Mini GP

[hollow_moon]

It was that time of the year, a time that used to fill Valentine with joy. Christmas was so wonderful usually, after all, but not so much this year. He simply wasn't in the holiday spirit. However, he'd planned this charity event months ago, and there was no cancelling it now. 

It wasn't as flash as ones he'd held in prior years, his museum open to the public with collection buckets all over for people to give what they could to ensure a better holiday for those in need. Music filled the space, and there were performers all throughout the space. Yes, he'd had to up security for the evening to keep his many occult related items safe, but- Well, it was worth it, he supposed. If nothing else, it seemed to be enough to stop his mother from worrying so much about him for a bit.

All were welcome and admission was free. The bar was reasonably priced, and there were a few free nibbles donated by a local restaurant. All and all, not a bad night for the bored and the generously inclined.

(Use this like you'd use any GP! OTA)

Comments

[miss_ives]

Now that they were far enough from the dreadful old man, Vanessa dropped her hand from Coby's elbow. "Thank you," she told him with a grateful smile. "I suppose that I should not be surprised to run into you here."

[sunsongs]

"I don't know about that." Coby didn't read anything into Vanessa letting go of his arm. The closeness had served its purpose, and she would want her space. "I was kind of surprised to be here."

[miss_ives]

Vanessa tilted her head to the side, watching him curiously. "Why is that?"

[sunsongs]

Coby shrugged. "Museums and mystical tchotchkes are more my mom's thing, I guess. A couple of friends dragged me along, so I came. I hadn't even heard about the party until this afternoon."

[miss_ives]

"Serendipity," Vanessa remarked, with a small smile. "How have you been, Coby?" The frank, steady way she looked into his eyes as she asked infused the question with more weight than it might have had, coming from most people. She truly cared about the answer.

[sunsongs]

With most people, Coby would give the easy it's all good. But that didn't feel fair with Vanessa, not that she'd accept it that easily anyway. So he paused before answering. "A lot more good times than bad lately. There's been a lot of light, not so many rip currents to drag me under." Life wasn't perfect, but it was... good, lately.

[miss_ives]

"Good," Vanessa answered, the truth of emotion behind that word obvious in her expression. "I do hope you're making the most of it."

[sunsongs]

"I always do." He knew how quickly things could change for him, how easily he could lose himself. That's why he focused on the good whenever he could.

"I have a harder time convincing other people to do the same, though. I think I know too many stubborn types."

[miss_ives]

"The heart is much more stubborn than sense, I'm afraid," Vanessa confirmed with a small smile.

[sunsongs]

"Oh, well that's the thing, then." Coby grinned. "I never had much sense to begin with."

[miss_ives]

Vanessa smiled at that, laughter sparkling in her eyes. "Well, some of us sadly must."

[sunsongs]

"Then I guess I'll have to keep trying. Make sure somebody gets to enjoy the good moments, in spite of stubborn hearts and too much sense." Coby had the urge suddenly to ask Vanessa to dance, but this wasn't the place, and he didn't think she'd have said yes even if it was.

"For now, though, will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you around the exhibit, Miss Ives?" he asked, faux formally and with a tiny bow.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa's lips twitched in mirth at the faux decorum, and she settled her hand on his offered arm. "With pleasure, Mr... Do you know, I don't believe that I know your last name."

[sunsongs]

"Ward." Coby was surprised that after everything she did know he somehow hadn't told her his name, and it showed.

"Maybe, if we have some very good luck, I'll managed to get an actual laugh out of you before the night is out."

[miss_ives]

Ward. She welcomed the name with a nod and a small smile. It fit, all things considered.

"Ah, now that would require exceptional good luck," Vanessa assured him.

[sunsongs]

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want me to try for something easy?" Not Vanessa. A true challenge would be much more interesting to her. It was one of the things Coby enjoyed about spending time with her.

[miss_ives]

"Oh, no, I approve," Vanessa assured him with a small smile, for all that it was best not to think of the sort of challenges they had once issued each other. This was a harmless one, to be sure.

[sunsongs]

"The evening's already at a good start. Your company. Your approval. You're even remembering how to smile." Something she should do more often, if you asked Coby.

He paused in front of a display case holding a serving spoon and fork. "And we don't have to eat with haunted dishes," he said, after glancing at the description nearby. "We hope."

[miss_ives]

"Who says I'd forgotten how to smile," Vanessa replied with a challenging raise of her eyebrows. She stopped when he did, and looked at the silverware. "I don't think that they are," she stated, after a beat.

[sunsongs]

"Maybe it's been too long since I've seen you do it." She'd had reason not to smile around him much, but Vanessa had enough darkness in her life.

"So they're not haunted? Good to know... but kind of a let down too."

[miss_ives]

"If they are, I can't tell," Vanessa replied, rather than make a definitive answer. "Or I'd be ushering us along already."

There were enough items here that made her want to move along.

[sunsongs]

"Good call. We'll avoid anything that gives you the heebies." Coby would trust her judgment. Besides, he wanted her to enjoy herself, which she wouldn't if she was worried her presence would tempt the wrong things.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa could not help but smile at that. "The heebies." Coby was so very, very American, especially compared to how very English she was, and she pushed it, for the fun of it. "I shall let you know, should any such thing happen."

[sunsongs]

"Yeah, the heebies," Coby grinned, and mentally thanked Pink Floyd. "The screaming abdabs to you Brits. But that sounds like making a scene you'd never approve of."

[miss_ives]

There came a faint chuckle from Vanessa. "No, I don't think that I would."