forget your troubles, happy days are here again / you better chase all your troubles away

[highf]

So here's what you missed on Glee:

After getting slushied in the face for years and dealing with Karofsky's bullying, Kurt's decided to take a few defense lessons from the Black Widow herself - ( "I... just wanted to say thank you, again, for letting me participate in this course, and how much I'm looking forward to future lessons. You kind of blew

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[highf]

Alcohol was normally an issue of contention for Kurt Hummel. Had been, in fact, ever since April Rhodes took McKinley by storm, arming him with a dose of 'courage' every morning and a few magazines to supply his imagination. He knew, from staying sober at Rachel's sole attempt at hosting a decent party, the way that alcohol made people behave. Amplified every single emotion, from laughter to tears, and knocked balance on its side, and so it was with some trepidation that he sipped slowly at his flute of champagne, choosing to spend the majority of his time mingling with the party guests.

But even the slow consumption of champagne soon made his nerves relax, his shoulders loosen, and when he heard a few familiar beats playing from the karaoke, Kurt jumped immediately to his feet, swinging by the machine and snatching a free microphone, leaping on stage and tossing his blazer to the side.

"I got chills, they're multiplying, and I'm losing control. You're the power you're supplying, it's electrifying," he sang, before turning around

[tooktheblack]

Jon was no singer and he gracefully declined, both out of not knowing the song and not having the kind of voice that would really be welcome in a place like this. He wasn't sure about his attire, either, but having looked up "black tie" in a book at the Compound and asking the box for it, he thought it looked close enough.

"Happy Nameday, Kurt. I didn't bring you a present but if you like, I could teach you how to ride or spar?"

[highf]

Not at all distraught at having his offer declined, Kurt merely placed both microphones back on the machine with a pleased grin, hoping that someone else would pick the music back up before long- it was a great song, after all. Hopping down from the stage and taking half a second to reorient himself, Kurt allowed himself a brief sigh as he looked up to gaze at Jon in full, immediately pressing both lips tightly together at the sight of the young man in a tuxedo. If only Jon had the slightest idea what that could do to a man.

Regaining composure easily enough, Kurt ducked his head graciously, lips curved coyly. "Thank you, Jon," he replied with a raise of a shoulder. "And really, like the invites said, presents are completely optional- I'm not exactly in want of anything on the island, although..."

Biting briefly down on his lower lip, Kurt tapped his chin, eyes alight with interest. "When you spar, you mean swordfighting? In earnest?"

[tooktheblack]

"If you like. I taught my little sister and I'm sure Edmund's got a spare that we can borrow. I don't know the fancy waterdancing that Arya does but I do well enough with a broadsword. If you can dance, you should be able to swing a sword. It's a lot of the same movement."

Not that Jon had really had many opportunities for dancing in his life but he managed well enough the few times they had a singer come to Winterfell. Few and far between and those days were long past for him.

"I see that I managed to get the dress right, too. I almost worried for a moment."

[dancin_maxxie]

It's definitely not like any party Maxxie's used to. He put on a suit and tie before, for Casino Night, but that was an event, not just a birthday party. Sure, they've had birthday parties with themes before, but never this much detail. Seriously. There's carpet.

He's glad now he didn't smoke up before coming. Or maybe he should have all the more... No. Kurt's the type of guy who would be disappointed with that, Maxxie thinks. Maybe not in general -- Maxxie hopes -- but definitely at a party he's put this much work into.

He grabs a drink and a spot at the bar and plots his take over of the karaoke machine. And scopes out the competition for Assassins. He's not the most competitive of guys, but he's always up for a little fun.

[[Regular threads or Assassins or anything really.]]

[highf]

One thing needs to be made clear: Kurt has not, in any way, tampered with the assignments for Assassins. It wouldn't be fair for him to be the one to draw up all of the matches, being a participant himself, and selfishly, he does want to play- it's his birthday, his party, and one of his favorite games, period. The fact that his target has one Maxxie Oliver in spite of a blind draw just happens to be the icing on the cake

[dancin_maxxie]

Sadly, pathetically, he doesn't notice Kurt sneaking up behind him. He doesn't notice Kurt at all, which is stupid not only because he has an avid interest in the other boy but because it's his birthday. Everyone should know where he is. But there's someone singing on the karaoke machine and Maxxie's relaxed from a drink (not that he isn't always pretty relaxed) and there's enough small talk going on around him that he doesn't notice

[highf]

His smile widens as soon as Maxxie raises his hands in surrender. Some people might say that it's all about the chase, that a game isn't a game well won unless both people end up breathless, spent, but Kurt is more than happy to take an easy victory when it's offered to him, especially when it comes as the result of careful work on his end. He's been keeping his gaze out for Maxxie ever since the assignment (even before, if he's to be honest), and there's no small amount of pride on his end when he's able to get within that arm's reach. Usually, Kurt feels, it's him who ends up inadvertently meeting the blond's gaze, flushing at the mere sight of it.

The last detail hasn't changed even now, though Kurt feels that for once, he can probably blame it on the alcohol.

But he lets out a gasp of surprise when Maxxie gives chase, even laughs under his breath before he starts after the blond again- games like this might not be Kurt's forte, but he'll be damned if he gives up before giving it his all. "You're only prolonging the inevitable!"

[halfscarlet]

The moment Billy walks into the Hub, he feels under dressed (despite his attempt at dressing up by throwing on a black dress jacket over his go to red button up shirt and black pants). The fact that the Hub has carpeting makes it feel more into the party spirit than he does, and wonders if he should just give up planning Tony's birthday all together.

Or maybe just convince Kurt to help him out.

The color theme makes him feel right at home, and while he won't go anywhere near the karaoke machine that Kurt is currently mastering, there's food and good company to enjoy.

And the hope that he won't get a water balloon in the face before he completely and utter fails at his assassination target.

[highf]

Acutely aware of every single person who steps into the Hub, Kurt's expression lights up when he sees Billy enter. The problem with a joint birthday party is, of course, that his and Santana's circles don't wholly align or overlap, leaving more than a few people who arrive as complete strangers to Kurt. It's been easier, once Kurt quickly resigns himself to the fact that he just can't be the most attentive of hosts to every person who walks in, but to say that seeing Billy isn't a relief would certainly be a lie.

Relief that quickly turns into amusement upon seeing the outfit that Billy wears, one that has him practically blending into the Hub, and Kurt finds himself practically beaming as he rushes on over before he loses sight of the other boy altogether.

"Seeing your choice of outfit, I think I'm just going to have to go with 'great minds think alike,'" he annouces with a grin.

[halfscarlet]

"Really?" Pleased to see that Kurt approves -- he's barely been around for that long but he's already made outfits that had no business looking good work -- Billy beams back at him, holding his arms out briefly. "Red is my favorite color and it's kind of the best dress shirt I have, so...I'll count myself lucky."

[highf]

"Red is the single color that I would wear without any hesitation," Kurt replies in turn, glancing up approvingly when Billy holds out both arms, glad to see that the shirt has, at least, been kept in good condition. Having a go-to outfit isn't such a bad thing when the look is at least a classic one, and each article of clothing kept clean and pressed. "It looks good on almost every complexion, save perhaps for redheads, but even they have the benefit of being bold and almost ironic, the few times they slip into something red. And if cherry doesn't work, they can always opt for something deeper, closer to maroon. Point is, red's always good in my book."

Tilting his head, Kurt raises his hand to his chin in consideration. "Although really, if tihs is the best dress shirt you have, I get the feeling both of us should be spending some time at the box. At least, I'm sure, for the many Halloween parties I'm anticipating."

[vestalstone]

Pierrette hadn't really known what to make of it, having never been invited to a party in her entire life. She stood just off from the doorway, her shiny black shoes pressed primly together and her arms drawn in close with her bundle clutched protectively before her. The glossy leaves of the sapling curled charmingly, small and diminutive in the earthenware pot which housed it. She had picked this tree specifically, as even young and flowerless it held a waxy shine and the dark green of the foliage danced in the light, something aesthetically lovely she suspected he may appreciate. The invitation had said presents were not necessary, but she felt a sort of obligation to Kurt, regardless if she had brought nothing for the friend he celebrated with.

Slowly easing through the crowd, Pierrette raised up on tip toes to peek around strangers to find her host, the lace of her dress sliding against skin and tickling as she waded further into the room. The excitement she felt intrigued her, a giddiness which bubbled in her belly and rose high

[tooktheblack]

Jon didn't know most of the people at this party but he'd come on Kurt's behalf, since he considered the other young man a friend and a help since arriving on the island. The girl was someone who was new and she was striking, both because of her beauty and her small, delicate frame.

"Are you a friend of Kurt's or of Santana? I don't know the latter, I'm afraid."

He was still a little awkward in the suit of clothes he'd donned to be in black tie dress and wanted his leathers but he could make it through one party. He still wished he'd paid a little more attention to Sansa, though, to know what to do.

[vestalstone]

Though she was comfortable with her skin as it was, and even cherished her uncanny resemblance to her mother, there were many a time where Pierrette wished she could converse with a person without having to stretch her neck or gaze passively at a man's midsection. She hummed a little, the stranger a young man of favorable appearance and raised her head to meet his face. He was handsome, in a way that was less refined and polished than most of the patrons of the bar. She found herself reminded of home, of boys like Marcus Bertram

[tooktheblack]

"I'm Jon Snow," Jon offered, bowing slightly. He had no idea if she was noble or not and the island didn't seem to recognize titles but it only seemed proper to afford the lady that courtesy. "So now you know two people, our friend Kurt and me."

He tilted his head slightly and gave her a smile, warmer than he was used to. "May I have your name, esteemed lady?"

[phoinikothrix]

Though he had never spent much time in the Hub in the months since his arrival, Francis had never seen it looking quite like this. Walking about the room, a glass of champagne in hand, he had to admire the fact Kurt's insistence on a formal dress code extended even to the venue itself.

"They really ought to keep it like this, don't you think?" he asked the person nearest him.

[artemiodes]

Camilla had joined in this Assassins business with only half an understanding of the rules. There were balloons, and there was attacking people with the balloons, and there was a winner at the end who had bested everyone. The last is the only persuasion she really needs - that and the speedy realization that what this game requires most of all is stealth.

Camilla can do stealth.

It's what she is doing now, placing one faux-timid foot in front of the other as she approaches Francis from behind. She has no intention of making her presence known, of shouting some victory at the last moment as she has seen so many others do. No, instead she creeps up until she is barely a foot away from him, and then throws the balloon hard at the small of his back.

As it bursts, though, she finds herself unable to contain her glee. Camilla giggles breathlessly, hands covering her mouth and shoulders shaking with mirth.

[phoinikothrix]

The sudden, forceful whoomph from behind, coupled a split second later with a chill and spreading damp, is surprise enough to almost make Francis drop his glass. Turning about to face his attacker, his face betrays no shock to see the white-clad and giggling blonde.

"Artemis a-hunting," he quips flatly, smirking. "I should have known."

[artemiodes]

"Then you should have prepared," Camilla shoots back, high-spirited and sharp as the arrows wielded by her self-selected patron saint. "You're dead, Francis." And with that, she winks and flits away.