Lord Rochester to take Paris by storm...

[Rochester]

((...first thing first.))

*Rochester entered the Grand Foyer with strut, thankful to be out of the cramped confines of that bloody carriage. He shook his head gently to loosen his taut muscles, and then lifted it to take in the ambiance. He clacked the silver tip of his cane against the marble floor decidedly.*

Yes, this will do. It will do quite nicely. Now all I have to do is find someone to talk to about its rental…I mustn’t get ahead of myself. I really should survey other locations in the area…but this one is simply so lovely!

*He wandered through the space, gesturing slightly to himself, planning out every detail of what he wanted.*

[Alex]

*Alex ambled through the foyer, reacquainting herself with the Opera and its environs. She'd been away for a long time--seen and done things she'd never have dreamed about--but it was over, she was back now, and she had to get her bearings.

Which, of course, included antagonizing new fops.*

"I say, sir, good evening to you! What brings you to our humble opera house?"

[Rochester]

“Why hello!”

*Rochester fluidly swooped one arm in greeting before leaning into a half bow. He raised an eyebrow coyly.*

“Humble? Hardly! I love it! I’m looking for a place to throw a ‘newly arrived in Paris’ party. I was thinking this might just be the place…”

*His gesture suddenly stopped in mid-swing and his eyes rested firmly on Alex.*

“I’m sorry, I’m Lord Rochester, but just call me Rochester, most people do. You are?”

[Alex]

*Alex's green eyes twinkled with the pleasure of meeting not only a fellow country-man, but it seemed a man after his own heart.*

"We do love parties here. I am Alex Abercrombie-O'Toole, but I don't set much store by anything that comes after the Alex bit." *She sketched a small bow.* "Pleased to meet you as well; and be the first to welcome you." *She leaned in closer.* "Between you and me, these French are a bit strange, but highly entertaining."

[Rochester]

*Rochester leaned in playfully to share Alex’s “secret.” Then he leaned back out, a devilish expression on his face.*

“Excellent! Entertainment is what I am looking for, nay what I crave! So might there be anything of note that a fellow simply must know about spending time here? Especially if one wanted a particularly good time? I’m afraid that I don’t do bored well…hence a party. It is without question a must!”

*He really was trying to stay in the conversation but he was too excited to keep to the simple task at hand, preferring, as always, to look to the big and better future.*

[Alex]

*Alex laughed at the man's obvious distracted excitement.*

"Only... that things are not always what they seem," *she said mischievously.* "I somehow doubt you require my advice on that score, however. Or in the fine art of having fun. Though I do warn you--I can drink my weight in Irish whiskey, so you'd best be prepared to lay out quite a bit."

[Rochester]

*Rochester raised an eyebrow at this implied challenge.*

“But of course! I would never think to leave a guest unsatisfied. I live to serve.”

*He bowed exaggeratedly. Straightening, he took Alex’s arm and started to lead the way around the Foyer, mentally critiquing the merits and flaws of the structure and its proper application for festivities. He stopped at turned to face her.*

“So what do you think? Will it do?”

[Alex]

*Alex grinned.* "Undoubtedly. I think it will do quite nicely--but you will have quite a standard to exceed." *They turned to face the grand staircase, so often ringing with well-shod feet but currently bare.* "The ladies, I must say, make quite a sight from this angle."

[Rochester]

*His eyebrow again reached its arch as he tried to figure out what standards had previously been set in this environment. He was simply going to need help for this undertaking. He turned to face Alex, taking her hands in his.*

“I know this is terribly sudden, and I would completely understand if you feel the need to deny me, but…”

*Rochester cast his eyes down in melodramatic shyness.*

“..will you help me?”

*His eyes lifted to meet hers.*

“Because I must have someone with the know how, the knowledge of the finest things in Paris, someone to help with the guest list…I refuse to be out-done. So what do you say? You interested in being my partner in crime?”

[Alex]

*Alex stifled a laugh and looked at Rochester as if taking his measure. The man amused her, as so few men did. There was something a trifle womanly in his flirtatious request.*

"I am in rehearsals for the new opera, of course. But my time need not be completely taken up by it." *She paused, to arouse suspense.* "Very well. Partners it is." *She altered the arrangement of their hands so as to shake his, firmly. Truth was, she didn't know much about Paris. But this would be fun.*

[Rochester]

*Rochester smiled at the firmness of her handshake. He had no doubt chosen a wonderful companion for planning such an event. Releasing Alex, his fluid gestures returned and he slunk his weight on to one hip.*

“Marvelous! Partners. And where on earth should we begin? So many details…”

*He started to wander down the hall, gesturing as though it helped him think everything out. Suddenly he stopped and spun on his heel to face her again.*

“I’m sorry, did you have rehearsals today? Now even? Should I make an appointment?”

*His brow crinkled slightly in concern as his head tilted to one side.*

[Alex]

((Rehearsals? What? Do we actually rehearse this stuff?))

"Oh, no," *Alex said airily.* "You know, they rather let us have our way, when they need us this much. Unless, of course, you have other matters to attend to?"

[Nadir]

((...))

[Rochester]

((My bad. Cannot eat and play on Sueniverse without things going awry...))

*Rochester gave her the best “you’re joking, right?” look he could.*

“Darling, what could possibly be a more important demand on my time than planning the grandest party this city has seen in a good long while? If I have my access to my muse…”

*He gestured flamboyantly at her.*

“..then what should possibly keep me away?”

[Nadir]

((Aw that brings back memories of Raoul and Nadir having unintended smecksy scenes. Back when Nadir was with the beautiful but batsh*t Georgiana.))