Of Champagne and Dance

How he'd gotten an invite, Kori wasn't sure. Maybe he delivered a bouquot at just the right time to the right pair and some high end couple had it work out well. Either way, the sloth bun knew better than to turn down an invite from the upper crust if they deigned to smile at him.

He didn't have much of a reputation up there, but what little he had was best to keep, right? Right.

So here he was, sipping champagne and staring at the all too rambunctious dance floor warily. Was that a requirement? He'd rather drink himself onto the floor than waste that much energy trying to keep going. The party itself was tiring on it's own. It seemed it was acceptable 'enough' to lurk though. Plenty of others were staying the perpetual wallflower stance, so he figured he'd get away with it for now.

He lifted a hoof to bring his glass to his lips, taking another sip of his drink. Honestly, if nothing else they really knew the right brands. Everything he had deigned to snack on or drink was of the highest quality. He wasn't much for the chaos of parties, but he might have to try and get an invite more often just to splurge like this once in a while. "What even is the brand for this one?" He half mumbled under his breath, holding the lass before himself to look at it. As if that would make the label suddenly appear.

----------------

Wendy watched the crowd mingle while some others danced, she waved her dress around, standing idly. Though she did not know anyone too well at the event, she felt perfectly comfortable. Maybe I should find Hops, she thought. The bartender was the reason she got in, their connection to Angora and all. Wendy started to walk from the hors d'oervre table after consuming a few more cheese crostinis. It was a good appetizer, but Wendy knew this was probably all she was getting regarding a meal at this extravagant event, she wished it were a sit-down dinner instead.

Her eyes landed on a Succubun standing slightly off from the rest. She admired their fluffy blue and purple blended fur. Confidently strolling over, she decided to try and make a new friend. “Hi, that drink any good?” she smiled poitely. She had yet to try the drinks.

----------------

Kori's head perked to attention at the noise so closeby, eyes that might have drooped a bit opening to seek the cause. A bright bun, literally glowing with how well she fit into the entire event. A lovely dress to match in contrast to his own outfit which was just a mask he'd stationed to one side of his face. It'd felt stifling to wear after only a few minutes.

"Too good." He bemoaned a bit, gesturing a paw toward the area he'd snagged it. "To the point I'm considering trying to get into more parties thrown by Angora." He added, to make it clear he meant it as a compliment. "They're so tiring, but I don't think anybun could even buy this with money if they tried." He smiled then, offering a polite nod to the other bun. "Ah, but manners- I'm Kori." He wasn't the fanciest, but at least he wasn't the type to be rude.

----------------

She laughed at his compliment about Angora’s parties. “I am with you there. Although I have not yet tried the drinks, the snacks–oh sorry, I mean hors d’oervres are worth it alone.” Wendy stuck out a hoof to Kori, “Nice to meet you, Kori. I’m Wendy. And on that note of buying, I am sure a good number of the attendees here have that kind of money,” she whispered in the last part.

A waiter carrying some champagne was just walking past when Wendy nodded at them. She grabbed the drink with her free hoof while still holding out her other for Kori.

----------------

"Delicious snackies of the most snackingest variety." He jokingly corrected at her mention of hors d'oervres. Honestly, he'd paused at the term before saying it. There was no need to be stuffy with him and he was merely trying to make it clear. He gladly accepted the hoof, noding her name. "Good to meet you too, Wendy." He cheerily replied with as much energy as he could manage. Which, was actually pretty lacking. He tended to sound like he was 5 winks away from dozing off. The alcohol wasn't going to help with that any.

"Yes, but I'm pretty sure connections are what gets you the really good stuff like this." He whispered back. Honestly, he was pretty sure most of what Angora could get had less to do with money and more with who was known and owed favors. Not someone to manage to get on the bad side off really.

It was while he was leaned in his noticed the sweet smell coming from a flower decorating the bun, leaning up to sniff a bit before giving an appreciative smile. "You know, not as often used as something to decorate, those blossoms are nice. They always smell so good, and if you do get bored of the food here..." Well you could nibble a blossoms petals.

----------------

The lust Succubun smiled at his casual use of the word ‘snack’, feeling relief. “Oh good gracious, you’re not all tight like some of the folks.” At places like these, Wendy often found everyone was putting their best hoof forward which meant very stiff talk. “Connections? That is true. Do you think Angora had to sleep with someone other than Hops for it?” A giggle came out of her, gossip was always helpful when tending to her diners, this felt no different.Kori’s next comment made her laugh out loud, prompting a few nearby guests to turn their heads curiously. Wendy tried to smother her laugh. Still giggling, “I suppose you could have a nibble at the petals, though I’m not so sure they will taste like apples.”

She took a sip from her glass, feeling the bubbles tickle her throat. She remembered having champagne when she opened up her restaurant. “So, do tell. What is it that you do for work?” Easy enough question usually to start up a conversation, Wendy thought. Even though Kori looked a little drowsy, she appreciated his humour and how he threw in a joke or two. It was refreshing..

----------------

The simple fact was, Kori didn't have a lot of energy to spare. Using it to fuss about how he talked? Oof no. He had better uses of his time and energy. Even if it meant someone might think a bit less of him. Whatever, problem for tomorrow Kori. Maybe. "Mmm... hard to say." Honestly, it was practically it's own currency among some, so... "I'm not nearly in the right circles to even guess." He finally said after a brief pause, shoulders shrugging as he did. "Could be fun to wonder, but I doubt anyone would find out even if they tried hard." The business of the upper crust was very well kept to themselves usually. Or he hadn't tried to find out.

Either or. Both could be equally true.

"Oh, a flourist on the outer southern side." He replied, gesturing toward the flower. "It's how I knew the petals are edible, but most certainly not as tasty as what their name suggests. You're right on that." He shrugged. "I think I helped someone high up on the chain with a relationship with flower suggestions... at least that's all I can guess for how I got an invite to a place like this. What about you?"

----------------

Wendy nodded as Kori spoke. “I suppose we won’t really ever know, but that’s what makes it so appealing,” she giggled. A tray of mini cranberry tarts came by and she had to snatch one, waving down the waiter, Wendy gingerly took one and popped it into her mouth in one go. She made sure to finish swallowing before speaking, as her chef would have informed her.

“A florist!” She clapped her hooves together, still clutching the drink, a little over excited. “Oh I just love flowers, so that is wonderful to hear,” taking a sip from her glass then she continued proudly, “I own a diner. As for how I got here, I am a friend of Hops.” She chugged the remainder of her drink and placed the glass on one of the random nearby tables.

----------------

"You know..." He trailed off, nodding. Obviously he saw her point. Oh Wendy was definitely right. "It does make it more fun." He finally added, seeming to notice her drawn attention and his eyes lighting up a bit. Though unlike Wendy's restraight, he might have snatched one and stuffed it in his mouth before plucking a second for the road.

Good food was good food.

He nodded, still chewing and swallowing his less than elegantly stuffed snack her comment. He finally washed it down with some champagne before replying. He at least wasn't that much of a slob. "Mm, they're nice. Quiet, lovely to look at and smell, and they make buns so happy to see." He smiled. "Oooh a diner. Those are great for the same reasons. Good food and a pleasant atmosphere. What bun could say no? I wonder if I've been..." He hummed, trying to recall if he'd seen her. "Though I don't go out too far from where I live on the southern end, so maybe not?" He took a far more acceptable bite of his second tart, chewing thoughtfully as he tried to recall. Swallowing he spoke up again. "What kind of food do you serve?"

----------------

“I don’t think I recognize you,” she eyed him, luckily his mask was over to the side, “It’s called ‘Wendy & Frank’s Diner’, do drop by if you’re ever in town. It’s closer to the downtown portion of Burrowgatory.”

The music was starting up again, a beautiful slow jazz Wendy hummed for a bit. “All kinds! Breakfast, soups, pizzas, burgers, and my favourite part, desserts,” she grinned widely, “I just couldn’t decide to focus on one type of food. I had to do them all. I would only be able to run the place because I found a chef willing to take on my recipes.” Some of the buns started moving towards the dance floor, pairing up in the process.

“I bet your flower shop is busy during matentines.” Before Kori could respond, Wendy turned to him excitedly, “Would you like to dance?”

----------------

The bun looked sort of relieved when she said that. Oh thank Satan his memory wasn't that poor. Yet. He chuckled. "Doesn't sound familiar, but I'll keep an eye out." He replied, nodding as he mentally noted the location.

"So, everything delicious." He stated, obviously agreeing with her taste in food. "Do you do takeout? Maybe I could get a bit on the way home..." Eating out was a lot of energy, but he did love a tasty meal. "And finding good partners is important to places like that. I'm glad it's worked out."

He did pause at the mention of matentines, a look of someone who'd faced hell and back, despite living in hell, crossing his face. "Yes." And that was all she'd get as a reply. The look as if he'd aged five years suddenly passed at the mention of a dance, replaced with a different weary look as he glanced to the floor. "Well... I suppose it is customary at a place like this. Don't expect much?" He offered, finishing the last bit of his champagne and placing the empty glass near her's on a table and then downing the last of his second tart. He did make sure to wipe his hooves off on a napkin too. Not. A. Slob. Sleepy did not mean lazy or ill mannered. He offered a smile, gesturing to the floor with one cheek still a bit stuffed with the tart which explained his silence. Clearly an 'after you' sort of gesture.

----------------

Wendy happily led the way to the dance floor, she stopped and turned to face her partner before offering a hoof out for him to take. “I won’t judge,” she said half-teasingly, “Whatever pace you are happy with, I will match.” A genuine smile on her face.

She thought about his question about the take-out. Most of her patrons enjoyed dining it for the chatter, atmosphere and table service, but there were the occasions where someone may drop by and ask for things to-go. “I could definitely pack up the food for you at the diner. Of course, if you’re ever up to it, the tables are always open for you too.” She did not want to leave out the invitation for him to dine-in should he want. Though they had just met, Wendy could tell Kori’s nature of preferring to keep to himself. She also noticed how kind he is despite how reserved he may seem at first.

----------------

"Oh... that is very good." He said it simply. Because even as he took her hoof and followed her out to the floor, it was clear there was not a spring in his step. It wasn't so much reluctance as just a lack of energy. It's not like he was being forced out.

"Mmm I'll consider it if I have the energy after work, but good food picked up on the way home after a long day? Not much beats that sometimes." He hummed happily, noting the melody and sort of swaying back and forth in his spot to the beat. He was not much of a better dancer than awkward buns who hadn't yet been let back to the burrow by Murmur. Really he couldn't be bothered to expend energy better left to talking and enjoying the food to trying to show off on the floor. Wendy was at least free to keep a pace she wanted. "But who knows, maybe I'll be up to the hustle and bustle one of these days and drop in to dine-in." He added with a smile, nodding his head once with solidarity.

----------------

His mention of take-out after work was completely understandable, “That is very true. I can imagine not wanting to cook after working an entire day.”

They both swayed in tune, Wendy did not mind one bit, she loved to dance whether it be fast or slow or even off-beat, just getting up and moving gave her energy. “Please do, I’d love to see you come by, Kori. Do be prepared for me to drop by your shop too.” Wendy smiled. On the southern side, she made a mental note of that. I will ask for the name later. She felt warm and fuzzy inside, glad to have met someone new. Wendy will thank Hops later for the invite, if it weren’t for that, Wendy may not have met some truly kind and amazing buns. As the music went on and each pair danced in their own way, Wendy and Kori continued to sway, not paying much mind to those around them.