Everyone raise your glasses!

[thenormalsquint]

When; Evening of Tuesday, August 13th
Rating; PG-13, at best. Angela's on her best behavior tonight.
Characters; It's Ginny's birthday party and everybody Ginny knows was invited. Let's handwave that and just show up. BTW, IT'S BLACK TIE. PUT ON YOUR SUITS, BOYS.
Summary; There's no legal drinking age in the City, but who says we can't party like there was one anyway?
Log;

This party was four years coming. The restaurant has set aside a large room just for this event and on short notice too. The food is plentiful and of various cuisines, with even a large selection of vegetarian options for those who prefer that. But of course, there is more alcohol than one has ever seen because Angela knows the people she invited and knows quite a few of them have liquor in their veins instead of blood. Rule of thumb: more liquid than solids every time.

Everything's set and ready for the birthday girl to make her appearance, so for the time being, Angela's flitting around the place dressed in more subdued colors than usual, choosing black because no one gets to stand out more than Ginny tonight, and socializing with the few guests that have shown up already.

Sadly, there are no strippers. Ginny nixed that one hard.

Comments

[hexuality]

Jimmy!

[Yes, he gets a hug too. She's hugging everyone. This is the best day ever and it's kind of sad because this time last year, it was her and Percy celebrating their birthdays together, and she wishes that her family was here—but this is her family, these people in the City.]

Thanks for coming!

[trenchknives]

I wouldn't miss this for the world. C'mon, 21's supposed to be a big day, right?

[He hugs her right back, enthusiasm obvious. He's not always great at parties, but this is a party where he knows just about everyone, and he genuinely likes most of them. He can deal with that a whole hell of a lot better than parties back home.]

So, uh, you want your present now, or...?

[hexuality]

That's what I hear!

[See, it's a bit loud but it's intimate all the same because everyone knows everyone or is familiar or introducing themselves and there's no mad curse outside and it's just nice.]

Oh, erm. [She laughs, pushing a hand through her hair and pulling a few curled locks free.] Merlin, whatever you'd like, it's alright. Thank you!

[trenchknives]

Well, I'll just give it to you here.

[He'd worn a tuxedo to her party, and he feels a little overly dressed up, but he smiles and shoves the small, poorly wrapped package at her anyway.]

It's nothin' really, just somethin' that reminded me of you. I dunno if you'll like it. Anyway. Go ahead 'n open it.

[When she does, she'll find a necklace that he'd seen and thought suited her. It's much more in the style of his own time period than hers, maybe, but he's satisfied with the purchase just the same. Hopefully, she will be, too.]

[hexuality]

[Things like jewelry are still things she doesn't treat herself to and rarely in her family. So the fact that she's received a few beautiful pieces tonight is really sort of humbling and touching and when she sees the necklace Jimmy's gotten her, she breaks into a smile.]

It's lovely. [Holding up the pendant, letting it catch the light.] And the colour! [Harry.] Thank you very much, Mr Darmody.

[trenchknives]

I'm glad you like it. I don't know much about this kinda stuff, but I thought the color'd go nice with your hair, y'know? Red 'n green...

[He shrugs, a little sheepishly. He doesn't always put a lot of thought into presents, but this is one that he had done his best on.]

[hexuality]

It is one of my best colours.

[She'd look brilliant in Slytherin robes in a mad, alternate life. But for now, she has Harry's emerald jumper for the winter months and this necklace, she loves it.]

I can't wait to wear it! [And she wraps one arm around him in a hug.] I love it. Are you having fun? You look very dashing.

[trenchknives]

[He wraps an arm around her, too, that big grin returning to his face.]

Yeah, it's a great party. Y'know, I wasn't sure about the tuxedo, but I've had a couple compliments, so I guess it wasn't a bad choice.

[And then he looks her up and down admiringly.]

'n I gotta say, you look pretty damn gorgeous, too.

[hexuality]

Yeah, you wear it really well.

[And then she laughs, colour deepening on her cheeks because she is a Weasley and they blush as easily as breathing.]

Thanks. I mean, I'll admit it, I do like dressing up once in a while. It's nice. [To look done up, to enjoy yourself.] I'm just glad everyone's having fun. Especially after how mad the weekend's been.

[trenchknives]

Yeah, this weekend was...

[He shakes his head, laughing.]

Well. I wasn't cursed, but seein' everyone who was... that was impressive, even for the City.

[hexuality]

[She was attacked and kidnapped by her best friend who thought he was a pirate. But she's not about to say that, so she just smiles and nods.]

The last time I saw pirates happen here was when the barriers broke down.

[trenchknives]

Well, with any luck, it'll be relatively normal for awhile. 'n we're already makin' up for lost time with this party, so that's a good sign.

[hexuality]

Angela knows how to throw them.

[Equal parts admiring and amused. It's incredible how she did this all on such short notice, how everyone came, how it's every bit as overwhelming and wonderful as her family.]

Anything like what you'd get at home, then? This?

[trenchknives]

Yeah, some of it. The black tie thing, mostly. My, uh... the guy that helped raise me, he was real into the whole formal thing. You ever do this kind of thing at home?

[hexuality]

No, never.

[But she sounds rather amused by it.]

We had a Yule Ball at school when I was thirteen years old. That's about the closest I've ever come to something like this. But the City throws loads of balls and I've been to them, so I'm more used to it than I was when I first got here. It's nice.

[trenchknives]

A Yule Ball? What's that? Like a Christmas ball? I've been to a couple of those, back home.

[hexuality]

Yes! My school hosted a tournament in my Third Year and having the ball in December was part of it. It was wonderful, my first ball ever.

[She loved being able to wear dress robes, even though they were secondhand. And now she's wearing something fitted to her, designer. It's kind of amazing, she still can't believe how much she's grown in the City. Is this what her brothers felt like when their joke shop took off? It's a new life, almost.]

That's when I learned how to dance, actually.

[trenchknives]

That sounds real nice. 'n I bet you're a much better dancer than I am, otherwise I'd ask you to dance.

[hexuality]

We can dance! I'm not amazing at it, I just know how.

[trenchknives]

Well, as long as you don't mind the fact that I ain't exactly light on my feet...

[He gestures to his leg apologetically. The limp makes some things hard, dancing being one of them, but he's willing to give it a shot for the birthday girl.]

[hexuality]

[To be honest, his leg didn't even enter her mind. It doesn't bother her at all and she smiles reassuringly.]

I don't mind. I'll follow your lead, right?

[trenchknives]

Somethin' like that.

[He offers her his hand, intending to lead her out onto the dance floor.]

You know how to waltz?

[Because really, that's what he's best at, and he looks slightly less awkward doing it.]

[hexuality]

[She actually lights up at that, taking his offered hand right away.]

As a matter of fact, I do know how to waltz. Balls, remember? And my brother's wedding.

[trenchknives]

Good. Then maybe everyone'll be lookin' at you while I'm makin' a fool of myself.

[Despite his self-deprecation, when he finally sweeps her into a waltz, it isn't half bad. He's obviously had some practice.]

[hexuality]

You won't. We'll be fine.

[And look at that, fine it is. After a few trial steps, Ginny remembers how to do this, and she eases into it with him, following him as he leads her through the dance. THIS IS GREAT.]