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.
Nephriel Member
The Frequently Missing.
STATUS: I am really back this time... after YEARS away. Jeeze.... x.x 5 yrs ago
- Last Seen: 5 yrs ago
- Joined: 11 yrs ago
- Posts: 629 (0.16 / day)
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Username history
- Nephriel 11 yrs ago
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5 yrs ago
Current
I am really back this time... after YEARS away. Jeeze.... x.x
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9 yrs ago
Um.... I think I'm back... Maybe.
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Bio
Soooo, basically I've been role playing for... fifteen years? I've been writing longer than that though... more along the lines of thirteen years. I'm 30, have a kiddo, and am happily married. So, I'm probably older than the majority of you on here but I love to write... I'm odd. I love to set and create ideas in my head but I don't really like to GM... I'm more of a throw everyone together and see what happens sort. Also, because I do have a kiddo my schedule is a little unpredictable. I can't promise much though I try to post at least once a day.
I enjoy high fantasy, mystery, drama, and romance BUT I don't do smutty play. I prefer to fade to black when things get steamy... Partly because I'm happily married and partly because I don't want the main focus in my plays to be smutt. I have several characters I adore and can't quite lead myself to give up on... I love expanding and evolving their stories so feel free to ask me about them and some of my roleplay ideas.... I have many.
I enjoy high fantasy, mystery, drama, and romance BUT I don't do smutty play. I prefer to fade to black when things get steamy... Partly because I'm happily married and partly because I don't want the main focus in my plays to be smutt. I have several characters I adore and can't quite lead myself to give up on... I love expanding and evolving their stories so feel free to ask me about them and some of my roleplay ideas.... I have many.
Most Recent Posts
Sebastian grimaced when Gunner smacked him, it hadn't really hurt as far as the swat went but the headache didn't appreciate it. What Gunner was saying made sense so he reluctantly stood up, crushing the cig under his shoe before shaking his head.
"Alright... alright... let's hope she doesn't just tell me to screw off after what I just did..." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Lets go..."
~*~
Anna nodded, "Sure... let's go."
She took Anya and they both walked back towards her dorm. They were halfway there when Gunner and Seb started heading towards them. She looked at Anya reluctantly as Seb waved to them... "He looks nervous... do you want to talk to him?"
Seb stopped next to them and sighed, running a hand through his hair... "Can we talk?"
"Alright... alright... let's hope she doesn't just tell me to screw off after what I just did..." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Lets go..."
~*~
Anna nodded, "Sure... let's go."
She took Anya and they both walked back towards her dorm. They were halfway there when Gunner and Seb started heading towards them. She looked at Anya reluctantly as Seb waved to them... "He looks nervous... do you want to talk to him?"
Seb stopped next to them and sighed, running a hand through his hair... "Can we talk?"
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.
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.
Anna grimaced, "Oh Anya... you said exactly the wrong thing. I think he'd finally started making a decision and when you said that... I think you just confirmed that he was hurting you by trying to be with you and he never does well when he's rushed on a choice... He panics, too much pressure."
She put her chin on top of Anya's head, "It'll be alright and you aren't stupid... just hurt." She couldn't help feeling it might have been her fault a bit. She'd encouraged Anya to keep chasing Seb, told her that he'd been close to a decision... Maybe if she'd stayed quiet this wouldn't have happened.
"Seb is so wrapped up in not wanting to hurt you that the fact that he hurt you by being that way means he loses either way... You have to show him that being with you isn't going to hurt you." She sighed, "But I understand how the flirting and pulling away could twist you up inside... Maybe just talk to him... ask him to try... or give him time. Maybe he'll come to that conclusion himself if you give him the chance."
~*~
Seb glanced over his shoulder and spotted Gunner before he gave a tired shake of his head, "I fucked up... What else is new?"
He leaned back on the rock again with a groan, "She thinks I was leading her on... I hurt her by trying not to hurt her... How talented am I?"
He took another drag from his cig, "The really screwed up thing? I really thought there for a minute that I could maybe actually be with her..."
Seb shook his head, "So, I closed her out. It's better for her that way... I'll go and flirt with other girls like I did before and stay away from her... let her move on so I don't hurt her again..."
He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as a headache started, "She's the last person I wanted to hurt Gunner... and I just keep doing it... over and over."
She put her chin on top of Anya's head, "It'll be alright and you aren't stupid... just hurt." She couldn't help feeling it might have been her fault a bit. She'd encouraged Anya to keep chasing Seb, told her that he'd been close to a decision... Maybe if she'd stayed quiet this wouldn't have happened.
"Seb is so wrapped up in not wanting to hurt you that the fact that he hurt you by being that way means he loses either way... You have to show him that being with you isn't going to hurt you." She sighed, "But I understand how the flirting and pulling away could twist you up inside... Maybe just talk to him... ask him to try... or give him time. Maybe he'll come to that conclusion himself if you give him the chance."
~*~
Seb glanced over his shoulder and spotted Gunner before he gave a tired shake of his head, "I fucked up... What else is new?"
He leaned back on the rock again with a groan, "She thinks I was leading her on... I hurt her by trying not to hurt her... How talented am I?"
He took another drag from his cig, "The really screwed up thing? I really thought there for a minute that I could maybe actually be with her..."
Seb shook his head, "So, I closed her out. It's better for her that way... I'll go and flirt with other girls like I did before and stay away from her... let her move on so I don't hurt her again..."
He pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as a headache started, "She's the last person I wanted to hurt Gunner... and I just keep doing it... over and over."
Anna looked up as Anya walked in and frowned as Gunner pushed Anya towards her asking for help. She sighed softly, "Gunner... you should go find Seb. I think you'll know where he'll be. I'll take care of Anya."
As Anya sank into a chair Anna followed suit and wrapped an arm around her friend, "What happened? I'm guessing this is about Seb? What did he do?"
She hugged her friend a little, "Whatever it is, it'll be okay... I can kick his ass if you want? Just a little... just a light boot to the rear... a love tap to the jaw... a tickle to the..." She frowned, "I can't think of anything for that one but you know what I mean." She was trying to make Anya laugh a little. "Seb's thick sometimes, maybe it was a misunderstanding?"
As Anya sank into a chair Anna followed suit and wrapped an arm around her friend, "What happened? I'm guessing this is about Seb? What did he do?"
She hugged her friend a little, "Whatever it is, it'll be okay... I can kick his ass if you want? Just a little... just a light boot to the rear... a love tap to the jaw... a tickle to the..." She frowned, "I can't think of anything for that one but you know what I mean." She was trying to make Anya laugh a little. "Seb's thick sometimes, maybe it was a misunderstanding?"
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..."
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..."
Anna smiled as Basil came over, she'd obviously been drinking but she seemed just as nice as she had earlier... friendly even. She hugged Basil back and blushed, "Well, I had it hanging in my closet for the past few years and never wore it so..." As Basil told her to have fun and then sauntered off to go and dance with Rae Anna laughed a little. She saw Gabby go over right before she turned away, considering going back to the group... she didn't really HAVE anyone to dance with.
She jumped a little when she heard Niya's voice and she smiled, "Hey there Niya..." She took another sip of her drink and grimaced before coughing with a laugh. Whatever this was spiked with was strong, "Can you tell I don't really drink... that was pretty impressive though." She sighed, if she was going to get through this party she needed to loosen up so, taking a page from Niya's book, she shotgunned the drink and then grimaced sticking her tongue out with another cough. "Alright... I'm going to have fun tonight and that's the end of it... and you are too."
She grabbed the other girl by the wrist and gave a friendly tug, pulling her towards the others who were dancing. "Yoooouuu are going to dance with me."
She didn't give the other female much choice, they were there and they needed some fun and Niya seemed outgoing enough to dance with her even if they both felt a little awkward being there. She spotted Serena, Seb, and Gunner all together and gave Seb a wink as he was looking her way. Dammit... she was GOING to have fun.
~*~
Sebastian smiled at Gunner, "You need to have some fun... She's less than comfortable with the situation either... or her wardrobe choice, not practical enough for her. Who knows how long she's been setting on that dress. It's not something she would have bought for herself so Anya..." He stumbled on his words a moment and then went on holding his smile," Anya must have gotten it for her."
He looked at Serena when she called him touchy, "I can't help it... I have an affectionate nature," he teased brightening back up as though it had never happened. He hugged her loosely again, "I'll have to ask you to dance... later though on a slower song, more appropriate... Else I might hurt myself. Some of that looks painful..."
He blinked as he seemed to notice something, "Huh... Never thought I'd see THAT." He whistled as he watched Anna and Niya dance, "Who knew Anna could dance?" He pouted, "I didn't know Anna could dance." He looked at Serena who obviously would have had no clue but he joked with her anyway, "Did you know Anna could dance?"
From her aura she was still nervous, anxious... but she seemed to genuinely be enjoying herself which was good. Anna never loosened up like this and he suspected part of it was due to the spiked punch but the other part had been determination to forget about how she'd felt when she'd seen Gunner... it had confused her and made her feel insecure. Now she was trying to prove she was fine, that her reaction had been nothing but party jitters. He sighed and then turned to Gunner, "I don't suppose YOU are going to dance..." Seb batted his lashes, "I could dance with you." He was teasing Gunner, it was always fun to tease Gunner.
The song was ending and Anna had danced closer to Basil and had been doing what had looked like introducing Niya who she was smiling at and apparently thanking for the dance before she turned to head back to them.
~*~
Anna had danced closer to Basil who was being tickled by Gabby she smiled at the two girls and nodded politely (surprisingly) to Rae... after all he was Niya's ward. "Basil, this is Niya Rae's Guardian and Niya this is Basil Tarus, my ward, and Gabby, Gunner's Ward."
She turned to Niya, "Thanks for dancing with me..." She looked over at Basil, "And thanks for convincing me to come... I don't usually loosen up for things like this."
She nodded back towards the group, "We should go back to the others for a minute, I'm not used to dancing like that and my feet are killing me." She tugged off the fancy shoes and then straightened, nodding politely to the Moroi. "I'll be back to dance again Basil, try not to get too smashed or you'll have a killer hang over tomorrow." She headed back to the others and spotted Gunner and this time felt just fine when she looked at him. See, she told herself, he's still your bestie... nothing has changed.
She paused when she reached them, "Hello again." She glanced over at Gunner and tucked a loose hair behind her ear, "Hey Gunner, I'm glad you came." She gave him a light punch to his shoulder.
"Don't drink too much of the punch," she warned as she let go. "You'd be a light weight and then Niya, Serena, and I would have to drag you back to the dorms," she teased.
She jumped a little when she heard Niya's voice and she smiled, "Hey there Niya..." She took another sip of her drink and grimaced before coughing with a laugh. Whatever this was spiked with was strong, "Can you tell I don't really drink... that was pretty impressive though." She sighed, if she was going to get through this party she needed to loosen up so, taking a page from Niya's book, she shotgunned the drink and then grimaced sticking her tongue out with another cough. "Alright... I'm going to have fun tonight and that's the end of it... and you are too."
She grabbed the other girl by the wrist and gave a friendly tug, pulling her towards the others who were dancing. "Yoooouuu are going to dance with me."
She didn't give the other female much choice, they were there and they needed some fun and Niya seemed outgoing enough to dance with her even if they both felt a little awkward being there. She spotted Serena, Seb, and Gunner all together and gave Seb a wink as he was looking her way. Dammit... she was GOING to have fun.
~*~
Sebastian smiled at Gunner, "You need to have some fun... She's less than comfortable with the situation either... or her wardrobe choice, not practical enough for her. Who knows how long she's been setting on that dress. It's not something she would have bought for herself so Anya..." He stumbled on his words a moment and then went on holding his smile," Anya must have gotten it for her."
He looked at Serena when she called him touchy, "I can't help it... I have an affectionate nature," he teased brightening back up as though it had never happened. He hugged her loosely again, "I'll have to ask you to dance... later though on a slower song, more appropriate... Else I might hurt myself. Some of that looks painful..."
He blinked as he seemed to notice something, "Huh... Never thought I'd see THAT." He whistled as he watched Anna and Niya dance, "Who knew Anna could dance?" He pouted, "I didn't know Anna could dance." He looked at Serena who obviously would have had no clue but he joked with her anyway, "Did you know Anna could dance?"
From her aura she was still nervous, anxious... but she seemed to genuinely be enjoying herself which was good. Anna never loosened up like this and he suspected part of it was due to the spiked punch but the other part had been determination to forget about how she'd felt when she'd seen Gunner... it had confused her and made her feel insecure. Now she was trying to prove she was fine, that her reaction had been nothing but party jitters. He sighed and then turned to Gunner, "I don't suppose YOU are going to dance..." Seb batted his lashes, "I could dance with you." He was teasing Gunner, it was always fun to tease Gunner.
The song was ending and Anna had danced closer to Basil and had been doing what had looked like introducing Niya who she was smiling at and apparently thanking for the dance before she turned to head back to them.
~*~
Anna had danced closer to Basil who was being tickled by Gabby she smiled at the two girls and nodded politely (surprisingly) to Rae... after all he was Niya's ward. "Basil, this is Niya Rae's Guardian and Niya this is Basil Tarus, my ward, and Gabby, Gunner's Ward."
She turned to Niya, "Thanks for dancing with me..." She looked over at Basil, "And thanks for convincing me to come... I don't usually loosen up for things like this."
She nodded back towards the group, "We should go back to the others for a minute, I'm not used to dancing like that and my feet are killing me." She tugged off the fancy shoes and then straightened, nodding politely to the Moroi. "I'll be back to dance again Basil, try not to get too smashed or you'll have a killer hang over tomorrow." She headed back to the others and spotted Gunner and this time felt just fine when she looked at him. See, she told herself, he's still your bestie... nothing has changed.
She paused when she reached them, "Hello again." She glanced over at Gunner and tucked a loose hair behind her ear, "Hey Gunner, I'm glad you came." She gave him a light punch to his shoulder.
"Don't drink too much of the punch," she warned as she let go. "You'd be a light weight and then Niya, Serena, and I would have to drag you back to the dorms," she teased.
Anna spotted Niya racing towards her and grinned, "Woah horsey... I wasn't sure you'd come but I'm glad you did. At least I'm not the only one who gets to feel awkward in fancy clothes, though I think I like your approach better. You could still fight in that."
It wasn't long till she spotted Serena too and it seemed Seb had noticed them as well because he was headed over. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans, a black button down tuxedo vest which he left open, and a white dress shirt only half tucked in underneath that. It was a typical thing for Seb to wear any time because he liked making things that should look classy look messy. His hair was still looking slightly messy, Anna honestly didn't know if he purposely styled it that way or it was from his hands constantly being in it. He slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled at the three girls, "Is this my company tonight... I am a lucky man."
Anna laughed and grabbed his fedora off his head and put it on hers, pulling it low to shield her eyes. "Yeah you are..."
She looked at Serena's gown as she handed Seb back his hat, "You look fantastic..." It was true, she looked so innocent in the face that she almost looked like an angel in that dress. Obviously Seb had noticed to because he realized he was staring and cleared his throat, a playful smile curving his mouth, "And here I thought I'd never get to see my three serious Dhampirs dress up..." He kissed the back of Serena's hand with a flourish of a bow before straightening. "I'm glad you decided to come, it's not good to be holed up alone, I should know... Who talked you into coming Anna, you never said and you almost never come to parties unless it's to guard at them."
Anna shrugged, "My ward did... Basil Tarus? She asked me to come."
She was still semi surprised but she tried to accept that maybe all royal moroi weren't... well... the way usual royals were. She'd met Seb sure but Seb was an unusual case and Anya had been too. Seb didn't know Anya was the one who'd gotten her the dress and jewelry, thank the gods.
"How was your day guarding Rae Niya," Sebastian was asking. "Anna has avoided getting him like the plague, I was wondering if he was really that complicated of a ward so far."
Anna stuck her tongue out at Seb and turned to Serena, "I feel so... weird. I'm used to wearing things I can fight in at a moments notice and... well..." She gave a sheepish smile as she gestured to her dress.
She caught sight of Gunner headed into the glow of the lights from the party and suddenly felt completely ridiculous and sort of like a cat trying to be a dog. Not to mention overly exposed, she crossed her arms over her exposed midriff and bit at her lip. She caught herself tugging at a strand of hair that had escaped the pony-tail and hung in her face before she quickly released it and excused herself nervously from the others. If Gunner went anywhere it would be to the happy little group and Anna felt too embarrassed over her wardrobe choice to face him right now. Sebastian seemed to notice her anxiety immediately, probably watching her aura, and looked around for the source. He spotted Gunner and looked back at Anna, almost a little sadly.
She was quick to reassure him because he looked so concerned about her, "I'm fine Seb, stop worrying about me... I just feel kind of like... I don't know... a kid... playing at dress up. I should have just worn a nice pair of jeans and a tank top or something..."
He put both hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek in a brotherly fashion, whispering into her ear. "You look beautiful Anna, anyone who doesn't notice is blind."
She was briefly taken aback by the intensity in Seb's eyes when he pulled away before he smiled and gave her cheek a light pat. She took a breath, feeling somewhat better. "I'm gonna... grab a drink."
She walked off probably long before Gunner actually caught a glance at her, he was looking around like he was scanning the wards for potential threats... but that was Gunner for you. She didn't really know why she suddenly felt so reluctant to talk to Gunner, he was her bestie after all. They could joke about how ridiculous she looked together... but for some reason the idea of Gunner pointing out that she looked ridiculous as a Guardian in a dress like this made her feel... kinda sick, sad, and anxious all at once. What the hell was going on with her tonight?
She went to the table the others had sat up and filled a plastic cup with punch and took a sip... and coughed. Yeah... definitely spiked. One and done, she was NOT getting drunk or even tipsy tonight... and she planned to sip it so slowly she wouldn't even get buzzed. The dress and jewelry was enough playing at someone else for the night... she didn't need to get herself smashed while she was at it.
She looked up, spotting Basil with Rae and waved at the Moroi in a happy greeting. She actually was happy to see her... Who knew she'd find another royal she got along with.
~*~
Sebastian watched Anna go just as Gunner was getting closer and sighed. Her aura had been going crazy with so many different colors, all tinged with gold, that he'd known exactly who he'd see when he'd look over his shoulder. Sooner or later she was going to have to face the way she felt and actually acknowledge it... Then, she'd have to figure out how to handle knowing she was feeling a little too fond for her bestie to just be besties anymore... He was worried for her how Gunner would take it when it finally came down to it and a little worried how Gunner would take Anna looking like THAT tonight. He could already tell that the usual jokes that he and Anna made would probably hurt Anna's feelings tonight... Her aura had seemed... unusually vulnerable.
He turned his attention to Gunner and waved him over, in case he hadn't seen them yet. "Hey, look who I found," he noted as he indicated Niya and Serena. "I didn't think I'd see YOU here tonight either... indeed it is a night of miracles," he teased.
He put a companionable arm around both Niya and Serena's shoulders though he pulled Serena slightly against him in a companionable half hug for a brief moment.
It wasn't long till she spotted Serena too and it seemed Seb had noticed them as well because he was headed over. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans, a black button down tuxedo vest which he left open, and a white dress shirt only half tucked in underneath that. It was a typical thing for Seb to wear any time because he liked making things that should look classy look messy. His hair was still looking slightly messy, Anna honestly didn't know if he purposely styled it that way or it was from his hands constantly being in it. He slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled at the three girls, "Is this my company tonight... I am a lucky man."
Anna laughed and grabbed his fedora off his head and put it on hers, pulling it low to shield her eyes. "Yeah you are..."
She looked at Serena's gown as she handed Seb back his hat, "You look fantastic..." It was true, she looked so innocent in the face that she almost looked like an angel in that dress. Obviously Seb had noticed to because he realized he was staring and cleared his throat, a playful smile curving his mouth, "And here I thought I'd never get to see my three serious Dhampirs dress up..." He kissed the back of Serena's hand with a flourish of a bow before straightening. "I'm glad you decided to come, it's not good to be holed up alone, I should know... Who talked you into coming Anna, you never said and you almost never come to parties unless it's to guard at them."
Anna shrugged, "My ward did... Basil Tarus? She asked me to come."
She was still semi surprised but she tried to accept that maybe all royal moroi weren't... well... the way usual royals were. She'd met Seb sure but Seb was an unusual case and Anya had been too. Seb didn't know Anya was the one who'd gotten her the dress and jewelry, thank the gods.
"How was your day guarding Rae Niya," Sebastian was asking. "Anna has avoided getting him like the plague, I was wondering if he was really that complicated of a ward so far."
Anna stuck her tongue out at Seb and turned to Serena, "I feel so... weird. I'm used to wearing things I can fight in at a moments notice and... well..." She gave a sheepish smile as she gestured to her dress.
She caught sight of Gunner headed into the glow of the lights from the party and suddenly felt completely ridiculous and sort of like a cat trying to be a dog. Not to mention overly exposed, she crossed her arms over her exposed midriff and bit at her lip. She caught herself tugging at a strand of hair that had escaped the pony-tail and hung in her face before she quickly released it and excused herself nervously from the others. If Gunner went anywhere it would be to the happy little group and Anna felt too embarrassed over her wardrobe choice to face him right now. Sebastian seemed to notice her anxiety immediately, probably watching her aura, and looked around for the source. He spotted Gunner and looked back at Anna, almost a little sadly.
She was quick to reassure him because he looked so concerned about her, "I'm fine Seb, stop worrying about me... I just feel kind of like... I don't know... a kid... playing at dress up. I should have just worn a nice pair of jeans and a tank top or something..."
He put both hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek in a brotherly fashion, whispering into her ear. "You look beautiful Anna, anyone who doesn't notice is blind."
She was briefly taken aback by the intensity in Seb's eyes when he pulled away before he smiled and gave her cheek a light pat. She took a breath, feeling somewhat better. "I'm gonna... grab a drink."
She walked off probably long before Gunner actually caught a glance at her, he was looking around like he was scanning the wards for potential threats... but that was Gunner for you. She didn't really know why she suddenly felt so reluctant to talk to Gunner, he was her bestie after all. They could joke about how ridiculous she looked together... but for some reason the idea of Gunner pointing out that she looked ridiculous as a Guardian in a dress like this made her feel... kinda sick, sad, and anxious all at once. What the hell was going on with her tonight?
She went to the table the others had sat up and filled a plastic cup with punch and took a sip... and coughed. Yeah... definitely spiked. One and done, she was NOT getting drunk or even tipsy tonight... and she planned to sip it so slowly she wouldn't even get buzzed. The dress and jewelry was enough playing at someone else for the night... she didn't need to get herself smashed while she was at it.
She looked up, spotting Basil with Rae and waved at the Moroi in a happy greeting. She actually was happy to see her... Who knew she'd find another royal she got along with.
~*~
Sebastian watched Anna go just as Gunner was getting closer and sighed. Her aura had been going crazy with so many different colors, all tinged with gold, that he'd known exactly who he'd see when he'd look over his shoulder. Sooner or later she was going to have to face the way she felt and actually acknowledge it... Then, she'd have to figure out how to handle knowing she was feeling a little too fond for her bestie to just be besties anymore... He was worried for her how Gunner would take it when it finally came down to it and a little worried how Gunner would take Anna looking like THAT tonight. He could already tell that the usual jokes that he and Anna made would probably hurt Anna's feelings tonight... Her aura had seemed... unusually vulnerable.
He turned his attention to Gunner and waved him over, in case he hadn't seen them yet. "Hey, look who I found," he noted as he indicated Niya and Serena. "I didn't think I'd see YOU here tonight either... indeed it is a night of miracles," he teased.
He put a companionable arm around both Niya and Serena's shoulders though he pulled Serena slightly against him in a companionable half hug for a brief moment.
The day wore on and with the party coming up Anna stared nervously into her closet. She had one dress... one single dress that Anya had talked her into getting a long time ago. She had never worn it, but it had made Anya happy to get it for her... Anna would never have bought something like that willingly. It had costed way too much and wasn't her typical down to earth style. She shook her head, no way would it fit her anymore right? I mean... she'd filled out quite a bit but then... she had never tried it on and hadn't known what size dress she'd wear. She bit her lip and took a deep breath before pulling it out of the closet.
Anna had invited Kseniya after Basil had convinced her to come and she'd told Seb that she was going... which meant he'd promptly said he was going also and he invited Serena so she could get to know her classmates better... He had also been the one to inform Gunner about the party, though he doubted he'd go, he'd let him know Anna was going too though so maybe he'd feel left out if he DIDN'T join. Anna didn't know that though... What she did know was that she was going to feel ridiculous in a dress.
She struggled with herself in the mirror for some time, avoiding coming out of the bathroom for fear Niya had come back and would see her so flustered. After several tries she finally got her thick wavy hair to fall in a sophisticated ponytail down her back. As far as makeup went she'd avoided wearing much, just enough eyeliner and smokey eyeshadow to make her eyes stand out, mascara to help make her lashes look longer and more delicate, and a sheer lipgloss that made her lips look fuller and shiny. She pulled at the hem of the dress uncomfortably for a moment before giving up and looking at herself in the full length mirror.
The dress was royal blue and clung to her curves... It was tied at the back of the neck, the two pieces crisscrossed over the chest to cover the breasts and showed off a small diamond of belly and all of her back. It barely came to the ends of her middle fingers as she stood and the black open toed pumps that mercifully had no real heel just a rise, had crisscrossing straps that came to just above her ankle... All in all she looked ... well... stunning... especially when you added the silver and diamond necklace and dewdrop shaped dangly matching earrings that Anya had gotten her for her birthday. She'd honestly never thought she'd wear it.
She rubbed her palms on her dress and stepped out of the bathroom wondering if Niya had taken her up on her offer and was already there or not... She barely noticed as she made her way into the woods where the others were. Lights consisted of campfires and lamps and candles... a recipe for a forest fire if they weren't careful though they were near the lake and there weren't really any decorations unless you counted the people. The clothes were amazing. Anna found a tree that looked companionable enough and leaned against it with a sigh as she looked around nervously for Basil, Niya, Serena, Sebastian... anyone really that she knew...
She finally spotted Seb and wasn't surprised to see that he wasn't dressed up at all. He was in new, clean clothes but they were his usual thing and he looked unconcerned with whether or not anyone cared... Typical Seb.
Anna had invited Kseniya after Basil had convinced her to come and she'd told Seb that she was going... which meant he'd promptly said he was going also and he invited Serena so she could get to know her classmates better... He had also been the one to inform Gunner about the party, though he doubted he'd go, he'd let him know Anna was going too though so maybe he'd feel left out if he DIDN'T join. Anna didn't know that though... What she did know was that she was going to feel ridiculous in a dress.
She struggled with herself in the mirror for some time, avoiding coming out of the bathroom for fear Niya had come back and would see her so flustered. After several tries she finally got her thick wavy hair to fall in a sophisticated ponytail down her back. As far as makeup went she'd avoided wearing much, just enough eyeliner and smokey eyeshadow to make her eyes stand out, mascara to help make her lashes look longer and more delicate, and a sheer lipgloss that made her lips look fuller and shiny. She pulled at the hem of the dress uncomfortably for a moment before giving up and looking at herself in the full length mirror.
The dress was royal blue and clung to her curves... It was tied at the back of the neck, the two pieces crisscrossed over the chest to cover the breasts and showed off a small diamond of belly and all of her back. It barely came to the ends of her middle fingers as she stood and the black open toed pumps that mercifully had no real heel just a rise, had crisscrossing straps that came to just above her ankle... All in all she looked ... well... stunning... especially when you added the silver and diamond necklace and dewdrop shaped dangly matching earrings that Anya had gotten her for her birthday. She'd honestly never thought she'd wear it.
She rubbed her palms on her dress and stepped out of the bathroom wondering if Niya had taken her up on her offer and was already there or not... She barely noticed as she made her way into the woods where the others were. Lights consisted of campfires and lamps and candles... a recipe for a forest fire if they weren't careful though they were near the lake and there weren't really any decorations unless you counted the people. The clothes were amazing. Anna found a tree that looked companionable enough and leaned against it with a sigh as she looked around nervously for Basil, Niya, Serena, Sebastian... anyone really that she knew...
She finally spotted Seb and wasn't surprised to see that he wasn't dressed up at all. He was in new, clean clothes but they were his usual thing and he looked unconcerned with whether or not anyone cared... Typical Seb.
Sebastian felt like she'd dumped cold water on him and he'd released her hand immediately. He had felt like he was making progress, like maybe he'd be able to be with her after all and then... He didn't say a word, instead his eyes had gone dark and shielded. He nodded to her as she went to the feeders and moved to another curtain. He ate but left directly afterwards, he didn't wait and he didn't go to the lunchroom. He headed back through the courtyard and into the woods. There was a small clearing by the small spring that fed the lake... He spent a lot of time there before he'd met Anna and along with Anna had come Gunner and then Anya... He stood by the spring a moment before he pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
It was against the rules to smoke on campus but when had he ever really cared about the rules... He laid back on the rock nearby and stared up at the sky, not really willing to think beyond the taste of nicotine in his mouth and the burn of the cut healing on his hand. He unbandaged it and stared at it momentarily, it was already healing. His self-destructive cloud came back to haunt him and he pressed the cig into the cut, cauterizing it. He barely even felt the pain and there was none of the usual urge to continue inflicting pain... He was just... empty at the moment. Probably still deciding what to do with his emotions since they didn't seem to know either...
~*~
Anna chuckled, "The magic words huh? You know I don't know any of those."
She frowned, "Where are those two? Classes are going to start soon and I haven't seen either of them. They were supposed to meet us since you got Anya as a ward and I got Seb... He said they would..."
She pushed the food away and stood, "Maybe I should check at the feeders."
It was against the rules to smoke on campus but when had he ever really cared about the rules... He laid back on the rock nearby and stared up at the sky, not really willing to think beyond the taste of nicotine in his mouth and the burn of the cut healing on his hand. He unbandaged it and stared at it momentarily, it was already healing. His self-destructive cloud came back to haunt him and he pressed the cig into the cut, cauterizing it. He barely even felt the pain and there was none of the usual urge to continue inflicting pain... He was just... empty at the moment. Probably still deciding what to do with his emotions since they didn't seem to know either...
~*~
Anna chuckled, "The magic words huh? You know I don't know any of those."
She frowned, "Where are those two? Classes are going to start soon and I haven't seen either of them. They were supposed to meet us since you got Anya as a ward and I got Seb... He said they would..."
She pushed the food away and stood, "Maybe I should check at the feeders."
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