HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[paradisamods]

All that clamor from the lion dance prancing down the halls should be enough to draw attention to the party, even without actual invitations. If not the noise, then perhaps the delicious smell wafting under every door and leading back to the ballroom.

The castle is vain, if nothing else. It has decorated the ballroom in the deepest red and brightest gold with auspicious greetings in the common language tastefully posted about the hall. May your happiness be without end, one says, while another goes May all your wishes be fulfilled. Small order, all things considered.

Round dining tables (with the turning glass part) are set up in the middle of the hall, each with about ten chairs and piles of food fit for a whole village. There are two more lion dance teams hopping about the hall and making a racket while occasionally nabbing that dumpling straight from your chopsticks. That should the least of your concerns, however, with many residents still aiming to settle their grudges before the new year.

Watch your back.

[ ooc; IC mingle log for Lunar New Year plot, feel free to make your own threads! ]

Comments

[hellofist]

[Of course Cass is checking out the food, trying out every single dish to see what she likes best but leaving that liquor be for now. Her dress isn't very festive when compared to all the bright decorations, but black is just her color.

At the moment she seems to be focusing on the dumplings, selecting them at random and taking a big bite to find out what each filling is before polishing the rest off. It's a pretty typical sight, really. Cass in something elegant and behaving like she has no idea what things like table manners are. Who even cares though, this food is good.]

[focusrighthere]

[He doesn't like these parties. He really doesn't like dressing up. He resents the notion that the Castle would release infected one week and throw a party the next, holiday or no holiday. Regardless of all these facts, he is here.

Joel doesn't know how to use chopsticks and won't embarrass himself with trying. While squinting at the food, he notices a familiar face and turns his head, squinting instead at Cass now. She's wearing the complete opposite of her batsuit and stuffing her face.

At least it's somebody he knows. He decides to take a step closer and greet her when he gives up on the food.]

Hey.

[hellofist]

[There's just so much squinting going on and Cass immediately takes pity on Joel, seeing how uncomfortable he feels. She hated parties too when she was forced to attend with Bruce, but she learned over time to enjoy the parts that didn't suck and that if you were strange enough, most people wouldn't bother trying to make conversation with you.

So she sets her plate down and picks up one of the drinks instead, meeting Joel halfway and holding it out to him.]

Here. [Because she's also learned that having a drink or two can help in situations like this.] Not having fun, huh?

[focusrighthere]

[If she didn't have that special ability of hers, it'd still be obvious on his straight face. Joel does, however, take the drink that she offers, tipping it up to convey appreciation.]

That's alright. [He gives a shake of his head, peering down.] It takes time to get used to it again.

[Five months has nothing on twenty years. There's a pause when he looks up again, sipping at his drink.] You look nice.

[hellofist]

[Poor old man with only the teenager to talk to.]

Time and practice. Can help, sometimes, to come as group. So you're not... all by yourself.

[But then he compliments her and she ducks her head a little, smiling more at the floor than actually looking at his face. Compliments are still pretty new for her.]

Thank you. Can be fun, dressing up. Big difference, compared to suit.

[focusrighthere]

[To be fair, the population skews young. Joel nods along while he drinks, wondering what Tess and Ellie are up to. Normally that's where he'd be, but they've been driving each other nuts lately.]

Yeah, I bet. Could have a tough time fightin' crime in that one.

[He loosens up a little when she smiles. The dress is nice, not really what he's used to seeing anymore, but he makes a silent mental note that he's not going to comment on: she's got some collection of scars. Familiar and foreign at the same time, that's the best way he can describe talking to Cass.]

But I don't reckon there'll be any of that here.

[hellofist]

[And now the smile twists into more of a grin, cocky and amused instead of just pleasantly surprised by compliments.]

Wouldn't be first time. Can just... rip it up, use part for mask.

[She's glad he's here to talk to now, she's realizing. It's been a little while since their last talk and she likes him, it just feels nice to be close to someone who reminds her so much of Bruce. He's protective but knows she can handle herself, he knows how to keep those things balanced so it doesn't become insulting, grating.

And maybe she's good for him, too. All the times she's ever seen him he's been tense and serious, too focused on one thing or another until she shook him out of it. It's her goal, now, to get him to smile at some point during this conversation.]

Never know, about fighting. Someone might... wear same dress, as someone else.

[unmanned]

Cassandra.

[James slips over quietly, apparently checking out all the food himself. It's strange, all of this, and it's his first time seeing a lot of the castle's residents in one place. Stranger still. But he'll say hello to a familiar face.]

How's the food? Grand as the decor?

[He hasn't had anything here yet that hasn't been fantastic, so he's not particularly concerned.]

[hellofist]

James.

[She's nothing but pleased to see her sudden new companion and amused at the silent approach that's taken. It's impressive to be able to sneak through crowds without anyone noticing you're there, after all. With a smile, she holds her plate out. Free reign to take whatever you want, James.]

Very good. These are best. [She points at one of the dumplings, one with a savory filling.] Could use more sweets, though.

[unmanned]

Sweets your favorite? [He pops one of the dumplings into his mouth. Not bad. Good enough for him to continue inspecting.]

[hellofist]

[She nods, turning the plate so the good things are more easily reached.]

Have you had chocolate?

[unmanned]

Aye. Is that what you ask the castle for most, above all?

[James grabs another, pulling it apart to inspect the insides before eating.]

[hellofist]

Mm, no. Probably ask for... Rice Krispies, more than anything.

[And look at that, a plate with a whole stack of them is suddenly right there on the table. Thanks, castle!]

Try one.

[ofhope]

[ Joshua rarely ceases to be amused by a girl's appetite matching his own, but he's accustomed to it. He's perhaps not as curious about what's inside the dumplings, since one knows if he spots any sort of carrot looking think he might spit it right out.

There's no maid around to twist his arm, after all. ]

You might not fit into that dress if you eat much more.

[hellofist]

[Maybe if he were anyone else, or she were anyone else, that could be counted as a very insulting thing to say. Instead, Cass just grins.]

Fast metabolism. Dresses like this... will always fit.

[ofhope]

[ Her response makes him chuckle, but it's as good-natured as his tease had been. When Joshua has malicious intent, bashing someone's looks is hardly up a superpower's alley. ]

I guess that's something a husband would appreciate in old age. Dresses like that, too, at least I think.

It's pretty dark for this kind of celebration, though. You need some color.

[hellofist]

Not really worried... about what husband would appreciate. Wore it for me. And I like black.

[ofhope]

But you like yellow too, right?

[ Reaching up, Joshua unfastens the golden dragon pin adorning the lapel of his duster, then motions towards her dress. Isn't gold close enough? ]

May I?

[hellofist]

[Awww, he remembers her color scheme. Best friends forever. With a smile, she nods.]

Sure. Black and gold... are my favorite.

[hellofist]

[Considering the state of her back, the dress is a daring choice in more ways than one, but she's as comfortable in it as she is in anything else she ever chooses to wear. She's pleased to see Edward, it's good to know that even though he's just arrived recently he's settling in well enough to attend a party and eat the food, enjoy himself.

Well, judging from his body language as he heads her way she's pretty sure he manages that no matter what the setting may be, but still. She's smiling as he comes over, glad she's getting another chance to talk to him.]

It's a party... to celebrate new year coming. [She reaches out to deftly separate one of his orange slices for herself, lifting it to her mouth as she shrugs.] Never know, food might vanish... once new year starts. Wouldn't want to miss anything.

[hellofist]

[Can you even do that Edward? Pretty sure oranges are not alcoholic.]

Uh... probably. Don't know it, though.

[She looks a little sheepish to be admitting that, but there's not really anything she can do about it. It's a new year in a place that has people from every time imaginable, the number and name don't matter, it's the whole new year starting thing that's the important thing.

The sheepishness doesn't last, though. Cass is too busy smiling about that second bit.]

Friend, huh? We're friends already?

[hellofist]

[She will, you know. And Mary will probably tell her everything.

And that is a very good answer. She smiles at him, stealing another bit of orange from him as she nods. Reasons for friendship don't really matter and she ends up loving everyone anyway, so having a label to put to the people she knows only makes things easier.]

Can always use more friends. Glad, to call you mine.