Realistic or Modern Glitz and Grit (1x1 Between WhimsicalWriter and Aster)

[WhimsicalWriter]

“…take care Gabriel. I’ll be waiting to hear about your decision.” Royce’s cutting smile, edged with warning, contrasted with the friendliness of his words. Dressed in a pressed maroon suit—why wear boring blacks and grays when he could stand out with something different?—he reached forward, grasped Gabriel’s trembling hand, and firmly shook it. Royce’s own right hand was bandaged, yet he didn’t flinch whatsoever when the other attempted to return the shake. Without further ado the blond bid the man farewell and walked away.

He stopped by the staircase railing and leaned on it to observe the partygoers below. Upon the polished wood chatted a crowd of black market dealers, extortionists, hitmen and torture specialists for hire, and likely any other kind of criminal one could think of. As the outspoken crime lord of this city, Royce felt right at home among them.

While it was no mansion, the building was still massive. The grand entrance hall, which he was in now, was separated between the ground level and the second level. A staircase with ornate carved rails connected the two. Glittering chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and a few paintings decorated the walls. The art pieces weren’t necessarily exotic or expensive; they all came from some difficult raid or deal, and he saw no reason not to flaunt the prizes.

Beyond the entrance hall, and the areas he kept off limits to the partygoers, was his personal living space upstairs and the “business” rooms on the ground level. Many of his direct underlings were currently guarding the doors and patrolling the corridors.

Royce’s eye caught on a young woman’s face. He didn’t recall talking to her yet. As the host he wanted to speak with every person here, thus he strolled down the stairs and into her line of sight.

“How’s your evening going?” he conversationally asked upon reaching her.

 

[Aster]

The scent of wine is heavy on her lips; a by-product of the poison which coats in an alluring bloom of red. It curls when she snarls and stings where she marks. Her mind wanders idly to her last prey. The memory sparks a satisfied smile.

The night before had been entertaining but all good things must come to an end. The young man she had toyed with was a prominent gang leader, rising in his position, setting a name for himself in his territory. Naturally, she went to see if rumors proved true and had her fill before disposal. Like all her previous victims, a lip print burns into their skin. Sometimes below their neck, at their wrists or in their palms. This one had proved lucky and Reina, with her alluring smiles and tender words, seared red into the corner of his lips, letting acid sink and skin tear. The scar would fully heal in a week.

Reina couldn't wait to see the outcome.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the host of the party came, greeting her openly in casual manners. She smiled, glass against her lips and wine a touch away. She's done her research and her eyes eat up the sight of him.

"Better now that you're here," she replies, setting her drink on the table beside her. Her eyes twinkle in teasing and she wonders just how far she could get with him.

It's a bad idea, her mind reminds her thankfully. Sleeping with someone you're going to rob would be quite messy.

 

[WhimsicalWriter]

"Well well. Flattery will get you far," he smoothly responded. Behind his black mask, a classy accessory with its edges of silver and hiding only his nose and around his eyes, he observed what he could see of her. The party's masquerade theme meant every person, including the wait staff and guards, wore masks. It was more for aesthetic than purpose; he knew most people here, and they all knew who he was, so he had no need to completely hide his face.

Her, however, he couldn't pinpoint her identity yet. She was confident and smart, without a doubt.

A waiter stopped beside him and offered the wine glasses sitting upon his silver tray. Taking one in each hand, Royce nodded his thanks, and the waiter wandered off.

"Care for a drink?" He held out the glass enclosed by his injured hand, as if proud of the split knuckles and sliced palm beneath the swath of gauze. Showing off what others might consider weakness or unsightly--a show of his pride, as well as a reminder that he was not the type to sit back and watch in the safe shadows.

 

[Aster]

Reina threw a smile in response, her shoulders lifting in a small shrug. It was a weak attempt but it conveyed her intentions just fine. She did not fail to catch the scars which littered his hands; a display of danger, dominance and recklessness. The light in her eyes dimmed as she took the glass of wine offered, despite having just drunk one earlier.

A smooth palm brushed against the back of the blonde's hands as she took the glass from him, cherry nails just grazing the split between his knuckles. There's laughter in her smile as she drew the wine to her lips and she threw his question back at him, "Fancy party, Mr. Adams, but how has it been treating you?"

 

[WhimsicalWriter]

"I'm enjoying it as much as I do all fancy parties. I love the atmosphere for the first hour, but after that I start growing bored. I'm almost to that tipping point." Speaking with this many criminals in a short time caused his cunning mind to race with possibilities. That fact was both a helpful and maddening thing; while the new ideas aided future plans, he also became restless and desired to act upon the budding schemes immediately.

However, even he couldn't just end a party in full swing. Inviting the greatest members of the city's crime world, as well as many people from outside of the city, and telling them to leave after only an hour wouldn't settle well.

After swirling the wine for a few moments, he took a sip. "So if you notice me growing less chatty soon, that's why. I'll have probably started a game of 'how can I make this person useful?' in my head." Another sip, and then a lighthearted smile. "Do me a favor and don't tell anyone else I said that. Some of the people here wouldn't appreciate hearing it."