Post-Election Party

[broken_brushes]

The latest round of Island Council elections were finished, and I once again had the job of posting the results to the Compound bulletin board:
Tabula Rasa Island Council - Term 12

General RepresentativesShari Cooper

Comments

[markedformore]

It's disappointing that the citizens don't know a good thing when they see one. While Erik is aware that the choices are logical, he's displeased that Charles' name isn't on the list -- being the only one that Erik cared to vote for and the only one Erik would ever trust. He stands at the party, now, in judgment of those elected.

He doubts anything they do will elevate them in his eyes to the standing that Charles holds, but he's willing to offer a very brief trial.

[thebettermen]

While Charles might confess to some disappointment over not having been elected, the biggest emotion he feels for the results is a lack of one. It had been a long shot, running for Council when he was so recently arrived; while his offer to help was made in earnest and the position one he doubtlessly wanted, he cannot exactly blame the population for not voting for him. Perhaps he can prove his worth by the time the next election rolls around, but in the interim, the only fault Charles can find amongst those elected is that he doesn't stand among them, which isn't much of a fault at at all.

Upon spotting Erik, however, he's not certain his is an opinion that's shared.

"You could try smiling, you know," says Charles, clapping his friend on the shoulder in greeting. "It is a party."

[markedformore]

"A party to celebrate your loss, in effect," Erik clarifies pointedly. He's aware that there are five victors, but none of them that he trusts and he finds it terribly disappointing. "I'm aware you've been here far less than the others, but they have no idea what you can do," he says, voice descending into a shade quieter in order to share such secrets. "And it's their loss. So, no, Charles, I think I'd like to reserve my smiles."

[thebettermen]

"There will be other opportunities to show them, Erik," says Charles, lifting his glass to take a drink. "I am touched, though, by your confidence. May others share in it should I run again."

[teenagerenegade]

These parties have become part of the routine, sure as they'll probably be knee deep with snow by the morning. Charlie's always got this sense of apprehension hanging around at this time of year. He gets this ache in the pit of his stomach because of Edmund and how hard it always feels when its cold. And then it's Christmas and he misses his Mom more than ever.

But, for now, for tonight, Charlie Bartlett's enjoying the party.
And what he really, really wants is dancing.

He spins in place and nearly spills his drink all down himself.
Absolutely worth it.

[little_moons]

"Watch it," I laugh, swooping in behind him, my arms hooked around his chest, and falling in to the direction of the spin to keep us both balanced.

"Looks like you're havin' fun."

[teenagerenegade]

"Are you going to dance with me?" asks Charlie, squirming and shifting until he can turn Neil's arms, wrapping his arms around his neck. Anybody else, it might give Edmund something to be pissed off about, but not this.

"You'd better."

[little_moons]

"You know I will," I grin, my hands dropping to rest on his hips. "Can't promise I'm much of a dancer. Same as always."

It's weird, sometimes, realizing how much he's grown up, over the last couple years. He's not really that skinny, goofy looking kid I met two years ago.

"Where's Ed?"

[liliesfromluce]

Luce has set up a sort of franchise-opportunity, as it is. When the results had been announced, she'd taken a table, a great deal of her wares, and started to braid together leis at the party in the corner. She's pleased with the results, she really is, and she wants to make her mark. Not everyone might want to celebrate in the same fashion, but she thinks that she'd like to. So, the first thing she does is slip a brilliantly-pink highlighted lei around her own neck, getting comfortable as the party grows around her.

[246th]

With Alfie put down to nap in the Children's Office, Martha is taking the opportunity to enjoy wearing a cocktail dress for the first time since London. Whens he sees Luce, she makes a beeline, bending over the table to study the lei. Bright curls spill forward. She tucks her hair behind her ear.

"Those are beautiful, Luce. Can I?"

[liliesfromluce]

"Please," Luce encourages with an eager look on her face. "If you have time, I'll make you something a little more personal that'll go with your dress?" She likes the party and the environment, but there's little of her that actually needs to celebrate the day. She'd rather keep busy.

[246th]

"The baby's down for a while - I've got nothing but time," says Martha, sliding into a chair and leaning her chin into her hand as she watches Luce. "What're you going to make me?"

[haolehothead]

The first thing Danny does when he sees the name on the list is head to the Council office and take back his from the running of the open spots. The second thing he does is have a small period in which he crows mentally in victory. The third thing? He grabs a black t-shirt that's a shade too tight at the shoulders, a pair of khakis and sandals, and changes into those before heading to the party to celebrate the fact that his own emotionally-stunted Navy SEAL did it.

Drink in hand, it's hard for Danny to subdue the smug smile and so he doesn't.

[angriestman]

"You look so proud, it's kind of sickening," says Raylan, grinning as he comes to lean beside Danny, a drink of his own in hand. He touches the brim of his hat, nudging it further back on his head as he sips his drink.

"Somehow, I don't think me and Rach have got a similar occasion in our future."

[haolehothead]

"Yeah, well, what can I say? I got a noble SEAL of a guy, if he's not doing this kind of work, then he's wasting his time." Danny doesn't think too hard about how much he sounds like his mother at that exact moment. "And hey, don't say that. I think you'd be good on a Council."

[angriestman]

"I think I've done my time bein' responsible," says Raylan, rolling his shoulder and taking a swallow from his glass. "And now I'm going to settle into being a daddy and see how that suits me."

[off_the_grid]

Quorra still wasn't entirely sure she understood a lot of the island traditions, but she did like parties. She definitely liked the food, and the lights, and the rumblings about the potential impending change in the weather.

She on the ground, leaning against the wall of the compound, and looked up at the sky as though she expected something to come down at any moment.

[1000_cranes]

"Beautiful, isn't it?" says Charlie, stepping in beside her and looking up at the sky. She arches an eyebrow and glances over. "If you're waiting for the snow, it's a little early yet. Should be here by morning, though. That seems to be one weird thing that never changes."

She swirls the light skirt of her dress around her legs.

"Better enjoy it while we can."

[off_the_grid]

"It was snowing when I first came here," said Quorra. "Everyone says it will come back, but I'm not sure I understand how or why. It's been so warm for such a long time."

Quorra wanted to understand how these things worked, but nobody seemed to be able to explain it.

[1000_cranes]

"Sometimes, there's no rhyme or reason to this place, honey," says Charlie, wrapping her arms around her, despite how warm it is. "My little girl was born in the snow. I died in the snow, once. Sometimes, it's like being in a fairytale."