05 | A Starkmas Party | Action, Open to All

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper sent out the public invitation a week ago for the party. She'd been planning for a Christmas party of some sort for several months - money was always a concern here, compared to back home - and she had actually done most of the work herself

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[risegloriana]

[Elizabeth had faced plenty of social situations in her life, some more difficult than others. Facing a room of men who wanted her dead of instance, or meeting Anjou and have him kissing her in front of a group of her peers. But this? This was worse. Dressed like this, she felted so past humiliated and awkward. Exposed, and not at all herself. Still she tried to make the most of it, hair all done up and matching shoes. Praying that no one could see as she found a corner as far out of the way as she could, holding her purse in front of her, shifting awkwardly. Where was Selina? Or Gabriel? Anyone, she frankly didn't care. Or maybe no one. No one should see her like this it was undignified. Damn Stark, damn him to some shadowy cold hell.

Damn it all, she needed a drink. The last few days were hell. Her mother to start with, worried about that she'd completely forgotten about her agreement until the dress had turned up this morning. Not that she was planning on being anything less than stunning anyway.]

[risegloriana]

Stark, I am never going to forgive you for this. [She gives him a strained glare.] It's unseemly to show so much to people I hardly even know.

[even if it wasn't any different to them, it was to her.]

[ironfail]

They're all too jealous of you to be scandalized, I promise. [He leans against the wall beside her, grin dimming to something more sympathetic.] I've got an ankle-length dress you can have, if you want to go change.

[risegloriana]

You're too kind. [but she took his words with a grain of salt.] No, I... gave my word. [She'd suffer until the alcohol gave her the confidence.]

[ironfail]

But not all the words you'd like to give me right now, yeah? [He chuckles.] I do expect a thank you card from your boy toy at some point.

[risegloriana]

Something like that, Stark. [She shifted awkwardly again. His remark earned a slap on the shoulder, if only to hide how her face was burning.] He's no such thing -- though he doesn't need to. [Gabriel after all, gets to do more than just look.]

[ironfail]

I'm all ears, if it'll help. I'm sure I've heard worse. [He grins when she slaps him, raising an eyebrow suggestively in response.] Oh come on, you're a queen and he's - well, I guess he's some sort of magical angel or whatever, but still.

[risegloriana]

I'll save them for another day. Besides I don't think you know enough languages to appreciate just how... creative I can be. [There's a huff, but she's not annoyed, not really.] It's not my place to say what he is, he likes to give his own introductions in that regard. He's my lover if you're calling it... that. My consort. [she lacks the correct term really.]

[ironfail]

Oh, I know one or two extra. Just try me. [Though if she knows any especially creative swearwords she should teach them to him.] How about boyfriend? Beau? Sweetheart? [He can go all night, stop him now.]

[adaptably]

[ Selina agrees with the dress, even if Elizabeth didn't. She supposes she understands where the Queen was coming from. She stays close to to her, just in case Elizabeth feels like she needs to bolt at the last minute. ]

Maybe I should have gotten you a long coat to go with it.

[risegloriana]

[It's the same sort of need to not be alone when she felt like a complete and utter harlot.]

That would of looked awful and we both know it. [her grip on her almost empty glass was getting to the point she was going to break it in her hand soon.] Selina what am I doing here?

[adaptably]

[ A good thing that Selina can be a personal body guard--well, she can at least make a very good distraction. ]

I don't think Mr. Stark cares too much about appearances when he knows the Queen of England is going to upstage him no matter what. [ She's trying, Elizabeth. Come on. Lighten up. ] Making a grand appearance, would be my guess. I still think you shouldn't have come.

[risegloriana]

I've found it very easy to upstage those of... later times. [They were just so tame, after all. And just the thought of their constantly shocked expressions at the things she found normal made the slightest smile curl.] Pride will be the death of me, no doubt.

[adaptably]

Only because most of us have forgotten what class is. [ She shakes her head. It's true. ] I'm pretty sure our host has more pride than you do.

[trickster_mk2]

[Gabriel was... not exactly planning to go to a party advertised by Ms Prickly Potts, but for Elizabeth's sakes, he would. He'd been about when the dress had arrived, just not when she'd dressed although you didn't need to be an angel to pick up the trepidation in her- he's been trying to soothe it on their way, hells she's had more compliments in the last half hour than he gives anyone else in a month, but the second they arrive and he goes over to inspect the sweets then... well. He can be forgiven, right?

He comes back with nibbles- mostly sugary chocolatey ones only after a few minutes (it took him a moment to create a suitable distraction, but no doubt the stains will come out of the carpet) and as he comes up behind her can't help but look her over.]

Excuse me, ma'am, I'm looking for a young lady, about your height, and just as beautiful as you are, but instead of having lovely, delicious, sexy legs, she has hip-to-floor skirts. Have you seen her?

[risegloriana]

[She amuses herself while he's gone, lurking in her corner, and shifting restless the whole time -- not that she didn't try of course. Elizabeth had her pride to think of, she refused to be less but... all the same, it was impossible be her usual self when she felt practically naked. She could feel a breeze on her legs, the cold air conditioning making her shiver.

Still his joke, and his compliment made her smile properly for the first time that whole evening, her head ducking a moment as she bit her lip to hide it.]

I think she stayed home, something about it being too indecent.