[ She can feel his eyes on her, and her skin prickles in kind. She doesn't return his gaze — she's at a loss. Both for what was said, the morbidity of it, and the feeling stirring inside her. Something new, something different. Is it because he's not like her? He's not from here.
After a moment, she nods. ]
You're right. But I do not know what to say to that.
[ She hesitates, just a second's worth, then volunteers: ]
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it that way. I should have realized you'd have at least one person in the war.
( Bucky gives her what he hopes is an apologetic smile but he doesn't know how you apologize for something like that. He just has to try his best. )
They're all officers, right? I assume they probably are. They have a good chance. I'd have to work my way up from enlisted so my chances are way worse.
It's all any of us can think about. I don't blame you for bringing it up when you have three brothers in the middle of it.
( Bucky smiles conspiratorily and points out Steve where he's still inside the party. )
That guy? He's my best friend. He wants to go to England and sign up even though America's not even in the war yet. He is real big on doing the right thing even if it's gonna get him killed. We need more people like him and less like me, I think. I'm more cautious.
[ It doesn't seem like it, she nearly says. But that's not true. This party is intended to dazzle them away from the threat of war, isn't it? Those that aren't already entangled in it. That haven't already seen their loved ones off.
She cranes her head and follows his finger to the source. A small man in a slightly too-big suit, seated on a table, talking animatedly with someone she remembers to be a contemporary artist.
In her eyes, a similar conspiratorial gleam. ]
Are you cautious about everything? Even stealing into parties you weren't invited to?
Oh? And how do you know I'm not the son of an oil tycoon or a banker? I could own a newspaper, you don't know.
( Bucky grins at her and then gives her a wink. Surely one girl knowing he snuck in isn't going to get him tossed out, is it? If it does, it does. Steve's being a hell of a lot more overt about making a splash than he is. )
[ Daphne can't quite keep a straight face, but she tries. If he was the son of an oil tycoon, she'd eat her left sock. ]
You may fool them, [ she jerks her chin at the occupants inside the house. ] But I am not so easily taken in. I am far more discerning. [ Mock ego, but it's not all ego. Surely someone else had noticed, but nobody else had said anything. She's suddenly grateful for that. ]
Not Manhattan, that's for damn sure. I'm from Brooklyn. My buddy and I took the train up here because he wanted to sneak in. No idea where he heard about a party like this even existing, though.
( Bucky gives her a curious look. )
Do you like it here? Not just New York - Manhattan specifically?
[ Her eyes glint as she watches him. She's watching him too closely, too much. Someone else would notice, were there anyone else to notice. ]
I would like it a great deal more under different circumstances. [ A non-answer if ever there was one. She follows it up before he can make the observation: ]
It's different than London. Much more... liberal, I suppose. Very lively. Young might be the word I'm looking for.
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no subject
After a moment, she nods. ]
You're right. But I do not know what to say to that.
[ She hesitates, just a second's worth, then volunteers: ]
All three of my elder brothers are in the war.
no subject
( Bucky gives her what he hopes is an apologetic smile but he doesn't know how you apologize for something like that. He just has to try his best. )
They're all officers, right? I assume they probably are. They have a good chance. I'd have to work my way up from enlisted so my chances are way worse.
no subject
She nods. ]
The youngest, Colin, he enlisted without telling any of us. He's hardly older than I am. And I worry — for him, for them.
[ She pauses, bites her lip. Self-consciousness passes conspicuously over her, but she rallies. ]
I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive me. All this talk of war. I am being a complete spoilsport.
no subject
( Bucky smiles conspiratorily and points out Steve where he's still inside the party. )
That guy? He's my best friend. He wants to go to England and sign up even though America's not even in the war yet. He is real big on doing the right thing even if it's gonna get him killed. We need more people like him and less like me, I think. I'm more cautious.
no subject
She cranes her head and follows his finger to the source. A small man in a slightly too-big suit, seated on a table, talking animatedly with someone she remembers to be a contemporary artist.
In her eyes, a similar conspiratorial gleam. ]
Are you cautious about everything? Even stealing into parties you weren't invited to?
no subject
( Bucky grins at her and then gives her a wink. Surely one girl knowing he snuck in isn't going to get him tossed out, is it? If it does, it does. Steve's being a hell of a lot more overt about making a splash than he is. )
You got me. What gave it away?
no subject
You may fool them, [ she jerks her chin at the occupants inside the house. ] But I am not so easily taken in. I am far more discerning. [ Mock ego, but it's not all ego. Surely someone else had noticed, but nobody else had said anything. She's suddenly grateful for that. ]
Where are you from, then? Tell me.
no subject
( Bucky gives her a curious look. )
Do you like it here? Not just New York - Manhattan specifically?
no subject
I would like it a great deal more under different circumstances. [ A non-answer if ever there was one. She follows it up before he can make the observation: ]
It's different than London. Much more... liberal, I suppose. Very lively. Young might be the word I'm looking for.
[ Pause. ]
I've never been to Boston.