Serra Liked Feeling His Eyes On Her, The Attention Was All Consuming And She Enjoyed It, Feeling Like

"That unmemorable?" She fought a smirk, keeping her voice neutral. She didn't like this - at all, but she was trying to find a way to move past this. He had made a stupid mistake and technically that was before he had known they would get married... Serra couldn't help it, a part of her had always been his, no matter how hard she had tried to erase him from her heart he had grown roots in there. Looking at him when he promised that there wouldn't be another that would turn his head she focused on his body language, the tone he was using, the little tells he had. He was being honest. "You will not like your life if you do. I am warning you now, do not make the same mistake twice." Serra would find ways to make his life hell, she had no idea how yet but she was sure that if she needed to make good on it she could come up with something if he were to break her heart again. Despite trying to act tough she did smile at his compliment, clearly enjoying to hear it. "Well obviously I'd look good in green. I look good in all colors. but I'd be wearing white, would I not?" He would look good in green too, undoubtedly. It suited his complexion and his hair color. "You could wear a dark green suit, muted, elegant."

"I don't know, not long," he answered, though fighting to remember any actual dates to prove himself right. Charity and him had their own history and history repeated itself now. Once he found out about the contracts, he was quick to sever any connection between him and Charity. He hoped she would take his silence as a hint. "Of course," he nodded. This was a good sign if anything. It was a good conversation to establish trust between them and Malcolm was adamant about proving himself. "This is going to be new. For both of us. I'm not going to stray from you again. I can't think of someone who could turn my head." And it was true, meaning every word that poured from him. "I think green would make sense. It is a color that means something to both of us. And we both would look good in it. Especially you."

Serra tilted her head sideways pursing her lips, thinking, treating it as an actual question instead of a rhetorical as she immediately spotted the present in his hands. "I could think of a few things. Ideally something sparkly.." Her eyes were drifting to the present, curious and impatient. "Well, as you know, I like being the center of attention every day, but I do suppose being celebrated like this is the best way." She was wearing a purposefully bold and excessive dress, further ensuring all eyes on her. "How have you been?" She heard rumors about him and Leta, but she was curious.

Who:@serraborgin Where: Serra's birthday bash When: Serra's birthday "What do you get for the woman who has everything and just returned from an extended shopping trip to Paris." Antonin knew what he had gotten her of course, but it was more fun if she recognized that he had labored over the gift so that she could ascribe the proper level of reservation to it. He had found long ago that gifts in small packages despite their actual size held a bit of underrated mystery. People assumed elegance and class something small must be doubly expensive than something large. He held the neatly wrapped present just far enough out of reach as to subtly demand Serra's attention. "It's been a while, good to know you haven't lost a step, birthdays are the perfect reason to be the center of attention aren't they?"

"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.

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-"

When she looked at him a part of her missed him, they hadn't properly spoken to each other in years. When she saw him at an event she tried avoiding him as much as she could. Perhaps it was a cowardice move, but she did not want him to know that what she felt towards him wasn't indifference. After so many years, that is what it should be, she knew that, but he wouldn't let her forget him with the continuous gifts. At least that is what she blamed it on. Although his transgression happened many years ago. It wasn't just her ego that had been hurt it had been her heart too. That had been something she never fully got over. Why was he saying all of these things, openly admitting to wanting to see her again? Telling her it was good she was back.. it had been much easier when they hadn't talked and all their communication was the notes he sometimes left alongside his gifts. ""Thanks. "She sighed, rolling her eyes. Hopefully that was it for accidental run ins, but London was quite small she supposed. "You would."

There was once a time he knew everything about Serra. Not only what she liked or didn't, but she wanted in life, and for a few brief and good moments, he was one of those things. Maybe through the act of sending her so many gifts, she would want him again. So far, it hadn't worked in his favor, but he had no mind to buy more. Perhaps eventually, she would have an entire collection of his gifts, enough to fit into a closet. And Malcolm? He would ask for nothing in return. Malcolm's face twisted uneasily, not thinking her words would have much effect on him, but now he was taking it personally to his core. "Emerald," he echoed, the request tasting easy in his mouth. "I can do that. And if I don't see you until then...welcome back to London. I am glad you are back. And I wouldn't mind accidentally running into you again."

"Good." She was pleased, happy that there was one of the few people she actually liked present. "Why? What else have you got in mind?"

"I wouldn't have missed it, silly." Lydia said with a smile. This party was huge, maybe more than even Lydia would've preferred, but everyone did seem to be having a good time. "This isn't the only thing you're doing for your birthday, is it?"

"You're obviously lying." Serra's eyes blazed with anger, furious at the insinuation of what Charity's words could mean. Malcom cheating on her? Definitely not. He wouldn't do that to her. There was no way. Things were good, she was this close to letting him take her virginity. There was no reason for their relationship to be on the rocks. They didn't even get into a fight! "We didn't break up. We're together! I saw him this morning!" She stomped, like a child throwing a tantrum. How did Charity know about their spot? "He'd never go for a loser like you. Your eyes are way too far apart, you look weird." It was the first thing she could come up with short notice.

Charity turned around to face the witch when she was interrupted mid-sentence, brows raising in disinterest. “I wouldn’t lie if I could.” She was quick to say, which was true of course as she never understood the motivation to lie, the truth always flowing smoothly from her lips. “And what is it you, anyways, since you’re all broken up?” The witch wondered, a smug smile growing on her lips for she was enjoying seeing the other all rattled, especially after the years of bullying she’d endure from her part. “He moved on, right on to me. Want to hear all the details? He took me to this secret spot in the dungeons, Nearly-Headless Nick’s spot once when he was alive.” She was telling it as though it was the juiciest of gossips, lying heavy on the excited girly tone. “And if you must know, he really is a good fuck.”

"Mr. Lestrange. It is an honor to have you here tonight." Her parents had instilled good manners into her at an early age, especially to those pureblood families they deemed worth it. The Lestrange family was an honorable one, an influential one. "Thank you, that is very kind of you." And true, obviously. She knew how good she looked. It was a fact. "Oh, that is quite lovely. Thank you." It would suit the powder blue dress she had gotten last week. "I am, very much so. What about you?"

Rabastan was indifferent to Serra. He barely knew the girl, and did not especially care to rectify that social distance. Still, he was here at her parents' invitation, so it was only polite to wish her a 'happy birthday'.

"Miss Borgin," he greeted, taking a moment to note her appearance. That dress certainly stood out. No doubt it had been her aim. He smiled, offering her a glass of champagne. "Happy birthday. You look very lovely. Alecto and I brought you a gift. We left it with your parents when we arrived." It was a small thing; an antique carryall, solid gold and decorated with pearls, containing a mirror, powder, comb, lipstick, etc. "Are you enjoying your evening?"

The Great Gatsby (2013) dir. Baz Luhrmann | Promising Young Woman (2020) dir. Emerald Fennell

"I suppose that's right. I think it is important to be a perfectionist about yourself first and foremost. Appearances matter. How is someone supposed to take you seriously if your hair isn't styled or your outfit is all wrinkled? If you cannot even be trusted to take care of yourself, how are you supposed to handle anything else?" If there was one thing she could do, it was talk about herself. She liked the way he complimented her, it felt thought out. She could hear how gorgeous she was a thousand times over, but this was nice too.

"I am already polished, but I suppose I could make myself available if you make it worth my while." She had a busy life of doing nothing after all. His gaze mesmerised her, biting her lip at the intensity she found in it.

"You are very good with your words, you know?"

“Any subject can be interesting if executed well or in an interesting way, it’s one reason you are so attention grabbing.  People can say what they will, but they could never accuse you of being anything less than a perfectionist especially when it comes to yourself.”  He kept his eyes glued to her as they turned about, sparing no more than an odd glance to keep them centered, it wouldn’t do to trip or drop her. “You may watch me, consider it an open invitation, but I would love to teach you, see that perfect attention put to something. Magic is like dancing, talking, just gestures and phrases polished to perfection.  You are a woman worth knowing and I would like to polish you, give you a skill to set you further apart from this rabble. How much more beautiful a flower is for its thorns.”  He came to a stop suddenly, releasing her for a moment to wave off the rest of the dancers dismissively before bringing his hands up to caress her cheeks, hold her, look  almost through her, ardent gaze slightly betrayed by a quick peek at her lips before tracing down her arms, finding her hand and hip, bowing and starting the dance again. “Truly, you are finer, and most welcome, everything I have said was earned, or will be. I do not take to idle flattery. If I was not serious, I would not care how you were trained no matter how interesting.”