Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the

Socializing had long come easy for the male, from a young age his rather charismatic extroverted personality shone through and he had never struggled to make friends nor in talking to that of the fairer sex. He drew people in and while with many it was too easy, there were a select few that resisted his charms which only served to challenge him further in his pursuits. Jane Mercer, the intelligent, ambitious blonde was but one of those people. “And you Ms Mercer are clearly in the running for Belle of the Ball in that number.” He mused, gaze wandering the length of her form momentarily before blue irises met hers once more. Perhaps a number of years ago, he would have openly agreed to the fact he never turned down an opportunity to attend a large social event such as this, but over the years they became more of a formality than an enjoyment. “I’ve been known to try my hand at poker, what say you Jane?”

“That title doesn’t interest me particularly, I was going for something far more ethereal.” Jane quipped in return, watching as the man looked her over before raising a brow pointedly when his eyes had returned to hers. Oscar Beaufort could look all he wanted, as long as looking was all he did. She appreciate the man at face value, and she knew that there was more to him than she wrote him off as in their verbal volleys, but he was the dangerous sort. Too charming for his own good and far too aware of that fact. “I say that if you want to have the floor wiped with you at the table, please do invite me into your game. I would be more than happy to take your money.” Jane told him with a smile, sharp and sweet.

@thejanemercer​

Skylar drifted through the crowd of people, a drink setting between her fingers. She glanced towards tables and her eyes landed on a familiar blonde. Although, a little part of her felt awkward since Jack had been the only Mercer to know her history with not only one but both of the brothers and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt Jay especially because of something that happened nearly two decades ago. She cleared her throat and walked over to the youngest Mercer. “Jane,” she chuckled. “You look amazing.”

The sound of her name had her turning and when Jane spotted Skylar, she beamed and immediately reached out to the woman, taking care to spare both of their dresses as she gave her a gentle hug. “Skylar! You’re one to talk, you look like you just stepped off the runway.” She complimented the blonde, giving her a once over before looking around her, honestly expecting Jay to only be a step or two behind the woman, but to no avail. “Did you come here alone?” She asked, not wanting to outright admit that Jay had told her about them, but instead testing the waters.

Dallas turned when he heard the voice and laid a hand over the chain on his vest  that wove up to the pocket with an easy smile. “Bought one the day after,” he told her. It was a nice little thing to have. Right now the attachment to his past while things were so hectic was actually oddly calming. “I don’t think I got your name actually while we re at the shop. I’m Dallas.” He offered her his hand then.

The revelation of the pocket watch he was currently carrying brought a smile to Jane’s lips, the sentiment of the purchase being one that she understood and was glad he was able to partake in. A little something to soothe the soul right within reach. “I’m Jane, it’s nice to meet you, again, Dallas.” Jane introduced herself in return, taking his hand and shaking it with the confidence of a woman who was typically used to staring down egotistical men when doing so. 

“Are you enjoying your night so far? Any good wins?” She asked, more than happy to make conversation with the man she had spent a while hunting through a vintage shop with and somehow leaving without even his name.

Special delivery for @thejanemercer​

Jack had done what he did best since arriving to the event, sure he’d dabbled in a bit of gambling, thrown back a number of drinks before finding a quiet place to sit back and observe the room and it’s vast number of arrivals. His sister he noticed straight away, draped in a golden dress she was the mirror image of their mother and the very thought brought a small smile to his lips. The moment her date stepped away from her side he made his way over. “You know, for someone that’s intelligent as you are – you make some real shitty decisions sometimes.“ Jack remarked, as he came to a standstill beside his sister. Gaze set on the form of her date as he retreated into the crowd probably to track down drinks for the pair. It wasn’t the fact it was Teddy Nicolescu of all people, but the principal of the matter. He was a Royal and Jane of all people knew better than to get involved with the members of either gang given her career and moral standing. “I mean come on Janey, a fucking Royal? You’d probably have better conversation talking to that brick wall.”

After years of experience with such things, Jane was not surprised when her oldest brother appeared at her side the second that Teddy had stepped away from it. She had felt Jack’s eyes burning into her from the moment she had stepped into the venue on the man’s arm. Immediately, his harsh words had a frown pulling at her lips and she turned on him with narrowed eyes. Perhaps he didn’t mean anything too harmful by it, but with the slew of big life decisions she had to make in the past few months, she could have happily kicked him in the kneecap. “You know that I don’t get involved in those affiliation games, Jack. Teddy is just a friend that invited me out and I accepted because I was coming anyways and having a date was better than coming alone.” She reasoned, pointedly leaving out the fact that she had slept with the man fairly recently as well. “He’s nice, and more than happy to be my arm candy. A perfect combo in a date.” Jane defended. “And what about you, huh? Who’d you bring tonight?”

In shimmering gold, Jane felt more like a princess than she ever had in her life. It was just unfortunate that it was amongst the ringing sounds of slot machines and cheers and jeers of those winning and losing that she felt such a way. Still, Jane wasn’t the type to ever pass up on the opportunity to dress up. With a glass of champagne in hand, Jane wandered through the main floor of the event, taking care that the hem of her gown was stepped on as she did so.

The only thing that had her pausing in her wandering was the sight of a familiar charming smile, flashed at those around him like he was a spider spinning a gorgeous web to entangle the next unsuspecting victim. “Beaufort, I should have known that you would never pass up an opportunity to enjoy glitz and glamour like tonight.” Jane commented as she came to stand by his side, eyeing him as she took a delicate sip from her glass. “What’s your indulgence of the night then?” She wondered.