Below The Surface - A Lackadaisy Fanfiction

Experience

The chatter of people continued. Glasses clinked. Alcohol sloshed. A sea of flapping fabrics swished, and the slight twinkling of jeweled masquerade masks, and feathers attached to the sides. The faint smell of cigarette smoke hung in the air. The night seemed to drag forever: two more hours until it was over. Mordecai received a few surprised gazes again, those from Lackadaisy. He was quite detectable, despite the mask he adorned to cover the upper half of his face.

That weird pricking feeling bursting through his body occurred again. He kept his gaze down, avoiding any eye contact. This whole ordeal made him uncomfortable. Though, he couldn't help but let a small, unnoticeable smirk grace his features, seeing Ivy dancing with Freckle at a lightning speed. Poor Freckle was struggling to keep up with her, though despite that setback, he couldn't not smile and laugh alongside her. Wick was currently holding Zib up, alongside Mitzi, who adorned a pearlescent white and golden flapper dress, with white gloves to go with it, and an old necklace Atlas gave her. Zib's swaying form made Mitzi roll her eyes, and Wick's hand slid down to Zib's waist, keeping a firm grip on him.

Mordecai needed to get fresh air: he stepped out onto a balcony on the second story. Nico accompanied him, much to his chagrin. However, it settled into a sense of calm, a bit more silence than usual, but looks of reassurance and comfort.

Words failed here: Nico knew Mordecai hated parties. So him choosing to step away or move from anyone was a normal and valid response. Nico oftentimes followed him, more out of curiosity and concern. Anytime a party or formal social event rolled around, he always found himself near the tuxedo cat.

They sat in more silence. Cicadas chirped. Warm, muggy air almost clung to their suits. It was a sense of relaxation within Mordecai. Growing up in New York with the smell of smoke, mold, and banging loud noises giving him constant migraines, it was...a lot to get used to. Yet he didn't seem to mind.

"Where is Serafine?" Mordecai then asked him, in order to break out of the silence.

"She's wit' Raquelle." Nico answered, leaning against the balcony's marbled banister.

"...who?" Mordecai gave a puzzled look.

"Silas' sister." Nico clarified.

"...I see . " Mordecai trailed off. He wasn't paying attention, but Serafine and Raquelle's little flirting session resulted in Raquelle dragging Serafine by the arm. Nico laughed at the pure look of shock flashing across Serafine's face upon being hoisted into wherever they planned on being for a portion of the evening.

"Dere's a lot goin' on wit' dem dat I don' wanna know." Nico shook his head, a slight chuckle escaping his mouth.

"I assume the same applies to Wick and that washed up jazz man?" Mordecai rolled his eyes: he wanted this conversation to be up and over with.

"That was Zib, Ivy told me."

"... oh. So that was who Mr. Sable fancied."

"You got a problem wit' dat, Peekon?"

"None at all, in fact: rather bold of them to show such affection."

Nico blinked. "You don' mind dem being...y'know..."

Mordecai quirked a brow, his frown deepening again. "Being what, Nico?"

Nico did some gestures with his hands, only confusing Mordecai more. The Savoy brother groaned, facepalming.

"Deir love, Peekon. You don' mind 'em lovin' each other?" He put it bluntly.

"No: why should my opinion about something that has nothing to do with me matter? If they're content, I'm not one to go out of my way to make them miserable like that." Mordecai held his hands up as he also gestured, but at nothing. "...Nico."