The Welcome Speech [Robert's Birthday Party Thread]

[Robert]

7PM, Sunday, May 21th
A warm Spring evening
The Welcome Speech (@Irene @Edita @Charlotte @Cassius)
Robert's outfit

The banquet hall of The Borcelle Hotel was and always would be Robert's favorite place to host a party. It was very expensive, yes, even with his grand in-come as a well-liked politician, but it was every penny worth the price. A part of Robert saw himself in this esteemed building. Be it due to its harmonious blend of timeless elegance and modern incorporations or it's extravagant and sophisticated décor. Or maybe it was simply because it was a building named after a man who had since passed but his legacy is standing tall and magnificent over a hundred years later. That made the building itself an inspiration, and Robert loved feeling inspired.

Besides, there was no denying, that it was a great place to host formal events like this. The banquet hall was large and spacious with high round tables strategically placed throughout the room in a way that left plenty of room for guests to dance to the music that would be playing throughout the night. And despite the vintage design of the hotel, the banquet hall had since been renovated to incorporate large windows, made to fit in with the historical architecture, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding natural beauty of the Having Dove district. This allowed the late evening sunlight to naturally light up the hall - thought Robert couldn't wait for the sunset to change the setting from bright to warm. Along the perimeter of the room, taking advantage of the panoramic views, plush sofas and elegant armchairs were positioned for guests to rest on if they grew tired of standing around or dancing. Robert had never sat in one of those sofas or chairs - he always spent the whole evening flying around, talking to everyone.

And then there was the stage, serving as a focal point of the hall. Right now the live band was on it, playing soft tunes to welcome people inside and creating a cozy atmosphere. The music would quicken up a bit during the evening but right now it was a soothing backdrop to the lively conversations taking place. All the guests had arrived, mingling and chatting, waiting for the party to begin for real with Robert's welcome speech. Everyone was dressed in their finest attire with dazzling gowns and tailored tuxedos. Robert loved when people dressed up and he loved it even more when they did it for him.

He was dressed up himself. Of course he was, he was the birthday boy, the center of attention. His suit was tailored to fit him perfectly by the great designer Vigo Bérenger, with black pants, high-waisted to create a silhouette that accentuated his figure, a white button-up shirt with ribbed cotton, an ivory blazer and, of course, a black bow-tie as the bow on top - a joke Robert had made several times now and only those who wanted to impress him laughed at. The suit was a bit bold to wear with the dress code, but Robert was allowed to be bold on his birthday. Despite, fashion was one of the only areas of his life where Robert enjoyed being a bit bold every now and then.

Right now, he was positioned near the stage, looking out at the guests and the waiters who gracefully navigated the room with their silver trays expertly balanced, showcasing an array of drinks and hors d'oeuvres. This was already a perfect evening. Everything and everyone looked like they were placed as fine touches to a masterpiece. Robert was thrilled.

And now it was finally time for him to walk on stage. A rush of adrenaline soared through him. It was time for his favorite thing - captivating the room.
He walked up on stage with confident steps and a charming smile. As he walked towards the microphone, the live music slowly faded, and guests turned their gaze towards the stage. Smiles of recognition spread through the hall and Robert made sure to nod and wave at the people he made eye contact with on his way to the center of the stage.
He grabbed the microphone from the mic holder, cleared his throat slightly and then held it up to his mouth. He waited just a moment, taking in the anticipation of the room, his smile growing wider, before greeting his guests.
“Good evening, everyone, and welcome! Tonight, we gather to celebrate a truly remarkable event—the commemoration of my 31st birthday.”
An applause spread out through the room. Polite and as quiet as an applause could be, but it was still music to Robert’s ears. He let it fade out, before continuing his speak. As he spoke, he moved, walking a few steps back and forth, making the stage his own.
“I am thrilled and honored to have such an esteemed and influential crowd gracing this occasion. It's like attending a political convention.” He paused in his steps, a witty gleam shone in his eyes. “Except we’ll leave out the the PowerPoint presentations and endless parliamentary procedures.”
A few chuckles could be heard around the room from those who could relate to the joke. Robert was satisfied – besides, he was just warming up.
He moved again. “Looking around the room, I can't help but notice some familiar faces. Like Sandra Newt, Michael Morrison, Wallace Coleman.” When saying their names out loud, Robert would make a gesture with his stretched out arm towards the politicians. They would smile back when mentioned and turn around smiling at the people who were now looking at them.   “Oh, and my good friend, Fallon Davis.” Robert pointed his arm at Fallon Davis as well, waving his fingers at him, before turning to look out at the audience again. “Now, you might associate Davis with the wonderful work he has put into implementing market-oriented reforms in educational institutes. Whereas I associate him with his astonishing dance-move… the fall-on.” The chuckles turned into laughter, and Robert couldn’t hold back a self-assured smile as he added: “Can’t wait to see it later tonight.”
He continued the speech: “But let's not keep all the fun for the politicians. We've also got some brilliant minds from various fields here tonight. Like Professor Thompson, I see you, renowned economist, lunched over a plate of hors d'oeuvres.” He stretched his arm teasingly towards the professor, who stood a bit flustered next to a plate of hors d’oeuvres he was about to take from while people in the room laughed light-heartedly. Robert knew his flustered reaction was in good spirit, so he continued: “Please don’t try to guess their price, I already know that I’m way over budget.” The laughter grew louder, and Robert moved on the stage with even more charming energy.
“And Doctor Roberts! Who can diagnose a political scandal faster than any of you journalists in here can say ‘breaking news’. So, if any of us slip up tonight…” He pointed his bend finger towards Doctor Roberts in a dramatic way as if wanting to do it secretly. “You know who to call.”
Laughter filled the magnificent hall, and Robert enjoyed every second of it. He was back at the center of the stage, putting the microphone back on its holder while waiting for the laughter to fade out completely. He was still smiling confidently, but his energy changed from humorous to heartfelt.
"Now, all jokes aside,” he said into the microphone, “It wouldn’t be right for me to go through this whole speech without mentioning the two remarkable individuals who complete my world—my beautiful wife Veronica and our amazing daughter Melissa.”
The guests went from laughing to aw’ing. Robert stuck out his outer lip as if to confirm their adoring reactions. Then he said to them:
“Veronica – Vera – has been my rock, my confidante and my partner through my whole career. Without her unwavering belief in me, I wouldn't be standing here tonight, surrounded by all of you amazing people. And Melissa…” His eyes searched to find his daughter in the crowd. Standing next to her mom in a tea-length dress, smiling up at him, a bit shy, knowing that everyone in the room was watching their interaction. Robert hold a moment of pause, setting his next line to be genuine and heartfelt. Then he changed demeanor completely, frowning with a teasing smile. “What are you doing here? It’s way past your bedtime, young lady.”
The guests laughed again, and Melissa immediately rolled her eyes at him. Though the laughter was ego-boosting, it was the rolling of the eyes that made Robert sincerely happy.
“Okay, Melissa,” he said, with a faint chuckle but in a way that made it known that he was about the say something actually genuine. Which was true – that was the only part of the speech that truly genuine and from his heart. He looked at her again, his smile a bit smaller, not exaggerated for the rest of the audience. “My greatest gift tonight is the same gift as I have every day. The gift of being your father.” The aw’s were louder than the laughter had been, but Robert only focused on Melissa’s heartwarming smile and the kiss she blew his way. He smiled at her, a private moment between them despite the spotlight he stood in. “Thank you for being here tonight…” he said, and then his demeanor changed yet again as he, with a charming grimace, added: “Even though I know you how much you hate it when I get too much attention.”
He was going to end his speech now, and he turned to face the audience directly, grabbing the microphone again.
“Family is at the core of everything we do. They are the foundation that supports us, the motivation that drives us, and the reason we strive for excellence.” A waiter had hurried to the edge of the stage, raising up a plate of champagne glasses, which Robert slowly and confidently took one from. He then looked out at the crowd again and raised the glass. “Let’s raise a glass, shall we? To celebrate this milestone of mine and to celebrate the people in our lives – the ones who believe in us, the ones who fuel our dreams and the ones who reminds us of what truly matters.” He raised his glass higher up, marking the climax of his speech. “Cheers to family, to love, and to the beautiful moments we share. Here's to an unforgettable evening in the company of remarkable individuals like yourselves.”
People cheered and toasted, and Robert did as well, taking a sip of champagne from his glass. Then he said his last sentence of his speech into the microphone, raising his voice to fit the festive and joyous energy of his 31st birthday party.
“Now let’s show everyone that politicians do in fact know how to party! Cheers!”

[Irene]

Outfit:

Under normal circumstances, Irene adored events like this. These chances to see and be seen by some of the most important people in Ilomarian society. It was usually a scene that she navigated with ease. Despite that, the reception of the interview and the backlash meant that Irene would have welcomed nothing more than a night away from it all. To wait out the worst of the initial reaction. But staying away wouldn’t make it disappear and would, in fact, reflect even worse upon her image. It would only confirm to these people that she had no place here, which would make bouncing back eventually even more difficult. Besides, this was the birthday party of one of her closest friends. Of course she was going to be here. She had every right to. She usually didn’t mind being the center of attention. This wasn’t the first time she had stirred up a conflict in the upper class after all. But this was the first time people had given her this many looks that were undeniably loathsome. No, she didn’t mind being controversial, but hated? That was another thing entirely. Her eyes sometimes scanned the crowd. Charlotte was most likely here tonight. And as much as Irene priced herself on her self-reliance, she could use a friend to get through this evening.

Hated, as she may be at the moment, she still had made sure to look flawless. Any criticism levied against her should focus on her work and not on her appearance: but the elite were like vultures that weren’t above using any superficial flaw to discredit her. As a woman, her style and grace were almost as essential as the content of her articles. Those were the rules. So as Robert moved towards the stage, she stood back straight and dignified, in an black velvet off-shoulder dress, slashed to the thigh, adorned with flowers along the top. For a piece by Caradonna, it was surprisingly downplayed, a subtle type of sophistication as compared to the usual sparkling embellishments and pompous pieces the designer was fond of. She had paired it with a pair of Al-Din stilettos, dark and velvet to match the dress. Styled with dark burgundy smokey eyes and a deep mahogany lipstick, her hair meticulously curled. The elegance and style of the look was undeniable and in the wheel-house of her brand, while still humble enough as to not stir up a fashion controversy on top of everything else. If nothing else, Irene would always be beautiful. And she would weather this storm and come out fabulous as ever.

It was a relief that Robert started his speech, really, as it was an excuse to escape idle smalltalk with Richard Coleman, who was currently explaining the political landscape to Irene. As if she didn’t already know. Sometimes Irene cursed the confines of polite society, as she could not simply tell a powerful man like Coleman where to stick it without great social sanctions. In her current position she would simply have to take it, smile charmingly and nod in agreement, until he felt his lesson had sufficed. By Iosta, Irene wanted to point out the flaws in his arguments. She took a sip of her champagne and focused on analyzing Robert’s speech instead.

He started by highlighting people amongst the crowd. Now, Irene did not expect any attention throughout this speech at all. So as he went through all the notable members of political society right now, she simply agreed with his choices and laughed when appropriate. Uncontroversial as ever, he went with the people who were the most beneficial to his party and his career. She might not have entirely been paying attention. Robert liked to play is safe and as such, the content of his speech was predictable. It was only when Robert started talking to his daughter that Irene got a real, genuine smile on her lip. The love he held for Melissa, it was undeniable.

Family is at the core of everything we do
While the sentiment probably wasn’t far off from what Robert actually valued, it was also a smart sales trick. Really, if you wanted any kind of influence in Ilomarian culture, the traditional middle class family unit was how to get it. It was the most profitable marketing demographic, they had the largest voter turnout and they were the target of most cultural institutions. It was a popular sentiment, non-offensive and no one would disagree with their wellbeing. It was no suprise then that Robert ended the speech by cheering to the family unit. Irene joined alongst, despite being a person with no intent to start a family of her own and with the knowledge that she was probably the most disliked person in the room. She was here because she was a remarkable person, if nothing else. She belonged here. That was what tonight was all about. And she'd make damn sure that everyone remembered that.

[Cassius]

Cass' fit

Once again Cassius found himself in a place he didn't want to be. A place where he had to pretend to be someone he was not. Someone strong, someone powerful and of course, someone who had been healthy and normal his whole life.

Cassius was dressed in an uncomfortable outfit. An outfit that his mother had picked out for him. She had picked out everyone's outfit, just to make sure that everyone looked as perfect as she wanted them to be. Cassius suit was an all black suit paired with a black tie and shirt. It also had some decorative chains that Cassius had no idea what purpose they served. His father and brother was similarly dressed, yet different. His mother and sister was also wearing each their own black dresses, though Cassius had no idea to even how to describe them, except that the dresses suited his mother and sister very well.

Cassius father had gone off to talk to some friends or business partners, or as his father liked to call them, his connections. His mother was very much talking to some of her friends, close ones at that from the few sentences Cassius could hear.

"How dare she show her face in public after that horrid article?" His mother said, her accent just as fancy and elegant as she was.

Cassius had a feeling he knew who and what his mother was talking about. The panic rose in him, yet not a single sight of it could be seen on his expression nor body language.

“She was basically asking for sympathy for those dangerous and horrible terrorists” his mother continued, unbeknownst that she was talking about her own son. She continued on, one sentence worse after the other.

Cassius couldn’t listen to this anymore. So he excused himself from his siblings and moved further away from his mother. Though he did feel his father’s gaze on him as he did so.

It was then the music started to fade and the room’s eyes turned towards the stage, Cassius’ gaze included. At the center of the stage stood a handsome man with a beautiful smile. Cassius felt something stir within him, a feeling long forgotten. Cassius quickly surpressed it, not allowing himself to feel it. He couldn’t. At least not ever again.

He knew who the man was. The man of the hour, the one they were celebrating, Robert Jenkinson. Cassius didn’t know him personally, but their families had somewhat of a friendship built on connections. Cassius’ father had been good friends with Robert’s, supporting each other’s businesses and careers.

He started off his speech by greeting  and welcoming the audience. An applause was heard in the room, and like a sheep in a flock, Cassius politely clapped along with the crowd.

An esteemed and influential crowd

Unbeknownst to the politician, a rebel, no a horrible terrorist as his mother had said, stood in the room. One thing that probably was the furthest from ‘esteemed and influential’ one could get in this crowd.

Robert continued to charm and win the hearts of the crowd with humour. And then he spoke about his family.

The gift of being your father

Cassius could hear the love for his daughter in those words. A love a parent should have for their child. A love Cassius didn’t want for anyone to go without.

Family is at the core of everything we do

Cassius couldn’t really place how he felt about the sentiment. To him family was a battlefield.  Either with fake words and pretend actions of love in a fight for an emotional survival as it was in his biological family behind closed doors. Or it was an actual fight for survival when it came to the EFA members, the people he grew to see as his brothers and sisters. Every action he took, there was a million things that could affect both for him and others in the two families Cassius seemed to belong in. Every day Cassius had to consider if the thing he was about to do would result in the death of a person he cared for. Which Cassius knew, if it were to happen, he’d break once again. So maybe the handsome politician was right, family was at the core of every action, every word spoken. Though Cassius had the feeling they both viewed the same statement very differently, a contrast of each other.

And with that the festivities resumed as Robert ended his speech and the crowd began to once again mingle with each other, building new or even improving connections with each other.

[Charlotte]

Dress (I gave in and picked a 1930s evening gown, don't sue me)

The Borcelle Hotel Banquet Hall was gorgeous. Stepping into the grand room; the extravagance of it all, the decorative paneling, the tall windows that let the rays of the evening sun illuminate it all; she’d been breathtaken. It had even made her pause. She stopped on the threshold, long enough for Matthew, whom she had held on to, to send her a quizzical look, as he stopped along with her. She smiled at him in apology. Her awestruck must have shown, and as Charlotte followed her husband into the banquet hall a light pink spread across her cheeks. Here they were, in a room with people to whom such luxury seemed a matter of course, nothing but a backdrop for politics, business and the like. People who seamlessly fit into the timeless beauty of the place. Perhaps it wasn’t quite so, but at that moment it felt like it. And herself; she felt like a child, stepping into a fairytale. It was silly, really. Here she was, entering what she had come to think of as Matthew’s exclusive world, dressed the part, just as much as everyone else, in a sleeveless, black silk gown by Madeleine Allard, its draperies falling softly around her. Even with heels the dress reached the floor, and compelled her to step carefully.

And she did, making rounds with Matthew, as he greeted the people he knew. She who barely knew anyone, at least not well, trailed him, allowing herself to be introduced or reintroduced; she seemed to have a horrible time remembering all the names and faces of his colleagues and their wives, there were simply so many, and most of them looked the same. The men at least, dressed similarly in black, tailored suits, or so she thought. Mens fashion had never really been her forté. Then, of course, there were a lot of niceties, a lot of impressions, all in a very short time; so she felt relieved when Robert, the man of the hour, got on stage, demanding the attention of his guests for an opening speech. Grateful for the chance to breathe.

As Robert welcomed the room, Charlotte watched as a waiter passed, silver tray held high, and her husband plucked two glasses, holding one out to her, his attention on the stage. She took it, as the rest of the room applauded. Wanting to clap too, but with only one hand free it would be an awkward gesture. Instead, she took a sip of the beverage. Champagne. The sweetness and the bobbles stole her attention for a second, and though she tried her best, she had a hard time regaining it to keep track of the influential people named by the host. Instead her mind wandered, and she wondered, about the lives of the people who stood around her. Sunflowers, dressed in money. Irene would probably be here somewhere. But with the controversies surrounding that new article of hers–she had somehow secured an interview with the EFA, of all people? That a friend of hers should mingle with terrorists… Her inlaws would be outraged the next time they dined together, she could already tell as much–Matthew had advised her against seeking out her friend. She would have enough to look after at present, he had said, and Charlotte wouldn’t want to get tangled up in all of that, would she?

When Robert mentioned his wife and daughter, he once again had Charlotte’s attention, and she tried not to think too hard about how often she likely lost the attention of her students. Instead she searched for Veronica and Melissa, and found them standing in the crowd. How beautiful they looked. And Rob on the stage… A perfect family. A happy one too. She glanced at Matthew, but he too had his eyes on Robert’s family, laughing, along with the crowd, at something she hadn’t caught. She did, however, catch Robert’s next words. My greatest gift tonight is the same gift as I have every day. The gift of being your father. And she knew he meant it. Could hear it. See it too, in his eyes. They really were perfect. Family. Charlotte thought of Emily, home with her parents, of Matthew, who stood there beside her, of herself, being here with these strangers, politicians who spent their lives debating, discussing, she was not actually sure. But family? That she could get behind. That was why she was here. For Matthew. He said they did it for the children. For Emily’s generation. They had to be protected. Someone had to fight for them. Family is at the core of everything we do. She looked at her husband and cheered.

[Edita]

Dress

“I don’t see you on the guest list.” The security bouncer said. Edita huffed, annoyed at the man in front of her. She really just wanted to do her job. Why did it have to be difficult to just get in?

”See if I might be under Michael Morrison - he hired me.” She said, trying to glimpse over the edge of the tablet that the bouncer held with all the names of the attendees of this party. Whose party was it again? Embarrassingly she had forgotten… She would figure it out later, she thought.

“No ma’am, I don’t see you on the list.”

Edita almost gave up right there and then. She had missed girls night at Mildred’s for this, and she couldn’t even get in. She gave the bouncer a look that, if she had been a warlock, might have killed him right on the spot. But sadly, she was just human. The bouncer returned her look, that said just you try and Edita shrugged. She huffed once again, making as much of a scene as she could muster from just clutching her bag in her hand and turning around to walk past the queue out again. But before she went too far away a voice from inside the party boomed: “MISS EDITH”

And Edita died a little inside.

With a fake smile plastered on her lips, she slowly turned around to face the middleaged man behind the bouncer. Michael Morrison. She had forgotten how much she hated him.

”Mr. Morrison!” She said with the sweetest voice she had in her, and walked back to the bouncer and Mr. Morrison. ”I’m so sorry to ask this of you, Mr. Morrison, but I’m having a little trouble with this man.” The bouncer gave her a look, which she replied with a raised eyebrow that simply said: told you so.

***

Somehow, Edita had ended up with a glass of champagne in her hand, standing next to Mr. Morrison and his group of friends, when the man who was the host of this party - whose name Edita was still unsure of - began his speech. She did recognise his face from several advertisements for his political campaign - she had noted that he was awfully goodlooking, to such an extent that it looked too good. Seeing him in real life almost felt surreal. His smile was plastered on hard when he addressed the people in attendance and Edita couldn’t help but feel as if it was fake. No one truly human would be able to have such a picture perfect smile.

When the man of the party addressed Michael Morrison, Edita, for a moment, did not really know what to do with herself and just smiled awkwardly around at everyone who was looking at them. For some reason she had not anticipated being close to the center of attention like that. But soon the host moved on to someone else to highlight, and focus was once again not on Edita or close to her.

Family is at the core of everything we do. They are the foundation that supports us, the motivation that drives us, and the reason we strive for excellence.

When Edita heard these words, she halted. They hit her in a way she had not anticipated. Because, for her, they rang true. What she did was for her family. For The Family. Everything was for them. This was for them. And it made her realise that she rarely did anything for herself…

Edita was suddenly brought back to reality when cheering sprung out around her. Right. She had a job to do tonight. She put on a smile and took a sip of her champagne, which quickly turned into her downing the contents in one go. She had to play her part tonight. For The Family.

[Sponsoreret inhold]