soul_logs | (no subject)

Characters:

suchselfishness, & OPEN
Location: The New MukuRhode apartment in Murder Manor
Rating: G-PG
Time: December 31; 8 PM - 1 AM, or whenever people decide to go home...
Description: It's a housewarming party and a New Year party wrapped into one big celebration!

They hadn't bothered with much decoration, though Rhode had insisted on a bit of shiny garland around the doorframe so people would know exactly where they were supposed to come. Mukuro had bought champagne (and stronger things, for the guests who preferred them) and Rhode had made sure they had a nice little setup of sweets and fruit, including some cake and tarts she'd baked herself. After some struggle, she'd even asked Mukuro to help her figure out how to turn on the stereo for the sake of having atmosphere music.

The leftmost bedroom door is shut, but the rest of the apartment has been left open to nosy guests!

[[ooc; You can start your own threads, mingle, whatever! Mark your threads with a time and location, and whether they're open or closed. ♥ }}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Not really, he wants to say. He's not comfortable in social situations, especially social situations being hosted by people he's not on entirely good terms with. It just seems all fake. Like he's standing in a room full of actors.]

It's all right. [Small talk, dear god. Small talk that seems to him awkwardly forced. But he has to reciprocate for the box of tarts. That's what he's here for. He takes out a long, thin, rectangular gift box from a pocket and hands it over.] Here.

[ Though she accepts the box, she

She's staring at the box like he's handed her a lit stick of dynamite, eyes a bit too large too hide how surprised she is by the gift. ]

... Oh.

[ She should open it. And it takes her a few moments, but she finally does- picking the ribbon undone with a cautious air, but stopping right before she can open the lid. ]

Ah– Thank you.

I haven't booby-trapped it. [Said after an awkward beat.

He's trying to be reassuring, really.]

You didn't even cover it with holy water?

[ But she's teasing, speaking very quietly, opening up the box and taking a slow breath as though steeling herself. It was... ]

A bracelet? For me?

Yes. [fidget] I'm not good at picking dresses for girls [smaller than himself].

It's lovely.

[ She says it in a rather odd tone, still somewhat shocked that he bought her something so nice. She's rather certain that he hates her, after all; this doesn't really match up with hatred, though. ]

I... I don't have any jewelry, here.

[He doesn't hate Rhode; hate is too strong a word, reserved only for people like the Geneiryodan and their ilk. Dislike or disapproval might be more accurate, and a lot easier to set aside should the occasion call for it, like now. He relaxes minutely when the disdain he's been half-expecting doesn't appear.]

A-ah. I thought you might want something to go with your clothes.

Ah... I do...

[ Looking up at him with those big, blue eyes, with a very strange expression. She doesn't know what to make of this at all, and for a few minutes this childish confusion is something quite genuine, not part of her well-composed innocent act. ]

... Thank you.

You're... you're welcome. [Okay, that is one look he's never seen being directed at him before. Now she really does look like the child she presents herself to be.]

Would you like me to put it on you? [He'll give her this one gentlemanly act before he's hightailing it out of here.]

[ She's very quiet, still trying to absorb exactly what he did, but then she nods, holding out her wrist cautiously. ]

That would be nice.

[Rhode already has the box open, which makes things easier for him. Kurapika simply picks the bracelet out and closes the clasp around the wrist she holds out. His hands are steady despite his awkwardness.]

[ She holds it up once he's done, admiring it in the light with a properly impressed expression. Moving her wrist up, down, right in front of her face and down to her side, putting on a little show for herself before smiling. ]

I've got jewelry now. And it's nice jewelry.

[He nods as if to agree with her, but it's also for himself--a gesture of relief at seeing that the present fits and doesn't look half-bad on the girl's wrist.]

Happy new year.

Ah!

[ She pauses, not quite sure what to do. If it were Kuroro or Mukuro, she'd give them a kiss on the cheek... but that doesn't really suit Kurapika. ]

You, too.

[ And after another long, awkward moment, she just... edges off, doing her best to disappear as she looks for her Meister or someone else to latch onto. ]

[He heaves a sigh of relief at finally having accomplished his social obligation for the evening, and like Rhode, turns around to go back to Kuroro's side.]