Gathering: Halloween Gala

[concierge]

A large, decorative sign situated prominantly in the lobby reads:

The Nexus Hotel
proudly presents its
ANNUAL HALLOWEEN GALA

Formal Reception
Nexus Dining Hall
6 PM - Midnight

Monster Mixer
Nexus Basement
8 PM - 2 AM

Masquerade attire recommended for all guests

Most of the chairs have been removed from the Dining Hall to allow for ballroom-style dancing to the orchestra set up on the far end of the room. A polished cherry wood open bar is aligned along one wall. The adjacent Bistro is open for the duration of the formal reception, serving gourmet hors d'oeuvres.

Downstairs, the basement's largest storeroom has been converted into a spooky nightclub, complete with DJ, dance floor and cocktails.

Comments

[malachai]

"That may very well be the best news I've had in a very long time." The smile that bloomed across Nick's face was one he hadn't felt years. He held out his hand to her, "still friends?"

[legendthatwas]

The smile made Martha smile too, and she laughed softly as she reached out and shook Nick's hand, firmly. "Definitely still friends," she agreed.

[malachai]

Nick kept her hand for a few moments longer than required for a simple handshake and his thumb brushed the back, just above her knuckles. There was a jolt in his gut, a small spike to his pulse, but not a whisper of the darkness that had reared its head during their dance. "Friends it is. And I still owe you a dance."

[legendthatwas]

Martha's eyes crinkled in amusement--pleasure, perhaps--at the corners, at the brush of his thumb. "I'd say we could hold fire on it for a bit, seeing as you're all--"

She gestured up and down at Nick, who was a bit sweaty and disheveled from all the punching. "But I don't really mind if we do."

[malachai]

"Seeing as I'm going to start smelling like the worst part of a back alley any minute now?" Nick finished for her, eyes twinkling with the smile.

He kept his hand in hers since she made no move to pull it away and decided to really go for the reckless thing. He brought her hand up and brushed a feather light kiss above her knuckles. "I'd rather wait until I'm not borderline offensive. Might even score a second dance if I do."

[legendthatwas]

"You haven't seen some of the back alleys I've known. I doubt you'd smell quite that rank." Martha grinned wryly, then winked at Nick as he pulled up from the kiss--a bit of Southern American gentleman, she supposed, and let him do it, though she let go a moment or two after. "Sounds like a plan. Plenty of holidays out there for galas."