The Banquet of Plenty - Open

[Anatra]

.:- Max Orca-:.

I leave Alex to his devices, turning on my heel. I walk in through the doors and feel the heat on my face where it is now more than welcome. "The only nice girl I know isn't around." I hear from Tyren's friend. I eye him curiously as I walk past my table. I fold my navy blue jacket on the top of the chair, leaving me with my shirt and black waistcoat and tie. I approach the dance lines but find that my partner is elsewhere. It was supposed to be my sister, Tara. She's...

I look over to Tyren's friend again. She's there. Wow, abandoned by my own sister. I walk over to her as she's just getting close to him. "You got a partner, Matt?" She says a little nervously. She's quite confident, but in the way that she has to be as a member of the Orca family. Brown hair and brown eyes, like the rest of us - except me of course. I've got blue eyes and a light brown to my hair. "Tara, what're you doing? You were going to dance with me." I ask, then tell. She's being a bit deceptive, like a little schoolgirl seeing her crush. She glares at me for a moment before I roll my eyes, ready to turn back and find somebody else.

I do so. Alba and Tyren, Joe and his girl, Alex is still talking to his girl. Me and nobody. Shit. I look around to see if I can find anybody isolated like I am right now. Maybe Matt will say no. Pff, I doubt it. There is somebody I can dance with, I guess. But it isn't all too impressive to dance with your own aunt. I look to Maryln and Daniel, parents of Alba and Joe. They aren't dancing since Daniel has injured his leg at work. I hold out a hand to Aunt Maryln, "Come on then, we're late." I say to her impatiently. I do that because she likes that kind of dry humor. She looks to Uncle Dan quickly but he holds his hands up, and I'm flattered when he says "Go on then, he's a better choice anyway." He laughs, and she smiles.

We stand in line, and the music starts.

I step forward, as it is supposed to be, and I take her hand and her waist. We do the usual routine. At first, you do the typical waltz box, which is just a few steps. Then, it gets more complicated as you have to spin the girl or woman. I catch her in my arms and act all serious to amuse her. It's light fun, nothing actually serious because it's my auntie and we both had nobody to go with. I see Tyren with Alba. I also see what's on his wrist and it intrigues me, but I don't have time to look for long. Everybody is still relatively in line. Suddenly, the routine (that most tend to know) demands that we switch. The women are the ones who move whilst the gentlemen stay standing still. This is so it isn't confusing.

Now, Tyren is with his mother, Cecilia. Alba is out of my sight and Joe and his girlfriend have sneakily stayed together. Their dance is much more romantic as opposed to ours. Whilst looking around, I failed to see that the person in front of me is now Tara again. "Sorry about that, I just had to." Such a little schoolgirl, it's funny though. I don't like being unaware of what's happening so her doing that messed with my head a little. This part of the dance is the shortest because it is the same thing again, the spin and the catch, the switch. I see Tara go back to Matthew after she was done. Cecilia and Francis are back with each other, showing their moves which have practically become perfect over the years. It has been a long time since their eighteenth. Mine was like this, pretty much. Just not twins.

Now, the dance is secure. People are able to go sit down if they want to, or they can find a space and continue the waltz at their own pace. Some couples are actual couples, and just slow dance with no particular rhythm. Some, like Francis and Cecilia keep to the routine, which has all kind of lifts and turns, spins and small catches. Me and aunt Maryln continue to dance somewhat within the routine, but the harder parts we leave out. Tyren and Alba, now reunited, stick to the routine as well. Alex is nowhere to be seen, typical, and Joe and his girlfriend just slow dance. It's a little weird seeing it, if I'm honest, but not at all over the top for a party of this standard.

[Deleted]

Avery Thrush
Age: 17

"I'm Avery," I said. Even though I already knew I asked to be polite, "What's your name?" I feel a bit uncomfortable still. As I said before. I'm not used to talking with boys. I remember the dance which is going to start soon. My mother said I have to be there.

I sigh. "I just realized. It is almost time for the dance. I got to get back there. I suppose you should to seeing it's your party." I say. I rub my elbows and I get up, looking a bit embarrassed.

OOC: Same excuse. Sorry.

[Anatra]

.:- Alex Orca-:.

Talking to this lovely looking girl has been quite a challenge even without the nerves. She has short answers. I haven't asked her much, though. "I'm Avery," She says. "Nice." I say calmly. "What's your name?" I look at her quizzically. She knows it, I know that. "Alex." I say with sarcasm. "I just realized. It is almost time for the dance. I got to get back there. I suppose you should to seeing it's your party." I'm glad she brought that up, because otherwise I'd be alone for the dance. Though I could quite easily still be.

"Hey, have you got a partner for it?" I say. I nearly stopped at 'partner', but I could sense how that could be taken differently. I look behind me and don't see Max any more, he must have gotten so bored. I think it's rare to see him stay at these parties without coming out for a break. Maybe it's the stress, or maybe he's just that kind of person who has to light up a cigarette at every occasion such as this. I'm not sure how I feel about him smoking. I mean, sure he can do what he wants, but it's bad for his health and expensive as fuck. And that can't be good for him either since he lives alone. He'll be lonely for a while if he carries on, I think. He does manage to look like a player though, out here like he did. It's surprising he didn't go for this girl.

Initially, I would easily admit that the reason I came over to her was to get her hand for the dance. It wasn't something I was going to mention, though. But now that she has, I feel a drive to go back in there and take her hand like I wanted. Hopefully, she feels the same. Or maybe she'll reject me and I'll walk in alone, and sit alone.

[*]

Getting ready for Tyren's party wasn't exactly easy. The simple fact was that I had trouble finding that one dress that would cover up the scar on my shoulder but the makeup to cover up the mark on my face completly? Failed. Finally after so long, I decided that It would just have to deal with what I put on and tried to cover up. I stare at myself in the mirror at the dress and actually give myself a smile. Even with the cast on, I push it behind my back and for once, give myself an honest bit of pleasure to see my appearance.

"Kyanite. You're late. If you don't leave now, I'm not taking you." I hear my father's voice from downstairs yell at me and I turn away from the mirror and grab my heels, slipping my feet in them and taking the time to latch the buckles that keeps the strap around my ankles. Just a second later, I grab the two small bags I had laid out, in small white bags with the cursive uppercase letter of the respective person that the gift belonged to. Down the stairs, my father waits with baited breath and is out the door the moment I'm visable. So much for asking his opinion on the dress and shoes. That never was his strong suit, not even with mom if I remember correctly.

"Have fun, Kya." Jeran pops in from the kitchen, an apple in his hand as he takes a bite causing that crunch to come to my ears. I smile to him and nudge my head in the direction of the door.

"I will. You should come. It would be so much fun with you there. I know you'll be able to meet a lot of people. Maybe even dance with one of the girls or something. You never know what will happen. Gala will be there. At least your going to pick us up right? I don't want to walk home in this." I motion to the dress and hear as he takes yet another bite of the apple but don't say a word.

"Get out of here, Kya. Go have fun. Maybe next time."

"I will." I nod to him, grin then dash out the door. The drive to the party is a quiet one with my father. His breathing seems to be troubled the more we drive and at the next stop sign he begins to talk about training and fighting, but I shove that topic out the window with nothing more than a "I dont want to start that right now" earning me a hard jaw and deep creases around his eyes. As we near the place, he slows to a crawl but his voice never comes out again. Instead, he drops me off and speeds out of the driveway.

Inside, the place looks lovely. Gifts adorn the table and I realize at this moment how late I really am, so I hurry and add my two small gifts to the table and walk in as they finish the latest dance. Immediately, my sights fall upon Tyren and somewhere off in the distance do I notice Matthew talking to someone. Dropping my head just a little, I linger near the dance floor and start to mingle with a few people that I actually have seen around but never talked to. A small sound of laughter sings sweetly from my lips for an overtold joke, but I won't deny them the acknowledgement. Just play the part, Kyanite.


(593 PAT)

[Jack Lexington]

It's pretty obvious that almost everybody made sure to have a dance partner before hand. Not like me, who was totally oblivious to the fact that there might be dancing if there's a dance floor and a band.

Just as I'm about to sit down again the younger girl of maybe 16 from Tyrens families table approaches me with a sweet smile and asks. "You got a partner, Matt?"
She knows my name? Maybe from the fight against her cousin.
But her voice deosn't match her pretty dress and hair that makes her look so self confident.
"I don't." I offer her a smile as well because I'm trying to be polite. Maybe Tyren sent her to my rescue.
But then a large young guy comes over as well demanding that she was supposed to dance with him.
The brown haired girl doesn't move away from my side though so he goes on to dance with an older, bigger woman.
"I'm flattered that you blew your brother off for me." I joke to break the ice because she's clearly nervous.
"You wouldn't have done that if you knew how badly I dance."
I didn't bring a crutch today but I'm still limping. I'm ready to suck it up for a dance though.
Offering her my left hand I lead the young girl over to the dance floor where we line up with everybody else to start the walz.
"I"m sorry, I can't lift my right arm. It's broken. Can you do that part?" I wonder how much she's seen of the fights since I don't want to spoil the evening by talking about such a sore subject.
Together with everybody else we do the easy moves but I do have problems with all the spinning and twirling even though she's a wonderful dancer.
"What's your name?" I wonder when I finally have her back in my arms after the switch.

Once the walz is done I step over to the side.
"Thanks for the dance. I'm sorry I'm a little disabled right now."
Since I've got nice company now I feel a little less out of place. Maybe I should stay on the dance floor so she doesn't leave.
"If the next one isn't a Jive we could try again." I offer.

[Hael [prev. reasons]]

M I C A H C O N N E L L Y

"I H O P E Y O U R E M E M B E R M E"
_____________________________

People are already pairing up for a dance as I stand on the sidelines, my hands in the pockets of my dress pants. I have already finished my dinner and am running my tongue over my teeth to make sure they are clean. My eyes are searching for a partner and find that most are already taken. I look over to my sisters Bethany and Vivian, they don't have partners. I raise an eyebrow in question and each of them shoot a glare my way. I shrug it off and continue my search.

I bite my lip as less and less people become an option for my partner. Bethany and Vivian have disappeared, likely already dancing. My eyes land on the fourteen-year-old girl who happens to be Tyren and Alex's cousin. I'm not sure her name is Tessa so I just call her kitten. I make note to ask her her real name and not actually call her kitten aloud.

I casually walk towards her and bow like a gentleman would. "May I have this dance?" I ask, my eyes meeting hers. I hope she doesn't reject me, those words pound in my head. Sure, I could probably find a different partner just as easily, I wouldn't be to shaken if she did. I just hate being rejected and it does surprise me when it rarely happens.

template by chelsey

[Anatra]

OOC: Since Tara isn't technically an accepted character, I'll just RP it like this. This is a long post. Marr, there's a bit about Kyanite at the end.

.:- Max Orca-:.

"I don't." He tells her. I'm nearby just enough to hear, but I don't particularly look like I'm paying much attention. "I'm flattered that you blew your brother off for me." She smiles at him. I had a feeling she would do it, in all honesty. She's always been the one who is surprisingly open about what she wants to do. Dangerously so, sometimes. It's a kind of confidence that you wouldn't likely expect from her. I can see in the corner of my eye, in the quick glance that I made, that she is nervous about talking to him. He's a little bit older than him, which has me worried. "Ha, don't worry about him, he's bound to find somebody else." She says. I don't know what she means by it, though. "You wouldn't have done that if you knew how badly I dance." He informs her. Well it clearly wasn't your dancing she liked the look of. "Well that's okay, I can work with that. Come on then, before it starts without us." She's direct at least. Completely unlike Alex, who was just poking questions at the person he wanted to dance with.

"I"m sorry, I can't lift my right arm. It's broken. Can you do that part?" I see him say, more or less. We're next to each other in the line so I can keep an eye on her like I should. It's my job to protect her tonight, it seems. I prefer the role of the guardian to the role of the prey. "Sure, sure. Relax, I've got this." She tells him with the confidence I mentioned. She's full of it, but it's true, she has got it. She is a great dancer, and nobody can fail to realize it, really. She doesn't go over the top, but she has the style that you can put up against even those in the Capitol. Yet she dresses so simple. Tonight, she's just in a black dress with very few decoration. Her hair is tied into a pony tail and her makeup is minimal. It surprises me how my sister can be like this and still have fun. She's quite different from me. Although I don't invest in makeup and go to outrageous lengths to look good, I probably wouldn't go out of the house looking like an idiot, or wear yesterday's clothes.

I see her impress him with her twirls and twists. She makes it look like the pair of them are dancing, but I'm close enough to see that it's just her, really. I've heard about Matthew, but only from my own friends. They're bias, I can tell. They were rooting for him so they had nothing but good remarks. I'm much more skeptical I think. "What's your name?" She asks him, the dance lowering in complexity as they talk. "Tara." She smiles right back. "I'm the cousin of the birthday pair. That was Max back there." She says with a little bit of enthusiasm. She's clearly trying to spread some happiness. Maybe she doesn't fancy him. I can't tell anymore. She's clearly quite naive to whatever she feels for him. I can tell it's not the start of a brotherly friendship, though, because she's not like that with me. In fact, she's a bit of the opposite. She likes to take it all out on me, but thankfully I'm older than her so I can usually understand that it's just her growing up. That's probably why we're so close as brother and sister.

She already knows his name. She didn't stop talking about the pregames, but she wasn't at all excited by it. She was terrified almost. Tyren's near miss frightened her more than any of us because she is the youngest, the more gentle one of the family. It didn't harden her resolve either, which worries me more. "See, you can dance." She says to him with the same consistent smile. In the corner of my eye I can see Tyren looking as well but only briefly. Him and Alba share a similar relationship that I and Tara share, even though they're not brother and sister. I leave Aunt Maryln to try and dance with her husband whilst I go and take a seat at my table again. It's the one nearest to the dance floor and Matthew and Tara are still reasonably close. "Thanks for the dance. I'm sorry I'm a little disabled right now." He tells her as they step near the edge of the dance floor. "It's alright, it was fun. You were good, you know." She tells him. Clearly a bit of a lie I think, but I don't presume her to mean ill by it. "If the next one isn't a Jive we could try again." I sigh to myself, knowing I probably won't get a dance with my own sister tonight. It's alright, I'm not that bothered. "Sure, lead the way." She orders.

The dance is loosening up, and becoming more casual. Soon enough, the more popular music will come on and people will loosen up themselves and perhaps delve into the drinks at the bar. There are quite a few children here though, more than I expected. Other than Tyler though, obviously. Tyler is Cecilia and Francis' third child, little 3 year old brother to Tyren and Alex. I'm pretty sure if anything happened to him, the whole family would break down. He's literally a symbol of new life. And he brings joy to everybody in the family. We all pitch in to look after him. After all, he will probably grow up without decent family friends unless I, the eldest, suddenly become a father. Doubtful, right now.

Whilst I was zoned out, I didn't notice the kid walk up to Tara and Matthew. Maybe he didn't see Matthew, but he bows graciously and courtly says "May I have this dance?". I would be flattered if I were Tara, I think. She looks a little uneasy as she has a choice, and either one will require a good explanation as to why she chose it. She looks sympathetically at the kid that approached her. "Aw, I'm sorry. I'm all taken." She frowns at him, but smiles as well after ward as not to kill any kind of mood. Imagine if I got up and danced with him instead. That would be funny. I consider it as a joke, but don't go through with it. I just sit at my table sipping whatever is left in the champagne glass despite my dislike for it.

There is a brown haired girl across the way talking to some people that even I barely recognize. I usually make it my business to know most of the people here, but anyone could be here so I'm a bit in the dark. I get up from my seat since there's the possibility of a dance here. But it's not the only thing on my mind, I don't think. I genuinely want to talk to somebody new. "Hey, you enjoying the party so far?" I ask her. I'm not sure who she is, though.

[Jack Lexington]

The girl is a fantastic dancer that makes even a cripple like me look good. Once she's on the dance floor none of that insecurity is present any more. She's very confident.
"Tara'" She tells me her name, which makes me smile. "Really. I like that name. It reminds me of someone." I get a little lost in memories.
She tells me that she's Tyrens cousin. "Your cousin invited me. I'm glad you aske me to dance because I don't know anybody else here."

After the dance she lets me know that I did well which seems to be a little exagerated.
"Well, thanks." I mutter a bit embarassed.

Tara has no problem dancing the next one with me as well and even rejects another 'applicant' fro the job as dance partner. I raise my brows but remain silent. She must really enjoy my company if she declines a better dancer.
I watch the bioy walk away a little disappointed while I move to the beat and hope I don't look like a fool. Then my eyes are back on her.
"You're taken." I state a little amused. "By my crazy moves?" I wink at the girl and wiggle my hips a little awkward to pull of some sort of move.
Then I reach for her hand and pull her a little closer.
"Come here...cover me!" I tell her.
"So how's the party for you so far?" I try a casual conversation and study her face. She does look like she's having a real good time. There's even a bit of sweat on her brow.

[Deleted]

Avery Thrush
Age: 17

He asks me if I had a dance partner. I blush a tiny bit. I feel really embarrassed. "Well, No. I don't actually." Dancing isn't really my thing, but it is his birthday.

I knew exactly what was coming. I had time to read a bit and this was in a lot of romance books. Romance is not exactly my area of expertise though. Throwing knives on the other hand. I feel extremely uncomfortable knowing what is going to happen next.

I just hope nothing will go to far though. I will never know though.

[*]

[presto]

The small group of people that I talk with seems overjoyed to be here. Their attitudes toward the decorations and the dances makes me feel a bit uneasy. This normally isn't my scene due to the fact that I used to always train from sunup to sundown. Hardly any real time for fun or others until I met Matthew that one day. From there, my daily life changed dramatically. From enemies to friends to a relationship and now single again, It's still got my mind a whirl. Even with the pregames finishing, I find I have so much more time on my hands other than training, so what better way to spend it then just finding new people to hang out with?

"Definately not. I am just taking a break right now. Healing up. You know?" I try my best to make the conversation go by smoothly. I can usually talk up a storm, but here at this party that I attended, I feel like the odd one out. Dressing pretty? Make up? What I wouldn't give to be at the gym running to clear my thoughts. Instead, I'm here watching people partner together for dances while I'm just merely talking to my aquaintences. That is until I hear a question directed toward me. I turn to meet with this well dressed man, but I can't help but notice his blue eyes right off. A pleasant smile comes to my lips immediately as I look downward for only a moment before nodding to him politely.

"Yes, thank you. It's wonderful. This place is very beautiful." I answer him with a soft, sweet voice that carries out. With a questionable look and a raised eyebrow, a question is returned to him as well. "What about you? Tyren sure knows how to throw a party."
[/presto]

[ table by anzie ]

[Anatra]

.:- Max Orca-:.

She looks downward briefly, but only for a moment. In that moment I notice her eyes just as they meet mine. Brown, and brown hair to match. It seems common to many in my family, but hers is different. She has more colour, more life. Her hair seems to come to a curl at the end as one solitary part hangs on her shoulder and downward whilst the rest is behind. "Yes, thank you. It's wonderful. This place is very beautiful." My smile feels bright, and I feel a warmness on my cheeks but I can tell I'm not quite blushing. I'm usually great at telling people how to talk to girls, but in practicality I'm not the best. "Good, good. Lovely to hear it." I'm not doing so bad, I don't think. "What about you? Tyren sure knows how to throw a party." She asks me, with a questionable look that for some reason I admire. Though, I don't think she is aware of who was rushing about beforehand getting all this ready for Tyren and Alex. Maybe she only knows Tyren, though.

"Well it's been a bit boring for me if I'm honest. I was outside waiting for Alex to get his partner, but that was taking ages. Then I came in for the dance but my sister was off dancing with some blonde haired lad with a limp, so I had to dance with my aunt." I can see that I've spoken quite quickly, and I can only hope I didn't overwhelm her with details. "Sorry." I put a warm smile on my face. "Would you like to dance?" I ask her, "It would redeem my night." I try to persuade her with that little light flattery that I'm usually decent at pulling off.

.:- Alex Orca-:.

"Well, No. I don't actually." She tells me. I'm happy to hear that, but she doesn't sound very happy to say it. Or at least to my ears. Maybe it's the light, or maybe the setting. I try to pick things up though, I don't want to have either of us walk back through the doors without a partner, that may just look odd. "Would you like me to change that?" I offer. I want to be gracious, and not ruthless. Maybe, if she is what I assume her to be - a career, she might prefer the contrast to what she is used to. It's a long shot, but a shot nonetheless.

I raise a brow at her, awaiting my answer. I turn to face the door and hold out my arm so she can take it and follow me in, if she says yes. I don't like the knowledge that it being my birthday gives me a privilege over anybody, but it does. Hopefully she doesn't need to use it as a reason to dance with me.

.:- Tyren Orca-:.

I'm dancing somewhat near to Matthew, just enough to be in earshot but not enough to provoke any kind of suspicion. In honesty, I'm not listening all too much. Matt seems to be trading names with Tara, or something similar. I continue dancing lightly with Alba. "Look," I nod my head in one direction. "Tara has somebody." I claim, nodding my head in another direction. "Max has somebody." I raise a brow at her. "Maybe you should too." She looks at me funny. "Tyren, I'm more than happy dancing with my brother." I laugh a little. "Right."

"You're taken." He tells her. "By my crazy moves?" I think he just winked, but I'm not sure since I can't look too much. "Obviously, I mean, what else?" She says. How can she be so cool in a situation like that? It's like she'd known him for years the way she talks to him. Maybe it's an Orca thing.

"So how's the party for you so far?" I see him say. They're a little closer now, unless it's just the angle I'm seeing it from. "Well, it's good from where I'm standing." Wow, there she goes again. I hope she doesn't try anything, though. She probably wouldn't, but if she does and I know Matt as well as I think, she'll be pretty disappointed by the result. I see him looking at her, maybe even studying her. Not creepily, but in the way you would if you were dancing with somebody to this kind of music. If I were to be, I'd probably notice how her face is soft and round, but with the brown eyes and hair of the Orcas. She's slim and that dress does show it. The amount of makeup she uses is good though, for a girl. She wears little, but enough to show she could use it well. Maybe a bit of eyeliner or something of the sort. Not like I know about all that, anyway.

"So Alba, did your mum enjoy dancing with Max?" We laugh, because we've noticed how much her mother, Maryln, has commented on how 'handsome' Max is. It's at the borderline of strange how much she brings it up. I think he just teases the joke by dancing with her tonight, nothing serious on his side. "Ha, yeah, I bet." She tells me. "It's strange because at school, all of my friends joke and laugh about what they would say to you boys." She looks around quickly. "I don't see any of them here." I nod at her, the knowledge of girls talking about me or the others not being something I'm new to. "Must be annoying actually. For you I mean." She ponders the thought. "Yeah, I guess it is. It's nothing outrageous though. Like I said, they're not here, so it's not a big deal." We continue to make similarly small conversation whilst we dance casually, but I turn to leave after letting Alba go get some food. I go straight back to my table and sit down, but there's nobody else there.

[Deleted]

Avery Thrush
Age: 17

"Do you want me to change that?" He asks as he holds out his arm. I blush a deep shade of red and smile politely, "Sure." I stand up and accept his arm. I can't deny him. My mother would be so proud.

I take a deep breath preparing to go in. I know how to dance because my Mother taught me before. I'm quite good at it too. All the career training makes me graceful. I just don't dance that often.

OOC: Almost 300 posts!

[*]

[presto]

I try my hand at small talk with some random stranger that has come over to grace me with his presence. My first guess would be that he's part of the family somehow since he's asking questions relating to how I'm enjoying myself at the party. My response gets a good return statement. I've never seen the guy before, but by judging his looks, he'd be several years older than I, no doubt. With my question to him, it seems to have brought a smile to his face. What a wonderful smile. Pleasant guy. Cute, too.

When he starts to answer my question, I wonder why he considers it to be boring and he goes on to tell me that his sister had taken up with some blonde guy that had a limp. Immediately, my thoughts rush to Matthew, whom I had seen when I first came in, but I know he didn't notice me. Though, tonight? I'm single. Fairly open to meeting new guys. Why not? I should indulge myself in meeting with others. It may just be the thing I need to get out of this slump since the pregames? With him admitting to have to dance with his aunt, I give him a polite sort of laughter.

"Aww. Well, I would love to help make the night better for you, if for just one dance can do that." I nod to him with a grin, and outstretch my hand for him to take. I'm almost dreading dancing, but I'd rather not pass up this chance. Even with my left arm still in a cast, I intend on ignoring it and letting my night be enjoyed to the fullest. "Might, I ask the name of the man wanting to dance with me?" [/presto]

[ table by anzie ]

(292 - PAT)

[Jack Lexington]

When I ask Tara abiut the party she lets me know "Well, it's good from where I'm standing."
At the same time she gives me a look that bores right into my skull. It's very seductive with that slight smile she's got on her lips, very cool at the same time. Holy cow, give this girl another three years and she'll really be messing with guys heads in her tight dress with those long lashes. But maybe it's just me.
I don't like girls but still find them very attractive. An odd mixture that lead to a few failed attempts of realtionships. The only one that lasted a few weeks or even months was the one with Kyanite. Even that one I managed to wreck though.

We keep moving to the beat...her more than me. I can feel her hips sway under my left palm that's resting on the small of her back just above her curvy behind. With my other one I hold her hand a little awkwardly.

The music stops and changes to a faster pace, which I clearly can't do so I give her a slightly embarassed smile.
"Can we sit this one out? Maybe get a bite to eat?"
My stomach has started making distinct noises a while ago so the banquette seems very tempting.
With my hand still on her back I accompany Tara off the dance floor wondering how this girl even is. She looks 16 or 17 to me but some girls look so mature when they're only thirteen. I don't dare to ask though.

[Anatra]

"Aww. Well, I would love to help make the night better for you, if for just one dance can do that." Shes sweet, and it brings constant warm smiles to my face. It's really nice to meet positive people for a change. Being around the Orca family is all well and good but different people are what makes it worth while to attend such events like this. Of course, celebrating the birthdays of my cousins is priority, but having fun is why we're really here. Nobody would be insulted if I said that to them. "I've certain it would, and I would appreciate such an opportunity." My manners outstand even me right now. I feel as though I'm acting on the part a little bit, being a bit too posh and rich. It's not at all far from my actual self besides the tight lip and politeness which I usually reserve.

She offers me her hand and I politely take it, without kissing it or anything overtly romantic like that. As much as I'm usually good at that kind of thing, it's about her being comfortable, and doing that might change that. "Might, I ask the name of the man wanting to dance with me?" As we walk to the dance floor in time for the last waltz-like dance, I turn my head to her and let her in on my name. "Max Orca," I start. I wasn't telling her it before I got her hand for the dance.

The sling and the face become familiar to me now that I see them up close and I know exactly who this girl is. Due to my job as a part-time medical officer, I was tasked with being on-site during the pregames just in case there were any major injuries, which there were. I'm going to pretend otherwise though. When I was talking with other past participants they spoke ill of the pregames after their defeat. Reminding her of such would just spoil the atmosphere. "And what about the girl who I wish to dance with?" I ask her courtly.

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"Sure." She says with miniscule detail. We start walking in and the there-to conversation is mine to make. "Are you alright? You don't talk much." I say. If she had any confidence issues then that would most definitely draw them out. I don't want to make her uncomfortable, but usually girls talk a lot more at least. My other cousins seem to be perfectly capable and I'm assume them to be younger than Avery is.

We get into the dance room just in time for the final waltz-like dance. Everybody else is warmed up and dancing so I lead her to the dance floor and can feel the eyes of Tyren on me but I hide the smile that it could make. I wonder what Max would think now, seeing me with the girl I tried relatively hard to get. Not like I have her or anything. Just her hand and the permission to dance, but that is all I need or want.

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"Can we sit this one out? Maybe get a bite to eat?" I hear in the back of my ear and I turn to see a tired Matthew and eager Tara. "Sure, you go get your food I'll be at my table." She informs him. I'm not sure what she's playing but she's doing it well. Putting in subtle commands like that are usually quite appealing to men, or at least would be to myself. It's good to know a woman has some sense of control or at least grasp on the idea of it. Not that I'd think about that kind of thing with Tara, she's literally like a little sister. She comes straight over to me and sits next to me like earlier, she clearly doesn't really want any food. Nor do I, it's not like me not to want any but I'm waiting for the inevitable birthday cake that seems to attend every party ever thrown.

"Enjoy yourself?" I ask her with a happy grin. "So much, you should have introduced him earlier." She says to me quickly with that witty, young humor she has. She fans herself with her hand. "I mean, wow." She continues. I shake my head with a mutual smile. "Yeah, I don't think he's your type." She rolls her eyes since this won't have been the first time somebody has said the exact same thing when she's looked up to older blokes. "Come on Ty, I'm having fun." I reserve myself a little, nodding at her. "Okay, alright. Sorry." I laugh and so does she, a little. I glance over at the gift table briefly, not because I'm greedy but because Max and Kyanite just walked past it. I look straight back as though I seen nothing. That... Is worrying, to say the least.

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