serraborgin

Latest Posts by serraborgin

"Well I shall visit you here more often then." Serra decided. It is not as if she had a job that occupied her time so she knew she had plenty and keeping busy in a dress shop was much more fun than it was in her father's store. People kept asking her about certain items as if she cared or listened to her father explaining what it was when it was brought it. Her eyes lit up when she saw the fabric Leta had brought, glad that the blonde had understood her vision. "I like the sparkling one the best, but I do think it needs to be slightly darker, if it is too light it could wash me out as I am quite fair."

“Oh, hush. There is no need to announce yourself if you intend to come visit me here.” Besides that, Leta wouldn’t have demanded such a thing, especially not outside her own home. There, yes, perhaps there it would have been nice to receive a warning ahead of time. This way it had simply been a pleasant surprise, one that the blonde welcome.

With a flick of her wand the curtain between the front of the shop and the back they were now in vanished. The witch listened, nodding occasionally as she prepared some tea and moved through the rows of fabric before returning with a few different types of fabric, among them a shimmer blue, one charmed to hold constellations, one sparkling bright enough to be mistaken for stars. “What about these? If need be, I will simply create a fabric that matches what you need.” If Serra wished to walk among the stars in a dress, she would make it so. - @serraborgin

"I do quite enjoy getting gifts. I get them quite frequently but that does not make me like it any less." Whether it be her parents or Malcolm, she often got gifts without special occasion attached to it. Of course she considered her birthday the most special occasion, so it only made sense that she got more gifts on this day. "They always think they know what is best for you." Her parents had often said that she had made a mistake by ending things with Malcolm, that she had been too much of a kid to understand that his transgression was perfectly normal. Still, she did not see it this way to this day. It had been a talking point a few times already.

"I have had a glass or two, but I do not see why I can't have more." She snapped her fingers together for her house elf to appear ordering two glasses of champagne.

“Glad you enjoy your gift. Yes I often find it’s best to save that for special or at least particular occasions.  Merlin forbid you are wrong it is not a thing they will easily let you forget at least if they are anything like mine.  Whether they bring it up in a boisterous way or a passive way almost not mentioned, but just aside enough to play it off it can be something that digs.”  Antonin’s face darkened, but only slightly and only for a moment, though it was enough to cause him to wish he had started drinking a bit earlier. “Nothing so serious it can’t be solved with a drink though.  Have you had anything yet?  It is your birthday after all it would be criminal not to share a drink with the birthday girl would it not?”

It was a scary thought for her, terrified her even, to consider breaking down the walls she had erected because of him. Giving the one person she had let hurt her in such a significant way the possibility to do so again. Still, it was easier to stay away from him when she didn't have to physically be in his presence. She could lie to herself and say she was not affected by him in the least. He was a man now, one that had gotten even more handsome with age. It was both a good thing and a bad thing that she still thought him to be extremely handsome, she was yet to decide which side she was leaning towards. "Well you better not give up. I do not plan on making anything easy for you." Serra informed him with a matter of fact tone. He liked the chase, she knew that. If she gave her heart fully now and he broke it again, she would be humiliated. "Do continue speaking about how beautiful I am, I will never tire of it." Serra was clearly pleased that he thought her beauty distracting, as was evident from her smile. Or at least she was trying to smile but something felt off. When he came closer to her she noticed that she started to feel quite dizzy all of a sudden, her skin tingling even where he didn't touch her. "I- I feel dizzy..." She wanted to say more but everything went black as she fainted right into his arms.

There were not enough words to describe how he felt around Serra in that moment. It felt like they were traveling back in time without moving at all. Malcolm had worked up years of how he would do things differently and not rely on his spontaneous and immature responses to their previous relationship. He had been nothing but a scared boy who thought he was bigger than the world. How naive he was to not see that Serra was the only one who mattered, who castrated the noises around them. That last year at school had bent him into a hellhound who only wanted to look after himself without weighing others' emotions. Now, he wasn't a boy, but a man with a tenured experience in giving Serra what she wants with lavish gifts from all over the world. They had a wedding to plan, and where he thought she would meet him with contempt, it felt like their story was given another chance; the greatest gift she could give back. "I will," Malcolm smiled. "And I doubt I will ever stop vying for your affections. You might get tired of me. I can only speak of my excitement for our futures and how your beauty is quite distracting. The other plans to prove my loyalty might have to wait when we leave, as I don't think it's appropriate here." Malcolm took a step closer, his hand meeting her hair that asked to be pushed behind her ear. As he was leaning down for a kiss, he paused only an inch away from her lips when he noticed something was wrong. "My love, are you alright?" Malcolm knew she arrived with the perfect shade of lipstick, but now they were nearly pale.

"Are they?" She scoffed shaking her head. "I can assure you my personal owl is looked after much better by my house elf. "Well obviously I am charming and beautiful so people will not think of my owl, but some people need all the help they can get. So making a good first impression matters."

"The post owls are well looked after." Well-looked after enough, anyways. They certainly had more muscle mass. "I get that, sure. But once someone meets you, it's not like they'll spend all their time comparing you to whatever owl brought them a letter."

It was a scary thought, opening up to him again. She'd kept herself and her heart away from him purposefully, for many years now, as she'd worried about the power he had over her. They were like magnets, pulling towards each other, helpless to do anything against it. Was it the same for him? She wondered. Did he feel the same way she did? Still, she was too proud to show him how much he affected her. Of course she wanted him too, she thought a part of her would always want him, it was in her nature. He had only gotten more handsome in their time apart, the dark blue of his suit bringing out his eyes. She had only half listened when he spoke about traitors and nodded her agreement, distracted by how close he was standing. "You want me? Prove it." Her tone was playful, a hint of a challenge in it. She wasn't planning on making it this easy for him, she wanted him to put in the effort to get her back. Him giving her the upper hand in the wedding planning was a good start, she'd always known how she wanted her wedding to look like. The groom in her childhood fantasies had always been him as she grew up and he had broken her heart she had pushed those thoughts away. "I know what I want."

Malcolm couldn't remember what he had for breakfast on a good day so it wasn't a surprise that he couldn't pinpoint the exact timeline of him and Charity. There was a part of him that did remember, but it was all a haze that got lost under a weird thrill. Malcolm knew that Serra meant every word that she said and he would be the fool if he didn't believe her. It wasn't about being careful. He would've wanted this even if there wasn't a contract binding them together. "Trust me, I understand what can happen to a family's reputation. There's traitors making a mess of society and I'm glad none of them are here. I want this, I want you," he says. "I've wanted you and I wouldn't do anything to change that again." Maybe this wasn't the best place to have this conversation, but he had yet to ask if this was what she wanted. She probably had a line of suitors wishing for her hand, but they weren't the ones standing in front of her right now. "Oh, I do not question how green might look on you, but I was referencing the floral arrangements. We can plan whatever you want. I've heard that Emir had little to say in the arrangements here and look how good it turned out."

She wanted the distraction from all the trouble tonight had put her through. Her birthday party had been more than she had bargained for. When her parents first told her they would organise a big birthday party for her 21st, she thought nothing off it, feeling it fair as they were demanding her to come back from Paris much earlier than she had intended. If only she had known what they were planning, but they chose to leave her in the dark purposefully- so that she could not cause a scene. While she thrived off of attention, she did not want bad attention. So after they'd announced her betrothal, to her surprise, she just needed to get away. Landing right in Evan Rosier's arms. Her eyes blazed with anger, trying to overplay the hurt she felt at this old wound ripping open again. Malcolm and Charity Burbage. Again. She couldn't do this. She wasn't going to do this. She wouldn't be played for a fool by him again. If he could hook up with whoever he wanted, so could she. Anger made one do things they probably shouldn't as was the case right here. Her eyes falling to his lips for a moment before she locked eyes with him again. "I do. Let's get out of here."

He always knew what he was doing, a birthday girl deserved to be complimented and given presents, of the best kind. Evan had plenty to give and something told him that she was eager to find out more. A nonchalant grin dancing along his lips, the wizard used his grasp on her waist to pull her closer to his body, dragging her away from the guests' curious eyes. "It's not gossip if I've seen it with my own eyes." The wizard told her, his voice low and steady, looking into her eyes as he shared what he'd seen recently. "Your ex-boyfriend leaving with a Miss Burbage, not just once, looking all too cozy." He finally stated, eyes holding her gaze to see if it did anything to her, one of his hands leaving her waist to reach the nape of her neck, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb. "It's worth plenty." The blonde reassured her, tongue wetting his bottom lip, his gaze settled on hers. "Want me to show you just how much it's worth?" He wondered, voice barely a whisper of hot breath as his hand on his waist slid down to grab a handful of her ass.

"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 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."

"How long were you seeing her?" She didn't miss that he only said when he claimed to have stopped talking to her. How long had that been going on, she wondered. Still it did make a difference that he had stopped seeing her when he found out they were engaged, she supposed. The timeline in her head warred with what Evan had told her, unsure of who to believe. "I don't like not knowing things. Especially if they pertain to me." Her parents wanted to surprise her with a birthday party and then it turned into a surprise engagement after all, she was still upset with them for tricking her so. He had spent more time imagining and planning their future wedding it seemed. Serra didn't pull her hand away, letting it rest in his. It has been a while since she had touched him and yet the same sparks ran up her arms. "Obviously no blue. We are not Ravenclaws. Either white or pink florals."

"Of course not," he said with the same tone, thought softened around the edges of his words. There was a different spark in her eyes, one that he hadn't seen in many years, and it filled his chest with lightness, hope. "He knows nothing then. I hadn't been with her at least a week before your party-our announcement to society." At least he hoped he had the timing right, but the couple of days set preceding her party had stretched out before him in a blur. He remembered the lawyers, his dinner with Agatha, and nowhere in that could he recall meeting with Charity. He hoped she could be a problem that fixed itself without his attention pinned to it. "You did. I mean, you do deserve to know. I should've been the one to tell you, but I'm telling you now: there is nothing going on with her anymore. It felt like he was a limp rose that was finally blooming by her words, a grin appearing on his lips. These kind of moments with Serra were ones he had held onto for many years and now he was fortunate to find it here again. "Darling, I am here at this wedding with you, but I may as well be at ours because I cannot stop thinking about our planning," he said, reaching for her hand like a test. "We must do something different with the florals. And definitely not blue."

"She isn't?" It was said as more of a question rather than a fact, needing the reassurance of hearing him say it again, say that she was the only one that mattered. Words were important to her, especially when they came out of his mouth. She cared about what he thought about her, how he saw her, she always had. The anguish in his eyes as so obvious right now she was wavering in her disbelief for him. Was he actually being honest with her? Was it over? Had it been over? "My birthday. After my parents announcement. He thought I deserved to know." Serra still remembered how angry she had been, how upset. Now he was telling her all the right things, what she had longed to hear from him back then. They were different people now and yet, still the same. She'd never been indifferent towards him, if she had she could have thrown out his many gifts, but she had kept every single one. "Keep talking..."

"She's not special," he corrected lowly, no longer glancing in both directions before he spoke. At least it was the first honest thing he could mean completely. There was no obligations tying him to Charity and not much of a reputation that clung to her name which was probably what made her hold his attention in the first place. She was under the radar enough, but apparently not. Malcolm's head hung for a moment, then blinked back up at her. His problems only ached more as he knew that he was the reason for placing the mistrust in the first place. He had buried it under the many years they had spent apart, but now, it was heavily back in his face. He never liked dealing with his own consequences, but he never thought of Serra as a problem or a consequence. She was more defined by everything that he couldn't understand, couldn't have. "When did he even tell you this?" he asked, brow raised. " This was clearly something he would need to talk to Evan about later. "I have no intentions of making you look like a fool, my love. She's in the past already before we even had this conversation. I will handle it later, alright? But please know that you are the only person of my affection...truly. You know that."

"I don't see how I can believe you." Why should she believe anything he said? He said he wasn't with her again and in the same breath confessed that they had been seeing each other. She didn't understand why he kept going back to that woman. "What's so special about her?" Her curiosity got the better of her, unable to act like she didn't care even though that had been her plan a few minutes ago. "You didn't have to tell him. He saw you two together. He told me what he saw and I'm grateful he did. I don't think you would have said anything to me at all, would you? And then she would've once again thrown it into my face, getting the upper hand because she knew something I didn't. An apology doesn't make me feel better. If she's lying to people about you being together it makes me look like a fool- even if one person believes it. People talk. Gossip spreads quick."

Malcolm knew better than to interrupt her when she was talking so instead, he swallowed his words and let his brows dip lower as she went on. He wasn't having an affair and he wasn't even seeing Charity at the moment. "I'm not with her again," he finally said, shaking his head. "I would never do that to you. I was seeing her casually before I found out about the engagement. I have no intentions of even talking with her, you have my word." Malcolm wanted to reach out but thought better of it as it might do more harm than good. "Why is Evan telling you anything? He has it wrong then, something must've got lost in communication. I didn't tell him anything." He wondered if Charity was telling people lies and his facial expression must've given that thought away. "Even if I was still seeing her, I'm not anymore. She must be the one lying to people. I'm sorry you had to hear such slander."

Serra sits down all poise and elegance, the diamond tennis bracelet Antonin had gotten her for her birthday teamed with necklace Malcolm had sent her for her birthday a couple of years ago. "It is truly a shame, but I do understand, Paris is lovely this time of year. You missed a lot, I came into the party single and ended it engaged. To Malcolm." Her parents had done it that way on purpose, she could not cause a scene in public after all.

"Well when you put it that way, I don't mind the company," Davina replied, gesturing to the open seat. She glanced at Serra from across the table. "I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I was in Paris," Davina lied. She hadn't attended because it was gauche to attend a party without a gift. "I hope that it was everything that you could have wanted. I would love to hear all the gossip, though, so sit and tell me everything."

"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 couldn't believe the words she was hearing right now. He had the nerve to ask her what she was talking about. How dare he? When he looked at her did he think her a fool? That she will still the same fifteen year old girl hopelessly in love with him? She sighed, letting him lead her outside before she continued to talk. "I understand some marriages are accepting of infidelity, but I do not plan on ours being one of them." "And in such a public way. It is degrading. You could have picked someone beautiful, so that it is at least understandable how you could be swayed. But her? Again? It makes me look like a fool." What did Charity have that she didn't? Loose morals? "Evan told me. I do not see any reason for him to lie. He is my cousin's best friend and he is your business partner, is he not?"

Malcolm glanced around as she did one of her best fake smiles. They were in public and Malcolm didn't wish to be a spectacle with whatever Serra was considering saying. He was desperately trying to follow along with her, only becoming more confused when she dismissed Nick. "What are we talking about then?" he said, his eyes gazing down at her, also trying to mold his features to something that didn't resemble stress. There were people who were unemployed here and only lived off generational wealth, the same people who loved events like this so they had something to talk about until the next one. Malcolm didn't wish to be a topic of conversation or cause a scene. "Charity?" he echoed, keeping his voice as close to a whisper as he could. "Serra, that's not-you know? You know what? I'm not-I'm not with Charity. It wasn't-Who told you that?" Malcolm gave a look around the room, finding that there wasn't anyone watching them still. "Should we talk about this outside?"

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."

"I care. I'd much rather receive a letter from an owl that looks well looked after, than some raggedy ugly one." She didn't see what seemed to hard for him to understand, it was completely logical to her. "First impressions carry a lot of weight Mr. Avery."

“Who the fuck would care what your owl looks like?” Clyde asked, baffled. Was everyone else really this vain, or was it just Serra? The Minister didn’t care what his owls looked like, but the Minister was also an idiot. Merlin did she actually have a point? “Wouldn’t the letter itself leave more of an impression?”

"I'm not sure." She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. It was complicated. She couldn't openly be rude, as it was a public setting. Serra had no idea just what her parents had in store for them. "Yeah and i want the presents, so i'll suck it up."

"Are you going to go through with it?" Willa asked, curious. Willa wasn't quite sure of how she would navigate that situation. Faced with an ex at your own birthday party, at the request of your parents? Even the thought made Willa sigh and lean back in her chair.

"I mean obviously, you want the birthday party..."

Serra had known that her cousin getting married was going to be a big event, what she hadn't expected was to be arriving engaged to Malcolm Parkinson. The last month had gone by in a whirlwind and she had done well to keep distance, after what Evan had told her she had been upset. Malcolm was seeing Charity again-still? She wasn't sure, but either way she hated it. However, she did not want him to know she cared so much. It would give him the upper hand. Right now he didn't know that she knew, but that would soon change. Would he lie to her? Pretend it wasn't true? Or would he own up to it? It took her a moment to think, too caught him in her revenge fantasies against a certain blonde. "More." They weren't poor after all, they could afford a big wedding. It was a status symbol. Plus more guests meant more presents. "I know. I always do." She touched the necklace for a moment. It had been on her pile of birthday presents, once she had opened the box she knew she had to wear it, it was as if she was drawn to it more than normal. Serra wasn't sure if he was the one that got her the necklace, but due to his compliment she assumed. He did know her taste pretty well by now and unfortunately she knew his too. "We should discuss the guest list. I want the final say about it. I'm not letting your mistress get anywhere near the place."

where: agatha and emir's wedding; reception who: @serraborgin

Though they agreed on being engaged, their correspondence was mostly about the wedding planning as it was now a rush. Still, he did his best not to look behind him, but someone could've counted at least two dozen times throughout the night. She looked good even in the bridesmaid color that Agatha had chosen. Malcolm knew which colors looked best on her and this was not even in the top five. One of his favorite colors on her was the warm blush that met her cheeks when he used to give her the finest compliments. Malcolm saw her alone near the bar and took the opportunity to plunge forward. "Should we have more or less people at our ceremony?" Malcolm smiled as he stepped over. "Hi. You look great tonight. I love the necklace." It wasn't one of his, but it still fell over her neck, her collarbones in the best way.

"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.."

Serra nodded her approval when he explained. "That is good. She is a woman of good taste, you are well off listening to her." There had been a moment in time she'd been jealous and disliked the blonde, but she had gotten over it. She actually quite liked her now.

"I will wear it. It's quite lovely. If it was ugly I would have no problem telling you so. I think you could handle my honest opinion." Perhaps it went against propriety, but as long as people did not listen in she was fine stretching the boundaries. "They think they know what's best. It is hard to tell them that they do not. "

“Leta made comments and observations.  I think that I have spent enough time with her to understand the basics of picking out something that won’t end up as an expensive paperweight at least.” Antonin never wore much jewelry himself.  A chain was just something that could be grabbed or used against you if a fight went on long enough or got too heated.  Fighting against Leta had told him that much too, but he didn’t need to bore Serra with that, especially not on her birthday. “Don’t worry I’m not the type to tell you to put it on, it’s yours now and you can do with it what you will.  At most if I see you wearing it some time I might be quietly delighted.”  He thought to his own parents.  “Yes parents are hard to defy at times no matter your age, at least on the important things.  They always find the way to make you want to defy them, and still regret it if you get your way, don’t they?”

She smiled, pleased when he agreed with her sentiment. Not that it surprised her, he was a smart man- that made a dumb mistake in choosing to get married to Alara, but luckily he got out of it unscathed. He could have suffered for years. "That is true, I look good in everything." Some colors and cuts suited her less than others, but that didn't mean she looked bad in anything she wore. Her eyes shined with excitement at the prospect of more presents, she was easy to please in that regard. "What kind of information? Gossip? About who?" She said having to look up when he put his arms around her waist. It was her birthday, she was allowed to indulge. "You patented it and everything? Must be worth something."

A chuckle went past his lips but found himself nodding amused at her words. "Yes, yes you are." He agreed, not one to shy away from complimenting pretty witches any chance he got, and finding her spirit quite appealing as he also believed himself to be that good. "There's no way you'd look bad in it." Evan settled with a sly grin, brazen eyes wandering down her body. "Ah multiple presents, that I can do. I've got two things you might enjoy, love." The wizard told her, his hands finding her waist loosely and having her look at him. "One is information, valuable one. The other is something I call the Rosier method, that one you really don't want to miss."

She started pacing around, not getting very far on the balcony with her - now inconvenient- large dress. The dress was meant to make a statement, to ensure that all eyes and all the attention would be on her. What she hadn't expected was her parents announcement, betrothed. She was betrothed to Malcolm and everyone knew it. It would hit the gossip magazines by morning, there was no way that this information would remain solely at the party, only a fool would believe that. In her mind, she understood that that is why her parents have done it this way, a further assurance that this couldn't be ignored or swept under the rug. "We have no choice. The damage is already done." Serra cared for her reputation, what people said mattered and she refused to be a laughing stock. She was surprised at his reasoning behind the many gifts he had sent her over the years but kept her expression blank on purpose, not wanting to show weakness in front of him. He must have thought about her quite a few times then, if her jewellery cabinet was any indication for it. Or the shoes and dresses she'd received. Serra wasn't going to tell him that, but she enjoyed his gifts, the first ones she planned to throw away, too angry back then to even consider wearing them, but in time her curiosity had won out. He knew what she liked, there hadn't been one thing that didn't suit her taste. Still, he didn't need to know how well he had her preferences down. "Clearly my parents do not listen to reason, they have made up their mind. If we back out of it now we look like fools and I will not be made a fool by you again. I expect a ring by tomorrow morning. If I don't like it, I'm sending it back and you're buying a new one. " She paused, thinking for a moment. "I want a big diamond."

Malcolm was known for many talents, but even he recognized his shortcomings with humor. "I wish I were," he sighed. Already, things weren't unfolding as planned, and he regretted her parents' public announcement. "There probably aren't many options, actually," he mumbled honestly. Lost in his thoughts since seeing the marriage contract, Malcolm hadn't considered Serra's perspective. While his own world felt like it was collapsing, the contract did mean being with her. The idea of happiness achieved through the wrong means felt deeply corrupt. They were adults and should have the autonomy to make their own choices. Yet, his answer to most things would always be Serra. "My guilt?" he echoed, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Perhaps initially, yes. I've done many things I regret, certainly, including what happened between us. But I assure you, the gifts weren't meant to revive a bad seed. I gave them to you knowing you would like them, every time I thought of you." Malcolm glanced around to ensure their privacy. "There was a marriage contract forged between our families when I was in school. I annulled the original, but that wasn't the end of it. None of it makes sense, I know. I wanted to discuss this with you or your parents properly."

"Those are two of my favorite words. Closely following diamonds and presents." She had never made an attempt in faking humility, she'd never be any good at it. Serra oozed privilege and high standards, spending money and never wondering if it would stop coming.

"You would assume so, but alas.." She trailed off, shrugging her shoulders. "They have always liked him, but come on."

"You had me at champagne and shopping," Willa smiled warmly, lifting her cup of tea and taking a small sip. While her father did provide Willa and her mother, the difference between Willa and her peers was evident. She had enough to live a lavish life in London, but not quite Paris.

"Your birthday party seems very harsh," She stated, surprised. "And quite a public setting too, would it not have been smarter to organise something a bit more private?" Willa knew if it was her ex, she would much rather an intimate setting to reunite.

"And once we find her we will have the best night ever." She had missed her friends while in Paris, she was glad that they were both here to celebrate with her tonight.

“Lucky her!” Lydia said, looking around the room. It seemed like all the same faces she normally saw, but there really were so many people. “Let’s check the gardens first. Then maybe the coat room? The private tour highlights.”

me???? the jealous type ???? absolutely, yes

"They are." She grimaced in annoyance. What were all those people doing in here? Shouldn't they go to work or something? Surely not all of them were as well off as she was, not having to work at all. "And I would much prefer sitting at your table than at the one of the likes of some of these people."

Location: Diagon Alley, Cafe Open to all

"Hm?" Davina glanced up from the magazine she was perusing. It never got easier, looking at fashion magazines with the knowledge that she couldn't buy things the way that the other socialites could. But she certainly had gotten good at mimicking their designs so it appeared that she was just like them. After all, appearances were more important in her mind than actually affording them. At least that was what she told herself when she felt particularly low. And lately, that feeling seemed to follow her everywhere she went. But her mother kept telling her it wouldn't last forever, and she was trying to believe her.. "Oh, are all the other tables full? I suppose you can join me then. If you must."

She crossed her arms when he rambled on, raising her eyebrows, her expression showing her impatience. She didn't know what he was trying to get at and she was sick of waiting. "We were what?" A frown came onto her face, clearly confused. What was he talking about? Surely she'd know if she had been engaged? "This is not the time to make jokes Malcolm." They were engaged. Past tense. They are engaged? Present tense. Merlin, her head was starting to hurt. "Options? What options? Are you going to 'fix things' without my knowledge or input again? I really don't understand what you're aiming for. Why send me all these gifts? To ease your guilt?"

"No, no, I mean—I've been trying to—" he began poorly, then stopped when she asked him to draw out the question. A question he had spent years practicing for, if this conversation ever happened. And no matter how many times he'd rehearsed it in his mind, nothing compared to this. There was no undoing what he'd said, the slip already out. Malcolm could try to obliviate her, but even the thought darkened his face. He dropped his gaze as if the ground held the answer. "Yes, we were engaged once," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "But I was able to fix it." Malcolm knew he'd been a stupid kid then, not thinking clearly, overwhelmed by choices and deciding for them, for their future. At the time, it felt best, but he wondered if avoiding the circumstances then had cost them a better present. "This isn't how I wanted to tell you. Any of this…But please," he said, reaching for her hand. "We can look at options."

"There are pretty ones and ugly ones. The person getting my letter sees the owl. Correct?" She paused for effect, not to let him answer, before she quickly continued. "Correct. So the owl is really the first impression someone gets of your letters."

“It’s an owl.” Clyde said, a bit confused as to what the difference between a common and non common owl would even be. “What’s it matter? It’s held dead animals in its talons why would mail make a difference?”

"That is good, I am glad to hear it." Serra said, without lying for the sake of politeness. She did not wish ill upon him, the ending of their liasion much more amicable than the one she had with Malcolm. "I have enjoyed Paris very much I must admit, I did not expect to have to be back in London so soon, but my parents insisted." She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. Defying them was not an option. Her eyes shined with excitement when she took in the diamond bracelet. It was gorgeous, more understated than expected but she understood his reasoning once he explained it. It made sense, that way she could wear it every day without it becoming stale.

"I like it. Thank you. You chose well. Did Leta help you with it or did you choose it yourself?" She trusted the other witch's taste.

Antonin’s brow furrowed as if recounting recent events.  He laughed.  “I have been busy, but well enough, I appreciate you asking, but know you’d much rather talk about your adventures.  Paris seems to have agreed with you.  I’m sure you didn’t come back just to celebrate your birthday, you must have something juicy to gossip about.”   He gave Serra a soft smile still toying with the small box almost tucking it away.  “I bet you were born with a sparkle in your eyes weren’t you?  A token.“  He relented, opening the box to show her a diamond bracelet.  The stones were a good size and cut enough to add to an outfit without drawing focus from it. “Something for every occasion. I’m sure you could pull off anything sparkly enough, but why give a gift whose only use is to fill a box.”

"Well then try it and tell me what you think of it." She knew Mira had good taste, certainly better than that younger sister of hers had ever displayed. Then again, few could be as excellent as she could, competing would be hard for anyone. Especially someone that inferior. "Thank you. So do you. I like your dress, the color suits your complexion."

While Mira wouldn't openly admit it, she hadn't really wanted to attend the party. There was too much going on, too much turmoil for her to truly enjoy herself. Still it would have been unacceptable not to make an appearance, and so she'd arrived with a smile on her lips and a small wrapped present in hand, adding it to the already growing pile that had been left for the birthday girl. She snagged a glass of champagne from a passing tray, taking a drink as she watched her cousin make her way over to her. "I just grabbed a glass actually. Happy Birthday Serra, you look gorgeous tonight."