meet the (grand)parents...

[theresalwayshope]

Allison felt a little like she was going insane.

She started out just planning to invite Aramis and Porthos over to meet Jason. Dinner and drinks, nothing big. Then she realized she didn't just feel obligated to invite Athos, she wanted to. So, if she did that, she obviously had to invite D'artagnan, and she really wanted to meet Constance...and she'd promised Grey a chance to help her bake a cake, so if she did something more than dinner, she could let him come over at some point...

The small family dinner became a small dinner party, and with a few more additions morphed into an impromptu potluck for the whole building...or anyone that wanted to show up. She told the family about it privately, asking Porthos and Aramis to make sure the others at least stopped by (with a subtle warning that Jason would be there), told everyone else she knew in the city, and for the rest of the building she posted a couple of handmade fliers: one in the elevator, and another in the laundry room announcing that, with either a main course or appetizer offering, an invitation to the holiday celebration taking place in apartment #39...dressy casual to formalwear welcome, bring your favorite Christmas CD as a bonus.

And, of course, she told Jason...and told him her family would be there.

By the night of the party, Allison was ready...she just felt a little like she was going insane.

She kept her outfit cute, but simple, and took care of dessert by baking some cupcakes, gingerbread cookies, and a two layer chocolate cake which she invited Grey over to help her bake. With a little careful scheduling, she also managed to contribute to the food on hand with her second ever attempt at beef bourguignon: rich, hearty, and sort of impressive under the right circumstances. By party time, she had her front door standing open, some Trans Siberian Orchestra carols playing on her stereo, and while she didn't yet have a tree, she'd gotten some cute plastic holly garland to hang around the apartment, and for fun had ringed her whole living room ceiling in multicolor Christmas lights for good measure.

The party was good to go. The place smelled good, the food came out okay with more to come...the evening was good to go.

And when Jason showed up, her family would show up...and they'd all meet each other...

While she waited for her guests, loved ones, and boyfriend to start arriving, Allison puttered around in her kitchen, swore to herself she was not hiding, and tried to pretend that she wasn't having visions of someone either drawing a sword or a knife by the end of the evening.

Tonight had to be perfect.

(HOLIDAY GATHERING POST! Treat it thusly. :P Front door's open, come and go as you please, anyone in the Bramford Building is welcome, and if you know Allison even remotely she told you about the party. Gather at will, and leave a call for Allison in your subject line if you want to play with her directly! Open eternally, will probably be linked near the end of the month. :D)

Comments

[prodigaljaybird]

He's not nervous.

He's faced more dangers than most people his age will face in their lifetimes, he's not scared of meeting Allison's crazy ancient swashbuckling family. And if Jason's near the window with eight other possible escape routes in his line of sight, that's nobody's business but his own.

Every so often, Allison slides past his vision, fancy earrings and her beautiful eyes sparkling, and the tension in Jason's shoulders unknits, only to return as soon as she's gone again. Reaching up, Jason flicks a cookie crumb from the collar of his shirt and watches the door from the corner of his eye, resolutely forcing his shoulders back down into the posture of an unaffected teen.

He's so not nervous.

[du_vallon]

Porthos gives Jason a little time to settle in. He knows from experience how overwhelming too many strangers can be and he's sure that Allison has given him a brief background about who he and Aramis are. Once he thinks he's good and settled, he approaches with a bright grin, already having decided he's approaching this with warmth and affection, given that Allison has already chosen him.

"Here," he says, offering out a new cookie. "Eat."

[du_vallon]

It's helpful, not having to leave the building. Porthos has draped himself in a snug red woolen sweater and pair of jeans, bringing with him a few plates of little treats in the form of biscuits and a few other appetizers, and sets them down before he eases into the corner to get the lay of the land. Before, people could pick him out of a crowd by the look of him, but now he gets the chance to ease back and watch.

And of course, he spends a lot of his time watching Allison and this boyfriend of hers, recalling the things she's told Porthos about him. Popping a cookie into his mouth, he pours himself a drink from the brandy they've brought and settles in for a night of it.

[theresalwayshope]

Allison had been busy greeting a guest at the door when Porthos arrived, meaning she could only toss off a cursory wave and a smile while she played good hostess. She could afford a little slight in courtesy with family...

She remedied it quickly, however, finally making her way across the room with a small dish of her beef bourguignon, grinning as she kissed his cheek in greeting and handed it off to him.

"Beef burgundy, learned to cook it right in Paris." She greeted him in French before switching to English. "Probably a little simple in your day, but it's made its way back into sophisticated cuisine in my time...and this time, I didn't overcook the mushrooms! If you're going to drink, you're going to eat. No melon shooting in my apartment."

[silenttrainbaby]

It seems like Grey goes to many parties in Darrow. He can't say he's any closer to knowing quite what to do at them, but he goes, nonetheless. And of course, he'd come early to help bake this cake, eating enough batter for his stomach to hurt.

Rat will be here soon and he looks forward to showing his boyfriend the cake he helped make, to show him the mistletoe that Allison explained. For once, he doesn't wear sweatpants, but what he's learned are called trousers. And a sweater that feels so soft against his skin that he keeps rubbing it as if continuously surprised. His hair is growing out, too and he comes very close to smiling.

[priordivergence]

I'm not very good at partying, which shouldn't surprise me. At least Halloween had had the disguise of lights and costumes, but now I'm just standing there, hugging my sweater around myself.

"I don't really know what to do," I admit, sidling up to him. "Are you having fun?"

[plaguedrat]

He's here in his capacity as Grey's surly boyfriend. The one brought here under duress. At least, that's what Rat will say if asked. All things considered, he's pretty sure it's been a lost cause since Grey bought the Christmas Tree.

How he ended up carrying in a vegetable tray, he's not entirely sure.

[silenttrainbaby]

Rat's here! All of Grey's face lights up when he sees him. He comes over, his fingers still covered with frosting (don't ask how that happened; he'd been using a spatula).

A kiss, yes? Over the vegetable tray.

[the_other_guy]

Along with spotting the fliers in the laundry room and the elevator, Bruce had gotten a personal invite from Allison by the mailbox, along with an invite extended to Kenzi with a knowing smile that made him blush in spite of himself. They were nowhere near graduating to the point of doing anything yet...but clearly Allison didn't know that.

He felt pretty safe bringing over a rice pilaf, one Allison greeted with enthusiasm when he arrived at the party. Unsure if Kenzi was going to share credit for his contribution or bring something of her own, he'd wandered over solo, and after accepting an offer of a glass of some pretty fantastic brandy Allison credited Porthos and Aramis with bringing, he'd found himself a comfortable spot off to one side, admiring a decorative pair of sais Allison had adorning one wall of her living room.

[yourprivilege]

"You're my neighbor, aren't you?" Mary smiles at the man, her hand brushing over the back of Evie's head as she slept on her shoulder. "You live just down the hall, don't you?"

[howdoyoudefineit]

The text message Al got from Allison was pretty explicit: she was hosting a party, and attendance by the pack was mandatory.

He wasn't sure attending a teenager's party was exactly the best idea, but she'd alluded to having some friends in his own age bracket on site, so he mentioned the party to Melissa, picked up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, and brought it along with him.

When he arrived, he was surprised to see that the party was actually a pretty nice little shindig: a comfortably crowded room, laid back, and not just a bunch of kids. The place looked...well, it looked good, too. Allison really had her stamp on it, and as he allowed himself to be offered a brandy, she even pointed out a nervous looking young man she identified as her boyfriend.

Al wouldn't be totally comfortable until he'd met the kid...but when he found a seat on the couch and watched her drift over to burrow against his side, he felt a little bit better at how happy they looked.

Now if only he could find a chance to talk to her about this ridiculous Alpha situation...

[priordivergence]

I made brown bread, the way my mother taught me to bake it. It will go well with any other food, whether it's sliced into sandwiches or sopped into gravy. For a potluck, I think it'll go over well. It's not exactly pretty or particularly unique, but I hope its taste will make up for that.

Likewise, I'm dressed simply and I'm only realizing now that black and gray might be my automatic colors, but I'm left plain at best and funereal at worst. Not exactly the mood the party seems to set with all of the fairy lights and laughter.

I put down my bread and hesitate, wondering if I should hurry back to my apartment downstairs and find something in my closet that hints toward festive. Maybe I'll even find some of that eyeliner that Christina said made me so striking.

[fuelforthefire]

Bread must be a common thing, because it's what I've made too. A braided loaf called Challah that I've only learned to make in the past few months. Christmas wasn't a holiday we knew back home, and so I've tried to make my own traditions, picking from everything that I've seen.

"Hey. I didn't know you'd be here," I say, smiling at her.

[godless_son]

It is not until is he quite literally outside her door that Castiel realizes this could be considered stalking. He has not been invited to visit Ms. Argent and honestly the compulsion had been quite sudden and largely prompted by his good mood at being back in the correct body and the satisfaction of all the painting finally being complete.

He waits outside the apartment door, listening to what is clearly a party and does not try and enter until someone else arrives, shooting him a strange look as he shuffles inside, photos clutched in his hands.

He'd followed her advice to the tee on the bedroom colors and he's quite proud.

[theresalwayshope]

Allison was finally pausing to get a drink for herself when she caught sight of the dark hair and keen blue eyes just hovering inside her front door, attached to a familiar face that made her smile when she recognized it after a long moment.

She debated for a long moment, then decided and poured a brandy to go along with the soda she'd gotten herself. If she was wrong and angels didn't drink, she could help fix him a plate of food instead.

Making her way to his side, Allison grinned as she laid a hand on his shoulder to get his attention as he scanned the room.

"Cas! I'm so glad you're here!" she greeted him warmly, offering him the brandy. "I'd have invited you, but I'm a total moron and I don't have your number or anything...here, have a drink, come on in! There's food and everything, I can introduce you to some of my friends..."

She trailed off, finally trying to peer at the pictures in his hand. "What's that?...oh my God, is that your house?"

[sciencesaggressively]

It's the first holiday party of the season for Newt and it's Allison's, so he'd had no intentions of passing on it. He shows up looking as holiday ready as he can be for the beginning of December, thumbing at the ring on his left hand as he walks through the door. He'd left home with a promise from Kate that she'd try to make it after she's done studying but until then, he'll be content to nab a few munchies and have a drink or two while he finds people he knows--or inevitably crashes into someone he doesn't.

[priordivergence]

It's stupid, but the second I see him with his sleeves rolled up to expose even more ink than I've ever thought of carrying myself, I breathe a sigh of relief. I don't really know how to be at a party or to be a good guest, but I can talk about tattoos. I slide off my cardigan and drape it over my bare right arm. The sharp neckline of my sleeveless dress exposes my tattoos and I feel braver now that the birds all down my left arm and collarbone and the faction symbols on my shoulder are exposed.

"Those are beautiful," I say, pointing to his tattoos. "Do they go all the way up your arms?"

[thecautionarywhale]

Holiday season was a mixed bag for Juno. She had exams coming up which she wasn't looking forward to, and they had most of her focus. But she had friends, almost family in many cases, and that made her happy. Being at a party with many of those people is exactly what she needs right now.

She has a beer in her hand, her hair up in a pony tail with tinsel wrapped around it. "Hey," she says to the person next to her. "Is it way too early to say Merry Christmas?"

[theresalwayshope]

Allison glanced over at the question, melting into a happy laugh as she reached out to embrace Juno in greeting.

"Hell no, it's a Christmas party!" she giggled, drawing back to smile and reach out so she could tug playfully on her tinsel-adorned ponytail. "Love the hair, love that you came...have you eaten? I let the booze in on the condition that everyone has to at least eat a little bit so nobody gets sloshed too fast...and so everyone would try my beef bourguignon."

[yourprivilege]

Mary wouldn't be at the party if it weren't in the same building that she lived in. She wasn't even sure how she'd heard of it, but she had, and now here she was. Evie was sleeping against her shoulder, almost too big for it at nine months. But it's something she wants to hold onto for as long as possible, and this close to her daughter's first Christmas she's doing everything she can to cling to it.

She's texted John to tell him where she is, and is looking around the room for someone, anyone, that she recognises.

[theresalwayshope]

Allison recognized the older blonde woman as she entered with her daughter in her arms, but only distantly, and only because she lived on two near Dr. Banner. With Kenzi as a solid mutual acquaintance, she'd spotted her from time to time on her way in or out when she'd occasionally go looking for her favorite shoe shopping partner at his place.

"Hi! Welcome!" Allison greeted her warmly as she approached, pausing to coo at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Ohmigod, she is just so sweet! Poor baby...if your arms get tired and you just want her to rest, you can put her down in my bedroom to sleep. It'll be nice and quiet in there."

[worstofhumanity]

Somewhere down the hall, in the shadows, there lurks a man. One who has followed the sights and smells, the writing on the walls, to the hallway of this room. A "party," a celebration of something, he didn't know what.

The city, what of it he has seen, has been lit up with colorful lights and the voices he has heard have been cheerful, almost tinny in the creature's ears.

He will go no further, still unwilling to risk the wrath of those who fear him, even if the smells make his mouth water almost ferociously, his stomach growling, his heart aching for what he hears just beyond his reach.

[theresalwayshope]

The wreath and flyer Allison hung on her front door for the sake of identifying her apartment as the party location were swiftly suffering at the hands of comings and goings, so when the wreath finally fell, she left the apartment with a merry laugh to try and fix it.

She just got it back in place when she caught a hint of movement just a few feet down from her door. Glancing over, she spotted movement in a pool of shadow, courtesy of the light that nobody ever seemed to get around to fixing.

"If you're here for the party, this is the right apartment!" she called out hopefully. Being in her own home, she wasn't really armed...just a small folding knife clipped to an elastic garter under the hem of her dress...but that sense she had for danger was eerily quiet, so she made no move towards it.

Curious, she stepped away from her door and towards the shadows. "It's okay if you're kinda shy. Come on out and say hi! My name is Allison..."

[babochka_x899]

Everyone at the party, plus her roommate and probably everyone in High Gate Terrace, will be glad Alex didn't try to cook. But she does know how to handle a knife, and with all the rich foods of the holidays, it's always good having something simple and light, right? Which is how she ends up contributing a veggie tray to this party she would not have missed for anything short of... well, short of the types of emergencies that are more normal than normal is for her.

Allison having a party is reason enough, but Jason meeting the family? The sword-wielding, larger than life family? She's running later than she planned, thanks to a client meeting that ran long, and taking the time to stop back by the apartment to grab the veggies and change into something more party-ish on her way. Once she's there, she grabs a bottle of water and begins to mingle, keeping a discreet eye on the room and everyone in it as she does; her training's too engrained for anything else.

[theresalwayshope]

Allison caught sight of Alex the moment she walked into the room. Finishing up with helping a guest serve up some food, she finally wove her way over to greet Alex with a hug, then hooked her arm through hers to steer her towards the food table.

"Okay, so one? I'm requiring you to try my cooking." she offered cheerfully, then kept her smile plastered stiffly to her face. "And two...am I crazy for being terrified every time one of my uncles drifts just a little too close to Jason? Or for being armed in my own home 'cause...introducing the boyfriend to the family reasons?"

[afineseamstress]

It is difficult to prise himself from Porthos' side when he is in that sweater, but Aramis manages, in his element, at least, when it comes to mingling. He compliments dresses, praises every offered dish, and coaxes every wallflower he can find to converse. This is Allison's party, and an important night for her, and Aramis will do his part to ensure it is a success. He's all but hoarse from laughter by the time he stops at the drinks table, winking at Porthos across the room when he takes up a long flute of champagne.

[modern_alpha]

Well. This was quite awkward. Biffy held the bottle of brandy he'd bought close to his chest as if it might provide him with some defense.

"I had no idea I'd happen across you here," Biffy said carefully. "We've not spoken since my arival."

[modern_alpha]

It was quite unlike any party he'd attended and though Biffy had at least had the foresight to bring up a fine bottle of brandy and dress appropriately. With the waning moon, he was quite certain he'd have no reason to concern himself or any of us his hosts.

It's neither a ball nor a visit round, but the company seems cordial enough though he finds himself drawing a little short at the sight of a familiar man, one who'd welcomed him to the city at gunpoint.

Oh dear.

At least he was dressed beyond reproach.

[roughandugly]

Alec had just taken a huge bite out of his second fruit mince pie, when he accidentally made eye contact with a young man on the opposite side of the room. As he chewed, Alec continued to stare, wondering whether the man always dressed so fancy or if the outfit was just for the party. Alec gave a quick nod of acknowledgment, before finishing the rest of the pie off in a single bite.

[somepoorsoul]

While not necessarily minding that modern Christmastime seems to have exchanged solemnity for sweets, Athos is less certain how he feels about all the socializing that seems to be involved. The gathering here is admittedly warm and intimate, but most of the faces are unfamiliar to him, and though some of his initial dislike for their hostess has softened, he is not even on the most comfortable terms with Mademoiselle Argent. To say the least. Though he lingers near Aramis and Porthos for a time, he lets them go to make their hellos without his obviously uncomfortable presence, and finds his spot near the edges of the party.

But for all he seems not to belong, his expression softens whenever his eyes fall on his friends. Once, the ease and comfort with which they moved through this strange new world had disturbed and frightened him, but over time, that has changed to something like admiration. Aramis and Porthos, even d’Artagnan, have made friends here, made lives, as Athos is still convinced he never will. He’s still at loose ends here, without purpose dictated from above and with too many demons still knocking on the doors of his mind. But he watches Porthos laugh heartily, or Aramis spin some inevitably absurd yarn, and that’s enough to keep him grounded in this world for now.

[priordivergence]

I'm trying not to notice that the bread I contributed is getting looked over for other, brighter dishes. It shouldn't surprise me anymore than it does that I'm also passed by for brighter personalities, those who are more at ease with the crowd while I stick to the people I know. Athos, at least, seems to be the same and I slide along the edge of the crowd so that we're both pushing up the same corner of the wall and I fiddle with the edges of my sweater. I wish now that it had buttons; it doesn't seem acceptable to be biting my nails here.

"We're the life of the party, huh?" I ask, even though I'm glad for his presence.

[nervesofsteel]

John still isn't sure what he's doing at this party, which seems to be hosted by a teenage girl and is populated with people he mostly knows from mumbled hellos on the way to the laundry. But why the hell not, right? They don't exactly have any family here, and while he doesn't mind a holiday uncluttered with Sherlock's inevitable faux pas or questions of whether Harry will actually make her presence known, it's nice to know they've got somewhere to go for proper Christmas cheer. And so when Mary had texted him, he had come over, bringing along a tin of buscuits he'd picked up at the shop on the way.

Now that he's here, the tacky little tin sitting next to the food piled on the buffet table, he's wondering if it might have been better not to bring anything at all. Where the hell had all that food come from? Seventeen-year-olds were definitely more enterprising than they had been in his day.

[theresalwayshope]

"It's a potluck."

She'd spotted his arrival, and much the same way she recognized Mary, she sort of half-knew the grey-touched sandy blonde hair and thin, even smile from random encounters around the building or the occasional instance of having the door held open when someone's arms were too full of bags. Those same murmured 'hello' and 'oh, thank you' moments told her he was British, so when she saw him staring at the food table, she figured it was a cultural thing.

"Everyone brings a dish...like cookies," she continued, grinning and nodding to his own offering before presenting him with a brandy she'd poured before moving towards him, "and boom: fully catered party. And for the record? Good call, I'm pretty sure someone brought ice cream, and I made a cake, so smaller sweets are perfect to top it off."

She paused, extending her hand to him. "I'm Allison, it's nice to meet you...and I'm guessing potlucks don't really happen in the UK?"

[everyonetakes]

She's there and she's totally not late -- okay, just a little -- because she'd been studying for an exam she has in two days. Kate's not exactly good at studying, so sitting in their kitchen with her head bent over a pile of books and notes is definitely not her idea of a good time, but she'd forced herself to get three chapters read before heading to the party and she'd actually stuck by that.

So now she's here, dressed in a cute green dress and a pair of red heels, her jewellery and makeup minimal because she seriously hadn't wanted to be any later when she already is.

[theresalwayshope]

As soon as she appears, Allison promptly weaves her way across the apartment to greet Kate with a happy little squeal and an eager hug.

"There's my favorite married lady!" she giggles, drawing back to take in her outfit. "And you look cute as hell, I wish I wasn't so pale that I can't wear colors without looking stupid. Come...get food, drink booze, tell me all about happily ever married, Mrs. Gregson-Geiszler."

[rhymes_with_frenzy]

Kenzi was in a rush as she entered the party a little bit later than planned, practically skidding to a stop in her very high heeled boots and puffing a bit from running down the hall. She had been trying her darndest not to be late but she had felt a strong need to go out and pick up some kind of thing for the party since it was never good to show up empty handed. Hence the large box of chocolates, all of them different flavors and looks that felt Christmas-y to her.

What, she couldn't really cook that well.

Finding a spot to put the box top, she quickly took off the lid, stashed it to the side and then grabbed herself a chocolate to pop into her mouth. After that she was peeling off her jacket to reveal her outfit underneath. Sweaters weren't her normal style but it seemed fitting for the party. Finding a spot to put her jacket away, she chewed on the chocolate as she took a look around the party for people she knew.

[theresalwayshope]

The moment Kenzi arrived, Allison spotted her because she was looking for her. Jason was in the corner, chatting with someone who may or may not have been Aramis, Athos was at the party...and she still felt like she was going insane.

Speeding over to her when she entered, Allison wasted no time in taking the box of chocolates from her, setting them on the table, linking her arm through hers, and steering her into the thick of the party, as if they were nothing more than two friends, chatting and laughing.

As if Allison wasn't nervous as hell at the idea that her uncles might not like Jason. She didn't have this kind of time to stress about Scott, or even Isaac (though Isaac was sort of a nebulous possibility that never really cemented into anything before she got here)...Aunt Kate had steamrolled them with an unexpected family dinner, and Isaac met her dad through all the chaos back home.

"Okay, so this whole party may have been engineered to introduce my boyfriend to my uncles? And now I'm freaking out." Allison explained to Kenzi simply, meeting her gaze with all the fear and worry of a seventeen year old girl introducing her family to the boy she loves for the first time.

"Make me not freak out. Say something witty and acerbic and reassuring so I don't freak out."

[roughandugly]

Alec hovered by the door, ready to escape if necessary; but a quick scan of the party and he decided he would give tonight a chance. The atmosphere seemed happy and relaxed, and the guests didn't look like the stuck-up gentlefolk he'd half expected. It also came as a surprise that he wasn't the least formally dressed person there, wearing the only suit he owned, the one he'd been wearing when he 'arrived' in Darrow just over a week ago. He loosened his tie a little, wishing he could go home and change.

He'd come for the free food, and because he had nothing better to do on such a cold night, and also hopefully to get to know a few people. If he had to live in this building from now on, it might be nice to have a mate or two. After seeing the note on the wall in the laundry room a few days ago, he'd asked another resident if they knew who was hosting the dinner, and found out that it was a woman called Allison. He looked around the room and wondered which of the ladies was her.

Alec had never learned to cook, but he'd managed a bowl of mashed potatoes. He'd seen his mother make them enough times as a boy to know how it was done, and he'd rather enjoyed the mashing part. It may not have been a fancy dish, but who would complain about mashed potatoes?

Mashed potatoes weren't the only thing he'd brought. There was something else, tucked away in his jacket pocket. It hadn't always been his plan to buy a gift for the hostess, but that morning he had passed a store called a 'gift shop', and the thought came to him that a small gift might be a polite way to thank her for the invitation. He'd found something which seemed nice, something he might've bought bought for his mum, or maybe Millie if he had ever earned enough to buy her a nice Christmas present as well. The pocket mirror hadn't been as expensive as he had expected, and the woman at the counter had even wrapped it in gold-coloured paper for him. He hoped the gift would be appreciated and that he wouldn't cause any offense in giving it.

[nervesofsteel]

“Greg?”

It takes a moment for John to realize why the kid looks so familiar - his features are boyishly softer, his hair more tousled, but he could easily be the kid brother of Detective Inspector Lestrade, or even the man himself. For a second he thinks it just might be, and hope flares in his eyes for second, before dying off quickly enough.

Well, shit, John hadn’t even quite realized how much he’d missed his friend until his doppelgänger walked across his vision.

And now he owes the stranger an explanation. “Sorry- you just look a hell of a lot like somebody I know. New to the building, yeah?” John’s sure he would have noticed if a tiny Lestrade had been wandering around before now.

[smiles_on]

How could she resist a party? Any excuse to dress up and socialize and though she can't say she's actually friends with most of the people who live in her building, she is at the very least friendly acquaintances with many of them. And winter time is one of her most favorite times to celebrate, it always has been. Too cold to spend much time outside, it's as if the season is tailor made for festivities. Beautiful twinkling lights, sparkles and glitter, everything shining like diamonds and she absolutely adores it.

So she'd made sure to find just the perfect ensemble for the occasion. Snow white wig decorated with tiny crystal snowflakes. Silver dress accented with the lightest of powder blue along the neck and waistline that perfectly matched her shoes and lipstick. She feels as close to Capitol chic as she has outside the studio in quite some time and it certainly shows in the smile that hasn't dimmed since she and John had arrived. Glass in hand she makes her way around the room, looking for anyone she might recognize to say hello to.

[modern_alpha]

If Lord Akeldama had had the ability to transform himself into female form, Biffy thought that she would have looked something like this. The woman seemed vaguely familiar, in the way that one might recognize someone they had first encountered via the society papers rather than in person. Her carriage, too, suggested the flamboyance of someone used to attention, an actress perhaps.

So impressed was Biffy that he straightened his cravat and made his way over at once.

"Good evening," he said, brightly. "I must give you my compliments."

[one_more_question]

As soon as Felicity sees the flier, it's decided - of course she's going to this potluck holiday party, and of course she's going to coerce Oliver into going with her. She may not celebrate Christmas, but she is totally open to an opportunity to meet more of the neighbors.

She puts on a fesive outfit for the occasion, and she doesn't have a Christmas CD to share, but she can definitely bring food. She's not the greatest cook, but she thinks her latkes turn out pretty well, and she's smiling as she peeks into the open door before heading inside, looking around to see where she should set down her tray.

[likeahero]

Though Oliver's met Allison and he knows Porthos will be there, it still takes Felicity talking him into it to attend the building party. He has no reasons to pretend to enjoy parties or be seen at them in Darrow, but he supposes Felicity has a point in needing to be at least somewhat social from time to time.

While her own outfit is eye catching, Oliver settles for dark pants and a deep green sweater, his only concession to the holiday.

The apartment is pretty crowded, but Oliver manages to find the drinks and grabs something for the both of them as she finds space for her food. When he catches up with Felicity again, Oliver holds out a cup of eggnog. "There are way too many people here."

[starspanglepissedoff]

Typically, America spends her holiday times hunting down the bad guys so that others don't have to, but in Darrow there's such a saturation of hero types that she figures she can take a night off for a friend. Heck, she'd even gone the extra mile and found a dress. Sexy, still comfortable, and pretty damned festive if she said so herself.

And hey, she'd brought latkes, the way that Billy Kaplan taught them all one night when they'd been bored and hungry. So...happy freakin' Hanukkah.

[theresalwayshope]

"Okay...I should be more surprised. And I'm not."

Allison had spotted America the second she entered the apartment, her outfit made it hard not to. The smell of more fresh latkes made her smile as she drew near, so popping up from between two conversing guests moments after she walked through the door, it was with that same smile she gave America a little sideways hug with her arm around her shoulders.

"My favorite Latina making latkes...it's like something from a Seventies sitcom." she teased. "Seriously, though, I'm glad you came. C'mon, food table is over here, booze isn't much further...does alcohol even affect you? I never asked about that."

Which wasn't too strange, since she'd been busy beating up gangbangers at the time, but that sort of conversation wasn't exactly fit for polite company.

[jianhuo]

Saffron is happy to accept Allison's invitation to a holiday party, and even happier when she's told it's a potluck, though it's not like she wouldn't have brought something along anyway. She doesn't get too fancy for tonight, her fitted dress both comfortable and showing off miles of cleavage. She and Church arrive at Allison's apartment laden with trays of appetizers, various finger foods and savory nibbles she's put together.

The food gets placed with the rest of what everyone's brought, and Saffron sends her boyfriend to find her some mulled wine or cider or something equally festive as she looks around for familiar faces.

[memoryisthekey]

I've never been to so many parties in my life. I seriously don't know how Helen does it. But does it she does and here I am again, the luckiest asshole on the planet to have her with me and not with any of the other guys here. And seriously, that dress? How am I supposed to look at anyone else when she's wearing that?

But I promised to behave so when she asks for something to drink, I'm happy to go fetch. There's a pot of mulled wine and I pour us both glasses, taking her one.