Gunner shook his head when Sebastian told him to lighten up for the hundredth time. He sighed overdramatically, “Why can’t you just love me for who I am?”

He went back to scanning the crowd for Anna. Unlike the others, he hadn’t seen what she was wearing. Apparently it was impractical but half the things people were wearing were impractical. When Sebastian spoke about seeing THAT, Gunner looked at him. A moment later, he followed his friends gaze and his eyes landed on Anna, “Holy shit…”

However, unlike Sebastian, he wasn’t referring to his best friend’s dance moves. Needless to say, he hadn’t really noticed his friend under her practical clothing.

Gunner found himself staring when Sebastian asked if he was planning on dancing. He cleared his throat before he snorted at the comment, “No way. Besides, I thought Serena was your dance partner.”

Anna rejoined the group shortly after. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, “Hey.”

She punched his shoulder and he laughed, rubbing it despite the lack of pain, “I thought pretty girls don’t punch.”

~

Serena saw the dampened look on Sebastian’s face after mentioning Anya. She still had not clue who the girl was, but it was clear that she had meant a lot to Sebastian. However, with her comment, he seemed to bounce right back, which made her smile. He hugged her again, causing her to laugh. Terribly touching, normally she might pull away from someone that close but Sebastian already knew her secret. There wasn’t much else to hide.

She looked out to the dancing Moroi and Dhampirs and nodded, “It does look like someone is going to hurt themselves.”

It seemed a moment after Sebastian, she spotted Niya and Anna walking toward the mass of people as joining in the dance. She thought nothing of it, as she didn’t know either girl too well, but it seemed that it was uncommon for Anna. Sebastian was freaking out besides her, asking if anyone knew that Anna could dance. She grinned when he asked her and shook her head, “No, I did not.”

She looked between the two boys as Sebastian asked if Gunner was going to dance. She looked at the male Dhampir and smiled, he didn’t seem the type to be here. Sebastian’s reaction and Gunner’s demeanor told her that she was seeing a phenomenon.

She didn’t get a chance to retort anything to Gunner’s comment before Anna returned and greeted everyone once more. She nodded her head, “Ciao.”
Gunner looked at Anna as she warned him not to drink the punch and rose an eyebrow, “A lightweight? I bet I could out drink you.”
Serena’s eyes widened, that was not something she had expected. Not with how serious Gunner was but it seemed he was just as serious about this challenge.

~

Basil felt the hands touch her sides but thought nothing of it until they started to tickle her. She squealed and pulled away from Gabby’s hands, giggling, “Not cool!”

She brushed her hair out of her face when Anna and Niya approached them. Rae stopped his dancing, a little confused. Basil grinned, “Hey, I just invited you. But I’m glad you came!” She waved to Niya, while she spoke.

She laughed a little when Anna complained about her feet, “For a person who plans to stand on their feet all day, you’ve barely handled a half hour in those heels. I’m a little shocked.”

When she warned her not to drink too much, she shook her head, “Don’t worry about me. I’m not your ward, right now. Just… be prepared with tomato juice tomorrow,” she teased.

She turned back around to see Rae dancing with Gabby and turned to find someone else to dance with.

~

As Basil spoke to the Novices, Rae lost interest. He took Gabby’s hand and pulled her away from the others with a simple wave. He started to dance with her and grinned, “What was with tickling Basil? Jealous?”

Sebastian smothered a grin at Gunner's explicative, enjoying the semi-stunned look on his friend's face as he spotted Anna in her outfit. He'd seen the brief flare in Gunner's aura and that was just as much of a tell-all.

Anna gave Gunner a playful bat of her eyelashes as he complained about her punch, "D'awww... you think I'm pretty?"

As Anna came over and she and Gunner started talking he scoffed, "Oh wonderful..." He looked at Serena, "With the way these two are when they compete we'll be dragging them both home tonight..."

He looked at Niya, "Hopefully between the three of us we'll manage it."

Anna gave a smirk, "Fine, you're on... Niya, you in?" She knew the girl could outdrink her but her hope was that she'd be able to outdrink Gunner too, therefore saving her pride if she lost.

"Make it the two of us," Sebastian said as he smiled wryly at Serena. Slow music came on and he chuckled catching hold of her hand loosely enough she could pull away but giving her a light tug towards where others were dancing, "May I have this dance? If they're all going off to drink we should have some fun too."

~*~

Anna tossed her hair over her shoulder and tossed her heels by the tree before heading to the drink table and glancing back at Gunner, "Come on then tough guy," she teased.

She picked up a drink and handed it to him before picking up one for herself... She'd keep track so Niya could catch up if she wanted to play but she shotgunned the drink down and coughed into the back of her hand. "Damn..."

Gunner chuckled when she batted her eyelids, "More than," was all he said. Not wanting to lead on any about how he was actually thought about the way she looked.

Anna agreed to his challenge and invited Niya. He shook his head, "No way are we letting the Russian get involved. They don't even have a legal drinking age and they basically drink pure alcohol!" He looked at Niya, "Unfair advantage, sorry, you can judge though.... if you really want to watch two people attempt to drink," He laughed a little and followed Anna to the drinks table He watched her as she shotgunned her first drink. He grabbed a second cup and poured it into the one that Anna had handed him. He held it up, "Serena said you already got a drink."

With ease, he threw his head back and chugged. He grimaced for a moment before shaking his head, "Did not expect vodka..." He laughed a little and grabbed another. He grinned at Anna, "Are you starting to realize what you've gotten yourself into?"

He downed the third drink, grinning at her. He grabbed a few more cups and nodded for her to follow. He walked a short ways from the drink table and sat on the ground, "No need to hover around the table."

He kept them close enough that if they needed to retrieve more, it would be simple and short distance but kept them away from the party a little. Not to mention, they were hiding somewhat behind the table, lost to the party goers dancing away. He handed her a cup and smirked, "Your turn, pretty lady."
~
Serena looked at Sebastian as he groaned about Gunner and Anna's challenge. She smirked, "You told him to loosen up."

It was clear that the other two were lost the world, not listening to Sebastian or herself. She laughed again when Sebastian tried to recruit Niya only to have Anna do the same. She looked at him and shrugged, "You need a good strength workout if you are ever going to stake a Strigoi, they are only helping."

She was taken a little off guard when he took her hand and gently tugged her toward the dancing students. It took her a moment to register the slow tempo of the music and shook her head a little. She smiled at him, "Si."

She hadn't ever really slow danced with someone. It was too close for comfort. Her scars or the makeup she put on them would be noticeable if anyone that close really looked. Again though, she didn't have to worry about that with Sebastian. Although, she was a little surprised that he had been... well.... so calm about what he had found out or at least pieced together about her. When they reached the group she looked up at him, "I have never done this before..."

Surprised by Anna's determination to have a good time, Niya followed her new friend on to the dance floor. She could dance quite a bit better than the Moroi, but then and again the rules at her old school had been pretty lax on what was okay for parties and what wasn't. She blinked as Anna stopped and started to introduce her to her Ward. A quick nod and smile sent her welcome to the other girl before she looked at Rae. He seemed to have distracted himself with Gabby again. It was like the boy was a lost dog. She shook her head before listening to the two girls around her. As usual she stayed quiet, swaying to the beat, before Anna said they needed to go back to the group.

There was only a moment of nodding before she was being pulled off again. She had grabbed another drink and was sipping at it slowly, trying to savor it.

Once they were back and everyone was talking again, Niya tuned them out. She pulled her hand through her hair and sighed, until she heard her name again. It sounded like they wanted to have a drinking contest. A large grin grew on her face as the people in it accepted. "Oh, I will judge, and I'll try to be fair about it." The grin turned more into what you'd see on the cheshire cat's face. The drinking table got closer and Niya's mouth started to water.

She watched Anna down her first one before she giggled and started to drink a few of her own slowly, letting the vodka mix a little more with the fruity drink.

---

Gabby had laughed as Basil flushed, her face bright red. The other girl was so intoxicated. That was alright though, since she wasn't planning on talking to the blond anyway. Infact she was just about to turn away when Rae grabbed her. She glanced at him and smiled before coming up close, dancing how most of the girls danced.

"Odd to see you haven't taken anyone back to your room. There are plenty of intoxicated girls here already. I know a few are staring at you for a fact right now." Her head shook back and forth slightly, a grin on her face.

She laughed, "How can you turn her down? Look how excited she is... I'm sure she can judge too." As Niya agreed to judge AND drink for her own fun she laughed a little.

As Gunner Guided her to behind the table she tried not to think about the fact that they were kinda in their own little world back here, even with Niya with them. As he handed her a drink to catch up she stuck her tongue out at him, "You're going to make my ego grow and grow," she joked.

She downed the drink and grimaced again, "Ugh... Hey, don't count me out yet." Though she already felt a little dizzy, her lips a little numb and tingly. She sat down beside him, oooh she was going to regret this tomorrow.

As Niya easily caught up Anna laughed and downed another... "Eck... number four down. Hey... can you feel your lips? I don't feel mine..." She touched them with her fingertips distractedly and giggled.... Then blinked, "I giggled... I never giggle... there might be trouble Mr. Marks." She handed him a cup after mussing his hair, "Your turn."

~*~

Sebastian smiled at Serena, "Oh? I would have thought you'd have had plenty of dances... You're too pretty to have gone danceless at your last school."

He twirled her gently and continued to sway with her slowly. He didn't pull her too close, keeping a decent few inches between them and though his hand was on her hip it never strayed and his other remained in her hand... "Don't worry about the scars right now... If anyone notices I'll compulse them to forget. Tonight you should have fun, you don't seem to have enough of that."

He was determined to go right with Serena as a friend where he'd gone wrong with Anya. He wanted to make sure there was more light in her life than sorrow... maybe that was spirit's need to fix things that were broken but he liked Serena and he liked to see her smile. She didn't do it enough. "Are you having fun? I'm not making you uncomfortable?"

He spun her away and back to him gently again and stumbled slightly, "I'm out of practice... I maybe shouldn't do that again," he laughed.

Gunner watched her as she took another drink and then another. He smirked as she rambled on about the inability to feel her lips. Her lips weren't exactly something he was interested in talking about though. Or was maybe too interested in talking about. He didn't have to worry any as she giggled, which quickly changed that subject. His eyes widened and he laughed at her, "Oh, you are so going to lose."

He took the cup from her and downed it. He leaned forward to his little pack of cups and grabbed another. He threw it back before grabbing Anna's. He grinned, "Drink number four and trouble is already a foot with you... How about number five," He teased as he handed to her the next cup.

He couldn't take his eyes off of her, something he'd probably blame on wanting to make sure she actually drank later. But he was bewitched by her. Had she always been this gorgeous? Had he always been aware of it? Was Anna really the girl that he had repressed feelings for? Why the hell was he drinking? None of these questions were answered though and he didn't really care.
~
Serena shook her head, "I did not want to...." Her voice trailed off slightly, both because she didn't want to explain and because Sebastian was spinning her.

She tensed slightly when he told her not to worry about her scars. He even went on to promise to compulse anyone who saw them, which was saying something, since that wasn't really allowed. She gave him a small smile and nodded, adjusted her hand on his shoulder slightly. The smile grew slightly when he double checked that she wasn't uncomfortable at all. She nodded, "I'm fine. Can you not tell from my aura," She teased.

He spun her again and as she came back to him, he tripped slightly. She laughed as it caused her to stumble a little closer. She shook her head, "It is okay. I am not very good at dancing anyways."

She returned her hand to his shoulder and kept swaying with him. She pursed her lips, "I think it is my turn to ask you a question... Anywhere in the world, where do you want to live?"

Niya had been smiling at Gunner and Anna as they'd stared and laughed at eachother, but she felt like she was intruding after a few minutes. Standing up, she waved to both of them. "I'm going to go grab a few more drinks and probably dance. I will see you all at a later time." She smiled again and walked out from behind the table, grabbing another drink as she skirted by.

Gabby started to feel sick, and not wanting to vomit all over Rae, she excused herself and moved on to the drink table. She stood there for a few minutes before a girl with blond hair and a very short top came out from behind it. Almost walking into Gabby, Niya squeaked and excused herself. "Sorry, sorry. I did not mean to hit you." The moroi blinked and shrugged. "It's fine, just watch out next time, right?"

Niya nodded before grabbing her drink and heading off towards the dance floor, easily maneuvering while not spilling the sticky liquid on anyone else.

"Why am I always having to bump into Dhampirs?" Gab just shook her head and sighed, tugging at her clothing. "Always having to put out like I don't like them. Don't they know they make things so much more difficult." Her head shook again as she grabbed her sixth drink, leaning against the table as she watch Rae move through the crowd like liquid.

Niya saw a few people from class, but kept mostly to herself as she danced.

Anna bit her lip a moment then reached out and took the drink... she took a breath and then downed it. "Sheesh... How come you aren't getting drunk? Since when did you drink," she muttered pouting.

She'd have to admit defeat soon, she knew she wasn't thinking straight because ever since she'd brought up her own lips she'd been thinking about Gunner's and that was sooo not something you did over a bestie. She felt a blush on her cheeks as she banished the idea of finding out if HE could feel his lips. What was WRONG with her... She didn't know but she was blaming it on the alcohol.

As she handed him another cup she narrowed her eyes at him and leaned forward closely, examining him intensely. "You have really pretty eyes..."

After a moment she sighed and sat back, "I think you win..." She laughed again, "bleeeh... Niya... you have to keep me from saying weird things like that. Just because Gunner's eyes are pretty and he smiles so nice doesn't mean I need to tell him so."

She grimaced, "See! There I go again..." She waved dismissively at Gunner, "No worries, it's just the alcohol... I don't normally get so.... fluttery."

She glared at the drinks, "Vodka is evil..."

~*~

Sebastian laughed softly and felt oddly comfortable even with her being so close, "Hmmm... Well, you're going to think I'm just saying it because of you but I've always wanted to go to Venice..."

He considered, "I don't know if I'd want to live there but I like the idea of being near water... maybe the sea... I like the ocean. What about you, if you could live anywhere you wanted?"

He shrugged and gave her a little dip before straightening her up again, "And you dance just fine... like a feather..." Except he grimaced right after that when she stepped on his toe... "See... a feather..." he joked.

~*~

Anya was lingering in the darkness watching them and fuming... If the wards weren't in her way she'd have already been in the middle of that party ripping that pretty little Dhampir's throat out with her teeth. Her nails bit her palms as the girl stumbled and ended up closer to Sebastian, she hissed. Sebastian was HERS... alive, dead, strigoi... he was STILL HERS. She paced back and forth, back and forth.

Gunner chuckled, "Summers. I don't have much else to do after the gym and lessons. Also, I'm bigger than you. More of me to handle the alcohol."

He took the cup from her and was about to drink it when Anna leaned in close. Instead, the cup just sat on his bottom lip as his mouth hung open. Although, he supposed that was better than spitting it all over her. He smirked when sat back and started to talk to Niya. He downed the drink, "Niya left."

The alcohol was hitting him then, he decided that six shots wasn't half bad. Certainly not a light weight. Absently, he grabbed another cup, "So, you think my smile is nice... Well, I think you look hot in that dress," He chugged the contents of the cup and looked at her, "Like... Really hot... Super hot.... A hell of a lot more than just pretty."

He leaned back against the tree and smirked, "Make you feel better?"
~
Serena laughed a little when he answered her question, "Really? Interesting... Not a lot of Moroi like Italia... Too hot."

She pursed her lips when he asked her the same and tried to think of where she wanted to live. She smiled softly, "Back in Italia. Venice, Siena, Florence, anywhere really... It is a beautiful country. If I could not go back... Maybe Greece. Somewhere hot. I fear the winter here... I am not sure what to expect."

He dipped her causing a small yelp to escape from her, not having expecting it. She giggled as he tried to tell her she danced fine only to have her step on his toe. She looked up at him apologetically, "Oh, Mi dispiace. I told you I am not very good!"
~
Rae laughed, "Well, I'd like to enjoy the party before I go off with someone. Actually get a little drunk myself."

He smirked, "Besides, the girls who are intoxicated now, are hardly go to remember our lovely night together."

Gabby excused herself then and he watched Gabby go, a little surprised by her sudden departure. He stopped his dancing to watch her leave before he started mingling again.

Niya kept dancing for a few moments but found since she didn't have any of her new friends with her that her nice was getting more and more boring. With a small huff she slipped off the dance floor and walked from the clearing in the woods, biting her bottom lip slightly. The dorms were dark as she walked back, running her hands up and down her arms slightly. "God...it's frosty."

Gabby stood by the punch table still, watching as Rae started mingling again. She figured she was boring him or something so she just shrugged and nodded to herself.

Anna blushed at his compliment and had to consider how that made her feel because it made her feel a lot of things honestly. She was sort of bright red as she smiled back at him, "It does... I didn't want to dress up but the dress had been in my closet for sooo long..." She tugged her hair down from the tie, it was cold out and her neck was chilly... plus she didn't ever get to wear it down much. She tugged her fingers nervously through it because Gunner was looking at her so... well so.... like that.

Her eyes landed on his again and drifted back to his mouth and for a moment she really considered kissing him... would he freak out? Why did she want to kiss him anyway, aside from his mouth being so... nice... She shook her head and laughed a little, "I think I'm drunk... very drunk..."

She moved so she was setting beside him and leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "The woods are spinning... and it's cold." She pouted a little, "I shoulda brought a jacket... I don't think this dress was made to cover much..." She put a hand over her exposed belly and giggled again before leaning into him cuz he was warm and he smelled nice. Again, she caught herself looking up at him from under her eyelashes and she chewed her lip a little... that weird urge hitting her again except this time she put a hand on the side of his face and turned his head so he was looking down at her too. She leaned up, her lips hovering close to his.... and a wave of nausea hit her along with a sharp twinge of anxiety that kept her from completing the action even though she was so close she could feel the heat from his lips vaguely against hers. These two things combined made her feel well... not so great.

She pulled away frowning and stumbled to her feet, "I don't feel good..." she said by way of explanation before stumbling off towards the more private area of the woods so she could maybe puke... because she might really puke... really...

On her way she stumbled into Rae, almost literally falling into his chest with a soft 'eep' before she straightened herself up clumsily, "Sorry sorry..." She giggled a little before side stepping him so she could get back on her mission again to find somewhere to puke... if she still had to puke... did she still have to puke? She wasn't sure.

~*~

Sebastian laughed slightly as she apologized, "No worries... I like it hot..." He coughed when he realized how that sounded and actually blushed a little, "Err... hot places..." He grimaced again, "I like places that are warm, that's why I like the mornings... It's too early for the sunlight to sting so it's just... warm."

Why was he so nervous all of a sudden? The song ended and he again kissed the back of her hand with a bow, "Thank you for that."

As she noted off the places she'd like to go he nodded, "Those places sound nice... If I could I think I'd travel the world but I think my father might disown me before I ever manage to get my inheritance."

He led her back off the dance floor so to speak and looked around, "Where are Anna and Gunner? If they passed out somewhere it'll be a pain to try and find them..." Of course the other option was still there... The idea of them both getting smashed and making out somewhere made him nervous. If they remembered it they'd both be devastated tomorrow... neither one of them was ready for that kind of contact yet. They hadn't even accepted they actually LIKED each other yet. He grimaced, "We'd better find them... soon."

~*~

Anya snarled as she watched Seb kiss the back of Serena's hand but then noticed something else... Anna was wandering along the very edge of the wards. She was very obviously drunk as she ran into a Moroi boy she recognized as Rae. She was so close to the edge of the wards that Anya felt her dark magic fueled pulse pick up. If the boy let her go and she wandered just a little farther... "Come on Anna, you're so close... just a little more."

She noticed the dress that Anna was wearing and smiled, flashing fangs... "I knew you'd look fantastic in that dress. It's the perfect dress for your awakening... just come a little closer."

It didn't matter that Anna couldn't hear her, she was so intensely focused on her. If she could get Anna, then Gunner and Sebastian would have no choice but to come after her... and that meant leaving the wards. She could practically taste the female Dhampir's blood on her tongue already... "Just a little further..."

Gunner looked at her and laughed as she declared herself very drunk. He nodded, "So am I."

He watched as she moved her sat next to her and smiled. He wished he'd brought a coat, of course he hadn't actually expected a dress from Anna. Maybe if he had... He have been smart and worn a coat. He laughed again when she said that the dress did cover up much. He placed his hand on top on the one she had placed on her stomach, "That's part of the reason you look so hot..."

He kept his eyes on her as she looked up at him. Then her hand up on the side of his face and she was moving closer. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked at her just millimetres from him. He couldn't help thinking that he could lean just a little bit forward and they would be kissing. Or how he could place his hand on the back of her neck and they would be kissing. He didn't do either though, he wanted her to kiss him but he didn't get that she pulled away, stating she didn't feel well. He guessed that was a good enough excuse, he didn't really feel being vomited on. Then she stood and left, leaving him alone by the tree.
~
Serena watched as he seemed to get all flustered about what he had said, trying to correct himself. She laughed slightly and nodded, "Well.... If you ever get the chance... Venice is not as hot in... October, November and it rains more then too. So less sun, but still warm."

The song came to a close and Sebastian kissed the hand she was already holding. Playing along, she gave the boy a small curtsy. She allowed him to lead her away from the crowd and looked around as he mentioned Anna and Gunner. She hadn't seen them while they were dancing but then again she could just see over Sebastian's shoulder in her heels. She nodded when he decided that it was necessary to find them soon. Quickly, she caught sight of Gunner standing up behind the table and started to walk in the direction of the ward. She looked at Sebastian and pulled him by his hand over to him. She did a quick look and found no Anna, "Gunner," She said, drawing the blonde's attention, "Where is An-na?"

Gunner seemed to have to think about it, "She went this way," He pointed in the direction he had been heading. Serena nodded and released Sebastian's hand, taking Gunner's arm, "Okay. Why don't you stay here with Sebastian and I will go find her."

She brought him over to Sebastian and away from where Anna had been going. She took of her shoes and tossed them by a tree. She looked at Sebastian, "I'll be right back."

She ran off into the forest looking for Anna. She spotted the girl walking toward the ward. She quickly grabbed her and spun them around, so that she stood closer to the ward and stood Anna from moving forward. She glanced around, the hair on the back of her neck was standing up. She felt like they were being watched. She smiled at Anna, "Go back to everyone. Sebastian and Gunner are waiting for you. We'll take you back to your dorm, okay? I'll be right there."

Then she sent the girl on her way. She searched the immediate area around her. She was expecting a boy hiding somewhere, hoping to prey on the too drunk Anna. Thus, she wasn't really thinking when she walked toward the ward without a silver stake.
~
Rae was making his way to the drinks table when Anna ran to him. He rolled his eyes, he hadn't expected her to go off the deep end. Normally, the Novices refused to drink too much. When she ran off, he walked over to Gabby and smiled, "Everyone here is boring. The girls are too drunk that I fear they are going to vomit on me if I dare bring them back to my room... Not to mention, I haven't been able to get you off my mind all summer. Why don't we head back to my room? Keep up tradition and all that."

Another girl ran into Rae. It was hilarious because he wasn't that big of a target, unless you were going to fly into him. The thought made her laugh softly before she took another drink. Her eyes tracked the male Moroi before he came to rest beside her, and she smiled slightly. "Hah...they are quite drunk." She sucked her top lip into her mouth before she laughed. "Sure. Your room sounds great right now." She grinned a little and moved towards the dorms again. The weather felt nice her her back and legs, the loose tatters of her dress bouncing against her skin.

Jordan was never really on time for anything, he was never really in a hurry, so it wasn't a surprise that he was only now heading to the party to catch the tail end of it. He hadn't bothered really to dress up, wearing a normal pair of faded and distressed blue jeans and a grey t-shirt. and a beanie over his dark brown messy hair. He was too busy looking down at the music he was selecting on his ipod to see the girl headed his way and practically ran right into her. With surprise he tugged an earbud out of his ear and blinked grey blue eyes at her, "Sorry about that..."

He looked back the way she'd come, apparently she'd just been leaving the party he was getting ready to head to, "You bailing already? Where are your friends?"

His voice was semi accented and the accent would be one she'd recognize easily as Russian though it was almost completely gone by now... after all, he'd been living in the states since he was ten. His mother had been a Szlesky from the Russian branch of the family but his father had been American originally, thus the last name. "I'm Jordan by the way.... Jordan North. You are?"

She was kind of pretty... okay she was very pretty but he was more interested in the fact that she looked so lonely and kinda lost. He knew what that felt like, he kinda ran in his own circle. He didn't have any steady friends just a long stream of people he talked to sometimes...

~*~

Anna stumbled as Serena caught onto her and told her to head back, she smiled... "Oh, hey Serena... where's Seb? He'd laugh cuz I'm drunk..." She blinked at Serena's sudden seriousness and looked out into the night. "Whatsa matter?"

Serena didn't even make it all the way to the Wards... Anya couldn't restrain herself enough to wait that long. She suddenly just wanted to see the girl scream... So with a frightening speed she suddenly revealed herself, stopping right in front of Serena only a foot away where the Wards separated them. She snarled, fangs flashing as she gave a sick grin. "You think you can replace me little girl... ask Anna... ask Anna if you can replace me. He'll always be MINE, they will always be MINE."

Anna felt a tidal wave of ice shoot through her, effectively sobering her enough to feel the cold shock of seeing Anya this way with crystal clarity. Her best friend's once angelic sky blue eyes were tinged with red and her once fair skin that had constantly been flushed with some kind of blush from something one of them had said was now as pale as marble and marred in a snarl that Anya would have never worn in life. "Anya... No... no.... what did they do to you?"

She stumbled forward, half between Serena and Anya and not sure who she was protecting from whom. "We looked for you for so long..."

Anya laughed softly, "They made me stronger... stronger than I ever was in life. I'm not scared anymore... not scared of anything. No one would dare to lay hands on me now... and sooner or later you will all come to me... willingly." She snarled at Serena again, "Enjoy them while it lasts, they'll be mine again soon."

With that she took off back into the woods leaving Anna stunned. "Don't... don't tell Sebastian you saw her... EVER." The vehemence in Anna's voice and the dead seriousness in her face told Serena just how serious this was. "I'll talk to Gunner, we'll figure this out... we know she's close now. Maybe... maybe we can end it before Seb ever finds out. He'd get himself killed... trying to bring her back... but coming back from that for Anya, it would leave her broken... She'd never be okay again, she'd hate us."

She took a breath, "Please, don't ever tell him."

~*~

Sebastian sighed and looked at Gunner, "You're drunk... and glowing like a super nova... What happened between you and Anna?"

He looked semi-disapproving, "Because if you wake up regretting it tomorrow...." He sighed, Gunner was way to drunk to think about what he would and wouldn't be regretting so instead he patted Gunner on the back. "She was happy tonight... a lot happier than I've seen her in a while. Remember that..."

Serena was just about at the ward when suddenly there was someone in front of her screaming. Serena let out a small yelp, not having expected a Strigoi and surely not having ever expected one to be so... furious with her. Serena didn't have a stake with her and found herself praising the fact that ward was there. Even if it had a silver stake, she wouldn't have been able to try anything, not without breaking the ward and putting who knows how many Moroi in danger. It was best that she stay on her side of the ward.

Anna stepped between them then and Serena's hands went straight to her arm, the girl was drunk she didn't know what she was doing. Anya... Serena heard the name before. It was the girl that Guardian Belikov had mentioned when he asked Sebastian if he wanted to learn to stake a Strigoi. There had been an air around the two of them that had made her not dare to ask Sebastian about the girl. It had seemed though like they didn't know the girl's fate... Well, now they did. The girl alluded to them becoming hers once more and Serena shivered a little. Then Anna turned to her, telling her not to tell Sebastian. Serena dropped her hands from Anna's arm, no longer feeling the need to hold her back. She held her hands tightly in front of her, finding them trembling. Pathetic, what kind of Guardian was scared of Strigoi... She nodded, "I will not.... I promise..." She hesitated, "But... I do not know if you should go after her. We only know the basics of.... um.... staking. You two could get killed..."

She shook her head, "But it is not my place...." She bit her lip and took Anna's arm in her hand, "Come... Sebastian and Gunner are waiting for you... I said I would get you."
~
Gunner looked at Sebastian and grinned, "You're the one who told me to loosen up a little."

He glanced in the direction Anna had gone. He thought about how close she had been, would be regret that in the morning. Did he want that? He had thought she was hot in that dress before he started to drink and god was she hot. He shrugged, "I won."

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked back to Sebastian, "It was Anna wasn't it... The girl you were talking about?"
~
Rae grinned when Gabby agreed to go back to his room. He sent Sebastian a text, not wanting him walking in and ruining a good thing before he caught up to Gabby. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek. When they reached the boys dorms, he pushed her into a dark corner and pinned her against the wall. He grinned and kissed her deeply then released her and walked into his building, holding the door open for her, because despite everything he was still a gentleman.

While walking Niya usually liked to keep her eyes on where she was going, but that night she just couldn't stop staring at the stars that seemed so far away. That was until she bumped into a young man who's music she could hear from the headphones in his ears. She shook her head slightly, clearing it, before she smiled. "Sorry about that.." She said it just has he did and though his accent was a litle less pronounced than her's, she could hear it in his words. Having found a student with an accent seemed to be some sort of comic reward for having made it through the first day.

His eyes seemed to go to the party and she followed them before shrugging. "I just felt that my services weren't needed anymore, any my friends were getting far too drunk to pay attention to much." She gave a little laugh at the though of Anna and Gunner.

With no small amount of embarrassment, Niya let the silence stretch until he spoke again. 'Jordan...hm? ....Nice name.' She nodded as he finished, memorizing his face and name together before she bowed her head slightly. "I am Kseniya Zyomin. I would like to know you." She stuck out her hand, having once again used the English translation of the Russian introduction.

Her hands eventually found her pockets, curling up into insecure balls of metaphorical frustration. "Were you headed to the party? It should still be going strong."

---

Gabby danced her way with Rae back to the dorms, smiling as she waited for him to text Sebastian. Every time he touched her she shivered and laughed, lacing her fingers with his, before he pushed her into a dark corner.

This was one thing that she loved about Rae, he had a dark side that she knew most girls didn't see. He could be just a kinky and scary as she could be. So as they walked into the building, she pulled a razor from her clutch and made a quick slit across her wrist. Of course she was a fan of fanning, meaning she liked to cut open her viens and use the blood during sex, and she'd been doing it for quite a few years.

She knew Rae's room, since she'd been in the guys dorm earlier that day, so she started up the stairs. "Thanks for holding the door, always such a gentleman."

Jordan shrugged, suddenly more interested in getting to know someone who'd lived in Russia. He could remember a little bit about it, it had been a beautiful place but life had had other plans for him that didn't include living there. "Nah, I'd rather talk to you..."

He was almost always honest to the point of being rude or blunt or seeming flirtatious because he didn't see the point in saying one thing when you meant something else. "Mm... friends tend to do that," he leaned down to her as if telling her a secret, "That's why I have so few."

He straightened and shrugged, "Well Kseniya," he shook her hand. "Я надеюсь, ваш первый день был один хороший..., и что ваше путешествие прошло хорошо." He grimaced at the way he had to speak slowly and think on the words, "Sorry... it's been a while."

He gestured towards the school, "I don't know about you but... I could use a sandwich. Wanna join me? I'm sure we'll have to dodge a few Guardians on the way there but..." He shrugged with a smile, "that's half the fun."

~*~

Sebastian hesitated a minute and then sighed, "Yes... and she is... was... pretty much in denial about it. I think tonight was the first time she's let herself actually feel it and part of that was the drink. Tomorrow... well, if I know Anna, she'll act like she doesn't remember any of it and pretend nothing has changed because she'll be terrified of pulling away from her. So, unless you plan on changing your mind about relationships play along and let her believe you don't remember either."

He blinked, "Oh... here she comes. Damn, she's slammed... she actually might NOT remember it tomorrow." He hoped so, it would be so much easier on her if she didn't. Seb didn't think Gunner was going to change his mind about duty and Guardian relationships any time soon.

~*~

Anna nodded and stumbled back along with Serena, "I need to go to bed... I feel dizzy..." She leaned her head on Serena's shoulder as they walked, way too out of it to even begin to notice her scars even if she had been looking.

As they made it back to the other two Anna smiled and waved, "I'm gonna go sleep before I fall over..." She stumbled over to Seb and gave him a hug, "Don't worry... I'll make everything okay again. I promise."

She nodded solemnly and he looked confused, "Anna... what are you talking abo-"

She put a finger against his lips, "Shh... secret."

She pulled away and hugged Gunner too, "You're my best friend... I don't wanna puke on your shoes..." With that said she stumbled to a nearby tree and out of sight, but not earshot, spilled her stomach and then leaned against the tree with a groan of misery. "Serena... take me home please... I wanna sleep."

Gunner frowned slightly, maybe it was the alcohol but he didn't want Anna to act like she didn't remember what happened. But, not in a way that she was fawning over him while he ignored her. He wanted to find out what it was like to kiss her. Then again, Sebastian was right. Gunner couldn't get into a relationship. From almost day one, he and Anna planned on being Sebastian and.. Anya's Guardians. When Anya disappeared, they made a deal to be better Guardians, Guardians who could and would protect Sebastian. He never felt he could have a relationship because of this and he certainly couldn't have one with Anna. He'd start protecting her over Sebastian.

Well, that ruined his mood.

Anna and Serena came back, Anna resting her head on the smaller girl's shoulder.

Gunner was just as confused as Sebastian when Anna spoke about making things better. Neither of them got much of a chance to say anything before Anna was hugging him. He grimaced when she left, he guessed in his and her drunken state, he didn't want to be called her best friend. He looked at Serena as she explained what Anna's secret might possibly be and moment later the two were heading back to the dorm. Gunner looked at Sebastian, "Are you going to carry me back?"
~
Serena walked back with the girl and tensed as she leaned onto her shoulder. Despite Anna probably being too far gone to notice anything or remember it the next day, Serena was far beyond uncomfortable with the situation. However, she didn't trust the girl to manage walking on her own enough to do anything about it. She just walked with her in silence, tense the whole way. The last people she wanted to know about her scars were Niya and Anna. They were both strong Dhampir women on their way to becoming Guardians. Serena, well after the run in with the Strigoi felt as though she could be a blood whore. When they reached the others Anna walked, or more so stumbled, over to Sebastian and told him everything was going to be okay. Serena winced slightly, the sober moment from before was long gone. She looked at Sebastian as Anna made her way over to a tree, "She did not say a coherent thing on the way over here... I think," She winced again at the sound of the girl vomiting, "She was talking about that..."

She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling horrible about everything that had happened that managed to completely remove the good time she had been having with Sebastian. You think you can replace me little girl... ask Anna... ask Anna if you can replace me. He'll always be MINE, they will always be MINE. She flinched slightly, surely she wasn't just a replacement. She didn't look anything like that girl. She was almost positive that her aura was back to the dark gray it had been when Sebastian first commented on it. She heard Anna groan and looked between the two boys before ducking her head and walking over to the girl. She just hoped that Sebastian didn't accidentally brush her mind. She leaned Anna's head against her shoulder despite how much she hated it and wrapped her arm around her waist. She gave Gunner and Sebastian a small wave then left quickly before Sebastian could manage to sweep anything out of her.
~
Rae chuckled, "Got do something that keeps the girls coming back. Not everyone is as okay with me sleeping around you know."

He slipped in front of her and opened the stairwell door and finally his bedroom door. He grinned and pulled her into another kiss. He felt something nick his hand and looked down to see the small blade in Gabby's hand. He tilted his head back and groaned, "Why didn't I suspect?"

He laughed a little, "No blood on the floor, or bed, or walls, or... anything really. I don't think Sebastian would really appreciate it. And I might not like the guy... but I do have to live with him for a year," He grinned as he started to kissed at her neck.

When the guy leaned closer she blinked and shivered. His breath tickled her cheek, the fringe of her hair brushing along the side of her neck. Her hands had come up, catching both sides of his chest before he touched her. With the whisper she gave a little nervous laugh. "-U-Um....eh....I do not know if this is American or not but...um...you're a little close." She was blushing brightly, looking around to see if anyone else could see this tall guy leaning at her.

Once he was back to his normal distance she straightend as well, smiling.

Both of her eyebrows went up, this guy was so much like her friend Lainer back home. It was funny, to think of sneaking around this new campus gave her a little salve to the homesickness. Her arms wrapped around her chest as she straightened, nodding towards the school as well. "We could always make a little challenge of it if you'd like? We go change into normal clothing, get on either side of the campus, and then go for the cafeteria. Whoever ...you know...get it first wins, or whoever doesn't get caught." She smiled, trying to think of what Lainer would say.

---

Gabby just rolled her eyes at the little quip, laughing. "It's not my fault that other girls think they own you." She just shook her head for a moment before following him up to his room. She thanked him at each door before she was standing in his room, shaking her head. "Oh, you know I'm good about my blood. I don't waste it." Her arms came up after a moment to wrap around his neck, pulling her up on her toes.

"Of course, that doesn't count you. I think once we're done we'll be the most messy things here." She bit his lip lightly, making sure to only touch the ends of her fangs to the soft inner meat of his mouth. "Sebastian will hardly know I was here."

Jordan laughed good naturedly, "Don't worry, I'm a complete gentleman... hands to myself and all that."

He smiled at her suggestion, "Yeah sure, why not." He was an easy going guy and it sounded like fun, "You on the Moroi side and me on the Dhampir side then?"

He tucked his hands back into his pocket with a wink, "See you there..."

He headed towards the Dhampir dorms and wondered whether she'd play fair or head for the kitchen from where she was. He didn't mind either way, he wouldn't mind her winning. He was competitive about some things but mostly he was too laid back to worry about it when he lost to someone pretty.

Once he made it to his side he began his way back and towards the kitchens. He spotted a few Guardians here and there but managed to avoid them. He had the luck of not running into Guardian Belikov either and was soon at the kitchen, leaning against the door and looking around for Niya... wondering if she'd made it first.

~*~

Anna followed Serena home in relative silence, she was close to passing out and was having to focus on one foot in front of the other. Once inside she sat down on her bed and looked up at Serena. "You're different than her you know? The same in some ways but mostly different. Deep down your strong and Anya... Anya was fragile, always." She frowned, it was hard to think... "That's why we can't bring her back... she'd be broken..." She nodded and patted Serena's arm, "You're helping Seb, he's been sad... you make him laugh..."

She curled up on her side, eyes closing... "I'm glad you came..."

And with that she was asleep... heavily.

~*~

Sebastian laughed at Gunner and then looked at his phone... He sighed, "Looks like I am your chaperone after all, and I'm sleeping in your room... My roommate is... otherwise engaged."

Gunner looked about as wobbly on his feet as Anna had so he carefully kept hold of the guys arm so he wouldn't fall over. "Off we go..."

Once back to Gunner's room he helped him into his bed and collapsed onto the empty one. Gunner had gotten lucky... no roomie. He wondered slightly at the change in Serena's aura... She'd been so happy earlier and then when she'd come back she'd been all grey again. Had something happened between her and Anna? He didn't think too much on it because he was asleep in short order.