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.]

[manlytear]

[Erik runs a hand back through his hair before moving to stand as well, as he does not enjoy having to look up at Charles.]

That is why I asked you to think about it, Charles. Not to spend this time ignoring the matter.

[grooviestmutant]

I do not know what you expected me to think about. [ He sounds aggravated as he speaks, slowly but surely losing his own patience in his conflicted frustration. He let out a sound in the back of his throat that was almost a grunt in his annoyance. ]

You wanted me to become a homosexual over-night for you? [ Well, he still certainly cannot look at Erik - though he is doing his best to assure that there are not others present. ] That I would suddenly desire a length of intimacy so lewd? So blasphemous, in fact?

[manlytear]

[Erik closes his eyes for a long moment, his hands curling into his fists at his sides as he tries to maintain his calm. To anyone who was not a telepath, perhaps it would seem that he was doing admirably.]

I did not expect that at all. [He closes his eyes once more, trying to find his words-- words that will not only make this situation worse.] And I hardly think that expressing my feelings for you would be so repulsive. Not when you can so casually sleep with women who are complete strangers.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles whirls to face Erik then in his anger, his eyes narrowed as he curls his own fingers into tight fists and meets Erik's eyes once more. No, he had hardly insulted Erik's feelings - that was an unfair accusation, and Charles said as much. ]

You are not being fair. I said no such thing to you. [ There's a pause, and his voice is hoarse, now, as he attempts to keep his distance from the taller man for their own benefit. ]

My personal life is of no concern to you. Unless you are jealous, that I am comfortable in my sexuality?

[manlytear]

[Erik narrows his eyes just slightly.]

If you are so comfortable in your sexuality, then why does this bother you so much?

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles opens his mouth to speak before he's shutting it in his anger, nostrils flaring. He's grinding his teeth and clenching his fists, absolutely overwhelmed with his own rage. It was a true vice of Charles'; he would not back down, not ever, to Erik - not to anyone. Even in a situation of doubt.

This seemed to Charles a mirror of their conversations about murder; Charles knew he was right, and he knew Erik was wrong. Erik would not see it, but that could no longer matter to Charles over his own right-pointing moral compass. ]

It is not my sexuality-it is not-it is your ignorance, your-your need to outdo me, to upset me-

You wish to tarnish my image and I cannot fathom why. [ Charles is far-reaching now but he cannot care. His words are escaping him before he has control over them, and he is only more frustrated by the way he stumbles them - the way they come out clipped, broken; quite as he feels at the moment. ]

[manlytear]

[For a moment, Erik looks almost shocked by the accusation, before his surprise turns to anger.]

You would accuse me of such things? You are a telepath, Charles! You can damn well see for yourself that none of that is true.

[grooviestmutant]

Yes, well, lately I have been doing my utmost to avoid looking through your mind.

[ He's hissing when he speaks now and it's embarrassing; he turns his back to Erik a second time and it takes every fiber of his being to avoid walking away from this situation. He is not a coward. ]

[manlytear]

[Erik is clenching his fists in irritation once more. One of the benches in the garden gives a creak.]

Why are you so afraid of this?

[grooviestmutant]

[ ... ]

I am not afraid of this. Do not claim to understand how I am feeling.

[manlytear]

You have said yourself that you have avoided thinking about it. I see no other reason for you to choose not to confront it.

[grooviestmutant]

[ Charles sighs slowly as he tries to take a deep breath, keeping himself from feeling faint. ]

And what would you expect from me if I did? Had you thought of that? Perhaps that I am uncomfortable with your presumably ridiculous expectations?

[manlytear]

What do you think that I expect of you, Charles? You refuse to read my thoughts on the matter.

[grooviestmutant]

Un-Unfathomable acts. Awful behaviour. Some sort of illegitimate notion of monogamy with - a man. It is all ridiculous and it is all - all slanderous.

[ Charles is practically trembling, and he wonders in jest if he should dive into the fountain and attempt to drown himself in a twist of ironic rage. This is entirely unbearable. ]

[manlytear]

[That bench somewhere behind them gives another creak.]

That is what you think of my grandson, then.