but I can invite you for a drink. [ one finger, tilted in the direction of the bar. ] If you're allowing yourself to have any, tonight, that is.

[ she can understand why someone wouldn't. especially if they're new. ]

[cursebreaking]

That's an offer I'm absolutely willing to take.

[She'd been wary of drinking anything this place offered to her early on, but now? Well, it's honestly hard to imagine how she might have made it this far without drinking, at this point.]

I've been pacing myself so far, but I'd say I'm due for another.

[mucked]

[ her smile is polite -- and only that. no offense meant, of course, but peggy hoards her better nature for once she's gotten to know a person. it doesn't stop her from enjoying a drink, of course.

so she takes a step toward the bar. ]

What's your poison, Ms. Swan?

[cursebreaking]

Normally, I'm a beer kind of girl, but all of this definitely calls for something stronger.

[She grimaces just a little as she makes a vague gesture towards the ballroom at large-- the party is nice, but it doesn't do much to help take her mind off the supposed reality of Wonderland.]

Whiskey seems like the way to go.

[mucked]

You're in luck.

[ she leans on the bar and lifts two fingers before pointing out a particular bottle -- one she doesn't know from home, exactly, but from other drinking adventures enjoyed here within the mansion's confines. ]

Because I absolutely am a whiskey kind of girl. [ she twists while they wait on their drinks, watching emma with a note of care. ] But your preference goes noted.

[cursebreaking]

I take it that means I can trust you to pick out the good stuff.

[Her smile becomes more genuine; she already likes how no-nonsense Peggy seems to be, and the fact that she, also, seems to think that a stiff drink is exactly what this evening needs only earns her more points. Emma has never considered herself to be a heavy drinker, but indulging has definitely made dealing with this place a lot easier.]

You seem like a woman with good taste.

[mucked]

[ truth be told, she's not all that choosy about her whiskey blends. but it's new year's eve, isn't it? it's worth ordering something special -- even if it's not the first special drink she's ordered tonight.

and when the glasses arrive peggy picks up hers and waits for emma to do the same. ] Alright -- [ she raises the drink ] -- a toast to good taste.

Peggy, you are a class act.

[cursebreaking]

[Emma wastes little time in following suit, lifting her own glass in turn as her smile hitches upwards on one side.]

To good taste, and new acquaintances.

[Given how hard it is for Emma to actually use the word 'friend,' she won't throw that one out there so soon-- but she knows that considering the current situation, it might actually do her some good to start putting down roots and make at least a few connections.]

And whatever opportunities the new year brings?

[That's the sort of thing people usually toast to, right?]

[mucked]

[ if peggy feels the detachment inherent to emma's choice of words -- acquaintances -- then she makes no mention nor indication. after all, she's a bit of a distant soul herself. peggy would rather label people as connections, as associates, as resources. friendship doesn't come easily or lightly and maybe it's better for the both of them if the word, if the very prospect, doesn't even touch their conversation.

but opportunities! that, at least, is a concept to which she's warming. there are a few she's already managed to seize. so: ]

I hear nothing wrong with that. To all of the above, Ms. Swan, [ and the two drink together, finish their glasses shortly after, and return to the party. whatever else it might be, it's certainly an intriguing connection. if their paths cross again, peggy will most certainly go out of her way to have more words. ]