Christmas Lunch

[adifferentlife]

The best way to celebrate any holiday is to share it with people that one care's about, Sybil is sure of that. It's why she's organised this, a luncheon for any and all that she's friends with. It's not something she's done before, and it feels very adult to be hosting a party within her own home. It's not something she ever imagined doing in such a small space, or without a staff to support her, or even before she was married with her own home, but those aren't things that are considerations here.

Instead she's let everyone know when to come and to bring something to share with the others. She's ordered in the main part of the meal, a roasted turkey instead of a goose and a roast of lamb as well. There's champagne and wine, and she has the record player Kaine gave her in the corner playing christmas carols by Bing Crosby. There's a small tree of real pine with strings of beads strung through its boughs and little elecric lights twinkling. Henri has helped her to decorate and do the cooking that she's tried, even if most of the cookies she made needed to be thrown our they were so burnt.

Once people start to arrive she relaxes, allowing herself a glass of wine once she's sure everything is in order and things are going well. At some point there is nothing else she can do, other than talk to her guests; her friends. It's nothing like a Christmas at Downton, but her second one here in Darrow and it feels like the Christmas it's supposed to be.

Comments

[wipeawaythedebt]

If there's anything that makes Booker nervous, it's gatherings like these. He's always lacked the social graces and patience that they require and honestly, if he hadn't felt obligated, he'd never have some in the first place. But Sybil's someone Elizabeth likes and he has to admit she wasn't totally useless when they were all trapped in that... well, wherever they'd been trapped.

Still, it doesn't stop him from standing in the back of the room, drinking from the flask he always has on him.

[radicalize]

"You look like you aren't much for parties," Lucy says lightly, not entirely sure what compels her to approach the man except that she hasn't been a big fan of them herself of late. That's been slowly changing, and it isn't the case this afternoon, but she feels like she gets it anyway, the impulse to stay out of the way, not really a part of the festivities, even if it's for completely different reasons. "Are you a friend of Sybil's?"

[wipeawaythedebt]

"Something like that. More like the friend of a friend." Again he's not sure what he's doing here. He doesn't even know if he can explain how he knows the woman except to maybe say, sure, we were trapped in a metal world filled with monsters for a few days. Now she invites me to social functions.

[radicalize]

"Ah," Lucy says, chin lifting in a half-nod of understanding. Though she doesn't know the specifics, it doesn't really surprise her, either, with as open as Sybil has seemed to be with regards to invitations. She'd gotten to bring her own brother, after all, and she's pretty sure that Sybil and Max have never even met. "Well, merry Christmas."

[wipeawaythedebt]

"You, too, miss. You got any family here, or are you like the rest of us, just... wandering around?" He's not sure what makes him ask the question. Maybe something about her kindness remind her of Elizabeth, maybe it doesn't. Maybe he figures if he's talking to someone he won't seem like such an outsider at this thing.

[adifferentlife]

It would be a lie to say that she wasn't still nervous around Booker after their misadventures. But he'd saved her life with his power, whatever it was, and he was important to Elizabeth. That made him welcome here, as much as any of her other friends. "I'm glad you could make it."

[wipeawaythedebt]

"It was nice of you to invite me, ma'am." Even if he's not sure why. Elizabeth, sure, the two women seem to be friends and he's not one to begrudge Elizabeth her friends, but him? He can't imagine he came off as the party sort.

"You do things like this often?"

[adifferentlife]

"Not very, no. Though I miss them. We always used to have parties and dinners and Downton. My home," she adds, in case he misunderstands. "I think it's lovely, having the people about you that you care about and are interested in."

[wipeawaythedebt]

"I guess. I've never really been the type to have a lot of friends." Not in a long time, since he was bounced from the Pinkerton's, really. But then, he figures that was for the best, despite everything, he never really liked being a cop for hire. He liked choosing his battles.

Well, mostly. Can't say he had much of a choice about Elizabeth, but there you go. Life was funny that way.

[adifferentlife]

"Then this can be a new start. Darrow, days like this?" She's endlessly optimistic, seeing everyone in the best possible light. "After all, we're you're friends now."

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre was doing what he could to meet all of Sybil’s friends present at the party, but mingling had a way of taking its toll. He enjoyed the company of others, but had never had a talent for idle conversation, and the new faces, as few as they were, had begun to swim before him.

Seeing the gentleman standing in the corner, he wondered if he was not the only one who found himself surrounded by unfamiliar faces. He made his way over and offered the man a polite smile. “Can I get you anything, M’sieur?"

[wipeawaythedebt]

Foreigner. Not that anyone here's exactly native, but the accent is a giveaway. And in truth he doesn't even care except it's a fact that he files away in his head. Never knows when he might need it. "No, thank you, just taking it all in I guess. Not much of a party man, myself."

[jaimemieux]

“Then allow me to offer you all the greater thanks for coming,” Combeferre said, inclining his head slightly. He had his share of experience with the reticent, and wished neither to make the man think his distance was a problem, nor force him into idle chatter he did not want. “And I am sure Sybil appreciates it all the more.” He offered his hand. “Henri Combeferre. Forgive me, I am trying to meet as many of Sybil’s friends as I can, and I fear there are many unfamiliar faces here."

[wipeawaythedebt]

Taking the hand, he inclines his head, "Booker DeWitt. Formerly of New York." He's tempted to give the date, too, since it usually ends up being partially relevant, but he's not really interested in rehashing his life story today. He's here to be as polite as he can manage and keep an eye on Elizabeth.

"If you've met her friend Elizabeth, we're from the same... world." Whatever the hell that meant. Even coming from the same world he's not always sure that they were from... the same world.

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre nodded. "I have not met Elizabeth, though Sybil has mentioned her many times. She is a very good friend, I gather." He sipped his drink. "Have you been in Darrow long?"