five | [Location: Levi's Mansion] | got my boots on, the right amount of leather

[levilup.livejournal.com]

New Years Eve.

Levi is ready, decked out in his party suit, and a lot of makeup. He's just finished his preparations, and he's sitting in his living room, waiting patiently for Cordelia to arrive, and then the guests. Of course, the party isn't taking place in his living room. That's much too small for such a large event.

He's having a party in his basement.

His basement is huge, and he's decked it out in lights and such that he's hatched. All of it has a New Years theme, somehow; Levi's good at throwing parties, he knows how to decorate. The room is basically like a nightclub. It's dark, but clear of most beams and supports; there are couches and chairs, and a bar to the far end, stocked with just about every type of alcohol imaginable (as well as a few different types of blood). Here and there, there's potted plants and trees in clumps, as well as a giant throne, surrounded by those plants, further along on the back wall. There's also a large stage towards the middle, with a dancing space out in front of it. And right above the stage is a giant clock, which Levi had set up earlier for the countdown later that night.

As for music, he's got a whole playlist, just waiting to be started. It's a huge mix of things, from pop-y dance music to slow songs for the couples. There's a few setlists, of sorts, pinned to the walls and the bar.

It's about ten minutes before the party arrives, and Levi is waiting impatiently.



[[ooc: Vaguely organized planning post here! If there's a song you suggested and you want it to be played, it will be. Just handwave it. So yes! Have fun. :D

EDIT: Subthread labeled for the countdown to midnight is up! Grab your date and tag there for kissy tiemz. :3]

Comments

[valaunbound]

"Really?" Even by Vala's standards that was pretty bad as far as faking it was concerned. Copious amounts of alcohol probably weren't helping her on that front.

"And you actually have to 'plan' it? As in, in advance?"

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

So, in fact, Vala Mal Doran was not impervious to alcohol after all.

"Generally speaking one does." He shrugged. "But it's not a rule. You've still got a couple of minutes. Y'can go pick someone to kiss, I'm sure they won't mind." He didn't think he really needed to point out they had to be without another partner on hand.

[valaunbound]

Impervious no, although there aren't many who wouldn't be out cold after the amount she's drunk, just as a note. Her ego demanded the narrative included that, by the way.

"Oh good, because I never was any good with rules. I think I might be allergic. Right then," she linked his arm and surveyed the room, already knowing who she was going to kiss but making a show of the 'search' none-the-less.

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course. But it remained to be seen how long she'd last before passing out anyway.

He nodded, and crossed his arms, leaning against the convenient, nearby wall. That the clock was ticking down and she was just now searching didn't really bother him--in as much as if she missed it she would probably harass him and blame him for it somehow--knowing Vala, she could just pick the poor man (Or woman, even. It was possible) in the last few seconds, and kiss him without explanation. She'd probably get away with it, too.

Not that he was about to puff up that ego of hers any more by saying any of that. Essentially, he was here so Vala could do her thing. Interfere with that, and he'd just wasted his whole evening and gotten his only teammate irritated at him.

[valaunbound]

"Seems odd," was she stalling for time as the countdown started? Less than a minute now. "Celebrating a new year when none of us particularly want to be here and no-one even knows what year it's supposed to be."

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

Way to be a downer, Vala.

He shrugged, and offered her a small, reassuring sort of smile. "Its about surviving the old year and hoping for a better one. All of the traditions are, pretty much. The rest of the details don't matter." Which was to say he knew of none which weren't. He wouldn't get into it more, because now Vala was cutting it thin.

[valaunbound]

"Well I can certainly agree with that sentiment," she gave him a much quieter and warm smile.

"But then again, when are any of our years smooth sailing?"

Ten, nine, eight...

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

He shrugged. Thin? Vala was just about hoping for a miracle at this point. If she skipped it and blamed him, he was...skipping something. He'd figure it out when necessary.

"Never said they'd be smooth. Where's the fun in nothing happening all year, Vala?"

[valaunbound]

The final count of three approached and Vala smirked wryly at him. Well if he wanted something to happen...

"I couldn't agree more, might as well rock the ship and have some fun." She paused, as if a thought just came to her, but really she was just stalling.

"In fact, we should start this one with something exciting, and I have just..."

The countdown was at one and Vala didn't hesitate - no subtle move in, no waiting for his reaction, she only barely got out "... the thing," before her hands were wrapped around the back of Cam's head and neck and her lips made full contact with his. Happy New Year, Cam.

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

He probably should have known something was wrong when she gave him that look, but forgive him for not knowing what ran through Vala's head at any given time. He tried not to know. He'd just come around to thinking she might have been purposefully skipping out so she had something to harass him about later, when the countdown ended.

Thus, Vala's New Years kiss was pretty much the equivilent of a blank stare. Stunned, at least. But, that was pretty much what you got for catching Cam by surprise, Vala. Like the fact that arms were still crossed in his usual way. That couldn't have been comfortable. And why that was the one coherent thought he immediately managed on the subject, Cam couldn't have said.

[OOC: Because the first tag was rushed off and lame xD]

[valaunbound]

Vala, it has to be said, has kissed a few people in her time. She likes to think she knows what she's doing, and contrary to what most that know her would think, she's fairly considerate. In as much that she tailors the kiss to the recipient and is aware of their reactions.

Which is why she (whilst still making contact with her lips) maneuvered herself so that Cameron could free his arms - if he wanted. It was probably more of a 'are you happy with this?' move, given that he now had the option to embrace her. Although whether she'd back off if he didn't, wasn't necessarily a given.

She was really enjoying this, that physical intimacy and the comfort it brought. Taxon was taking its toll on her and this - well in her mind it was a way of coping with that, it gave them a connection and intimacy that she craved - had always craved and she was convinced he felt it too.

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

Well, Cam would like to think he had his own fair share of kissing himself. Y'know, enough not to just stand there gawping like a fish. Most of the time. When he wasn't caught completely off-guard.

He did regain enough of his senses to process the situation after a few moments, at least. Enough to know his arms had been freed, and that, apparently, the New Years kiss lasted long enough for that to be necessary. Also enough to note that her lips were much softer than he'd have expected.

...He just went ahead and let that one flit by without filing it anywhere.

That was about all the reason he managed to summon up in a short time, however, so he let the common sense--that struggling tended to get him nowhere with Vala, and there was no one to distract her from blackmailing him with any unfortunate happenings all year if he went out of his way to foul up the kiss--dictate that he loop his freed arms loosely around her waist.

[valaunbound]

Well that was good at least, the way he'd wrapped his arms around her. So it wasn't the most passionate response ever, but it was far from a rejection. It was at that point that she considered she was analysing this far too much. Why the hell was she doing that anyway? That wasn't like her at all.

She pressed her body up closer to his and intensified the kiss in a bid to just enjoy it and stop thinking. When she parted her lips slightly and her hands gripped the back of his head tighter - pulling him in, she was lost to the sensation and then for a fleeting moment she backed off ever so slightly to see if he reinitiated. She would if he didn't though. "Happy New Year", Vala whispered, the husky noise coming somewhere from the back of her throat.

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

Well, no. Not exactly passionate, but when was Cam ever good with that sort of spontaneity? You're lucky he didn't find a way to trip over something, Vala.

At any rate, the intensity did well to end his thought processes. Insomuch as it stymied them pretty firmly. He'd decide how to scold her about appropriate New Years kisses later. (In a way that conveniently didn't mention his own limited experience with those in particular.) For the moment, he'd apparently committed himself with the hands thing. If he (attempted to, seeing as she quite literally had his back against the wall) backed off now, that would walk the line between spastic and skittish.

Unfortunately, the lack of coming up with the appropriate scolding left him with very little to say once he did get a chance. So he defaulted to his standby. "Vala..." Except it came out more bewildered that warning. Dammit. He'd just have to try it again if that didn't work.

[valaunbound]

If ever there was an invitation to continue, the way he said 'Vala' was it. Clearly he'd fantasised about this before, but circumstance always stopped him taking it any further. But here, here in Taxon, things were different right? Nothing to stop them. She smiled at him, a knowing smile that definitely was not a reaction to the intended warning, she 'understood'. Once more her lips fell onto his, more passionate - more desperate this time.

It had taken her less than a minute to decide this was 'meant to be'. Both hands curled around the nape of his neck, the softness of his hair velvety against her fingers as she brushed over the short cut feeling it ripple between them.

[sgmitchell.livejournal.com]

Well, crap. That was not what he meant 'Vala' to mean. Actually...how did that work, exactly? He was having difficulty making that connection.

But that might not have been due to the initial confusion of the question, so much as the kiss. The second one, which did not count for the New Year, as far as Cam knew. He was fairly certain it was entirely inappropriate. Definitely another thing to mention later.

Later. Because, apparently, he was failing at stern at the moment. He wouldn't have called it capitulating, per se. More...patience. Because, as it turned out, it was difficult to summon the gumption to shove her out of his personal space. If, in fact, doing such would do anything. She could be incorrigible.