In a Glass Darkly

Austin Cartwright - Wolf Shifter - 28+ - Owner of Cartwright's Pub - Adoptive Brother & Guardian of Brynne

[giseleslifeonstage]

[whiskey-for-austin]

Austin had been hanging to the edges of the room for the bulk of the evening, only really having the odd conversation or two and keeping an eye out for some of the pack members dotted about the place. Not much else could keep his focus at this sort of party, since he wasn't entirely enthused to be in attendance to begin with. But the slight hush of a couple of people around him drew his focus in the direction of their eyeline, finding a familiar face. Or, well, the beginnings of a familiar face since they hadn't had much more than a deep if fleeting conversation before. Even still he caught himself smiling the tiniest bit as he caught her attention too. "Fashionably late?"

[giseleslifeonstage]

"Yeah," she agreed. "I don't take their judgement personally but you can see how that makes the idea of finding romantic love seem like a distant dream. It's ok though," she shrugged, "it's a nice dream to have,"

[whiskey-for-austin]

"You would have every right to... Take it personally, I mean," he replied, some part of him almost sad that she'd view it as such a light grievance. "I can't pretend to be a big believer in fate, but I think life does have a habit of surprising us even when we're certain of a particular outcome."

[tarynsjustice]

"Unless you tell me to stop," she said, taking his hand

[whiskey-for-austin]

He laughed a bit. "I didn't say anything of the sort, did I?"

[tavvyssecretside]

"So I am," she noted with a laugh. Tavvy put her hand on his shoulder, "Would you like me to remove myself?"

[whiskey-for-austin]

Austin's gaze briefly flitted to the warlock's hand before settling back on her rather staggeringly blue eyes. "It's a free country. You can move wherever and whenever you'd like to," he said, not confirming or denying her question.

[giseleslifeonstage]

"For people like me it usually is," she turned her gaze to the man, "Most potential romantic partners run in the opposite direction once they've learnt what I do for work,"

[whiskey-for-austin]

Austin could put together her meaning from the statement, as well as at least part of her identity. "I think that sort of judgement says more about them than you though. They're probably insecure, to start with."

[tarynsjustice]

"You rarely get anywhere in life without being at least a little forward," she shrugged.

[whiskey-for-austin]

"Touché... but the question is, were you going to follow through with it?"

[tavvyssecretside]

"I didn't actually mean to sit in your lap. More accidentally fell while trying to get out of the way of someone waving their drink around a little too vigorously,"

[whiskey-for-austin]

Austin's hands had reflexively come up to catch the stranger by her waist as she'd fallen into his lap, keeping her steady. He didn't move them yet though. "And yet you're still here," he pointed out, watching her with curiosity.

[aanyasfoundfreedom]

"What was that?"

[whiskey-for-austin]

"Was just wondering is this seat was taken."

[hektrslightening]

"If you thought I'd dress up then you clearly don't know me,"

[whiskey-for-austin]

"If anything, I was counting on you not to."

"Brynne was insistent I'd be the only one here who didn't put on a costume."

[giseleslifeonstage]

"One day I hope to find a love like that," she sighed, watching Natalia and Isambard dance together.

[whiskey-for-austin]

Austin considered the couple before his focus landed back on the woman beside him. "You say that as if it's an impossible distance away."

[whiskey-for-austin]

"Pretty forward of you, don't you think?"

[whiskey-for-austin]