it's been raining for days

[monte_countess]

WHO: Haydée de Monte Cristo and her guests
Where: Haydée's Apartments
DATE: October 17th 1935
WARNINGS: Fanciness, drinking, social awkwardness
SUMMARY: The housewarming party of New York's new countess.
STATUS: Present your invitation at the door, metaphorically speaking.

[[ooc; (it's tomorrow now right? probably... going to sleep for a few

Comments

[quatrew]

Quatre had to admit a small amount of excitement at having received an invitation to a party. For once, the invitation was addressed to him and not to his father.

The young man been to social gatherings with the former Winner Stores head before, but had never come alone. He'd hoped to not make a fool of himself on this, his first semi-public appearance as Winner Stores' new president.

He surrendered his elegant invitation to the large man at the door, and minutely adjusted his deep black bowtie. As he stepped inside and looked up from his tuxedo, he couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the gorgeousness of the venue. It was beyond every other party venue Quatre had seen in his short apprenticeship with his father. He stood there for a prolonged moment, simply taking in the beautiful surroundings, and becoming oblivious to the people milling about.

[monte_countess]

It truly would not have been a Monte Cristo gala if there had not been more than a few of these doe-eyed observers. It was rather the idea. The mystique was what protected them from anyone prying too close, distracted as they were by the trappings around them.

Haydee herself hardly needed to decorations, and yet she approached, holding out a slim ringed hand. She appreciated his arrival, as it gave her the opportunity to disengage from a henlike group of woman, and she also had an affection for the younger members of this circle.

They reminded her of herself, and the young people she had seen in Paris but never interacted with. It was they who could do the most good, and it was they who intrigued her.

"I'm so glad you could be here, Mr. Winner."

[quatrew]

Quatre gave his host a genuine cordial smile. The blond bowed slightly as he took her hand in his own, thanks the lessons of manners in high society ingrained into him at a very early age.

"I'm very happy to be here. This has been my first social outing since taking over the company. It's a welcome change of pace," Quatre admitted.

[monte_countess]

Haydee smiled at his cordiality, she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder for a moment.

"I'm so honored you came then," she said, it was quite a compliment in its own way. I offered him my arm. "I should be happy to introduce you around."

MILES EDGEWORTH DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THIRD PEOPLE, BY WHICH I MEAN THIRD PERSON (p.s. tl;dr)

[mentis_reae]

I had brought this night upon myself. I had done so at Tony Stark's party, when I had humiliated myself and shown that I wasn't yet capable of even asking for funds. I had done so a week later, when the furor from the shooting had died down and the District Attorney had asked me if I had in fact managed to raise any funds and I had sneered at him. And I had done so the night before, when the D.A. had seen upon my desk the invitation to this event and asked me if I were going and I had responded with a long and absurd and self-righteous tirade about how I did not agree with his methods and if he were going to ask me to debase myself once more to beg for money then I frankly had no use for him or his philosophy or anything of the sort. I'd brought it upon myself when his expression of genuine surprise and vague hurt had shaded instead into anger and outrage, and even so I had not stopped until I had come to the end of my speech and he, levelly, ordered me to attend

THAT'S FINE 8]

[monte_countess]

I knew the comings and goings of my own party. One did not live and love with a man like the Count without learning some of his tricks, his attentiveness. I knew Mr. Edgeworth had come, that Bertuccio had cleared him through and his coat had been taken by one of the petite maids who had returned with us from Greece. I knew too that he committed the interesting feat of slipping past me and hiding himself away for some time. Ali looked up at me curiously, mute lips pursed to wonder if he should investigate. However, I had heard the fantastic tale of his dinner with my dear Angelina. Her predictions had turned out to be quite correct, while my hope that she should leave him with the memory firmly fixed in his mind had also been lived out beautifully. He didn't need to be pushed, he couldn't hide forever

OH GOOD. P.S., I hope the Count would actually like Dostoyevsky. If not, er...tell me and I'll edit?

[mentis_reae]

Engrossed as I was in my own thoughts, I hadn't been conscious of the woman's approach until she spoke. When she did, I looked up with a start and an involuntary, convulsive grip on the book that caused it to close in my hands. I cursed my nerves, cursed my jumpiness, even cursed this woman who had evidently been so generous and gracious as to take pity on a man she no doubt assumed lonely. I could not help but despise her kindness

[monte_countess]

I watched over him with quiet amusement. Ali knew better than to betray his thoughts to the room, but I could see that he too had some sympathy for the man's discomfiture. Mr. Edgeworth didn't yet know who I was, and that was refreshing in its way. I had no real compunction to enlighten him and I settled back into the cushions more leisurely

[linkthismemory]

She wasn't fond of parties

[monte_countess]

Raised in her father's court, Haydee had never felt out of place or uncomfortable amongst people. As a young slave paraded before foreign dignitaries, she had learned how to hide any emotion but her most charming of smiles. She had cultivated strength in herself, driven by her vengeance as she was.

That was not, however, to say she had no sympathy for those who were. She remembered watching beautiful Valentine de Villefort as her cold-hearted father had paraded her before his peers. It was a shame, but there was nothing to be done to stop it.

Instead, Haydee made it a point to befriend the younger visitors. This shy, beautiful young girl especially, she tugged at Haydee's heart.

"Hello, dear," she greeted quietly, certain not to disrupt the group of men talking nearby. "Have you had something to eat?"

[linkthismemory]

Namine was distracted her thoughts when the woman spoke to her. Her head shot up to look where the voice was coming from and was surprised to see it being the hostess of the party. She had seen her a little, going about among people, making the same sort of rounds her cousin was but with none of the apparent vicious drive.

Mrs. Tebelin was very pretty and Namine ducked her head in embarrassed self comparison, feeling both undressed and unsure. She wished she had been allowed to leave her hair down, as the way it was pinned to her skull, neat and prim, she couldn't hide in it.

"I had a little something, one of the sweets." Namine said as evenly as she could. "I'm not sure what it was called, but it was very good. I'd never had it before."

[monte_countess]

Haydee smiled at her gently. "A treat we call loukoumi, but you would call Turkish Delight." She watched the way the nervous girl looked away from her, felt for her, paraded out like this. She'd have to make sure the girl went away with some of the treats hidden in her purse.

"Your name is Namine, yes?" she wanted to confirm. She was well apprised of who her guests were meant to be and she and Bertuccio had long ago developed a system for allowing her to recognize them as they entered. That did not quite account for those her guests brought with them. "I'm glad you enjoyed them, and hope you're having a little fun?" She glanced at the group of my pointedly, an eyebrow raised to show she understood how boring the conversation of men could be. "Or at least enjoying the music a bit?"

[verycheerful]

It was always wonderful to find someone with decent taste in this city (so rare, it seemed!) And this was no different. All the flowers were in bloom, matching so wonderfully together. The blinds were drawn just enough to flood light into the room, while still showcasing the cloth. The band was lovely enough to catch his ear, and quiet enough for him to tune it out. Indeed, he should find the servant and master who planned this and lavish compliments on them. Certainly if he had time aside from work, a ball of his would only be marginally better.

He wore a sharp, dark-blue suit and let his long blonde hair drape down his back as he drifted around, absorbing gossip. Such an inane activity, really, and one he would certainly never buy into (unless it served his purpose, of course) but such a pleasure to listen in on. People created such terrible stories about each other. It did well to showcase the human condition. How could you expect anything other than misery from such ugly, stupid creatures

I would have to say this happens before that cute Drunk Girl up there

[monte_countess]

Haydee took their terrible stories with admirable grace and poise. It was the price one paid for privacy and it was well worth their efforts to play up their supposed eccentricities in that pursuit. Let them fill in the blanks, so long as they did not grow too curious over the truth. She could bear the talk about herself best of all, accusations of victimization and social prostitution both, but those who spoke poorly of her husband were left with black marks in the great ledger she kept in her thoughts.

It was her custom to greet all her guests, but she supposed this one was particularly interesting in that he wasn't engaged in a group of tittering suppositions. She approached on her own and her mute servant joined her a moment after, holding out a drink to her, which she accepted with a pleasant smile.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Gavin?"

re: sure, that's fine!

[verycheerful]

He stood in her presence and smiled a white, pleased smile. "In fact, I am. I'm so glad you've blessed our fair city with your presence; your gatherings are simply fantastic. And all of those compliments very well-earned. Your flowers are beautiful, your drinks are delicious, and your dress is beautiful."

He brushed a blonde hair behind his ear as he spoke, meeting her eyes through his glasses. "And you, Mrs. Tebelin?"

[monte_countess]

Haydee pursed her lips behind her glass for a moment. There weren't many who still called her by her fathers name, and while she wasn't offended,s he wondered what he meant by it. She studied his face from behind a slight smile. Young, soft, deceptively quiet eyes and a gentle expression. She inclined her head to accept his compliments.

"Thank you, you're much too kind," she acquiesced demurely. "I've been having a great deal of fun making all these new acquaintances."

FFFF HOW DID I MISS THIS.

[peektuttut]

Monkey suits made Tim uncomfortable. They were always stiff, and made moving awkward; and they especially didn't help if you were already nervous. In the new home of the Count of Monte Cristo, Tim did his best not to fidget. He was starting to regret accepting Haydée's invitation, and wished Dick was around, at least, to ease the discomfort. His 'older brother' was always better at social situations than he was.

It didn't help that he hadn't seen Haydée in years. It especially didn't help that he was a little too fond of a married woman. Tim had no luck with girls, it was something he had accepted. Or tried desperately to ignore, given the situation.

When he'd arrived, Tim had made his way toward an unoccupied corner, hoping he could wait out the event there. It wouldn't be particularly interesting, he knew, but at least there he probably wouldn't embarrass himself. He hoped.

ffff IDEK

[monte_countess]

She had been waiting for him. Once upon a time, she had kept herself under the yoke of slavery for a man she never dreamed would love him as he loved her. Once upon a time, she sailed away from Paris, free for the first time since she was four years old, that same man she had admired so deeply had returned her love, and she would be his equal, his wife

[peektuttut]

He almost felt like he was fifteen again when she showed up, prettier than he remembered. Uncomfortable suit forgotten, Tim found himself grinning at Haydee as she came toward him. A blush started around his throat as she took his hand, but he did hid best to ignore it. A little awkwardly, he used the hand she held to lift hers, kissing her knuckles. "Haydee. It's - really nice to see you again."

The regret faded a little, and Tim realized he had missed her when she'd last left.

unhand my fries, tim

[monte_countess]

She beamed at him, charmed by his awkward little formality. She continued to study his face for a moment. He'd grown handsomely, only a little childhood still clinging on at his cheeks.

"I'm glad you're here, Tim," she confessed easily. As she'd told Dick, friendly faces were much needed in this sea of strangers. Had she had her Count, she could have weathered anything, but a few friends would have to do for now.

She threaded arms with him easily, leading the way to pair of seats near the window, half concealed by the small pavilion that had been strung up for the musicians. There was so much to be caught up on, and she wanted to know everything.