GP - dreaming of a black christmas

[lcrpg_npc]

The repurposed railway arches that housed Beagle's bar and restaurant were decked in shades of black: black christmas trees glittering with sparkly and satiny black ornaments, black wreaths with perfectly tied bows, black garlands draping along the walls and bar, ribbons edging the long banquet benches in the restaurant dining room. A gentle snow seemed to fall from the ceiling, a specially designed lighting effect much more pleasant than the cold and wet that would've accompanied real snow. Christmas music played over hidden speakers, setting the mood without interfering with conversation.

The Kraken Black Christmas feast was a different spin on the holiday than you'd find most places, and yet, a christmas feast all the same. All the flavors of the season were there, both in the bar's specialty cocktails and in the feast itself, served banquet-style to those fortunate enough to get tickets - mulled wine, egg nog, roasts and stuffing and puddings, and so much more. Yet the food and drinks all shared the same theme as the decor, shades of black augmented with squid ink, charcoal, or black sesame seeds.

Guests had been encouraged to continue the theme with black festive attire, but it wasn't required, and spots of color could be found here and there along the table or mingling in the bar. There was one thing everyone could agree on, though. No matter how black the theme, the mood was anything but dark.

Comments

[faizel]

Faizel opened his mouth to speak, then closed it- Then opened it again.

"Well, um, that, but also- You're the first person I've met where I sort of wanted that," he admitted. "I've never really, um- It's not that I don't find people attractive, I do, just, it's never been a priority of mine to try and be near someone before. ...But, I do feel that with you. I like being around you. I like being close."

[akatawitch]

"Oh." Sunny wasn't sure how she should feel about that, but she felt (perhaps absurdly) flattered by this.

"You're not my first," she said softly. She'd had her share of crushes running the gamut from chaste to... well, with Phouka was there anyway to think about it other than knee-wobbling lust? "But you're one of very few I've felt... I can trust." Regardless of the truth, there had been few men in her life she felt really saw her and not some exotic animal.

[faizel]

"Good. ...Good, I- I want you to feel safe with me. I feel safe with you," he said softly, his words honest and quiet.

[akatawitch]

Sunny hesitated a moment. "Why me?"

[faizel]

"Why do I feel safe with you?" Faizel asked, not sure what, exactly, she was asking.

[akatawitch]

Sunny considered how to ask this. "What made me, um... especially interesting?"

[faizel]

"Honestly? You just- I suppose it feels like you understand me," he admitted. "I like that. I've never really had anyone in my life who didn't find me difficult to talk to, let alone pleasurable to talk to. I feel like we share something. ...A connection."

[akatawitch]

Sunny wanted more than anything in that moment for them to be alone together. Not... well. But curled up quiet together, like she had with Anael, maybe. Except maybe more kissing. She just wanted to be close and she wanted it right now.

As it was, she just lay her hand on his. "Maybe not for the same reasons," she murmured, "but I feel the same way."

[faizel]

Faizel beamed a little at that, a goofy little grin he couldn't hide.

"I'm touched," he assured her.

[akatawitch]

Something about that smile--the combined sweetness and silliness and lack of self-consciousness--just melted something inside Sunny and before she knew what she was saying she was blurting, "God, I want you."

[faizel]

Faizel looked startled, then embarrassed, and it was obvious he had no idea how to react or respond to that as he looked away nervously and reached for his drink.

[akatawitch]

Sunny flinched back, taking away her hand. Usually she had so much of a better filter than this. "I'm sorry."

[faizel]

"No, no- I... I'm flattered, it's just- Here might not be the place for... I mean, it isn't the place, is it?" he asked, genuinely unsure what was or wasn't appropriate, and feeling a mixture of anxiety, fear, and interest- A combination that left him unsteady.

[akatawitch]

"No," Sunny answered with an unsteady little laugh. Of course, she knew some people wouldn't be intimidated, but she wasn't one of them. "No, it's not. I'm sorry, I just..." she didn't know if there were words for it. "I got overwhelmed, or something."

[faizel]

"I apologise. Please, tell me what I did, and I promise I wont again," he said softly, looking concerned, and perhaps a bit guilty.

[akatawitch]

"Oh." Sunny started. "Oh, no, don't apologize, it wasn't... I liked it." It had been a heady feeling, and it felt really good.

[faizel]

Again, Faizel looked puzzled, but he smiled and nodded a bit, deciding that so long as he'd not done anything wrong, things were probably fine.

"I'm looking forward to dinner, I hear it's to be a real treat."

[akatawitch]

Sunny tried to behave herself. She wanted to explain, but... not here and now, perhaps. "Promises to be very interesting," she agreed.

[faizel]

"Have you ever been to an event like this before?" Faizel asked curiously. "I didn't even know there were such things. I mean, I understand it's in part to promote a product, but how strange to break bread with complete strangers. ...I quite like it, I think, actually. Even if it's a bit intimidating."

[akatawitch]

Sunny shook her head. "Not unless you count school events. Not gimmicky, certainly not very fancy, but eating with strangers in your good clothes, yeah."

[faizel]

"Mmm, I suppose I ate daily with my peers when I was young, and I didn't know any of them well, but it was never formal," Faizel admitted.

[akatawitch]

Suddenly overcome by a memory, Sunny started to giggle. "Oh God, no, I do have one. Sort of. Sometime when we're not in public, remind me to tell you about Zuma Rock."

[faizel]

"Zuma Rock?" Faizel echoed, commiting the name to memory and nodding. "I'd very much like to hear that tale, Sunny."

[akatawitch]

Sunny grinned. "Somewhere in there is the story of the first time Chichi nearly got us all killed."

[faizel]

"...Killed?" he asked, not sure why she was smiling while speaking of such a grim possibility. "That doesn't seem like a joyful thing."