(Untitled)

[bitchofthejulii]

It was a party Atia could be proud of. It was not Rome of course, not truly a Roman gathering. Yet, for this place and what she had to work with, it was stunning

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[patriotqueen]

It occurred to Guy that the air of this party rather resembled one of the Roman themed parties at the only club in London who would hold such a party. In that sense, he should applaud the effort, for this was a party hosted by a Roman. The torches the drinks, the dancers; all featured. In fact, all it lacked were naked men wrestling in a small arena and, well… a dark room in the back whereto retire.

The wine was - in Island terms - quite good. A sweet batch gathered and ready at the right time. He smiled and took a gulp. All in all, this was quite a good party.

[andsadofeye]

Over forty years sober, and, occasionally, alcohol was still tempting. John moved through the party, touching a shoulder here, a hip there, to move people out of his way and came to the table loaded with glasses. He hadn't had a drink since 65, two years before Coltrane died mad at him, twenty-two years after Lily breathed her last.

Slowly, John picked up the a glass of wine and inhaled the scent.
Wanting couldn't hurt. It was doing that bought the house tumbling down every damn time.

[patriotqueen]

Guy had been over-looking the party, but looked back when a man approached with determination only to take a glass and sniff at it. "Is the bouquet not to your liking?" He asked poshly.

[andsadofeye]

"More the alcohol content," said John, with a certain measure of regret as he set the glass down.

"Sometimes, it's nice to remember."

[patriotqueen]

“It’s palm-wine. How much alcohol can something named ‘toddy’ contain?” Guy said as he took a drink. The answer was ‘quite a bit’, incidentally.

[andsadofeye]

"Too much," said John. "With regret." He set the glass down carefully. "Forty-two years dry. Not even allowed toddies."

[patriotqueen]

"You poor man." Guy said. "Is it a very horrible affliction you suffer from that you are not allowed a simple drink?" Perhaps he was being purposefully obtuse. In any case, he didn't see the problem in a drink.

[andsadofeye]

"My son had me committed."

Forty odd years and it still wasn't one of those funny stories. John didn't remember that much of it, but he remembered the look on Omar's face.

[patriotqueen]

"Forty-two years ago," Guy retorted and then looked the man over. "You carry the years well."

[andsadofeye]

John's smile doesn't have a lot of humour in it.

"I look young for my age."

[patriotqueen]

"So it seems. Interesting island, isn't it. One meets such a variety of people." Not to mention handsome.

He lifted his glass - which didn't contain wine - and offered it. "Here. This smells wonderful. But be careful. It's a bit volatile."

[andsadofeye]

"One does."

John raised an eyebrow, reaching out to take the glass and bring it up to his nose.

He recoiled a little.

"Woah."

[patriotqueen]

Guy laughed. "Much better, isn't it." He took the glass back and took a sip.

[andsadofeye]

"I'm not sure that 'better' was the word that I'd use," he said, shaking his head. "Smells like paint-stripper."

[patriotqueen]

"It is a very likely ingredient," Guy smiled. "Perhaps you should keep to the wine."

[andsadofeye]

"I'll stick to the juice," he said, raising the glass. "Not a drop, remember."