"With the way your mom feeds us? No doubt." He chuckled, gently brushing his thumb on Abel's bottom lip, before leaning in to press his lips tenderly against his."Hey, listen.... I... I want us to be the same as we've been. Except.... With the added bonus of being able to kiss. And hold hands. And hold each other.... I... Don't want to make you nervous. Okay?" He gave him a small reassuring smile.
The following evening, no one had been more prepared for the Queen's ball than he had been. After exerting some much needed stress relief at the brothel, Cassian made his way through the palace walls, his icy gaze scanning the room for his prey. And there she was... Standing off to the corner near the quartet, glued to her beloved mother's side. He smirked to himself.... Getting her alone would certainly be quite the challenege. But it would be oh,so, worth it.ย
"I...Don't mind." Chastity smiled, cradling the tiny dog in her arms, who was trembling with excitement. She carried her back with her to the living room, her long mane of golden curls swaying behind her with each step as she cooed softly to the little thing. She supposed this was okay.... If the dog trusted him, perhaps.... Things would be okay. Besides... Charity had said that his brother was instructed to... Not attack her. Surely he was loyal enough to his brother to listen to him... Right?
"Who's got your attention?" Evan Rosier glanced over at the direction he was facing, arching a curious brow. Soraya wasย perched at the end of the table, alone, sipping her tea. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Tom, surrounded by friends. She gave him a wide grin, waving hello at him. Evan raised a brow at the sight, glancing over at Tom. "You know that girl? Is she sitting at the right table?" The crest of Slytherin could be seen peeking out from under those dark curls on her robes.
Hope staggered up to her feet when he approached, her dark curls hanging in dissaray around her face and her head. Fluffernutter hopped up on the couch, pawing at her leg and whimpering softly. Hope sat quietly on the couch, directly in front of Adrian. She shook her head, looking down at her hands, before croaking out a hoarse whisper. "...I'm fine...."
He chuckled darkly as he watched her disappear from sight, running a tongue over his teeth. Oh, she certainly had some fight in her. But where would the fun be if she would simply bend to him? He smirked to himself, a turning to head off back to his estate. Oh, he couldn't wait til the next ball. Where he would do more than simply dance her into a stupor. Cassian loved a good challenge, and it had been so long since he'd been able to indulge in one.
"Thanks..." Aiden chuckled as he gingerly took the shirt from him, his fingers brushing against Abel's momentarily. He smiled down at him, his gaze softening." ....You know, I... Don't think I'll fill this out the way I used to..." He reached out to brush Abe;'s hair gently away from his eyes, the pands of his finertips lingering along that sharp contour of his jawline for a moment. "Why're you acting so shy now...?"
She clutched the guitar to her chest, smoothing a hand down her golden curls and pursing her lips. She nodded, her doe eyes searching his."Uhm.... I.... Not.... Not really. But... Charity and the... The Greed demon got it for me. So.. I'm learning..." She murmured softly, lowering her gaze after a moment. She noticed pittering beside her was that little dog of his, dressed in a frilly pink dress. She smiled at it, unable to help herself as she kneeled down to it's level to greet it. "Hello, little one... It's nice to see you again."
In the Great Hall, the rest of Slytherin house gathered around at their table, awaiting for Headmaster Dippet's usual address of the students. Off to themselves, a row of boys sat together: Orion Black, Evan Rosier, Icarus Nott, and Caius Avery. Orion was the first to glance up, waving a hand over to Tom to join them. "Well, Riddle, looking as dreadul as you always do, mate. How was the summer holiday, hm?" The rest of the boys all glanced up from their seats, cold eyes and cruel smirks locked in right at Tom..
Hope's mental condition only grew worse and worse with each passing day. She would hardly eat, nighmares plaguing her every night. And then one day it began. She hunched over the toilet, finishing gagging and dry heaving for what felt like the millionth time today. She swiped a trembling hand over her mouth, the bile burning inside her throat. She panted softly, laying her head on the cold tile. She could hear Fluffernutter scratching at the door, whimpering with concern. But she didn't move.
