[color=ForestGreen]“Well, that was a bust. Look like I worried over nothing.”[/color] A thump at her chest had Claire glancing down, her grin widening just that extra touch to split her face at seeing the stuffed black horse had thrown his head back to look at her. Still she couldn’t help but sigh, lifting her one free hand to rub the surprisingly realistic fur that consisted of Thanatos’ toy mane, turning her gaze from the beady black eyes. [color=ForestGreen]“Yes Thanatos, I told you I’m fine. Jaw’s a little sore, but seeing how the wet blanket just shook off the teachers? Sheesh, I’m lucky I only lost my head.”[/color] Yeah, that had been embarrassing. A casual flap of wings back at the ball had her carefully positioned head dipping forward, her body stumbling in an attempt to keep balance but, sadly, couldn’t also keep her head up. Which is how Claire ended up with not only a light bruising growing against her jaw, but also wet hair that smelled faintly of fruit.

Yup, her head fell in the punch. Surprisingly this wasn’t the first time in Claire’s life this had happened.

After  fishing out said head Claire had stayed and watched the theatrics for a bit, hugging a bowl of pretzels to her chest and eating but when all was said and done the mood was dead and full of anger. It left her feeling odd, almost giddy, but there was no room in that hall for partying anymore. She had skedaddled while everyone was preoccupied, eager to get out before the rush – and hopefully unseen by anyone with the crystal bowl of snacks under arm.  Claire doubted she would even get to go for a ride on Thanatos with how on edge everyone was going to be, which dampened her mood further. At least the food was good.

[color=ForestGreen]“Pft, and my parents got me this fancy dress for nothing. I guess I can wear it to the next, er, social event. If we have one.”[/color] Thanatos tossed his heads again at her words, butting the back of his head against her chest from his position snuggled in the front of her plaid sash.

[color=ForestGreen]“Whaddya mean I can’t? … Tasteless?! That’s just silly! Honestly Thanatos, I think I’d know more about human fashion than you. Oh don’t roll your eyes at me.”[/color] To anyone else it very likely seemed that Claire was talking to herself, but she and Thanatos had a bond that ran through their very species. After all, what was a dullahan without their horse, and an undead horse without its rider? And maybe he didn’t [i]actually[/i] roll his eyes, but Claire knew the sentiment was there. His muffled snort was confirmation enough!

It was because of this bond that Claire noticed how Thanatos’ head cocked to the side, one of his stuffed ears raised as though searching for something.

[color=ForestGreen]“Whashup?”[/color] The dullahan asked eagerly, words muffled and contorted by a full mouth. Thanatos rolled his eyes – [i]again[/i] – at Claire, but tossed his head towards one of the buildings and made some motions. Luckily Claire finished swallowing before her mouth fell open.

[color=ForestGreen]“No way, no one could be throwing a party after that disaster! … Why did I not think of it first? Come on, let’s crash!”[/color] Thanatos made another muffled snort, it seeming to echo and not truly come from the stuffed horse, but Claire was already off towards the sounds Thanatos heard. He could’ve kept his ‘mouth’ shut… but at least Claire was excited again.

It didn’t take long for the dullahan to find the party between Thanatos and herself, and a little bit of a complete disrespect for locks, and Claire paused only briefly to whisper to Thanatos.

[color=ForestGreen]“Is my hair still wet?”[/color] A whinny. [color=ForestGreen]“… Eh, I can deal with smelling like punch. As long as that one girl isn’t there – I don’t know if she’s a [i]fruit[/i] bat!”[/color] Guffawing at her own joke had Thanatos, one again, putting his hoof to his face.  Claire barely got her laughter under control to make her grand entrance – which consisted entirely of just walking in and brandishing the crystal glass bowl from a very familiar setting.

[color=ForestGreen]“He~y guys, is this an open party? I brought possibly pilfered snacks!”[/color] Not that Claire needed an invitation. She was already going towards the bar to drop the offering off on the counter beside some others. Was just barging in rude? Didn't some get really offended about not waiting for others to be invited? Wait, no, that was something about vampires. Eh, she could deal with a ticked off vampire if the need arose. The real thing to be concerned with was [i]how did a student go about getting a pull away bar in their dorm?[/i]

[color=ForestGreen]"Damn that's snazzy."[/color]