A celebration of Life

[erisfnord]

The doors and windows have been flung wide open - the better to catch what little air moves down here - and all are wreathed in twining Delphinium and Lilies, perfuming the hot air that wafts down this particular street of the Bazaar, into the building itself.  The whole building is wide open, from the first to the second floor.  The reception hall

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[erisfnord]

Your hostess for the evening is smiling as she re-arranges flowers in vases. She's wearing her soft, pale grey dress, and her hair is piled on her head to cascade down one side of her neck. With a glass of wine in one hand, she'll gladly welcome whoever strolls through the doors.

[laura_riding]

"Good evening, darling!" With a laugh and a cry, Laura whirls up to the door, the red silk of her gown too-loud, too-bright against the grey. "I'm so terribly sorry I'm late -- I've been so preoccupied, I simply couldn't get away--"

[erisfnord]

"Oh, but you look lovely, dear!" Eris takes Laura's hands in hers, drawing her close for a small kiss right on the corner of her mouth. "You're not even late, you're the first here!"

She'll then hold her out, at arms length, to study her lovely dress - though it's surely out of place against the grey, it's surely beautiful - it is Laura, after all.

[laura_riding]

It is beautiful -- all silks and lace, low at the neckline and short in the sleeves. Laura's hand flutters to her heart, almost bone-white against the gown's rich scarlet. "Really? Well, how perfectly thrilling! The first to arrive. I shall never be the first to arrive again in my life, I think -- I'll keep this moment entirely unique, and preserve its value. From now on," she declares, and the usual jesting light in her eyes is quite absent here, "I shall always be the very last."

[becquerel_curie]

Becquerel has been helping Eris to set up through the early evening, having come early to receive and put on a new slim-cut suit made by the Cyclopean Seamstress herself. He's got a pad of paper small enough to be kept in a pocket and a newly-sharpened pencil, and is now staring longingly at the fruit on the refreshments table, not sure if he's quite allowed to help himself yet.

[erisfnord]

And at that stare, she'll pass by him, dipping her gloved fingers into the tray to pull out a peach, which she'll press into his hands with a faint smile.

[becquerel_curie]

He returns the smile, half-hiding it behind his hand, then looks into his hand -- his favourite! Goodness! He lifts it to his nose to smell it, not quite sure it's real. The first bite is such joy he has to turn away.

[laura_riding]

"Have you tasted the fruit?" asks Laura, who appears seemingly from nowhere directly behind him; her lips are curved into an almost inhuman grin. "Is it sweet, darling?"

[louis_plumb]

Louis has been waiting outside nervously almost an hour early, looking at his watches. It's very rare that he gets invited to parties, and that makes him almost nervous. He straightens his cravat and walks over the second his watch hits the start time.

He wears a brown suit with a forest green waistcoat and complementary tie. His face cleanly shaven, and his hair combed back so his bangs are not covering his eyes.

Nervously looking around, he settles near the fruits and cheeses -- he always likes the cheeses Eris has.

[becquerel_curie]

As a hello, Becquerel comes up next to Louis near the fruits and cheeses and brushes his sleeve -- he's got a half-eaten peach in one hand and can hardly contain his smile.

[louis_plumb]

Louis smiles at him, "Good evening! Wow-- You look really great!"

[bel_falcon]

Bel comes toward the two of them with open arms (not a hug-gesture, just "hey! all these people!"). "Becquerel! Louis! I'm so happy to see both of you! I was afraid there wouldn't be anyone I know here."

[laura_riding]

Having parted from her hostess, Laura gravitates immediately to the wine -- she might be found by the rounded window in the back of the shop, a glass in her hand and a bottle close by, attempting to catch the eye of anyone who might wander past.

[louis_plumb]

"Miss Laura," Louis nods at her, "You look very pretty."

[laura_riding]

"And so do you," she says, sing-song. "Tell me, darling, did I thank you for your kindness? When you led me home, did I tell you how kind you were to do it?"

[louis_plumb]

Louis smiles softly, "Those words are not needed, I am always happy to help."

[bel_falcon]

Bel winces at the scream-squeak and grimaces slightly.

[bel_falcon]

Bel irritably straightens his jacket. "Mr. Overstreet. I don't believe we've been introduced. My name is Bel Falkenrath. I'm a *guest*."