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]

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."

[sunsongs]

Closer, but it was a stretch to call that a real laugh. It was in the right direction, though.

"Can't have that. Wouldn't be propah. It's bad enough you're being seen in public with a laidback American. And a musician."

[miss_ives]

"Oh, it's absolutely horrid," Vanessa agreed, giving him a smile. "However shall my reputation recover."

[sunsongs]

"Because we all know it's your reputation that matters most to you," Coby agreed, clearly teasing from the curl of his mouth and the brightness in blue eyes. Vanessa might come across as a very proper British lady a lot of the time, but it felt more like a need for control and privacy than giving a damn what most people thought.

[miss_ives]

"Well, if this gets back to the Museum..." Vanessa played along, although her lips were still slightly curved. And, of course, she did not hide her amusement from her expressive eyes.

[sunsongs]

"Terrible." Coby sighed dramatically. "And I've been on my best behavior too." A pause, then, "Maybe that's what I've been doing wrong."

[miss_ives]

"I'm not sure that I want to know what your worst behaviour might be," Vanessa replied, gently chiding.

[sunsongs]

"Probably not." Coby smirked. "You already know I'm no angel."

[miss_ives]

Vanessa's lips tilted up in amusement. "I doubt that anyone in this museum could claim that title."

[sunsongs]

"I don't know about that. I've run into a couple in places way stranger than a museum." He'd run into their opposite number more than once as well, but Coby thought maybe she wouldn't want to hear that.

[miss_ives]

"Now that sounds as if there's a story to tell," Vanessa remarked curiously.