Bristol was feeling all manner of things.

She was wary, fo' sure, but she was also ecstatic. He was actually here, in front of her, so close that she'd be able to reach out and touch him if she wanted. Part of her did want to; she wanted to pull him close, forget everything bad that had happened between them in the last few years, and NEVER let go. Like, ever. But, she didn't. She ... couldn't, because as he'd just pointed out, it had been a really, really long time. They were completely different people now.

"It's been ... too long," she said and swallowed.

The sixteen year old didn't know what to say, where to begin ..... Words kept going through her head, some more often than others, but none left her lips. Unconsciously, she bit down on her lip like Forrest had. Forrest. Even thinking his name at the same as seeing him felt overwhelmed. That's how Bristol felt; overwhelmed.

Finally, she said the words she'd been dying to say since she wrote that letter to him. "I'm sorry."

Once she'd said it, though, it didn't seem like enough, and more and more words poured out. "I'm really, REALLY sorry. Words ... I can't ... you don't ... I'm sorry. Just ... I know I've hurt you and I should've tried to fix it instead of running away and hiding but I couldn't. You have no idea how long I've been thinking about owling and explaining EVERYTHING, but I couldn't find the right words. She stopped speaking abruptly and stared at him again, wide eyed. At some point during her small rant, she'd pulled up many blades of grass that surrounded her, and now her arms came up to hug her legs close. Bristol was distinctly aware of how inadequate and pathetic her explanation and apology was. She waited, frozen, for Forrest's response.

Józsua was in a world of his own. Good song. Great beat. Everyone around him was really getting into it so he was quite happy to be carried along and lose himself in the music.

He was bumped. He swept around to utter what was an inaudible apology above the roar of music and that ear damaging baseline. He smiled brightly (unaware that smiling when dancing wasn't regarded hot) at the vision that greeted him. A girl—no, woman.. Merlin. She was all long limbs and pale skin and pretty dark hair and confidence. What was that she was doing? Was he being.. claimed?

Erm..

Well Józsua didn't mind in the slightest...

He moved with her, not quite in the same fashion she was dancing, but his eyes were trained on her and his hips moved in time with hers. Not really meaning to, but he was so taken in the moment, he reached out, placing a hand on her hip as they danced, obviously, unconsciously, deciding he also wanted to claim this one as his dancing partner too.

Emrys chuckled a bit uncomfortably, but lightly. "That obvious, huh? My sister..." he looked around, realizing that Amelia had gone off. "insisted I come with her." He shook his head, unsurprised that she had slipped away. She was probably spying from somewhere. "But yeah. Catching up." he said, rocking on his feet a little and casting a glance over to the seating.

But wow. "That sounds impressive." And intimidating. Wow. Emrys felt immediately inadequate, which was perhaps not an unfamiliar feeling, but one he was not thrilled to be having at this particular moment. "I'm.." merlin this was embarrassing. "I'm a personal assistant." he shrugged. Lots of errands. Sometimes previewing potential research sources, but nothing worth even mentioning.

Wow. They'd only really known each other for a short time, so long ago, but Emrys was struck by how differently things had turned out for them.

Really? She was going to play the who was cuter game still. Fine if she wanted it that way. He ginned and nodded, "You're right I am." So HA! Yup he could be cheeky too. He smiled as she kissed him and snuggled back against him. It was just...adorable. Gah. He was turning into a sap again. And here he thought he grew out of that after the last relationship. She just brought out something in him though...couldn't quite figure it out yet however.

Ivan laughed as she swatted at him and hearing her response to his teasing smirked, "I thought it was. And we all know I have a big ego. But..for good reason." He gave her a wink and ran his hand along her bare arm.

"Well you were just so late I had to do something in my free time or else I looked like I was stood up," he teased again. "No...but if they play something slow we can probably dance." He was quite the dancer but it didn't get shown off enough really. He started swaying mimicking a slow dance and held her tightly in his lap so she didn't fall off by accident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

He was not late, for the record.

In fact, Takeshi had arrived ridiculously early to the festival in hopes that he would loosen up long before his date arrived. Only the complete opposite had happened. So instead of looking confident as he swayed back and forth to the music, he was standing off to the side hidden behind some decorations with sweaty palms shoved into his jean pockets and hat tilted in such a way that his features were hard to make out.

Matters were only made worse when he saw her arrive...and ended up slinking back into the corner to sandwich himself between two decorations a bit more. Well, maybe not sandwich as much as trap...because now there was no way of escaping without walking right out in front of her.

Why had he signed up for this again?

Solely because he did not want to appear rude or heartless - and so as not to make a lady cry because she had been stood up - he took just enough timid steps out of hiding so he could reach out and tap her on the shoulder. Twice.

Er....hi?

Chelsea hadn’t noticed the man in the bushes. Nope, she was simply watching the festival. There was someone tapping her shoulder. THERE WAS SOMEONE TOUCHING HER! She turned sharply, before seeing he awkward seeming guy. Oh. Was that the guy? She thought before laughing a bit, more out of nerves than anything.

“Hi,” Chelsea smiled her heart still hammering from the whole person touching her incident. “Are you uh Takashi?” She asked carefully still feeling somewhat unnerved.

God she hoped it was Takashi and not some creep of a guy.

"Anticipation is fun, sure, but nothing compares to when I'm up there with guitar strings under my fingers and a song on my lips." West said, suddenly more serious. And it was true, when he was in the music there was nothing better. It felt like anything which troubled him slipped away, and he found some kind of peace. If West had to choose between music and breathing as what most kept him alive, he'd say it was the music.

He ran his fingers through his hair and gathered himself, smiling wryly. "What exactly would I hypothetically be celebrating?" Honestly, if he didn't chicken out later, he'd only be going to see out of curiosity, he sure wouldn't be paying extra for anything. He felt that would be crossing the line, really.

West was about to say something else when he noticed a couple of familiar faces. First, Penelope, who got a big smile and a wave and... what was she doing? Err... hehe. Making a new friend? Right then. He'd catch her when she had a spare moment, but he was glad she had come along to support them... he just wasn't sure if he should point it out to Ascanius or not, if the guy didn't notice her on his own accord that was.

The other familiar faces....

West blinked, smile fading, his usually cool blue gaze filling with something else, something more burning... possessiveness? Anger? Jealousy? Confusion? Maybe all of those? Maybe something else?

...With a concentrated effort, he relaxed his hands from the fists he had unconsciously balled them into, and pressed the flat of each palm against his sides. He'd bitten the inside of his mouth too and now tasted the tang of blood. He could use this. Channel it. On stage. Into his music. It was safe to express it there.

Speaking of which...

"I have to head off, I got a few things to do before its showtime. Catch you some other time yeah? I'll be looking out for you in the crowd." New friend and all, new fan, right? West gave Justine a little salute and then slipped away, he had someone to find. A really important someone.

"You call them assumptions I call them intuition." Whatever he wanted to call it, she was right...in her book."I don't suppose you would BUT I need you to know that your little sister is perfectly capable of handling and taking care of a situation...especially when I'm working with a very competent Durmstrang school board." She patted his arm and stepped aside as two young fools barged by.

"I'm sure we'll have everything taken care of before the new school term starts." She replied confidently....but really....

"Sight seeing? Oh Bruce you should know that it's not an if, about me coming along during the excavating. I want to be front and center." Never stop learning and improving...that was her motto. She didn't master Charms and Transfiguration just by sight seeing after all.

And of course, someone else was braver than him to point out the harsh truth out loud: the too part. Someone had always been braver than him all his life. He let out a breath in stress that definitely was not directed at her; but for once, he was too inconsiderate to think she could very well think he was annoyed at herself so.

He met her gaze when she apologised, and it felt wrong then. It was wrong to hear her apologise, rushing to get words out; because it was very wrong to hear she felt the urge to run away. He didn't have any idea what she had been through, and so he realised that he had no right to blame her too. Besides, he thought selfishly, he desperately needed a friend that he could rely on, and no matter what Toby or Ella said, he was sure they viewed him as a bad friend - or no friend at all. However, Bristol here... she felt like the way he felt towards Toby and Ella (whose names hurt his heart). He figured she needed a friend too, and for once, it wasn't him who had to work hard. All he had to say was 'It's okay.' Their past wouldn't even matter, then, because they would be friends of teenage, not childhood. Everything would be fine...

His inner, cruel voice sniggered at his optimism, then his face fell to bitterness, but he valiently smiled at her in the end.

"We can forget about what we could have done," he said, eyes on her, "and try 'BFF' again." He didn't let himself get hopeful, because something always came up, but he wouldn't deny her the hopes.

Louisa chuckled when he seemed to react well to her dancing. She let her arms fall onto his shoulders finally, and resumed to dance with him. He looked like he was enjoying himself, there was a subtle hint of novelty to the way he was losing himself to the music and the rhythym, that gave him a somewhat young look.

She liked him and it, proving once again that interacting with strangers regularly was a great experience.

After a few moments, Louisa turned back to face him and slowed down to stand up to speak into his ear over the roaring music, "Lose the smile, be edgy!" She encouraged, pointing at her face to show him what she meant; She lost her smile in that moment and wore her confident, couldn't-care-less face. This was the kind of dancing she hoped for in this festival, the one where you showed your true self without complimentary or sugarcoating. Without the intention to flirt or pick a date, ekh. Just put on a serious face and dance your butt off.



Louisa followed his eyes to where his sister was. "I like her already." She reminded her of her, forcing people to have fun and pushing them out of their comfort zone. Yep, that was all Louisa with her friends. "She wants you to have fun, I guess. And be her escort probably." She chuckled, assuming the girl was too young to get here without a chaperon. Unless they had really cool parents?

It was impressive, her education and career was the one thing she was proud of in her life. "Thank you, I worked really hard to get here." Like, really, really hard. No one would understand how much she pushed herself, and independently handled things, and fell victim to feeling so lonely sometimes just to get here. But she almost did it! She was one presentation away from climbing that ladder to being a diplomat. "That's nice. Personal assistant where? The ministry?" She encouraged him to tell her more. "I have a friend who worked as one of the minister's personal assistants... or was it the undersecretary? I forgot, but yeah, he was in the minister's office. It was impressive, too." She was, of course, talking about Joao.

"What about this..." she brought her hand close to his heart with a grin. "A significant other?" Was he married with kids like the majority of her friends? Hmm? Or was he one of the cool, still-single people exploring the out there still?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimist

Chelsea hadn’t noticed the man in the bushes. Nope, she was simply watching the festival. There was someone tapping her shoulder. THERE WAS SOMEONE TOUCHING HER! She turned sharply, before seeing he awkward seeming guy. Oh. Was that the guy? She thought before laughing a bit, more out of nerves than anything.

“Hi,” Chelsea smiled her heart still hammering from the whole person touching her incident. “Are you uh Takashi?” She asked carefully still feeling somewhat unnerved.

God she hoped it was Takashi and not some creep of a guy.

Takeshi moved to push his glasses up, resulting in him nearly poking himself in the eye because he had utilized a potion today rather than gone natural. Entirely because he wanted to avoid performing this nervous tick of his. Fantastic. Now he would just nearly poke himself in the eye all the time.

"Uh...no..." he said, glancing around nervously and wondering if he had just made a grave mistake. "I'm Takeshi...Takeshi Hollingberry. I'm looking for a Chelsea...who I am sincerely hoping is you."

Otherwise he was just going to go crawl into a hole somewhere.

Was she expecting him to dance like...some of the other people around here. That close? And with rhythm? He had two left feet...in case anyone cared.

Simon nodded in some sort of understanding as Angelina spoke of her usual musical interest. Yeah, there was certainly plenty of options to listen to from both musical collections. His own repertoire of guitar pieces from long ago had mix from both lists. Add guitar playing to his list of activities he might try to pick up again. "No, they aren't," he agreed, beginning to notice the motion of her hand on her knee.

"Getting into the rhythm?" he mused watching her. It was a particularly upbeat piece.

Of course, of course he knew she was competent and capable of handling a situation; he'd grown up with her afterall. Still a little unnerving that they'd recovered another body in the forest but he was sure Maya knew better than to venture there given the circumstances so there was some degree of solace. "How you manage to handle both Durmstrang and Hogwarts messes I'll never understand." His work was hectic at times but Sophia must have always had her hands filled between the two.

"That may be, but I'd still like the update, just for my own peace of mind." It wasn't in his nature to worry but some situations absolutely called for it. This was one of those situations that absolutely called for it.

He chuckled with a knowing shake of his head. "Silly me, it must have slipped my mind." His sister had never been the sort to sit back and wait to have things done. She enjoyed luxury but loved getting hands on as well. "Not sure the children will appreciate their holiday being turned into a digging expedition. Looks like I'll have to do a bit of pacing, a means of accommodating them as well." The last thing he wanted was a bunch of whiny children sulking about the heat and lack of entertainment.

Vacations had turned into disasters with less provocation.

After having spent the day enjoying the rest of the festival and only listening to the music from afar, Airey made his way with Medea towards the stage just as they were announcing The Dead Kneazles. "Stellar! Just in time," he whispered to her as he tried to find an open seat closest to the stage. He gave a small shrug towards some seats and reached out with his henna covered hands - right hand done by one of the professionals at the festival and left hand done by Medea herself - to pull out a seat for her.

"Just need to make sure that Professor Botros can find us," he said while giving his suit a pat down for his wand. Maybe he should have worn a more colorful suit? Something a bit easier to spot. The smell of the dye from the henna filled his nostrils and he couldn't help but wince just a little. "Why did I let you talk me into do this? On BOTH my hands no less," he chuckled.

Rhetorical question. He already knew the answer as to why and hoped that it was obvious enough that she knew as well.

The professor took a quick glance towards the stage. Their former students hadn't taken to the stage yet, had they?

Józsua was still smiling.. not to be complimentary or flirtatious, but because, simply, he was having fun. His face showed it all. He'd never been able to keep his feelings hidden from those around him, so it didn't make any difference when he was feeling elated. Joyful. It showed in his open face like sadness would. Music touched his heart and drew it out of him. He didn't expect a dancing partner either.. especially one so... appealing.

Both hands were on her hips now that her hands were on his shoulders and he danced with her. He had to lean his ear closer to her to hear her over the music. Those words just made him smile wider, amused. But a moment later he cleared his throat and dropped the smile. Serious.. although his dark eyes still showed enjoyment, as well warmth towards his dance partner. “Is this edgy enough?” He asked, forcing himself to remain straight-faced. He raised a brow at the young woman, but the corners of his lips quirked just a little. He couldn't do it.

His hands left her hips and he turned around to shake his hips, turning back to face her, making sure to be deadly serious when he did. Chin down, he looked at her from under his eyelashes, mock sultry.. He kept it going for a good few moments.. and then ruined the effect with a bright laugh he couldn't hold back. Nope. Certainly not hot here.

“What's your name?” He shouted. His voice would be hoarse by the end of the day if he kept this up.

BREATHE, MCALISTOR.

CHARLIE BLACK IS MAKING EYE CONTACT DON'T LOSE OXYGEN NOW.

AsDDFjJFLALFJF:djkkaljdlajda.

Okay. Okay. She was good. She had PRACTICED for this. Which was kind of pathetic but now she KNEW WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO. She stopped just kinda looking at him like ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, and instead kept her inner emotions (which were !!!!!FAJ!!FHADSHKJDSHAKHKJH!!!!!) inside and her face did NOT betray her (except she was smiling so much she looked like she had lockjaw).

"HI." she said REALLY LOUDLY, then shrunk into herself. She didn't want OTHER PEOPLE to see who she was talking to. SHE WANTED CHARLIE BLACK FOR HERSELF hemhem.

Act cool.

She was sooooo casual.

"I'm grEAT! How are you? You're performing later on, yeah? Well, I mean, I know that because I totally follow you guys like WHOA. Hehe. I bet lots of people say that, but I actually do. I went to your concert last summer, actually! I entered one of your contests and won. Can I have your autograph? I actually have a Agro poster with me just in case I saw any of you guys. Where's Rufus and Krystal and Odin? Is that REALLY his real name? I should probably stop talking so much, right?"

And with that, holding out a poster, Marigold turned bright red.

Brilliant. Really. Charlie loved this, look at her! She adored him. Rightly so too, he was amazing. Just look at him!

But yeah, he should probably... try and put her at ease. He attempted to, by smiling at her and adjusting his pose. No need to sit there acting like the king of everything when it would make someone more comfortable to look friendly. Anyway, he already knew he was the king of everything.

"I'm really good, we're performing tomorrow, yeah. Afternoon." He grinned and nodded as she continued talking. My my my she was excitable wasn't she? It was awesome!

Okay, was she done? Perfect. "Talk as much as you like, of course you can have an autograph, and yes, Odin is his real name." Shriek, however, wasn't. But he wasn't going to say that out loud, they were both very guarded about their true full names... He took a pen out of his pocket - yes, he carried them around, who knew when you were going to have to sign something? - and glanced at the poster with a grin, before taking it and signing it with a flourish. "The others are... around, I think. D'you want me to take this with me in case you don't see them? I'll have them sign it and send it back to you?"

Okay okay, it seemed overly gracious, but Charlie Black was known for how much he loved the fans. He would do anything for them. Well... not anything... but a lot of things, yep.

Emrys shrugged and nodded. Fun. Right. "I'm sure she's trying to figure out how to ask if we can come back again tomorrow." Though, he was fairly certain that Galen and Celeste would let her come on her own.

He felt awkward, though, as she talked about her hard work and then inquired into his work. Merlin. So unimpressive. He sighed, kicking a little at the ground. "No.. no not at the ministry." Nothing anywhere near that. Personal assistant was the nice bow he could tie around the absolutely unimpressive reality: glorified errand boy. "I work for this eccentric old researcher. He's.. particular." Emrys frowned. "He won't owl anything bigger than a letter, so I end up picking up a lot of books, that sort of thing." Plus handling his dry cleaning, groceries, and soon, he feared, the medical visits.

He hadn't been making eye contact and so he looked up a bit startled when she put her hand on his chest. Swallowing hard, he blinked a little stupidly before answering her question. "N-no." He shook his head a little. Most certainly not. Even if Amelia was doing everything she could, submitting him for matchmakers and trying to set him up all the time.

"W-what.." ahem. "What about you?"

She'd... be moving her hand soon, right?

Looking around as she ate a slice of her pizza, Penelope finally spotted West a little ways away. How had she not noticed him before? Swallowing her bite of pizza, she grinned and waved back but then-

Text Cut: Dani!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

Dani had been enjoying the AWESOME music and dancing kind of by herself--but that was OKAY. Sometimes dancing alone was the best way TO dance since, you know...people could be such hindrances in those sorts of things. And Dani was having fun. So. Yeah.

However, since she HAD come without her ...girlfriend, she was feeling a little lost..and bored..and like she needed to seriously make things up to Tabby.

SIGH.

Morganzo's weren't supposed to be nice so why did Dani ALWAYS feel bad when she was MEAN? Merlin this was annoying. Damn conscience.

Having grabbed a drink she made her way over to the seating area, sipping on her drink graciously, swiping some hair from her forehead, when her foot SUDDENLY made connection with one of the chairs--a leg--and ....TUMBLING DANI WENT. On the ground. She probably did a COMPLETE tumble-set. Luckily playing Quidditch had helped her agility so she didn't look CLUMSY when she fell, but she did.....feel very embarrassed.

And her drink had spilt all over some poor person's feet [PENELOPE]. Siiiiighing, she hopped up quickly and pulled out her wand--"Soo sorry, cutie--" she said quickly, casually, and not really thinking about it before it came out her mouth but seriously-----the girl WAS cute. Dani was flushed.

She had spilt drink all over her shoes. Ugh.

-something hit her shoes and her feet felt very wet. Merlin's beard, what...?

Penelope turned to find a cup and a girl at her feet. Oh, just a spilled drink then? That was o-

Cutie? Huh? Who? She took a split second to look around, wondering if the girl was talking to someone else...but no one else was really all that close by? So...huh.

Anyway.

"S'alright," she said, wiggling her feet a little to get some of the liquid off. Which didn't really work since most of it seemed to have seeped in already. But a quick Scourgify or something would probably fix it just fine. Though would she have to take off her shoes to clean it all? Hmm. "No worries, it happens." Spilled drinks weren't uncommon, so it wasn't anything to freak out about.

"i usually am." RIGHT THAT IS. Bam. She held on tightly to him and kicked her feet once again. She was in Heaven, she was sure of it. And all thanks to Lord Vorpatril. He made her heart soar.

"Damn right for a good reason. You have a smoking hot pro quidditch player girlfriend who has the Ogden name on her side. Couldn't ask for much more. Ha." And of course she was kidding... she wasn't anything special. But he was. For surem

Ugh. She was always late. ALWAYS. She kissed his neck and laughed. "I will definitely dance with you sweetheart. Now?"

Ivan just shook his head as she said she was usually right. "You know...they say modesty is becoming," he teased. Of course if she was modest and meek he probably wouldn't be interested in her as much as he was the fact that she gave him a challenge was what he loved. He smiled as she held onto him and watched her feet kick. Yup...adorable. But he wouldn't say so this time or else she'd start the argument again. "I love you," he said instead with a smile and kissed her.

"Well who could ask for more than that. Because I am absolutely with you because of your name and the Pro-Quidditch status." Yup. No other reason at all. He rolled his eyes and gave her side another tickle.

He closed his eyes as she kissed his neck and then looked up at the stage at her question. Some fast song was playing and he made a face. "We could. But not one for the violent thrashing that those songs encourage." Wasn't dancing in his book. Nope. "Do you know how to properly dance?" he asked his hand grabbing hers to fuss with her fingers. "My birthday will be soon. Need to know how to dance properly for the party my Aunt will throw." Well not really but it would be amusing to teach her on vacation. Not...that they would probably get much learning going on with it.

She couldn't help but grin at her Aunt, her Spanish was getting better. "Si, Wigg something. Mum likes them." She had heard the songs before as her mum moved around the house cleaning and dancing. It was such a funny sight to see. She went back to looking at the stage until she heard her Uncle, "I can meet some of the bands? Really?" She jumped around in excitement. "I'm going to meet the bands.. I'm going to meet the bands." Oh yeah she was going to be the coolest kid on the block. Wait until her friends heard she got to meet real live band people. So what if they weren't from Spain and most her friends wouldn't know, she was still meeting them.

"Sure, I can help with the food." The faster they got food the faster Isa could go check out the stage. Turning her eyes to another group that came on she couldn't help, but notice they were actually a younger group. The fans yelling was enough to sell her. She had to know this band, they were going to be AWESOME!! "Can I get a Dead Sneazle shirt?" That's what the announcer called them, right? She couldn't really hear over the screaming.

He shook his head as she got the first band wrong and talked about his sister. He felt his niece was aging him talking about music they listened to compared to her. Though she was dancing, so it was not that bad. "They aren't bad." He was just glad she was having fun and laughed as she started getting excited, "Now I don't know if I'm going to fully be able to get backstage, but we can certainly try." He was going to get a few interviews today, but he didn't want to get her hopes up in case he couldn't take her with him. Some of those bands could get very egotistical.

Looking down at Regina as Mariel took her out of her stroller. Smiling as he watched his daughter for a few minutes. "We'll just go see what they have." He still wasn't fully sure, but figured it was nothing that would be good for them, which was okay in his book. He enjoyed the awful for you type of food.

Looking at Isa he was chuckling again, "The Dead Kneazles Isa, that's their name and sure we can get you a shirt if you really want one." He thought it was interesting she was so into the music and bands, though he was glad she was having a good time. He always worried about that when she came to visit. "Alright, let's go get some food." Motioning to the ten year old as he headed that way.

Angelina opened her mouth to say she was, but they ended their music and a new band was going on stage. BOO. She had JUST been getting into the rhythm! She wasn't the type to be angry at all, though, so she laughed instead.

"Do you know these guys?" The Dead Kneazles? The crowd liked them, apparently.

Botros wasn't one you'd call a modern music fan, he was --like all elderly-- fond of classics, the kind you listened to while rocking in your chair by the fireplace, or the soothing sound to piano solos, or even violin pieces. But today, he was here to support his former students, Odessa was a special one (too bad he didn't choose runes study) and Ab felt the boy connect with him on a level that had nothing to do with him being a student and Botros being a professor. So, the old man wore a neat suit with a blue tie that brought out his weary eyes behind those half-moon spectacles, and walked with his cane by his side towards the Stage just as the band was being announced.

The good part was that he had two colleagues here with him today! He didn't have to stand awkwardly in this swarm of bouncing, sweaty youngsters. He prayed to Odin Flamsteed and Romanos were already here. How was he supposed to SEE them when it was almost dark and people were pushing him out of the way?? He struggled, "Excu-- Ex-- Excuse me!" He tried to say to those in front of him but no one could hear him over the music.

Eventually, he just used his wand to send a shooting light forward illuminating people for him, he kept walking and shooting the light spell until he spotted the blonde professor ahead of him! Botros smiled and picked up the pace, focusing on the two professors so he wouldn't lose them in--OOP! He was suddenly on his hands and knees, someone pushed him to get past him. Ugh, ugh... He was fine... just... ugh... he needed to get up...

Louisa couldn't help but laugh at his failing attempt to be edgy. She enjoyed the closeness, a level of intimacy with a stranger was mysterious and alluring, she missed this feeling. It was the first time in months since she experienced something exciting and challenging-- the boring routine her life had fallen to after her graduation was making her miserable and cynical. But this, she needed this and so she let herself dance with him with no concern of a repercussion. She was wild but she rarely showed it. Like right now.

He seemed to be enjoying himself as well, though not at all edgy, he was cute and when he turned around and did a bum wiggle, Louisa let out another loud laugh and she simply imitated him; Turning around and slithering her way down then up finishing with a bum wiggle just like his. She was smiling now, it was a bit mischievous but a smile nonetheless. "Names will create a barrier between us, let's have a bit more fun first." She shouted back, and let her arms back on his shoulders once again.

When the song ended and another started, Louisa realized how hot it was in here, her hair was already sticking to her neck and cheeks, but she cared not for how she looked but how much she was enjoying herself. She stopped dancing to take a breather, and laughed once again. "Do you really want to know my name? I'd rather this dance remains as sweetly vague as a fantasy, like a nice dream where details don't matter." She didn't want to know his name, to be honest. She didn't mind having more fun with him, either, but not knowing things about him meant this was probably going to turn from a sweet fantasy to a headache. She was tired of headaches.



Louisa chuckled at his sister once again, "Well, then, you should bring her tomorrow without her asking if you already know it. If I had a little sister, I'd teach her everything, all the tricks." Her smile widening to a smirk as she drifted off in her own daydream. Though Alexa was already considered like her little sister, the girl was not half as obedient as Louisa would've liked sisters to be but at least she was cool enough to be taken under Louisa's corrupted wing. Vivi's wing too, but Vivi was the angel on Lex's shoulder when Louisa was the red devil with two horns. Heh heh heh.

What Emrys explained about his job sounded like he was working hard, too. "You sound like someone with enough patience and serenity to tolerate an eccentric man. Not a job for everyone." She nodded her head, half-impressed. If it was her, she'd strangle the man and be on her way to do something more drastic in her life. "Do you help him with his research at all?" Emrys was a Ravenclaw, she bet he mused (even if just to himself) about the thing his old man was researching.

The startled look didn't throw Louisa off, she acted like it was nothing and of course retreated her hand to her lap when her question was answered. "Oh you're with the cool people then. Single life is the best, no headaches, no responsibility, all the time you want to figure out your life." She stretched and fell back to her slightly hunched sitting position. "Nope. I go out on dates, have fun and stuff. But nothing serious yet." The thing with Giuseppe was one of those 'dates' and 'nothing serious' things, too, so she didn't mention it.

Kalla gave a great shrug about his modesty comment. "They also say a lot of other things are becoming. I'd rather be myself, though." She gave him a wink and a grin at that. He fell for her being herself so why woukd she ever be anything elae? "I love you, too," she said as she turned slightly in his arms to beam at him. And she did. She really loved him.

Giggling she squirmed in his arms as he tickle assaulted her. "Okay okay I'll stop. You're with me because I'm pretty and fun. Not because of what I have or who I am." Or something like that. She knew ivan wasn't as shallow as he looked. Hahaha. But she kept that scathing remark to herself.

She sat for a moment seeming to think before she burst out laughing. "Yes I can properly dance, Ivan. I had to suffer ballroom classes and the lot. I had to do society events and galas." She gavr a littlw snortle as she wiped at her eyes. Too funny.

"I can't wait to meet your family. I'll introduce you to some of mine soon enough. Not my parents, though. I'm freezing them out at the moment. Aunts and Uncles definitely. Oh... I forgot to mention I am supposed to take my little cousin and his boyfriend on an adventure this summer. I promised... would you like to go with us? We'll be traveling. They're really good kids though. Not at all annoying."

Emrys chuckled. "I don't think she needs me to show her any tricks," he said, looking past Louisa to see Amelia... being pulled on stage. Merlin. Of course. "She seems to have that all sorted on her own. Gryffindor." Amelia was her own person, fiercely independent, and certainly didn't take anything Emrys said to heart. Or at least, he didn't think so, anyway.

That was certainly a way to look at it that Emrys hadn't considered. Every time someone asked what he did, all he saw was monotony and wasted potential, but absolutely no idea how to move forward from there. "I suppose. And not too often. Sometimes when he's not sure a source will be fruitful, I preview it so he can decide whether it's worth his time." But that happened rarely. Emrys didn't quite think the man trusted his opinion.

"No one has ever accused me of being cool before," he laughed, lightly, trying to relax. Just a little, please. "I don't get out much, though..." and he gestured vaguely in the direction Amelia had gone off. "She keeps trying to set me up. Filled out forms for a matchmaker, for merlin's sake." So Emrys had maybe had one date in months. And while it wasn't the worst experience in the world, he was still feeling weird about it.

What were social skills, again?