BALLROOM BLITZ (CHARITY BALL)

[not_polish]

WHO: ANYONE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE BALL PLUS AUCTION WINNERS
WHERE: a fancy, ritzy hotel in the nicer areas of the city!
WHEN: Saturday the 24th, 7:30pm and onwards
WARNINGS: stuff will probably happen.
SUMMARY: the much anticipated ball is finally here! see all the imPorts and various NPC guests wearing the snazziest of gowns and suits as they talk

Comments

closed to charles

[manlytear]

[It is not long after their arrival that Erik leads the way to a more quiet setting. This is the first time that he has seen Charles in person since their conversation the other day, and he knows that there is no getting out of addressing the matter at hand: that the two of them are both in their best suits and on a date. With each other.

He manages to retrieve a glass of champagne for each of them on the way to the garden, and he now offers one to Charles. A drink might make this easier for both of them.]

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles rather eagerly takes the drink he's offered, feeling the same about the ease that might be brought upon by his own drinking. It's a shame, but he's glad to have such wonderful champagne and to be at quite a fabulous event without having needed to pay. He's smiling quietly - attempting to, at least - while he's still worrying about their most recent conversation. It lingers in his mind and he sighs, drinking his champagne at a pace that is probably not recommended.

Making a soft sound, Charles hums and turns away from Erik. He's staring at a fountain in the concealed garden - anything to avoid looking directly at Erik. ]

I suppose I ought to thank you. For, ah, donating to charity for me.

[manlytear]

[Erik is trying to pace himself with his own champagne. It would be a shame not to take the time to actually appreciate the drink. He spends a long moment focusing his attention on the fountain as well.]

You know that I was happy to do so.

[grooviestmutant]

[ It takes all that Charles has to turn and look over at Erik again. He knows that they ought to have this conversation some time, and he's quietly praying to himself that he can manage to inhale a few more drinks before that happens. How many other subjects may he talk about, he wonders? ]

Mm, I am glad. Though I am sure a date with Callie would have been quite the treat. [ He looks honest here, and he is smiling with amusement at the possibility. ]

[manlytear]

[Erik chuckles at that and takes a long drink from his own glass.]

I think you may be getting yourself in over your head with that one, Charles.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles shrugs his shoulders momentarily and begins to drink his own champagne a bit more deeply, wondering if it would be rude to inhale it in one go and request another so soon. Yes, well, he knew that would be rude, and he suddenly frowned to himself. Shaking his head after a moment more, Charles hummed. ]

Do you think so? She is quite a sweet woman, it seems. Reminds me of you at times.

[manlytear]

[Another chuckle escapes the older of the pair.]

That should be enough indication to be cautious around her all on its own.

[His thoughts are most definitely focused on the fact that Charles is implying that he would like to date a woman because she reminds him of Erik.]

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles doesn't seem to catch onto this at first and he's taking a step toward the fountain. He takes a seat on the edge of it, crossing his legs and keeping his drink at his lips at all times. He sips from it with ease, and then finds himself quietly staring in Erik's direction. ]

You might have a lovely point there, my friend.

[manlytear]

[Erik seems to consider it for a moment before moving to join Charles, seating himself beside the other man while still leaving a companionable space between the two of them.

He does not speak for a long moment, the silence broken by the fountain and the distant sound of music from the ballroom.]

I hope that I have not made the past day and a half too uncomfortable for you, my friend.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles had certainly hoped he could become much more drunk before they had this conversation, though he knew that would be completely ridiculous and impractical. He ran a hand through his hair and nodded, staring into his glass for a long moment, before taking another deep sip of champagne until he was mere sips away from emptying the glass - an unfortunate fact. ]

You have not. To be honest, I have been trying... not to think about it. I think it is better that way.

[manlytear]

[Erik cannot help but sigh at that, looking into his own glass for a long moment before replying.]

I would have to disagree with you on that.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles was thoroughly afraid Erik would say something to that degree. He hummed lowly and downed the rest of his champagne, praying for it to hit him all at once, though he knew better than to assume his alcohol tolerance was suddenly that of a young girl's. He frowned deeply and hung his head somewhat. It was an entirely different situation, having this conversation with Erik while they were mere feet from each other.

It had been much easier with the ease of distance of the communicator. ]

I had known you would say such a thing. I am sorry, Erik.

[manlytear]

[Erik finishes off his own champagne, setting the empty glass down beside him on the edge of the fountain and threading his fingers together in his lap. He almost wishes that they had more alcohol, but he would much rather have this conversation with a sober Charles.]

Charles. I have been trying to be a patient man. For you.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles is somewhat shocked by those words, and he looks up at Erik, setting his own glass aside. He's not sure exactly what he's preparing himself for, but he has a feeling he ought not to have a glass in his hand. He takes a deep breath and reluctantly looks Erik in the eye for the second time that evening, though not without extreme difficulty. ]

What are you implying, Erik?

[manlytear]

[Erik takes a deep breath, clearly trying to be just as patient as he just claimed.]

I do not want to make you uncomfortable.

I am not usually one to take things slowly. You should know that about me.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles cannot help the way his brows knit at those words, and he looks momentarily displeased. Then he's letting out a long breath. ] I-do not imagine that is your goal, my friend.

[ Another long pause, and Charles is standing; wondering if he should walk away. Instead he turns his back to Erik and breathes lowly. ]

I do know that about you. I do not know if I-how I, ah, feel, exactly, about your implications - as I've said.