Having Flown [Harry, Jane; FIN]

[chase]

Night had long since fallen. The dreary December evening had not been the cheerful, out-on-the-town sort of night, though Chase was sure that wouldn't stop anyone else from doing their usual club crawls. Chase just didn't feel like going out. Fortunately for him, this was the one night in recent memory where he wouldn't have to go out to escape himself. He had a couple of guests coming by instead.

His mother had dropped several not-so-subtle hints that he should have some sort of get-together for the holidays. She seemed to understand that the holidays would be difficult for him, especially if he spent them alone. To that end, she had suggested that he have some friends over once in a while. He had complied by calling up two of the only people he had really connected with since Lenore's death that past spring.

Lazily, Chase lifted his head and looked at the nearest clock, the one on the wall not far from the bust of Pallas Athena above the apartment door. Jane and Harry would be arriving soon, if they were still inclined to show up. He stood up a bit hurriedly and brushed off his shirt and his hair.

The book he had been dozing off in was something he had picked up from the library at NYU, on black magic and the occult. He wasn't sure why the topic had interested him at the time, but since he had just fallen asleep mid-chapter, he figured it was safe to guess that the interest had worn off now. He nudged the book closed and then set about making sure the apartment looked vaguely acceptable.

There were wine, eggnog, and a batch of sugar cookies his mom had dropped off waiting on the "dining room" table; the place was pretty clean, but otherwise, one could hardly tell that there was to be a holiday get-together there. The apartment was not nearly as festive or decked out in Christmas spirit as those of some of Chase's neighbors. He just hadn't felt up to decorating that year.

"Works for me." Satisfied with the way things looked, and a little bored of being by himself, Chase opened the front door and stuck his head out into the hallway to see if either of his guests had made their way up to his floor yet.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane was almost desperately happy that Chase and contacted her about a holiday party. What little meaning the holidays held for Jane was lost on her empty home. The small, Charlie Brown-esque tree that sat in a corner decorated only with the small paper ornaments her students had thoughtfully created for her was a sad attempt at holiday cheer. She had little else by way of festivity save for a well-read copy of A Christmas Carol sitting by her chair.

Once invited, Jane had a moment of worry. What does one wear to holiday get togethers? Not that she had much to choose from, but Jane didn't want to risk being over-dressed. She settled on a slightly warmer, and more Christmas-y, version of what she normally wore. Also, in a never ending attempt to be polite, Jane also made a large thermos of hot cocoa, done with soy milk just in case any of the other attendees were lactose intolerant or vegan. It cost her a pretty penny to splurge for the soy milk, but since it was the holidays and since it was bought with the spirit of giving in mind, Jane figured that it would be alright. It just meant that her tree would continue to have no angel or proper ornaments. Which, really, was good thing. She had no space to store any extras. Even her sad little tree which Jane had become to grow fond of was going to have to be thrown out soon enough.

Wrapping herself in her now customary layers to fend off the cold of New York, Jane gathered her things and left her apartment. It was an adventure finding Greenwich Village in Manhattan and some time passed before Jane could locate Chase's apartment. Shivering a fair deal, her gloved hands clasping the thermos tightly in a vain attempt to leech some warmth from it, Jane raised her hand and knocked.

[hamlet]

Christmas spirit? Wait, Christmas was coming up?

Yes, the holidays were the last thing on Harry's mind. He only thought about doing something special for Ophelia, but his colleagues encouraged him to spend time with them. Harry had no interest in doing so. Their invitations were clearly out of some form of pity - stemmed from the fact that Harry was still distraught over his father's death and ....well, unstable. And Harry was still suspicious that his friends had spoken with his uncle, and were inviting him just to observe his demeanor "off the record" so to speak. Ridiculous. No, Harry could trust no one so if he'd have to spend Christmas in his office or sneaking off somewhere with Ophelia, then so be it. The Christmas spirit and being 'jolly' throughout this time meant little to him now.

But when he received Chase's invitation, it actually gave him another option. Chase was the only guy who invited him to something that he could trust wasn't in cahoots with his uncle - by some miracle. And of course Harry felt he should go, especially due to the way he behaved when they met - completely wasted. And that time, acting that way wasn't even on purpose.

Harry actually liked the sound of this small-scale get together. Chase didn't seem to care who he was when they met - even despite his drunken state. He wasn't "the heir of Hamlet Enterprises" to him. And he wouldn't be meeting up with business execs and big wigs this time. He should go. No, he didn't really want to go to any get together (get togethers and Harry just haven't been a good combination) just to pretend - once again - to be in good enough spirits that he could tolerate being social. But Harry knew he should go. If it were anyone else, he probably would have ignored it.

Winters in New York were brutal, and now-a-days, Harry hated them even more. Luckily, he didn't have to be festive, especially keeping that in mind, so he threw on a simple grey long sleeved shirt, a coat and scarf. He drove there himself in a black Ford Fusion, finding his way to Chase's apartment pretty easy, since he knew the Greenwich area pretty well. He made his way inside and down the hallway, and then he spotted another woman knocking on Chase's door. And heeeere we go, Harry thought. Time to mingle and socialize. Great.

He gave a weak grin towards her as he approached the door, and didn't say anything because he knew Chase would probably open the door in a few seconds.

(OOC- I just assumed that Chase saw no one when he looked down the hall because Jane hadn't gotten there yet, and closed the door)

[chase]

No one was in the hallway, not even the other NYU students that hung around each others' doorways sometimes. They were probably all out having lives and doing whatever sorts of things people with lives did. Chase had been one of them before, to some extent; he had always been that guy who was up for anything and got along with anyone. Now he was practically a recluse, but somehow, that didn't bother him much as it probably should have.

Chase closed the door behind him and leaned against it, contemplating the state of his apartment some more until a knock sounded almost right behind his head. He jumped, of course, but pulled himself together quickly and opened the door with a smile.

"Hi guys, thanks for coming by. Make yourselves at home." Chase gestured inside and held the door open for Jane and Harry to pass through. "I've got cookies and stuff on the table, if you want. And juice and stuff in the kitchen."

Realizing that he was starting to ramble, he stopped, tilting his head slightly. "Oh, sorry. I'm probably being pretty rude. Jane, this is Harry. Harry, Jane." He gestured to each person as he pronounced their names, but didn't go into detail about who who was or how he had met the other, mostly because it didn't occur to him that he should.

Chase gestured toward the set of furniture that made up his living room, the same velvet violent-lined chairs and sofa that had come with the apartment. "So, Jane, Harry, how have you guys been?" he asked pleasantly, while fetching some glasses from the kitchen. "Sorry the place isn't very festive. I guess I haven't really been in the holiday mood this year."

[JANE EYRE]

Jane hadn't heard anyone else walk up. She was far too concerned with how she would act. Jane was a novice at parties, having never attended one before. To talk on light hearted matters was expected, that she knew, but what light hearted matters exactly? The holidays? Jane doubted that the coming Christmas would be a delightful topic of conversation seeing as she and Chase were both alone for the holiday and Jane had no favorite memories to share. This was going to be her first, real Christmas is almost every sense.

"Any good stories around the holidays? No, not really. Why? Um, well, it's rather hard to have traditions and memories and all when you're an orphan, raised first by an aunt that hates you and then by a school that didn't want the silliness of the holidays interrupting the studies."

Even Jane, unschooled as she was in 'small talk' knew that it wouldn't go over well.

The door opening broke that particular odd, and depressing, line of thought and Jane smiled. "Hello Chase," She greeted cheerily. Upon hearing the word 'guys' in Chase's greeting, Jane glanced over her shoulder and flushed a bright red when she saw that she had not been alone. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you there, I was lost in my thoughts," She gave a nervous laugh and moved into the apartment in a hurry, embarassed that she had already managed to muddle her first official holiday get together. "I brought some hot cocoa," Jane held out the thermos which was still quite warm.

"Hello Harry, pleasure to meet you," Jane felt awkward, as usual. She placed the thermos on the table next to the cookies and such and undid her coat. After her coat was undone and folded neatly, Jane sat on the couch, barely perching on the edge.

She realized then that she should really work on her social skills.

"I'm quite fine, thank you. School is out for winter break, meaning I have some to finish the Prometheus picture. How have you been?"

[hamlet]

(so sorry for the wait guys! And Jaime, I'm also going to play out the Secret Santa thing here )

"Hi guys, thanks for coming by. Make yourselves at home."

Chase said once he opened the door. Right when he did, Harry started to wonder why Chase even invited him to this anyway. Seeing Chase reminded him of the small fact that he met the guy while flat faced drunk, making a fool of himself in a cemetery of all places. Not many people would give anyone that they met in such a fashion any time of day. Harry suddenly began to entertain an inkling of suspicion. It wouldn't be too far of a stretch for Chase to try and befriend someone of Harry's status, knowing that Harry was unstable the first time he met him, if only to use him for some financial gain. Harry wouldn't put it past him or anyone for that matter. Life teaches tough lessons, and for Harry, that was one of them.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you there, I was lost in my thoughts," the woman said to him, to which Harry gave a small grin.

"That's okay. Being lost in thought is better than being lost elsewhere, right?" He said, light-heartedly but somewhat serious.

He waited for the woman to enter before he did himself, and then began listening to Chase offer up snacks and start introductions. Harry took of his coat and draped it on his arm as Chase spoke. Turning to Jane, Harry answered "Likewise," to her greeting and he sat on the couch as well.

"So, Jane, Harry, how have you guys been? Sorry the place isn't very festive. I guess I haven't really been in the holiday mood this year."

Harry was glad Jane answered that question first. "Prometheus? That's the guy who was generous enough to give us fire, right?" Harry inquired with a grin, if only to prevent talking about himself. "Look where that got him," he cracked sarcastically. "So what's this picture you're working on? Are you a painter?"

He paused and glanced at Chase. "Oh by the way, I didn't bring any hot cocoa but I did bring those tickets I promised you." He pulled the two tickets from his pocket, standing briefly to hand them to Chase. "Chicago. Best seats in the house."

[chase]

(ooc- totally fine with me, Yols! and my turn to apologize for the delay.)


The little apartment felt so much less weighted down with the arrival of Jane and Harry. It gave Chase an odd, yet vaguely celebratory feeling. He had met both Harry and Jane under less-than-pleasant circumstances, and part of him had been afraid that seeing them would bring back the emotions he'd been feeling at those times, and make him feel thrice as poorly as he already did. Instead, he felt relived to see both of them again. It was nice to have company, especially the sort that he probably wouldn't have to pretend with.

He noticed Jane's slight embarrassment, but did not comment on it, of course. He was totally used to being off in his own world. Besides, Harry responded to it well, for the most part. She presented a warm thermos, which made Chase's smile brighten further.

"Wow, thanks! I should have thought of warm drinks myself. This'll go great with the cookies." Chase accepted the thermos and set it out on the snack table, along with the other glasses and mugs he had gone for in the kitchen.

Chase gave Jane a wide smile when she mentioned the Prometheus picture. "Awesome, how's that going?" he asked. "Oh, me, I've been about the same. Work, and classes, and so on." He didn't want Jane to think he was a loser for still being as depressed and lonely as he had been at the library, but he also couldn't bring himself to play the part of the happy, well-adjusted grief victim.

"Prometheus? That's the guy who was generous enough to give us fire, right? Look where that got him. So what's this picture you're working on? Are you a painter?"

As Harry remarked about Prometheus, Chase was arranging the snack table, and was pouring himself some hot cocoa. He glanced up to give his own very biased explanation of Jane's work. "Yep, we actually met at the library while she was researching Prometheus."

"Oh by the way, I didn't bring any hot cocoa but I did bring those tickets I promised you.

"Chicago. Best seats in the house."

"Wow! This is incredible! Thank you so much." Chase had completely forgotten about Harry's promise to get him tickets. Not only were the tickets themselves awesome- great seats for one of his favorite shows!- but the gesture itself really surprised him. He'd have to get something for Harry now, for the season at least. He had no idea what, though. The thank-yous he'd uttered so far seemed inadequate for some reason Chase could not define. Not that he was conscious of it, but the unexpected show of kindness had helped to restore his optimism somewhat.

Impulsively, Chase opened his arms and gave Harry a hug. He noticed then that Harry had not yet answered his question about how things were going. Chase hoped Harry had fared better with his grief than Chase had, but decided not to bring it up yet. The mood of the party, for him at least, was too upbeat to dampen already. He shot a grin at Jane, already planning to give her the second ticket, unless Harry had planned to come along. And yet, in the back of his mind, he could not help thinking that Lenore had loved Chicago. The thought kind of killed his giddiness a bit.

Stepping back from the sudden hug, he gave Harry a slightly more somber smile. "Really, thanks, Harry. That was thoughtful of you."

[JANE EYRE]

Jane watched the exchange between Harry and Chase with a small smile on her face. So, they were friends. That was good. Maybe the loneliness wasn't so bad for Chase now. Loneliness isn't so bad once you get a friend. Jane was that way now, with Kitty. That gaping void that had been left when Adele, Mr. Rochester, Mrs. Fairfax, and all her familiars were gone from her life was slowly filling up. It was slow and just a little painful, but Jane knew that every second she spent in New York, she became a new, better person that would not have survived in England like she had.

After they had finished their small conversation and rejoicing over the tickets (to what? A gallery opening? A theatre performance perhaps?) Jane allowed herself to address Harry's question. "I am a painter, and an art teacher fortunately. What about yourself?" Jane smiled brightly and wrung her fingertips. It was a tad uncomfortable but then again, Jane was always uncomfortable around people she didn't know very well. It would just take some time for her to move past that, to move past the sense of being wrapped in the unknown.

Then, to Chase, "I finished the painting just last week. I'm looking to sell it or perhaps donate it to a community learning center,"

[hamlet]

Harry nodded when Chase explained how he and Jane met. "Its very interesting how ancient civilizations perceived history. There must be an explanation for everything right? Even for the Greeks, they needed to find someone to blame for the way things end up." His expression was one of bemusement and suddenly he found himself falling into his thoughts for a second, a place he did not want to be so he shrugged, bringing himself figuratively back into the room. "Human nature I guess."

When he presented Chase the tickets, Harry grinned. He almost had forgotten that people didn't live in the Chandler family bubble. There was a time, when his father was alive, that Harry was completely tuned in to the outside world, outside of the Chandler estates, outside of the company. But for some reason, grief made him forget. He had forgotten that his lifestyle wasn't shared by everyone. Two great tickets to a theater really was a big deal to someone even if it wasn't any trouble at all for Harry to get.

Harry invited the hug, even though he was surprised to get it. "Really, it wasn't any trouble," he said, with somewhat of a laugh. Now he felt uncomfortable - not because of anything that Chase was doing or his outwards expression of immense gratitude. It was hard to pinpoint why he felt odd, actually. Perhaps it was his somber thoughts juxtaposed with the sudden burst of jubilation in the room. Maybe it was the slight suspicion that he was giving Chase exactly what he wanted - the perks of having Harry Chandler as a friend - free shows and a walking ATM. He couldn't help but be paranoid.

And perhaps this nagging question of 'what was he doing here?' The last place he thought he'd be is at a Christmas party.

--A social event with absolutely no reason to put on an act. In a way he felt exposed. He had no idea why. Its been a long time since he had proper escape. He only had that escape with Ophelia, and even still, a foreboding cloud hung over their relationship that he just couldn't shake out of his thoughts.

"Really, thanks, Harry. That was thoughtful of you." Chase told him, and Harry returned the smile.

"Yeah, yeah, no problem. Enjoy it. Bring a friend with you, have a good time." Harry said with surprising ease, considering his current thoughts. He walked over to the snacks and started going for the wine, but decided against it. Harry had no intentions of drinking too much this time, he didn't want a repeat of what happened the day he and Chase met. Instead, he got some hot cocoa.

"I am a painter, and an art teacher fortunately. What about yourself?"

Harry looked over his shoulder at Jane for a moment, an impressed look on his face. "Wow, that's great. Someone needs to bring out the talent in this city, right?" He said sincerely. It was the only redeeming thing about New York City in his opinion - the arts. The arts were the only things genuine about the streets. As he finished pouring his hot cocoa, he paused his talking to ask - "Do you want some?" to Jane, offering to bring her a cup.

He tasted the drink a bit before answering her question. "I'm a financial consultant - running a business that manages theater companies, helping them stay afloat. Sometimes buying and selling companies to keep them going - under Hamlet Enterprises." There was a slight change in Harry's voice when he mentioned Hamlet Enterprises. He tried covering up by taking another sip of the cocoa. 'Under Hamlet Enterprises' was as detailed as he was willing to go - he really didn't want to get into the fact that he was Hamlet Sr.'s son and he was heir of the multimillion dollar company. Hopefully she knew nothing about business.

He listened as Jane talked to Chase about her painting.

[chase]

Chase was, and had just about always been, fully aware that he had a tendency to overreact and exaggerate at times. He figured it was a side effect of being a really laid-back and non-expectant person. Sometimes he got way more excited about stuff than he usually did, and it manifested in things like hugs and goofy grins. He would have been a little bummed if Harry had pushed him aside or otherwise reacted poorly, but Harry didn't, so Chase didn't bother to worry about the implications of that.

He didn't notice that Jane was a little left out of what was happening with the tickets, but that was mostly because he knew he was going to mention it to her later. He could have invited a family member or coworker or an old friend, but he just didn't feel as comfortable with any of them as he did with Jane. Besides, he thought she might enjoy it. Maybe it would be a nice change for her, too. At any rate, he would suggest it later, as he figured offering out the ticket in front of the person who had given it to him would be rude or at least awkward.

As Jane and Harry talked, Chase finished fixing himself a snack. Harry did the same. It was cool to see his two acquaintances getting along. Jane and Harry seemed to be two fairly different types of people, as far as Chase could tell from his past experiences with both of them. Chase usually avoided hosting things because he was worried about how his various friends would get on, but this little gathering, this departure from the norm, was turning out well.

Jane mentioned that her painting had been finished and that she was looking to sell it. "Congrats!" Chase exclaimed, giving Jane a wide grin. He still had not seen the painting, or any other work of art by Jane, but he was certain it was beautiful. Sure, he knew he was biased, but Jane was a beautiful person in many ways, so to him, it was only logical that her work should be just as brilliant.

"I dunno, maybe someone at NYU would be interested in it. I know some people in the art department." Chase had some connections at NYU, since he worked and took classes there, and he thought just maybe he could help Jane out through those connections. Harry too, though Chase wasn't sure exactly how he could be of help there. To both Jane and Harry, he added, "I know some folks on the university staff too, if it ever comes up. You never know."

As he finished speaking, a knock sounded, and he turned around to look at the door, where he guessed the noise had come from. (Where else would someone knock?) It had to be whoever else he might have mentioned this party to. "Excuse me for a second, please?" he said over his shoulder as he strolled toward the apartment's entrance. He crossed the room quickly, and practically flung the door open.

The hallway was empty. One of the nearby lamps flickered, its bulb probably dying soon, but aside from that, there was absolutely no motion out there. Chase felt confused for a moment- but, for some reason, he also felt a touch of dread settle into the pit of his stomach. It must have been the flickering light. He heard himself utter a name softly: "Lenore?"

"Lenore!" a whisper responded, though only in his hearing. Must have been an echo.

Slowly, realizing he had been at the door a little longer than he should have been, Chase turned back into the room and closed the door. Then, mustering up the cheer he had felt just seconds before, he ambled back into the living are and picked up the mug of cocoa he had poured for himself. "Sorry, I thought someone was at the door." He paused to take a sip of the drink, then shot Jane another grin. "This hot cocoa is great. Did you make it yourself?"

[JANE EYRE]

Jane very very content and at ease at the get together. Harry seemed like a pleasant man, he and Chase seeming so at ease together which made Jane feel equally at ease. Usually, she had a hard time being able to enoy herself in any sort of celebratory environment, the last one she could remember had her sitting in the corner while the man she was fond of flirted shamelessly with a beauty that Jane could never compare with. There was none of that in Chase's apartment, but then again, she was the only woman present. Jane smiled gratefully at Chase's suggestion. He couldn't honestly mean what he said, passing word around at the university about her art. She doubted that any professor would want to purchase any of her pieces. Especially an art professor; surely there were more than enough talented art students to provide pieces for the university that wouldn't need to be purchased for a price, even a price as meesly as the one Jane was asking for.

Jane was a little confused when Chase went bustling to the door, and whispered something into the hall. Concern replaced the confusion when he brushed off what had happened and diverted the attention to the hot cocoa she had made.

"Yes, I did. I made it with soy milk and processed cocoa, just in case one of you had a milk allergy," Jane didn't mentioned that buying soy milk instead of regular milk just for the cocoa was a bit expensive and that she had to relinquish a few commodities for it. What with Harry and Chase being very well off, Jane didn't want either of them feeling sorry for her and trying to remedy it with an overgenerous offer, like buying her painting from her at a price far too inflated in her eyes. It hadn't happened yet, but of all the ways to bestow generosity without giving away charity, it was the one that made the most sense.

Jane had refrained from taking any drink or snacks, her old habits of waiting until everyone else had their fill surfacing.

[hamlet]

(Failing Yols fails again with making you guys wait, sorry!)

Harry listened with a bit of bemusement about selling paintings, some networking talk slipping into the conversation. No, Harry wasn't an artistic guru, but just like theater Harry recognized that a painting can reveal much about human nature. Such art could have a transparency that not many things in this world can have.

"I dunno, maybe someone at NYU would be interested in it. I know some people in the art department. I know some folks on the university staff too, if it ever comes up. You never know."

After taking a sip of the cocoa, he said quickly. "I would like to see it." His eagerness surprised even himself. What satisfaction would he get out of this painting if he were to buy it? None. Some part of him wanted to feel something of the world again, if not from a performance, but perhaps from a beautiful work of art. " If you don't mind, I--"

And suddenly Chase started towards the door. Harry glanced in the direction of the door and then at Jane, a perplexed look on his face, especially when he heard Chase whispering. But soon enough Chase returned...with no one else, and he quickly diverted the subject. Harry glanced past Chase towards the door again briefly, a small paranoia starting to surface. Something was slightly amiss. And when something was even slightly amiss, Harry found it hard to let it go. Especially given all that has happened to him as of late.

After Jane finished speaking, Harry said, "Good cocoa with a hint of gracious thought," He grinned and lifted the mug in a toasting gesture towards her, before taking another swallow. Sometimes his words could be taken for underhanded sarcasm. This might be one of those moments. Why? Well probably because there was a hint of sarcasm, somewhere in there, even if Harry himself didn't realize it. Harry's lack of trust or expectations of any man or woman made any act of kindness somewhat unbelievable to him - no matter how small.

"So," he said to Chase. "Expecting anymore guests?" Of course, this question was a means of fishing for something. What exactly? Harry had no clue.

[chase]

The concern his guests felt over his sudden bolt toward the door completely went unnoticed by Chase. Normally, he would have picked up on it and assured them that everything was fine, but at the moment, he was lost in his own thoughts. What had just happened to him at the door? Maybe he was finally losing his mind. Nevertheless, he put on a brave face and asked Jane about her cocoa. Her answer, about being wary of allergies, brought a genuine smile to Chase's face. She really was a sweet woman.

"Good cocoa with a hint of gracious thought."

Harry seemed to agree. Again, Chase's unusual level of distraction allowed Harry's slight sarcasm to totally slip past him. "Definitely. That was very thoughtful of you, Jane." Following Harry's lead, Chase also raised his mug in salute to the young woman. "She's sweet, isn't she, Harry?" he added while grinning at Jane, purposely paying her a directly indirect compliment.

"So, expecting anymore guests?"

Yet again, Chase failed to detect anything untoward in Harry's comment. "Sort of. There are a couple people who might turn up. You two are the only ones who really confirmed." He felt a little embarrassed to admit that the two of them, Jane and Harry, were also the only two people he had put any effort into inviting. He had not really felt like spending this sort of evening with any of his old friends. They wouldn't stop being concerned about him; with them, everything was Get over her, it's been forever now, Lenore this, Lenore that.

His expression twisted for a brief moment when he thought of her name. Instinctively, he literally shook the thought away by shaking his head quickly, sending his black hair flying around his face. Then, realizing that he probably looked odd doing that, he took another, long sip of cocoa. "So yeah, I'm really glad you guys stopped by. It's nice to have friends around sometimes, you know?"

[JANE EYRE]

Jane blushed again and stared at her lap. She could detect sarcasm, just a little, in Harry's statement, but the outright comlipment in Chase's comment was somewhat ignored. Jane fiddled with her skirt hem, trying to think of something to add to the conversation that wouldn't just be an annoying insertion that had no relevance or interest.

"So yeah, I'm really glad you guys stopped by. It's nice to have friends around sometimes, you know?"

Jane finally looked up. He wasn't expecting any other guests? Not seriously at least. That brought a sad lull over Jane's merry spirit that had been developing steadily over the past few moments. It reminded her of why she and Chase got along so well. They were both so secluded in the busy city. She didn't know what Harry's story was, but the idea that the loneliness was barely penetrated by the holidays......it made Jane look back on her holidays at the boarding school fondly.

"Yes, it is," Jane agreed with Chase, giving him a small smile. It was nice to be around people one could at least consider friends or, in the case of Harry, friendly acquaintances.

[hamlet]

"Sort of. There are a couple people who might turn up. You two are the only ones who really confirmed."

Harry furrowed his brow a bit and nodded, trying to hide his slight suspicion by taking a sip of the cocoa. So who the would be knocking on the door? Pranksters? Why would someone want to do that to Chase? He didn't seem to be like the kind of person who has many enemies, even young immature ones.

Then again, maybe it was nothing. Maybe someone had the wrong door in the apartment building and thats why Chase was talking to the person. It really could be as simple as that. Harry internally scoffed at himself for jumping to outrageous conclusions. It was times like these where he really did question his sanity. But given his current situation, he didn't blame himself. Nothing and no one should be given the benefit of the doubt these days.

"So yeah, I'm really glad you guys stopped by. It's nice to have friends around sometimes, you know?"

"Yes, it is,"

Friends. Wow, what a concept. Harry had been so removed from any of his friends that they probably didn't know if he was the same person now-a-days. For some odd reason, he was even suspicious of his most trusted friends, knowing that they knew Claudius well enough. That in and of itself was enough for Harry to keep his distance.

So for him to be at this get together with two people he really only hardly knew...and to be labeled as a friend was quite interesting to Harry. Was he glad? Relieved? Grateful? He couldn't determine. Numbness, perhaps. And he was somewhat...saddened by that numbness.

But Harry put on a grin for Chase and Jane, pushing those thoughts away. "Yes. And hey," he shrugged. "Tis the season, right? Its good to have friends around. Besides, this beats going to the company Christmas party, for sure." He rolled his eyes at his own comment, and the irony of it. Harry? At Hamlet Enterprise's Christmas party? Over his very dead body.

"Honestly, I find it pretty funny how work places try to promote synergy through half baked parties. " He grinned humorously . Luckily he was a pro at faking small talk.