The wineglasses gleamed golden, the metal cutlery shone under the lights like shards of Crystal, and the reflections on the silk table runners resembled rippling ocean waves. Hands of every shape and bearing drifted among them like little boats adrift on a vast sea.
They raised their glasses, exchanging greetings and pleasantries, their faces and eyes full of smiles. The aromas of food and wine intertwined like fire crawling across a carpet, until it burned onto people's faces and into their hearts. The atmosphere was blazing.
"I'm very glad about this." Loki, dressed in a light green gauze gown, adjusted the clasp at her chest and said, "The God King and the Queen of the Gods feel the same way. It's just that Her Majesty is close to her due date and couldn't come in person, but Asgard's blessings should certainly..."
"Oh, I could hear you making a fuss from inside." Stark strode out while pinching the lapel of his suit, reached out to pick Helen up, and said, "How are your brother and sister-in-law?"
"Thanks to you, they're doing well. What about you? Have you been well lately? I heard you were working yourself to the bone some time ago."
"Yes. You always have to make one final push, don't you?"
"And that push resulted in a brand-new life?"
"Oh, God, I really didn't want him bringing that up in front of Helen!" Stark spread his hands during the backstage interview. "I don't know whether Frost Giants are especially uninhibited or what, but that isn't a topic for children!"
The Helen in the backstage interview rolled her eyes and said, "Come on, I just grow slowly. That doesn't mean he gets to treat me like a kid every time and make things so awkward. I'm really sick of it."