Nora couldn’t decide if she was excited about this party or not. She ended up thinking she might be interested in it, but only to try and see Marie have some fun. She’d worked on persuading her sister that the beautiful black and tan dress would look perfect on her, and once she’d convinced her, then searched for a dress of her own. Her mask was more elaborate than she’d planned on wearing, but it was free when she saw it so she snagged it before someone else had the chance to.
Prepped for the party in the only pair of heels she could actually walk in, black and suede with straps around the ankles for support, and a pair of matching, full-length black suede gloves for practicality and accessory, Nora went to scrounge for alcohol for both Marie and herself. She knew her sister was going to need it and she might need some too, because she sure as hell wasn’t ready for a party like this.
Peter was surprised at how quickly he relaxed. The week had been a whirlwind of getting ready, finding the long and help to get their party off the ground and then that moment of panic when people didn't arrive right away that no one would come. But then the party started and the music was playing and people looked incredible. One woman in particular caught his eye before he drifted that way, just following her at first, taking in the elegance of her look and costume, studying her, before finally approaching her. He was masked as well, something black and covering more of his face than hers, edged in gold and feathers and it was a fantastic compliment to his suit, which looked like most except up close where the filigree of black on black embroidery could be seen on the cuffs and hem.
Nora was a little annoyed it was taking so long to get her drinks. She was a bartender, she knew what it was like to get bombarded with people, but she was mostly just after champagne. Getting visibly more annoyed as the moments passed, she tried to squeeze through the crowd to get to the glasses and bottles herself. She managed to go unnoticed, able to pour herself two flutes of champagne before she had to hold them up above her head and try to squeeze back out of the crowd.
Peter watched her whole profession then moved to intercept. "So you just take what you want do you?" He asked once he was close enough to her and properly in her path.
Nora wasn't expecting to be stopped, nor did she really want to and it showed in her face. "...Bartender was swamped. I can pour my own drink. Is there a problem?" She was trying to place this guy behind his mask but she wasn't able to and that, too, was annoying.
"Maybe. I'm still deciding if such behavior is acceptable for my party," Peter said, looking at her more now that she was up close. "Makes me think I've done a bad job if my bartender is so behind the eight ball."
Nora rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You just picked the wrong bartender. Obviously you didn't go down to the pub or I'd be the one behind that bar."
"No," Peter said shaking his head. "Something looking like you do would never be behind a bar at a party like this. You are right where you belong." He didn't know for sure who she was but she might be motivation to head to the pub more often.
Nora wasn't sure she liked that. She made sense behind the bar. It felt natural for her to be there. Frowning, she watched him closer. "This is obviously not what I'd normally wear. It fit. Though I'm starting to guess these costumes were all your doing too."
"Obviously, but it suits you. It's a shame you can't make a habit of wearing such things," he said smiling a little more, which looked almost impish paired with the mask. "Perhaps. I couldn't have dreamt you up though."
Nora was about to walk around him, to try and get him to move so she could back to her sister, but he said something that confused her. She studied him for a moment longer and then narrowed her eyes behind the mask. "Does that work often for you?"
“Often? What on earth could you mean?” he asked, smirking again, but nothing more and with his eyes mostly hidden, it didn’t give much away. Yes, he had used the line, and it had worked, but she didn’t need to know that.