LOG: [Thread] [Millefiore Christmas Gala] [OPEN]

[srsbznsmods]

WHO: Everyone (that was invited?)
WHAT: Millefiore Christmas Gala
WHERE: Paphiodilim party
WHEN: December 23rd, 7 PM on
RATING: IDK
WARNING(s): Millefiore?

Comments

[onlyluminous]

Uni leaned on the railing of one of the higher levels of Paphiopedilum Tower, watching the stream of guests arriving in the lobby: dark, rich suits and gowns glittering like jewels in the light. She had been at the Millefiore offices since sunrise, doing everything from making sure the last few touches on the decorations were set up properly to going over the guest lists and instructing Mora and Kuroki on who, specifically, to watch for.

Despite the early start of her day, though, she was not all that tired. Whether it was anticipation or -- something else -- that buoyed her, she could not deny that as she looked down at the lobby and readied herself for the night that lay ahead, she felt lighter than air.

And she hadn't even had champagne yet. Uni allowed herself a small smile.

She watched the crowd for a few more minutes, wondering all the while where Byakuran-sama was. He never made mistakes, and whatever he did with events like this one was always perfectly calibrated to produce the exact results he wanted. That he was not there, then...

Perhaps she should begin mingling with the people there. It would not do for both hosts to be absent.

Uni drew herself up and inspected her reflection in a mirror-paneled wall. A gown in figured black silk, simply but exquisitely tailored, with subtle crystal detailing on bodice and hem. The dress left her arms and upper back bare, emphasizing the necklace -- a brilliant diamond on a simple white gold chain -- that was the only piece of jewelry she wore. Uni raised an eyebrow at her reflection and looped a translucent white shawl over her arms.

Not what she would normally have worn to such an event (for starters, she usually wore white, in a style carefully chosen to complement whatever Byakuran chose). Then again... It was only a little thing, wasn't it?

Uni shrugged, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and began to make her way down to the party.

[cueitup]

It was amazing, how his whole being seemed to know the moment she entered any room with him in it, even before his mind registered the actual fact - he had been well-settled in his hiding place, and had happened to turn just in time to see Uni making her way down to join the crowd. She looked, in one word, stunning that evening, even more beautiful than she had been in the masquerade.

Gamma tried, with little success, to beat his heart into submission, and spared himself a few moments to clear his head and school himself before stepping forward. She was alone - he had to take advantage of a rare opportunity like this. The blond man approached her, and offered her a small bow and a smile the moment he was close enough.

"Good evening, my lady."

[onlyluminous]

Uni had been casually meandering through the crowd, greeting the guests along her path with a gracious nod, a smile, and -- if the guest was a particularly significant person, or had said something interesting -- a few soft words, carefully chosen and delicately said. After a short stop at reception, where she checked the status of the guest lists and made a few mental notes about who had already arrived, it was back to mingling with the crowd.

And then she felt her heart leap within her: he was there. Standing in her path, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, all perfect lines and clean angles and razor-sharp good looks, was Gamma.

She smiled at the whimsical greeting, trying not to show just how easily he had eclipsed everything else with that one smile, that effortless bow. "My lord."

[cueitup]

He would have never thought that he could have that much fun, playing a stupid game like that - it was almost a return to their old days, when she had been much, much younger and he had been her guardian and brother figure.

...Father figure, even, but let's not go there.

Gamma smiled and stepped forward.

"I can accompany my lady for the evening, if it pleases her."

[onlyluminous]

"It would please me very much," Uni said, stifling a laugh just in time -- she could already feel the stares on her, mostly coming from the direction of the crowd that had parted for her only moments ago. The whispers, she knew, would make the rounds of the hall in a very short time: it was rare for Uni Giglionero to appear at an event and not be at Byakuran's side; practically unheard of for her to even acknowledge another man's attentions. Rumor, varied as it was, agreed on one thing: Uni Giglionero had eyes only for one man.

So the ripple of questions she felt running through the hall was not only unsurprising, it was expected. Let them look, Uni thought.

She placed a hand lightly on Gamma's arm, looked up at him, and smiled.

[cueitup]

Gamma returned the gesture in kind, and steered Uni away from the milling crowds. He was willfully oblivious to the looks and the talk - the blond man had spent the last few decades of his life doing pretty much as he pleased, after all.

"Where shall we go, my lady? This humble knight is at your disposal."

DYING, WTH WTH WTH GAMMA

[onlyluminous]

Uni let herself laugh the moment they were some distance away from the milling party-goers, tipping up her chin and fixing her eyes on him. "Wherever you like, my lord." The last two words turned her smile the slightest bit smug. Who knew that my could be such a lovely word to say?

"But really," she added softly, "you look very good in a suit."

8D

[cueitup]

"I should hope that I do," Gamma wryly replied, "because if I didn't, then I really don't have a lot going for me."

The blond man continued leading Uni away until they were safely away from most of the people and back in another more-or-less 'safe' corner of the area. He would have taken her elsewhere if he had a choice, but both of them had to keep up appearances, at the very least.

"Here we are. Safe from fire-breathing dragons, rival knights and damsels in distress for the moment."

CRYYYYYYYYYYY WTHHHHHH TAGGING IS HARD IF ONE IS A PUDDLE OF GOO

[onlyluminous]

A little sigh, and Uni leaned into him, letting herself rest for the first time that day. "Mm, have you--"

She broke off. "Rival knights?"

THIS IS REVENGE, I SAY.

[cueitup]

Byakuran.

Hibari.

...And all the others, but Gamma was not threatened by a nebulous concept like that. At least, not too much.

"Oh, you know. People. You're beautiful, you know. Eyes wander."

YOUR REVENGE IS UNFAIRLY CRUSHING MY BRAIN INTO JELLY.

[onlyluminous]

She would have dismissed it out of hand with a soft laugh, a half-puzzled, half-doubting smile, and a few gentle words -- the way she usually waved off compliments -- but this was Gamma. He never flattered, never lied. Uni blinked, a little taken aback by the offhand way in which he'd said it. As if it were a matter of fact.

"Not that they matter," she said, her hand finding his.

IT'S MY WAY OF TRYING TO MAKE YOU GO TO SLEEP EARLIER, I THINK.

[cueitup]

"You mean they don't?"

Gamma returned her words with an amused look and a raised eyebrow. His hand, however, was quick to squeeze hers back, and linger.

THAT... THAT... IS HARDLY FAIR.

[onlyluminous]

Uni mirrored the raised eyebrow with her own and softened it with a smile. "No," she murmured, resting her head against his shoulder. The rich fabric of the suit felt cool against her skin. She would have stayed like this for the rest of the night if she could, simply content to be with him, away from the expectations and responsibilities that came with the title of Millefiore co-owner. Would have, but--

But let her stay like this just a little longer. "Not right now," she said, guiding his hand around her shoulder.

HAHA WELL. o/

[cueitup]

"Heh. I can deal with that, I think."

Gamma was absolutely certain that he was grinning like an idiot. For some reason, though, he really couldn't bring himself to care.

YOUR LOVE~ IS UNFAIR~ (oh, we should work out the christmas dinner details... thing, hmm)

[onlyluminous]

It was really rather wonderful, Uni thought, to see him smile like that. She supposed she had seen Gamma smile more in the past few weeks than the rest of the three years he had been working for the Millefiore. A major change, but a very welcome one.

"This is nice," she sighed happily, looking up at him with contented eyes.

8D (and yes, we should!)

[cueitup]

"I sure hope it is. I've told you that you've got pretty strange tastes in guys before, right?" Gamma added, raising his eyebrows.

Seriously. She really, really looked nice.