marothius | (no subject)

Scrawled on a black invitation in beautiful, gold coloured handwritten calligraphy is the date and time of the party, as well as one of Vena's addresses. Beautiful waterfront property just outside of a nearby city. The time on the invitation is listed as 8PM. Vena's attempt to accommodate any guests who may not be able to face the sun. Vena has a preference for nighttime anyway.

The home, itself, sits on a large piece of land with a well manicured and expansive garden on one side, and the harbour on the other. Inside, the home is very open, with plenty of space for party goers to lounge, and plenty of rooms for them to disappear into. There are only two bedrooms closed to the guests: Vena's own and one that that he keeps for his partner. There are floor to ceiling windows that look out over the large deck (where there's ample seating and a fire pit that will have a fire burning all night) and the harbour.

The decor and furnishings, themselves, are all dark shades (and not all white like in the picture!) of varying colours. Greys, blues, reds, and black, of course, with gold and silver accents and the occasional white showing up in a variety of places to break up the darkness.

There is a vast array of finger foods and an open bar, as well as a chef in the kitchen should anyone desire something a little more substantial to eat. He may even have a few humans set aside who are willing to be fed on, should that be what someone wants. Well, more like they're willing to do anything Vena asks, but to Vena, it's all the same thing.

As for the actual guests, an invite has gone out to anyone who isn't human, from demons to mythical creatures and everything in between. That isn't to say that humans aren't permitted (as more than snacks and servants) because they are, but as a +1. They must have something not human to accompany them, who will then be responsible for them for the evening. Don't let you humans get out of hand and ruin it for everyone else. The dress code is semi-formal and the colours are black and gold, just like the invitation.

Vena, himself, is dressed a little more than usual, with a few pieces of gold jewelry and some simple black around his eyes to fit his chosen colour scheme.

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He enjoys these smaller, more subtle victories over his incredibly pampered partner. It's can't be easy for Vena, even after all these centuries, to not have his way in every matter that comes before him. They are friends, but so much more — so much more than any word in any language he's ever known can fully encapsulate.

"I'll have to ask him," he advises. Aqua may wish to return home at the festivity's end and, if so, Su-jin will have to walk him back. He can't imagine Aqua could have an easy time navigating in the darkness. "I may have to leave if he wants to return home, but I'll come back."

Vena does not enjoy them. Quite the opposite, really. He's so accustomed to getting what he wants, when he wants it, that even the small losses like this really get under his skin. Funny then, isn't it, that it's something he likes about Su-jin. He likes that Su-jin pushes back and challenges him and doesn't always give in to what he wants. But he likes it only from Su-jin. Su-jin gets a pass because they are friends and so much more. They are beyond words.

"He can't find his way home on his own?" Vena doesn't bother to hide the way he rolls his eyes. A petulant child until the very end. "Fine. So long as you return here afterwards, I can accept that." Once more, Vena scans the guests he can see, actually turning on the spot this time before looking up at Su-jin. "Where is he? Why haven't you introduced him to me?" He doesn't actually want to get to know the one who he has to share Su-jin's attention with, but he'd like to be able to pick him out of a crowd, at least. And he'd like to determine whether or not he's worth Su-jin's shared attention.

Thank you, Vena, for graciously tolerating Su-jin's small victories. Your effort is appreciated, as always.

A brow lifts at Vena's uncharacteristic curiosity. Not the Vena isn't ~~nosy~~ curious about some things in Su-jin's life, but he's rarely shown much interest in the others in it. "Do you want to meet him? I have a feeling he'd be happy to meet you." Aqua seems very pleased to meet most people.

And what an effort it is! He hates it. It's killing him and he's going to be thinking about this... Well, not for the rest of the night, but for a little while longer, at least. He wants to say something petty and deny that they're friends so he can snatch victory back from the jaws of defeat, but even he has limits. Apparently.

"Introduce him to me." No, Vena will not say that he wants to meet the bubbly little blond in Su-jin's life. He does want to meet him, but he won't say it. While it's true that Vena's never really shown much interest in the others orbiting his partner, it's different this time. Su-jin is different this time. He seems almost lighter whenever his new pet is brought up in conversation and it has Vena curious. Nosy. Jealous? No, not that.

Poor, put upon Vena! How will he ever survive this?

Su-jin blinks, just once, and casts his gaze around the room, searching for one specific person among the guests. It's been some time that Aqua's been on his own, so it may want Su-jin company again at present. Upon spotting that familiar blond head, A subtle smile comes to Su-jin's lips.

"Wait here."

And without waiting for Vena's reply, Su-jin slips away into the throng of guests to fetch Aqua.

"I'd like to introduce you to someone, Aqua. Can I tear you away for a moment?"

Aqua feels so lost whenever Su-jin has other things to do that don't include him and it shows in the way he meanders while he's alone. Meanders or simply stares out at the harbour, listening to the waves, or the distant call from his brothers and sisters, from his friends. It makes him feel better about being alone in this unfamiliar place with all of these unfamiliar people.

But this time he chose to wander among those unfamiliar people. He introduces himself to a variety of people, getting brushed off by some and actual conversation from others. He'll probably never see most of these people again, but it's still been fun getting to know to ones who'll speak to him. It doesn't stave off that lost feeling as much as he would like, but it fills the time until he can once more be with the person who he's most familiar with.

And that shows in the way his face lights up when he sees Su-jin making his way closer, directly toward Aqua. He excuses himself from the person he's currently speaking to, with a lot of apologies and promises to return, then trots toward Su-jin to meet him part way. The very moment he's within range to do so, Aqua reaches out to take Su-jin's hand.

"You want to introduce me to someone? Okay!"

"Do you remember when we were outside by the water I told you about my partner? I'd like you to meet him."

Su-jin knows Vena wants to meet Aqua, too, but he won't phrase it thus for the sake of Vena's ego. The only worry is what sort of effect Vena's innate power might have on someone like Aqua. It seems to Su-jin that Vena is more easily able to influence mortal creatures. He could be wrong on that, though. He hasn't been studying Vena all these long years.

He smiles warmly at Aqua and curls his fingers around the selkie's hand, leading him through the assembled guests toward Vena. And once they're there? He doesn't let go of Aqua's a hand. Perhaps a not-so-subtle reminder that Aqua isn't for Vena.

"Aqua, this is my partner and our host, Vena. Vena, this is my friend, Aqua."

"Oh, yes! I remember. He's your important person, right?" He'd been excited earlier when Su-jin told Aqua about his partner, and when Aqua started to think about maybe meeting him (it's not really about Vena, specifically, but about Aqua being allowed into Su-jin's inner circle. It's about getting to know Su-jin better through the people in his life. It's about feeling closer to Su-jin) but now that it's actually happening, he feels nervous. What happens if Vena doesn't like him? Will that change Su-jin's opinion of him too? Do partners have that sort of influence over one another?

Chewing on his bottom lip, Aqua squeezes Su-jin's hand, holding tightly as he follows along about half a step behind. Normally, he'd be looking around, greeting people who he's passing by and just being overall friendly, to everyone, but right now, he's mostly looking up at Su-jin with the occasional glance forward. Excited but nervous. Nervous but excited. Ho boy.

Despite all of his nerves, Aqua smiles brightly and offers his free hand for Vena to shake. It's something that he's often seen humans doing to greet one another. "It's nice to meet you!"

----

Vena watches every step of Su-jin's approach with his little blond pet. He watches the way Aqua clutches Su-jin's hand and looks up at him, seemingly for comfort. A way that Vena's never before looked at Su-jin, as far as he's aware. For as vicious as the monster inside of Su-jin is, he's soft. A caretaker. A look like Aqua's is probably like catnip to someone like Su-jin. It's little wonder why Su-jin seems so smitten.

When they're standing in front of him, when Su-jin makes the introductions, Vena doesn't even so much as glance at Aqua. He looks down at their clasped hands, then at the hand extended toward him, but not actually at Aqua. "I won't touch your pet, Su-jin." A promise to Su-jin that he won't pursue Aqua, as well as a not so subtle way of telling Aqua to put his hand down. The clock is already ticking on just when it is that Aqua will be the one pursuing Vena, and out of respect for his partner, Vena won't risk accelerating that timeline by getting physical with his new friend. Sure, it's only a handshake, but that could be enough for a weak-willed creature.