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

[not_lost]

"Just my youngest brother," Fiona replied. "He's two. I tried with my best friend and my sister, but it didn't work, and eventually people just start thinking you're nuts, trying to pull them through random doors. I talked to the front desk people, I guess only getting little kids through is common, which I think is weird, but at least I can avoid leaving him alone."

[rangerbecket]

Raleigh tries to imagine what it might be like to have Yancy back for half a second before it's too painful to contemplate. He thinks he was better off when he had no hope at all.

"Good, it's not just me then. Do you bring the little guy often? Or just the couple times as an experiment?"

[not_lost]

"Not that often, because I work," Fiona replied with a shake of her head. "Mostly it's because I'm paranoid. Every time I go back home, no time has passed at all, but if there isn't somebody else there to watch him, I don't know. My big sister instinct just won't let me leave him like that."

Raleigh's interest in her family seemed genuine, which was… well, not weird, really, but inconvenient. The acknowledgment that Fiona's life existed beyond their mutual attraction was nice, maybe too nice, and set off an alarm in her brain. Things were easier when kept simple, and she may have appreciated the gesture a little too much.

"Hey," she abruptly continued, and flicked a glance toward the door. "You wanna get out of here?"

[rangerbecket]

"What? Sure, yeah, absolutely," Raleigh says. He's a little surprised she's making the overture, if only because he's never been good with women and especially not lately. Besides, there hasn't been time with the end of the world to contemplate anything.

"Lead the way."