One moment Walter was being pulled along to the bustling dancefloor, certainly not a place meant for him as made evident by his artistic brand of flailing as he tried to will his body to find some sort of rhythm. The next moment, just as he was staring to figure things out he thought, he was being pulled away from MamaPhoenix by one of his crew who had managed to make it.

"I'll be back!" He called back to Phoenix as he left the dancefloor and was taken to a nearby table along the back wall. There he found Jack had already take up his own spot, empty plates bearing the scars of battle stacked up before the man as he picked his teeth clean.

"Enjoying yourself are you?" Walter teased as he sat and made introductions between Brimstone and the lovely host of the evening, Sandy.

Walter wasn't sure if his sense of time had become distorted by the mix of drinks, food, and overall euphoria brought about by the charged atmosphere, but it felt like second had passed before Brimstone had made his way back to the table with Sandy in tow having put on a solid display of actual dancing skills for the audience around the dancefloor to enjoy.

"Glad you managed to make it Brimstone. DO enjoy your night, I've got a lady to get back to." He stated, clapping the man's shoulders before standing, grabbing the freshly chilled copper cup he had been given at some point as he spoke with Jack. On his way back to where he had left Phoenix, he managed to swipe a fresh glass of champagne, the bubbles still very actively rising through the translucent golden liquid as his eyes scanned for her.

"Now where did that girl get off to?" He mumbled to himself, his voice easily drowned out by the band as they continued to lure the masses back to the dancefloor.

Hope was all smiles as she danced with the dashing Philadelphia Godfather.  He honestly hit the situation right on the head.  She was for certain forgetting many things...  Like propriety and how to act properly.  Then again who is to define acting improperly if both parties are enjoying it?  This certainly seemed to be the case with the two of them and she gleefully danced with Walter enjoying his efforts and curious mannerisms.  They were absolutely fun and she would respond in kind.  Hope was not the greatest at dancing, but she had rhythm and she loved to do it.  Music rang in her very soul and it showed in her movements.  Plus she had a decent amount of grace, so that helped.

But just as they seemed to find some groove, Walter was suddenly being yanked away.  Hope blinked in some measure of bewilderment although he shouted something about how he'd be back.  She merely laughed a little and shook her head.  He had his own family to take care of, that she understood.  She did, not for the first time that evening, wonder where her family might be.  But that was alright, she was having a grand time and be sure to detail it for those who couldn't attend later.  She danced alone for a time, simply enjoying letting the music flow through her.  Eyes slipped closed for a few moments as she let herself get absolutely lost in the rhythms. 

The minutes drew on by and she lost track of just how long she danced alone.  She didn't mind, really, but at some point at the end of a song, she would drift off the dance floor breathing heavily.  Dancing took it's toll on you after all so she would find a seat and merely clap to the energetic beat, watching for a short time before allowing her observant self to take over again and look around.  There...  She spotted the man she had dragged out onto the dance floor and he had two drinks in his hand.  She grinned a little as she watched him look around, hardly thinking he was searching for her again.  They had enjoyed a dance, but she figured that would likely be it for interaction there.  But she didn't miss the fact that he held a glass akin to the one she had relinquished only a short time ago.  Then as her eyes moved back to his, they met and held.  A broad grin spread across her lips as she moved with delicate determination back to meet up with him again.  "All's well?"  She inquired over the music daring to hope they'd get to hang out a bit longer.

As Walter continued to scan the room, he took a small sip of his drink as it began to chill his hand. It was midway through his sip that his eyes locked onto Phoenix across the room, seated at a table by herself. A smile found its way onto his face as he strode across the room to join her, taking an empty seat next to her. 

"Yeah, you know how family can get at times, I'm sure." He chuckled as he set the flute glass meant for her down before her.

"Never a dull moment at least... though I am not quite sure if that is a great thing or a bad thing." Walter mused as he took another sip of his drink, raising his glass ever so slightly to the lady before him.

"Tell me. How is it you ended going from the dancefloor to sitting here by your lonesome?" Walter said, letting out a satisfied sigh as he set his drink down. His gaze shifted back to Phoenix, locking onto her eyes once more.

Hope sat up straight as she watched the proceedings.  There were so many fine dancers, it was easy to feel a little out of her league. But that had never stopped her before.  Toe tapping up the  upbeat song, she would relax for a few moments just enjoying the charged atmosphere. But it was not long before she was once again joined by Walter.  She looked up to him as he took a seat beside her.  She beamed up at him as he affirmed that all was well. “Oh yes, they come first though. Family should be our first focus.”  She gave a gentle smile as she carefully accepted the drink.  Her mothers words of caution rang in her mind, but shoving them out, raising her glass as well, and took a sip giving a soft ‘mm’ in response.

”Keeps things interesting for sure.  Boredom makes things worse… or at least more volatile.  Maybe it’s neither and both.”  A soft bubbling chuckle lifted from her at his question.  She shrugged her slender shoulders as she neatly folded one leg over the other in a careful fashion, her heels catching the light as she focused her gaze and attention upon him.  “Even I need a break every once in a while.” She gave a light and playful quip. She tilted her head a little and looked  back out onto the floor.  “I’m not alone now though… Are you ready to go back out there?”

Sandy couldn't help but smile. From a spot near the edge of the stage, she stood and watched as guests danced to the uptempo beat that Mr. Louis Prima kept pumping out from his band. His voice was undeniable, and every time he finished a song, the crowd would cheer wildly until he started another. There were all types at the party. She had invited all kinds of folks- from city council members, county board members, even the president of the Chamber of Commerce, to the heads of the families from every city. After all, the Mardi Gras celebration was a time for forgetting problems with each other and just enjoying life. Everyone here seemed to be doing just that.

The food was staying fresh, with Remi and Norris keeping everything coming out of the kitchen and no sign of running out. The beignets were a huge hit, and the King Cake was a masterpiece that kept the excitement going- who was going to find the baby and win the big prize? It was really anyone's game, and it could happen any minute. 

As she kept watching, Sandy spotted Walter and Hope having a few turns around the dance floor. Even Lucy found her way out there and succumbed to the rhythms and got out there. This made the hostess smile even more. Everything seemed to be going just perfectly. And, it was still early- there were more surprises in store.

"Of course you do." Walter quipped back with a wink as he followed her gaze back over to the lively dancefloor. He breathed in, resolving himself as he lifted his cup back to his lips and poured what remained of the cocktail into his mouth. With a hard swallow and the thud of the cup meeting the table, he turned his gaze back to Phoenix, a somehow confident smile on his face.

"I am now." He chuckled before continuing. "Though, one or two songs this time. It would seem I am growing quite hungry once again." He finished with a smile as he stood, offering his hand to Phoenix.

"Shall we, madam?" He said in a mocking butler tone, bowing at the waist to the dazzling woman before him.

They made their back onto the floor, gliding through the crowded event room with all the grace and poise of royalty until they reached the edge of the dancefloor. It was noticeably warmer here with the active mass of swing dancers losing themselves to the melodies. It was hard for Walter not to wear a smile as he locked eyes with Phoenix and let loose. Now, maybe it was the alcohol beginning to settle in, that good 'ole liquid courage, or maybe it was just tuning out everyone else but her. Whatever it was, Walter seemed to move a bit less chaotically, when compared to the start of the evening, allowing his body to excitedly move to the beat of the music. He felt freed of his inhibitions, if even for a short, blissful moment, as they danced in each others company.

That smile didn’t seem to leave Hope’s lips for more than a moment or two as she spent moments with Walter. At her question, he didn’t answer right away, instead downing the rest of his drink.  She glanced at her own.  She had hardly taken but a couple sips from it so it was still mostly full. She was acquainted with the dangers of not pacing herself but surely champagne wouldn’t be as bad as other things she could drink quickly…. Well, not one to leave her drink as she knew she wouldn’t return to it, she braced herself and downed it. It was pleasant but it didn’t have the same burn. That was ok though, it was nice.

 Eyes lighting up excitedly, she was bolstered by his affirmation.  At the task of food, she felt her stomach rumble and mind think to the lovely smells she detected upon coming in.  “It’s a deal.” She tried to keep the giddiness from rising within her. She felt the warmth rise to her cheeks at his gallantry.  She readily placed her small hand once again into his larger one refusing to admit he nicely it fit. Heavens that was the champagne talking.  This was fun, it was nice. “Why yes we shall, good sir.”  Giving a gently curtsy as the two of them moved toward the dance floor.  
 

Spotting a lovely blonde head, she beamed as she gently bumped Sandy-Sullivan with her hip giving her a bright grin that expressed her delight at this evening. She wouldn’t take her time as she was on her way to the dance floor as well.  “Wonderful party my friend, thank you for thinking of me!” But just as quickly, they were off. Once they stepped on the dance floor, her eyes moved back to Walter’s and remained right there as she allowed herself to begin to get lost in them.  Matching Walter’s energy, Hope would keep up enthusiastically as her form moved to the beats of the music, motions becoming more fluid if a bit unrefined. Moving into a rapid spin in a carefree manner, she slowed it back to normal after, wincing just a little as her head continued to spin. Ok maybe not that.  She shot Walter an almost sheepish grin as she reigned it back just a little lest she find herself unceremonious on her rump.

"That depends"

Monella said smoothly, eyeing SandySullivan with a measured look.

"Who's asking?"

His fingers drummed idly against the side of his glass, the amber liquid inside catching the light as he gave her a slow, knowing smirk.

"Monella"

He finally confirmed, inclining his head slightly.

"Seems your name’s got a bit of weight around here, Miss Sullivan. Figured I’d see what all the noise was about."

He lifted his glass in a small salute before taking a sip, watching her reaction over the rim.

Walter continued to smile as she watched Phoenix twirl about, flashing a sheepish grin as it was evident draining her last drink might be settling in by now. He reached out, smoothly taking her hand back into his own before pulling her closer to him, providing some stability.

"I think it's time we got some food into you, might help with the swimming your mind might be doing after that twirl." He said in a low tone, smiling down to her as he escorted her off the dancefloor. "Besides, I am pretty sure it would be a crime to attend such an event and not sample the spread they have prepared." 

Before setting off in a determined stride, Walter turned his head to face Sandy. "You be sure to enjoy the night's festivities as well! No point pulling this all together if you can't have a night to unwind as well, Sandy." He shouted over the ambient noise before flashing a bright smile and turning back to look over as Phoenix. "Food!" was all he shouted excitedly as he pulled the woman along, shortening his stride so she could keep pace.

People and faces blurred by, some familiar, others not so much. To Walter, it didn't quite matter at the moment as his eyes were set on the overflowing buffet ahead. "Now don't be shy, load up a plate. You can join me at the table over there." He stated, pointing at a table along the back wall next to the one he had been dragged off to earlier in the evening. He gently set Phoenix's hand back at her side bore giving her an assuring nod and turning to start stacking food upon a clean plate.

He ended up with two plates, it would seem his eyes were quite convincing as he tried to limit the food he was grabbing. Alas, he lost that fight and set both plates upon the table, taking a seat as another familiar copper cup found its way to him. He smiled to the server as they peeled away to deliver another round of drinks as he rifled through his pockets to light a fresh espresso scented cigar.

Oh yes, now this was a good time.  Hope loved to dance, and having good people to do it with her. But when her head spun it became harder to concentrate on that. But just as she thought she might go over in a comical manner, a warm hand took her own and pulled her petite frame toward him.  She didn’t resist and folded easily against him as she swayed a bit.  As he mentioned food, her stomach snarled. At this point she didn’t have too much alcohol in there yet, sure could certainly eat. “Food… Yes food of course. It smells incredible…” She murmured softly.

 She moved with him.  She was careful enough and steady enough on her feet as they walked with purpose to where the food was being presented. Excitement coursed through her and she giggled a bit as he exclaimed excitedly about the next step of their evenings adventure.  As they approached, Hope’s eyes got a bit wider. She hadn’t really looked at the food yet but the sight was incredible.  And it kept coming! She grabbed a plate and nodded in understanding to his words.  A glance over to the table he indicated so she wouldn’t forget where she was headed. And he was off! She smiled with a certain fondness before moving along the table herself to carefully choose what she was going to enjoy. She grabbed a little of this, a little of that, until her plate was quite full. As she approached the table with her plate. Although her eyebrows rose as tiny bit but she grinned a little bit before laying her plate beside his two and sliding into the chair beside him.  “This looks amazing doesn’t it? And did you see that cake? Oh man…”  She gently waved the server off, not taking another drink for herself quite yet.

 She turned to Walter again and grinned brightly before jumping up and moving back to the table and bringing back an entire plate of desserts.  There now she too had two plates too. “Quite the party huh?”  She grinned at him before carefully taking a bite from the dinner plate.  Oh yes it tasted at least as good as it smelled.

Within mere moments, Sandy could easily see the family resemblance. She glanced over at the bartender and almost imperceptibly nodded, and the bartender behand making a drink. 

"I'm very happy that you did. I knew your father- briefly- but what I knew of him was a gentleman."

The bartender stepped from behind his station and brought Sandy a drink. It was in an old-fashioned glass with two cubes of ice, and the liquid inside was gold like honey. Sandy took a sip and seemed to take a moment to savor the taste.

"As for my name carrying weight- I don't know  about that. Maybe just in the restaurant world around Detroit- but I owe that to Remi and Norris. Their cooking is what makes this place so famous."

A few guests pass by and wave hello at Sandy, one stopping briefly to rave about the party; to which Sandy replies with a grateful thanks. She then turns back to Monella.

"Do you live in L.A. as well?"

Walter slowed in his eating as Phoenix settled at the table, her own plates of food and even dessert placed neatly before her. She carefully started to eat, her face lighting up as she finally experienced the divine cooking this venue was proudly displaying for its guests.

"Quite the party indeed. Been a long while since I attended an event and had this much fun." Walter stated between bites. "It helps when you have equally pleasant company to enjoy such a grand event with." He finished with a wink before washing down his food with the chilly cocktail he lifted from the table.

"I have been eyeing that dessert table. That cake looks amazing!" Walter's eyes scoured the slice of cake before Phoenix as he contemplated grabbing just one more plate. 

"Ahh hell, I'll get me some damn cake. Why not, ey?" He asked rhetorically as he stood and disappeared into the crowd, on the hunt for a slice of this cake. He returned a mere moment later carrying a plate showing his success at having found said cake that he set before his seat on the table. 

"So, Miss Phoenix. How's life been in LA for you?" He asked, he eyes locked onto her as he settled back into his seat and took a long pull from the cigar he left in a tray nearby.