sixwordstories | (no subject)

You look fantastic, Elenore.

~Like Athena, m'dear.~

[Says the delinquent.]

It's a lovely dress.

Well, thank you. I'm grateful that she has good taste and no reason to be cruel with the bridesmaids' dresses.

That's- [She's about to respond, but she needs a moment to deal with her surprise at said delinquent in a suit.] -Huh. You do clean up. Well.

Better than I was expecting from the source.

~Almost wore the red shirt black suit combo, but this seemed more subdued. And now we match.~

We do, which is a pleasant surprise. As is the proof that you can wear something other than black without melting.

~I could 'ave worn the pink one I found.~

The other choices were that bad?

Now I know what I'm asking you for for my birthday!

My cousin is a frequently petty and jealous woman, and bridesmaids are traditionally inflicted with horrifying uniforms.

~Ask and ye shall receive.

So is there anyfing I should know before swimming with the sharks?~

Consider me asking.

Everyone will be subtly bitchy about my last relationship or overly nice in order pump you for information. Unless they're talking about themselves. If they drink enough, there will be tears. They will drink enough. My mother has worked with a number of alphabet soup agencies over the years.

My father is an architect. My brother is a fuck up married to a bitter narcissist. Their adorable son will not be at the event. My younger sister is a skilled artist, and if you like her better than me, don't mention it. She's bringing her boyfriend as of last week, but that may change. My cousin Felicia and aunt Jane only care about people in as far as those people reflect back at them. The exception is when they can laugh at someone. Jane is the wealthiest of that generation and she likes to make sure everyone knows it. The fact Felicia isn't marrying rich enough to continue the tradition annoys the fuck out of her, but she won't actually admit it. And that's the general overview.

~Crap.

...I feel I should be taking notes, mum. But overall sounds a bit like most people's families minus the Alphabet Soup.~

About the asking or the general?

[She nods slightly.] Realistically, it is. As you're officially there as a friend rather than a boyfriend, you should get away with remembering half of the names of people you get introduced to and saying generic nice things if you can scrape them together.

~Didn't think you actually would. But I am a man of me word.

I'll be ever so flattering.~

You don't have to if you don't want to. I was largely teasing.

And no one will believe that, but that's okay. Try to avoid my mom if you can. And that means we should be about ready to go.

~Oh, no. Now it's on.~

[He offers an arm.] ~Yer chariot awaits.~

Well, then, I'll just have to enjoy.

[She takes his arm, pleased that the blues don't clash.] Thank you, for this.

~Don't even mention it. Me old mate, Ange, 'e used ter say forcing me to leave me cave every so often was good for me. So, this is me leaving wiv another hermit.~

Do we still count as hermits if we interact with each on a daily basis? Or is that just an entirely new level of hermit-ry? [She's settled in against him as they walk.]

~It's co-hermitage.~ [He's not used to the contact exactly, but he's certainly not complaining.]

Well, it seems to be largely working for us. [Considering the general care she normally applies to the professional line with touching, this is a leap. But, you know, comfort facing the storm.]

~I 'ave to admit I'm a little surprised by that. Normally I cock it up by now.~