Viktor Vasburg sighed and rubbed at his face. He hated these 'parties', he really did. He hated socializing, especially with the Luxons. He hated the loud, drunken sneers they made toward the Kurzicks (though he was equally not fond of the whispered sneers his own people made toward the Luxons). With a sigh he retrieved a glass of wine. Maybe if he got drunk, this whole scenario wouldn't bother him.

He paid little attention as the room hushed slightly. He heard the soft swish of loose fabric as someone walked closer to him. Or perhaps the refreshment table, as he was standing near it. A finger touched under his chin and turned his head so he was looking at a Luxon woman. He scowled slightly at the teasing smirk on her painted face. "I imagined you being quite a bit taller, Mister Vasburg." She said, pointing out the fact he was only a couple inches taller than herself. His cheek turned slightly pink, and he scowled more. It didn't drive her off as he'd hoped. "I also imagined you being pale as parchment. In this instance, I am quite impressed to be proven wrong."

"Eleni Karras." He finally said. She merely grinned in confirmation. "Don't you have anyone else to torment?"

"Mmm, now that you mention it, I do." She grabbed a glass of wine before walking away. Viktor found himself staring after her and shook his head. Even if he didn't like to admit it, she was attractive. Her hazel eyes sparkled behind her glasses, and that rich shade of red hair... it was so uncommon. Not to mention the fact that her tanned stomach had been left bare, as was the Luxon fashion. He frowned to himself. Come to think of it, he never really had found Kurzick women to be attractive, with their pale skin and gaudy makeup and drab-colored clothing. He scowled down at his own grayscale outfit. He much preferred red, himself.

Maybe that was why he hated Luxons so much. They were everything the Kurzicks weren't- colorful and full of life, and not afraid to live it. They lived in the world of the sun. He downed the remainder of his wine and refilled the glass.

Several hours and a few more glasses on wine later, Viktor felt he had a good buzz going. Looking around, it seemed everyone did. Thankfully, unlike the last party he'd attended, the two nations were playing nice with each other. His eyes scanned the room, looking for what, he wasn't sure. Finally his gaze settled on Eleni, who was chatting happily with some members of her clan. Her cheeks were slightly red from the alcohol she had consumed, and she laughed easily at whatever conversation they held. He envied her, a little. He'd never really had friends of his own.

Viktor felt a sudden, random urge to kiss her. He blinked, reeling slightly from the intensity of it. He'd had entirely too much alcohol, he now thought, but it didn't stop his feet from carrying him closer to her. The alien feeling of lust started to bubble up inside him, and without thinking he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, catching her entirely off guard.

Eleni's friends giggled hysterically at the sight of a Kurzick kissing a Luxon. She ignored them, staring into his deep blue eyes for a moment before closing her own and returning the kiss. Viktor pulled her body against his; she tasted of the sweet aged wine she had been drinking. The crowd around them ceased to exist in that moment, in the feeling that this closeness was just right. His heart fluttered at the memory of some emotion he knew he'd never felt before. And if the look on her face was any indication, she was having the same mixed feelings he was. Tossing caution to the wind, he kissed her again.

Perhaps parties weren't so bad after all.