(no subject)

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ the door slides open quietly under his push, greeting him with the sight of the mansion interior bathed in a golden yellow light -- a welcoming atmosphere. smiles, allowing himself to feel mildly impressed that the decorations were not as atrocious or in excess as the (semi-)disastrous party-meeting in their shared past. the first goal of his evening long-since decided, he gives alyssa a kiss to the forehead, brianna a silent look to communicate his intention & a final murmur of departure to his little brothers before he gently detaches himself from them -- but not for long, he hopes, for they are who he wishes to be around the most tonight -- in search of a certain boy-turned-man (mentally, at least).

is rather glad that there seems to be a distinct lack of them running around, making his search very short & effortless. gives anna a small bow & a polite (but well-meant) smile. ]

Good evening.

Comments

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ one punch to the shoulder from alyssa, two quick noogies from damon, and several greetings later, nathan finds himself wandering off by himself, poking his head into this and that with interest. it wasn't like it was his first time coming to the mansion, but it was still pretty fascinating, considering that it wasn't like theirs in the slightest. there was something different about it that he couldn't put his finger on, but instead of thinking about it too much, he finally wanders back into the room where all the festivities are taking place.

a short run-in (literally) with oliver directs him towards some star-shaped cookies, unsure of why he was pointed in that direction in the first place (he shouldn't question oliver, really-- it was rather futile at this point). decides to pick one up, take a bite, then stares down at it for a while.

after grabbing a few more cookies he walks on over to his oldest brother, a beeline of sorts; looks a little dazed, almost a bit sad, yet the words that come out of his mouth as he looks up at albert is nothing short of bliss. ]

This cookie is amazing.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ looks momentarily too amused to respond, raising an eyebrow after a solid minute at the cookies clutched in baby brother's hands. ]

Unconcerned that it may ruin your appetite for the dinner-to-come?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ too busy shoving two more into his mouth, barely catching albert's last words as he mutters between chunks of sugar: ]

Hrmphrum?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

Chew thoroughly, baby brother.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ does as he's told, swallowing it. holds one up to albert. ]

Seriously, they're so good. Try one!

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ studies it for a moment & shakes his head. ]

I trust your assessment.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ looks at the cookie as well, shrugs, then eats it without another word. ]

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ takes a short trip to a nearby table to fetch nathan some water, offering the bottle upon returning. ]

Is the party to your tastes?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ takes it, about to say thanks, but pauses when he hears the question. hums in thought. ]

Sure. They're nice people, so what's not to like?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ leans back a little & then nods his agreement, his smile fond. ]

Mm. As you say.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ noms on one of his last cookies, mirroring albert's leaning to rest a bit as well. the slight amusement is apparent in his voice with his next words: ]

What about you? Picked any fights yet?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ chuckles at the teasing, not at all willing to hide his own amusement that lights his expression in response. ]

My apologies. I'm afraid I've been rather lax in that area.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ twists open the bottle of water, speaking before taking a sip. ]

Yeah, god forbid you actually play nice.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ tilts his head in mock thought. ]

Ah? My manners are up to standard, are they not?

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, you're doin' good. [ lifts a hand to pat his head, a sort of combined amused/smug look on his face. ] I knew you had it in you!

1/2

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

. . .

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ grows quiet, startled by the sudden contact -- in such a fashion, no less. catches himself out of the stupor after a while, however, offering another one of his smiles even as something uncertain flickers quickly across his face. his voice is kept purposefully light, even when he is aware the undertone is not. ]

Hm. You're proud of me.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ blinks up at him, almost seeming confused, yet there's more reassurance in his words than anything else. ]

Sure. Why wouldn't I be?

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ an answer comes to him immediately, but he does not voice it, simply watching nathan from the corner of his eye as he speaks another, smile still in place. ]

Our values do not always coincide.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

[ pops the last cookie in his mouth, giving him a shrug. ]

Eh, can't agree on everything.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

[ nods, but raises an eyebrow on another pressing concern of his. ]

Fill yourself with the main course, little brother, not the refreshments.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Huh? You say that like I can't eat both the cookies and the dinner. This is a party!

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

Mm. However, with your stomach's limited capacity for food, I may as well.

[prideofchange.livejournal.com]

Psh, don't you lecture me. I'll be watching you to make sure you eat.

[prideofcontrol.livejournal.com]

That particular strategy is rather counterproductive.