[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

[scoutsniper]

You see? That's why I get nervous around you.

[Because she's good at small talk and god knows what he'll let slip.]

Firearms. We could talk about firearms. [Unless you want to hear about the desert at night and freezing your balls off.]

[outstandingbalance]

Firearms, huh? We could do that, if you want. [Her tone implies both that she could keep up, and that it would be a pity to talk about guns at a party.] Do you really want to talk about firearms?

[scoutsniper]

Why do I have a feeling you'd turn that conversation against me?

[Because he knows that he talks about guns, he's likely to talk about times he's used guns and that would lead to...yeah.]

Maybe let the lady choose the topic.

[outstandingbalance]

You have my word. I'm not planning to turn any conversations on anyone tonight.

[She smiles, both reassuring that he doesn't have to worry. Even if she could.]

How's Wonderland treating you?

[scoutsniper]

Yeah, well, good, because I don't think my 'if I told you, I'd have to kill you' line would impress you much.

[ He's just secretly grateful that that whole 'blurt out the stupid truth' thing was over. ]

I've been trying to let it not treat me.

Hasn't worked out so well.

[outstandingbalance]

I won't pry, but if you have any intel you want to share...

[Dangers are always worth knowing. On the other hand, Natasha knows that around here, it can be more about what gets dragged out than what comes after you.]

[scoutsniper]

Nothing useful. Just that sitting shit out doesn't make it any better. Just makes you think you can't even keep track of people--

[He was going to say 'people you care about' but goddam it, Frank isn't falling for that again. Nope. He doesn't care about anyone.]

I take it Wonderland's been up to its usual shit.

[outstandingbalance]

Does it ever stop? So far, I've managed to avoid most of it. Not entirely unscathed, though.

[Her smile is easy, professionally confident.]

I wish I could say I had more to share, but unfortunately... nothing that's not common knowledge.

[scoutsniper]

I guess I needed some time to just, you know, settle into some shit. You know, in my own head.

I don't like being goddam useless.

And it doesn't seem like we've made any progress against this place, either. Suspect it wouldn't be throwing us a huge party if we had.

[outstandingbalance]

Probably not. Though, who knows? I don't know that Wonderland sees us the same way we see it. For us, it's the enemy. They're the enemy. To them...

[Natasha shrugs. She's still working that one out.]

I know what you mean about feeling useless, though. I can't remember the last time I wasn't working on something.

[scoutsniper]

I get your point. But even if it looks at us as pets or something, if we act up against it, we'd be getting a swat with a rolled-up newspaper.

[This place spends so much energy making sure no one knows what's going on or why--it has to get defensive. ]

Yeah? What you working on now?

[outstandingbalance]

Right now? [Natasha smiles and glances across the room.] Networking.

[scoutsniper]

Thought that meant connecting with useful people.

I don't have a track record of getting much done here.

[Not self pity, just raw truth. All he's done here is get yelled at a lot. ]

[outstandingbalance]

And people who could be useful in the future. I'd be lying if I said you don't have a skill set that might come in handy.