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Harrison got more flushed with every kiss.

Will's uncle drew Ms. V away. He'd always struck Harrison as kind of a lonely guy, like that professor out of those Harry Potter movies.

As soon as Mr. C started in on donations, Harrison looked troubled. Will had told him time and time again how that sort of thing could damage one's health, and about all the risky, invasive procedures that went on in the donation room. It sent shivers up his spine just thinking about it.

Nevertheless, he straightened, putting on a brave face.

"If the organization needs me, sir...I'll, I'll certainly..." the brave face collapsed briefly as Harrison glanced at William, shifting very distinctly to help me.

"Yeah of course. You can trust us." Would he tease the hell out of Otto later for this? Of course!

Cody took the punch to his arm and whined. "Man, you're just jealous. Besides," He glanced at Otto who was currently off spending his time with a pretty blonde. "mom's attention might be on someone else for a while." He whispered to Lex before he made a motion at Otto, the 'I'm watching you' though it was quickly followed by a shake of his hand that said was meant to say 'nah I'm kidding' and a thumbs up to cheer on his son. Go get 'em, tiger!

Though now that Otto was gone. He cursed mentally. Realizing that the one thing to distract Becca long enough away from him, was gone. Damn it, Otto! Come back here, papa was joking! Don't leave me-- "So! How about we drop by that buffet table. Surely you both want something to nibble?" And by them, he was more referring to himself.





(( ahhh sorry guys for being so late. I haven't been feeling well the last few days @__@ ))

"I don't care about your tastes," said Alistaire dismissively, which was perfectly true. He found them curious, perhaps a little ridiculous at times, but it certainly did not hold his interest long enough to concern himself whether he fit into that mold or not.

He brushed a few stray pieces of lint from his dark suit and snagged a glass of wine as a waiter passed by, tilting back the pale liquid into his throat. "I could have," he conceded, and passed the half-full glass to Maebe without comment or explanation. "But that would have required more effort, and besides, Madeline's well-being has no bearing on you or this party."

He was being his usual self, but there was a slightly harder edge to his words. Perhaps Maebe's little tryst with the blonde kid had rankled him more than he cared to let on, and this in and of itself annoyed him a great deal, a frown passing briefly across Alistaire's face.

Her last comment, however, struck him as odd, and he turned to look down at her, a slow smile curving his lips upwards. One gloved hand reached out, settled itself against the back of her neck, fingers idly stroking. "Why do you say it like that?" he asked, catlike in his expression. "Did you miss me, Maebe Bertrand?"

He couldn't help it - a laugh escaped his throat, low and amused, and Alistaire's hand curled beneath Maebe's chin, tilting her head towards him. His other hand lifted to touch her wrist, his hand smoothing over hers.

"You do have one redeeming quality, I suppose," he said, and leaned down, his face inches away from Maebe's, dark eyes glinting in the shade of his hair that fell across his face. "You're entertaining."

He didn't kiss her, just let his breath ghost over her lips for a moment before drawing back, Alistaire's smirk a confident one. Scrutinizing her, he lifted his hand and brushed his thumb idly over her lower lip, smoothing away a drop of champagne.

"What was the deal with the blonde kid?"

Every time Alistaire touched her, she could feel his meaning radiating in place of the missing warmth from his skin. He touched her because he could. Not because she felt nice, or her skin was soft, or .. no. She was sure that the only reason he ever touched her was because he could. That had to be why each touch made her arch towards them, despite how very much she wanted to push him away. It was why he was able to turn her head towards him, and lean down, threatening to steal another kiss from the pouty lips and angry face that finally looked up at him. There was nothing in her expression that indicated she wanted to be kissed, and yet he knew. Because he was Alistaire, and it was his talent to know.

Just as it was his talent to crush that feeling the moment he called her entertaining, reminding her that everything she'd said a moment ago was exactly as it should be.

Bringing up Otto was like dowsing her in cold water. At this point, she'd already assumed Alistaire forgot the boy existed. Maebe's face scrunched up in surprise, and confusion. What was the deal with Otto, anyway? She knew the right answer was just to say he was something to pass the time - in fact, Alistaire's patient silence must have expected that. But instead, she said nothing. Because she didn't know.

This was probably the worst time for Otto to return, stammering words of - worry? Care? What?

Her head turned, still lifted up due to Alistaire's hand on her chin, and stared at Otto like he was made of glitter. Her lips parted in a small, but obvious, jaw drop.

"Uh."

He'd asked if she was happy. If she was happy. Like he actually cared, or something. She felt like she was living in an alternate universe.

Suddenly, Abbi was going on about pockets, and he ignored everything - Ms. Reynolds, Finn, Fini - to focus on her and the thing she was obviously so interested in. "Handy." He said softly, a fond little smile playing on his lips. He really did adore her energy, it was refreshing. A moment later he remembered to elaborate, and added: "I didn't think they made dresses like that with pockets. Ever."

Ripley nodded to Zoey's well-wishes and made a noise of agreement, but naturally didn't feel the need to say anything more on the subject. He did, however, conveniently look away to 'scan the crowd' when his date promised to meet up with her Mother right before midnight. Well, damn. There went all his plans.

The phone had vanished and he took Abbi's hand once more, but this time he didn't loop arms. He merely held her hand, and started through the crowd, peering through the familiar and unfamiliar faces for the one he was looking for. Eventually he spotted her leaning against a wall, and once they were close he released Abbi's hand, knowing full well she'd likely go tearing off anyway. The teen was more excited for the baby than its parents were, it seemed.

"Fini." Ripley greeted with a smile, keeping a respectful distance from the poor woman. All of his siblings had been adopted into the Crowell family and didn't have many child-bearing female friends until now, which made him really awkward when it came to dealing with Fini. He didn't know what was right, or how to act, or what was considered rude or unwanted...so he played it safe, and let her take the lead for him. "You look lovely, as always."

There was a very distinct pause as he pondered what to do next, and uttered a small noise when an idea came to him. His phone came out of his pocket, and he held it up. "Picture time?" Of course his suggestion meant to the two ladies, and certainly not him.

He did not "love" Maebe Grace Bertrand.

Love was a fallacy, a pathetic and meaningless overindulgence of emotions that ran rampant. This sensation, at least in Alistaire's experience, caused nothing but stupidity among human beings, which in turn caused a string of events that usually wound up with someone crying pitifully or claiming heartbreak.

No, he definitely did not "love" Maebe Grace Bertrand, but he could not deny, even to himself, just how fascinating he did find her. Perhaps it was because she held herself with stubbornness and pride, because he knew exactly what he did to her and he took advantage of that crack in her shell, of that weakness he knew she hated.

He waited for an answer, a stubborn, sarcastic jab at him, possibly an irritated silence. His hand slipped from her chin down her neck again, and there was a voice to the side, interrupting whatever tension snapping between them.

Alistaire shifted slightly, standing half behind Maebe, and his fingers dipped into her collarbone, splaying almost possessively outwards, though his touch was light, careless, an idle gesture. "Welcome back," he said to Otto, lips quirking upwards at the corners. "You certainly have tenacity, I'll give you that. Well done."

He glanced to Maebe, smirking. "Well? Are you happy?" And then to Otto - "What do you think?"

Damn it. She knew what this was: more hazing. Lina had hoped that at least tonight of all nights her mother would let off on Gale and frowned, catching his exasperated look with a glance. Her poor date already had a rough start, and she wasn't going to let this pile on top of his plate before they could have a good time.

"Heroes don't loot innocent people," Lina countered, which was technically aimed at Justin though her eyes were on Aria. "Mom, can you let off a little tonight. Please? He just wants to impress you." She patted his hand on her waist, an idle gesture to soothe Gale. "Aaaand I really don't think you want me to see Gale outside his suit."

Ben had already given her...enough mental imagery for the night.