Eddie before the birthday gala....

[batteryacid]

A frequent topic of town chatter since Eddie had arrived was Ms. Dahlia Leeds's birthday gala. He had roughly half a month's notice and anything dress code appropriate was firmly out of his means. Even though Eddie was well aware, thanks to the local tailor(s), that Ms. Leeds had opened a tab for people to rent clothing for the event... he hadn't felt right doing so.

Maybe a single meeting during Parade Day was a poor justification, but just attending the party would give him a chance to speak with her more. He could apologize for getting killed when he should've had her back, for one thing, and find out more about her without the possible distortion of the gossip chain, for another.

Then Angel approached Eddie with a request to be his 'plus one' as offered in an official, personalized invitation from Dahlia to Angel... and Eddie attending the gala event became a certainty.

Eddie winced his way through the display of couture options -- listen, his formative years were spent in the United States in 1950s and early 1960s, there were some Very Definite ideas of masculinity that got shoved down his throat -- just absolutely not used to all the fanciness and frilliness available in menswear as well. Luckily, the shop assistant was patient, and they managed to find something appropriate yet understated.

(The darker reds, like maroon and burgundy, are some of Eddie's favorite colors to wear, and he is willing to put up with the weirdly large buttons in exchange for the shiny embroidered embellishments not taking over the entire look. And if he has to shave his legs for the tights, it's not like he's unfamiliar with the process. The things one does for bike racing...)

****

Dress code aside, a fancy party for a rich person's birthday is not unfamiliar to Eddie. Most of his experience with it has been driving celebrities to the parties of their compatriots, but Myra also has some well-off friends. When Eddie and Myra were married, he'd put in a fair number of appearances at such gatherings.

On September the 20th, Eddie took care of all his farm-related duties early in the day (including lavishing Bobbin and Thread with attention and treats so they would -- probably, maybe, hopefully -- not wander). He did all of the washing and grooming necessary to be presentable after preparing Missy for the trip to the Leeds Estate, and then set off on a leisurely pace across the island.

Eddie stops by the townhouse that Angel picked out to live in -- upon officially joining the fire brigade -- and presents him with a boutonnière of cloth flowers. The white rose buds are made of satin, and the leaf embellishments of velvet. (Being on friendly terms with the owner of a clothing shop has its perks.)

"I figured you'd like it," Eddie says to Angel, as he fastens it in place, "and it will last longer than real flowers."

Afterward, the pair swing by Grace Holloway's home since Eddie offered to give her a ride to the gala. It'll be good for Angel to have some socializing time with someone else!

****

Comments

Post-Gala

[graveling]

Angel seeks Eddie out, when everything is embers and clean-up, his clothing singed at the sleeves in particular. He looks exhausted, especially for a guy who's not going to sleep tonight.

"Can I...um. Tonight. Come to the farm, maybe?"

Next Morning

[batteryacid]

Eddie wakes up stiff the next morning -- no, not like that, mostly in his back. He'll be forty next year and the human back is a scam that doesn't last nearly as long as it should. Without opening his eyes, he shifts a little -- trying and failing to find a more comfortable position.

That earns a frown, a grumble that mostly comes out of his nose, and a sigh. Then Eddie opens his eyes...

...and all of a sudden remembers that he never made it to bed last night. Because here he is, waking up draped all over the settee... and Angel.

A blush spreads across his face. He gives a little cough. "Uh... good morning."