Status: For @willabulstrode Location: Rosa Lee's Teabags

For all her effort in acting blasé and cool, she was more nervous than she let on. Especially when he was so close to her. He was a handsome man after all, someone she was interested in rather than a boy not worthy of her time. "I think I could definitely think of something." A masquerade would be fun and she knew her parents wouldn't deny her if she wanted to throw a party. She was focused on him fully. He was in her space now, standing centimeters away.

"Perhaps I do, but only if you care for me." Women of her standing had certain standards and he was a prime example of an eligible bachelor, but she wanted him to admit that he liked he first, simply for her ego's sake she wanted to hear him say it. While she hadn't planned on settling down anytime soon before she met him, he had definitely captured her interested. His intensity was intriguing to her. "It interests me very much." Truthfully she was only half listening, his closeness distracting her.

He smiled. It was both cute and impressive the way she held his gaze.  He got closer to her arm’s length then a bit closer. “Too bad, but as long as it’s hosted and I got an invitation I don’t think I would care too much, you could always find a way to make it up to me.”  He moved close, demanding what was left of her attention.  Despite being surrounded by outfits, that made him smile too.  He dared to move a hand to her cheek, touch light, but firm. He wondered idly if her challenge of his gaze would falter at the open intimacy. She had earned a bit of his attention in return especially if she was serious about the masquerade. “Do you care for me Serra, the way you’re blushing I think you might, or might wish to. Does it excite you to be the one to make such a choice? A young woman’s heart is a precious, yet fickle gift, are you sure you wish to entangle it with a cruel old thing like me? I can promise you a whirlwind romance, it will not be easy, but you won’t be bored.  Pressed to the edges of comfort and strength.  You can only truly be pampered after you feel too tired to take care of yourself. Does this interest you?”

Serra Borgin for the Flint & Vanity wedding

status: for @thelionshrt location: Malfoy wedding

Finding Regulus in the masses of this wedding didn't provide to be as easy of a task as she had thought in the beginning. Of course it only made sense that the wedding of two prominent pureblood families would be a big celebration, it would be embarrassing if no one showed up. After about ten minutes of searching she'd been just about ready to abandon her task, when she finally spotted him, walking over to greet her friend. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"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."

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."

Serra swallowed, not wanting him to notice that she was more nervous than she was letting on. She had a carefully crafted reputation and appearance, she didn't want him to think she was some foolish girl with no experience. "I live with my parents. I do not want to live alone just yet, it seems like too much work and I do not like to work." Her words albeit honest, were meant to stall. "I do not think my parents would approve of that." They were traditionalists through and through. They would not allow her to stay out all night at a man's house either. If he had been her husband they would not interfere, but if he was her fiancé they might take less offense with it, but she doubted that even then they would approve.

Serra kissed him back, letting herself get distracted, relaxing into his touch if only for a moment before she pulled away. She did not want to give this up. She liked spending time with him but he was asking a lot of her. Perhaps more than she was capable of giving him. At least at this point.

Hearing the confirmation that there were indeed others bothered her and the glint of annoyance and jealousy was obvious when he spoke about it. While he had been seeing her he had been with others. It wasn't something she had ever had to deal with, the guys she'd been with had been interested in her and only her, basically worshipping the ground she walked on, begging for her attention. "The entire time you've been seeing me there were others?" Serra shook her head. It was incomprehensible to her. It bothered her more than his focus on the physical part of a relationship. "I do think this is where our journey ends."

He looked at her trying to get a read on her so undaunted.  She must have a goal even if it was him. This wasn’t a thing she could bluff though not really, at least for long did she realize that? He would make sure.  He grasped her tightly there was no space between them.  He held her squeezed her.  She was supple he held her close speaking slowly.  “Facts can still be asserted boldly.  To promise this so freely I would have you know what you’re getting yourself into.  Do you live at home?  I would have access to you, stay with you most nights if not all, there or here I don’t care, but your parents certainly might.” He moved grabbing her bottom a simple if signifying gesture.  If she shrunk from that he would know she was all talk. “I don’t care if I am your first or just your last until one or both of us are done, but if we are to be each other’s everything we must be at each other’s call.  I promised you romance, pampering, training, none of that will stop but there will be more.”  He kissed her again biting her lip, a small thing but something signifying the new eyes he saw her with. Was she truly his equal or just playing at it. “If you are making me choose and choose now. I want us both to be happy with the choice.  No regrets.  I’ll need time to break it to the others, some will be simpler than others.  You can always leave, but hot and heavy or not at all.  This is what I’m asking of you.  I will devour you and you will enjoy every moment of it.  See to it that you enjoy your prime and are enjoyed in turn.  If I’m to be satisfied with just you, you will see how insatiable I truly am.  Are you sure this is something you agree to Serra Borgin?” He teased at the small of her back and the slit of her dress as if he was just realizing how well she filled out her dress. “You are a delightful morsel Serra Borgin, and I would sample you, deeply, carnally.”  He traced his hand on her bare leg. “I would like a physical relationship. To consummate ours regularly, so there is no confusion in what I am asking you.”

Serra loved all kinds of parties, any excuse to put on a pretty dress and have a few drinks was her idea of a good time. The Malfoy wedding was said to be the event of the season, she pitied anyone else having to follow that wedding. Luckily for her, her cousins were both betrothed now which meant they were getting married before her and she was still free to do whatever she wanted. Serra liked the life of having no responsibilities. It was easy and convenient. Smiling as she thanked the handsome wizard she took the glass of champagne from him.

"Thank you very much. I do agree with that sentiment. Weddings are much more enjoyable with a drink in hand."

where: the garden kew, london who: @serraborgin

Thorfinn showed for appearances, and that one of his closest friends was part of the wedding party and married to the sister of the other, and he was not going to turn down free alcohol. A petite witch caugt his attention, attractive, that he found his way over to where she was standing, grabbing two glasses of champagne.

"You are without a drink. That is not allowed at a wedding. Here you go." He holds it out for her.

When they were children, Serra didn't mind Alara's company. In fact she had even welcomed it as they were around the same age and she would finally have someone to play with that wasn't a maid or a house elf. Growing up as an only child was only and when she saw her cousin running around with her two older siblings she'd gotten jealous. Jealousy had always been the root of their issues, not that Serra would have ever admitted that aloud. "Oh I have a nail appointment in a couple of hours, I could move it to give it to you. You look like you need it." She grimaced, looking down at Alara's hands. "Please. My hair is never flat." Serra scoffed, making a mental note to get out her pocket mirror once Alara left. To make sure. That's all. "How should I know?"

Alara didn't understand why her cousin hated her so much, but over the years, it slowly started to build up on her side. It was how princess behaviour irked her. Serra had never worked a day in her life and expected to be pampered. She could be biased, but that was her opinion anyway. "We wouldn't want you to break a nail." A coy smile etches onto her lips. "Your hair is your best feature? Aiming low." Shrug of her shoulders. "Seems a little flat today." This was the last person she wanted to see. "Is Rafealla around?"