The rest of the week had passed by quickly. Lorelei had tried to pry as much as she could for information at work to no avail. She'd even tried googling both Jon and Melisandre, and still nothing. While Lorelei had, if anything, become more frantic with the lack of information, Jon seemed nearly unphased. This only worried her more. It was as if Jon had completely given up on the hopes of ever going back home. Or maybe it was just him being calm. She had no idea. But of course there were worse things than Jon sticking around. Much worse things.
While Lorelei studied up on Westeros, Jon studied up on modern living. She'd shown him Back to the Future and Braveheart; during which Jon had decided he didn't appreciate her joke from a few days before. He'd even begun to entertain the idea of working at the museum along with Lorelei. After all he would know more about Westeros than she would.
But the time for the gala had finally arrived. They had rented Jon a tux and Lorelei had convinced him into letting her tame his curls for the night. He and Ghost were both pacing the length of her living room while they waited for her to get ready. Jon let out a loud sigh and started fidgeting with his cufflinks for what had to be the tenth time that night. "Lorelei, are you ready? We'll miss it if you take much longer." he meant it as a joke, but his tone came out a bit more snappy than intended. He wasn't entirely sure why he was so nervous about tonight. He was sure it would be just like any of the feasts the Starks had back home; he would be quiet and unnoticed by everyone. Which worked perfectly for him because he didn't want the attention.
"I'll be just a minute! I can't find my earring!" Lorelei called from down the hall. Jon sighed, shaking his head.
"There's one thing that hasn't changed over time," he said to Ghost. "Women." He sat down on the couch with a loud thump, crossing his arms and grumbling to himself. Ghost layed down at his feet silently. Jon began to wonder if Lorelei would abandon him at the gala. Surely she would run off to mingle with all her associates and the historians and press she said would be at the party. If he was being completely honest with himself, he wasn't entirely sure why he needed to tag along to begin with.
"Alright, I'm all ready," Lorelei announced. Jon looked up at her, all his worries that he'd be the center of the party disappearing. There wasn't any way that could happen with her on his arm. "...Jon?" he shook his head, realizing he was probably gaping at her like a fool. "I can't look that good." she laughed, praying she wasn't blushing quite as badly as she thought she was. She could feel her stomach flipping just slightly, and quickly wondered if it was nervousness over the gala or because of the way Jon was looking at her.
It wasn't like this was the first time he'd looked at her that way. She'd noticed it the day she'd first tried her dress on, and again the night he had told her about Ygritte. She of course wondered what it meant, but never intended on asking.
Jon stood, shoving his hands into his pockets to keep himself from taking her hands in his. "You look beautiful. Cersei would definitely want you dead." he smiled when she laughed. Lorelei mumbled an embarrassed thank you and headed towards her kitchen, collecting a few things from the counter and placing them into the small, gold clutch she was carrying. Jon watched her, how she was mumbling to herself as she picked up her things, reached up to check if she'd remembered to put on her necklace about three different times, how her golden blonde curls swayed as she ping ponged through her apartment trying to hurry and find their tickets.
He felt a deep, hollow feeling in his chest as he watched her. It was a familiar feeling to him. He had felt it when he'd learned of his father and Robb's deaths. When he'd held Ygritte for the last time while she died in his arms. He had felt it the day he left for the Wall, leaving his sisters and brothers at Winterfell, most likely to never see them again. He felt it the day he saw his uncle's horse arriving back to Castle Black without Benjen riding him. It was loss.
Jon knew that there was a chance soon he would never see Lorelei again. Lorelei, who he'd grown so fond of in such a short time. Who had helped him with something so completely absurd that he himself couldn't believe it was happening. Would it be wrong to have a little hope that there was nothing to be done about him being in New York? Was it so completely out of the question for him to wonder, after all the pain he'd been through, Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell maybe deserved a little happiness?
"Yes!" Jon's head snapped in Lorelei's direction. She was holding up two tickets and smiling widely. "I knew I hadn't lost them! Are you all ready to go?" Jon smiled the best he could and nodded, holding out his arm for Lorelei to take. Lorelei smiled back, hers more genuine than his, and took his arm.
"This is...something," Jon said once they'd arrived to the gala, surveying the large room. The banners of the houses of Westeros hung in two rows from the ceilings. The dragon that had previously been in the Westeros display hung between the banners for the night. And though there were small, round tables set all around the room, Jon easily recognized the tankards, goblets and utensils that were similar to ones he'd used back home. The only light in the room came from the large torches placed alongside the room, the guests shadows dancing across the walls. Jon almost felt homesick. "You did all this?" he asked, looking over at Lorelei. She was busy looking at her handy work, smiling proudly.
"Well...I oversaw the decorating. You like it?"
"Almost like being home." he said, Lorelei's smile growing wider. Jon was sure that by now she would run off and leave him to sit in a corner by himself. His suspicions were confirmed when Lorelei pulled her arm from his, but felt a wave of relief when she took his hand in hers. He gladly let her lead him across the large room, watching her smile and greet the people she passed. Jon was sure that had Lorelei been in Westeros, she could easily marry a knight or a nobleman and fit the role of lady of the manor perfectly.
They stopped at the bar, Lorelei leaning forward to speak to the bartender. She turned around moments later with two flutes of champagne, holding one out to Jon. "Try it. It's delicious, I promise." and since so far Jon could agree that everything she'd told him to try had in fact been delicious, he took the glass and took a sip.
He coughed, covering his mouth to keep himself from spitting the champagne all over Lorelei. She laughed loudly, grabbing a napkin and handing it to him. He wiped his mouth, handing her the glass back. "I think I prefer ale."
"It's not for everyone. Come on, let's go see some of the new pieces!" she dragged Jon off again, towards the far side of the room where a few paintings were displayed. "These were just donated. I haven't even gotten to see them yet." she didn't let his hand go, but her attention had been fully stolen by the art.
Jon looked at each of them, recognizing a few of the subjects. There was a painting of Storm's End, lightning striking the tallest tower. There were a few of the Targaryens, riding atop their dragons into battle. One of the paintings however, made him wish he'd never agreed to coming along to the gala. "Oh wow…" Lorelei said, looking up at the same painting that left Jon frozen in his place. "The red wedding...I've heard of this. I was researching music for the band to play. I read about the Rains of Castamere. The Boltons helped the Lannisters practically slaughter Robb Sta-...oh, Jon," Jon was still staring at the painting. He'd heard of what happened to his brother of course. He'd tried to imagine what it must've been like, but now that he was seeing this painting, he realized he came severely short.
"Jon I'm so sorry. We don't have to look at these anymore...I had no idea someone would ever paint such a thing."
Jon shook his head. "No, no. How were you to know? ...I think I'll go get a drink. Do you want another?" Lorelei shook her head and watched sadly as Jon dropped her hand and walked off towards the bar. She pinched the bridge of her nose, suddenly very angry with herself. It was gruesome enough for her to look at the painting, she couldn't even imagine how hard it must have been for Jon.
"Something wrong?" Lorelei stifled a groan. This night was quickly turning to shit.
"Joe...I mean this in the kindest way possible, fuck off." she glared over at him. Joe wasn't looking at her, but rather the paintings as if he weren't listening. He took a sip of wine, looking over at her finally with a smirk and a cold look in his eyes.
"You know, that's no way to thank me for giving all these paintings to the museum. You should really be more kind to me, Lorelei," he reached for her, wrapping his hand around her wrist tightly. Lorelei clenched her teeth, trying to pull away. His grip grew tighter. "We should really talk about what happened the other day, don't you think?"
"Can we do this later, please? I don't know if you're aware, but we're in a room full of people. You might not want to let them all know what a sick bastard you can be." she winced as he squeezed her wrist tightly. He stepped closer to her and she could instantly smell the alcohol on his breath. It made sense now, why he was being so bold. He was drunk.
"You know, I've always hated that smart ass mouth of yours. Haven't you heard the saying, women should be seen and not heard?"
"Ah, abusive and sexist. Don't I know how to pick 'em?"
Joe chuckled. "You're lucky there's witnesses. Otherwise I might have to smack that attitude out of you." Lorelei struggled against him then, not caring if it would cause a scene. Maybe if someone did see they would believe her about what a monster Joe was.
"Joe. Let go of me. I mean it." she pulled and pulled, but Joe wouldn't soften his grip.
"Or what? You'll step on my foot again?" he laughed, pulling her back against him. People were starting to look their way, but no one seemed in a hurry to help. "You're embarrassing yourself, Lorelei. Stop struggling or I can make this a lot worse for you."
Lorelei was using her free hand to push against Joe's chest, trying to pry herself away. She was sure by the way Joe was smiling and laughing their audience probably assumed they were in the middle of some sort of lover's quarrel.
"I believe she asked you to let her go." Joe and Lorelei both looked over at Jon, Lorelei letting out a loud sigh of relief. Joe laughed loudly.
"And who are you? I don't think this is any of your business. Now get the hell out of here before you get hurt, huh?" and many other men would have probably listened. Other men would easily be intimidated by Joe and decided it just wasn't worth getting their asses handed to them.
But even though he wasn't entirely convinced that Joe wasn't a Dothraki screamer, Jon wasn't scared. He'd fought giants and cannibals. He'd led an army. He wasn't about to let some drunk get away with hurting Lorelei.
Jon threw his entire weight into the punch he threw at Joe. Lorelei's wrist was let free and she shoved Joe away, sending him to the ground. Some guests around them gasped as Joe fell, the room filling with murmuring. Lorelei ignored the flash of cameras pointed at them and grabbed Jon's hand yet again. They ran as fast as they could through the room, weaving through guests and laughing.
The pair stopped once they were outside and across the street from Central Park just like the night they'd first met. The laughter died down, both of them catching their breath. "Are you alright? I'm sorry I wasn't there soon-"
"Oh please! I'm just thankful you were there at all. I never imagined he'd try something like that...in public anyways. Thank you, Jon." she leaned forward, kissing him gently on the cheek. Jon gave her that look again, the one that made her stomach flutter. He had that proud smirk again, the one he got when he made a witty comeback to whatever smart ass comment she made.
But it quickly disappeared and he smiled again. "I take it you know him then?"
"Sadly...it's a long story."
"I've got nothing but time," he held out his arm for her again. "What do you say? The night's still young."
Lorelei took his arm. "That sounds perfect to me. There's a bottle of wine at home that has our name on it." the pair walked off towards the park, Lorelei's head resting on Jon's shoulder.
