after hours

the high-pitched ping of the glass reverberated in her mind as the headache continued to pound in her head. the last month and a half had run her ragged, the nights of hand sewing left the fingers now wrapped around her cup feeling like the tin man's unoiled joints. "happy galentine's indeed." celia proclaimed with a small little smile. all of her focus was poured into jett as she quickly took another long drink of the champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose. "honestly, you should. you'd make a killing, that's for sure."

"You know, I can't wait until I'm fucking running that place and I get to come up with more shit," Jett believed he was good enough, it was just his age and experience that was holding him back but it was good to have goals. A bottomless wouldn't even be up to him anyway. He'd had a couple of mimosa's at this point. "We're getting hammered, right? This is the point of these things? I need to stop fussing over the average food."

"Nooooo way. Jackpot, dude. Where'd you get them from?!"

“I made ‘em” he admitted, shoving one in his mouth a couple of moments later. “Not the most practical bonfire food but I had left overs and it was like, ‘you’re coming home with me,” Jethro was hush happy to share at this point.

"Is that who she was supposed to be?" Jaswinder had not been able to put two-and-two together when the blonde had sat at her table, asking her if she wanted to build a snowman. Which in hindsight should have been a dead giveaway, but Jaswinder was on her fourth glass of prosecco and everything was beginning to feel like it was vibrating. "Oh my god. I'm such an idiot. I figured she was just really into different weather patterns." @jethrocarmichael

"Well, I guess weather kinks could be the new in thing," Jethro said grinning with a nonchalant shrug, it wouldn't even be the wildest thing he'd heard, though he wasn't entirely sure how it worked.

owl-like eyes followed his gesture to the glass, and a gentle laugh followed his compliment. "thank you. though, kind of an unremarkable talent to have, wouldn't you say?" she asked with a smile as her gaze darted around, her proclivity for shyness rearing its head.

"I'm Jethro, it's a pleasure to meet you Evangeline." Jett's voice was sincere as he looked towards the brunette, honestly glad he'd found a distraction from the chaos of the party for once. At this very moment, the smash rooms honestly sounded like a better option. He could do with the stress release - things had gotten slightly better since moving to Aurora Bay but he hadn't been able to face New York for Christmas and he did miss his family, so nothing felt very festive. "It sounds like a better option, don't you think?" He told her, chuckling. "Otherwise people are just drunk or making out...or both. I found a couple in one of the coat closets before too." All of the above were things he was used to and things that just happened at these parties. "What if it did happen? What if we got to smash all the nice ornaments from the hotel or the big sculptures?" @msevangeline-evans

"If you're looking for an easy catch, you might want to look somewhere else pretty boy." A smug grin strings across her lips, gaze focused on Jethro, whilst continuing to eat the desert he so kindly provided for her. "I like games." After a moment of thought, Nina offers a single nod, returning to push the last crumbs of the dish around her plate with her fork. "I've been told I tend play with my food a lot."

"You're still here, aren't you?" Jethro reminds her smoothly. Maybe he should've bee put off by her attitude but it really just intrigued him more.

for: open to all !! @aurorabaystarter where: exes bonfire

"Jalapeno poppers -- they're wrapped in bacon," he answered, it was unpractical but Jethro was a show off and he'd brought them straight from work. "Have one," he handed one out just as she handed the box. "They're slightly better sustenance."

She can tell he's trying to lay on the charm. Most people usually condoned or laughed away whatever aggression Nina threw the worlds way. "Something about the whole sitting on an old mans lap concept makes me wanna call Kendrick."

"Alright, fair point." Jethro agreed, but, he didn't doubt she was at least on her way to being impressed. She hadn't left yet, had she? So she must be somewhat amused. "So how does one impress you, Nina? that's what I wanna know." The best way he knew was to ask. "I don't think you're unimpressed, anyway. You ate my food and you're still here, so I'm not doing too bad for myself here, am I?" @ninaxgray

Her attempt at a sweet smile turned more into a devilish grin. No one would ever call her nice. There was a long list of other adjectives before nice came into play.

Jett rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but laugh. Typical, he thought. He'd taken the paper once she'd slid it back, shoving it into his pockets. "Well thank god for that, right?"

closed - @jethrocarmichael

"Depends what you like," Jethro answered almost too quickly, he was a step behind her. If there was one thing about Jett, it was that he'd never miss an opportunity to show off his culinary skills despite only being the sous chef at Fire and Ice. "I'd say the food is pretty incredible, but I may be a little bias considering I make some of it." By now, he'd stepped in front of her, walking backwards into the restaurant to face her. "What do you like? I can make sure it's up to your standards." @thecarolinexkelly

who: @celia-baker where: seascape

bony fingers white-knuckled the champagne glass, almost a mirror of her and the coffee cup. only this time, the grip wasn't a cry for caffeine. it was more to center herself. the long night, no break lifestyle had been catching up with her for some time however the holiday season had made it much less ignorable. she was determined to not have this ruin her night, however. so, she had excused herself from the group of people she had found herself chatting with to take a moment out in the foyer.

Typically she read him like a book. Jett had been to one too many of these events. He was forced to go in New York but he found himself showing up to these things anyway now he lived in Aurora Bay, perhaps out of habit. He knew all the right people to talk to and the right things to say, in both places but it still mentally exhausted him. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't surprised she wasn't totally wasted yet with the things she'd been doing recently. He'd also be lying if he said he wasn't worried about her. "Little bit," Jett admitted as he took his seat next to her, it was easy to be overwhelmed at these things and he certainly hadn't had enough champagne to deal with that. Blue hues were barely glassy. It was only really something he'd admit to her they'd gotten so close over the years. "You the same? Or are we blaming it on these heels?" He teased, leaning into his seat. "You can take 'em off for a minute if you'd like I won't tell." @celia-baker

Esme snorted, the sound unpolished but genuine, as she leaned her elbows on the counter. “A block of cheese and calling it ‘Minimalism’? Now that’s genius. Honestly, I’d probably steal that idea and win on pure audacity alone. High art, low effort—my kind of vibe.”

Jethro laughed, the kind of laugh that started in his chest and ended in a shake of his head. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he gave Esme an amused look. “A cheese dragon? That’s not just avant-garde, that’s borderline mythical. I’m picturing it now—perfect little Parmesan scales, maybe some cheddar flames. You could charge admission just to see it before it melts.”

Show off. Nina leans back against the kitchen backsplash, considering having a smoke despite the fact she'd absolutely set off the fire alarm doing so. She wonders how many women Jethro has lured into this kitchen after hours with the promise of fancy food, and if that small amount of charm was actually enough to get him what he wanted.

Jethro leaned against the counter opposite her, crossing his arms loosely. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched Nina settle into her story, the kind of amused, quiet attention that made it clear he was enjoying himself.

As though he was a wish come true, Margot heard a deep, familiar voice behind her. Shifting on her heel, she spotted Jethro heading towards her through the crowd.

Jethro’s smile widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he stepped closer. “What can I say? Timing’s everything,” he said, his voice smooth and warm, like the kind of melody that lingered long after the music stopped.