Adel was giddy as she bombarded her way into the kitchen through the back door, coming to an abrupt halt as she was met with the raised eyebrow of a twenty something year old guy (the denmother, she guessed, for this was her first time seeing him in person) and Rye staring at her.
Welp, that wasn't the
best entrance she could have made.
Oh well.
"Sorry if I startled you," she smiled, gracefully smoothing out her skirt. "I was enjoying the night sky, talking with some friends, and I wandered around a bit. I figured I should come in through the nearest door. Especially as Kalyani's currently in the doorway and all that. Didn't want to disturb their conversation."
She couldn't tell if they believed her, but overall the Pheonix was the perfect picture of innocence- sure, it was a complete lie, but
they didn't know that.
She had gotten a little out of hand, whispering sweet
slightly suggestive nothings into the Unseelie King's ear, compliments and the like, as they flirted daringly back and forth at each other outside. Skimming touches and very subtle innuendos had come second nature to Adel, but she had refrained from getting too zesty- she had to show a little decorum, after all, and though the King was cordial and even gave very good responses to her jests, he seemed hesitant.
Word
had been that he was taking a breather from his escapades. That was part of why she was interested in him, after all- the challenge of it. The suspense of it all was the best part of this dance.
After all, she had come to this party to have fun, hadn't she?
Now that the king was in on the plan to spike the punchbowl, cliche intended, things had gotten much more interesting. She still felt horrible that the plan relied on framing Bambi- god, she hoped her roommate would never find out it was her idea- but honestly, if the worst punishment was dolled out it would just be one week of grounding. Bambi was one of the golden children- she was safe.
The Century and over club, however, wasn't exactly as safe in that regard. It was too risky for them to get busted or be the scapegoat.
"Right," Rye hmphed, staring at the half eaten cookie on his plate. The boy looked ready to bolt the dance party and head to his room. Adel frowned, a fist against her hip as she gave a fake 'tut, tut, tut' toward Rye, pointing at him with her other hand and frowning at the Denmother.
"Has this sour puss been in here the entire time? Rye! You know Clark wont let you hear the end of this,"
which means she won't let me hear the end of it either when she's at the house.Adel brooded, picturing it now. Maggie, Clark, and Alice in the living room, Maggie and CVlark both being very dramatic about Rye's lack of gentlemanly skill, Alice- sweet, optimistic Alice- trying to give him the benefit of the doubt but still consoling the girls.
Shion, on the couch reading a magazine the girls had handed him so he could take some weird "What Royal Prince Would You Be?" quiz.
This wouldn't do.
Besides, this would cover two birds with one stone- Rye's reputation with the girls would be slightly saved, and she wouldn't have to worry about the Denmother questioning why she had
really been outside.
"Come on, you're going out there and socializing. It's a party, if you're going to be a wallflower, at least do it at a wall. Raid the snack table if you have to."
She swiftly strode over and grabbed the cat's wrist, lurching him up from his seat. He looked affronted, but he didn't fight her, only glared and hunched his shoulders. He must have known it would be a losing battle.
Kalya must have had left the house while Adel was lecturing Rye, because she was nowhere to be seen when they entered the room. The lights were nicely dimmed, and there were a few dancers- as Adel surveyed the surroundings she noted Bambi, dancing her heart out with the Shifter girl Lucinda, Oliver with his advisor and ward, and Clarke- well, Clarke was talking to that really crappy-at-magic witch boy.
"Oh," she gasped, dropping Rye's hand. "I guess I won't be hearing the end of this after all, but for another reason altogether."
"Yeah, thanks for dragging me out here for nothing. Really appreciated it."
The pheonix glared at the boy.
"You could use this as leverage, you know. Maybe they won't give you so much grief. That's the one she's always fanning herself over, isn't it? Doesn't he room with you?"
"Yeah, I'm surprised they're still talking so long, to be honest. Not that Eddy avoids her, just that they don't really have much in co-" he closed his mouth, glaring at her now.
"I'm not one for gossip."
Adel snorted, waving his comment aside. "You guys are children, I rarely care what goes on with you."
Rye rolled his eyes, the expression oozing a 'you're so full of shit' aura.
"Hush, you still need to enjoy yourself. Look. People aren't even dancing, all your friends, right there. Go talk with- um," she fumbled as she pointed to the girl with flowers on her clothes, knowing she should recall her name. "Her! Go!" she shoved him forward, hoping she had remembered correctly and that Rye actually
did hang out with Alex's flock.
Now it was time to get down to the actual purpose of her being on the dance floor. She scanned the room for Sam, hoping she would stay in here long enough to catch a whiff of the liquor once it was spilt. Bambi's bag was still by the couch, as she had expected- and hopefully the bottle inside it that would frame her... assuming Ki had done his job and gotten it in there without being noticed. She needed to get to it and accidentally hit it some way, knock the bottle out, spill the vial that would get people to notice there was liquor in the first place.
She glanced back at the King, nodding at him to indicate the plan was about to start. He was important for the second phase- after the Witch Doctor had been accused and the guardians were distracted, he'd spike the bowl. Then the real fun would happen.
---
She had done it.
The bottle had made it to the middle of the dance floor before it was noticed, the rather obnoxious and (most importantly) loud Ivon grabbing it and shouting happily at Rayna that they were going to have some fun
now.