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."

[quatrew]

"I would be honored, ma'am," Quatre said as he took the countess's offered arm and accepted a red punch from a servant who passed them.

The drink tasted very good, though the young man had to admit that it burned a bit after he swallowed. He wasn't sure if that was supposed to happen, but would inquire about it well after the affair. For now, he turned to his gracious hostess, offering her a smile and a nod.

[monte_countess]

It was an old game, the exchange of names and the reverent inclinations of heads, little threads of knowledge and obligation winding themselves around them all. Handshakes and platitudes and shrill insincere laughter. A pleasure to meet you. Such a lovely party. Oh, Mr. Winner, so wonderful to see you out and about.

One name, one handshake; each of them equated to another 'friend' another party they should be begged to attend, another cause they should be begged to fund. It was the nature of things, Haydee knew. She had her own reasons for staying at his side.

"I'm hoping to arrange a few welfare drives and charity dinners before the winter hits," she noted in one of their few rare moments together. She cast a smile on him. "I wonder if you would be interested in being my co-conspirator?" She did her homework well, she knew precisely which young philanthropist she was speaking to.