Midsummer Bash

[puppy_lancer]

Characters: Lancer, the people he invited to the party, and everyone else who wants to stumble in
Setting: Floor 25, July 5, afternoon
Format: Open
Summary: Lancer throws a party for midsummer, since the Tower obviously needs a breather.
Warnings: None so far.

[To be honest, Lancer wanted to have the party in the evening, sometime around twilight. That would have been the most romantic time for it. Unfortunately, when in the Tower, one had to account for things like monsters. As a result, he had to hold it during the afternoon. But it wasn't too bad of a compromise.]

[This was, of course, a more simple affair than Diarmuid's birthday. For food, he had hauled a couple of tables up here and lined the table with dinner food. The centerpiece was a cake which had a heart drawn on it in red frosting. In one corner of the meadow, he had used some boxes and tarp to make some sort of booth where people could hide from the sun (and steal kisses off of each other). In the center of the meadow, he had piled a large stack of wood, perfect for lighting a bonfire by the party's end. The structures had all been surrounded with wreaths made from the meadow's flowers.]

[As soon as he's done with the setup, Lancer will sit down next to the firewood pile, waiting for people to come.]

Comments

[marriedthebloke]

...

[Well, color this Englishwoman surprised. Sola-ui had stumbled into the party on this floor, and quickly retreated into the safety of the booth set up.]

Y-yes. It is pretty hot.

[silencetoreason]

[Oh, is that an English accent? France takes note right away. Granted, he's a little nervous about messing with English people knowing that England is already probably furious with him, but he pushes those thoughts to the back of his mind. No use dwelling on stuff like that at a party.]

It's really a struggle to keep myself clothed, you know? [He tosses his hair over his shoulder and chuckles.] A party on a floor with a body of water would have been nice. There is a pool somewhere around here, right?

[marriedthebloke]

There are sources of water on other floors, but...

[She shakes her head.]

I cannot testify to their safety.

[silencetoreason]

That's a common phrase here, it seems. [France gives a labored sigh.] But, no matter. I don't want to think about all the things that could go wrong, hmm?

[He looks her up-and-down, then his eyes land on her face. He raises his eyebrows and smiles, simultaneously smug and flirtatious.]

Let us focus on the positive. For example, the wonderful atmosphere, the even better company... [With a pointed look at her.] It's all coming together nicely, n'est-ce pas?

[marriedthebloke]

Well, the company certainly is lively...

[She notices him looking at her.]

Is...there something on my face?

[silencetoreason]

[That elicits a chuckle from France. Whether she's being naive or deliberately obtuse, it's all the same to him: both can be endearing.]

No, there isn't. [He takes this time to sidle up closer to her. If she doesn't move, they'll be shoulder-to-shoulder.] I was simply stricken by your beauty, my dear.

[marriedthebloke]

[She leans away from him.]

I'm quite married, I'll have you know.

[silencetoreason]

[Oh, merde, every time--

France sighs, smile still in place, and takes a step back. He's not lucking out when it comes to romance in this tower, that's for sure.]

Ah, I'm sorry, mademoiselle. I really should be more sharp-eyed...

[He glances down at her left hand in search of a ring. Careless.]

[marriedthebloke]

[Sadly, she had been taken into the Tower shortly after finishing up her housework. Therefore, there is no ring on her finger.]

I doubt you'd find an unmmarried woman my age.

[Even if she looks younger than she actually is.]

[silencetoreason]

[France doesn't bother commenting on the lack of a ring. If anything, it only makes him feel more justified in his earlier decision to hit on her.]

At your age? [He raises an eyebrow like he can't believe what he's hearing.] Surely you cannot be that old.

And besides... [He gestures grandly with both arms.] Married, unmarried, what does it matter? I don't expect anyone to marry by a certain age. Love can be shared no matter what, no?

[marriedthebloke]

I have raised two children, and been married for almost twenty years.

[Sideeyeing France so hard.]

Love is shared between family and friends. We are neither.

[silencetoreason]

[She's so cold that France very nearly shivers. For a second, his smile falters, but he goes back to being peppy almost immediately.]

Oh... You look so much younger than that. [He forces out a somewhat uneasy laugh.] Euhh- Well, my da- Er, madame... Why don't we get acquainted?

[He holds out his hand.]

I'm Francis.

[marriedthebloke]

[She stares at the hand for a long time, and then slowly extends her hand and gives him a quick handshake.]

I am Sola-ui Archibald El Melloi.