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It's just another war 
Just another family torn 
Just a step from the edge 


Michael nodded his head stoically. As well as he could be. Michael got that. He shrugged nonchalantly at the suggestion that his family was faring any better. "I'm sure you've heard all of the drama with Gracie and Dominic Montague. And our family is still recovering from my sister's death, but as you said, things are strained, but better than they were before." He nodded his head slowly. It was quite true. After the death of his sister, Gracie didn't speak, didn't act, didn't do anything, and then she disappeared for a summer. At least now she was home safe and sound.


He gave his friend a rare smile and clasped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "It is good to see you again though Wesley. I feel we haven't had much time to talk with everything that has been going on."



Michelle's eyes glossed over Damien's protective hold of his girlfriend and the way she leaned right into it, perfectly fine with it. She was totally aware of how strange of a reaction that was from someone as strong as Marina, but somehow she understood it perfectly. After all.... Michelle was the one that set people on fire without a blink of her eye, but she was also the one that take her about wherever he pleased, carry her, save her, guide her. It was the closest situation she had to relate, but it helped Marina and Damien make sense in her curious mind.


Grey eyes darted to her father and Wesley briefly, and then to Gracie who had wandered to her side, before returning a cold look to Damien. He was always so polite. It kind of pissed her off really. For no reason at all really, but it did. She was glad she didn't hold the same loathing towards the boy as she used to, or her hands might have been around his neck at this point. Instead, she offered him a callous half smile and nothing else. At that moment, Dominic Montague appeared, and she just barely kept the sneer off her face. The only reason she even put up with his presence was because he made her cousin happy.


To distract herself from the annoying presence of the Slytherin brat, Michelle turned her attention to the party guests around her. Her father held littler interest to her. Elli and Ver were talking to some boy she didn't really know, and then silver eyes detected a flash of gold, and she was immediately drawn to the source. It was easy to spot out the Nott family, but there was one Nott in particular that was missing and Michelle was left disappointed. The youngest one though, the little girl, did hold her curiosity.



Gracie blinked as Damien greeted her and offered him a smile. "Thanks. You don't look half bad yourself." Gracie muttered, brushing brunette locks of hair from her face and swishing her hips slightly. The way her dressed flowed around her from the movement amused her. Bright blue eyes blinked back up as Marina greeted them as well. "It's nice to see you Marina. You look lovely as always." She murmured, a graceful tone entering her voice as she looked upon the firey Slytherin.


Although Grace had never taken the time to get to know the other girl, she had always admired her from afar. The girl was a Slytherin that was for sure, but she wasn't like Michelle and she had the will to win Damien's cold heart over and change him into a better person. It was something she loved greatly. It was also something she envied. Gracie could see Damien and Marina's lives playing out together perfectly, and she knew, she would never have that. She would never marry Dominic. She would never live with Dominic or have kids with Dominic, or grow old with Dominic. She envied the normalcy Marina and Damien imbued.


Moments later her melancholy thoughts were drowned out by the perfect smile that entered her view. She hummed softly to herself as he wrapped her in his arms. He was controlling and possessive as ever, but if she didn't like that, she wouldn't be with him now would she? She sighed blissfully and curled into his chest subtly. "Hello Dominic." She whispered, smiling up at him.


In the back of her head, she knew his parents were here. She knew they were probably near by watching him, but she didn't honestly care that much. When she looked up at him with twinkling blue eyes, she couldn't help herself. She quickly bounced up the few inches that separated their heights and gave him a quick kiss. "I've missed you." Her last words were a mere whisper, just barely loud enough for her boyfriend to hear. They were for him alone.



Elli looked up as David approached and gave him a wide smile. She was glad to see that he was still talking to her. She was worried she had made a bad impression on him with her anger over Remy that day in the office. She knew she hadn't started her captaining off on the best terms, but she was glad to see she had hopefully not totally ruined her chance's of being a good captain. "Hi David! I'm good, just got dragged to this thing by my father for 'appearances' or whatever." She said, putting air quotes around the appearances part.


She really didn't give 2 figs about appearances or society or anything. Her father, although better, was stuck in an old world mind. He was determined to make it seem like their family was all together, even dragging Michelle along with them. It wasn't like the whole world didn't already know Michelle lived away from them, Aunt Maggie was dead, and Gracie was a 'shame' on the pureblood name of the McHalen's. Nothing could get much worse than that, besides the world finding out about Gracie's condition.



Ver smiled and shyly waved at David. Since her first year, her social anxiety had gotten a lot better, but she still wasn't to good with people or social events. Especially ones as crowded as this, and especially when she didn't have Darius to stand by her side. She toyed with her hair quietly, trying to think of anything to say. "You're Shayna's boyfriend right?" She finally asked. It was the only thing she could come up with, but it was good enough. She smiled up at him quietly, trying her best to not get all awkward. She was actually quite proud of herself for not stuttering. It seemed she might have finally kicked that habit in the butt.


OOC: ... 

I've gotta fight today 
To live another day 
Speakin' my mind today 
I've gotta make a stand 
My voice will be heard today

 

Drusilla watched the interaction between the Headmistress and Lulu's brother, somewhat amused at Inari. The woman was... interesting. The Seer gave her head a small shake and turned back towards her french friend, smiling. "I've never been to a ball before... Mummy would never let me go when we were invited. Apparently when I was very small, we were invited to a dinner party and I told the hostess how she was going to die. Not very good table manners. I like to think that I could have been taught not to say such things and still gotten to go to parties, but she never tried... I didn't learn any better until I got to school and the Divination professor was informed of my Gift." Drusilla's voice was simple, not accusing or bitter. She was simply stating a fact; that had been her life. She rarely felt any sort of negative emotion in regards to those things. Really, she was very rarely bothered by anything. Chalk it up to her being able to see the things that haunted people, before they even occurred. She tended to live in the future, and tried to remain tethered to the now. There was little room in her mind to form opinions on the past. "Shopping sounds quite lovely. I haven't bought anything new in a long while... except these shoes, I believe... my mother and grandmother's feet were both larger than mine... they were a bit thicker than I am. I have to take in most of their clothes to wear them... I suppose this dress didn't belong to either of them, since it fits perfectly." The idea of a girls night was foreign to her, and of a sleepover. She'd never had friends as a child... she'd always been too weird. Even after learning not to tell the everyone she met that they were about to lose a loved one or that their home would be robbed. She smiled, her eyes almost twinkling. "I would like that very much... Although I believe your house would be better than mine. My home is... empty. Echoing with ghosts that aren't there, haunted but not. I would prefer actual ghosts, honestly." At least then she'd have someone to talk to.


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'But if you listen, you learn to hear the difference
Between the haves and the have-nots.''

Amata entered the ball, her eyes roaming, taking in the decorations, the people, everything, a small smile on her face. She had just began to focus her attention on trying to find a partner, either for conversation or dance, when she heard her name. The blonde turned to see Grayson standing with Lukas, their host, and she suppressed a chuckle. Compared to everyone else, herself included, he was a bit underdressed... but compared to his usual, he was practically elegant looking. She rolled her eyes a bit, wanted to laugh at how predictable that was. Honestly, she was shocked that he was even here. Not that she'd expected him to actively avoid going or anything like that; no, she'd assumed he'd get caught up in reading and lose track of the time, or even the day. He had missed several months worth of reading and research, after all. She approached the couple quietly, a teasing, gentle smile on her lips, and tapped Grayson on the shoulder. "Looking for me? How sweet," she said, her tone light, and a little playful. She wondered how long he'd been here. Her ears had only caught his asking if she'd arrived yet, nothing else of his question, so she had no way of knowing he'd only arrived moments before her. The fact that he'd been asking after her caught her a bit off guard, if she were honest. And it made her heart pound, just a little bit. She tried to relax, but it was hard. She wanted to keep things calm, casual. To act like she hadn't thrown herself at him and kissed him and made an idiot of herself. She was a bit nervous with him, particularly considering her reaction to his waking up from the curse (or whatever it had been... she still wasn't sure), but writing back and forth with him had certainly calmed her nerves, at least a bit.


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დ დ დ Under covers staying safe and warm
You give me feelings that I adore. დ დ დ

The Ellis family, along with their dates, walked anxiously into the foyer and out into the main ways looking around and recognizing those that they knew or didn't know. Gerald, of course, had a firm hand on the shoulder of his beautiful exotic wife knowing full well that if anyone was to be undressing her with their eyes it would damn well be him! Jarai, as if knowing her husbands thoughts, merely shook her head and graciously accepted handshakes or cheek kisses while her husband nodded, grinned, and glared daggers at men half his age. Oh bother.

The twins were another matter, Tassy was flirting with any man that dared come towards her and practically ensnaring them with her bright and almost loud personality while promising nothing in return for all their words of grandeur. Tanna however hung back with her date Joseph not used to balls or giant congregations of any kind just yet. Hell, her class size was maybe a hundredth of this...combined! She unknowingly clung tighter to his arm as they descended upon the masses. Loki hung back with the single women, as always, and charmed them with his smile, knowledge, and island purr. A mild stinging hex was hurled his way by his mother knocking him in the ear and causing him to gasp in pain before turning to see her narrowed eyes, as if telling him "I'm not ready for grandkids yet!". He merely gave a crooked grin and wink before turning back to the ladies and making all the females of his family sigh.

Lastly Nell was a giant blue ball of energy and excitement. Not only was she at a ball, in a beautiful dress, and with her family but she was also with her girlfriend who was also wearing a beautiful dress. It was perfect! She ignored, or rather didn't notice, any or all eyes that strayed to her and instead pulled a reluctant Rose out into the sea of people waving and grinning to those she knew and hoping music might start so that she could drag her out for a dance as well.

I can see, when you stay low nothing happens
Does it feel right?
Late at night, things I thought I put behind me
Haunt my mind

MARINA EUGENIE ALDRED
PROUD HALFBLOOD SLYTHERIN
SIXTH YEAR PREFECT

Though this might just be the ending: Somewhat comforted | Of the life I held so dear: Just keep holding his hand...| I won't run: Damien, Michelle, Gracie, and Dominic | There's no turning back from here: Brighton Estate |

Marina's prediction was proven correct, as Dominic almost spitefully detached from his parents, who didn't look very pleased, and immediately wrapped his arm around Gracie's waist. The elder Montagues cast a few disdainful looks, and the temperamental girl struggled to not send them a disdainful look of her own. Honestly, how could they treat their own son the way they did? It made her even more grateful to have her own parents, who she knew would always support her, no matter what.

She gave Michelle and Gracie her most polite smile, because it wasn't like she could do much else. With a bunch of adults so close by, no one was going to talk freely, so they were stuck exchanging awkward pleasantries like awkward mini adults. All of them were quite close to seventeen now, but Marina felt like a nervous twelve year old, wary of saying anything that might get her a disapproving look from a grown up.

She could have sworn she spotted Professor Harlowe looking very beautiful in a purple gown with Professor Powell, the sight of the two made her nearly grin. She hadn't known they were together, or even interested in each other. Professor Powell had been in a coma all year.... oh. Maybe that was why her Mythology teacher had been so uncharacteristically depressed. Well, she'd completely missed that, too caught up with her own teenage worries and angst. She also caught a glimpse of Nell and Rose, and tried to make eye contact with her friend. She hadn't talked to the Hufflepuff in a while, and she missed her cheerful friend, and even her hotheaded girlfriend.

At Damien's suggestion she nodded eagerly. "Please." she muttered just loud enough for the others to hear. "I feel like a child being monitored on a play date." Really, did the adults trust them at all? Well, Dominic's parents, obviously not, since they probably thought he was just being further corrupted by all the less than pure blood, specifically her and Gracie. But Mr. Edgeworth was generally pretty easy going with Damien, as far as she knew. He had high expectations for his son, but as far as she was concerned there was no way her boyfriend could ever possibly let his father down.

A hero is one who knows how to hang on just one minute longer

No more denying, I've got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing
________Just praying to a God that I don’t believe in
____________________ Cuz I got time while she got freedom

Crystalline eyes shifted, refracting the light in every direction as he glanced at each individual in turn. It was weird, he smiled lopsidedly when he realized it, to see how odd it was that each and every one of his mates (if he could really call them that) were so out of place. He’d have never admitted it to anybody, but he always loved these ridiculously political banquets and their ostentatiously lavish food when the benefit usually involved something along the lines of “feeding the poor.” In hindsight, he probably should have always known that it was just because he loved the chance to cause trouble, that he ever attended these blasted events.

And even know, it still seems to hold true because there was a mischievous fire in him now that wouldn’t be snuffed out. It was all he could do not to jump from foot to foot in his dragonhide shoes and rip out a sugarquill he stashed away in his pockets to calm him down. ”I missed you too,” he smiled, but his nose twitched funny and his cheeks glinted a subtle pink. Being around people he didn’t know was one thing, but, he was here with his friend, and, well, his peers, which made this whole emotionally wretchedly lovesick scenario all the more stomach wrenching… And the butterflies certainly weren’t helping. ”Most the place seems blocked off though,” he acknowledged with a simple nod back from where they came and the valet ropes that guarded the depths of the manor. ”Over there by the food doesn’t look too bad a place though,” Dominic smirked, dimples lining his cheeks. No, dammit! He didn’t just say that to get closer to the food!

...Okay, damn, of course he did! Who would ever think otherwise?

”….Unless you mates see a better place, anyway.” He chuckled, scratched the back of his head with a lopsided grin and glanced down at Grace with a furtive smile. ”So how’s the summer been for you so far?”

Wesley's expression showed a faint concern for Michael's family. He'd heard bits and pieces about what had been going on between Damien's friend and Grace, but, not generally caring for gossip, he didn't know much. Having firsthand experience with the Montague's attitudes, given his own son's choice of girlfriend, he was all too aware of just how bad things might be for poor Grace. "Yes, I had heard about it. Damien has been quite upset over it; he and Dominic are friends. I hope Grace is faring well? She's been through a lot." Wesley had never really gotten to know any of the McHalen kids. Or any kids, really, not even his own. He supposed that being a better father wasn't the only thing he needed to work on. He might need to work on being a better friend as well.

Wesley returned Michael's smile. Honestly, with all the weirdness that had been in his life lately, he really wanted something normal... if new. His life was rather different now. His beliefs had been thrown in the wind. He was having to change and adapt to his son's decisions. It wasn't an easy thing; Damien was throwing quite a few curves at him. Having a friend would be... nice. "We haven't seen each other much outside of work lately. You should have dinner with Damien and I. Bring the girls. Brownie misses getting to cook for multiple people." In truth, having some company in his home would be nice. Damien had met Dominic at Diagon Alley one day and tried to find any excuse to be out of the house since. Wesley almost felt like his son was trying to avoid him... although he had no idea why.


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'Please me; show me how it's done.'