Re: The woods
"Elisa!" Another woman, this one in a sweeping, backless gown of gauzy gold, appeared suddenly in the midst of people, flashing a blindingly white smile. Wren's companion in purple recognized the newcomer immediately, and the two exchanged what constituted in the world of the wealthy and powerful as a hug, as well as a double air-kiss, before the woman in gold's gaze fell upon Wren. "Oh, God, I don't even know your name," Elisa gushed, with a look of false dismay. "I'm so sorry-- this is Tasha. Tasha, this is..." She trailed off, waiting for an introduction, before continuing. Andrew had melted away into the crowd somewhere, likely off to find better company. "Tasha, darling, where is Brandon? My new friend is just dying to meet him."
Tasha let out an exaggerated sigh. "Oh, Elisa, you just missed him. He made a wonderful toast, thanking us all for coming and cracking jokes about his absence-- but it was for the company, you know, and he's done wonders in the past few years. Absolute wonders, I'm telling you, the man is brilliant. Brains, looks, charisma-- anyway, he talked about his father, said he'd be so proud if he was alive... oh," she added, as an afterthought. "His wife was with him, the new one. Beautiful, yes, but she looked like a bitch, pardon my French." Finally, the woman seemed to run out of breath, and clasped her hands in front of her. "The two of them headed off just a few minutes ago. One floor down, I think, there's offices there. They'll be back, I'm sure-- but oh! Until then, there's someone I want you to meet..."
Luke had stopped listening after if he was alive. Tasha and Elisa were already preoccupied with some European dignitary in attendance, and this time he did take Wren's hand, tugging on it urgently. There was something brewing just beneath the surface, something he was trying very, very hard to hide; Thomas wasn't the Brandon they were talking about, and he knew it. "I want to find him." Pause. "Please."