He stands frozen, indecisive. 

Tarinda trots over. "What're we talking about?"

"Van and I both want to kiss each other but Van thinks it's not socially acceptable because of the age difference." 

Normally Vanyel would bristle and say something about Stef putting words in his mouth like that, but it's not like he can deny that he really really really would like kissing Stef. 

"I'm either twice Cory's -"

"Told him that already."

:Van is just embarrassed and being illogical here, he needs some encouragement is all: 

:'Fandes, you're supposed to be on my side about things!: Vanyel shoots back privately. 

:Oh, trust me, I am: 

"Ooh, telepathic horse."

"They have those! She's very smart and probably knows what she's talking about."

:I am very smart and I do know what I'm talking about: 

"Ooh, are we convincing Van that he and Stef would be cute together?" Dara teasingly fans herself. "Come on, you could cut the sexual tension in here with a knife." 

Okay it's kind of starting to seem like the path of less embarrassment here is to go along with his heart on this and not wait for even more people to show up and comment on his romantic choices. 

"Look, this is dumb." 

And Stef kisses him. 

Awwww!

It's really nice! Which is making it hard to think through what he should actually do! 

:'Fandes, I should probably - stop him - right–:

(Vanyel is not stopping him at ALL.) 

:...No? I think this is fine? You're not doing anything wrong. If you don't want to be kissing him, you should stop him, I guess: Smugly, because she's in Van's head and knows just fine what he wants. 

:I - no - just, isn't it abusing my position...: 

:I don't think so. Your position isn't why Stef likes you. And - it's not going to make that much of a difference, going forward, how powerful you are. Politically or magically. Not with Sing around: 

Trying to have an argument with her while his heart isn't in it at all and while being distracted by kissing is starting to feel pointless, so he stops. 

The party goes on but gives them some space.

Leareth continues talking to people and even participating in some of the dances, but glances over at them occasionally and smiles. Sort of wistfully. 

Eventually another Gate pops up, when the party's winding down, to send people back to Haven.

- oh, phew, going home sounds great actually. Vanyel only conceded to actually kissing Stef in public for a few minutes, though there was a kind of thrill in that actually. He takes Stef's hand and they cross.