Candy canes, candy canes, lick them in a spear and kill your enemies!

[dr_awesome]

Another year, another holiday party Dr. Neil Watts can't get out of. This one is for Sigmund Corp, so he especially can't get out of it. Eva's already e-mailed him to remind him, and he received multiple texts from Roxie to assure him that avoiding this event would mean a slow and very torturous death for him. Something that he's sure she'd just love.

Robert, for his part, casually forwarded the invitation to Neil, like he was concerned Neil hadn't gotten the original message. Freakin' Rob.

So here he is. Wearing an ugly sweater with a menorah stitched on it just to make sure everyone was aware this was extra not his thing. He's pretty sure he'll just stay for an hour, have a drink or two, and then excuse himself on the basis of his 'religious differences', since that's a more acceptable excuse then 'screw holidays let me go home and watch Star Trek'.

He's about five minutes and twenty-three seconds away from that hour guideline. Someone better have a great excuse if they want him to stay longer.

Comments

[momentbymoment]

Christmas is usually a family sort of event for Eva, which is how she manages to actually tolerate and often enjoy it... Until she starts getting grilled about her love life.

This year the office Christmas party was timed such that she couldn't get out of it. So here she is, four wine glasses in, in a reindeer sweater and wool skirt, trying to talk about something that isn't work and failing. At least she managed to actually force Neil to show up. There's no way she was braving this crap all by herself, and his track record for keeping social appointments.

She shouldn't be drinking this much, either. She usually doesn't, she usually has much better self control, but this whole party has been so trying on the nerves... And now here she is, trapped in a conversation with Alistair, and her capacity for acting nice is running so thin. Even being drunk can't mask the smell, and he wont stop telling stories she's already heard before.

She can't see Neil from where she is, but she needs help. She slips out her phone, still mm-hmming along.

code 12. Requesting immediate retrieval. SOS.

[dr_awesome]

Family events are one thing. Events with a bunch of half-friends and barely tolerated coworkers is another. Unfortunately for Neil, no matter how much he tries to act like an asshole, he seems to always end up being accepted by the others. Weirdos that they are.

He's been making small talk occasionally, mainly shrugging off personal questions, when he hears his phone buzz. He glances at it and sees Eva's name shine up at him, and he immediately starts scanning the room while Willie continues to ramble on about the very special hat he got from Wisconsin.

In an instant, he zeroes in on her after spotting a glimpse of dark hair just behind... god dammit, of course Alistair pinned her. She was the only one who tolerated the anecdotes about his dietary regime. He sends a text back:

Target acquired. Closing in.

He mumbles something to Willie about a refill on the punch and hurries over to her side, somehow managing to look smooth as he wraps an arm around Eva's shoulders despite the huge inhale of breath he took before he got into the Smell Zone.

"Hey, Eva! There you are! Sorry, but I have one more question about the paperwork on the Stevenson file..."

He leads her off to a corner far out of range, and then finally takes another gasp of breath.

"Okay, I hope you've learned your lesson now about indulging him."

[momentbymoment]

Her phone vibrates and Eva sees the preview of the message when she glances at it, and relief floods her bones. Hopefully Neil will actually be smooth about it for once, but even if he isn't as long as she gets away, really.

Sorry, Alistair, she really doesn't care. And you #%&*$ stink.

Before she knows it there's an arm around her shoulders and the very distinct presence of Neil, making some excuse for her about paperwork, and dragging her away. After the curse that is Alistair, the familiar and normal smell of Neil is a huge relief. Enough for her to almost enjoy it. Gross. Then again, she can even tell he got his suit drycleaned recently, and that's a nice smell.

"I wasn't trying to be nice this time he just sort of cornered me." She sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose. "I'm so done with this party already..." She mumbles.

[dr_awesome]

"Well, that makes two of us." Neil chuckles dryly. "Do you wanna bail with me?"

But he glances at her wine glass and hums, considering. Sigmund definitely isn't cheap with these parties, and usually go all out with the booze. Eva probably wouldn't appreciate having to dumb half a glass.

"Or I guess we could stay while you polish off your drink. I might get something too."

Not like he really should be getting into the booze but... well, he can get a taxi if he has to. What's one drink going to do?