05 | A Starkmas Party | Action, Open to All

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper sent out the public invitation a week ago for the party. She'd been planning for a Christmas party of some sort for several months - money was always a concern here, compared to back home - and she had actually done most of the work herself

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[risegloriana]

[Elizabeth had faced plenty of social situations in her life, some more difficult than others. Facing a room of men who wanted her dead of instance, or meeting Anjou and have him kissing her in front of a group of her peers. But this? This was worse. Dressed like this, she felted so past humiliated and awkward. Exposed, and not at all herself. Still she tried to make the most of it, hair all done up and matching shoes. Praying that no one could see as she found a corner as far out of the way as she could, holding her purse in front of her, shifting awkwardly. Where was Selina? Or Gabriel? Anyone, she frankly didn't care. Or maybe no one. No one should see her like this it was undignified. Damn Stark, damn him to some shadowy cold hell.

Damn it all, she needed a drink. The last few days were hell. Her mother to start with, worried about that she'd completely forgotten about her agreement until the dress had turned up this morning. Not that she was planning on being anything less than stunning anyway.]

[notbuiltforthis]

Elizabeth!

[Pepper is here, with champagne? Is that good enough?]

I'm glad you could come.

[risegloriana]

[Champagne will certainly do. Don't mind her when she takes it quickly and tips her head back to drink it empty.]

I'm... glad to be here. [Even if she's not happy with her attire.]

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper gently leads Lizzie over to the bar.]

Really? You can be honest with me.

[risegloriana]

[She looks around the room, still clearly uncomfortable.] Your company is a pleasure, as always. But dressed like this?

[She doubts it needs to be explained how much of a harlot she feels.]

[notbuiltforthis]

I wouldn't have let him send it if I'd known.

[Have another flute of champagne, Elizabeth.]

[risegloriana]

It's alright, it's the fault of his deviousness as much as my pride.

[But don't mind if she does, sipping it happily.]

[notbuiltforthis]

Those are both dangerous things around Tony.

[dowhatimust]

[Castiel had been wandering around the room with a beer in hand, looking for Elizabeth in her regular splendor. He managed to make it twice around the room, before noting the red-head hiding in the corner. It took him one more time around to realize who he was looking at - and he stared - before going over to see if he had gone blind.]

...Regina Gloriana?

[risegloriana]

[She would of curtsied, been her usual self, but she terrified to move in a certain way. There was absolutely no graceful way to hold herself like she was used too in this dress. So she settled for a stately bow of her head. Before taking a deeper drink of her wine.]

Yes?

[dowhatimust]

[The angel approached her, slowly, because she was acting odd - especially for Elizabeth. He frowned, faintly, tilting his head to the side as he looked at her. Trying to figure out what was different. Wait - pull it back - away from the nervous energy of her soul - ah.]

....what happened to your clothing?

[risegloriana]

[Elizabeth looked down at herself again and sighed. Couldn't keep still when there were people looking at her, she felt like a particularly skittish horse.]

I gave my word to Stark to wear his Christmas present to me -- and what is a Queen who does not keep her word? [Miserable, apparently.]

[dowhatimust]

[He looked at her for a long, quiet moment, before he peered around to the left, and then to the right. He vanished - abruptly - only to return with his trenchcoat. Which he turned around and bowed deeply.]

Your overgarment, Regina Gloriana?

[risegloriana]

[She blinked in surprised when he appeared and disappeared so suddenly. But the look she gave him was pure gratefulness and thanks. A little honoured too, she barely saw him without the trench coat, he was evidently fond of it. Carefully she took it from him, bowing her head.]

I'd curtsey but... [she didn't dare do so dressed like this.] Thank you, Castiel. You are once again too kind to me. [She pulled it over her shoulders, glad that it fell longer that her dress did.]

[dowhatimust]

[He did have some very deep emotional connection with the coat. However, what he had learned about that coat is that it was there to help people, and the person who wore it hold some responsibility to uphold that.]

You are quite welcome. Take care of the coat, and the coat will take care of you. That is what I have always found.

[ironfail]

[Tony was positively bristling with excitement as he approached her, a huge smile on his face.]

I knew that dress would look stunning on you. I'm never wrong about these things. What are you doing over here in the corner, you should be out there showing off.