(open)

[jamesthorn]

When his father said he wanted to throw a formal dinner party for Daniel and his new girlfriend Amelie Coombs, what he really meant was --- James needs to throw a dinner party for Daniel and his new girlfriend Amelie Coombs. Because his father's dealings in the affair was simply calling James and yelling about caterers and invitations and place settings. While ordinarily his father is quick to hire event planners to handle this type of thing, this is one event where secrecy is key. No one wants this mingling of sides to become public knowledge until it's absolutely necessary. His father is attempting to make nice for Daniel, but who knows if that's actually going to happen. Plus, some of his father's reputation and business dealings hinge on the fact that he's not exactly pro-witches or pro-magic, and to be seen with any of the Coombs family would be scandalous to say the least.

James understands all that, but still, the absolute last thing he cares about is a dinner party for Daniel and his girlfriend. Coombs or not. But, he does it, not for his father, but for his brother. Who knows how serious Daniel even is about this woman, but James cares about his brother too much to not help out.

That's the only reason he spends his day off running errands all over town trying to get all the last minute arrangements made. His last stop is his normal suit shop out on the northside of town. Everything's being done too late, but the family tailor always manages to squeeze them in. The one thing James does care about is the fact that Davin agreed to accompany him for the night, and so he hopes to look his best.

It's been too long since he's had any semblance of a date, but he likes Davin and he's anxious to see how the evening goes. His tailor assures him that his suit will be delivered in time for the dinner, and after paying his bill, he steps out onto the busy sidewalk. Heading in the direction of Seaside Bakery so he can grab a quick coffee, he pulls out his phone and checks through the list of errands he was supposed to finish.

OOC: Find James grumpily running all over town preparing for the Thornton / Coombs dinner party that is coming up. His father is attempting to make nice with Daniel's new girlfriend, but it's probably going to be a disaster.

Rest assured James is probably super grumpy.

Comments

[astra_inclinant]

"Oh, you don't have to -" she protests automatically, part of her instinctively chafing at anyone paying for her. It feels a little like charity. She went to school with all these families, she's pretty sure the coffee won't be missed and that's the reason it feels itchy.

Also because your best friend's new boyfriend-thing shouldn't pay for your drinks. Or something.

But he's already at the counter ordering, and she needs the caffeine, and she sighs and grabs some napkins. "Same thing, Mira?" the barista asks.

"Yeah, thanks. " she says. "Thank you," she tells the frazzled detective, "you didn't - have to do that. Busy day, I guess?"

[jamesthorn]

Putting away his wallet, James shakes his head at Mira with a smile. "It's not a problem considering I ran into you," he says. "Busy, you could say that. Yeah." The barista places the drink she ordered on the counter, and he picks it up and hands it over. "Sorry again," he tells her.

[astra_inclinant]

She might have nicknamed him Grumpycat behind his back when Davin was at peak pine, but his smile is really cute and she warms a little from defensive don't-charity-me position. "Don't keep apologizing, seriously," she says. "It's all good, I wasn't looking either. I've got an event at work I'm supposed to be running in a week, I get the busy."

"Speaking of," she says, taking a sip of her mocha and glancing up at him, "I feel obliged to ask you what your intentions are with my best friend, etc etc."

[jamesthorn]

"Oh," James says surprised at her sudden name-drop of Davin. His...well...his date to his family dinner. He isn't sure if there's a word for that. He gives Mira a smile, completely understanding her protective interrogations because he often put June through the same exasperating big-brother routine.

"I asked him to a family dinner with me. I swear I'll have him home by....eleven?" he asks, managing a small joke. "Davin's been a good friend to me, and I wanted to know him better. And for whatever reason, he says he likes me too."

[astra_inclinant]

Mira grins at his momentary startle and even moreso at the smile. It's funny to accost people but she kind of appreciates that he takes it in stride. She's done this for Etta before too, more aggressively usually.

"Good, his coach'll turn into a pumpkin," she deadpans. "Yeah, uh. So I've heard," she smirks at him saying that Davin supposedly likes him. She looks down more seriously. "I just." She wrinkles her nose at her coffee.

"He likes to act all cool, you know? Especially around people he likes. But he's not tough, he's just -- sweet, and really fucking smart and he happens to be pretty so he can get away with pretending he doesn't care. But he really does like you." She rubs the back of her neck. "So be nice or I'll have to...do something." She laughs at her own lack of threat and smiles sideways at him. "He would absolutely murder me if he found out I said anything."

[jamesthorn]

It occurs to James that Davin has talked about him with Mira, his best friend, which he wouldn't have done if he didn't actually like him. She must really care for him to say anything to James at all, and he respects her for that because James protects the people he's close to too.

"I promise your secret is safe with me," James says, nodding. "I haven't known Davin as long as you, I'm sure, but he's been...kind to me. He's a good person. I wouldn't do anything to hurt him."

[astra_inclinant]

Mira is a small and absolutely unintimidating figure, but that's only because she isn't called on to defend the people she loves very frequently. She's absolutely fierce when it comes to her friends and family, who are usually grouped together if they're good enough; Davin is absolutely in that category.

She grins, pleased, at James' alliance with her behind Davin's back on this and gives him a nod of approval. "I'll take you at your word," she says, smiling over her cup of coffee. "So what's causing the tunnel vision? Maybe I can help." It's not a certainty, especially when he's both rich and works in government, at least, sort of, but Mira has been harrassing half the town for the past month over an event so she's picked up a few things.

[jamesthorn]

"Oh," James says surprised at her offer for help. He wonders if that means he's won some best friend approval so easily. Either way, he would prefer to keep the details of this particular affair as quite as possible. He's certain Davin may share with her at some point, which he wouldn't mind, but he doesn't want to blab all the details. Definitely not in public. "It's just a few errands." He gives her a small smile. "But thanks for the offer."