GP: Saturnalia Grand Opening

[goodfellow]

It had taken considerably longer than Robin anticipated, thanks to some building code issues that had pushed back his renovations by months, but following the thrown together "preview" on New Year's Eve (that had gone very well if he did say so himself), Saturnalia was finally officially open for business.

The inside of the club looked somewhat different than it had in January: more polished now, better decorations, furniture, lighting. There was still Greek inspiration, particularly in the murals on the walls - modern, graffiti-inspired versions of Greek art and myths, bright colors splashed amidst chrome industrial decor. Most of the employees (bartenders, dancers) were wearing togas.

The grand opening was a hot ticket, but Robin had sent out invitations generously, and instructed the bouncers at the door to let in the beautiful people as usual, yes, but to be rather random about it as well. After all, what was the fun in only the rich and beautiful?

Alcohol was free flowing, and the music was hot, spun by a DJ on a stage who seemed to have the perfect sense of the crowd. He may have even had a little help by magic. Because why leave these things to chance?

Comments

[harrowgate]

Not only didn't Remus disapprove, he seemed to be actively encouraging Felix to divulge. And teasing him like an intimate friend, as a bonus. Felix oddly felt like he'd won something quite precious. "Are you volunteering?" he purred back, with a glitter of a little laugh, though he quickly passed the question by.

"Currently I'm perfectly intact, though that might change if Shannon discovers I've been trysting," Felix went on in a lower voice. "It's not my extra-curriculars in general, it's Robin specifically that he objects to." And Felix had gone off with Robin, having full knowledge of this fact, when he oughtn't. Now he was avoiding the consequences, but he knew he was only delaying.

"If I'm allowed to stay in my own bed tonight, I expect I might need that assistance in the morning."

[wandandawolf]

"Hmm." As he heard the story, Remus' expression grew a little more serious. It wasn't so much disapproval per se, as simple concern - for the both of them. 'Remarkable' didn't cover the half of Felix's little excursion, although neither did 'sordid', really.

"If you need that assistance, I'll surely offer it," Remus told him, "or a couch to sleep on. But m'dear, you know you've done the wrong thing, and you know it's going to hurt him." He spoke simply and quietly, without censure: more like a slightly disappointed teacher, than anything else. (Sirius hated him when he was like this.) "And it sounds like you'd do it again." The blunt truth, without judgement.

He turned the glass in his hand, careful with both word and motion before he downed it. "I have to say, I am impressed by Shannon and I haven't even met him." Because he handles someone like you, Remus thought. Maybe he could talk to the bloke and share tips for dealing with a shameless narcissistic strumpet in one's life.

[harrowgate]

Felix hardly knew what to say. His friends rarely -- almost never -- called him out on his bad behavior, and when they did, it was usually with far more temper and disapproval than Remus displayed. The other wizard merely told him the truth, somehow without judgement. Felix did know he'd done wrong. He just chose to ignore the wrongness of it, in favor of complaining about the consequences of his own behavior. Facing it, no matter how gently it was presented, proved rather uncomfortable.

But he couldn't bring himself to be annoyed at Remus, in spite of Felix's own legendary temper.

"You should," Felix finally said, much of the effervescent glimmer of his tone now dulled off in the face of this quiet reproval. "Meet Shannon, I mean. He'll like you, I'm certain. Perhaps you'll put him in a better mood before I have to go and face him."

[wandandawolf]

Remus sighed internally. He had far too much self-control to actually sigh, although sometimes it would have been nice to do more than simply observe the mutinae of other people's reactions. It really was so tiresome, sometimes, to be distant. To be responsible.

Moving to gently squeeze Felix's shoulder for a brief moment, trying to be reassuring, Remus' eyes crinkled in a wry, fond smile. "I'm sure you'll think of something, m'dear. I'm sure you always have," he offered, dryly. This probably wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last, and he didn't judge Felix for that, either.

"Honestly, the owner of the establishment is rather dreamy, so I can't fault you for your taste." Even if he did fault him for the...method of acquiring the experience. "Any words of wisdom for meeting with your beau?"

[harrowgate]

It was true, Felix did always manage to get himself, if not forgiven, then at least back in Shannon's good graces given time. Their worst fight hadn't even been about his unfaithfulness, after all.

Felix glanced in momentary confusion at the warm hand on his shoulder. Was Remus actually trying to comfort him? Even after his confession and gentle chastisement? That... warmed Felix's heart, which for him, was a deeply strange sensation. The smile that tugged up one side of his mouth wasn't blazing or brilliant, but small, crooked, and true.

"He's going to love you. If you're half as sweet to him as you are to me, he might decide he likes you better."

[wandandawolf]

"My sweetness is pure selfishness, I assure you, m'dear," Remus said glibly, because he was often glib in responding to compliments. Water off the proverbial fowl's back. But he sometimes thought whatever capacity he had for understanding, or empathy, or care, they all derived from a cold and terrifying night when he awoke to find his window smashed and a terrible presence looming over his childhood bed.

Even the good parts of his self weren't truly his.

"But fortunately for your ego, and his, I'm off the market." Remus briefly touched his arm with his hand, a parting gesture. "I'll see you before you head home, I hope?" That said, a nod was given as goodbye-for-now, and Remus looked about himself before orientating himself in the right direction to forge a path through the crowd.