The line at the bar was... ooof. So party tray champagne it is. Light, bubbly, refreshing, and not enough alcohol to do more than give him a mild coin battery buzz. But definitely enough to require restroom services. Which... is surprisingly difficult to find. But eventually he was successful and returns to find the people clustered by the bar still there...

And just in time to overhear an old friend get volunteered for Jello Wrestling.

Oh, he cannot let this pass up. Sidling up to the group, he waits for a gap in the conversation before hopping in with a wicked, wicked grin and a thick Bayou accent.

"Jello Wrasslin? I didn't know you had it in ya, Leo! An' fer the good of the kids, no less. I accept your challenge, and'll await ya in the ring. Just make sure it's cherry flavored. Also, long time no see. Good ta hear you're making it big enough to do this sort of charity work, though!"

Oh you must! I'll let you know when it opens. It's going to be wonderful.

She listened to your business and suddenly had a thousand questions. That must be an interesting tangle of permits. None of the places I've ever opened had an erotic element. Yes she finds the way that cities do their permit regulations fascinating.

She's strange.

You say you're going to get your ass kicked and she laughs, nodding. "In jello of a not-yet-determined color."

Perhaps I may . I might even be around at some point to be introduced .
Though not making any dates in the diary as times will be reversed again in a couple of weeks

I notice who you look at and nod to. Yes, we'd been to many parties together but I was the one to let you greet others. After all, I was used to being the bodyguard wasn't I?

Great observation,Sapphire Blue, but this is an old avatar .. but i whip it out around the first week of may most times slow grin

gigi.

Pleased to meet you, and you may get the impression I'm not much of a .............. socialite. Can I do these parties? Yes. Do I? Yes. Are there other things I could be doing that are more lucrative?

Yes.

But in Dragoshi's defence, there's connections and I assume that's what this little soire is all about. Connections like this one about to be made.

Let me guess. You're a seamstress. Pale, blue eyes are cast about the crowd and then slide back to you. There's mirth there, but also a probing, because I really am curious as to what you do. Your eyes tell me a great deal of things without specifics.

*He smiles and kisses her sof and rubs her tush slowly*

Thank you love. Luckily we all have each other to get through.

Watching you the moment you turned and made eye
contact. His smile is a bit dry and walks toward you.

Holly.
You look ravishing. His eyes scan the room though
he knows you came alone--well he doesn't count your
entourage. His eyebrows lift.

What? No boyfriend number three?

I had stepped away for a minute, but the talk of this new club opening up had me slowly stalking my way back into the group.

Hot oil and jello? He thought they were friends. He's going to die.

And needs another drink, actually.

"No, I've just heard a bit about you from our mutual friend."

She gave you a pleasant smile and saw you working the crowd.

You lean in to whisper and her first reaction is practically a guffaw and her hand comes up to clamp over her mouth. But then she draws it away and is only half-laughing, eyes widening, mouthing, 'really?' as she tries to decide if she's turned on or scared.

Phoebe McCabe --

She feels that soft touch to her arm and she turns her focus back to you, her cheeks a little pink. She listens as Caroline DuPont tells you about Peach Grove and what a great venue it will be for executives. She nods along, having worked her way through high school and university at various hotels affiliated with Caroline and her family, internationally.

And then you say you're in the process of hiring. "Oh. What kinds of positions are you looking to fill?" Oh. She has a moment of thinking about her phrasing.

Kissing your cheek and ear
I’m sorry for you

A polite snort as you say that. Indeed, there was a time or two when I had gone to your father to ask for hazard pay. Surprisingly he admired a man who would step up and speak his mind. I sip my drink again and give you that quiet smile of mine.

it was all worth it in the end.

My quiet smile turns a little as I lean in to your ear quietly.

as you find as you find miss poetry . Is your flower crown because of the may queen ??

Okay, you're laughing, so he can't have missed something he was supposed to be aware of. The smile you get is warm and bashful.

Then a tilt of his head. "I'm going to get my ass kicked, Mei."

Holly Blanc -

You realize he is about to tell you that he has no idea what that means, and ask you to explain, right?

"Oh, good, I have an excess of enthusiasm." So not boring, then.

Then he sips more of his champagne, as your attention snaps there, and back again.

"Of course. It really was a pleasure to meet you, Holly." The warmth of his smile certainly indicates sincerity. "Have fun storming the castle." A mite disappointed you do have to disappear, but he gets it. Networking.

Holding tight

Holding you close
My naked flesh pressing on you

You're welcomes, in music, it's awesome to be all o'er the place ...definitely eclectic tastes, here too impish grin