Rowan did enjoy destroying expectations. Most knew him for his sharp tongue, or his difficult classes, or through his reviews on the teacher grading website that theorized that the environmental advisers hated all their students because they kept saying they should sign up for his biology or chemistry labs. A few learned he was a devoted brother to his gaggle of siblings, full and half, and they walked all over him if he was the mildest and gentlest of men.
Now, they learned that he was more than competent as a host and that he could play at being charismatic and complimentary.
He enjoyed the fact that that unsettled them more than even his most cutting comments.
Rowan learned the trick of parties from his mother, although she did it better. No one suspected her of anything under her polite and friendly façade, although they most certainly should. He went to her for advice on catering, on location, on decoration, on drinks, and anything he could think of beyond who to invite. That, unfortunately, was out of his control. The entire university staff was invited; he thought maybe a fourth of them made an appearance.
A good host did not stand in corners and contemplate his awesomeness, he reminded himself. Rowan put a friendly face and went back into the crowd of coworkers and their plus ones, ignoring the side glances he got as best as he could. It would do no good to laugh.
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timeasmymeasure
modern/college AU
Date: 2013-06-20 11:36 pm (UTC)Now, they learned that he was more than competent as a host and that he could play at being charismatic and complimentary.
He enjoyed the fact that that unsettled them more than even his most cutting comments.
Rowan learned the trick of parties from his mother, although she did it better. No one suspected her of anything under her polite and friendly façade, although they most certainly should. He went to her for advice on catering, on location, on decoration, on drinks, and anything he could think of beyond who to invite. That, unfortunately, was out of his control. The entire university staff was invited; he thought maybe a fourth of them made an appearance.
A good host did not stand in corners and contemplate his awesomeness, he reminded himself. Rowan put a friendly face and went back into the crowd of coworkers and their plus ones, ignoring the side glances he got as best as he could. It would do no good to laugh.