genessia | Winter Wonderland Holiday Party

Winter Wonderland Holiday Party

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.
And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The song is playing in the elevator on the way up to what is normally the meeting hall floor, which has been cleared out so that they could "deck the hall" for the party. It's a Winter Wonderland theme, with white, blue, and silver being the main colors. Which, granted, tends to be a Schnee theme- but it's at least in season this time around. Crystal chandeliers and lights hang from the ceiling, looking like icicles, and there's a frosted tree in the center of the room. Upon closer inspection, it's a croquembouche that's been coated with white chocolate and sprayed with edible glitter, pulled sugar ribbons streaming down the sides of the edible 'tree.'

At each of the tables, there are small gift bags for each of the guests- nothing big, just little samplings of sweets from Cat's Meow Cafes. These are in addition, of course, to the family-style servings at each table of meals. Both chestnut waffles with blackberry-orange syrup and crown roasts were available as main dishes at each of the tables, along with a colorful medley of roasted vegetables and an assortment of different types of freshly baked breads in a basket at each dinner table. Every table also seems to have carefully poached and sliced apples and pears with vanilla or caramel sauce as a dessert. The center of the hall is, of course, cleared out for dancing surrounding a round stage where a live performance from Sonico Super is being performed. Individual orders for drinks (coffee, tea, egg nog for those over 18 only, water, or cider available).

Along the edge of the hall are many gifts lined up with bid tickets and boxes for a silent auction. All proceeds from the auction and ticket sales will, of course, go toward the Genessia Scientific Research Foundation's budget for the next year. Almost strategically, there seems to be a bar located toward the start of the auction traffic manned by After Life staff.

At 9:30pm as the evening winds down, guests will be asked to gather near the windows of the hall to watch the Nova City tree lighting. The view from up above in the tower is amazing, the gigantic tree wholly visible as it lights up on the ground below. The only obstruction of view is the lightly falling snow. If at any point it looked like it would stop snowing, you can bet that Weiss's Castform was up on the roof making sure that didn't happen.

Just as 10pm hits and the party is meant to end, all sides of the hall's glass walls light up with fireworks at once. A beautiful fireworks show finishes off the night.

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Sonico, on the other hand, seemed more unsure about the idea of having someone travelling with her. She hadn't even thought about that. "Oh. Maybe... If I can find someone who would be willing."

She tilted her head at him, trying to figure how upset he is about that. "Well, I don't have anyone either. So if you get bored, I'm always here."

"Oh? Well, I do suppose self-discovery is best done alone. A bit lonely at times." It was indeed a valid point, but Arro was no longer discovering himself and sometimes forgot people do just wish to be alone.

Sonico's next words stopped him regardless, "You don't...why?" Granted if it was out of choice that was another matter, but Sonico gave the air of being social enough that it had to be another problem.

"I...would be quite honored, Sonico, to spend a measure of the holidays with you."

Sonico didn't really say anything about the lonely bit, instead glancing away for a moment. That was a new feeling for her that she was trying to deal with.

"Huh?" Sonico was a little taken aback by hos surprise and she wasn't entirely sure of how to respond. She was bashful as she tried to think of an answer, "I...don't know. But...it would be nice to have some time together. Yes..."

Thus it fell to him, and on a subject he was notorious for being abstract on.

He listened, waiting for perhaps an opportunity to find anything to focus on, yet it did not come. This was an altogether innocent request, so perhaps he shouldn't think much of it. It was tempting to ask about her looking away, the discomfort, though slight; was very discernible. After a few seconds of tossing things around in his head to try and pull together something that would sound at least passingly innocent, he smiled.

"Are you sure I wouldn't keep you up? I can be a night owl." Which he definitely was these days because that was mostly when he was at work focusing on his research. Arro then let out a sigh and held up a hand to stop his words. "Let me instead say that it is wonderful, when would you like to meet? Where would you like to meet?" Which he assumed was going to boil down a more-or-less his place or hers, but he held out a hope that this wouldn't be as predictable as he imagined.

Though, some times predictable is best.

"Keep me up? Maybe. But it would be fun to be a night owl for a change." Because Sonico didn't do much with her nights other than sleep - she exhausted herself during the day, and she never had anything scheduled for night.

She tilted her head gently at his sigh, hoping it didn't mean that already he was sorry that he had asked her. "Well, I suppose the depends on what you would like to do together. Should we meet somewhere to eat? Then we can go wherever night owls go or do whatever night owls do." She smiled, showing how willing she is to accommodate him.

It is certainly not regret on his part; merely simple hesitance. As charming as Sonico was, he was also fairly certain she had a small hint of naivety regarding intimate matters.

Not that it was any of his business either way, of course. The hypothesis did set a certain tone to how he wanted to handle things between them though, at least until he had a full and accurate assessment. "You think so?" A chuckle, "I am told it makes one restless~"

Her willingness makes him still more hesitant, but he put on a brave smile and inclined his head. "Perhaps the weekend of the new year? I am thankfully not on call, and the Institute is taking a small break to assess the funds here from the auction...So, I would be able to spend the whole time with you." He moved to rest a hand on her shoulder, biting back an attempt to gently disuade her. He could be on good behavior, but such an ominious-sounding warning might make her ultimately nervous and if he was going to spend time with her, he wished for that without anything coming between them. He settled for rubbing her shoulder gently before tsking.

"Then again, I may have to spend my time giving you a massage, you carry a lot tension, Sonico."

"Then it makes me restless I'll just have to find something to do!" She is pretty restless anyway, quite incapable of setting aside any time to relax.

Hence why mention of spending so much time with him made her look apologetic. She glanced aside but didn't move to take his hand away, "That sounds really great, but I won't have quite so much free time. I said I'd work some shifts at the diner... But what about New Year's Eve eve? Or new year's eve during the day..though I have an evening shift, and I'm spending the evening with a friend." She looked back at him, hope he'd understand that she is just so busy, and not that she doesn't want to spend time with him.

His comment about a massage prompts a small blush, but she just rolled her eyes at herself, "Oh, I'm quite used to thay by now." Though a massage would be really very nice.

"That's the spirit~" He chimed in, quite pleased now. There was an inward breath of relief when she said she couldn't allow him to hang around the entire time, and he then chuckled.

"Let us settle for New Year's Eve eve; I'm the greedy sort and I would hate to make you late for any other obligations." He flashed a grin at that and pondered if he was actually capable of good behavior, he had been solitary lately and found his mind wandering. Such as right now while his fingers gently squeezed her shoulder, feeling the gentle slope with his thumb that trailed down to the swell of-- he hummed, giving a shrug at her words.

"Well, Sonico, I do think a small massage is in order regardless, letting go of that tension might make you feel like a new person~" Lifting his hand away delicately, his brow knit briefly as he brushed a few strands of her hair that had fallen loose aside.

"New Year's Eve eve it is. Then we can have the whole day." She laughs a little at the idea of him being greedy - she finds it quite an amusing thing to say. Plus, how could she not giggle at that grin?

Although now, now his close proximity was making her blush. She chews her lip as he brushes her hair aside, smiling shyly, "Letting go of tension. That sounds nice."

The giggle drew a sigh from his lips. It reminded him faintly of a small bell tinkling. In his opinion it added to her charm.

He settled his gaze on her fully now, taking in the blush and movements of her lips with pale eyes. It was just the sort of gaze that looked able to see inside a person and know their secrets, or the sort that could look through someone and leave them feeling though they had been shot. It fell somewhere between predatory and searching before he allowed a small smile.

"Dear me, Sonico. You're cute enough to just eat up," In a manner. He stepped back to give her a little room to breathe.

That gaze really does much more than just look at her. She was quite sure that no one had ever looked at her that way before, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and her breath quicken. Really, she thought she ought to look away but it was quite difficult. Finally, when he stepped back, Sonico giggled again, grateful for the chance to breathe. "O-oh. But I - Uhm. Thank you?"

When the tension was in the moment; it really had been tempting to kiss her. That would also be disrespectful in public. He buried himself with his tie, going so far as to readjust his tie tack to keep his mind off it as she giggled.

"Oh, you are quite welcome, Sonico~ I might have to give you some space for the evening; you seem a bit flushed." Not that he could guess why.

"Oh..." That was when she realised that she'd probably done something silly or embarrassing. "Right." She watched him play with his tie and then gathered herself together to stand straight. "I suppose it must be quite warm in here." She'll just use that as her excuse instead.

It was hardly silly or embarrassing, but Arro wasn't above a small amount of teasing anyway.

"i couldn't agree more; I had been considering a walk outside." Outside in the depths of a blizzard enveloping the city in the same tone might use as if they were taking a stroll on a light, breezy summer evening. Next time she might not get a reprieve, but for now it was fine, and he reached to pull his pockect watch to observe the time.

"Ah. The only issue with waiting is...the wait." He was referring to when she would be spending time with, not that it was easily discernable from his cryptic phrasing. "Still, I at least have something to look forward to," He started, sliding up in front of her again, a knowing smile on his lips as he took in her features.

"A walk outside?" Sonico blinked, considering how very cold it was. Was he just joking, or did he really like the cold? "The snow is very pretty..." She has to admit that much at least.

Sonico glanced with curiosity at his pocket watch, but looked back up at him as he moved closer again. She smiled at his comment and nodded lightly in agreement, "It's always so nice to have something to look forward to. It's always nice when things are the wait, too."

Arro felt very much as though he was struggling to bite his tongue at this point.

"Thankfully you are always worth the wait, Sonico." No sooner had the words left his lips than he was inwardly reelng. If he was going to maintain a pretense of professionalism, this had to be his poorest showing thus far. Still, he had at least noticed her interest in his watch, and pulled it once more, undoing his watch chain and offering it for her to look at.

It was a simple, silver thing at first glance, stamped with a sigil of an "M" and a ring framed by clouds on the cover. Inside was a langauge that didn't match anything on Earth, the numbers on the face glowed a pale blue with the hour and second hands replaced by two floating rings hugging the center. A small break in each ring was the vague indication of the time.

"A gift from my parents when I graduated." How long ago had that been now? He still remembered plainly, but he would not share that for a long time yet.

Oh gosh, it really must be warm in there, despite her naked shoulders. It must be, right? Or else why are her cheeks so warm? Soncio moved a hand to press against her cheek as though attempting to cool herself down. Thankfully, after feeling bashful at his initial comment, she was distracted by his pocket watch.

Sonico moved closer to get a better look, peering over the object and taking in all the little details. "It's like...something out of a fairytale." That was about the only way she could think to describe it - something not quite of this world, and beautiful. She looked back up at him and smiled, evidently pleased for him, "What a thoughtful gift." It was perhaps none of her business, not really, but she did need to ask, "Is the M...one of your parents?"

It was certainly warm to him, it might be due to the close proximity, not that he minded. "You think so?" It was a high-end watch for his home, but not the best. He clicked it shut quietly and returned it to his pocket before replacing the watch chain.

There was a small shake of his head at her question when he was finished. "Ah. No, it stands for 'Mar', my home. People were very...patriotic." He offered for an explanation. "My parents though, they were Benedict and Alba Caine."

"Mhm. I don't think I've ever seen a real pocket watch before. It's very beautiful." Because really, she felt as though she were looking at sone kind of relic.

She looked back up at his face when he put the watch away and smiled. "Those are lovely names. They sound very kind. You must miss them, being here without them."

One day, he might tell her more about it, as Sonico was looking at a relic of sorts. For the moment he betrayed nothing and returned her smile, until she spoke. He looked off to the side briefly, pushing up his glasses.

"I like to keep their memory with me." He was trying to not descend into depressing territory as they had been gone for quite some time. "I imagine though, it is quite the same for you, Sonico."

When he put it like that, Sonico sensed at once that she had said the wrong thing, so she didn't push it any further, but nodded her head slowly in understanding.

"Me?" She didn't look very sure for a moment, not entirely certain what he meant. "I've never known my parents. But I do miss my grandmother."

"Ah..." He looked down to the ground. Family was always a touchy subject in the end, but to not know her own parents, well. He could only speculate on the details, but that might be for another time.

"That's only natural..." Though for him, he felt it best none of his family had seen what happened to him over time. He remained silent for a moment, considering how to handle the conversation as it might be best to not dwell on family due to the distinct lack of it here.

"Instead," He began, sipping at his drink, "Let us reflect on the company we share now."

Sonico had managed not to drift off too much, at least. To save herself from saying anything further to dampen the conversation, she went quite a moment and finished her drink. "That's a good idea. Why waste the moment?" She smiled as she said it, hoping she sounded confident - it was the kind of thing her fun-loving confident friends would say.

Taking in her words, he nodded. She certainly sounded confident at least, and that helped him as well.

"I could not have said it better~ They never come back, after all." He sounded faintly distant on that note, but he smiled and set his drink down. "Should I give you space for the evening, Sonico?"

"Oh - well..." Sonico glanced around the room for a moment or two before finally looking back at Arro. "I suppose I should find out if I'm needed on stage again. Weiss said that I might perform some more if people enjoyed my singing enough." At once she worried that perhaps that sounded boastful, and she blushed, tucking loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

Winter Wonderland Holiday Party

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