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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"It must've slipped my mind." He's being petty and a little childish. It's not exactly uncommon, but he's usually better about keeping it between himself and Su-jin. Well, just the childishness, mostly. His pettiness is often found on full display for everyone to see.

Vena huffs and rolls his eyes at the gentle tone and explanation. "Is that why you chose him?" Vena asks, stepping forward as he reaches out to put his hand on Su-jin's chest, stroking him to smooth away an imaginary wrinkle. Aqua is off-limits but Su-jin isn't. Vena won't touch the blond but he'll gladly put his hands on his partner unnecessarily. "Because he needs to be protected. You always did have a soft spot for those sorts."

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Aqua keeps his hand extended until Su-jin squeezes his other one. He slowly begins to withdraw it, then lets it drop entirely when he gets that gentle explanation. It's only when Su-jin speaks to him that he realizes he's the pet. He should've caught on immediately, but he assumed that it was the continuation of a previous conversation or something. It didn't feel like the comment was directed at him, with the way Vena didn't even acknowledge him but- "I'm not a pet," he says softly to himself as he shrinks back, moving to stand about half a step behind Su-jin.

"What is he protecting me from?" Su-jin had mentioned they were both dangerous but they don't seem dangerous. Su-jin has been nothing but kind and helpful to him, and Vena doesn't seem very nice but neither strike him as dangerous.

Su-jin could be petty, too. Su-jin could say that he chose Aqua because he's Vena's antithesis in every way imaginable. But he's not here to put Aqua in an awkward position or piss Vena off needlessly. He will, however, pointedly brush Vena's hand away from himself.

"And you've always been good at not including everyone present in a conversation."

Glancing at Aqua now trying to hide, he holds his hand firmly so he can't shrink too far away. "He's protecting you from his abilities."

Vena lets his hand hang in the air, doesn't yet move it from where Su-jin brushed it away. He looks at his own hand, as though unable to believe that it's no longer touching Su-jin. Though his expression doesn't much change from one moment to the next, Su-jin can probably tell the difference. The ever so slight narrowing of his eyes, the nearly imperceptible tightening of his jaw. Something that someone new like Aqua probably wouldn't notice, but something that Vena's partner of several long centuries likely would. He's annoyed and a little angry.

"I'll include him when I have something to say to him," he informs Su-jin as he pulls his hand back and drops it down to his side. Huffing out a loud breath, Vena gestures vaguely toward Aqua, finally properly looking at him. Or at least toward him. "Why should I share something of mine with you?"

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Aqua looks up at Su-jin when it's clear that he's being prevented from stepping any further behind the taller man. A silent question of why he isn't being allowed to exit a conversation that he isn't even part of, as well as a way to ignore the fact that he isn't part of it. Look up at Su-jin to keep himself from noticing how little attention Vena is paying to him, and how much attention he's paying to Su-jin.

"From his abilities?" Abilities that keep him from wanting to touch Aqua, but don't prevent him from touching Su-jin. Abilities that Su-jin is immune to? Is that why they were paired up and how they can make each other less dangerous? Or has Su-jin already succumbed to Vena's abilities and he's already a lost cause so it doesn't matter anymore? "Can you explain it to me later?" he asks in a near whisper. A question meant only for Su-jin. Vena doesn't need to hear it. He doesn't need any more reason to make snide remarks, or talk about things in a way that only he and Su-jin understand. He doesn't need another opening to talk about himself in a way that Aqua doesn't get, or puts Aqua down.

So, later. He and Su-jin can talk about it later.

"Um," he starts, he attention snapping back to Vena once he realizes he's being questioned directly. He presses his lips together tightly and squeezes Su-jin's hand as his eyes move to the floor right in front of Vena. "Because I really really like him."