Gathering: New Year's Eve Gala

[concierge]

The annual Nexus New Year's Eve gala began at 8 in the evening. Too grand to be contained by the lobby or dining hall, the gardens at the front of the hotel were employed, with long strings of white lights forming a twinkling canopy from the front doors all the way to the hedge maze. The weather was temperate and calm, and the night perfectly clear.

Drinks were served at various bars set up throughout the gardens and lobby, with champagne cocktails being the specialty of the night. Wheeling through the crowd was a bartender with golden cart providing warm drinks on the go: Tom and Jerrys, rum punch, negus, and Irish coffee.

Crisply-dressed wait staff wove through the collected guests with an abundance of hors d'oeuvres for all different tastes. The Bistro remained open with a limited selection of items for those who were wanting something more substantial.

Above the front doors was hung a large, gold-rimmed clock counting down the last hours, minutes, and seconds of the current year.

Comments

Milady de Winter (Comtesse de la Fere) - OTA

[aspecialkindofwoman]

The gown that Cinna had made for her is ideal for such a fete. Milady (or Anne, depending on who addresses her) has her hair down, dark curls along one side of her head and neck. Of course, she has a choker to cover the scar on her neck, but she stands tall, her shoulders back. She does so like a celebration. Reaching for a flute of champagne, she's content to watch for the moment, keeping an eye out for those she knows and, of course, for her husband. There is a small part of her that thinks it might be nice to dance with him. Perhaps, that small part thinks, this really is a chance for a new beginning.

Re: Milady de Winter (Comtesse de la Fere) - OTA

[armedagainstlove]

Athos is not the sort of man who enjoys parties. Even before his life had become the shadow of what it had once been, they have resoundingly been loud, increasingly irritating, and filled to excess. Now, however, he has brought on one of these excesses and finds himself at this party for there is alcohol and Anne has ordered a gown.

It is the gown that he is truly there for, because it means she's made an effort. He does not have a flute of champagne, but rather a bottle. "Milady," he greets calmly as he can when presented with such a dress. "I have underprepared for the evening," he notes, in his usual outfit.

Aramis - OTA

[averygoodshot]

For his part, Aramis is looking at this celebration as a new beginning. As a means of moving on. Of moving past the mistakes he's made and finding a new path.

It has become clear that kneeling in his room and praying are not that path. There is drink to be had, camaraderie to be part of, and yes, women to meet. Hence, the Musketeer is here, wearing his full regalia (back to, of course, being a man, thank God). He will happily dip his hat and give a slight bow to any beautiful woman - chivalry, of course! And while the drink that sends bubbles up his nose is not exactly his favorite, a good glass of red wine is and he will drink that as he makes his way among the party-goers.

He is not seeking trouble - that should be stated clearly. However, should trouble find him, well, that is hardly his fault, is it?

Re: Aramis - OTA

[sawny]

"Aye, be sure to be the first one through the door tonight. Tis good luck for a man dark of hair to be the first," Jamie says, grinning at the man who was already deep in his cups. Jamie intended to be deep in his soon enough.

"It's a fine party, isn't it?"

[praiseandglory]

"You're back to your own self!" Porthos congratulates him with a grin, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder without needing to make it lighter than normal.

Matt Murdock - OTA

[matt_murdock]

It's a pretty surreal feeling, Matt thinks, to find himself in the middle of a New Year's Eve bash when it was still fall in the room he just left. He isn't really dressed for it—Couldn't really be dressed for it even if he wanted to—and it's no more his scene than the smooth marble and rich leather of the Smoking Room. But he doesn't let a little classism keep him from the hotel bar, and there's a similar itch to stay at this big, brash party. (It doesn't hurt that there's free drinks.) Everything is bright: The voices, the music, the crimson auras pulsing around the press of bodies. He should hate being in a place so crowded with sounds, but he isn't exactly the average blind guy, and this isn't exactly the average gala.

He pulls the tie free from the collar of his dress shirt, shoves it into his jacket pocket, and dives into the fray.

Re: Matt Murdock - OTA

[legendthatwas]

Martha's had a couple of drinks, and she's feeling pretty good about life, about being here. This party doesn't involve work colleagues or a risk to the hospital's reputation if there's a misstep, so things could really be worse, and she can cut loose.

As much as she ever cuts loose, that is. She's not done irresponsible in a very long time.

Even so, it's complete awkward accident when she turns and bumps into the man with dark glasses, and it only takes half a second for her to realise they're not an affectation. "Oh bollocks," she says, hand going to her mouth. "I'm sorry, mate, I should to w--be more careful."

Re: Matt Murdock - OTA

[magicallystrange]

For all the swirling, maddening, ridiculous tales of the Raven King and the Faeries, he knows well enough to be wary of such magical parties where music is struck and deals are made. Jonathan isn't sure where it is he's found himself, but the people look distinctly different from faeries and it's in this moment of clarity (while pursuing his madness) that he realizes that he's back in the mirror.

Not the King's Roads, though, no. No, this is the Nexus. He must reek of that awful Venetian abode, but he's in the midst of the room and doesn't think using magic to clear it would be quite intelligent, so he begins to traverse it carefully, but he stops all of a sudden, regarding the man before him.

Blind, yes, but aren't there histories upon histories of those without sight being the best seers of all? (Has his madness set in entirely? Has Jonathan Strange truly gone around the bend?) He's lingering for so long that it turns awkward. "Good day," he greets. "Sir. Are you a faerie?"

Re: Matt Murdock - OTA

[alegalsuperhero]

Rachel is getting drunk. There's the problem of not even understanding how she got here on top of the blowup fight with Mike and she's not even remotely in the frame of mind to do anything but drink until she sees stars. Luckily, whatever weirdness is going on seems to have manifested itself in a party and she snags a glass of champagne before heading over to mingle with the other partygoers.

When she sees the guy with sunglasses on, she tips her head toward him and cracks a joke, trying to make herself feel less underdressed and self-conscious. "Anyone ever tell you that wearing sunglasses at night went out in the late 80s?"

She really doesn't have the room to talk, since this guy at least had the decency to put on a suit and she's in a long sweater and slim pants that are perfectly business casual but not so much for a party.

[havecourageandbekind]

Cinderella has never seen something quite like this. The ball at the palace had been very similar but that almost seems like a dream after spending almost a year here in this place.

While she very much misses her prince, she thinks this place is better by far. There's so many worlds to visit and so much opportunity, opportunity that she cannot experience anywhere else. She spends some time eating delicate hors d'oeuvres and flitting from table to table before getting exhausted and taking a bit of air outside.

The garden is beautiful tonight and the stars are bright and Cinderella thinks she's never been happier.

[themadgirl]

Annie couldn't have been more grateful that the hotel staff had let everyone know about the gala well in advance. Her mental and emotional stability had improved by leaps and bounds since she'd first arrived at the Nexus, and being a mother had made her more brave than ever before, but getting caught in a large, loud party would have just been asking for trouble.

Even so, it seemed such a shame to miss out on the night entirely. Before the festivities became too raucous, she'd slipped down one of the back stairs and out into the garden, where she could watch the glitter and merrymaking from a safe distance.

She noticed the girl wandering in the moonlight and smiled. "What a pretty dress," she called out from her place on a shadowed bench. It looked a little like something Cinna might make.

[averygoodshot]

Far be it said that Aramis - the Romantic that he is - lets an opportunity pass to talk to a lovely woman.

He approaches carefully, his hat pressed to his chest. "Madamoiselle," he notes as he approaches. "This is quite the fete, is it not?"

Martha Jones - OTA

[legendthatwas]

Back in London, it was actually New Year's Eve, though 2008, rather than...well, Martha wasn't entirely certain what year it was, back in the hotel, though she assumed she'd figure it out soon enough. As usual, she'd been taken in by the trick of passing through a doorway (this time, the archway to the coat check at the hospital's new year's gala for donors and off-duty staff).

There were, at least, worse ways to get unstuck in time.

"I'm never going to get used to this," she muttered to herself, though she was subconsciously glad she was dressed for the occasion, instead of in jeans, or god forbid, scrubs. Smoothing her hands down the front of her dress, she pulled her coat a little closer around her shoulders and took an Irish coffee before stepping out into the garden.

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[sawny]

Jamie has been in this strange place for nigh upon a year but this is the first time he's seen the old year go out and the new come in. He's dressed in a Fraser plaid for the first time in a long while and isna looking over his shoulder for redcoats. It's a good night.

He takes a drink and goes outside, damn near running into the dark woman in the garden. "Begging pardon, miss. I'm too concerned with my ale and less concerned with my manners."

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[trulyoracular]

Olaf is vaguely aware there's a new year coming on. It's the type of oracle thing that lives in the back of his head and overrides the drugs at all times. Passing of time and anniversaries are indelibly sort of etched in his eighty-plus year old brain, no matter how much LSD tries to undo it.

He's not really intending to bump into Martha today, but he's pleased he has, grinning as he finds her in the garden. In shorts and a t-shirt, he definitely isn't dressed for the occasion, but he'll make do. "You're making the stars jealous," he warns teasingly.

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[sixsciencecredits]

The night was temperate, though Darcy still looked up at Martha from beneath the hem of her knit hat. Currently she was about four drinks in, and her glasses were sitting slightly crooked on her face as she sat down her glass and made a square with her fingers, as if framing the other woman for a picture.

"Hey there," she said, grinning. "You look fancy."

[tooktheblack]

Jon had been to a great many celebrations of the new year both on the island and now here in the hotel. There were a few things he understood to be tradition - kissing at the turn of the new year, drinking a toast, shooting off fire. He had no one to kiss this year but he decided he wasn't going to let that bother him. No, he would be going to the party alone and intended to have a good time of it, even if it was not normally his sort of thing.

He dressed in modern clothes for once, though still fairly dark. He would not be wearing one of the suits common among men or anything of bright color, as it did not seem like him. Perhaps he was no longer a man of the Night's Watch but he could not forsake everything.

He had a spindly glass of some light wine, something that bubbled, and he had no idea what to call it. He felt at loose ends. He recognized most everyone present but was terrible at small talk so, instead, he drank his bubbly wine and simply watched the others.

[not_lost]

The night's still young and Fiona's only had a couple of cocktails — The Gallagher equivalent of a sip of lite beer. She isn't feeling anything yet, and is considering whether it isn't time to switch the champagne for something harder when she spies a guy who physically looks at complete odds with the awkward way he's hovering on the edges of the party like the world's most smoldering wallflower. Maybe it's just too early yet for him to be screwing girls in stairwells or something.

"You waiting on someone?" she asks as she slides up beside him, drink in hand.

[nebaritralk]

Chiana stopped by Jon's side, dressed in shades of dark grey herself, rather than any black. She grinned at him. "Where's Ghost?" Of course that would be her first question; she loves that beast.

[theprodigaldoctor]

If there's one thing he's come to love about the Nexus, it's the way it subverts time completely. Chase can be here for the party, enjoy a leisurely lie-in, spend the whole next day relaxing, and still go back and work the New Years' shift at the hospital and bank some money. He can even do it well-rested and refreshed, which is more than he could ever hope for before.

What he intends to do with the money, now that's another story, but right now he's managed to clean up in a decent sport coat and pair of slacks, enjoying a party and getting ready to relive the night a few days from now, for work's sake.

[only_hope]

Obi-Wan normally dressed in robes and tunics but he had learned over the past year or so just how to dress in the normally-accepted fashion in the Nexus and chose to tonight. He has on a suit with a bright blue shirt, open at the collar, but no tie. It wasn't something he felt looked right on him and he wasn't about to ask Chase to help him tie it and embarrass himself in the process.

Seeing Chase, he took a drink and sidled up behind him, arm slipping around his waist and catching his hip lightly. "You look wonderful, you know."

Harvey Specter - OTA

[notgivingyourmoneyback]

So, he'd managed to find a way out (accidentally) of the Nexus and back home, which was nice, especially when he learned that time hadn't moved all that much and he was right back where he'd left off. That part was pretty cool. What was less cool was when he was on the way to the men's room and ended up back at the Nexus. As it turns out, that was right in time for New Year's Eve at the Nexus.

Dressed in a stylish tux, he arrived at the party, got himself a drink and found himself wandering about the grounds.

Re: Harvey Specter - OTA

[alegalsuperhero]

Rachel is not dressed for this party. She's dressed for work, which is appropriate enough for most settings, but she really wishes she was in a little black dress instead of a sweater and a pair of slim trousers. At least her shoes are sky-high and expensive, one of the few treats she's allowed herself lately.

A few minutes ago, she'd been leaving her apartment to go to Donna's for the night and as soon as she'd stepped through the door, she'd wound up in the halls of this hotel. Now she's in the middle of a NYE party only it's not anywhere near New Years' at home. God. She's lost it.

...and Harvey's here in a tux.

"Harvey? Where...what's going on? Where is this place?"

[burdenofproof]

He's scruffy and still wearing his long coat when he walks into the party, his eyes a touch red from persistent insomnia, but for all that Luther is feeling as relaxed as he can in any such situation. Almost pleasant.

In a cursory search there is no appearance of anyone he recognizes and, feeling the heat of the room rather uncomfortably beneath his coat, he takes it off to hang it and the accompanying scarf on a nearby chair. He's not opposed to sitting alone and drinking, God knew he did that often enough, though that surprisingly isn't what his mood is calling for today.

Slipping both hands into his pockets and working to not ball them into their habitual fists, he makes his way toward the fella pushing the shiny gold cart and orders himself an Irish coffee.

[nebaritralk]

"What's Irish about it?" Chiana asked curiously, having heard the order. She knows what coffee is and then some, by now, although she doesn't understand the fascination with it. But Irish? It rings a faint bell, but she can't tell which. She's going to blame the fizzy wine; she's a good twenty drinks into the party, and starting to feel a buzz.

Porthos du Vallon - OTA

[praiseandglory]

Porthos was never one to miss a party, and this was no exception. He was also one to pay a lot of attention to his appearance, and his doublet was his finest here, his hat perfectly poised on his head, and his sword perfectly clean at his waist.

By the end of the evening, he was fairly certain a donkey had stolen his hat, his doublet had been forgotten on the back of a chair - but at least his sword was still by his side. Even a very drunk Porthos had some standards, it seemed.

Re: Porthos du Vallon - OTA

[notthewoman]

"Well, don't you cut a dashing figure," Jamie said, smiling as she came up beside the man who had quite obviously drowned the better part of his evening in the abundant alcohol at the party and still had ready access to a weapon. She quite liked his scar and his mussed and curly hair, and was feeling curiously convivial aside. "Are you enjoying your evening?"

Chiana - OTA

[nebaritralk]

Chiana likes the parties best. It's easy to snurch things off people while they're inebriated and distracted, but that's not even the thing, here. She doesn't need to steal much here, to survive, so she can relax and just enjoy the party. Her corset and matching asymmetrical skirt show her off and she knows just how she looks, her pants and boots betraying her true priority: being comfortable (enough to run, if need be).

She has a smile for everyone whose eyes she meets, and she thinks to herself that this human need to throw parties for any and every reason is a very welcome one.

[notgivingyourmoneyback]

Harvey got to dig out his tux and he has a drink. He's having a pretty good time so far.

He catches one of her smiles and lifts his glass with a nod to her from across the way a bit.

Grey - Cinna and OTA

[silenttrainbaby]

As always, Cinna knows exactly what Grey can wear and still be comfortable, not fidgeting too much. His suit is loose and flowing, but the material is soft against Grey's skin. It allows him to stand and get to the words on his chest or arms if he needs to, or to the notepad he now carries in a pocket to communicate.

Even here, there seem to be parties. This is one of the fancier ones. He's already had one glass of sweet wine; enough for his head to buzz just a bit. He flips his head just a little, getting his bangs out of his eyes and watches people. Just as his lover had promised, there are familiar faces here, but if those eyes land on him, they do so without recognition. It makes Grey feel a little sad, it's true, but he has Cinna. That's what matters. If he is not with Cinna, he is on his way to or from him. They are never very far apart.

[designerebel]

Cinna has put the material and the subsequent sewing machine to good use. And of course, anything he makes for Grey has to be easy access to the words on his skin and easy to maneuver in should the unexpected happen and such be needed. There are even a few slots for knives if they come across any eventually. Cinna thinks he looks absolutely unique and handsome tonight. Cinna likes all things and people unique. Cinna loves Grey.

For himself, Cinna has stuck with what he knows. He has yet to make himself anything unique by the Capitol's standards. Instead, he's in his usual dress shirt with fitted vest, open at the collar and slacks and dress shoes. He feels dressed up and comfortable. He keeps a glass of wine in his hand, something with a rose hue that is sweet but not too sweet. He'll be sipping at wine all night. Cinna does enjoy drinking now and then, especially wine. His nails are painted black and of course he wears his token golden liner.

He's so happy to have Grey by his side. When they're together he keeps their hands clasped and sometimes, like right now, his lips find Grey's cheek, brow and lips. "You look absolutely wonderful tonight. Did they celebrate the new year on the train?"