2019-07-21 - Sweet Charity

Justin arrives with Stefano, dressed in a charcoal grey suit with white shirt and dark red tie, making his greetings with the sort of practiced ease of one accustomed to attending many similar types of events. Greetings are friendly, but brief, and he never truly stops moving, so as not to be trapped into a conversation for too long, until they get into the room where he says, "First stop, the bar."

Stefano wears a black suit with a black shirt and satiny grey tie with silver tie chains. He has a smile for those he encounters but lets Justin do the talking and is more than happy to follow him to the bar. "Definitely." he agrees. "Second and third stop as well."

Hyacinth arrives like an event. Sure it's Gray Harbor but maybe no one told Hya it's not the Cannes Film Festival. Pittance of an excuse really. Summer formal screams breezy white cocktail length Vera Wang and matching silver and Swarovski crystal prosthetic lower leg with tiny lights that keep it glistening and illuminated, though the deco speaker in it is not presently turned on. The woman gives new meaning to 'travel music'. The historic committee has a fashion underwriter now!

Edison arrives with Hyacinth, of course. If he’s with her, then he’s probably still on duty. He’s tall and imposing as usual, dressed in black to complement Hya’s white: a similar suit to ones he’s worn before, with thin lapels, thin black tie and matte black shirt, and pointed shoes to complete the outfit, but he’s also got on a tie pin that looks, upon closer inspection, like a small silver key. Matching cufflinks, too. He follows not far behind the fashionista -- sticking close, in fact, should she need anything. But his grey eyes do wander, half-lidded and watchful. He takes everything in.

Vyv arrives with Hyacinth as well -- with her on his arm, in fact, though which of them is playing arm candy for the other probably depends on one's taste in sweets. He's wearing a perfectly tailored three-piece linen suit in a light grey windowpane check with a crisp white shirt. The tiny balls at either end of the silver collar bar give an understated metallic touch to each side of where they support the knot of his silk tie with its diagonal pattern in oxblood, mustard, and white; the silk pocket square that blooms from his jacket pocket is a paisley that features mainly those same colours, joined by cognac. On his feet are a pair of light brown leather brogues, and sometimes an arm movement reveals the french cuffs enough to add some sparkle fairly simple round silver and garnet cufflinks and understated titanium watch at his wrist. The grey and white quietly echo the shades of Hyacinth's dress and parts of the leg. The fact that Edison's all-black makes the colours rather pop for him as well is almost certainly coincidental, but probably appreciated.

"And the second and third," Justin laughs in agreement. The cocktail hour passes mostly uneventfully, with only one glass of something red being spilled on someone wearing white, and the associated kerfuffle. There is a bit of hob nobbing, and circulating, and Justin makes introductions, making sure that Stefano's card gets into the hands of those who can offer him some more business in town.

Then, it is announced that dinner will be starting shortly, and everyone is asked to find their name cards at their tables. Hyacinth, Edison, Vyv, Stefano, and Justin all have tags at the same round table, as well as Rebecca.

The observant veteran of such events would, no doubt, be able to tell that Stefano's smile has become plastered on and his eyes have glazed with boredom. This all changes when dinner is announced. "Oh, thank the gods. I definitely need another drink but without food to slow it down..."

Hyacinth has her rounds to do and those rounds include talking up the project, boasting about how yes her PA can handle the arrangements for that- why /have/ you met Edison Baxter? And to no small extent informing literally everyone this is Vyv's finest work on catering; don't let the Callaghan Wedding event try to say otherwise but what's that exquisite! So happy for them.

When she wants to Hya can work a room to get what she wants and that's a lot of empty wallets and a very full donation jar for the fundraiser. It's to say as much as she looks like she belongs on a cake somewhere the woman can answer exactly what the construction will entail and why and what it'll do to the overall revenue for the downtown area. Especially when they ask the questions of fundamental historic architecture to Bob because there's hardware involved. And whole she's happy to smile in that way one can swear there are fangs, she really does love her vocation and the buildings for all they could be. Better!

Edison sits beside Hyacinth, not looking at all put out when Hyacinth volunteers him for this thing or the other. He is polite and humble in taking any praise, of course, and also takes the time to greet Justin and Stefano. To Vyv he mentions, with a brief nod of his head. “Your suit is exquisite. Bespoke?”

Vyv is very much the observant veteran of such events, 'cause observing's one of the best parts, in his opinion. Having someone appreciative to share observations with is necessary to get the most out of it, of course, which means both that there's a fair number of quiet remarks aside to Hyacinth and that he looks like he's actually rather enjoying himself a fair bit of the time. Nothing demonstrative, but many of the faint smiles are genuine. Particularly the ones that come after compliments to his work, acknowledged amongst the chatter with small inclinations of his head and quiet but not precisely modest thanks.

Compliments to his suit work too, clearly, as Edison gets a small smile for his. "Thank you," he says, "and yes. Picked it up the last time I was in London." Which is a phrase that sounds very natural in his accent, it has to be said. "Quite like your monochrome look. Not everyone here could keep it from looking bland." Justin and Stefano both get polite greetings and slightly less polite assessing looks, though at least the verdict isn't clearly negative. A glance at Rebecca's empty spot has his lips pursing briefly. But never mind. "Looks as though tonight is going reasonably well for the cause. One might almost begin hoping certain other buildings might explode."

Dinner is served in several courses, and each one is more delicious than the last. Crisply dressed servers circulate among the tables, setting down plates and removing them, refilling water glasses and wine with uobtrusive, polite presence. Everything does seem to be going quite well. The first speaker, one of Hyacinth's fellow Historical Preservation Society members, gets up to discuss the architecture, the damage, and what teh funds will be used to do.

Justin greets Hyacinth, Edison, and Vyv as they are all seated for dinner and the meal begins. He leans a little bit toward Stefano to check in on him. "How are you doing?" he murmurs, between one course and the next. "I think the food is definitely making up for cocktail hour."

Stefano returns the greetings with a polite smile but is more than happy to just pay attention to the food more than the company. "It's excellent." he murmurs to Justin. "Worth waiting for with the proper lubrication. I'm going to have to work out twice as hard for an entire week to recover from tonight though."

Hyacinth kisses Justin on both cheeks, "Well I woke up today still as myself so I'd say exceptional." She could easily be the model for grace under pressure as a consummate hostess and the smile, the very some, answers Justin with words to the contrary, "Aaaah if dinner would start so I can stop smiling . My cheeks are killing me." Looking to Edison she taps her finger on the table. It likely means, please, sit, you've been working all evening. What it really means is OMG mojito mebefore I pop Bobby McGee over there for calling a frieze a header.

Vyv's arm gets a squeeze sparing a glance to him and assures, "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true." And the man's had a busy week.In the end the project is coming together. "Stefano, what is it you do ? What's your passion?"

Edison nurses a drink -- some sort of unknown cocktail, black. It goes with his suit. “Thank you, Mr. Vydal. Coming from you, such compliments are especially meaningful.” He, too, looks at Rebecca’s empty spot, as though expecting her to manifest there. There’s another small, thin smile given to Justin and Stefano; then he puts a brief hand on Hyacinth’s shoulder. “Let me get you something from the bar.” He knows just what the ‘something’ is, and then he’ll sit and be off his feet. But he gives no indication that he is fatigued or wishing he could do anything else apart from working.

Dahlia doesn't want to be here. She'd much rather be hiding under a rock trying to block out the events of the night before by drowning in liquor and weed. Still, she had been invited so she had put on the mask of being okay and a smile to go with it. If she could just get through tonight, then maybe she could start trying to process what was going on with her. She's been mingling a little, making small talk - trying to broaden her social circles, but now it was nearing dinner and she stops off at the bar for another drink, she's probably starting to feel a light buzz by now and is trying to maintain it.

Her attire is a midnight blue, strapless dress, matching heels, and it might be a little too formal, but she's wearing a pair of long evening gloves that go up to her elbows and she has no intentions of taking them off. As she takes her seat at the table with the others, a light smile is offered. "How is everyone doing tonight?"

Vyv has so far been sticking with the wine. Probably not because it goes well with his accessories, but it can't hurt any. Edison continues to demonstrate his stellar PA qualities with that reply, and he gets a small smile and tilt of the head in reply. "You could just stop anyway," he suggests to Hyacinth, "I think it can be fairly said you've done your bit."

But, dinner! Dahlia gets a faint smile as she joins the table, her dress noted, and the gloves as well; there's a lingering glance to them as it seems she's not planning to remove them, and a tiny quirk of a brow, but no comment beyond, "Good evening. Lovely you could join us." He glances up from the plate to the speaker now and then, only getting to the second course before remarking, "Well, this meal's come out quite well so far, but the entertainment leaves something to be desired. They ought to have had you speak," the last bit of course to Hyacinth, "...or else saved the talks for after to help us all to sleep." A bite of his meat, and he studies Justin and Stefano in the wake of Hyacinth's question, looking interested in the answer as well.

As dinner conversation continues, everything seems to be going on as normal. Dessert is not served at the tables, but instead each artful display of small pastries and chocolates are set on pedestals around the room, where they can be sampled as people talk, and dance, and get up and away from where they had been sitting to eat. The music switches over to somethng more suited for dancing.

It's subtle at first, and most likely wouldn't notice the lights going out outside, not unless they were observing the view. But one by one, lights in the buildings down the streets, the streetlights, the lights on vehicles all start to go out, leaving only the moon just peeking behind the clouds to be seen outside of the building.

Justin smiles when Dahlia arrives and he stands up to give her a hug in greeting annd murmurs something quietly to her when he does so, looking briefly concerned, but then he pulls out a chair for her so that she can settle in at the table. He waits until Stefano has a chance to answer Hyacinth if he feels so inclined before turning to him and saying, "A dance? And then dessert?"

The room is also getting quite a bit quieter, and while the doors haven't opened, the room does seem to be shy a few people.

"Well, I'm a massage therapist." Stefano tells Hyacinth. Which she already knows but doesn't necessarily answer her question. "I suppose you could say it's getting people out of pain. Or keeping them from having any in the first place. A much more difficult job since most people don't want to change their habits even if it means less pain. So they come to me to fix them. Until the next time." Justin's question gets the first real smile from him in at least three quarters of an hour. "Love to, to both."

Hyacinth looks up to Edison like he was made of coffee and excellence when that mojito is gone for. Demanding, yes, but oh she does appreciate the results of things being done exactly as inferred. "Dahlia, you look stunning. We knew you were busy so we saved your spot for you." Vyv's words pull her head on a pivot and she squints at him. The man has a point on several levels, "My speech would be: Donate now and we'll stop the speeches. This is what websites and minibars are for. Go. Mingle and thank you." Eyebrow arches to he and then to Justin with a grin flitting her sparkly manicure at him to go take the man dancing." And it starts getting a bit dim. "Justin...?" It's weird.she can't even tell what but the thought i hanging there as her question runs flat.

Edison fetches Hya a mojito, of course, but on the way back, his eyes are fixated on the windows. He noted one light and then another going out. The silence that’s settled around the room, too. Really, introverts are generally the most observant, and Edison perhaps more than even most introverts. It’s his job to pay attention to things, and not only Hyacinth’s moods.

He places the beverage down before her — he was /going/ to sit again, as she earlier requested, but for now, he remains standing. He might not relax.../just/ yet.

Dahia returns the hug from Justin, listening to what he has to say and then murmurs back. Hyacinth gets a smile, "I appreciate it." but other she remains quiet while the others talk. Wrapped up in her own thoughts and picking at her food. The food is likely delicious, but her appetite and taste buds aren't quite working right. As the music changes and dessert starts to get places out, Dahlia debates on maybe nabbing one of the single men at the dinner for a dance. But ultimately even that doesn't sound appealing. A frown appears as she starts to notice too. It's quieter...a little darker. There's a tenseness to her and she's got her fork in a death grip almost.

"You see?" Vyv says regarding Hyacinth's potential speech, to Hyacinth, so it's probably more an endorsement of her version than anything else. "We could be having a much more interesting conversation here and only have music to compete with. And all the other conversations, I suppose." Stefano gets a considering glance at his answer, and, "Do you have a card?" Maybe patisserie is hard on the back. Speaking of which, he does take a glance around when the dessert is properly set out, likely ensuring it IS properly set out. Something about it makes his brow furrow, as though something is definitely wrong, but he's not entirely certain what. The former is normal, the latter less so. "...are they dimming the lights for the dancing?" And is it starting to feel a little less crowded in here? "Hm."

Justin seems grateful for the little extra breathing room that there seems to be on the dance floor when they get there. But it seems that everyone simply walks off when they arrive, leaving them alone on the dance floor. Justin glances around, puzzled, and it's then that he first realizes something is definitely "off".

People simply get up from their seats, and turn as though walking toward the dessert pedestals and simply aren't there any more. It's as though they wandered off. No one actually sees them vanish before their eyes, but it's a quick glance away, and a glance back and .. gone.

Which continues for the next thirty seconds ago until the entire room is empty, and silent, and the only ones remaining within it are Hyacinth, Edison, Dahlia, Vyv, Stefano, and Justin.

Stefano reaches into his jacket's inside pocket and pulls out a card case. Extracting one, he offers it to Vyv before going to dance with Justin. It takes a moment to realize what's going on, that the people are just disappearing in the space of a blink. He can't be sure but it matches with stories he's heard. "Oh, shit."

Hyacinth makes like she's reaching for her mojito and that hand keeps moving right to her salad forkthat she grips in her sparkly digits. THings are getting 'off'. She's not yelling it but those she's spoken to in the quietest recesses of her social corners can hear the expression ranting about not another goddamned ghost in another fucking ballroom! Not during dessert! Uncouth! Like for serious people! Those hazel green eyes flash to Vyv withthe rest of herself being perfectly calm. "I think desert is...over."

Edison continues to stand there, very still. He readjusts himself so his large hands are positioned on the back of Hyacinth’s chair, like he’s prepared to brace her for -- something. He doesn’t make any commentary on the state of the room, though he never stops looking around. As though any moment now, something will reveal itself to the ones who are left in the now-empty ballroom.

That death grip remains on the fork for a beat or two, and then she swaps the fork in favor of a knife. If Dahlia is anything, it's excellent under duress. Even if she was freaking out on the inside, she was a stone cold mask on the outside. She watches one by one as people disappear, trying to remember to breath now and again. And then there were 5. She looks to each of them in turn, Stefano and Justin being the last ones her eyes fall on. "So how fucked are we?" She is not in any mood for whatever was going on. At. All.

Vyv accepts the card, of course, and gives it a quick glance before tucking it away in an inner pocket. Glancing up again, he catches the exodus from the floor as Justin and Stefano arrive, and his eyes narrow, following one couple as they walk off. A momentary distraction as others walk in between, and then he can't find the first ones at all. ...or the ones who walked between, next. The narrowing reverses into a slight widening, and he twists to take a better look at the area as a whole. The much emptier and still emptying area.

He picks up his napkin from his lap, dabbing his lips with it and setting it down beside his plate before pushing his chair back and getting to his feet. "I don't think anyone even tried the mille-feuille," he says to Hyacinth, sounding more annoyed than anything else, though the glances around have a decidedly wary quality. Along with the decidedly annoyed one, which is doing its best to win out. "I'm not positive what's going on." And does not enjoy admitting it. "But if any bones show up and want us to take them anywhere, we say no."

Justin turning to look around them, Justin, too, realizes that they're the only ones left in the room and he says, "Wait.. bones? What?" Then he looks over at Dahlia and says, "I have no idea what's.."

The windows that once looked out onto the city are now simply black, and nothing can be seen outside. Instead, within the glass, they can see their own reflections, but not just that -- they can see the reflections of others in the room that aren't there, shadowy half-formed figures that start to move away from the walls, and further into the room, four in total, barely humanoid in shape with long bodies and limbs, all with features that seem blurry and obscured, pale. They move unnaturally, slightly jerkily, as though through an old stop-motion lens.

But when one turns around and looks back at the room, they can't see anyone there.