And the Game is Old ((79))

[victoriousscarf]

Glancing around the Palace, Mistoffelees reminded himself he was supposed to be breathing. He was the host of this shindig after all, and had to at least look composed. Shifting his shoulders in the black suit jacket, he smoothed down the blue tie almost compulsively. Really, he had to just think of this as a performance. He was preforming in front of strangers, that was all.

Glancing around the place, Sonya walked up to the young owner, nodding to several cats he knew from kitten hood. "This is quite the remodel you have done here," he said, nodding and holding a glass of sparkling cider.

"Commissioner," Mistoffelees greeted, inclining his head. "Thank you kindly."

"You have done a good job," he said. "Especially changing it from an illegal establishment to this. It's almost... tasteful. The gambling rooms becoming a stage I think is a nice touch."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees replied. "I am certainly glad I've pulled off tasteful. I assure you I have turned this place around and you will never have to worry about illegality coming from here." That was entirely honest. It was Jones' other properties that Vlask would have to worry about.

Sonya gave him a small smile and nodded, looking out over the room and sipping at his drink. It was occasionally a nice change from coffee after all. His eyes sought out various cats and he winced slightly when Coricopat Zimmerman went past his line of sight. "Well, I suppose it's dark outside."

Mistoffelees blinked. "Excuse me?"

Startling, Sonya glanced down at him. "Oh, sorry. Mr. Zimmerman. I am somewhat surprised to see him here. Is he still in your employ?"

Spine tensing slightly, Mistoffelees smiled tightly and nodded, trying to keep his shoulders relaxed. "Yes. He is a very efficient lawyer after all. He has been a great help with all issues that came up due to lack of a will and has been instrumental in helping getting the Palace back on it's feet."

"He is rather efficient," Sonya replied, considering him harder than he considered the small tom beside him. "Though I'm fairly sure that came from selling his soul to the devil."

Mistoffelees nearly choked. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, sorry," Sonya glanced down at him, slightly shame-faced. "It is simply that I believe that tom eats kittens for breakfast."

"No, it's usually tea and toast if I can get him to eat anything," Mistoffelees replied and slow horror dawned on his face as he realized what he'd said before he started talking quickly to cover it up. "That is, we meet often in the early morning due to our schedules, and feeding cats is very important to me. I've always been very invested in making sure everycat is eating, and since we meet just around breakfast it's a common subject." Sonya was still giving him a strange look and he just kept babbling.

"Because this is such an interest of mine, I'll be opening a soup kitchen down by the docks soon. I wanted to get the Palace back on it's feet before starting that project, but it's one very dear to my heart."

Sonya blinked and raised his glass to the smaller cat. "A noble project I am sure. It is always good to see those with wealth giving back to the area."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees said with a broad smile. "Now if you'll excuse me...?"

"Of course," Sonya replied with a nod. He watched as the smaller cat weaved away in the crowd, considering him. An interesting specimen to be sure. The grey tom really had no idea what to make of the socialite.

Darting around the corner, Mistoffelees leaned against the wall out of sight, taking one long deep breath before turning around again and heading back into the main room, ready to face the guests again.

[Meadowlark]

Genghis entered the Palace, just close enough to on time for it to be considered fashionably late. His blue gaze swept around the room, seeking the owner of the establishment. He finally spotted him and his brow arched as he assessed the younger tom before glancing at the queen beside him, "Shall we go wish our host well, my dear?"

[victoriousscarf]

"It would only be considered polite," she replied, seeking him out in the crowd. "Any first impressions yet?"

[Meadowlark]

"He's smaller than I expected. But he has decent taste. I was in here once while Jones ran it and the place was simply a way for him to demonstrate his gross wealth, if you ask me."

[victoriousscarf]

"He has done extensive remodeling," she agreed, glancing around, finally spotting their host and blinking. "He's even shorter than me."

[Meadowlark]

Genghis nodded at that, before starting in that direction, "We should go wish him a good evening at least."

[victoriousscarf]

Clara trailed after him, her gold dress featuring a graceful bow at the back, remiscent of a Victorian bustle.

Mistoffelees just turned from wishing another guest a good evening when he noticed the pair making toward him and suppressing a sigh took a step forward to meet them. "Good evening."

[Meadowlark]

"Good evening." Genghis offered his paw, "I wished to compliment you on what a change you've made to this place. And to give you my condolences, late though they are."

[victoriousscarf]

"Thank you for both," he replied, inclining his head, trying to place the other tom. "I'm sorry to say however I've been meeting ever so many people tonight, Mr... and Miss...?"

[Meadowlark]

"Genghis Selkirk, and please allow me to introduce my associate Miss Clara Rosenthorn."

[victoriousscarf]

"It is an honor to meet the both of you," he replied smoothly, shaking first Genghis' paw and then Miss Rosenthorn's. "Are you enjoying the party?"

[Meadowlark]

"It is a nice gala. Far less ostentatious than I admit I expected, it suits the new decor and the new owner well," Genghis turned his head enough to send his gaze sweeping over the cats assembled.

[victoriousscarf]

Clara remained quiet, watching the smaller tom's reactions closely.

Smiling thinly, Mistoffelees followed the other cat's gaze. "I am sure I do not live up to my uncle in the ostentatious department. Did you know him?"

[Meadowlark]

Genghis considered how to answer that, "We met a couple of times, so I did know him, though not well. Though no one should speak ill of the dead, I still can't help but think he was...well, ostentatious may be a kind term for it."

[victoriousscarf]

"It is probably the kindest word to think of," Mistoffelees replied, considering Genghis with a keener eye for a moment. "All things considered after all."