Backdated: Friday, Sept. 19th
Who: The School Staff What: Arthur's Surprise Party Where: Collette's House When: All evening Rating: TBD Status: In Progress
It was Arthur Barclay's birthday. He had turned 51 at 5:17am on the 19th September. Despite working at a school where one vampire in particular enjoyed nothing better than to tease him about everything to do with age, birthdays and gifts, Arthur had received nothing. Not a card, not a smile, not anything. And on top of it all, Collette, the woman who invaded his dreams to show him just how much he was missing, had requested his presence at her home to put forward a presentation on something he didn't fully grasp yet and had no idea where to take.
The amount of conflicting emotions and thoughts running through his head all day didn't cease even on his walk to Colette's hidden abode. Nor did it ebate when he tried to pull himself together and knock on the door. He had a file under his arm, his best casual-smart outfit on, and some cologne fo good measure. Not too much, because he'd choke on himself, but enough. He probably reeked of disappointment.
And it didn't help - oh no it did not help in the fucking slightest - that as he stood on the porch waiting for her to answer the door, the smell of Brynn Dediver mingled with that of the headmistress wafted to his nostrils.
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As expected, Arthur was quite on time. This spoke well of him. After all, it was very rare that Collette allowed people to her private abode, and the fact that he did not take this meeting lightly put forth a good impression. It would also make the surprise of a birthday party instead of a serious meeting all the better. When she heard the knock, Collette's sharp gaze swept the room, causing everyone's voices to vanish completely, even though they had been mere whispers just seconds before. She had even gone so far as to light a few candles to mask scents, since no doubt Arthur would pick up on them whilst standing outside. And Brynn was close at hand, just in case, a familiar scent Mister Barclay might pick up on immediately and the others might fall to the wayside.
Pausing a moment before responding to the door, Collette tugged her casual cardigan more tightly around her pale shoulder,s and opened the door just enough to see out. "Arthur," she said, seeming surprised, before recollection crossed her features. "Oh yes, you're here to present your proposals. I cannot believe I'd forgotten once again, this week has been quite... eventful." Another pause, this one with a scrutinizing gaze at Arthur's attire, then a small smile. "You dressed well for me? How thoughtful. And fortunate." Stepping aside, she nodded toward her home. "Please, come in." The door opened fully, allowing Arthur to step into a joyous roar of
"SURPRISE!!!"
---
Arthur tried his best not to look angry. He had no right to be angry. What Colette and Brynn did in their own time was their business and Arthur had no business to be jealous. But he was. And it must have shown somehow on his face or the way his lips pursed briefly. She’d forgotten. Probably because of the romantic meal for two or the intense sex session between the sheets.
“I hope I’m not, uhm, interrupting anything.” He tried to say it casually but there was a clip to his tone as he went to step into her home for the first time – only to be ambushed by noise, bright faces and a few party poppers burst towards him. Arthur stopped in his tracks, stunned, blinking not only in the surprise they’d shouted but absolute 100% relief.
“ARTIE IS FIFTY-ONE!” cried a familiar voice as Brynn bounded towards him and dragged him into a tight hug. He then turned to present him to the crowd. “Let’s get him drunk!”
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Although a huge, satisfied grin was begging to be released on Collette's lips, only a small, sly smirk sat there. She had hoped he would be surprised, not figure out the secret at the last moment, and it seemed luck was in their favor. He could not have been more shocked. And he was certainly in for an interesting night, as the crowd cheered heartily at Brynn's suggestion. In fact, someone had already grabbed hold of Arthur and was bringing him to the booze table, located conveniently beside the buffet table, and a few others were already grabbing bottles to mix and stir and blend, and from where Collette was standing, it was going to be a very messy night.
Coming up behind Arthur, making her way through the crowd, Collette leaned over his shoulder and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek, far back and close to his ear. "Joyeux anniversaire, mon cher," she murmured, then plucked a tacky red plastic cup from someone's hands and slipped back into the crowd, deciding to perhaps join in the debauchery of alcoholic flavors that would be assaulting them all tonight.
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Arthur was so relieved that his best friend wasn’t bonking the woman of his literal and figurative dreams that he accepted a drink in a total daze. He wasn’t even sure that he was really experiencing a surprise birthday party because it might have been his mind conjuring something to enable him to deal with seeing Brynn in the buff or something. It was only the very real voice whispering by his ear and the gentle press of soft lips against his cheek that made Arthur realise under no uncertain terms that Colette was real. And she’d just kissed him. And his spine was tingling with so many sensations that he was almost going to explode. “Thank – thanks,” he managed to mumble, looking behind him only quick enough to see her retreating into the crowd.
Brynn was quick to shove more liquor in his hand. “Mingle,” he insisted. “I can see your brain working over time, don’t. It’s your birthday. Your party. These people are here for you. So mingle.”
“I was going to mingle,” said Arthur, still distracted in his post-kiss daze.