•|| Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

[sweettalker]

[ The fact that Adrien hadn't really been able to properly enjoy his first Christmas party was bad enough on its own, but then knowing she was the reason he'd gotten sick after, that sucked, too. Like a smashed up cherry on top of a really bad sundae, made with sugar free, vegan ice cream.

Piper's a vegetarian by choice and respects vegan's for taking it a step further but seriously, she knows you don't mess with ice cream.

First, she'd asked Mr. Agreste for Adrien to have permission to attend. With the way that he carried himself she wasn't surprised at all that Adrien had such a strict and rigid schedule, that he really didn't challenge his father's choices very often, or that he'd had to sneak out and run off to get to attend school- OR that he'd run out of the house in jeans and a t-shirt on Christmas night- okay yeah she promised to let that go. Hot chocolate.

God bless hot chocolate.

Still, she'd been a bit surprised when Gabriel actually relented to allowing his son to have the night in question off- considering it was technically her fault Adrien had gotten sick. Perhaps... Adrien left that part out? Seeing her good fortune she'd chosen NOT to question it, simply giving gabriel the place and time Adrien needed to be and then taking her leave very quickly.

Then she had to book the venue. Not a problem, the venue would be perfectly safe, with security all its own, courtesy of the McLean's. The look of shock on her father's face when she told him she wanted to host a party at their place, it would've been priceless if she hadn't felt so bemused about it. He'd given her this... look like she'd kidnapped and replaced his daughter with an alien clone.

He'd then promptly apologized when she threatened to cancel the plans- he was just so happy to see her being actively social! After a bit of back and forth banter (something she could appreciate, and something she had missed) he'd started helping her with making plans. She wanted a casual event, but she also wanted it to be comfortable, so just this once she was glad to go all out a bit. They had decorations ordered, but Piper insisted on putting them up herself with help from the staff and her friends from school. Once she told them about it they were eager to help and contribute. She'd even managed to skillfully plan the date around a time when Lila and Chloe would be tied up with prior engagements of their own. Even if Lila's lie was exactly that, she couldn't come up with a plausible excuse fast enough that would let her save face... considering Piper made sure she was the last to find out.

"Oh, she has plans already with Prince Ali, and the children's hospital in Italy, remember? She'd just feel guilty if she had to choose. Let's just save her some cake and take lots of pictures. She'll appreciate that."

Yes. Piper is a right bitch when she wants to be. Thank you, next?

Now, with everything set up and ready to go, all that was left was to get the guest of honor.

The meeting spot was the park, as it was public, close to her home, and the least suspect. Piper was waiting in the car by the gate, their driver standing next to the door. She was expecting Adrien to show up expecting a... what, an interview and photoshoot or some such. She's actually not sure how much his father told him since she HAD mentioned it was a surprise party. What excuse had he made up? She's curious and she knows she'll find out once Adrien arrives. She also knows he'll be nice and punctual, against all odds. ]

Comments

[catpunned]

[ When his father books these photoshoots, especially with big name magazines, Adrien usually hears about it well in advance. It can’t be helped this time, though, he supposes; Jagged Stone had apparently cancelled on them last minute due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, and it isn’t as though Adrien has any other plans or a reason to say no.

Even his friends, who all normally jump at the opportunity to hang out with him, deny him. Family this, holidays that... He finds himself alone, feeling distinctly empty and Grinch-like, though he concedes that some of that negativity may be residual from his cold that he’s only just now recovering from.

It’s Nathalie who ultimately picks the outfit to best represent the Agreste brand. Simple stuff, really: it’s a black dress shirt and matching formal pants, accented by a red and green corsage to highlight the Christmas holiday. The buttons on the shirt are shaped like snowflakes, matching the ones stitched onto his collar. There is also snowflake hanging just above his chest level in the form of a shiny stainless steel necklace.

Thankfully, he is used to sticking out like a sore thumb. He doesn’t even bat an eyelash anymore at the stares he gets on the streets, that look of recognition that lights up their faces. He simply makes a beeline for the park where they agreed to meet, figuring it would be best if he got this over with. In his hands is a large ornament in the shape of a golden star, which he was also instructed to bring along by Nathalie, in case they were in need of a festive prop.

He isn’t expecting the place to be so empty, though. At least the camera crew and photographer should have been on site already, setting up equipment and testing the lighting; but he doesn’t question it just yet, thinking maybe they’re just running late.

He walks towards the park’s entrance, glancing openly at the car that’s just sort of parked there, waiting.

...who...? ]

✿ .||. Mistletoe Shenanigans

[sweettalker]

[ For being her first party it's ACTUALLY gone pretty well! At some point Piper had unglued herself from Adrien's side to let the others have a turn, and to play hostess for a while. They were all having an excellent time, she liked to think, enjoying party games, video games, food, and even throwing together some last minute plans- like the secret Santa they'd put together while they were playing Jenga. Piper had passed around a couple of Polaroid cameras throughout the night so people could snap photos to add to the garland decorating the tree, and the big shocker of the night was Mr. Agreste actually putting in an appearance if just for a little while.

THAT, to Piper, was the high point of the night, and she'd snapped a picture while the two were busy talking to one another. The look of joy on Adrien's face had just been impossible to pass up, and his father- even if he'd seemed unsure at first, clearly cared about his son's happiness if he'd been willing to not only let him come tonight, but actually took the time to come by despite his schedule.

Gabriel had left a little while ago, and Piper was seeking Adrien out now, as the party was beginning to wind down and people were making plans to head home, bundling up to go. She had no idea that some of the others- Kim and Max -had been around the house sneaking up bits of Mistletoe. She just wanted to catch Adrien before he had to go, and she did find him eventually, keeping her surprise hidden behind her back for the moment. ]

There you are, blondie. I was starting to think you'd managed to get lost in the house.

[ She smirks, because of course she does. For the first time that night they're actually a decent ways from the others. It's as close to private as any moment they'd have tonight would get. ]