Housewarming Party At Wes' New Digs

[demonologist]

Who: Wesley Wyndam-Pryce and Guests
What: A housewarming BBQ at Wes' new townhouse apartment.
When: June 18th
Where: Wes' place
Rating: PG for now, will update if there are shenanigans
Notes: Backtags are love. Gatecrashers are love. Multiple threadjacks, own threads etc are fine. Have fun with it! Just getting up the location tags then we are good

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Living Room

[demonologist]

A place to mingle, chat, peruse Wes' bookcase. There's a drinks table for people to pour themselves a glass of whatever they fancy.

[whichswan]

She finds it uncomfortable, awkward, to be handing a present to another person, even a friend. She thought to do it when she first came in but the moment passed and now she doesn't think leaving an unidentified wrapped package in his house wull be a good idea.

So she has unwrapped it and placed her housewarming gift on his bookshelf. Owls because he is wise like them and bookends because, well. Pleased with herself, she gathers all the wrapping and tries to leave as discreetly as possible.

[demonologist]

Wes just happened to be standing in the doorway of the living room when he catches sight of Nina leaving her gift. He comes up behind her just in time for her to start to walk away. He's not going to let her get away with it, sorry.

"They're perfect. Thank you, Nina."

[whichswan]

She jumps in place at the sound of his voice and fumbles with the paper wrappings that tumble out of her arms. She turns over her shoulder to see him, like she expects some scolding.

"I'm sorry--I meant to give it to you earlier but--" but what, exactly? She bites her lip and manages a smile. "Not as perfect as your house, but I hope they'll do."

[demonologist]

"It's a little on the small side, but since there's only me here, it suits just fine. And I rather like the gesture, of just leaving them for me to find. I would have had to investigate who would've brought me such a gift, however, so at least I get a chance to say thank you now, instead of later."

He smiles and then reaches to turn an owl a certain way which appeals to him.

"Would you like me to show you around the house or have you already been exploring on your own?"

[whichswan]

She chuckles, sounding more like a sigh, and bends down to pick up the stray bit of wrapper that fell out of her hand. He has a way of calming her, stops her from feeling too anxious. At least for a little while.

"How will you find out?" She takes a few steps closer back to the bookshelf.

"I've looked around," she gestures with her hand. "But a tour would be nice."

[demonologist]

"Well, you've seen the living room..." His smile deepens a fraction and then he leads her back out into the hall and into the kitchen.

"This is the kitchen, which is far larger than I really need. It has a dishwasher, for which I am heartily grateful for."

Fred has probably taken a platter of food out into the yard, since she's not there at the moment.

[whichswan]

She follows him, going out of her way to dump the wrappers at a nearby trash can. She almost feels bad about it, seeing howe immaculate his whole house is.

Nina grins in reply, glad to see him so... lighthearted. Her first few impressions of him were of a brooding man with something dark hidden within. He seems like a completely different person today. "You don't like to cook?"

[whichswan]

She follows him, going out of her way to dump the wrappers at a nearby trash can. She almost feels bad about it, seeing howe immaculate his whole house is.

Nina grins in reply, glad to see him so... lighthearted. Her first few impressions of him were of a brooding man with something dark hidden within. He seems like a completely different person today. "You don't like to cook?"

[demonologist]

"It's more that I don't really know how. I've never had the time nor inclination to learn. Perhaps I'll change that now that circumstances have changed. Fred is determined to teach me to bake, although I pity the person who'll have to sample my first efforts."

He starts to head up the stairs, towards the more private areas of the house.

[whichswan]

She wrings her hands as she follows him up the stairs, throwing her eyes around her. She laughs freely enough at his words.

"I wouldn't mind being them," she says, fully meaning it. "I can even help you--i mean, as much help as I can be."

[demonologist]

"Really? You'd be willing to be the guinea pig for my first batch of muffins?" He chuckles at the thought. "Now that's going above and beyond the call of friendship."

He points out the bathroom to her first.

"It has a bath. Another thing I'm very grateful for. And this is the bedroom."

He stands back to allow her to take a look inside.

[whichswan]

As long as she isn't obliged to finish one whole muffin, she thinks, the prospect doesn't seem so horrible. Knowing Wesley, as much as he has revealed to her at least, he would be smart enough to figure it out.

"There's nothing else I'd rather do," she grins, walking past him to the bedroom. She is aware of something that may have been dread growing louder in her mind, a remnant of a person she doesn't want to remember, because he doesn't even exist. He doesn't.

"It's lovely. Everything is."

[demonologist]

Wes is aware of it, of the situation, and so he steps into the bedroom but not too close to her and makes sure to leave the doorway perfectly clear of obstruction. He moves to turn on the reading lamp at the night stand.

"It's a little sparse, but all I really need are a few books and I'm happy. Do you think you'll ever move into town or do you like it at the castle?"

[whichswan]

Nina isn't aware of his efforts, though she appreciates the distance nonetheless. She traces her fingers on the bed cover as she moves across the room. It feels like home enough, quiet and safe.

She doesn't turn to him when she answers, shaking her head and exhaling. "I won't make it out here," she shrugs. "Without the wishes and ghosts." Without a mother figure to make sure she has all she needs to subsist. She can never understand the appeal of freedom when it comes at the price of comfort. She is a happy enough bird in her gilded cage.

"It's enough."

[demonologist]

"I certainly won't try to persuade you to move if you prefer it at the castle." He smiled gently. "And I'll still be going back regularly. What with my job at the shooting range, and that massive library to explore. And of course all of my friends still living there."

He headed towards the stairs again, hoping to encourage her to come out into the busier backyard with him.