the annual summer pureblood ball

^{By Ellie Randensmith}
@Emma van Elst
Owl for interactions if not her.

The Ducasses arrived via Air Plane and then a taxi. Claire's father being a very valued assistant to the French minister got him help knowing how to use the whole muggle air system years back. That would have been a fine way to arrive except Louis asked his father "Why do muggles need rectangular glowing boxes?" as they were leaving the air plane. Père Father had tried to pass it off as some kind of joke. After that everyone was in tense spirits.
"Okay boys remember: You are not to touch anything. You are to be polite. You are to not fight. Anything you do may ruin our image. Be good," Mère Mother said kind-of-firmly. "And Claire," she changed her focus, "You be polite too. Refrain from asking too many questions or trying to greet complete strangers," she said bluntly. Parites like this made the whole family stressed. And that was the last thing said before they entered the gates.
A handsome man in a well tailored suit led his family to the house. A pretty woman in a bubblegum pink dress and silver necklace, only a couple feet behind him, clearly used to leading her family was next. Two identical five-year-old boys in nice looking suits that had yanked collars were being gently herded by their sister who was in a pale pinkish-white dress with a thinner silver necklace. That dress was not her choice. She would much rather have had sky blue, her favorite color, but her mother wanted to represent that Claire was gong to grow up to be the lovely and smart woman her mère was. No one would care, but still Claire was pleased that her mother cared that much about her future image.
They had arrived. Père shook Mr. van Elst's hand. "Greetings. I am Antoine Ducasse, valued assistant to our minister. This is my lovely wife Charlotte," he gestured to her, "our daughter, Claire, currently being schooled at Beauxbatons," he gestured at her, "and our twin sons, Louis and Paul." He gestured at them. Claire knew why that much information was necessary. Père and his family had to stay respected and awed upon, or he may loose his job if the minister decides that he wants a more influential assistant. Mère believed that they had to stay important and celebrity-ish so her children could marry well. One mistake could very well mean disaster. Claire kept what her parents believed in mind as they all walked in.

Ball season had begun. Mere days after her return from Castelbruxo, Dahlia found herself standing face to face with the front door of the van Elst townhouse. It stood in a similar area of London, close enough of a distance to walk from her own family's residence. There were several counts on which reminded her very much of her own home with large, front-facing windows, wrought iron fencing, a front garden, and a particularly austere porch on which Dahlia stood.

Her parents, one on each side, stood nearly a foot behind her. The Lee family, on her mother's insistence, had come to the ball dressed in a unified color scheme. A debacle had ensued over breakfast that morning regarding which dresses ought to be selected. Dahlia had proposed black to which her mother had taken great offense as she greatly preferred pastel pink. Her father, much to her chagrin, had stained the suit that went best with her mother's intended pink dress which was a cause for all-out warfare in the Lee household. Eventually, they had come to the decision that off-white was the superior solution as it would force Jung-hwan to take care with his sauces and Dahlia would be able to wear her most recently acquired gown.

Little conversation passed between them on the porch. Dahlia, usually the loudest among those in her household, had been tired out by a lecture before departing. Her mother had been tired out by giving said lecture and by the pressure held over her by her own anxiety. Dahlia glanced towards her. The elder Lee's hands clasped firmly around the frame of her clutch with white knuckles. Her features were rigid, as if saving pleasure for after she had greeted the hosts. Something was on her mind, as Dahlia could tell, but she had learned through countless trial-and-error memories not to probe her mother in this particular state of neurosis. Her father was never a man of many words so he paid no mind to either woman, instead choosing to occupy himself with his pocket mirror.

Swiftly, the door was opened and her family was escorted inside. Her mother's facial muscles did not relax, rather contorting themselves into a smile of force. Dahlia mirrored her expression, taking strategic, yet confident steps. She wished to dance this evening but she would not be able to should her feet be bloody. (Knowing herself, Dahlia would swallow the pain for as to still partake in dancing. It would be unpleasant, however, and her father would force her to stop if he cared to notice.) Her mother would want her to keep going until every other parent invited admitted to themselves that Dahlia was a better dancer than their children.

The unfortunate aspect of a pureblood ball is, unlike the implication given by the name, there is a whole lot of small talk that has to be made before any dancing could begin. Usually this was with boring ministry-suited adults Dahlia could not be bothered to care about.

First, it was imperative that they must start with the hosts. Dahlia complied with her father's hand on her shoulder. On her way, she made note of several faces. One belonged to her teammate from Capture the Flag. The other was Angel Dayes. Dahlia had to roll her eyes. Of course Angel would be the sort to be found at a pureblood ball. The girl was pompous with such sincerity that it ruined all possible humor.

A sharp glare from her mother as they approached the pureblooded group silenced any complaints the Gryffindor had previously intended to air. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances," her mother spoke first, "I am Soo-ji Lee. This is my husband, Jung-hwan, and my daughter, Dahlia, who is entering her second year at Hogwarts." She spoke with an air, as if her daughter's passing her first exams was an achievement in itself. "We've heard great things about your daughter," she directed her saccharine-sweet tone towards the host family— a clear attempt at condescension phrased as if to say that there was something wrong with the van Elst daughter. Soo-ji knew nothing of this twelve-year-old girl. Dahlia had only become aware of the girl's existence through classes, if at all. Yet, she did not move to correct her mother.

STA 5 | EVA 5 | STR 3 | WIS 5 | ARC 6 | ACC 6
& half-veela

<sub>time: 12:00 AM July. 8 2026
speech/thoughts
location: Van Elst Townhouse
mention: @Kira Orlova @Andrea Woodsburn
ooc: open to interactions
wc: 397



There was one face she saw, Andrea. They had previously met back at Hogwarts during the Field Day event. It was swift but enough to know she was entirely different from the typical purebloods. Much less obnoxious either. She decided to grasp that opportunity and focus on the one that's right on her like of sight. A girl introduced herself as Kira Orlova. That name resonated with her for quite a bit. Yes she was in fact correct, her father was influential, her mother had helped her with revising ever single pureblood surname.

"Hello there. It's certainly a pleasure." she said

"Angel Dayes." she added

Although she would always be ecstatic about introductions, she stood out like a chandelier. It was something that she was getting the hang of, always attracting attention. Ironically, she did not know what made her stood out, ignorance was not bliss for her with what she was contemplating at the moment. More guests were joining the crowd. Dahlia was there, once again what's with that animosity of hers? She looked ridiculous. Yet some people did hold grudges for a concerning amount of time.

"Where are my parents when I needed them hm?"

Concerned as she was, she kept her temper and composure. She directed her attention once again towards Kira, best if she entertained her lot for now. Angel was also good at entertaining people even if it meant being overstaying her welcome, the people did not seem to mind.

"So I've heard." she said with a smile

Her mind was to converse with people who she has not get to know much yet. Andrea once again was one of them. But it would be rude to go missing when someone initiated a conversation. Her best solution was to quickly excuse herself.

"Excuse me for a moment." she said as she leaned to get a clearer view of the scene at hand

Her hair flowed through the air with confidence and flare, she walked towards Andrea, and tapped her shoulder. Though she only did it slightly, she wouldn't want to startle anyone tonight. Perhaps if the others were curious enough, every children of the high class families here would engage in a conversation together, yet to her that was just wishful thinking.

"It's a small world isn't it?" she laughed to Andrea</sub>


vibe

^{made by me}

Interaction: @Emma Van Elst
Thoughts: Dark Green
Dialogue: Navy
WC: 331
OOC Note: Open for interactions
Outfit:Designed by me

Reducio

The Annual Summer Pureblood Ball How exciting! This was my first time attending a ball. I'd always dreamed of attending one- dressing up in fancy clothing, dancing through the night, trying multiple delicacies; the thought itself was absolutely lovely. Ideally, it would seem weird for a half-blood to attend a pureblood ball. It was quite the surprise that we got invited, but my mother Emma was of course a pureblood, part of the quite renowned Thorne family. My father, on the other hand, was a muggle. It was his first time attending a ball as well, and it was no ordinary ball, it was a wizard's.

"Excited aren't you my dear?", said my dad. "Yes dad, I said smiling. "Now, don't you go worrying about how I'd get along with the other magical people, alright. Your job is to spend the night with your friends and have fun, got it?" He somehow always knew what I was thinking about. I was worried about him mingling with the other wizards, especially purebloods. Muggles and purebloods didn't really get along, ofcourse many of their mindsets had changed over the years, but it was still prevalent in some families. Temporarily wiping out the worry, I replied, "I'll try dad, and... they're called wizards, not magical people. Though it is technically correct, don't say it in front of them." He smiled at me lovingly, I'll keep that in mind.

The Van Elst Townhouse was magnificent, beautifully decorated. Upon arrival, we greeted the Van Elsts. I hadn't met Emma before, I just happened to realise that she and my mom had the same name. I smiled and waved at her politely, "Hi Emma, I'm Avery, it's nice to meet you. Thanks for having us over. My parents then proceeded to mingle with the other adults. I looked around for any familiar faces. Fiddling with my necklace, I walked down the hall till I reached the library. This was so not how I planned to spend tonight.

ℒauren had spent her morning watching her mother dress her sister and brother for the van Elsts' annual summer pureblood ball. She knew very well that the only reason she was allowed to go to the ball was because the Quinns were also going to be there. And thus, Sabrina and Astote Vanes would have no excuse not to bring her, or the Quinns would suspect that something was up. Fortunately, her parents and siblings cared more about their ego and status than anything else, so she wasn't left home alone just because they hated her and wanted to make her life miserable.

To this day, the young Slytherin still couldn't understand why her family would go out of their way to make her feel hated, but maybe it was just... refreshing. She, too, remembered how it felt when she destroyed the portraits at Hogwarts and had paid a dear price for doing so. People typically didn't commit crimes just for the sake of it (usually). They always had a reason. And Lauren's was... more concerning than most.

She chewed her lip restlessly as she sat in the car. Arianna was poking her with her wand, even though Lauren didn't know why her older sister would bring it to the ball; if she used magic in any way, she would get in trouble, perhaps even expelled. Maybe she just wanted to taunt Lauren with it. But the younger girl had learned not to give a damn about her siblings' actions. Sometimes, though, it was more disturbing than others. And she always tended to overthink them. If she had to choose between the flaws that she would want to get rid of, she would have chosen overthinking in a heartbeat.

The voices in her mind—they were the worst. They acted as a 'guide' to replace Aunt Loratrix and made her... the opposite of what her aunt would have wanted. No, that was already over. Lauren hated her aunt now, and there was nothing anyone else could do about it.

--

She was plunged into a memory. Again. Over a month ago, Aunt Loratrix had sent a letter to her, telling her that she realized she and Lauren were in the wrong for hating the members of the Vanes family, and that she should apologize to her siblings and the rest of the family for... for things that she couldn't even remember—or was it singeing her bedside table, being a Parselmouth, and being a Slytherin? Whatever. Either way, she was being unreasonable. Lauren was glad that her aunt wasn't coming with the rest of the family to this ball. Or she would start nagging her to apologize, which would probably lead to a smack in the face by Arianna's damned hand. Or even worse, she would be embarrassed in front of every family at the ball. God knew how many families were invited, but with her luck, it would be more than two.

So, she reminded herself, don't get into your thoughts, ignore all the voices in your head, and pretend to be a normal person for once. She wasn't quite sure about her resolution, though. She had tried many times to block out the thoughts in her mind, but was seldom successful. But she had to believe that it was going to work at the ball. If it didn't... even the Quinns would hate her, and the next hours of her life would earn her quite a concerning reputation back at Hogwarts. If there really were that many families, then... her social life would be... She shook her head, not wanting to think about it.

As she got out of the car and walked toward the door of the van Elsts' manor, she could tell from the sheer amount of noise inside that a lot of families were attending the ball. She sighed, then waited for the rest of the family to catch up with her. Her father shot her a dirty look and knocked on the door as politely as he could muster. Then it was opened, and the Vanes family were beckoned inside.

The first thing Lauren did was scan the crowd for any sign of the Quinns—and there they were. With a last glance at her family, who were still introducing themselves at the door, Lauren swiftly sped into the house and toward Brookline. Brookline was with her father, though, and with another woman whom Lauren didn't recognize from when she was seven. Maybe she had just lost her memory; it was almost five years ago anyway.

From a distance, she could hear her father's loud voice echoing through the walls. Lauren pursed her lips. If anyone was classified as embarrassing here, it was him, not Lauren. Even though she didn't formally greet the van Elsts like the rest of her family, she was still pretty sure that she wasn't embarrassing her family... or was she?

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. van Elst," he bellowed. "We, the Vanes family, are immensely pleased and honored to be invited to your annual pureblood summer ball. I am Astote Vanes, and this is my wife, Sabrina Vanes; my son, Felix Vanes; my daughter, Arianna Vanes; and my other daughter, Lauren Vanes—"

He stopped abruptly as he seemed to have realized that Lauren was not with him and the rest of the family. Lauren was sure that he would have bellowed her name out loud and embarrassed her, but he couldn't risk giving the Vanes family an unideal reputation. He scanned the room, saw Lauren with the Quinns, and gave her a death stare that seemed to say, 'we will talk about this later.' Then he shook hands with the van Elsts and beckoned the rest of the family to the ballroom without glancing at Lauren (or anyone else in the room).

Which was perfect. Because Lauren could spend more time with the Quinns, and her purpose for coming to this place wasn't just meeting up with the van Elsts—she hardly knew who they were, but wouldn't mind meeting them. But since Brookline was at the top of her 'surviving this ball' guide, she wasn't going to bother.

XXXXX𝕲o to bloody hell, Chase. No, she thought, her fingers tightening into a fist under the table.

The evening before July eight, Brookline sneered at her father and his stupid landlady. Once again Chase Quinn “kidnapped” the brunette and she would have to stay with him for another month. A mere week in April was enough. Now? During the summer holidays? When she could be playing Exploding Snap and other games with the twins?

Like you would do that anyway.

The young Quinn sighed. Frankly, she despised the jabbing voices. She glanced back up to Chase, and narrowed her blue eyes. Why would he even want Brookline to come with him to a pureblood ball?

“Did you hear me?” her father asked, setting down his silver spoon. Brookline, Chase, and Isabelle (the landlady) were eating dinner on the cool evening of July fifth.

Brookline wouldn’t give him the satisfaction so she nodded, “Yes. I heard you.” She just didn’t understand. The Welsh girl is the worst person to take to a ball right now. The older man has five other children to take and he chose the one who desperately needs a better head space. “I just don’t see why both Isabelle and I have to go. What I mean is, you could just go.” At “you”, Brookline jabbed the air with her spoon, directing at Chase. Then she dipped her spoon into her delicious lamb stew. She had to admit, Isabelle was a wonderful cook. She just hoped the French woman would run away from Chase soon.

Chase rubbed his face with his hands, clearly frustrated with his stubborn daughter. He seemed exhausted, and quite done, although Brookline didn’t think her mother’s ex-husband (or almost, Brookline didn’t have a clue if her mother and father were officially divorced yet) didn’t lift a single item today. What an idiot, the Ravenclaw thought, and yawned, obviously bored here. He thinks he’s frustrated because of me! I cried my fucking eyes out because of you!! So shut your gab and eat your stew.

Chase’s left eye and arm twitched as he remained quiet. Obviously he was angry, but didn’t dare show it in front of company. Brookline thinks Isabelle is over at her tenant’s place more than her own. She wouldn’t be surprised if the French woman completely smitten with the older wizard. Even though Chase was technically still unavailable.

“There is a pair of dress robes in the den. After supper, please make sure it fits you.” Chase replied smoothly. Almost as if his daughter hadn’t just made him fume slightly with anger. “We leave tomorrow in the evening.”

Well, no shit! Brookline wanted to yell at him. The Welsh girl prods a chunk of vegetable with her sliver utensil, dunking the potato into the brothy liquid. Chase quickly picked up his bowl and went to the sink. He probably missed having two house-elfves, and actually having a dining room. Brookline held out her stubborn fist, giving her father’s back the finger and she heard Isabelle chuckle in the seat next to her. She rolled her flaming eyes, and left the table without tidying her dish full of mostly uneated food.

Oh, well, Brookline was not all that hungry. Someone ruined her appetite.

***

The next morning, Brookline gasps heavily as she slipped out of those horrible night terrors that disturb her sleep. She gripped the sides of the couch, face glistening with sweat. At least from Easter to summer holidays, the brunette was upgraded to a small, scratchy piece of cloth to a plush, lined duvet. Throwing the thick blanket off of her, she hurried to the bathroom, her feet barely gliding over wooden floor. Some time in the night, her cotton socks had managed to come off, and the floor was shockingly cold, shoots of ice go up into her bare feet.

She turned on the shower, and stripped. It was so hot; after tossing and turning, and that duvet, sweat simply dripped out her body. Brookline would not be surprised if she had a fever, it was the right time to get sick. Right before a ball. Normally, she would have bathed in the tub, yet Brookline took one look at the disgusting tile and drain, so riddled with dark, stringy hair, that she’d rather take a darn shower.

Once she finished, Brookline wrapped a towel around her body, and glanced in the mirror. Her face was pale and she barely recognized herself. She dressed quickly and still had a good bit of time before her father would start hurrying her. Thankfully, Brookline didn’t have to slather herself with cosmetics. Just some powder here and there to eliminate people asking why her eye bags are so dark.

Tears pricked her dark blue eyes as Brookline landed in the dream again. Playing it over and over again. She smacked herself to snap out of it, and decided to pinch herself too for good measure. Whatever or whoever’s tormenting me, please shut up. I beg of you, the Ravenclaw had the good sense to ask the universe.

Before long, it was about noon, and Brookline wriggled into the sheer garment her father laid out for her. She thanked her lucky stars that Chase (or Isabelle) had a fabulous choice of style. At least, even if she didn’t give a damn, it seemed like she cared and that she looked wonderful. Giving a little twirl, she decided that this black dress, of all the frocks she had to wear for balls, was the best one so far. She had to give her father some credit there. At least, despite being trapped here, Brookline was actually treated well and didn’t have speak if she didn’t wish to. The year before, Lizy and the twins were dead set on her, and stayed near her, just to hear the girl talk! She wasn’t surrounded here — she could do her own thing and she had people here to talk to if she even wanted too. No more annoying sisters. For now.

Brookline heard her father call her from the front door. He was ready to leave. She tore herself away from her thoughts and headed to the other room. She noticed Isabelle was at her father’s side and sighed. Couldn’t the lady see? Chase Quinn is currently unavailable!! Although, perhaps Chase wanted an another adult to come with them. Of course some of the wizarding families wouldn’t even know if Chase just brought a woman along, and they wouldn’t even have to know a dime of what has happened to the Quinns’ mother. But it got the brunette thinking, why couldn’t you just bring the whole family? The whole Quinn family was entirely invited. Isabelle isn’t, Brookline thought, rather smug.

Soon they were out on the street, walking and waiting for something that Brookline didn’t know what they were, in fact, waiting on. It wasn’t until Chase shoved some coloured paper slips into her hands, whispering “Help me convert this, Brookline,” did the Ravenclaw know what they were waiting for.

“A taxi?!” Brookline hissed. Has her father gone daff in the head? They could not take a simple Muggle taxi to a ducking ball! “I don’t know a thing on how to do Muggle money! Not any more than you.” She pushed the stack of money back in her father’s arms. The rather icky colour of the paper note caused her to want to throw up. She didn’t even start on the feeling and stench of the money.

“What makes you think I can do it?” Chase hissed back, his voice low and threatening. He knew adults were looking at him strangely, those who were walking in the street. He had a reputation to fill.

“Just... just wait until we’re there and give him like ten of these parchment slips. Then, like, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to tip drivers. I think.”

Where did he even get the Muggle money, anyways? I thought he left all his wealth in our savings account in Gringotts. Peculiar, she thought, narrowing her eyes. Brookline left it alone, though. No sense in worrying about such a minor thing?

“Oh, you two bicker like siblings,” Isabelle chuckled, “give it here; my mère¹ had an auntie who was Muggle.”

Brookline stared at the French woman in fear. Never did anyone compare her to her father. Turning up her nose like would to an odor, she gave some generous distance between her and the two adults.

When Isabelle was done fiddling with the bills, they all piled in this small, yellow taxi car. It was the first time Brookline had ever been in a motor car. She hadn’t even been in one of those magical cars before. Her family just never needed an use for them, just doing fine on brooms and trains and Floo powder. Brookline felt constricted, yet she sat by the window so she could scoot herself all the way over to the glassy window.

The Muggle who was driving them, drove on, like there was nothing wrong. Anxious thoughts flew in Brookline’s head, wondering if the driver found out, and then they would be in trouble and then what would happen next, pondering about how low did her father wanted to do, and how long this ride was going to be. The Welsh girl slipped her shoes off — she didn’t quite fancy getting dusty flats on the firm leather of the seat — and brought her knees to her chest. She was thinking hard, the gears in her head turning and turning and turning and turning some more. Why did her father bring her? Why did she have to be there? What was wrong with her, was that the reason why she didn’t see this coming? What happened if the people at the ball found out about her distant mother or what would they say when they find out that Isabelle isn’t related to her or her father? Brookline had to shut her brain off or she wouldn’t be able to focus.

Hopefully later help would come.

Brookline felt the cab slow to a jerking stop as Chase informed the Muggle where to stop. She slammed her back into the seat, and winced, “Shit,” while rubbing her sore dorsal. Isabelle and the Welsh girl got out, Brookline’s dress getting caught in the door, meanwhile Chase was busy thanking the driver and tipped the man. Merlin, the first time he ever followed her advice. God! What does it take to actually listen to her? The brunette swore Chase was incredibly useless sometimes.

They walked to the van Elsts’ gates, and Brookline noticed how many carriages and magical cars there were here. Oh, goody. So many people, she thought. Chase knocked on the door, and the van Elsts were immediately at the door. Brookline offered a wave while Chase greeted them. “Evening. I’m Chase Quinn, this is Isabelle, and the one with the black dress is my daughter, Brookline Quinn. Thank you for inviting us.” He held his hand out to shake and the Quinns (plus Isabelle) were ushered inside.

Brookline searchec for the crowd of fraternizing adults and children alike for anyone she knew. Would be disastrous if she knew someone here. Soon, she spotted @Avery Gray, who was in a beautiful red frock that rippled at her ankles, and the almost-fourth-year almost hid behind Isabelle. Avery knew that her father had left her and her family, so it might be odd if the younger Gryffindor saw her with her father. It wasn’t until she saw the look on her friend’s face, and the tense boy behind her (perhaps her cousin or some type of family member), Brookline instantly crumbled. When she thought Avery glanced her way, she lifted her arm in a friendly wave. Hopefully just seeing a familiar face will bring that frown off the lion’s face. She knew Avery probably didn’t want to talk at this time, that’s all right with Brookline. She didn’t really what to talk either, so she only waved just so her friend knows someone cares about her.

Just then a blonde girl quickly hurried over to Brookline, her father and Isabelle. A booming voice announced the presence of Astote Vanes, a pure-blood man she met almost four years ago, and her eyes went directed to him as he cut off, realizing his other daughter wasn’t in the line of his sight. The brunette remembered this man when the Vanes family came to her house way back in 2021. Fragments of what happened came back to her slowly. She saw Astote freaking glared at the young girl in front of her, as if Blonde Girl had said something terribly offensive to him. Brookline narrowed her eyes at the witch in front of her, wondering why she seemed so darn familiar.

“Who is that?” Chase muttered into her ear.

Brookline rolled her eyes. Why the hell would he ask that? Was he not paying attention? “Would you shut up for one, Chase?” She whispered under her breath, not daring to let her father hear that oh so offensive comment about him. Oh no, your daughter just insulted you; oh dear, better freak out and run away again.

Now she remembered! Lauren Vanes. The youngest daughter of the Vanes. She looked at Blonde Girl, having a name for her again. Brookline approached Lauren slowly, and she saw the fear in her rather cold eyes. She remembered speaking with Lauren when the Vanes had came over for that gathering.

“Hey, Lauren. Are you all right?”

occ notes: ¹ mother
code is a little messed up on mobile right now ><
also the grammar and spelling might be a little messed up — will fix it later

It was the Asian brat that spoke up first, introducing herself as Angel Dayes. Angel? What kind of name is that? It’s as if one’s parents expect them to be perfect without actually knowing their child yet. Anyways, the name rung a faint bell in the back of her mind. Yes, my mother made sure that all her children were well versed in the names of the fellow rich kids they met at gatherings, but it had never interested me much, hence it never really stuck.

I raised my eyebrows questioningly as the girl looked around nervously. Who was she looking for? Did she want to run back to mummy and daddy now? Too afraid to talk with someone new? Biting on the inside of my cheek, I refrained from voicing any of these thoughts. It wouldn’t be polite and besides, someone was always watching, especially at gatherings like this. “Are you alright?” I asked instead, pasting a look of concern on my face. If I could do one thing, it was faking. Years of skating had taught me how to tell a story without having to speak a word and part of that, was pretending to be someone else.

Angel excused herself, walking away in a hurried manner towards someone else. Woodson… Woodward… something with Wood in it was her name. My eyes followed her for a moment, curious as to what was so important then she had to interrupt a conversation with me, before turning back to the two girls still there. “How about you two, Ms Cadell and Ms van der Elst?” she asked them, her voice turning up at their names. She knew the host’s daughter, obviously, but took a guess at the other girl’s name.

x

OOC note: Did I say an hour or so? I meant a day or so,,,AGAGAHHA KILL ME NOW OMG I DID NOT JS PLACE A PLACEHODLER HERE HAHAHAHAHA