Open - (Party) Holiday Cheer | Page 3

Langdon Briar Harding​

It had been an uncertain but tempting offer when he read about the party on the open channel. Considering he got lucky and wasn't required in any emergency rooms or other craptastic moments that could ruin his already boring holiday, it had taken time for him to believe it, but he actually ended up leaving NYC to go to Boston for the first time in his life, with thanks to the bloody misnamed 'hyperloop'.

Though it wasn't his first time going to a big mansion or anything like that, the older man found it troublesome going around the gates to the entry that had been prepared to let guests in. Someone offered to take his coat, but he preferred to leave his jacket on. He was wearing the laziest suit possible, but it worked for him. Now, maybe this party would work in his favor to kill boredom of the holidays, too.

He looked for a good drink and sighed when he found he wasn't quite seeing any alcohol. Moving to take a snack from the snack table, he glanced around with his reluctantly sober, good vision.

"Well I'll be ..." He caught sight on a familiar figure. Long limbs, hair an unusual orange-pink he couldn't quite comprehend. That body was certainly something he'd dreamt of at least once when he saw it in the game. The lady beside her was a looker as well, he'd have to note- though big busts weren't everything, he would be lying if he said they didn't give him a new pun off his name, for sure.

Wandering to the two women, he avoided touching them by keeping his hands busy with a plate of snacks and a drink of something he had no idea what it even was. It smelled okay, but it wasn't whiskey. He'd have to find the hostess to ask for that later, he figured. First, it was time for some fun.

"I'd be a daft cow if I didn't try to chin wag the fine @Comet and her lovely friend, wouldn't I? His grin was a mix of sincerity and sarcasm, impishness twinkling in his dark, brooding eyes. "To think the trip would give such a beautiful reward so soon. I wish I'd gotten here quicker to be so gobsmacked! I almost fell arse over tits!"

Surprisingly, his words were far from as vulgar as they sounded. 'Arse over tits' meant embarrassment in his native tongue- his native tongue being 'British for Bloody Codgers', but nonetheless, it stuck. He moved his snack and cup to the side just enough to give a roundabout bow to the two lovely ladies, a smile on his face. "Doctor Langdon Harding, at your service, ladies. I must say, I got lucky to be in such a party of delicate delights." Too bad there were likely to be more sausages soon, he'd note to himself- but at the very least, this was a fun way to prepare for the hell that was his life coming further down the line. "Do either of you lovelies know who the host of this fine establishment might be? I do require their assistance... In finding a nice liquor to go with such a lovely sight such as this."

@Magdalyn

 

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So this was Boston? This would be Hide’s first time visiting, but it wasn't like he was here to go sightseeing or something. No, he was here at the invitation of a woman he had met not too long ago while playing Terrasphere. It would seem other players would be in attendance too and that only made him wonder why no one had set up something like this sooner. Maybe it was just because there was never really a reason to actually see each other outside of the game due to the realism that could already be found within.

***

“Geez, she really is rich…”

Though he should have figured that considering they offered to pay for everyone's travel fees. Still, Ilya’s home was impressive. At least from the outside anyway.

The man tugged the large scarf wrapped around his neck to tighten it slightly. Honestly, he wasn't sure whether it was to stave off the cold winter air or choke himself before entering the party. The chance of someone recognizing him was decent, but was that a good reason to skip the event? No… If it was he wouldn't have bothered leaving his room. Hide wanted to be here.

After going inside he found his way to the main room in the back of the house. He didn't look at anyone and in turn didn't want to be looked at. Not yet. Not until he figured out what people even did at parties like these. He just had to act natural. Act natural and look like he was having a good time? Yeah, that'd work. So with his plan set he wandered to the nearest food table to look it over. He wasn't actually that hungry though, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

 

"Must not be as hard as you think. You're a natural," she teased, jabbing Lena's (@Magdalyn) arm gently. "This party got out of hand pretty quickly. You'd think things would be less intimidating in such a big house, huh?" her head turned and eyes traveled the walls of the very room they were in. Far, far too large and all too much of a space to feel comfortable in. Violet wished she couldn't relate; that her home was tiny and cramped yet comfy and warm. However, her home felt frozen from the inside out more so than the people who occupied its decorative, lifeless halls. "I-oh," she opened her mouth to speak but had been interrupted by a man (@Lady Briar) who directed his words towards the two lone women. "That's me..." she laughed awkwardly, tucking loose hair behind her ear in an attempt to calm the heightened trembling of her hand. Unfortunately now it seemed that reality and the virtual world were colliding. All too sudden for her to feel comfortable; thus, Violet began to hope that they would see her as who Comet was. How much more she could be and how much power she held within her hands. Not Violet... the pink-haired babied, spoiled girl who still allowed her parents to restrict what she did and said and who she was. Or rather, pretended to be.

Her eyes drifted to Lena, whom she scooted closer to, and then back to the man who she felt uncomfortable with. And one who forced her to fight back an impending blush of both frustration and being complimented so straight-forwardly. So rudely. Not that she hadn't dealt with people all the same or even worse. He'd publicly addressed her identity but felt too out of place to ask for his, unfortunately. "Emilia Roberts. Over there," she pointed towards the silver-haired woman with generous curves surrounded by a large amount of the party's crowd. "Watch your words around her, Doctor." a deep chuckle and her attention turned back to Lena whether or not the strange man had left yet. "To be honest I didn't want anyone to recognize me. Or at least acknowledge that they do. Does that make sense at all?" blue eyes softened as her lips failed to curl up as much as they had before. Thin brows furrowed together but Violet's head turned, away from Lena, to avoid the other seeing her, as if suddenly interested in the something else across the room.

 

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Ceres wasn't honestly sure what she was doing here. Being a student, she felt distinctly out of place. Her parents knew about her interest in full dive technology, though not about Terrasphere, and guessed correctly that she wouldn't very much enjoy whatever party they were going to. So there she was, standing at the gates of the Robert Mansion, staring blankly at the whole... thing. The invitation for the party in game was also made it clear that other people that played Terrasphere would be here, and she technically counted, even if she had only been playing for a short while. Regardless, she was here now, she would make the best of it.

Stepping out of the cold weather and into the mansion proper, she made her way to the party itself. There were quite a fair bit of people, a lot more than what she expected honestly. Then again, maybe some people were friends or family of players. She didn't really know how open the party was, which was why she was glad that her parents had prior obligations. She saw a young man (@Alric Stalwart), still with a scarf wrapped around his neck standing around some tables of food. Seeing that he was alone and she had no real objectives or aim currently, Ceres decided to talk to him. If nothing else, she would be able to kill some time. Walking closer, she stood somewhat nearby to him and was about to talk before she hesitated. What was she going to say? Taking a quick glance around, she could see an odd mix of high profile names and random people. Being a random herself and not recognizing the man in front of her, she decided that it would be safe to start a conversation.

"It's quite interesting to see how one game can bring so many different people together. My name is Ceres, may I ask your name?"

 

"Because it's a big place and busy as a market, don't you think?" Kelly mused with a giggle, patting the one she knew now as 'Fiona', @Ashnor Ironth on the back. "I feel lost in big places like this as much as I did in the market. I'm better with patterns than I am with things like decor or natural placement methods."

As she joined the party, she began to look for more new faces- and, if she was lucky, she'd see some she already knew, too. She saw a brown haired girl with a man who looked an awful lot like someone Kelly had met in the game. Someone who'd helped her, who'd somehow reminded her fondly of Frankie, as many young men did despite the age difference.

"Is that you, Alric?" She chimed, running along to stand near @Alric Stalward and @Ceres, hoping to make their acquaintance if she was wrong, and to rekindle ties if she was right. She realized as she made it to their side that she might be interrupting things.

So, before anything, she'd apologize. Apologies and introductions were only natural in politeness, right? "Sorry for interrupting you- I just got really excited seeing a face I thought I knew. I'm Kelly Richardson... I play Solaria. We've met before, haven't we? Briefly?"

Her grin was almost maternal in a way as she let her hands rest at her sides, one slightly moved in front of her as if to offer a shake to either of the two she'd opted to interrupt. "If I'm right, I suppose I should say 'it's good to see you again'... If not, it's still a pleasure to meet you. I hope you won't be too hindered by me, either way."

To mix and mingle was the point of these parties, wasn't it? As a girl normally bound at the hip to her family, it was actually a bit intimidating being in this type of group. A place without her father, without her brother, without her closest friend- it wasn't something she was accustomed to, not in such a large group and estate.

Sure, she'd been to big places before... But this one really took the cake! "I probably should've brought some bark over as a greeting gift... Or just to snack on." Her laughter was unusually timid for the usually sunshine-smiling swordsman. But this was not fantasy- it was not a place she could just idly let go of herself, of her obligations to her fellow person. She couldn't just go all out the way she usually did.

I should try to loosen up more... These people know me already as the other me... It's not like I should be looking at them like puzzles the way I am... She tried to force herself to smile just a big bigger, but it failed miserably.

Solaria was a bundle of sunshine. Kelly Richardson? She was just a normal, homely, boring girl.

 

"Leah's fine," she said, smiling. Privately, she was already trying to mentally organize how she'd put together the information she gained from this party. As such, she completely did not expect getting pulled in close to Emilia, immediately getting flustered by the sudden close proximity. As Emilia spoke to her, Leah couldn't concentrate on the words, too busy being distracted by suddenly being so close to someone else. Blushing, she didn't really process just what it was that the other woman was saying until quite a bit later.

So Emilia Roberts herself also spent time in Terrasphere? Hm. Leah was beginning to develop a pretty good guess as to who she played in game. "Ah, perhaps we might find each other again, if that's the case," she said, once she could find her words again. She really was unused to being around other people again, if it took her this much time to figure herself out after some unexpected contact. "And, of course. Wouldn't want to mix work and play."

You know, ignoring the fact that that was exactly what Leah herself was doing.

She looked towards the dark-haired woman that was also in conversation with Emilia. Judging from context, it sounded like she was also a player, and it also sounded like her in-game persona was a man. Which, all right. It didn't seem like a terribly uncommon thing, judging from the research Leah had done.

"Pleasure to meet you as well," she said, figuring that speaking with another player would never hurt. "I suppose you're both acquainted with each other in game as well?" she asked.

@Ilya
@Ashnor Ironth

 

Watching as Leah became flustered was all too fun for Emilia. Her eyes watching as the words piled from Leah's mouth. "Work and play are quite the same if one were to think of it.. However yes, let us for the sake of the party. Keep them separate."

Without much thought, Emilia was swept up in the fact that two men seemingly walked inside. One rather looking like a player she had met before.. The name.. Right.. Alric... Putting the note to the side, her eyes watched the other man, who approached Violet.. Hmm? Either he is a pervert who sees two females against the wall, or he recognizes Violet as the player, Comet.. As she used the exact same face in game as well as out of game, Emilia's thoughts picked back to the conversation being held in front of her.

"I have met her once.. or twice.. Simply got caught in a rainstorm in Brisshal.. Though, you must be a player.. Or perhaps the news got a hold of a giant party at my manor..." Emilia realized that the news must not know about the things of Terrasphere, her face turning bright red, How was there a way to determine if there was a news reporter in the exact room now.. Feeling quite beaten by the party itself, Emilia grimaced on the inside. Rather portraying cheerfully towards Leah she spoke up, "So erhm.. I am quite hungry.. Want some food?" She took the lead, heading towards the food table. Calling over one of her chefs as she muttered to his ear, "The regular, please.." The chef nodded and looked to both girls that accompanied her. "Want anything that is not junk food?"

 

She fought the urge to press her cool hands to her warm cheeks, growing only hotter beneath Comet's... no, Violet's... praise. "Thanks," Lena replied simply. "I don't think I've ever been in such a big house. My little apartment doesn't even come close, but that's okay. I think I would get lonely in such a big house, even if it was crowded with people." A bit like this, she mused, but did not put voice to her thoughts. She figured Violet understood the words left unsaid.

The urge to discuss the house's history bubbled up, as Lena had a tendency to fall back on random facts when she grew flustered. But before she could speak, another man sidled over to them. A sideways glance told her that Violet felt uncomfortable with the man as well; her closeness only accentuated the uneasy rolling off of her in waves. Though Lena was far from the leggy, blue haired beauty that Magdalyn was, both prided themselves on their ability to read people.

"I can't say I've ever been referred to as a 'reward,'" she stated. There was light-hearted humor in her words, but the sentiment was not reflected in her amber eyes. Delicate delights? What were they, pastries to be oogled and tasted at a bakery? Lena shivered despite herself, before turning back to Violet. At the same time, the pink-haired woman looked to her, seeming to have the same idea. "I won't tell anyone that you're Comet," she confessed, dropping her voice low, as if to keep others from overhearing. "I definitely understand why, too."

@Comet @Lady Briar

 

Realizing that it may have been more helpful when he introduced himself, considering what this party was for, the man reiterated his name to @Comet, who he now knew more properly didn't want to me well known by the name he recognized her as. "My apologies may be in order. I don't make it clear who I am usually either in these types of parties." A hand was extended as if to apologize elegantly, despite his somewhat rough-and-tumble method of using words.

"My proper name is Langdon Briar Harding. Any bells ringing yet? I know you've got wit to you. You're not a gormless sort, by any means. So, surely my emphasis helps a bit, hm?" He hadn't meant to sound any more crass than he naturally did with his normal wording and bad attitude. "I see, so her actual name is Emilia... I suppose I see the naming strategy there. I should have taken some tips beforehand... Old habits die hard when you're a codger, I suppose."

With a soft sigh, the man gave a mild-mannered wave. He was far from willing to take back what he said in general, but he could admit, at least at times, that he was wrong. He'd been wrong to just blurt out the lovely, lithe woman's name as he knew it. "I'll return to get a proper reintroduction later, young lady. But don't think I'll forget you for a moment. Just because I'm pretending to be nice doesn't mean I can pretend we've never met on the other side. As for you..." He turned to the other woman, @Magdalyn, who'd reacted quite notably to his method of wording.

"Any man in his right mind would see such beauty as a reward for coming to a place like this with no normal reason. Or do you not see how stunning the lot of you are?" His awkward grin remained before he turned his back on the two women, wandering on towards the hostess that was, as to be expected, already dealing with a fair number of other party goers.

Bowing somewhat as if dealing with royalty- perhaps an old English custom, or just a playful action, even he wasn't sure- the man smiled coyly towards the light haired lady. "I was informed you, miss, are the young lass that invited even a codger like me to your fine abode. As such, I deem it only natural I greet you properly at least once before I get back to enjoying the sights."

He knew her proper name, but would allow her to speak it herself, if she'd be so bold or so kind. The man had no clue a thing about her besides her otherwise, aside from her game name, due to having seen the invitation there. Otherwise, he was fairly certain they'd never met once before.

But, he'd use that to his advantage to play coy. It wasn't that he was the type to lie and pretend he was a 'good person'. But even he, a greedy old bastard just like those before him in the Harding line, could have some kindness to share once in a blue moon.

"I only know you now from your lovely invitation... @Ilya, it was, right? Langdon Briar Harding, at your service. If a doctor is necessary, I'll be glad to write myself down as volunteer just this once."

 

( Out Of Character)
@Lady Briar @Magdalyn @Claire Thalassa @Solaria @Ceres @Hitomi Aki @Ashnor Ironth @Comet @Cain Darlite @Alphabet Chocolate

Note: Thank you all for participating in the [Holiday Cheer] party thread!
As posted, the party ended quite a while ago, however I am only just now able to close up the thread properly. I just want to thank you all for posting and interacting! If any of your character's need anything, then feel free to PM Ilya in game. As posted, the party favor has been given out. A 75% discount on all Roberts Inc products.. Which includes, but is not limited to the full dive gear. This means if your character has low income, the newest full dive gear is available to them for 150 dollars. That means there is now a good reason for your character to have good full dive gear when they play Terrasphere. I hope you all had a merry holiday these past few days, and cannot wait to see what the new year has in store for all of us as a family, community.

( End Of Out Of Character)
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The cleaning that took place after the party, was crazy to say the least.. Ilya did quite a bit, as she did not want her staff to do it all. Having watched the last of the few guests trickle out of the building, Emilia smiled at the fun she had had at the party, and could not wait until next year.