While They Were Still Surrounded By People She Did Her Best To Stay Quiet And Calm, Smiling When People

"I am indeed. I do apologise for not sending a letter ahead of my arrival, but it was all rather sudden." Her parents had taught her better manners than that but she had been quite impatient and had decided to just stop by instead of bothering to send a letter and then wait for a reply. This was more efficient.

"I had an idea for this dark dress, perhaps navy or even black, big skirt and some sort of sparkling fabric that looked like the night sky." She could picture it in her head already.

There was joy within her features, a smile lighting up her eyes when she spotted the other witch. Oh, their shared history had turned into a rather wonderful little thing. The last she’d seen the other the blonde had made sure to confirm said internship. And what a joy it had been. “You’re back in London. Look at that.” Leta pointed toward the back of the shop as she motioned for the shop clerk to tend to the rest of the show room.

“Come on, tell me about that dress of yours. And about Paris. And everything else one needs to know. I’ll make sure to fit it in somehow, even if it may take a moment.” Leta Rosier felt no hostility toward the other witch. In fact, whatever games had been played by others were entirely up to them. They had walked separate paths and eventually they had become on; and the seamstress was more than happy with it. - @serraborgin

"My parents listen to me. They know I want to stay with them until I feel ready. They wouldn't force me into something I don't want to do. They actually care. Perhaps because I am the heir and not the spare."

A blank expression seeped into her features, keeping her hands down at her side and from wrapping her fingers around her cousin's neck and strangle her; and Alara wasn't a violent person. "Careful, it could be ripped from underneath you."

"I really don't see how you could've missed me." Serra exclaimed doubtful, looking at the other witch. In her mind she was noticed everywhere she went and by everyone. It was her impeccable style and her looks that brought her the attention she believed to deserve. If there was one thing she wasn't lacking it was self confidence. "You know what. I'll be gracious and I'll accept your apology. You should watch where you're going next time."

( open interaction !! )

esther's heels clicked softly against the polished floor of st. mungo's as she made her way through the corridor, her raven-black hair neatly braided and her green eyes sharp. a stack of parchments was clutched to her chest, the top sheet revealing complex potion formulas. as she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with another person. with practiced grace, she steadied herself, her free hand instinctively reaching for her wand before she caught herself.

"my apologies," she said, her voice cool and controlled. "i should have been more careful." her gaze swept over the individual, assessing them quickly.

status: for @themalcolmparkinson

location: borgin manor, serra's birthday bash

Birthday party in full swing she went through the room, making rounds conversing with friends and acquaintances the like, politeness instilled into her when it came to hostess duties. It was something that came easily to her, she didn't mind being the center of attention. When her parents both came up onto the stage set up in the ballroom she hadn't thought anything of it at first, assuming they'd make some kind of big announcement about her birthday and compliment her, list her accomplishments perhaps.. That was how the speech had started but things quickly took a turn. 'We are extremely pleased to take this time to announce the engagement of our daughter Serra Borgin to the one and only Malcolm Parkinson!' Everyone's eyes turned towards her and while there was a polite smile seemingly frozen onto her face, she knew better than to openly show her shock and surprise. What the hell were her parents thinking?! Why hadn't they said anything to her. Wanting to go outside to get some air she quickly turned around, wanting to make her way outside, but stopping when she felt a hand on her forearm. Turning around in a swirl of pink she met Malcolm's eyes. He didn't look surprised. Why didn't he look surprised. She had explicitly disinvited him and yet, here he was. "Malcolm?" His name on her lips betrayed her surprise at his presence, but with all eyes on them she knew she had to be careful with her words.

"I do love dressing up for Halloween as well." Although their reasonings were different they did share a love for the same holiday. Serra didn't see the reason for hiding behind a mask as her face was so beautiful it would be a shame to hide it away. "I do enjoy masquerade balls as well. They have such a sense of grandeur that I've always liked. You know... I do still live on the family estate and we have an excellent ballroom. One of the best ballrooms in all of society." Serra boasted. "The war is going on long enough already. It is incredibly inconvenient. There are too many mudbloods running around, thinking that they are our equals." She shook her head.

He thought about it though he knew the answer if he was honest. “Halloween. A day when monsters and darkness abound, mischief and fun people can let loose without agonizing over it. Also the costumes. People don’t mind if you put on a mask. Masquerade balls are rarer these days, but Halloween parties are annual. I think if I hosted a ball it would be a masquerade around halloween, but I don’t have much reason besides whim. Beyond that, I no longer live on the family estate. It’s expected to have a proper place if you are hosting elaborated balls most times. People are too busy with their weddings and wars for whimsy, a sad thing, but true.

He chuckled at it. “Such a problem to have, that your taste for parties exceeds your grasp. I’ll have to push someone into throwing it for me.”

"What's that supposed to mean?" She raised an eyebrow, haughty look on her face. As always, she wasn't too thrilled when she got to see her cousin. Alara was annoying and would no doubt hold it over her head that it was Leta attending this wedding at Antonin's side. "Parisians have much better taste. I cannot wait to leave the greyness of london behind."

There was rumours from her family when it came to her cousin and she was curious if they were true. She would not be sad to see Serra leave. "And here I thought you could do better." Alara smiled sweetly at the other. "I don't think Paris is ready for you."

"Well I am not going to say no to that. We need to take Willa with us as well." She scanned the crowd for her friend, making a mental note to tell her too. "I'm partial to dancing but I'll need to change before that, this dress is more of a show stopper not made for dancing."

“Something with less of our old stuffy relatives around,” Lydia joked after making sure none of said relatives could hear her. “I bet we could sneak out and go dancing if you’d like. Or roller skating! I’ve been learning and it’s wicked fun.”

"Thank you. I thought you would like it, everyone has so far." She smiled, pleased, although she had not doubted it for a second. Mira was a woman with good taste, she would've been surprised if it her cousin didn't appreciate it. "I do wish more people would have thought like you. I've seen some terribly boring outfits." Serra sighed, dramatically. "They have. I am their only child after all, it only makes sense."

Mira took an obligatory drink, not wanting to offend the birthday girl. She nodded as she swallowed, offering her a smile. "It's delicious, a good choice." She commended her. Already she was exhausted from the social niceties, hoping she would not have to stay much longer and that she could slip away. "Oh thank you. I had to make sure I chose something that was Serra approved for your birthday party." She mused. "It's quite the party, your parents went all out this year, didn't they.."

"I know what I want and what I am worth. I do not see it as boldness if it is factually accurate, which I believe it to be." Serra informed him with a matter of fact tone, keeping eye contact with him and not shying away from it. "It is something I would promise because I know I am capable of being everything." Growing up with a silver spoon and being told that she was perfect day in and day out left its mark on her. "You do not scare me, if I make demands I suppose you making some would be fair as well. As long as there is no one else." Serra did not know what she was talking about, acting like she had more experience than she actually did. She'd been with all but two guys before.

Kissing him back she was infatuated, it made her feel important and powerful knowing that he wanted her. "I have not asked you to apologise. Your experience is something that is far preferable to someone my age that is inexperienced. I do know that I am beautiful."

"You should know that I will not be waiting around forever. If you choose to go for someone else and satisfy your curiosity elsewhere I will make my choice as well. I am in my prime and you are not my only option." She was not willing to wait around like a fool waiting for him to choose her. "You either choose me or you don't. But you don't get to come back if you don't choose me in the first place. I am no second choice nor am I a consolation prize."

He brushed his hand against her cheek. “You are even more bold than I thought.  Are you saying you will be all they are and more is that something you would promise?  It’s a lot for one so young and inexperienced.”  He held her face so she couldn’t look away. “You have been bold so I will too. I am a crass thing with certain appetites, I didn’t want to subject you to anything you might not be ready for make demands of you that were too physical.  A kiss, an embrace are pleasant but I’m talking about more than that, not eventually now.  It isn’t much time and it is an unfair demand, but I feel an equal one to severing ties that I have developed, turning all focus to you. It’s only fair I tell you what I would that focus would entail unless you discover yourself repulsed by my desires. We are both people of certain tastes, and I feel once I have tasted you I will want more..” He kissed her, the reason might be colored by her response, but for now he used the gesture to speak to his point. It was a thing of lust rather than love, something to entice as well as sample.  “One may only be around pretty things for so long without sampling or spoiling them, and though I pride myself on many things, chastity is not one of them, but I don’t apologize for that.  From the beginning I have told you that I am dark and cruel, but you are smart enough to know that you are physically desirable.  Attractive as well as beautiful.”  Her rubbed his thumb across her lips, more a gesture of desire than intimacy. “” “I won’t make you promises I have no intent to keep, but if I can’t have you now, fully and without reservation, or a way to expel desires that would make me present an indecorous image. I will come to you when I’m more available, ready to endure the triteness of a chaste courtship assuming we are both still interested and available of course.  Maybe by then you will know the duality required to maintain a perfect appearance.”

"I got about seven new wedding appropriate formal dresses, I figured I wanted to be as well prepared for wedding season as I can. Then I got a couple more evening dresses for various occasions that lean less formal than weddings, five sundresses and three day dresses. Which should be enough, but I have a standby monthly appointment at Madame Malkins in case I need an emergency dress made."

He smiled squeezing her hand and linking arms nudging her shoulder like an old friend. "Of course I do, now tell me more about these dresses, are they all formal or are there some sundresses mixed in, do they all look as good as this one, and who is your designer and tailor, if you don't have anyone specific I can recommend a good one, not that you need it you would look good in a burlap sack, though I imagine it would be harder to dance in."