#event threads.

who: open to all  

There was nothing shocking about how the party progressed.  His financial success had grown through curating and then exploiting the phenomena; playing into how revelers lost time when surrendered to spirits.   It was Laurie’s own thrill to stoke the flames of madness, playing among the people with the zeal of a Dionysian worshipper, smiling at a celebration full of life while his eyes stayed sharp and critical.  The moon was high in the sky and Laurie was set to a lean, watching a couple tumbling off the dance floor, limbs drunkenly tangled, hands around each other.

“Do you see that?” The words drip with indignation, coated with something slightly more surprised. “He thinks he’s done something revolutionary, leading her off that way.  Those fingers are so limp I doubt she even feels him on her neck.”  Laurie’s gaze turns sidelong, offering a smirk to his confidant.  “Maybe this party needs a better demonstration, hmm?”

Elijah drifted along the edges of the Element Tables, hands tucked loosely in the pockets of his dark slacks as he scanned the spread—smoked meats, salt-cured fish, drinks labeled after minerals he doubted anyone here could actually pronounce. People murmured and laughed around him, the whole room humming with a polished sort of excitement he never quite shared. But then his attention caught on someone standing near one of the displays—alone, observing the menu with a thoughtful expression. Not overwhelmed, not posturing, just… quietly present.

He slowed, then approached. When he looked at her, it wasn’t the guarded appraisal he gave most people tonight. His gaze softened—genuine, warm, the kind that didn’t ask anything of her except to exist. He nodded toward the spread of mineral-themed dishes between them. “Seems they’ve gone all-in on the theme,” he said, voice smooth, low, lightly amused. “I’m still trying to decide if I should be impressed… or concerned.” His blue eyes met hers again, steady but kind. “What do you think?” he asked.