Re: Headed TO THE BAR (Vanessa, Idris, open)
The look Victor shot Idris after his first rebuttal was... in a word - unkind. It was probably a bit more than unkind, but Vanessa's change of topic (for his benefit, he guessed) kept him from saying something he would probably have regretted later. Well, maybe regretted.
He forced a small smile for her. "Well, I don't know how I'll measure up to you two seasoned drinkers, but I'll do my best." Victor knew he could hold his liquor - and he could only assume that both Idris and Vanessa could too. He didn't really want to start that kind of competition, but... to be completely honest, he could already tell that he would take great satisfaction in getting the other man to drink himself sick, if possible.
His smile grew a touch more genuine at Vanessa's admittance. It was true - they had only spoken once. But he couldn't help but feel that they already knew one another better than that. Some people just had that effect, of course, but this also seemed to be more than just charisma. He wouldn't complain, especially at the moment. He felt like Vanessa was an ally, and a good one at that. Idris... not so much.
"Ah, yes," he quipped, glancing from Vanessa to Idris, then back to Vanessa, expression playful. "We did... bond, over those lovely purple slippers. I was quite fond of them, truthfully." His comments could easily be taken as suggestive, he remembered (who wouldn't) those slippers and the first sight of Vanessa almost as one might remember seeing a dear friend. Or a family member, almost. The thought made him smile all the more. It was strange, and he knew that it was, but at the moment, he didn't want to put it into introspection. Maybe it was the alcohol.
Victor had no real reason to continue to play at this baiting game the other had somehow gotten him into, but at the same time... he wanted to win it. He tilted his head a bit, focus shifting back to Idris. "Why, have you not had the honor of the fuzzy slippers yet, partner? And it seemed like you two were so close..."
He didn't want to offend Vanessa, but something told him that she could handle it. Besides, Idris had started it, technically. Victor looked back to the lady between them. "I did appreciate the fuzzy slippers.. but I would be remiss if I didn't say that you look amazing this spooky eve." Again, the compliment could be mistaken for being more flirtatious than he had meant, but he chuckled anyhow. "There has to be some kind of fuzzy... purple... shot concoction that we could enjoy in honor of the slippers, right?"