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.

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?

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.

[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.

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: 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."

[matt_murdock]

Matt reaches an instinctive hand out to steady her, firm fingers against the curve of her shoulder. Beneath the slick fabric of her dress, she's impressively well-built for somebody so small.

"I thought that was my line," he jokes, his mouth hitching into a lop-sided smile. "Did you spill your drink?"

[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.

[legendthatwas]

"Fortunately, I've managed to avoid that particular catastrophe," Martha quips in response, glad she's still got that set of skills at the very least. The alcohol means she's not entirely turned off her diagnostic brain, so the ease with which he catches her means she's parsing level and length of impairment, not that that matters.

"Sorry about that," she adds, again, superfluously. "I swear I'm not that drunk."

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?"

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: 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: Martha Jones - OTA

[legendthatwas]

Martha catches her drink before it spills, though it's nearly time for a refill anyway, though she pauses before she takes a fresh sip. The Scotsman is in full regalia, kilted and the like (and Martha is not going to ask him about his underwear, she is not), so a moment or two of appreciation is required.

Just for a moment, though, and a smile; she's not rude.

"No worries," she says, and it's like taking off a coat, somehow, speaking to someone who's at least from the same island--even if it's the other end of it. Words come easier, a little. "It's the kind of night where we're all pretty much in the same boat."

[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.

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[sawny]

"Aye, it is that. Always liked the end of the year. Sweep away the old, bring in the new." It's always a big to do in Scotland anyway and hearing someone from his part of the world, even if it is a sassenach, is nice.

"I'm James Fraser, miss. At your service," he says, dipping his head a bit in deference to her. "But ye can call me Jamie, if ye like."

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.

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

[legendthatwas]

Fortunately, this man--Jamie, it seems--has an accent that's easily understood (she's met the occasional Scot that was beyond her, with a registrar from Paisley being particularly memorable).

"Good to meet you, Jamie," she says, extending a hand with a nod of her own. "I'm Martha. Dr Martha Jones if I'm in trouble, but I'm hoping I'm not at the moment?" She can't help but grin a little, and if she's trying to be charming, well. He's nice-looking, and she's pretty sure most blokes from Scotland know exactly what appeal their national dress has on ladies south of Hadrian's Wall.

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[legendthatwas]

"You're too damn kind," Martha replies with a brief teasing flash of her own. "It's good to see you," she adds, and she's had enough liquor that the idea of giving him a rub of the head seems like a good plan, but not enough to actually go through with it.

Not, for that matter, that Olaf seems to be the kind of guy who minds.

[havecourageandbekind]

"Oh, thank you," Cinderella says, turning around so she can address the girl who spoke properly. It's so difficult to put names and faces together in the blur of a party and she's glad that she's gotten away for a moment.

"I worked really hard to get it ready for the party. I was afraid I would run out of time," she admits. "I'm so glad you like it."

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[sawny]

"Aye, no trouble. A doctor, ye say? Are all sassenach women doctors?" Jamie almost adds 'in the modern era' but he doesna know when this woman is from or if she knows about time travel and the like. The things he talks about with Claire aren't exactly things he talks about with anyone else.

"Because I know another lass who's a sassenach and a doctor, mighty fine one at that."

[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.

[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.

Re: Martha Jones - OTA

[legendthatwas]

As it happens, Jamie's found one of those hotel folk who do know about these things, though Martha's experiences with time travel...vary somewhat in their nature and general level of pleasantness. (She'd be more than happy to never see London in the 60s ever again.)

She's not entirely familiar with sassenach but gathers from context more of the meaning and grins. "Not all of us, some though. Enough of us. I'm sure there're loads in Scotland as well, you just happen to be running into the best England has to offer." This is, admittedly, accompanied by a self-deprecating smile and a wink. "Do you know what she specialises in? Now, if it's the same as me, that'd just get strange."

[tooktheblack]

It took Jon a moment to realize the woman was talking to him. She was a lovely thing, slender and bright eyed, but it had been so long since he'd talked to a woman other than in passing that it left him a little dumbfounded.

"Oh, no, not really. I'm not in your way, am I? I can move." He wished Ghost was here. At least the direwolf would give him something to talk about so he wasn't groping for something to say.