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[nostalgiabomb]

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[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes a face after that tug, then tucks his tie back into its proper place. ]

I'm just saying, we could skip the middle part and go straight to the fun part.

[animated]

Did you forget the part where if we don't go we don't get paid? Because I'd like you to explain to Gamora and the others why this job didn't get done.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ SIGHING. ]

Alright, alright. When'd you go all mercenary on me, Glinda?

[animated]

Hey, somebody has to keep you in line.

Anyway, shall we?

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[ He makes an exaggerated roll of his eyes, then starts trudging toward the airlock, grumbling the whole way.

Charlie may hear snippets that sound similar to, "Stupid sexy Charlie" or "Fucking hot guys and their goddamn suits" or "My party would've been way better." ]

[animated]

[ He does, and "stupid sexy Charlie" kiiiind of cracks him up.

Their employer was generous enough to arrange a ride to the estate for them, so at least they could arrive in style. (Charlie had been a little bewildered when Peter approached him for the job. "Won't that draw attention if we're there together? Won't people talk?" before Peter reminded him that in this part of the galaxy it was not a big deal.

He'd gone quiet for quite a while after that.)

The trip to the estate is a fairly short one- honestly, it feels like half of it is spent on the driveway alone, once the car moves through a pair of ornate gates. The estate is a sprawling building of white stone and silver and bright lights, already full of people in fancy clothes milling about, as servants in simple white jackets carrying trays of who-knows-what dart around.

Charlie gives a low whistle as the car rolls up to the front of the building. ]

Nice digs.

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[ Peter steps out of the car, and at Charlie's whistle, he takes a quick glance around. ]

It's not terrible. Tasteful, at least.

[ His voice changes slightly, words clipped and enunciation just slightly more crisp. He even dials back that sort of cocksure attitude he typically has -- just enough to still be charming.

He takes Charlie's hand, twining their fingers together and flashing him a crooked sort of smile. ]

I can think of at least one thing that warrants more attention.

[animated]

[ Oh, he's never gotten to see Peter act before. It's kind of sexy.

And then Peter holds his hand, like it's the easiest thing in the world, and it's the sweetest fucking thing he's ever experienced. ]

Is it me? It's me, isn't it?

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[ He frowns, as if disapproving. ]

It was, until you asked.

[ He starts leading them into the party proper, then ducks down to speak in Charlie's ear, adopting his normal voice. ]

Don't eat anything from the blue trays, unless you wanna spend the rest of the night barfing. Toxic to Terrans.

[ -- aaand just for funsies, he presses a kiss to his neck. ]

[animated]

[ He gives a little nod, quirking a brow at the kiss. He's not so easily distracted, fortunately, but he makes a mental note to pay Peter back later. Maybe he'll show him some other ways in which ties can be used.

There's a man at the door who asks them for their names, and Charlie gives him the pseudonyms they've adopted for the evening. He checks the little datapad he has in his hands and allows them to pass.

Walking in is... oddly familiar. He's been to many an estate for many a party in his day, and it's surprisingly easy to step back into the mindset again. (Still, he takes care to follow Peter's lead when it comes to the food and drink being offered.) ]

Remember, you owe me a dance. Maybe several.

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Don't worry, Merlin. [ And he keeps his voice low so he doesn't have to put on the act. Still, he stands tall, shoulders back, with the sort of confidence that makes it seem like he owns the place. ]

I remember. But make sure you don't forget, we've got work to do.

[ Well, he says that, but when a servant walks past with a tray of some sort of orange liquid in delicate stemmed glasses, he grabs two glasses, holding one to Charlie. ]

Dude, you've gotta try this stuff. It kinda tastes like watermelon.

[animated]

I know, I know.

[ But he takes the offered glass, giving the contents a little sip. ] It tastes like drinking a Jolly Rancher.

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[ He takes a sip himself, humming thoughtfully. ] Huh. I guess it does? I mean, twenty-six years since I've had one, but I think you're right.

[ He leads them through the crowd of guests, one arm wrapped around Charlie's waist -- both to prevent them from being separated and because he goddamn can wanna fight about it. They skirt the area dedicated for dancing, and twice they're stopped to make small talk.

Both times Peter thinks their cover is surely blown -- the conversation would always start when the guest squinted at Peter, then asked, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" They'd claim they were from Xandar and would send Peter into a mild panic, though it would never be obvious from looking at him. (Charlie would notice, though, from the way his hand tenses at his hip.)

They manage to extricate themselves, though, and Peter's mildly surprised with Charlie handles himself. So much so that he leans in again, lips brushing against his ear. ]

Didn't know you could act, Gandalf.

[animated]

I'm not acting. [ he says it simply, his tone amused ] Practically wizard royalty, remember?

[ He pauses to nod at a passing couple ] What I didn't know was that we'd run into so many people who recognized you.

[nostalgiabomb]

Hoping it's just those folk. I mean, they kinda plastered our faces all over the fucking place on Xandar. Kinda had to happen.

[ He's quiet for a second as a couple passes them by. ]

Also, you're being seriously hot right now, and I just want to kindly request that you stop. It's distracting.

[animated]

What am I even doing? I'm just talking with the nice people.

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[ Peter's answer is just a narrowing of his eyes, as if to say, You know what you did.

Still, this kind of seems more like Charlie's area of expertise than Peter's, so pulls them off to the side to get them a better view of the room. ]

So. If I had to dig up dirt on the host, who would I talk to?

[animated]

[ Charlie scans the crowd, taking another sip from his drink ]

You see that lady? Black dress, blonde hair? [ and indeed there is a woman in black, walking briskly through the crowd ] She's been running interference with upset guests, talking to the staff, that kind of thing. I'd bet she's his secretary or personal assistant or something of the sort.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He wants to say, You're sexy when you talk shop, but he holds off. For now, at least.

Peter watches as the woman stops a servant whose tray has run low on drinks, and with a deft, sharp movement, she gestures him toward the kitchen. She pauses at a couple who wave for her attention, and her smile is almost instantaneous, warm and inviting. He can't tell what conversation they're having, but based on the pleased smile of the couples, he can only assume it's going well. ]

Damn. She's good. Might be too loyal to her employer, though.

[animated]

You think? I haven't met a personal assistant yet who didn't hate her boss.

Watch her for a bit. See if you can catch her when she thinks no one is looking. She looks exhausted.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He nods a little -- Fair point -- and watches as the woman moves back through the crowd. ]

You sure you don't wanna do the honors?

[animated]

What, go talk to her? I don't mind. Are you gonna hang out here?

[nostalgiabomb]

Hey, I don't mind either way. Honestly, I was just gonna flirt her up.

[ He hasn't done it in a while. Hopefully he hasn't gotten rusty.

Ooor he could have words at the dude's who been making eyes at Charlie since they got their drinks while Charlie chats up the PA. He pointedly puts his hand on the small of Charlie's back. What up, bro. ]

Rock Paper Scissors?

[animated]

Nah, I'll go. It's fine.

Don't start any fights while I'm gone.

[ He gives Peter's arm a pat and wanders away, making his way towards the woman. That side of the room is a bit crowded, so it's not all that odd when he bumps into her- purely by accident, of course. He makes an apology, and she assures him that it's fine.

The conversation goes from there, and seems to go well. Charlie makes her laugh once or twice, and whatever story he's telling actually draws a few more listeners. Really, this is the most familiar thing he's encountered since he wound up on this side of the galaxy (aside from waking up next to Peter, which has become the most wonderful sort of familiar he can think of in recent memory). He's in his element here, and he knows how to work a crowd.

And when a few of the other guests disperse, he pulls the woman aside and asks her something in low tones. She nods, and motions for him to follow her. They disappear into the kitchens.

A short while later, Charlie reappears and relocates Peter. ]

So, business first, or pleasure?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The moment Charlie leaves, Peter casually makes his way to the Certain Someone who's been eying his-- boyfriend? Something? Whatever?

At any rate, he strikes up low, quiet conversation, all pleasant smiles and nods, then makes casual mention of breaking fingers, then ribs, then spines, all while sipping delicately at his drink. He nods when the man looks pale enough and returns to his original stakeout point.

The crowd that Charlie gathers surprises Peter, to say the least, and he's a mix of impressed and-- wow, how many people is he going to have to threaten with physical violence? Dammit, Charwin, there are only so many hours in the day. Granted, there are a few women who seem more than interested in him, and he wonders if maybe-- threesome--?

No, okay, they're working. Maybe some other time.

When they leave into the kitchens, Peter starts feeling a little antsy, if only because he loses sight of him and who knows what the hell could happen in that time? But he's making his way back, and Peter flashes him a winning smile that only just covers his relief. ]

Pleasure, always.