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

[ofhope]

[ There's a low rumble of displeasure in his chest at that, not quite reaching his throat, as he settles both hands over her shoulder and leans to nuzzle her hair. ]

Better a cold with company than health with none. Would you make me soup?

[lucre]

[ Lucrezia is happy to let him lean closer, smiling to herself all the while. ]

Experience should have taught me never again to serve in bed. [ In case of earthquakes, serve only cold soup! ]

[ofhope]

Does that mean you don't want omelets in bed again?

[lucre]

Now you mean to force my hand.

[ofhope]

I can make them crispy, don't you like that?

[lucre]

I think they call it bribery.

[ofhope]

It doesn't count if I'm eating them, too.

[lucre]

[ That gets his tie a tug, though gentler than before. ]

Who wrote the rules?

[ofhope]

You're still learning. There are no rules.

[ Just for that he tweaks her nose, right before leaning down to lock that flippant mouth in a kiss, hands dropping from her shoulders so that both arms can hold her close.

Public venue, who cares? ]

[lucre]

[ Who cares indeed. The hand on his tie moves to drum irregularly along his shoulder, counting the beats until she breaks the kiss by ducking her head. She steals a glance over his shoulder with a grin (looking for someone?) before turning back to him. ]

Have you caught a cold yet?

[ofhope]

[ He catches her glance, but has no reason to care about it. Too mellowed by the kiss.

Mellowed, but not forgetting. Spiegel. ]

We'll have to give it time to see. Then I definitely won't be able to charm any ladies at any party.

[lucre]

That would be a pity.

[ Or should she say good, then you won't stray? Only she doesn't think he would ever leave for good and she doesn't mind gaining another lady friend or two out of it. They have no claim on each other, which is why she can choose to stay. ]

I would rather watch you frolic with lovely ladies, but I suppose a plate of omelets is an acceptable trade.

[ofhope]

[ Sometimes she still has little surprises for him, something someone like Joshua appreciates in spades, as it reminds him of how to laugh genuinely. ]

You want to watch me frolic? It's too bad most of the ladies here aren't my type.

[lucre]

Only most?

[ She moves to rest a hand on his shoulder to help her look past him and at the hall to spot the exceptions. ]

Are you an adventurous one?

[ofhope]

Aren't all explorers?

[lucre]

[ She steps closer, enough that she can almost kiss his shoulder if she just leans slightly forward. ]

Perhaps the red-haired ones or the dark and mysterious ones for a change.

[ofhope]

[ This rings back to a conversation in regards to Cassandra, and Joshua shakes his head with a smile and a tease at her hair, tickling just behind her ear. ]

Do you think it will make us more even? You can't be feeling guilt, and I have nothing to be jealous over, so why bother?

[ Really, Joshua has no interest in such things. ]

[lucre]

[ Guilt? Never. It might be something else though, the thought that if she is free then he should be too. Perhaps that is guilt. ]

Are we not even, now?

[ofhope]

[ Definitely not if one is keeping score of lovers and people she's kissed, but Spike is the only one Joshua cares about. It doesn't show. ]

You tell me.

[lucre]

[ She drops her act to search his face and read between the lines. Pity she doesn't have any of his or Cassandra's skills. This might be much easier then. ]

Perhaps you should ask me to be yours and yours alone.

[ofhope]

[ He raises an eyebrow, wondering what she's getting at. She certainly can't be feeling neglected. ]

Haven't you been trapped enough?

[lucre]

[ It's true. But security often comes with tall walls and heavy locks which resemble a trap, and she's never sure if she prefers to be within or without. She prefers not choosing. ]

Not enough, it seems.

[ofhope]

[ Again he brushes the hair behind her ear, before grazing his knuckles down the side of her neck. His eyes are calm, his smile so ever present it might have been more fit for a statue. ]

You're the one who makes the wishes, princess.

[lucre]

[ Her cruel heart prefers to see something more, even if it's a frown, some hurt in his eyes. Even that would be better than his placid smile. ]

No. [ No to what? She isn't sure. Not this. ] You are more than that.

[ofhope]

[ Again she offers a puzzling response, and his fingers linger at the nape of her neck, thumb pressing near the base of her throat. She truly does have such a tiny neck. ]

More than what?