"My Parents Listen To Me. They Know I Want To Stay With Them Until I Feel Ready. They Wouldn't Force

"Resplendent is a great choice of compliments. I like it. I would also take stunning or breath taking." Serra smirked, feeling comfortable in the public eye. She saw people whispering when she came in with Antonin, their matching outfits adding fuel to the fire. Not that she minded. Appearances were important and what would it look like if her date's outfit clashed with hers?

Where:Fulsom Palace Who: @serraborgin Antonin arrived linked arm in arm with Serra. She was as resplendent as she said she would be, he liked to think he added a little something pairing his own outfit and playing the small part in picking out her own. Tonight would be interesting. He gave her a peck on the cheek. She was on top of the world was it right to ruin that with a bit of truth? "You look resplendent. Even able to pull off a dated accessory like me."

Knowing how to handle herself in a public setting was something she had been taught at a young age, never losing her cool and keeping a mask of passive indifference even if her enotions were going haywire. She hadn't expected to run into Malcolm, they'd successfully managed to avoid each other for years and now here was right in front of her, thinking he could talk to her like nothing happened. How dare he? Sure the presents were nice and she was currently wearing a bracelet he'd sent to her a couple of months ago, but that didn't mean she'd forgiven him, it was not the jewellery's fault that he was a cheater. "I look good everywhere." She dismissed his compliment. "No one liked her anyways, so they're all over it by now." Serra crossed her arms, having to look up to keep eye contact, but not wavering. "What do you want?"

At first, Malcolm thought that he saw a ghost and when he realized it was really Serra, he opted for a ghost instead. It had been years since he saw her, doing his best to keep his distance and not cross paths. It was a moment of relief when he was told that she went to Paris. Malcolm would have done the same thing if he had a family member who dismantled the family name. He was glad to not have any siblings any only a few well-behaved cousins. Malcolm also thought that the Loire Valley would've been his choice if he were fleeing from domestic disputes. But it was because of Serra being in Paris that he was forced to readdress the first gift there and after that, he sent messages to French boutiques to send her locally designed jewelry and clothes. "Well, you look much better in London than in Paris," he commented, not shying from offering a compliment. It was only an innate reaction. "You're still saying her name? I can't help but feel sorry for the rest of the family. I hope they're well."

"I agree. My taste truly is impeccable, I am glad that someone recognises it. Although I'm not surprised that it's you." She gave her a rare genuine smile. Mira was very smart, perhaps the smartest of her three cousins. "Oh I would have, but my parents forbade me from kicking people out. Even if I feel that it does speak against everything I stand for to let this go.

Mira smiled and nodded. "Well once more it's clear you have impeccable taste." She informed her with a smile. She may not have much in common with Serra but she knew the girl always appreciated a compliment and knowing that others admired her choice in all things. She shook her head at the comment, a smile twitching on the corner of her lips. "Well not everyone can be stylish Serra. No doubt they're relieved to find the birthday girl isn't turning them away at the door because of their style choice." She wouldn't have put it past her after all.

Serra's dress for her birthday party, featuring an unnecessarily long train

"You should let me style you sometime. I could elevate your style. I would be really good at that." It sounded like fun, picking clothes for someone else and Mira was someone she liked so she wanted her to look good. "Plenty of people, you're right, but I heard that Malcolm's here.." She sighed. "I'm avoiding him."

Mira couldn't help the laugh that fell from her lips at the confidence in Serra's voice. She may not have agreed with her at times, but she had to admire her confidence. "Mm well on occasion I have my moments." She mused, taking another drink of her champagne. "I'm sure you can survive for one evening. Plenty of people here that are dressed and up to your standards to keep you busy after all. Have your eyes on anyone?''

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it." Being a good host was important, even if technically her parents were hosting this birthday party and she was the guest of honor she felt like hostess duties did apply to her. "I speak French fluently so I had no issues there." She exclaimed quite proudly. "I was shadowing a french designer, learning her craft. It was quite educational." Fashion had always interested her. "I suggest getting them started on lessons early, it is much easier to learn a language as a child."

"I'm sure she is," Rabastan replied without hesitation, knowing that Alecto would simply make her own fun if she were bored. At her latter assessment, he laughed, quiet yet clipped. "Some of us are better made for the limelight, it seems. Do tell me about Paris. What were you doing there and have you learned any French? I will take my children when they're older. It's important they know their roots."

"Because bothering you is so fun." It was one of her favorite past times. after all, ever since she had been a little girl. "Is your fiancé here tonight or did he make you come alone?"

Serra was the last person Alara wished to run into. Not in the mood to deal with her cousin, or the judgement that came from her, she lets out a sigh. "Why don't you find someone else to bother." The sooner the other took off she could go off to find Evan.

She hid her face in his chest, embarrassment taking over. How could he find her attractive once he saw her like this? This was a disaster! Her life was supposed to be perfect and this was an absolute mess. "She's crazy stalker obsessed with you! She said you two hooked up...but you wouldn't cheat on me..." Serra was still half crying and hiding her face between her hands so he couldn't see the bloody nose, trying to rack her mind for a spell to get rid off blood but she'd never had to use that before so she came up empty. "Wait it's like you're crazy stalker obsessed with me! Did you do this to get back at me?" Serra let out a yelp of pain when Charity threw her on the floor. Gasping in shock when Charity hit Malcolm, not his face! It was his best feature! They had that in common, that was why they photographed so well together. The more time passed the less like a lie it seemed. Could it be true? Could he actually have cheated on her? With Charity of all people? She stood up, her head a little dizzy from the quick motion and she caught her stumble. "Shut up charity case!" Turning back to Malcolm, once again hiding the lower half of her face so he wouldn't look at her bloody nose, she continued. "Just tell me this is all a bad joke. That this-" she pointed between him and Charity. -didn't happen."

Malcolm was walking back from class with friends when a commotion erupted down the corridor. A surge of students rushed forward, forming a tight circle. He overheard someone shout, "Girls fighting!" and quickened his pace. This wasn't a common occurrence, and he wasn't about to miss it.

The sight of Charity and Serra locked in a fight was the last thing Malcolm expected. He shoved through the crowd, muttering curses as they shouldered against him. This moment was torn from a nightmare. He'd justified his cheating, but never imagined this—a public confrontation. He'd planned to tell Serra on his own terms, when he was ready. That moment, that control, had been stolen from him. Then Serra was in his arms, and instinct took over. His eyes scanned her face, searching for injury. He spotted the smear of blood and his gaze snapped to Charity, a cold tension settling in. "What the fuck is happening?" he demanded, pulling Serra close. A sliver of denial flickered; maybe this wasn't about him at all. Now he didn't feel as excited about girls fighting when they were his girls-no, just Serra. Malcolm's chin raised to glare at the other onlookers. "Well, get fucking lost-nothing to see-"

@themalcolmparkinson

This wedding was a good one to take as an example, on what to do and what not to do. For example she would not have gone for blue bridesmaids dresses, at least for a late spring wedding. Serra looked upwards, trying to ground herself and appear calm. "No, I'm not talking about Nick. I do not care about him." She forced a smile onto her face in case people were looking over at them, so at least from a distance it seemed like they were having a pleasant conversation. So he was going with deflection, making a little joke to hide what was actually going on. Not the best idea. It was clear that he didn't know that she knew what was actually going on. "I'm talking about your little charity case." Disgust came over her features for a moment before she hid it. "I know everything. So don't bother denying it." She didn't actually, but if he thought she did he'd confess quicker.

There were probably other people in the room who were also planning their wedding and taking notes, other people who were betrothed. Malcolm felt sorry for them as he had both a traditionally arranged marriage with his former betrothed and in his eyes, it was also a love match. He couldn't say the same for the others who were begrudgingly matched with boring partners. Malcolm nodded, subtly taking her words as an invitation to plan their wedding while at one already. Malcolm smiled at Serra, his eyes softening and maybe he would blame the alcohol later as Emir and Agatha must've paid handsomely for it to taste this good. "Well, I don't have as much family as you, besides Estelle, so that should be ea-" he began with a shrug then stopped. Maybe he didn't hear her right, his eyes squinting in confusion and his brow dipped in response. "My mistress? I don't...oh," he said with a humble chuckle. "You mean Nick. I know he's not everyone's favorite, but he will be in attendance of course, hopefully standing right next to me as well."