Semi-open: May 05

[knightscode]

Who: Lancelot and friends!
What: It's a birthday party! With both regular people and supernatural types. What could go wrong?
When: May 05
Where: Lancelot's flat & garden, Richmond!
Warnings: Gratuitous doggy! Probably a punch up later. Possibly some drunk kissing.



Lancelot's garden is not exactly an acre-large tented paradise.

He's not made of money.

It's big enough to just about fit the people invited across the patio and grass, with Lily variously herding them and rolling around, and he's flitting between them and the kitchen and living room and generally doing his best to butterfly around all of them making sure they're happy. The garden is relatively tidy, as tidy and well kept as a garden that suffers an enthusiastic dog can be. The hedges are neatly trimmed, the tree in one corner healthy and big enough to throw a little shade, and the one flowerbed border seems to mostly have some roses that are yet to fully bloom.

For those who he's only known since the incident last year he's given them a warning: not everyone who will be there is aware of the supernatural side of things, so try not to blurt it to people you don't know.

Despite it being his own birthday Lancelot is, of course, playing host. There's a table set up outside with finger food, salads, drinks and all sorts -- and food strategically inside for those who can't be out in the sun too. He appears to still be checking on more in the oven every so often too, but Lancelot does like to cook -- and he seems quite focused on making sure everyone has something they could eat.

Some of the drinks are alcoholic. The punch isn't that strong, but he has a few other drinks along the side for people who want them and some bottles of beer in an ice bucket. If someone decides to do a little mixing of course then it might wind up stronger.

His sound system is playing the soothing strains of Dire Straits through the place and all in all, for now at least things are going smoothly. So long as nobody says the wrong thing to the wrong person, it will probably be a nice evening. With the mixture of factions present alongside those who have no idea what a faction is, of course... that may be difficult.


[ OOC: Feel free to mingle away on the post with others here! ]

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha says inside out of necessity, which on a sunny day limits her options some when it comes to circulating. Nothing wrong with that. She didn't really come to make new friends—but she didn't come to sit on her own either, or force Lancelot too take time away from his other guests because he's worried she's not entertained.

So strikes up conversations here and there when people wander in, eye contact and a smile before she meets them.

She'd be very bad at her line of work if she couldn't mingle.

"I don't think we've met," she says, just a hint of an accent on the words. "I'm Natasha."

[specifiercity]

Arthur comes by small talk pretty easily, even if his skills are mainly in logistics and pointing guns. He smiles smoothly when Natasha introduces herself and nods.

"Arthur," he replies, his American accent far more obvious, "and I don't believe we've met either."

[outstandingbalance]

"Since we both believe it, I'd say there's a reasonably high likelihood it's true." Said with obvious humor as she offers her hand to shake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Arthur."

[specifiercity]

"And you as well," he says, taking her hand and shaking it. Her appearance gives nothing away about why she's here, so he goes with the safe question first: "So, how do you know the host?"

[outstandingbalance]

It's a good question. One that could be probing for whether or not she's supernatural, or could be polite. The answer, unfortunately, might not be very helpful.

"I ran into him not long after I moved to London. He was walking his dog; it's quite the icebreaker, having a dog like that," she says, glancing to one side as though the animal might be there. "I actually don't know him all that well, but he still invited me when we bumped into each other again."

[specifiercity]

Arthur knows that there are a good number of oblivious people here, so he's playing it safe. He's 100% human so even those who can feel magic won't know that he's part of the 'community' right off the bat, and even if they figure it out he'd rather not tell everyone right away what he does. Hillingdon may be a non-entity for most people, but Arthur knows some people resent them for harbouring the kinds of people who do exactly what he does.

"Sounds like you know him about as well as I do, except I didn't know he had a dog until I showed up today. I'm probably one of the few people who aren't acquainted to him because of Lily."

[outstandingbalance]

"You just might be." Natasha remarks on it playfully. It's been clear to her that Lancelot spoils his dog, and she's popular with his friends."So how do you know him then, if you don't mind me asking. Work?"

[specifiercity]

"Yeah, our paths crossed through work a little while ago," he says casually, "I helped him out with a case."

He knows the lie sounds more like a lie if you're too eager to tell it. Not that what he's said so far is a lie, but if she asks him to elaborate it sure will be.

[outstandingbalance]

"Is that so?" Her chin rises a little as she responds, considering what kind of cases those might be. "And what line of work are you in, Arthur?"

She says it innocuously enough, the way anyone might if they were wondering what he might have had to offer about a case. There's more humor in the words when she adds,"One of those experts they have to call in sometimes?"

[specifiercity]

Arthur laughs softly, wincing gently at how boring what he's about to tell her is. "I'm a financial consultant," he says, "which... is about as exciting as it sounds. I'm basically a freelance accountant, usually for small businesses."

He gestures with his beer as he goes on, "surprisingly enough, not every small business is a hundred percent by the books. I've been called up once or twice to answer a few questions about a job I did and if I noticed any illegal activity while I was looking through their finances, but that's pretty much the extent of my exhilarating life of being an expert consultant."

[outstandingbalance]

Natasha presses her lips together as though covering a wince. That is, indeed, very boring.

She's she responds with teasing, letting that thread of conversation end with a last nod. "Shocking. Here I thought people were always on the up and up with their bookkeeping."

[specifiercity]

Arthur snorts gently. "At least the people pulling scams are used to keeping track of everything. Some people don't even have books to keep in the first place."

He shakes his head, like he has a lot more to complain about on that front, but he won't because this is a party and that's rude. "It's not an exciting job, but it pays the bills."

[outstandingbalance]

"That's the important thing." It's a noncommittal response, and she knows it. She's not sure she doesn't believe him. She's willing to believe him. She does believe he's human, at least.

That's not actually a reason not to pursue the conversation.

"You know, you're not exactly what comes to mind when I picture an accountant."

[specifiercity]

Arthur nods, looking down at the floor, his smile almost going bashful. "Well, I was in the military," he says hesitantly. "I guess I got enough excitement there, decided to settle down and do something a little more... stable."

God, if only that were true. He really should settle down one of these days, hang up the silver-loaded pistol and call it on the hunting business. It's too bad he can't help himself.

[outstandingbalance]

"Oh, that look. That look says you hear this from all the girls."

Natasha leans back slightly, raising her hand to tap her lips as she gives him a considering look. She could believe military. Not just from his build, but his bearing.

"I believe it though."

[specifiercity]

Arthur laughs, still bashful and now embarrassed on top of that. "Not... all the girls," he says, admitting that maybe a few have gone through this exact line of conversation. He raises his eyebrow with a wry smile like he's about to tell what he knows is a blatant lie. "Some people think accounting is a very noble and interesting trade."

[outstandingbalance]

"No, they don't. Not once. Stable, maybe, but noble..." He's smooth. Very smooth. And not particularly uncomfortable with attractive women. Or not interested, but even so he's smooth.

"I'm prying, aren't I? I should stop."

[specifiercity]

"I don't mind," Arthur says. "Well, except for the fact that I haven't had a chance to ask you what you do for a living. It's more interesting than accounting, I assume."

[outstandingbalance]

"You can assume whatever you like, but I'm not sure it'd be right." She lets her arms fall, crossing them behind her—keeping body language open. "I'm—you might say I'm between career paths right now."

Which sounds like a tactful way of saying she's unemployed; not exactly the case. It's not a lie though. Whatever she's doing now, it's new and not at all the arc she thought she'd be on ten years ago.

[specifiercity]

"Ah," he says, sympathetic and knowing. He relaxes a little as she opens up more, though managing not to be too obvious about the fact that he does find her pretty attractive. "I've definitely been there," he says. "Did you have anything in mind for where you're going?"

[outstandingbalance]

"Long term? Not really." She shrugs, smiling a little. There's a little grimness lurking behind her eyes, masked anxiety. "For now, I have a lead or two. Maybe it'll pan out and turn into a new path. If not... I have enough saved up that I won't be starving any time soon."

She adds then, more wryly, "New country, new job. Is that interesting enough?"

[specifiercity]

"Plenty," he says, like he really believes it, "I bet you have a lot of stories to tell."

Not like him. He's just a boring ex-military accountant.

[outstandingbalance]

"Not really," she lowers her eyes briefly as she says it, maybe a little regretful, before meeting his again. It seems like a natural enough gesture. "Not that anyone would want to hear, anyway."

[specifiercity]

Arthur has a lot of stories like that too. It comes with the territory of being in the military, and given the job he was actually doing, it's not surprising that the stories are far too gory to tell at a party even if you do gloss over the details.

"Well, whether that's true or not, it's a good city to make new stories," he says, trying to sound encouraging.

Apparently I lost this thread. Sorry!

[outstandingbalance]

"If the reputation is to be believed," Natasha says. There's a forced air to her answer, as though she doesn't entirely believe it but doesn't really mind either. "I'm not sure I'm main character material though."