-Overflow- for 24 - Autumn Reception

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Autumn Reception
When: September 30, 6 PM
Where: The Gods' Meeting Hall
Summary: The Heavens are throwing a formal party! Old and new gods alike are invited, so put on your nicest outfits and some good dancing shoes, and come see what this shindig is all about.

Continuing from HERE!

Comments

[sing_for_me]

[ She was about to comment on the bribery when he changed tactics. How could she stay ‘upset’ when he was acting nicely? She resigns herself and shakes her head.]

Alright, alright. Do people even do this anymore?

[Alex refers to the gesture.]

[futhark]

A true shame if they don't. [ It's a nice gesture- all kind of kisses are, but hey, this one is pretty neutral as far as kisses go. Can be affectionate, can be a sign of respect- all is left to interpretation ]

Sometimes a bit of old-fashioned can be a good thing, no?

[sing_for_me]

[And because of the number of interpretations, and because it was Cú, Alex will take it as a neutral one.]

Are you talking about the gesture or yourself?

[futhark]

[ No luck again, insert sad face. He lets go of her hand with just a tad of linger ]

The gesture, initially. But I suppose it fits both.

[ He's adapting pretty well to the times, he's almost ALMOST up to speed! ]

[sing_for_me]

[The tips of her finger catches onto his for a moment before letting him slip away. It was kind of fun being on the other end of the joke.]

Mm, but you're a lot more relaxed compared to other old-fashioned men.

[Honestly, if he wore more casual and decent looking clothing, he'd fit right in with how he was.]

[futhark]

Or they're just not old-fashioned enough!

[ Wearing that actually-over-2000-years-old proudly ]

Should I fetch you a drink before round two? [ His throat does feel a little dry, so he'd grab some for himself too ]

[sing_for_me]

[She's a little unsure about that..but she won't comment.]

Oh, I'm fine. I'll wait here.

[Alex tried not to think too hard about it, but she wondered if something was off. Had she maybe teased him too much? It seemed like he had gone from wanting to dance to finding an exit strategy.]

[futhark]

[ She doesn't have to wait long, because he just teleports hiself out to the main room, grabs two glasses and returns the same way in a blink- ]

There- [ The content is a surprise even to him. Might be juice, might be alcohol ] How about a toast to something good, and then the next song is ours.

[ The current one is kind of complicated dance he didn't yet caught up to- which is a shame because being more energetic it did look like a lot of fun ]

[sing_for_me]

[Ah, really...and she said she was fine without one. Still, Alex takes the glass with a grateful nod.]

Something good? Mm...[She took a moment to think about it, looking down at her drink thoughtfully before looking back at him.] To good company?

[Alex was a little bashful about saying that, but she meant it. Despite his teasing and childishness, she was very grateful to have him around. Honestly, she still didn't know why he bothered hanging around her, but the his presence always lightened the mood. Cú made it easier to not think of the dark things lurking in the corners. So really, he was more than just good company, but Alex didn't know what to call it just yet.]

[futhark]

Sure, I will gladly make a toast to your name.

[ Sorry, Alex, you walked right into that one. While getting what she meant, and the fact that she considers him a good company, does warm his hand, he's also quick to shift the focus off him onto her. She is an incredibly good company. ]

To a first friend, I found in this place. [ He raises his glass and stares pointedly at her. "Friends" is good enough, even if he wouldn't mind moving past that.

But yeah, friend is really, really good. ]

[sing_for_me]

[Except Caster didn’t realize what even the label of friend meant to Alex. She’s quite literally taken aback, confusion, shock mixed in with flustered.]

Eh..? Y-you consider me a..? [And his first at that?]

But..But I....[What even qualified her for that? Alex wasn’t sure. She hadn’t been called a friend or had one in who knows how many years. There were people she would have liked to call her friend, but that would have been presumptous of her. It was something that stuck to her even here in the Heavens.]

[futhark]

[ There are two scenarios he can take it from here. Joke/be serious that if she wants more than that, he's totally available, or interpret that he's assuming too much.

Guess which he takes. ]

Ah, did I just overstep my bounds? [ Have a sad-puppy face. He's not risking a pout and annoyed Alex again. At this second, at least. ]

[sing_for_me]

[The look on his face made her heart sting, and she immediately jumped in to try and fix that.]

N-no! That’s not..I didn’t mean..you didn’t..! [Alex tried her best to be convincing, but there were still hints of hesitation in her voice. Just not for the reasons Caster assumed. Her eyes fell down to her glass where her fingers were already fidgeting over the neck of it.] I just didn’t think...that you’d consider me as...

[Friendship was a luxury denied her for who knows how many years. Barry never allowed her to spend time with people outside of work, and no one wanted to associate with her because of her job. Even after she met Worrick and Nicolas, Alex wasn’t even sure they were even that. Despite everything they had been through, in the end, Alex didn’t really know them. Even Connie, who was the closest one to maybe being a friend...well, that didn’t last long either.

Alex had been convinced that she just wasn’t someone who could have friends, as much as she wanted to. Someone like Caster though, as bright and warm as he was, he would. And maybe it wasn’t so far off that he would think of her as one. He was kind like that. But Alex wasn’t sure she fit in that circle. For someone like that to want to be friends with someone like her... She couldn’t be that lucky.]

[futhark]

[ Okay, he drops the sad face. He didn't think she will take it so seriously. But friends and bonds ARE a serious thing, no matter how many joke you throw along with it. ]

As a friend? Why wouldn't I? [ He takes her free hand and intertwines her fingers with his. Wouldn't mind more than that, but he gets a hunch it might not be best time to say that aloud. Things like these are best to be said when they can pass as a joke- and jokes right now would ruin the moment. ]

If the feeling is mutual, this will make me the happiest man at the party.

[ For that short time before everything collapses in fire around him! ]

[sing_for_me]

[His hand is warm, but it could also just be that feeling when one hears something as touching as that.]

It's just..[Her eyes lift up to look at him, uncertain, but very much tempted to finally cross that line. Was it really okay? To accept his friendship, to feel worthy of that, and no be afraid to lose it or mess it up somehow?]

I...If that's okay with you..I'd like that.. [As she said this, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, the tips of her fingers pressing lightly against his skin to acknowledge him.]

[futhark]

[ Such a tiny act of intimacy, yet given the context so incredibly important. If this was a shoujo manga they would get all the appropriate sparkles and flowers around. ]

There we go, the curse is done, friends forever. Now you're stuck with me. [ His tone is light, but not mocking. It's not a contract, nor an oath, but certainly feels like one. Ah, she really dug a hole in his heart and just sneaked in there somewhere ]

For as long as you want, of course.

[sing_for_me]

I'm fine with that.

[She chuckles softly as she squeezes his hand, almost like he would disappear the moment she loosened her grip. But she trusted him..and he had a way of making it seem like things would be alright . Almost like a superpower. That same ability had saved her many times now, after all.]