Thornton & Coombs Dinner Party (Closed)

[jamesthorn]

The table is set with the family's finest china. The candles lit, and doors are open at Thornton Estate this evening. While the estate has seen countless elegant affairs throughout its long history, there's never been one quite like this one. Tonight, the Coombs are coming for dinner as William Thornton's personally invited guests. Despite the recipe for drama, there's still a dinner to be thrown and William has spared no expense for his son's newest girlfriend, Amelie. Fine wine, gourmet breads and cheeses, fruits, and appetizers are laid out in gorgeous displays by the caterer. To be certain that no nosy members of the press learn of tonight's momentary truce, the invitations were hand delivered and the family's private staff are serving.

Promptly, at eight o'clock dinner will be served, but in the meantime, there's plenty of time for mingling...and drama.

OOC: I've always used this particular property for Thornton Estate even though I believe it's more traditionally furnished than the one pictured. However, if you want an idea of the layout, there are plenty of photos and even a movie on the link above, lmao.

William is played by Pierce Brosnan. Obviously he's American in the game. If you wanna talk to William one on one, Rachel and I both have control of that old fart.

Comments

[davin]

"Well, he's in luck if that whole stereotype about cops an' donuts is true," Davin says with a laugh. "I live above a bakery."

Daniel's being overprotective of his big brother makes Davin smile in a soft, fond way and he bites his lip before nodding. "Consider me threatened. An' just so ya know, I've been moonin' over him for awhile now. I don't really know what I'm doin', t'tell ya the truth, but I'll do my very best t'not screw it up."

[davin]

"Studio? Are ya an artist?" He isn't sure what exactly the Coombs family business actually is, so he skips that. Coombs Tavern he's familiar enough with, but not much beyond that.

[ameliecoombs]

She followed him happily, glad to be away from all of the glaring eyes. "Gladly," she said, a large part of her curious to see what the Thornton estate had in store. Coombs manor had always been grand and imposing, but it was touched by magic and enough of Violet that she was sure this would feel a lot different.

Still, this was a Thornton house, and while she knew that Daniel wouldn't hurt her, she wasn't so sure about Papa Thornton. Aoife's words ringing in her ear, she absently drew a protection rune on her side with her finger where she hoped he couldn't see. It wouldn't be much, it wasn't drawn on properly and she was only half concentrating, but it would be enough to warn her before any surprise traps could be sprung. Not that they would be needed. Hopefully.

[ameliecoombs]

He wasn't even close to being her father in law, and Amelie had never pretended she wasn't a witch, but she knew that Aoife was beyond argument at this point. She was starting to wonder if they would ever be able to get past this.

"I don't want to discuss this anymore, Aoife. Daniel's going to show me around the house. I'll be back for dinner."

[under_the_radar]

On the way through, Daniel grabbed a couple of drinks, passing one to her and then looping his free arm around her waist and pulling her close. His father would have eyes on them everywhere but he was done caring about that.

They took the stairs up to the more lived in area's of the house and walked through the large games room with the snooker tables and all the ugly hunting trophies on the wall to get to the place that only Thornton kids knew about. He stood in front of a seemingly random expanse of wall and grinned at her. "So. Wanna see something cool?"

[aoife_coombs]

How can she.

This is usually the moment that Aoife gives up and backs down for the peace of the family. It's always her that is the weakest one of the siblings, scraping to make sure that everyone's okay and fine with what Aoife does and feels. It's always her following the smarter, funnier, more social Amelie but not this time, not now. Not with this issue.

"Oh, yes, of course, please don't let him wait on my behalf. You need to put the people that matter first."
It hurts like shards of ice pushing into her body, but ice will melt and Aoife will be able to pass through this moment. What would she be doing without anyway? The silly smilie-dialogues through their phones? It's not like she's still the sum of what Amelie isn't.

She purses her lips. "Must be such an adventure, getting a tour through a big, fancy house, so unlike the one you grew up in. Enjoy."

[jamesthorn]

"It's not a fairytale cottage. It's a regular cottage," he protests with a good-natured smile on his face. After growing up in the convenes of the family estate, James couldn't wait to get away the moment he could. He had purposefully designed his house to be comfortable and modest compared to Thornton Estates sprawling luxury and coldness. It felt like a home. Whereas this, the estate just felt like his father's way of controlling them.

Speaking of his father, he spots William watching him and Davin curiously from the corner. "Don't be alarmed when my father tries to speak with you," he says. "I can see him lurking now. Just waiting to pounce."

[ameliecoombs]

"Oh Aoife, please try and think outside yourself. I would be more than happy to spend the night with you, if it didn't mean I would spend the entire night being hissed at and mocked."

Aoife's being a child, and it doesn't look like she's planning on stopping any time soon. "It's not about the damn house. It's about spending time with him away from the glares of you and his father."

[aoife_coombs]

"That would be the first time in weeks." She knows it's a weak offer, that there are siblings that don't see each other for months, but Amelie and Aoife are twins. "Good to know I only have to end up in a hostile environment to make that happen. Honestly, Am? Why did you even except this invitation? Why not something informal with just the guy and his father, instead of this pompous nonsense like we need to talk about your bridal treasure?"

The wind picks up outside, and Aoife reels her emotions back in. "You heard me, you are excused. Maybe mister Thornton and I can find more things in common while you're gone."

[ameliecoombs]

"You think refusing William Thornton when he organises something like this is a good idea?"

It's the first time she's maybe admitted that she's a little bit afraid, that maybe Aoife's words are making more of an impression than she thought.

"I wanted to see you," she starts, if little pathetically. "You were so mad. So was I."

[aoife_coombs]

"You weren't afraid of him, was it? Not hiding yourself, and all that? Raised to be a perfect guest, or is the son you worry about? Does he hurt his son if they don't follow his wants and needs? Wow. He does sound like something you'd want to share a crème brulée with."

How can Amelie do this if she knows this? "These are the people you are with now?" Aoife swallows the angry tears clogging up her throat. "The ones I want to keep you from, that's what made you mad? How can you think that that was something that should keep me from you?"

[davin]

"It's got definite fairytale elements," Davin argues, laughing a little and leaning in close. He wants to dance, and he wants to actually finally kiss him. But they have to get through this first.

"Oh, I've been mentally preparin' for that since ya asked me," he laughs, glancing over at James' father and then looking back at him. He reaches out and grabs James' lapels, straightening them out and smoothing them down, resting his hands against James' chest. "I can handle your father."

[jamesthorn]

"Can you?" James actually doesn't doubt that Davin can handle his father. It's why he didn't have any hesitation in inviting Davin with him, even though it's only their first date and they are just getting to know one another. Normally, he wouldn't have thrown someone, especially not someone he liked, to the wolves so soon. Davin is a little nervous but he is not intimidated by his surroundings...

He smiles back at Davin, liking the fact that they are somewhat in this together. "You should let me know your secrets then," he says. "Once you've tamed the beast."

[davin]

"Oh, ya think I'm gonna give up my secrets that easily, aye?" He laughs and presses in against James' side, close enough to be intimate but not inappropriate. "So, is the Coombs family just made up o' immaculately dressed woman with permanent unimpressed faces?"

He gestures to the girl over with Daniel. "That must be the girlfriend. She looks slightly less judgey than the rest of 'em."

[under_the_radar]

Daniel nods. Davin is a nice guy. He's normal and sweet and James deserves normal and sweet.

"Well, don't expect him to take subtle hints. He's kinda slow." Daniel teased. "You might want to find a copy of Pretty Woman, too. It's his favourite movie." It wasn't his favourite movie but Daniel was going to sleep with a smile on his face at the idea of his brother sitting through that to please Davin.

[under_the_radar]

William smiled tightly and shook his head. "Thank you, no. I think I'll go and see to the preparations. Please, enjoy the house. I know it must be overwhelming for someone like you but feel free to look around." He nodded to Davin. "Have a good evening." Turning on his heel, William headed for the kitchens to find his eldest and have a conversation James wouldn't enjoy.

[under_the_radar]

"Indeed." William said. "And your family...your mother...they're well?"

[davin]

"Not overwhelmed at all, sir. But I appreciate the concern." He smiles pleasantly as William turns on his heel and then rolls his eyes as he turns back to the food, popping the quiche into his mouth and grabbing another champagne.

Seriously, James owes him big time. Big time.

[under_the_radar]

"James." William takes his eldest by the arm and pulled him to the back of the room and out into the kitchen. The help look up and William glares at them until they're all ushered out by the head chef.

When the room is empty, William heads straight for the decanter and glasses on one of the counters. He pours himself a large measure of very good scotch and takes a sip before he turns to face his son.

"I thought Daniel and the Coombs female was bad enough for one night." He said coldly. He left the statement hanging.

[jamesthorn]

James is simply checking to see that the dinner preparations are done. Dinner is supposed to be served in merely a few minutes, and he doesn't want there to be a delay. His father would be livid, and the sooner the food is served the sooner they all can get this over with tonight.

He doesn't expect William to corner him in the kitchen. The coldness in his father's voice is very evident, even if he weren't used to hearing it. Smiling dryly, he follows his father's lead and pours himself a drink. "Are you not enjoying the Coombs family? Maybe the dinner was too formal. We could've done a barbecue," he says.

[under_the_radar]

His sons sarcasm is the last thing William is feeling like tolerating tonight. "Maybe so. I think your little twink would appreciate it more than a five course banquet. A little more on his social level." He said taking another sip of his drink. "Really James...there are plenty of closet cases among our acquaintance. You couldn't have experimented in private with one of those, instead of parading him in front of the Coombs women?"

[jamesthorn]

It's easy to see why Daniel is infatuated with Amelie. She's simply gorgeous. Maybe too gorgeous for his brother if one were to be honest. It's going to be difficult to talk Daniel out of this relationship, if it comes to that, and James is still worried that all of this with Amelie isn't the best thing for either one of them. There are legitimate reasons their families don't get along.

"Yes, don't worry. He'll find you eventually," he warns with a smile. "But thank you. I hope we at least made you and your family feel welcome. For the night."

[jamesthorn]

His father is a bastard. James has always known that. Always. They've had their epic screaming matches over the years. Over everything. Over James life choices to his career to his continued decision to be a cop, wasting the family's name and riches for something so lowly as civil service. But he still isn't prepared for the wave of anger that sort of hits him at what William says. It's bad behavior even for William.

And James may be grumpy and sullen and moody, but he isn't really an angry guy. But he is pissed. He's so angry that James' instincts just kick in, and he just elbows William up against the wall with a police tactic to take down a suspect. He looks his father in his eye, smiling oddly enough as he shakes his head.

"Never call him that again or I swear you will be sorry," he threatens, as they are in a stand-off now but he doesn't break eye contact. "Daniel, Demetri, and June, they tolerate you because I tolerate you. But that can change, Father," he says. "And just because no one bothers to tell you things doesn't mean they are secret. You're not knowing anything about your children is your gift for being a bastard."

[jamesthorn]

James hesitates for a moment, but he nods in the end. His brothers and sister are everything to him. He is their older brother, and he's always tried to do what's best for them after their mother died and they were all stuck under William's wrath. "I promise I'll try," he says, patting Daniel on the shoulder. "Or, very least, I'll keep Father off your back."

[under_the_radar]

William didn't use violence. He didn't need to most of the time. He had people for that, if the situation called for it. That wasn't to say he was weak in any way. He prided himself on his physique and trained with a boxing instructor three days a week. He just preferred to use his strengths in other areas before resorting to violence. It always raised too many questions.

With an effort that mildly surprises him - James is wiry but apparently very strong with it - William shoves his son away and straightens his tie.

"You and your siblings would be nothing without the family, the business, the money. How well would June fair on her own without somewhere to come whenever her latest hairbrained scheme to be a fashion designer fell through? Demetri's career would be over without my financial support for the Mayor. A word in the wrong ear at your precinct is really all it would take to see that you rose no higher. Daniel's clients might cost me something to dissuade away from his so called art, but everyone has a price." He finished his drink and set the glass on the counter. "All I ask is that you and your siblings tow the family line in public. This is hardly that, now is it, James?"