xp_logs | Hope, Betsy and Topaz go to a gala

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Hope, Betsy and Topaz go to a gala and they have a few interesting conversations.

Hope gently caught Topaz' hand as it went to tug on her the simple cocktail dress for the third time in five minutes as they made their way to the entrance. "Stop doing that." She chided with a small grin. "I promise you, you look just fine. A darker purple definitely is one of your colors."

Topaz gave Hope a very fake grumble-y look. "If you say so. Should've checked the dress-code before I said yes.”

Betsy, who had been looking around curiously and observing the other party-goers, turned back towards her friends. “It does look lovely on you. I think I saw a waiter go past with some champagne, would you like me to fetch you a glass?” While the question was directed at Topaz, she glanced towards Hope to indicate the offer included her as well.

"Love some," Topaz said immediately. Sobriety be damned. It was one glass.

"Thank you, Betsy." Hope replied with a smile, though her gaze was focused on Topaz. Not wanting to say anything out loud, she focused on the questioning emotions that rose inside her and directed them towards Topaz. "Have either of you been to the museum? They have a small, but wonderful collection of abstract art."

“I’m afraid I haven’t had the chance yet but I was hoping to see it later,” Betsy admitted, scanning the room for the waiter who had inconveniently disappeared in to the crows. A-ha! There he was. “Please excuse me for a second,” she said, stepping away to retrieve the promised drinks.

"You know I only go outside three times a year," Topaz said dryly, feeling the emotions in Hope and raising an eyebrow in response.

"You know why." Hope commented in a low tone. "I am just checking. Do not think I haven't noticed that we have not shared a glass of wine for a while. I figured... well, you know what I mean."

"That I stopped using alcohol as a substitute for dealing with reality?" It was getting easier to joke about. Kind of. "I'm fine. Promise.”

Even while distracted by carrying three champagne glasses without spilling, Betsy could sense the tension between her companions and had to suppress the urge to peek at what was causing it. “I managed to track down the waiter. Is everything alright?” She asked instead.

After another glance at Topaz, Hope replied: "Everything is fine, Betsy. Thanks for the champagne though." She accepted her own glass and passed the other one to Topaz. Catching something over Betsy's shoulder, she leaned forward a little. "Let's move over there a bit. I would prefer not to be in this guy's path."

"Lovely," Topaz said breezily, shuffling off to the side and sipping her champagne as she looked around.

"He is quite convinced he is God's gift to women, despite having a wife and two young sons." Hope explained in a low voice. "Especially those young and unattached."

"Ah, one of those," Betsy wrinkled her nose. "In that case, I am feeling very attached tonight."

"Fun," Topaz murmured, rolling her eyes. She could feel the arrogance rolling off of him without even trying. "So he's basically whats-his-face - the Bird Bloke. Except with a family."

"It gets better. He is a prosecutor, supposedly serving the law. He wants to work himself up to DA, then to governor or state senator and then Congress." Hope joined in Topaz' in rolling her eyes. "Ask me how I know. A hour long story when he cornered me. That story is a dime a dozen among this crowd."

"What a lovely group." Topaz' eyes followed the man for a moment, and she just couldn't help herself; a slight twist of her fingers, a little magic, and suddenly he was tripping, spilling his drink on himself. He didn't fall or hurt anyone else. It just looked as if he had caught his foot on something.

Betsy raised an eyebrow at the general aura of satisfaction she could feel coming from Topaz. “And I am sure that was a complete accident and had absolutely nothing to do with you, correct?” She asked with a small smile.

"I would never," Topaz said solemnly, sipping her drink to hide a small smirk.

Hope had to fight her own smirk. "Thank you for that. I did not realize how much I wanted to see something like that." She added in a low volume. "I promise there are more interesting and pleasant people here too... in fact..." Scanning the crowd till she spotted a head full of grey hair. "There is someone I would like you to meet."

"Really?" Now Topaz was intrigued. "Lead the way, then."

"Dr. Landau?" Hope addressed the stout woman after a minute of maneuvering through the crowd. "Remember the friend I told you about who loves old books? I finally managed to lure her out." She had to grin. "Topaz, this is Dr. Anna Landau. She is a conservator, specializing in antique books."

After the introduction, she stepped backwards to stand next to Betsy. "I have been wanting to introduce the two of them for a while."

“Is Landau’s interest purely academic, or does she…” Betsy made a complicated gesture with her fingers, imitating what she imagined using magic generally looked like. She was still slightly uncertain about the whole thing. “Conserving old books seems like the kind of profession in which one might run into some of the stranger phenomena we hear about. Or you do, at least,” she said, taking another sip from her flute.

"I strongly suspect she might have come across a relevant book or two, might even believe some of what is in it, but otherwise I truly do not know." Hope paused to take a sip from her own flute. "What I really like about her is the way she is absolutely honest about her passion and expertise. She does not let anyone run roughshod over her.”

“An admirable quality, that, and one I wish I possessed,” Betsy sighed. “Still, I’m glad that not everyone here is a sleazy tosser like our friend the prosecutor from earlier. I wonder what they’re talking about.”

Hope truly knew Topaz' weakness. A rare, genuine interest lit up in her eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Doctor," she said in a polite tone she in no way should have been capable of, shaking the offered hand. "I believe I've come across some of your work online. I've been looking into restoration - came into a very old collection of books recently."

"That friend of yours is a smart cookie." Dr. Landau answered with a smile. "It is good to meet you, Topaz. So many of your age only enjoy what is on a screen and forget the feel of a real book in their hands. So tell me about those books of your?"

Hope watched the two for a moment as they started to speak. "Old books, I guess or something related. I do not think Topaz would be looking so comfortable otherwise. She was more uneasy then a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs before.”

Betsy sniggered, draining the remnants of her glass. “I don’t blame her. I mean, I grew up going to these kind of events and I’m still worried about my tail getting caught. You seem to be right at home here though?”

"Like you, I grew up going to events, even if they were smaller. But the basic picture is the same." Hope gestured over one of the waiters, handing Betsy a glass of wine and taking one for herself as well. "Also... how do I put it... it is all a game that we play here. We chat and try to have a good time, but below that everyone is here with something... a goal they want to achieve..."

Explaining how she "came into a very old collection of books" without explaining Avalon or magic or... really any of the context was hard, but origin was far less important than the books themselves. Topaz was talking animatedly, describing the condition of the books, and was even bouncing just the tiniest bit as she listened to the doctor. Definitely not the sullen young woman who'd magically tripped a man less than five minutes ago.

"... and each one work towards said goal. It is a game I have grown to enjoy." Hope sipped from her wine and her eyes widened slightly as she took in Topaz. "Okay... Topaz bouncing... that is something I'd never thought I would see.”

“I’d probably enjoy it more if I had a goal of my own to advance,” Betsy admitted, twirling her glass slightly before taking a sip. “And yes, it’s rather adorable, if vaguely terrifying in a ‘we have left our normal plane of existence’ way.” Despite her words, Betsy was smiling at Topaz’ obvious excitement.

"I am almost tempted to pull out my camera, but that would rather counter my efforts." Hope refocused back on Betsy. "Is that something you wish for though? A goal of own to advance?”

“Doesn’t everyone?” Betsy shrugged, avoiding Hope’s gaze. “I do wish there was something more worthwhile I could do. Brian, all these people in the mansion, everyone is doing so much good and I just feel like I’m taking advantage. I mean, I know how to play this game,” she waved her hand to indicate the party crowd. “I don’t particularly enjoy it but I do know it, I just don’t have anyone to play for.”

Hope studied Betsy thoughtfully, trying to determine if she was serious. "That does beg the question... what kind of person or cause would you be willing to play it for? I might be able to introduce you to a few people... if you are serious…"

“I doubt I would fit in well with the angels,” Betsy said, taking another sip. “Besides, I’m just a telepath, and not even a too strong one at that. But still, there are situations where that could be useful. Like, right here, I suppose.” She gulped down the rest of her wine and gestured a passing waiter for another one.

Nodding slowly, Hope took another glass of wine for herself. "Then there are some people you ought to know. Not many of them are here tonight, but we can work on that in the future."

Well she’d done it now, Betsy thought. She busied herself with her glass and nodded to where Topaz was still in deep conversation with Dr. Landau. “I’m almost curious enough to take a peek on what they’re talking about… Topaz looks positively perky."

The conversation was wrapping up, actually - Dr. Landau provided Topaz with a business card, and they shook hands before Topaz turned back to the others, sipping her drink and looking far too pleased. "That was a low trick, Hope," she informed her friend with absolutely no malice in her voice.

Hope shared a grin with Betsy. "I think the words you are looking for are 'thank you, Hope'. Now... let's see if there any more of the interesting people around."