what? like it's hard?

"Thad? That's not a name," he scoffed, as if he hadn't heard weirder just living where they did. He pawned off his empty glass on an unexacting bystander as they moved through the gala, then looked back at the blonde with a shrug. "I don't know, only lived here my whole life. Don't usually go to," he twirled his finger in the air, "this kinda thing though. Any reason I've never met a...?"

"Oh, it's definitely a name for some." Ella said with a shake of her head, as she'd had many an encounter with a Thad. Before her ex and herself found themselves in Rosewood, her life had been surrounded by men who's first names ended with -ad. "Have you? I came during my college years and just couldn't leave. The one thing I do miss about home is the weather, I will say that. But the people here are definitely a lot more interesting." Ella raised an eyebrow. "No? Sometimes they're a bit stuffy, I can't deny but every so often... you do have a great time." She pointed at herself. "Ella. That's me."

Penn shook his head discreetly and gave Ella a friendly smile, not considering what he was doing something to be thanked for. To be fair it was also somewhat of an ego boost for him too, seeing the way Chad stood there slack jawed as they walked away. "Nothing more scathing than the truth, right? It's crazy how some people even manage to just look annoying..." As for the lucky lady, he waved his hand and chuckled, "Oh, no date. It was for my mom. Pretty sure my dad's got it under control though. How about we do some wandering, make sure you've really lost that loser?"

"Okay, so I wasn't the only one so saw that." Ella said, with a gasp. "I was fully thinking to myself that he even appeared annoying." She said, not liking to speak of others disparagingly but she couldn't help it in that moment. More so when Penn entirely understood where she was coming from. "No date?" She asked him, looking around them before turning her attention back to him. The women of Rosewood had to be blind, in front of her stood a total ten. A ten, who was an utter gentleman. "I would actually really appreciate that." She let Penn know with a nod of her head. "But I do have to forewarn you, I happen to enjoy dancing at these things."

He gave one final wave back at their now mutual acquaintance as the two of them walked off. "Chad, seriously?," he chuckled once they were out of earshot- or maybe they weren't, it didn't matter to him. Finishing off the champagne in his hand, he wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand then held the empty glass up. "Wanna help me find another drink then call it even?"

"Yeah, a Chad." Ella said, a small laugh leaving her. "Oh, it gets worst. There's also Brad's and Thad's." Ella let Marlo know as they made their way through the event. "But nothing's worse than the dreaded, Rad." She said, feigning a shudder going up her spine. "I can most definitely do that." Ella let the guy know, before taking a small sip from the flute he'd given her prior. "So... any reason as to why I've never met a Marlo before tonight?" She asked him, with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Yeah, no worries." Sophia offered the girl a small smile. Unfortunately, she knew a thing or two about the unwanted passes of men. She was always willing to help another girl out of uncomfortable situations. She was going to continue speaking but promptly shut her mouth as the guy came over. Of course, his name was Chad. "Sophia. Pleasures all mine, Chad. We were actually just on our way to the restroom to freshen up so if you don't mind we're just going to," she grabbed her new friend by the arm and pulled her away. "head that way. No need to wait up." Sophia tossed a sickeningly sweet smile his way before ushering Ella away. "He didn't get the hint that you aren't into him?"

Ella thanked Sophia quickly, before they had to turn their attention back to her unwanted suitor. "That we were, we literally were just saying that we most definitely have a meeting in the ladies room." Ella nodded, supporting what Sophia was saying in that moment before they made their retreat towards the bathrooms. "When do men ever get the hint? Especially men like that. Dude bros who have never heard no, a day in their lives." Ella feigned sticking a finger in her mouth, so Sophia could see what she thought of those type of guys. "Thank you for saving me. I owe you a drink or two, and I won't be taking no as an answer." She said, teasingly as she referenced the situation she'd just found herself in.

Penn had been on his way to deliver a drink to his mom as any diligent son would, but found himself being relieved of the spare drink by someone who seemed to need it more. "Always down for a favour between friends," he nodded to Ella, though his smile faltered a little when she clarified her reasons. As much as he'd been a total horn dog in high school, he didn't think that was comparable to a grown man not being able to take no for an answer. "Penn Choi," he offered his hand to Chad, shaking it a little firmer than necessary. "To say Ella's told me so much about you would be a lie so, uh, yeah, we'll be going now."

"You are a heaven sent. Thank you." Ella let Penn know, with a rub to his shoulder before it was time to turn on those acting skills to sell that Penn was exactly who she needed to be with in that moment. She nodded as Penn introduced himself, before nearly breaking out into laughter at what Penn told Chad. "Penn, now that was hilarious." She told him, allowing herself to laugh as they began to make their way away from the guy. "No, seriously, I can't thank you enough. Please allow me to replace this," She pointed at the champagne flute he'd handed her earlier. "I'm sure there's some lucky lady wondering where her date and champagne are."

"Hi." Marlo let her have his extra glass of champagne without issue, curiosity piqued as to why she clearly needed it. Galas weren't much his speed but he could charm his way in or out of almost anything, and so without missing a beat he followed her lead. "Marlo, and I was really hoping I could steal her for a sec, if you don't mind? Fashion emergency," he lowered his voice, as if that were something scandalous, then shot the guy a grin as he ushered them away. "Thanks."

"Yes, Marlo. My very good friend, Marlo." Ella repeated after the guy with a nod of her head, patting his shoulder as she leaned in closer to him. In hopes that her pesky little would be suitor would catch the hint. "And you know, there's no one that comes more handy than me during a fashion emergency." She said with a playful pout, before being whisked away by the guy. "Thank you, so much. I truly can't repay you." The blonde let Marlo know as they continued to make their way through the gala.

"I mean you are the queen of knowing well..everything. But you're right, hanging out with Tierney does bring a bit of royalty treatment. I need more Rosewood royalty friends," he teased, generally happy to be in Ella's presence. He couldn't remember the last time they had actually gotten to hang out, especially just the two of them without Warren. "Okay fair, I like to think they had a decent opinion on me. But I guess I'm going to have the write the Rosewood birthday guide then, huh? Let's start with the pastries, ice cream can come next. Non dairy of course. You gearing up for the holidays? Actually, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?"

"Am I really?" Ella asked, cupping her face as she fluttered her eyelashes. "I'm so flattered." She giggled, as she did happen to know quite a bit. It came with being a social butterfly. "Oh, please. Like you aren't Rosewood royalty, yourself. You are our former college president, you changed so much during your time over at Ravenwood. Please, I'm sure the velvet rope raises the second you come around." Ella said, waving off his modesty. "See, still contributing to Rosewood even today." She said with a bright smile, as Jasper shared that trait with his cousin. The two always had others best interest at heart. "I am, I am. I finally finalized the gift list." Ella told him. "Warren and I are staying in town, we're throwing a little intimate dinner with all of our favorite people. Did your cousin not tell you? You know, sometimes I worry for him. He's been stretching himself a bit too thin."

"Do you think anyone has a list of all the free Rosewood things you can do on you birthday? Do you thin Coyote Ugly is on that list? Eh I may stop there anyway." Now that Jasper was back for an extended holiday break, he was trying to actually put some thought into what to do his birthday the following week. "Like if it's my birthday, do you think Magnolia's will give me a little treat?"

"Oh, you're asking me that?" Ella asked Jasper, having looked around behind her to see if he was referring to someone else. "I'm sure someone does have said list, I personally don't. Tierney was always my Rosewood guide and given she's royalty around here, I was always showered in stuff. But I don't know if that's the norm, unfortunately." She said, with a small pout of her lips. "But now that you mention it, we should definitely get to the bottom of this." Ella said with a nod. "Well, I'm sure you can get a shot there. Even if it's not a known rule, there's too many people behind that bar we know to not get at least a shot." She told him. "Well, let's test it out then."

"I mean, Valentine's day is cute if you got someone to love on, I guess. I never really cared either way but Cal's mad into it so by default I too am a believer." Ella was such a sunshiney person that Rhi didn't often choose to find herself alone with her but it was nice just doing some mindless shopping with someone, mostly in an attempt to force time to pass since it seemed to have slowed to a crawl the closer they got to Cal's return date. "Could be a fun girls night..." she thought aloud, picking up a box with a sunflower on it. "These seem easier... like, how badly could you fuck this up when you're a few margaritas down?"

"But that's the thing, it doesn't have to be like that. I hold my platonic relationships at the same level as the one I have with my fiancé. In fact, to me, Valentine's Day is my day to like really lay it on thick to my girlfriends. Just ask Tierney, she's sick of me already." Ella let her know, before spotting some ornaments she just had to snatch up for the house. "See, that's the spirit." She said, excitedly as she always had the best time when she hung out with Celeste and her girls. "Oh come on, we should go for the tree." Ella let Rhiannon know with a shake of her head. "And it lights up, I'm sorry, I'm team Tree."

"Ok, this is kind of cute, right?" Rhiannon, who loved Christmas so much she was already trying to start decorating her apartment, held up a lego Christmas tree box and gave it a little rattle. "It's basically a 3D puzzle," she attempted to rationalise to herself, trying not to toe the line of doing geeky shit too much though she knew a few people who would be endlessly entertained by it.

"Uhm, yes." Ella said, lighting up at what it was that Rhiannon had been referring to. "You honestly have me at anything Christmas. Gift wrapping, the lights, hanging up the mistletoe. That and Valentine's Day. I know, I know. It's a controversial one, but I just love it." She rambled on, until Rhiannon spoke again. "I assumed so, I know how legos work, silly." She told her with a nod of her head. "Well, should we call on all the girls? This seems like it's going to be an all hands on deck sort of project."