When we reentered the room, I felt slightly better, for one because Elizabeth and I had worked out a guideline for how my conversation with Brendon was supposed to go, and also because I didn't have to stick to Brendon's side now that Elizabeth knew pretty much all of my secrets.
We didn't rejoin Brendon but Elizabeth introduced me to some of her friends, Alex Greenwald and his escort Brie Larson and Dan Keyes and his escort Rachel Ballinger.
Their conversation was a lot more casual and I found myself enjoying myself, despite the unfortunate envents from earlier.
When we were called to the dining room to beginn the meal, I was found myself sitting next to Sarah. Great. Elizabeth squeezed my arm reassuringly and I took my seat.
There was a chandelier in the center of the room, which was suspended over the center of the table, the focus of the room. The mahogany table was lengthened with oak extensions, to accommodate the large party. The table was covered by a white damask cloth, which hung two-thirds down the legs.
Four crystal glasses were set infront of me, a long with a lot more forks, knives and spoons than I thought I needed. A napkin was beautifully folded on the porcelain plate and a menu lay beneath it.
1st Course - Oysters on the Half Shell
2nd Course - Mock Turtle Soup
3rd Course - Fillet of Beef (Mushroom Sauce)
4th Course - French Salad Lemon Pie
5th Course - Ice Cream Nut Cake
6th Course - Oranges, Grapes, Figs, Candy
7th Course - Coffee
Jesus Christ. You could feed an entire army with all that.
The dishes were served one after the other, and I engaged in quite conversation with Elizabeth.
"You know, I kind of hate the elite society, or whatever," she told me, gracefully lying down her fork on the plate and I copied her.
"Yes, I kind of realized that," I chuckled.
"We always have something to prove, a status, dignity to uphold. Even amongst friends you talk to each other like strangers."
I hummed in agreement, I had infact noticed that.
"I'd like to have a normal, casual conversation without being looked down upon, you know?"
"They should all stop pretending they are saints," I added, thinking of a certain Brendon Urie.
"Right you are."
The dishes were changed and yet another plate of food was set infront of me.
"Sir Ross, I've never seen you around, what do you do?"
Sarah.
There goes my plan of ignoring my left side for the entire dinner.
"I've recently moved into town, I'm an artist," I replied, hoping my voice didn't sound even half as bitter as I felt.
"What do you draw?" She inquired.
"Portraits, still-life, whatever inspires me." I hoped the book I had read that in wasn't a work of fiction and these things actually existed.
"Wonderful," she replied, smiling sweetly.
Luckily, that was the end of our conversation, for now, and for the rest of our meal, which I spent listening to Elizabeth explain certain aspects of life in a higher class that were still new to me. With every word she spoke, I came to like her more and more.
The entire table rose after the last fork hit the plate and we were led into the gallery, or something.
Music started playing softly and the room was filled with chattering. My escort and I joined her friends yet again. They seemed to be the only group in the room that shared Elizabeth's beliefs and were completely comfortable with each other.
But of course, Brendon and his bitch had to ruin that by coming over.
I pretended he didn't exist, I didn't want to embarrass myself by an angry outburst, so I thought it would be best not to test my boundaries and keep it in until after the dinner.
Luckiky, Elizabeth existed.
"Mr. Urie, Miss Orzechowski, it has been quite a while, hasn't it? The last time -"
She attached herself to Brendon's other side and led them away from me, a sigh of relief exiting my body.
"Bad blood with the host's son?" Dan asked, grinning at me.
"You could say that," I forced out a laugh and turned my attention back to the conversation about the beauty of dogs.
Elizabeth did an extraordinary good job with keeping Brendon busy, for he did not approach us for the rest of the evening. Only when the guests were beginning to leave did she join us.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Ryan," Dan smiled, and the others nodded in agreement, proceeding to exit the room.
"Good luck," Elizabeth smiled, before waving slightly and joining the others.
I returned her smile, the negatively nervous flutters in my stomach threatening to spill the evening's meal onto the floor. Pretending to watch the paintings on the floor, I waited until all the guests had left, before walking upstairs, knowing that Brendon would follow.
Here goes nothing.
~
Stop fucking around with my emotions
I like you better when you're numb
I'm sick and tired of false devotion
Devote yourself to moving on
Or suck it up and let it go
~
YOU ARE READING
Gold And Coal (Ryden AU)
FanfictionRyan struggles with his life, the factory work and extremely low living standards can't guarantee him a long life. He loathes nothing more than his abusive and arrogant boss, who endangers them all day after day. But due to a convenient coincidence...
