cleopatra

“That is a plus,” Frankenstein nodded. “Although it would be rather amusing if a live one ended up loose. Imagine all the chaos on top of everything else.” He gave a small smile at her comment. “Especially food. If I hadn’t eaten before coming I likely would have finished the whole platter in one sitting.”

Cleopatra’s nose wrinkled. “That sounds...well, it doesn’t sound very fun,” she finally settled on, inwardly cringing at the thought of live snakes at a party such as this. She could barely tolerate them on the best of days. “I think there’s already chaos, or will be, if the bar runs out,” she quipped. Cleopatra laughed. “The whole platter? That is a lot.” 

“My apologies! But ye seem like ye’r all alone.” He was teasing her, all in a light manner. The alcohol really was loosening the soldier up, and he didn’t mind it by one bit. It was easier for him to think that way. “The kind that even I wouldn’t be forgettin’ about. And that ain’t all that easy fer me.” He grinned as he sipped at his drink, his sips needy. “Anytime, m’lady. Glad to be of service today. Even if its that.” He nodded, trying to sound as serious. “An’- ain’t no worries there! Not gonna throw up.”

Cleopatra laughed at the teasing, though she took it as mostly the alcohol speaking. She took a small sip of the champagne before she laughed. “I would believe that,” she quipped. Cleopatra took another bite of her food and shook her head. Idly, she wondered if he drank this much all the time but assumed it wasn’t her place to ask. She didn’t know him, after all. “I would certainly hope not,” she said with a small smile. She tilted her head to the side. “I can assume you’re having fun then?”

“And if ye don’t get drunk- what’s the point in bein’ here? Socializin’ and all?” Soldier grinned at the thought of that. He was never a snob- he’d rather drink, get drunk, and enjoy himself as much as he could. That was a night well spent, to him. “In one piece, right past midnight? When the party’s bout to start?” The man teased her playfully, getting himself another glass from a passing waiter. “By all means. Ye keep the food to yerself, and I’ll be a gentleman and keep ye from booze by drinkin’ it.”

She raised an eyebrow sardonically. “I didn’t realize I would be here alone,” she pointed out. While the memory of her arrival was gone, Cleopatra knew herself enough to know she wouldn’t have come to a party like this alone. She took a small sip of the champagne and shook her head as he teased her. “I suppose it depends on what kind of party you want it to be,” she quipped. Cleopatra laughed and took another bite of the food. “I appreciate that,” she told him with a smile. “So long as you don’t pass out or throw up. I’m not dealing with that.”

“Oh I can see the draw,” Wonder Woman shrugged. She understood it, but it wasn’t a draw for her. Making friends and flirting with strangers was fun, but she wasn’t about to go any further than that. “I agree. If you can appreciate the simpler things, you can always find something to be happy about.” She picked up one of her own little delicacies and bit into it. “Mmm, see? Like these. They’re delicious!” 

Cleopatra nodded at the other woman’s shrug. “I wouldn’t want to drink too much around strangers anyway,” she pointed out as she took another long sip. She smiled. “I agree. We spend too much time just filling our lives with what? Things that don’t matter? I don’t know. It’s easier to expect less and be surprised than to expect more and be disappointed.” She laughed. “They really are.” 

It seemed that he and the blonde next to him had the same idea. The beginning of parties was always meant for eating and drinking - the embarrassing dancing and running around and wild shenanigans tended to follow later in the evening. “I have to say, they really outdid themselves with the food this time. I would go to more events if they all had this kind of array.” 

Cleopatra popped another canapé into her mouth. She heard the man speak and turned her head, smiling at him. “It’s much better than previous events, for sure,” she agreed as she took another sip of her sparkling cider. “Though I’m not sure how I feel about the whole anonymity aspect of the evening. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.” 

“Anytime, m’lady.” The Soldier grinned at the woman, taking a small bow once she had taken the glass. He was drunk, that was no doubt, but that didn’t stop him from acting as a well mannered gentleman. Sort of, at least.

“Wouldn’t touch anything non-alcoholic with a pole here. What’s the point to drink if you cannot get drunk?” He asked, furrowing his brows, as if he was the greatest philosopher out there. At the woman’s offer, however, he smiled, taking one of the small canapes. It had to be his first meal tonight, but it didn’t even matter. “Thank you. Ever so kind.” He grinned again before eating the canape in one go.

Cleopatra’s nose wrinkled at the comment. While she didn’t mind drinking - or even drinking too much in the right situation - it was not something she’d wanted to do here. “I’d like to believe I can appreciate a wonderful vintage of wine or a craft beer without getting entirely drunk,” she pointed out. “And I refuse to get so intoxicated around people I may or may not know. I’d like to get home and in bed in one piece.” Her smile grew. “You’re most welcome. They’re just too fantastic to keep all to myself. Though I’m sorely tempted to.” 

Eric’s shoulders moved of their own accord and her turned to her with a winning smile. “Perhaps we do know each other, though,” he said. That was, after all, the mystery of the night. Maybe this Cleopatra was his friend outside the walls of this gala. Then again, maybe they were enemies. Although, Eric couldn’t think of anyone who potentially hated him of the top of his head (but he was sure there were a few).

He looked down at the plate as she offered and smiled in thanks. “You’re too kind,” he said, taking a small beef Wellington. “I will have to get you a plate or maybe a drink later. To repay your kindness.” Taking a bite, his eyes widened. “Shit. These are delicious. When you’re right, you’re right.” 

Cleopatra shrugged in response. “Possibly,” she said with a smile on her face. “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out. I’d not want to be rude regardless.” She took another sip from her glass as she looked over at him. He didn’t look familiar, but none of the people milling about looked familiar to her. It was the strangest thing. 

“I hope not too kind. I’d rather not be a pushover.” Cleopatra smiled at him, honestly. “And that’s not necessary, but thank you.” He seemed nicer than she’d originally thought, polite, too. Certainly not nearly as flirtatious as some of the other men that had approached her this evening. “Don’t sound so surprised about that,” Cleopatra responded with a wry smile at his appreciation of the food. “I like to think I’m right about a lot of things.” She smiled, softening her words with amusement.

“I’ve yet to try the wellington” the Prince informed Cleopatra as he took one off her plate, trying it before nodding. “They must have used a phyllo pastry instead of the traditional puff, that’s why it has that crunch to it” he found it interesting how different chefs used things as minimal as a pastry change to put a huge spin on certain classic recipes. “I must try that next time I cook that” he made a mental note hoping that his memory of this would not be erased at midnight. 

“The food might be better than the alcohol. The ministry certainly outdid itself” Charming smiled nodding approvingly to the array of snacks and appetizers. “It’s about time. Normally I feel they only have desserts and alcohol and while those are great and all, it’s good to see actual substantial food. It might keep people from getting too drunk this evening” 

Her lips quirked at his comment, at his knowledge of food. “It’s different,” she agreed. “Time consuming, too, since phyllo has to be layered perfectly and it’s so easy to break.” Cleopatra had quite the experience with phyllo dough, but she turned her attention back to the food in her hand. “They definitely used a traditional duxelles in between the meat and the pastry, I think. Maybe used a bit of white wine instead of madeira.” She shrugged her shoulder and took a slow pull on her drink. “You like to cook?” she asked curiously. “Are you good at it?”

“Everything is fantastic, well, except for the chicken salad,” she pointed out. “They used a bit too much vinegar.” Her nose wrinkled; just the smell irritated her. Cleopatra nodded at his comment about alcohol, her smile rising. “While I enjoy a good glass of wine or champagne as well as the next person, I find it unwise to get drunk with a plethora of people I may or may not know. I have plans to get to my bed safely tonight, not end up...somewhere else.” Her lips thinned at the thought. 

“You do not,” Frankenstein smiled. “It seems perfectly reasonable to take advice from the queen of the Nile.” He reached forward and popped one of the canapés into his mouth. Chewing slowly left him struggling to hold back a grin. “I don’t know what I was expecting that to taste like, but it is pretty good.”

Cleopatra laughed, taking another sip from her glass. “At least none of my snakes are alive,” she said, wiggling her wrist where a gold snake bracelet laid coiled around it - there was a matching one on her other bicep. Her smile widened. “That’s the best part, though,” she said. “When things surprise you. Food especially.” 

“I don’t know if I want to find a man in here,” Wonder Woman laughed. “Who’s to say he’ll remember me in the morning?” It was a joke, but still….Here she was in a group of people she was sure she knew, and yet they all seemed like strangers. Guess it was time to make some new (old?) friends. “I agree about the simple pleasures, though.” 

“Some would say that’s the point.” Cleopatra was only halfway joking, having been around long enough to see what some people preferred. She took another bite of her appetizer and smiled. “I think you have to learn to appreciate the simpler things in life. Otherwise what’s the point?” 

Eric found himself wandering around the event sooner rather than later. However, being alone was something he was used to all things considered and he didn’t mind taking a back seat. In fact, he liked watching as the costumes made their way around the venue. He liked guessing who he thought was who (even if it was a complete struggle because names were still a tricky thing with this spell).

Hearing another person’s voice, he quickly looked up from his own drink and grinned at her. “Sarcasm or are you truly having a fantastic time?” he asked, brow raising.

Cleopatra had just finished another sip of her drink when she heard a voice. Turning her head, she looked and saw someone dressed as a prince. Her lips quirked playfully. “I’m not sarcastic with people I don’t know,” she pointed out. While Cleopatra could be opinionated, she did not want to offend people she rarely knew - not that she wanted to offend those she did know, but that was beside the point.

 “I like the food,” she corrected with a shrug of her shoulder. “The olive pinwheels and the mini beef Wellingtons are fantastic.” She held out her plate politely. “Would you like to try one?” 

The blonde barely seemed to notice his compliment which only intrigued Hades more. Most women loved his compliments so why was she not biting? “No, I’m good thank you” he declined the appetizer. It looked fine and all but not his ideal food. “I’m Hades” he explained before taking a sip of his drink, “I needed an excuse to wear a suit and Hades seemed like the best option” allowing his eyes to take in her costume Hades was curious what she might be, “And you are?” he asked, “Besides breathtaking, of course”

Cleopatra took a sip from her glass and popped another pinwheel into her mouth as the man - Hades - declined her offer. She shrugged her shoulders. “You’re welcome. And that’s a smart option. Certainly a sight better than some of the other costumes I’ve seen.” She smiled genuinely before taking another sip. Cleopatra’s eyebrows rose slightly as he complimented her again. “Cleopatra,” she said, gesturing to the golden snake cuff coiled around her arm. “I might have picked differently if I’d realized this spell would do this to my hair,” she gestured to the blonde ends, shaking her head as she remembered how much effort she’d put into looking authentic before arriving. She tilted her head as she looked at him, eyes wide. “I’d argue that I am more of a gourmand than anything else at the moment.”

Once the excitement of not knowing anyone in the room had worn off Prince Charming had retired to a spot between the bar and the tables of food. It wasn’t that Charming felt the need to be antisocial, it was just that from years of experience at parties he knew the best people to be found were normally in the refreshment area. After sampling a piece from almost every appetizer on the table Prince Charming was very happy leaning against a wall sipping a glass of punch. 

A tall blonde was standing not too far from him eating a canape when she commented on the appetizer. Charming wasn’t exactly sure if she was speaking to him, but nevertheless it would be rude to ignore her if she was. “They are fantastic, but have you tried the mini quiche?” he asked holding out his plate for her to take one, “I don’t know what’s in them. Egg, maybe a little spinach, bacon. They’re fantastic”

While Cleopatra enjoyed mingling, she often found it tiresome when it was done socially. She much preferred smaller events than this, but at least the food tables were full if interesting things. She took one more sip of her sparkling cider before exchanging it for a glass of champagne on a passing waiter’s tray. When she heard a voice, her head turned and she looked at - a Prince, maybe? - she thought.

A smile grew on her face as he offered her a bite from his plate. “Thank you. And have you tried the beef Wellington? Have one.” She held her own plate out before grabbing the mini quiche from his own and popping it into her mouth. After a moment, she spoke again. “This is really good. Not as good as...” her voice cut off as the spell took effect and Cleopatra took a moment to consider words the spell would let her say. “Not as good as my friend’s quiche, but it’s a very, very close second.”

Soldier observed the crowd, drinking from the flask that came with his uniform. It was one of the perks being a soldier- he could carry just about anything without looking too suspicious. His eyes stopped at the woman who was eating the canapes, only to grin when she made a face at the obvious apple juice. Oh, amateurs.

Grabbing a glass of actual champagne from the nearest waiter, he wasted no time, walking over to her and offering her the glass. “The canapes, or the non-alcoholic nonsense that you took?” He questioned her with a charming smirk, offering her the glass. “Figured this was what you were after, wasn’t it?”

Cleopatra washed her food down with another sip, though she tilted her head in appreciation as the man brought her a glass she watched him take from a nearby waiter. Her eyes softened at the thoughtfulness and Cleopatra smiled as she placed the apple juice on a passing tray and accepted the champagne, taking a small sip. That was better. “Thank you,” Cleopatra said genuinely. “That was very kind.” She took a moment to consider his first question.

“The canapés,” she said with a smile. “Though for being nonalcoholic, the cider wasn’t that horrid.” She held her plate out toward the soldier. “Would you like one?” she asked politely. “Everything so far has been excellent.”

“Mmmm isn’t it?” she responded enthusiastically to the woman beside her. Her own plate was filled with various delicacies she had snagged from the many ables, as well as waiters’ trays. “Seriously, good food, and good drinks?” she indicated the glass held against her body by her elbow. “What more could a girl ask for?” 

Cleopatra smiled, genuinely, at the woman net to her. “Yes,” she agreed with a shrug of her shoulder. “Too many things to try,” she admitted, though the sight of a few items made her nose wrinkle - and not in the best of ways. “A good man?” she asked with a laugh, shaking her head. “It really is the simple pleasures in life.”

“Is it?” Frankenstein asked. “I have never seen them before.” There was already too much going on for his liking. Spoiling the evening with a stomachache would lead to ruining his decidedly happy mood. “Not remembering what my friends came dressed as has me feeling weary about food I don’t recognize.”

She looked at Frankenstein kindly, her lips quirked. “This one,” she said as she gestured to it. “Is a pinwheel with olives in it. I promise it’s good, though I suppose if you don’t like olives, you mightn’t like it.” Cleopatra took another sip from the glass and tried not to wrinkle her nose. “It’s only for a few hours,” she said soothingly. “And do I look like someone who would steer you wrong?”

“That sip didn’t look all that fantastic,” he pointed out in mild amusement. He hadn’t been able to help noticing the look, considering everything he had tried so far tonight had been pretty good.

Her eyes narrowed slightly but the smile remained on her face. “I wasn’t talking about the drink,” she said with a smile. “The canapés, actually.” She held the plate in her hand and popped another one into her mouth. “And I suppose the drink itself is fine. I just grabbed sparkling cider instead of champagne. Wasn’t expecting it.” Her lips turned up at the corners.