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"Jesus Christ." Maebe was torn between being livid with rage, and a little turned on. She chose rage, because it was easier. "Alistaire, are you high?" It wasn't as if Alistaire was showing off some newly found homosexual tendencies. She didn't even care that Otto was a boy. But kissing someone without them wanting it.. this wasn't even Alistaire's style. This entire day was screwing with her head.

"Otto-" Looking at the boy was a mistake. Otto looked like he was going to cry - and Maebe was not about to be some coddling mother for him. "Oh, my, God." Literally, the worst party ever. She took Otto by the arm, and gave Alistaire a very serious look.

"You need to chill out. Like, for real. I don't even want to talk to you right now."

God, she was such a good liar.

"Come on Otto. Let's just.. come on." Now she felt compelled to take him away, but she hesitated, because it meant leaving Alistaire alone. That was what he deserved, wasn't it?

Wasn't it?

She gave Alistaire one last, quizzical and pained look, before her shoeless feet padded away, dragging Otto in tow. She didn't even collect her shoes, on the way out. Her shoes. Nothing had ever rattled Maebe enough to leave her shoes lying around.

Nothing except Alistaire.

Texts received from all of his crime accomplices, and Finn was pocketing his phone once more, grabbing for yet another glass of alcohol as yet another waiter went by, though instead of just standing there, he walked beside the taller man, following his steps directly towards the buffet room, where he could see the tall, blonde form of Jack just exiting, with his arm around a conquest for the evening, no doubt.

With a quick eye dart around to make sure Fini wasn't in the near vicinity, he sidled up to the duo, and reached out to snag the plate away from Jack's hand.

"Hello, hello!" He grinned at the both cheerfully, a happy glint in his eye and quite likely the smell of many glasses of champagne on his breath. "Lovely evening wouldn't you sa---" He looked where they were both looking, only to see a man kiss what appeared to be a young boy.

.........Interesting. He would have to keep a close eye on his child after he was born, apparently. Cradle robbers abound on the island it would seem.

He turned his attention back to the two in front of him. "Well then, why do I have a feeling you had a hand in that, Jack? Gay quota wasn't filled for the day?" He laughed, though his meaning was not of any suspicions towards Jack's sexuality, more just the assumption he had seen Rep in all of his gloriously fabulous entirety.

And then his eyes flicked to Peyton, briefly, before back to Jack. Maybe a small part of him was jealous that the man hadn't yet settled down, quite possibly the part of him that was suddenly dreading the prospect of being a father, the very thought of which was lately making him just about as nauseous as Fini was some mornings. Maybe that's why a slightly spiteful comment entered his head, and maybe the alcohol he had already consumed could have been blamed for what he said next.

"Well well, Jack. After hearing about your little frolic with Fini back in the day, I'd thought you had good taste. Now I have to wonder." Normally Finn wouldn't be so cruel, not in front of a woman, not out loud, but he was feeling rather emboldened tonight, like all of this thoughts didn't all have to stay in his head, not all of the time.

But still he smiled with warmth, not coldness. His eyes were full of amusement, and he began to laugh as though he had just told a most wonderful joke. No harm in a comment if he laughed it off immediately afterwards, right?

There was no romantic inclination or even sexual inclination behind the kiss at all; only a strong desire to demonstrate a side of him that screamed of possessiveness and petty comebacks, Alistaire lifting a hand to wipe at his own mouth casually, fingers brushing over his lips.

Except she'd left. She'd taken ahold of the boy and she'd turned and she'd started to walk away, dragging the other one with her as though they were here on their own little happy ending date that would end in silly little romantic gestures and meaningless trivialities.

What a load of bullshit, Alistaire thought. This was followed closely by, What was I trying to prove just now?

He wasn't sure of the answer himself.

"No."

The word escaped his throat easily, slipping out between the footsteps that indicated that Alistaire had not followed Maebe's demand, nor her apparent desire to be left alone. It was just outside the door to the main room that a hand reached out, fingers wrapping around Maebe's upper arm in a vice-like grip.

"Maebe Grace Bertrand."

His voice was like ice, eyes flashing. Alistaire yanked her backwards, away from Otto, and one arm wrapped proprietorially around her waist, pressing her back against his chest. His other kept ahold of her wrist, tugging it downward so that the palm of her hand would be pushed flat against his leg. Alistaire's eyes were on Otto, narrowed and cold.

"I apologize for the display earlier," he said airily, in a tone that suggested that he was merely glossing over this fact. "But I do not appreciate being made fun of, nor do I appreciate being underestimated. That being said, she is free to make her own decisions about which bed she sleeps in at night, as do I."

His grip tightened on Maebe's wrist; still, it was loose enough that she would be able to get away if she tried. "Now if you'll please excuse us," said Alistaire calmly. "I have something I'd like to say to Maebe."

Otto thought he'd have to run with his tail between his legs. Run home, away from this party. He was a fool after all. This woman would laugh, this man woudl smirk. This adult world that was forever out of his reach.

He was shocked to see Maebe rush to him, looking at her in baffled disbelief. She was taking him away. Maybe just somewhere to let him off the hook without looking stupid. It didn't matter. She cared.

But Alistaire's return made him afraid. He whirled around, staring at the pair in terror. Was this happening? This seemed wrong, didn't it? His heart raced so fast it hurt. His chest tight, his brow sweating. He felt threatened. He felt in danger. Even with an apology, it seemed cold, inhuman. Otto shook despite his best attempts at remaining firm. "I-I-I wasn't m-making fun... of..." Otto mumbled, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his sweater.

"But... she..." Otto looked to Maebe. She'd made a decision on her own, right? He'd not forced her at all! "I won't. I'm scared. I'm scared for her. Let her go."

His mouth was dry, his voice shook, but he stood his ground. "You're being too rough. You could have just asked her to stay. You didn't have to grab her. Maebe? Are you sure you're okay?"

Taani seemed to be both easy to interpret and at the same time cryptic and confusing, because he didn't get his answers about some sort of auditions but she was very obviously growing impatient. Milo's green eyes glanced up from his phone to spot the signs just as Abbi's response chimed in (in the Power Rangers ring tone, no less). And tapped in a response.

AyeAvast

to Abbi
In tears, totes. But the night is still young razz
Found a new friend. Maybe things will get interesting.
Happy New Year!

"Kala mai," He apologized again, settling his phone back into his pocket while he raised his other hand in defense. At her question, he settled that hand to rub at his cheek and wondered how to explain the word without sounding like a douche. "Aa, it's Hawaiian for woman," well to the point at least before he added in yet another nervous laugh, "but not like in a bad demeanin' way or anythin,' it's like calling a girl your brah." Would that work, he didn't know. Maybe adding in a charming smile would help? 'cause he decided to try, along with....

"You wanna go like walk around or somethin'?" He gestured towards the rest of the room. Milo wouldn't totally blame her if she decided to ditch him, though that would be disappointing.

"Infinite mana and food sounds like it would be too easy," said Gale breezily. "It'd be much more challenging to have to gather potions and level up the good ole' hard way instead of having a cheat sheet."

There was a long pause and then Gale added, with a small cough, "Erm. I mean."

(Strangely he felt like he was getting some serious Disappointed Ben vibes, and cast his parental unit a suspicious look over one shoulder.)

Lina's hand on his where it lay on her waist was somewhat reassuring, as was the warmth of her smile and the slightly stern look she turned on her mother. Gale gave Aria what he hoped was a considerate expression, shifting his feet a little. He took the offered envelope somewhat hesitantly, wondering if there was secretly a can of bear mace somehow magically hidden inside.

Except it wasn't, thank heavens; in its place was a rather nice note, actually. Gale lifted his head and gave Aria a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Mrs. R," he said, tucking the envelope into his pocket.

Shiloh had a great fondness for their island home as well, and he hoped to turn it into a permanent one after he finished college. He wasn’t out entirely from beneath the thumb of his family, but the fact that he’d been recruited by a seemingly prestigious institution seemed to have mollified his parents some, though Shiloh attributed that more to the fact that he was rarely home anymore, dividing his time between school and the island. As it was, he was taking life like any typical carefree student would and enjoying it probably far, far too much.

The ball was no exception. Home for the holidays, Shiloh hadn’t seemed to notice any stumbling when Ian had asked him, far too caught up on the fact that the guy he’d admired since he was a kid was asking him to the ball. It might have been just as friends and if that were the case and Shiloh would have been fine with that but he secretly hoped for more, unable to stop his mind from plotting out all possibilities. He’d been single for a long time, a product of his obliviousness and the fact that he hadn’t really found anyone worth considering. He was a hopelessly romantic kind of guy, and he didn’t feel right being in a relationship where he could see no future.

Ian, however, was impossibly gorgeous and sweet, and his potential was undeniable. Shiloh hadn’t really considered him in that way before, at least not consciously, but now he was having a hard time not thinking about it.

“Oh, um, yeah, it really is,” Shiloh smiled, following his sweeping gaze across the hall. Maebe was here somewhere, as were his buddies from school but Ian’s voice tugged him back from his search, and he glanced up at him, still smiling.

“Thank-you. I wasn’t sure if it was too much… But you know, sometimes you just have to say what the hell, right?”

His smile widened into a grin, and he reached over to brush a bit of non-existent dirt from Ian’s shoulder.

“You look good too, very handsome.”