After All, We're Only Human.

[Alyssa Chevalier]

Alyssa Chevalier gracefully lifted a crystal glass up to her lips and took a small sip of ice cold water. She would have gone for wine but at the moment she felt like she needed to lay off the alcohol until she could confirm whether she was in fact pregnant or not. Alyssa didn't think she was. But with the way she had been feeling lately, it was better safe than sorry. Chacen was almost two now so she hoped that she wasn't. He was enough of a handful for both her and Vincent. Another baby right would really suck the youth and freedom out of both her and Vincent's lives. Between handling work and taking care of their son, and making sure they had time for one another and household chores, they were a busy pair. There was a lot of people at the party anyways. Alyssa felt much safer being one of the sober few. Vincent had to stay late at the office tonight. Leaving Alyssa to be here alone. There was a lot of people here today strangely enough. It was a social party of some sorts. Alyssa couldn't quite remember. In fact, even if she could it was likely that she wouldn't care either. Alyssa wanted to get out of the house for a couple of hours. This was exactly what she needed to clear her mind and give her a break from being a mother and a wife, even if she didn't mind being either. Everyone needed a break every once and awhile. Alyssa needed every spare moment she had to think of a way to get passed Theodore. Alyssa hadn't mentioned anything to Vincent yet. But that was because she didn't want to worry him. Nor did she want him to get upset. Alyssa would think of a plan. Even if Theodore had previously been Prefect and Head Boy, as far as she was convinced, she was smarter than he was. Alyssa just needed time. She would protect her family, and the happy life she had. There was no way she was going to let Theodore jump in and ruin this for her. Even if he did have some nasty thugs on his side. Alyssa just hoped they didn't pull Vincent or his father into this. Alyssa hoped she had it under control.

Taking another swig of water, Alyssa set the glass down and started to make her way around the room, it hopes of seeing someone she knew. Right now she felt like talking to someone, at least that way she wouldn't look like a wallflower or anything. Back in school Alyssa was fearless with talking to others. Then again she also had quite the ego too. It wasn't until her fourth or fifth year when she started to realize that she was being childish and dumb. Alyssa had calmed down quite a bit over the years. Sure she still could be mean if someone insulted her or she felt threatened, but Alyssa was normally sweet and very motherly. Alyssa didn't see the point in hating on others. It wasn't going to make her feel any better about anything. It wasn't going to stop others from being like they were either. So Alyssa decided that she might as well counter people's stupidity with kindness. At least then she felt better about herself. Unless they made fun of her blood. That she wasn't going to tolerate one bit. Especially with how uneducated most people who did make fun of her blood was. A few of Alyssa's co-workers passed by and gave her a wave. Alyssa smiled at them and nodded her head. Was there no one here she really cared to talk to tonight? Alyssa about to consider leaving, but then something, or rather someone caught her eye. 'What is Astoria doing here?' Alyssa asked herself as she eyed her brunette cousin carefully. Astoria....she was hard for Alyssa to decide whether she fully trusted her or not. Technically she worked for Theodore. But it was easy to see that she didn't exactly like what Theodore did. Alyssa noticed that Astoria seemed to be making her way outside, where she was going though, Alyssa didn't know. So she decided to follow her cousin and see what was up.

Outside, Alyssa had to actually look around closely. It was kind of dark. At least until one hit the courtyard, as the lights from the house lit the area up nicely. So did the little fountain they had in the yard. Finally Alyssa spotted Astoria. Astoria was leaning against the stone side of the fountain, and it appeared that she had a bottle of wine in her hand. Alyssa rolled her crystal blue eyes. "Astoria!" Alyssa muttered sternly. She could see that the brunette heard her, as she lowered the bottle of wine and turned her head to look at Alyssa. Astoria had had a drinking problem for as long as anyone knew. No one knew why. When she was much younger Astoria always complained that it didn't taste right. It did not stop her from getting addicted to it later on in life. "What...are you doing?" Alyssa tried to reach over and take the bottle of wine from her cousin. But Astoria pulled it away. "Are you drunk?" She tried again but this time Astoria slapped her arm away. "Come on! You need to stop drinking!" Astoria was definitely not drunk. Either that or she had good coordination skills when she was drunk. Astoria took another drink from the bottle and Alyssa narrowed her eyes at the young woman. Astoria was stubborn. But Alyssa didn't know why she did was she did. Astoria wasn't exactly the kind of person to spill her secrets to the world let alone explain why she liked drinking so much. ​

 

[Astoria Vyhnal]

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<COLOR color="#000">Astoria was only here tonight because her closest friend Taralynn had asked her to go. Believe it or not, Astoria didn't like going to parties. Only when her mood was up for it did she go. Lately she had always been in the mood to go as well. Tonight, Astoria wasn't feeling the best. It was one of those nights where the guilt and disgust she felt for herself was taking over everything else. It got hard to think like that, no matter how much Astoria told her mind to be quite it didn't seem to want to listen to her. It just kept on and on and on. Astoria figured it would stop years ago but with Theodore being the way he was, and her brother being the way he was, it was never going to end. Astoria glanced over to the side and was able to catch a glimpse of Taralynn learning over to kiss some boy Astoria barely knew. She did pick up on his name though. Azerail or something like that. He and his brother were Taralynn's roommates. Taralynn tried to tell Astoria that there was nothing really going on between she and Azerail. But Astoria thought she was lying. After all, they had been hanging out together all night. Every time she looked over they were around one another. Normally they were just talking or laughing, but that last display made her suspicious about the two of them. "I think I need a drink..." Astoria thought to herself with a sigh. There was just too much going on inside of her head right now. She needed something to drown it out with. Lately she had been realizing that no matter how much she wanted to get her life together and have her own little family, it probably wasn't going to happen. There was Tristane but part of Astoria felt like he was to innocent and sweet for her to ever try and get involved with. She refused to ruin his life too. Or see him turn out like the millions of other guys out there in the world. A jerk. Astoria passed by a table and pick up a bottle of wine. She already had a couple of drinks but it did nothing for her. Taking once last glance back at the party and her occupied friend Astoria sighed again and went outside. It was much quieter out here. Perhaps now Astoria could actually think. All she needed was some time. Theodore was controlling her brother like a puppet. All his dirty work was being done by others. He was going to use them and use them until he no longer needed them for anything. Astoria needed to find a way to fix her life, and save her brothers. Or else her life will fall even further than it already had. Which was the last thing Astoria wanted at the moment. She just wanted things to get better.

Astoria settled against the fountain and uncorked the bottle of wine. She took a small sip of it and scrunched her nose. It was red wine. Gross. But Astoria was feeling far too uneasy to really care at the moment. Astoria took another drink just in time to hear a familiar voice call her. Astoria lowered the bottle and turned her head. "Alyssa? Oh good god..." Astoria wanted to slam her head against the bottle or something. Alyssa was by all means probably the easiest to get along with, but she was so sweet and so girly. Sometimes she drove Astoria nuts. She could bat her eyelashes in any direction and get anyone to do what she wanted. On top of that, she had what Astoria wanted. Astoria went to take another drink but Alyssa tried to touch the bottle. Astoria immediately pulled the bottle away and narrowed her eyes at her cousin. Who did she think she was? "Unfortunately no. I'm still more sober that I really care to be at the moment. Can you please leave me alone. I came out here to be alone." Astoria explained as she went in to take another drink. Alyssa started to snatch it from her again, and this time Astoria stood up and looked up at her threateningly. Astoria would never hurt her, but Alyssa really needed to understand that she needed this. It was something she used to cope. Astoria's height put her at a disadvantage because she had to glower up at Alyssa. "No what I need is this!" Astoria shook the bottle of wine in Alyssa's face before she huffed and started to walk off. But the taller blonde booked it after her. Astoria wanted to scream. All she wanted was to be alone. All by herself. If Alyssa was here to comfort her she might have allowed her to stay. But the last thing she needed right now was a lecture. "You shouldn't be here anyways....if I get caught talking to you I could be in big trouble." Astoria explained to her as Alyssa stood in front of her once more. Astoria took a large drink of the wine and wiped her mouth clean. Her mind wouldn't shut up and now she had Alyssa telling her the same things she already knew. Would it never end? It was annoying enough that she had to battle herself let alone another person.​

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[Jarrett Vyhnal]

Truth be told, Jarrett had no idea why he was even here. He did not want to come at all, but alas here he was, going to a party that he did not even feel like he was welcomed at. This was because he was not the type of guy that anyone would see at a party. Jarrett was starting to take up drinking something stronger than beer, but then he remembered that one night before he had put the whole bottle of Vodka down. He was currently drinking a fresh beer from the bottle, where he felt like he was classier than those drinking from cans. Well he could live with this, because it tasted better than the ones in the can, and it was colder too. A bit of frost on the glass still, and Jarrett could not be more pleased with how he was right now. At the party, Jarrett was convinced that his sister Taralynn was just hanging out with that Zhefarovich guy, whom he thought was the seeker of his team. He didn't even listen to the first name since he did not know the Zhefarovich seeker's first name. Started with a vowel, he could remember that much though. Jarrett was completely fooled, and did not see them kissing, like a couple or else he would have blown a fuse and ended the entire party, brought some of the force over, and ended up going to jail or something for fighting. He caused disturbances, there was no question about that. With alcohol being passed around left and right, he was certain that his little sister would not be around here. He did not even think about his younger brother, Camden at all. He had not thought about him in years. There was a big fight, and everything had ended. It was almost tragic, but Jarrett had soon forced himself to believe he did not have a brother at all. That was how angry he was. Jarrett took a long drink of his beer before he looked ahead, wondering what he was going to do about tonight. He honestly did not know. His mind drifted over to the thought of Tristane, and he felt his anger rush out, having that hero just show him up. He hated him, and it showed. He crushed the bottle in his hand, slicing his palm. He didn't say anything since he didn't want anyone else to notice what he had done to himself. Jarrett rushed into the bathroom, running right by Astoria and not even noticing her right now. His palm was freaking bleeding of course he was not going to notice anyone! He rinsed off his hand under the sink, still not used to having to deal with magic to fix his problems. It was like as if he was going into survival mode. He took some paper towels and placed on the wound, before he ripped both sleeves of his tee shirt, making it become a tank top to wrap around his hand.

There were some others looking at him in the restroom before he narrowed his eyes and he barked, "Mind your own damn business!" They went away from him before he rolled his eyes. God he hated people. Jarrett exited the restroom before he looked around the party, and before he could get another one of those good beers, he saw someone that was calling out to Astoria, a beautiful blonde that he had never met. He wondered if they were related or something, but they did not look that much alike at all. So what he should have done was turn around, and head in the other direction. That was exactly what he did not do. Jarrett followed. He took a seat outside on the other side of the fountain, and he was close enough to hear what was going on. Jarrett then decided that he was going to have that beer so he used magic to summon one to him. Surely no one noticed that, and no one would know what he was in case there were muggles here. He had been careful with them all of his life, and he knew what he was doing right now. Jarrett could not help but snort when Astoria said that she came here to be alone. This was a party, no one was going to be alone unless they were him. He was rude, and he did not give a rat's arse who knew about him. Really, he just did not care about the world. He rolled his eyes when Astoria said that she needed the wine, but what she needed was a new brain, quite possibly a new liver if she wanted to survive beyond thirty with how alcohol she consumed. Most of the time the beer he drank did not contain as much alcohol. Jarrett wondered what she meant that by talking to that blonde, she would be in big trouble. What kind of trouble was she hinting toward? Jarrett looked down at his hand made bandage before he quietly opened his beer so that he could take a drink of it. Jarrett was probably doing the worst thing he could right now, by listening on them but it was too late, they had taken up his interest, so he had to know more. It could be something rather useful. He didn't know what kind of useful but it could work.
​

 

[Alyssa Chevalier]

Alyssa felt the motherly side of her yearn to take care of Astoria while she was in the state she was in. Ever since Chacen was born, Alyssa found herself constantly wanting to mother things. Her mind found comfort in taking care of others. Astoria needed help. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she needed help badly. She had a problem with drinking. Which was unhealthy for her. Alyssa knew Astoria had a rough history, but she wasn't sure all of what happened to her or her brother. "Astoria, the last thing you need right now it to be alone. I'm not going to be like my brother and leave you alone when there is something clearly wrong." Alyssa spoke firmly, her french accent slurring some of her words together by accident. But she was sure Astoria could understand her. After all she spoke French too. Even if she tried to pretend that she didn't know any at all due to her hatred for the French culture. Alyssa knew that Theodore often didn't care what people were going through. It wasn't his problem to care unless they were very important to him. It was pretty easy to see that Astoria meant little to him in Alyssa's opinion too. Alyssa cocked her head tot he side and sighed. Astoria even looked like she had been beaten down mentally. It was easy to feel that way when people were constantly using you for their little games. Alyssa didn't blame Astoria for being tired. Alyssa was tempted to sit down, but she didn't want to get her dress dirty. Plus she was worried that Astoria would try to get away if she did. A moment passed before Alyssa furrowed her eyebrows. Astoria needed the alcohol? Why would she need it? Sure Wine was good. But Alyssa preferred only to have a little from time to time. Being drunk around her husband probably wasn't the best idea anyways. "Wait. Why do you need the alcohol? It's not healthy to drink this much Astoria." Alyssa tried to reach for it and take it from her again but Astoria mumbled something and lifted the bottle to her lips. Alyssa blinked and leaned in more carefully to hear her better. "What?" Alyssa wanted to hear that Astoria's excuse for this would be. She didn't think there was going to be that good one. But there were people that surprised her every day. Society was really messed up. For all she knew, Astoria really did have a good reason.

Alyssa wanted to start crying when Astoria told her to go away because she didn't want to get in trouble for talking to her. Did everyone really hate her that much? Alyssa bit her glossy lips and fought back tears. This was so stupid. Were they really going to punish her for falling in love? "My brother's gotten to you too hasn't he? I don't understand why you all hate me so much. I can't help it that I fell in love with who I did. I don't think I should be punished like I am for following my heart." Alyssa was going to keep on going but she saw the look that Astoria gave her and swallowed. Astoria didn't look like she appreciated hearing what she did. Alyssa jumped when Astoria pushed herself onto her feet and stared at her. Alyssa was taller than Astoria sure, but Astoria was a lot more fit than she was. "You're afraid of him too....aren't you?" Alyssa asked. There was a hint of hope in her voice. She wanted her family back. She didn't care how. But she wasn't going to let Theodore take everything from her without at least fighting for it. Alyssa searched carefully for a sign of some sort. ​

 

[Astoria Vyhnal]

Astoria sighed and tried to avoid looking at Alyssa. What was with people and trying to talk her out of problems. They didn't understand how she felt, so why did they pretend like they did? Did it make them feel better to act like they knew how she felt? Or did they really think they knew what she was thinking. If it was the latter then she really wanted nothing to do with any of them. "You see..that's the problem with you people. You always think you can fix everything. News flash, there are some things that cannot be fixed." Astoria hissed. It wasn't like Alyssa could bring back all the people that Theodore and Antoine had been killing. Nor could she take away the cruel words people said. Or how lonely Astoria was. There was too many things that needed to be fixed. Astoria didn't think she could be fixed actually. Tristane was slowly starting to make her see more things about herself she loved. but there was till so much she hated. There was still so many regrets she made. Astoria sighed and took another drink as she tried to avoid Alyssa taking the bottle from her again. she wasn't in the mood to mess around like this. Alyssa asked why Astoria needed the alcohol. She just had to ask didn't she? Astoria had never told anyone but her brother this before. No one really seemed to care that much. Astoria had done a lot of horrible things in her past. She wasn't fully sure if she wanted the world to know what a horrible person she was. Especially when it came to hurting others. It wasn't fully her fault. But it didn't matter. She saw it happen and did little to ever stop it. Astoria lowered the bottle of wine and looked at Alyssa, her amber eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Because when I'm drunk...it numbs the pain. It numbs the guilt, the anger, the disgust I feel for myself every single day. I'm not good with handling my emotions Alyssa. I never have. I'd rather feel nothing than all of that." Astoria said lightly. It was easy to tell by just the sound of her voice that she was getting beyond upset. But it was only because Astoria had to talk about something she was very insecure about. Emotions were something she never could control. "My life is a mess Alyssa, and I can't seem to get it back on track. I've tried..and I've tried. It just isn't working. I just want it all to stop." Astoria whispered. She knew Alyssa was going to ask what she meant by all of that. Then she would have to explain about her parents, Theodore, the men she fell for, and even the things she did to others. Truly Astoria was a horrible person for the things she had done. She would never forgive herself either.

"I don't hate you. I just don't want to get killed." Astoria hissed, trying not to be loud. If someone heard it could be serious trouble for a lot of people. Theodore wasn't against threatening her, or anyone helping his sister out. Surely Alyssa understood that people didn't want to die for her and her sake alone. Astoria definitely didn't. Astoria didn't want Alyssa to die or anything. But there was little she could do to sway Theodore's decision. There was something about what Alyssa did that really upset him. Astoria stared up at her cousin and when Alyssa asked if Astoria was afraid of him too. That was the question of the century. Was she afraid of him, or was she afraid of what was able to do? Astoria valued her life. Even if it was sh*tty as hell right now, she knew things would look up eventually. "Your brother has allies in very frightening positions. I'm terrified." Astoria admitted. She thought of Danielle, of Nicolette. All those relatives of Aleyha that she saw around. They scared her. They could cause immense pain and misery to anyone they came across. Astoria never wanted to be in a position where she might upset them and unleash their wrath. ​

 

[Jarrett Vyhnal]

Jarrett just did not want to be eavesdropping, but alas, here he was, just listening in on some girl's conversation with Astoria. This might be the only way that he could learn more stuff on Astoria. He did not want to use it against her, but he just wanted to know more. Jarrett smirked lightly when the girl said that Astoria definitely did not need to be alone, and then Astoria's response was almost laughable. Jarrett looked down and he took a sip of his drink. He was wondering what in Astoria's life could not be fixed. He didn't know that much about her, but he knew that she hated him for some odd reason, even when he offered his house out to her when she really needed a place to live. Jarrett wished that he knew what was going on, but alas he did not. He was just this ass, and apparently she could tell all of the secrets to that hero guy, and her relatives. Jarrett took one more long drink of beer, drowning half of it. Just the mention of that man in his mind made him want to get wasted so that he would not have to worry about that little fruit cup anymore. That man was handsome, and Jarrett was completely and totally jealous. Jarrett had nothing more to do other than drink and play Quidditch. It was all that he could do. Jarrett hated that little pretty boy, and he didn't want to have anything to do with Tristane and Astoria's growing relationship. All he wanted to do was to sit around, and drink his freaking life away. It could not get any worse now. Jarrett then listened to a question that made him wonder the same thing. Why did Astoria drink so much? Then Astoria started to spill, on how it numbs the guilt, and everything that she felt herself.

Why would she feel all of that stuff when she wasn't nearly as disgusting as he used to think. Jarrett didn't think she was anyway. He wished that he could help out, but then again, he did not want to get into that. That seemed to be a lot of issues that he didn't know what they were. Jarrett took a drink of his beer, and he looked down at the ground. He could not believe what he was hearing, the truth. She didn't get wasted for attention, she got wasted because she didn't know how to handle her feelings. Jarrett thought that she would need some help, professional help. Jarrett doubted that someone could really waste away from the alcohol. Sure, he drank it, but he didn't want to escape from anything. He was angry all of the time though, he used his Quidditch to get it out. Then he started to hear about some brother of someone, that one girl, and how big of a badass he was. Or something. He was not understanding it at all, because he didn't get the whole big time family thing, and how that one chick was being punished for falling in love with someone. Okay, that was a little weird, but he didn't want to think about it too much. Then the brother had connections, which concerned him. What would happen if the girl was killed? That was not really what he wanted to hear. That would put his own family in danger. Jarrett remained silent, however, hoping to hear something about himself. He wanted to know how Astoria really felt about certain things. That would be better than hearing about something that he honestly did not know anything about at all.​

 

[Alyssa Chevalier]

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<COLOR color="mediumvioletred"> Alyssa felt pity. She honestly did. Alyssa knew a part of her shouldn't always feel bad for people when the often didn't care for her. But she did. There was something about others that made Alyssa want to help them regardless of how they felt about her. "Astoria you need help. Y-you're parents! Have you ever tried asking them for help?" Alyssa asked, her voice breaking. Even though Alyssa sensed no reason to be afraid of Astoria in the state she was in, a part of her felt like she had to be cautious around the woman. Just in case she had a change of heart. But it seemed unlikely because Astoria was too much of a kind soul to attack her. Alyssa really did want to help though. Helping others made her feel better about the things she couldn't control in her life. Maybe if she helped Astoria, her cousin would be more willing to help her out if Theodore decided to do something awful. Astoria would be a good ally. Alyssa had seen her use magic before and she was pretty damn skilled with a wand when she wanted to be. But Alyssa was surprised to hear what she did. Astoria didn't drink because she liked to get drunk. 'She actually needs it.' The blonde thought to herself darkly. It was hard to believe at first, but Astoria wasn't messing when she said she actually needed it. Alyssa was able to keep her emotions under check so it was hard for her to imagine what it would be like to not have the ability to keep them under control. Then again, Astoria wasn't raised in a lifestyle where she was used to the horrible things people did. Alyssa leaned in to hug her relative. This was just so messed up. "Astoria, I see no reason why you should feel disgust for yourself. You're beautiful, talented, and you have so much going for you. Maybe facing your emotions would help you out. Or if you had someone to talk to." Alyssa released Astoria from the hug she held her in. She wanted her cousin to understand that the press should not be able to define her. Astoria needed to realize that she was better than what the world thought of her. Perhaps if Astoria got her confidence back she would be able to rely on alcohol to help her out. Alyssa didn't want to push her luck, but what Astoria needed was a nice guy. Not like the ones she had been dating but an actual genuine nice guy. Perhaps Vincent had a cousin or something. Alyssa frowned when she noticed tears beginning to build up within Astoria's eyes. Oh no. Something must have really upset her if she was about to cry. Alyssa felt her heart sink.

"Oh please don't cry, Story." Alyssa urged using Astoria's childhood nickname. Was it because of Theodore or was it something else? If only she had the ability to read minds. Angelic blue eyes searching within amber, attempting to find a solution to their keeper's solutions. "Astoria....Theodore hasn't hurt you at all has he? Or the others? I-I'm not even able to get close to any of them. I miss them all so much." Alyssa let her gaze fall to the ground. She wanted to see her family again. A part of her wanted to protect them from the way she knew Theodore and those that agreed with him could be when they wanted to be. Astoria needed to be away from this kind of life that the Snows lived. Alyssa got away the moment she married Vincent. Now she needed to assist in getting the others way from that sort of life too. Alyssa rested her knees onto the concrete and tried make sure that Astoria was paying attention to her. "You need to get away from those people, Astoria! You need to get away before they hurt you. What about that guy you're living with....uhm...oh what's his name again...Oh! Jarrett! That guy you're always arguing with. You two would make a cute couple. Plus, I'm sure he wouldn't let Theodore anywhere near you if that's what you wanted." Alyssa smiled. Maybe it would get her friend to cease the tears, or even enlighten her to the fact that she could broaden her horizons. It was hard to think about leaving one's family. But Alyssa had proof that it helped. It helped Alyssa find herself. Perhaps there was a way Astoria could find herself too. That bushy haired guy that was always fighting with Astoria, he seemed like he could be good for her if they learned to get along for two minutes. Perhaps someone needed to talk to him too and knock some sense into him as she was busy to knocking some sense into Astoria. ​

 

[Astoria Vyhnal]

Astoria wanted to hit Alyssa upside the head with her bottle of wine. Get help from her family? Was she serious? The last thing she wanted was help to begin with, but if she did go to someone for help, the last people she would ever go to were her parents. Astoria hated them. "Go to my parents? You must be crazy. My parents would never help me. My real parents abandoned me and my brother when we were little kids. The ones that took us in don't care what the hell we do. They give me anything I want, so long as I stayed out of their way. I practically don't exist to them. They never went to my Graduation, they have no idea when my birthday is! The only reason they've kept me around is because your dad told them to." Astoria started off bitterly. Anger was very evident in her soft voice. A part of the weight that was on her shoulders seemingly lifted, but she wasn't finished there. "But your brother killed your dad so I doubt helping me is the last thing they care. They kicked me out of their home because I broke off the marriage to some guy who cheated on me....because I wouldn't sleep with him." Astoria was angry. Not at Alyssa but more or less at the situation her life was in. It wasn't fair that she was stuck in a life where she had to feel so awful about herself all the time. Astoria had never done anything wrong to anyone. Sure she could be a huge brat sometimes, but was that enough to make it so she deserved all of this? Astoria stared down at the wine bottle before she sighed and took one last drink. The bottle was pretty much finished by this point so there was no more wine for her to down unless she went up and got more wine. But confessing all of this to Alyssa was making her feel like she didn't need the wine. Perhaps Alyssa had a point when she said that Astoria needed some help. By listening and showing that they cared, they could help. Astoria bit her lip and avoided looking into Alyssa's eyes for the moment. "You know....one can only hear the opinions of others for so long before they start to believe them too. I keep thinking to myself that, if so many people think it, then it must be true." Astoria started. For some reason she was feeling like she wanted to cry. But that was because she had begun to think about Theodore and all the things he did to people. Then she began to think about her life and how messed up it was. Astoria just wanted things to be normal for a change. Was that too much to ask for? Astoria inhaled and made sure to wipe her eyes to mask that she as crying. But it didn't work very well because Alyssa started to notice.

"Your brother is killing people. My brother is killing people....I consider myself lucky so far. There is a woman, her name is Astraea Essen. My brother had a kid with her. Theodore's afraid she'll out them all as Death Eater's or criminals or something and he wants to kill her and the child. I tried to stop him but..I think my brother's going to kill her Alyssa." Astoria started off, wiping her eyes to rid them of the water droplets that plagued her so. They were nothing but a nuisance to her because here she was, showing her emotions when she didn't want to show anything at all. "I've been wanting a little family of my own for so long. It doesn't matter if he's rich....or ugly...or deaf. I've just wanted someone who will love me for who I am. I'm not very good house wife material...but I could learn. For him. We'd have maybe a baby. Someone I could love unconditionally and watch grow up. But-it doesn't look like I'm going to get my dream. I've wanted this so badly, and it's not fair that Antoine has it when he doesn't even want it. But I don't want him to throw away something so special. Someone needs to stop him before he loses his family." Astoria admitted. All she wanted in life was a small job, a cozy house, a man to love who loved her in return, and maybe a baby. All she wanted was a family and a simple life. But she was given this in return. Antoine needed something special in his life and that girl and her baby might as well be it. Why couldn't he just see the good things in his life that were dangling right in front of him. Astoria's mouth fell open when Alyssa began to suggest that she and Jarrett would make a cute couple. Was she insane? Astoria thought she had to be for merely even suggesting the thought. "J-Jarrett? No. God, why does everyone say that? I mean-I used to like him but....that was a long time ago. I'm pretty sure he hates me though so...why would he protect me from anything?" She and Jarrett? That would happen the day pigs fly. Especially since it was easy to see that he hated her guts. Astoria had already been helped by him a lot. He didn't need to risk himself any longer just because she needed it. Astoria sighed and look at Alyssa. As if to say, now what princess? There was no way this could be helped. ​

 

[Jarrett Vyhnal]

Jarrett never really felt bad for anything, especially not now when he was learning more on Astoria than he ever has before. Why in the world would he pass of an opportunity like this? There was nothing more appeasing than hearing Astoria and listening to her excuses on why she drank, which still surprised him. He never would have known if it wasn't for the two of them talking now. Although with the other one, Alyssa wasn't it, said something about parents, Jarrett had to fight to keep from snorting. Astoria's parents were never around, and the ones that she was staying with kicked her out, so why in the world would she go to them for help? Jarrett wondered if she would go to anyone to help, but he knew that he could actually assist her in some manner, if he knew what all was going on. Getting a killer buzz from what he was drinking, Jarrett decided to slow down a bit. He wanted to remember what he was hearing. He took out his wand and made the bottle of beer vanish, since it was the only way to keep him from drinking the rest of it, no matter how good it tasted. He continued to listen to Astoria go on about how Alyssa's brother killed her dad, so helping her would be out of the question. And she repeated the reason why the guy she was going to get married to cheated on her cause she wouldn't sleep with him. She always attracted those types. Then again, she had so many fiancés, it was driving him insane trying to keep up with them all. Perhaps he was the only one that did not propose to her. Then again, he didn't even know how to treat a girlfriend, because he never was taught how to treat one right. And she dumped him for whatever reason. Maybe it was because he didn't propose after a week. Like that was ever going to happen. Getting Jarrett to propose would be like getting him to let Valera have a guy around. It was just not going to happen, and he doubted that he would even live beyond thirty with the way that he was living. If he was a woman, he would have gotten a lot of cats by now. Alyssa went on to say how she should have no reason to feel disgust for someone, before going on how she was beautiful, talented, and Jarrett found himself thinking the same thing too. However Astoria made him roll his eyes when she said that so many think that it must be true. A ton of muggles believe that humans never landed on the moon, but does that make it true? No. Not without a justifiable reason.

And then he heard that Astoria was crying, and Jarrett turned around, trying to get a good look at them from where he was, but to no avail. He heard about some guy name Theodore, but he fought to keep himself from laughing. He always found that name to be hilarious, and he never knew why. But he wondered why the girls were so threatened by the boy, and why Alyssa missed them all so much. Big families, he never got into them, and he never wanted to. He wanted to live like he wanted, and be the one that he wanted. He listened as Astoria went on to say that Alyssa's brother was killing people, and her own brother was killing people. Jarrett knew about Antoine, and feared him secretly. There was something psychotic in those blue eyes, and he didn't know what it was. And there was a woman that Antoine was supposed to kill named Astraea Essen, and they had a kid together. And Antoine was going to kill her and the child? Jarrett was not going to have that! If anything, he would find someone that would put an end to the whole ordeal. Jarrett was about to get up, before he heard his name, so he changed his mind. This would be good to listen to because well, it was him. He knew that he was a good person to talk about anyway. And then he smirked a bit when Alyssa went on to say that they would make a cute couple. As if, because she hated him. And he didn't like being treated badly. So why in the world would he want to date someone that was so mean to him? He heard what Astoria wanted, but he knew that he could not give it to her, with the family and all. He did not even want kids. Why was he thinking about a future with Astoria anyway? It isn't like it would ever happen. Jarrett rolled his eyes when she said that everyone said that, and that she used to like him a long time ago, and once more that she was pretty sure that he hated her. What the hell else could he do to make her believe that he didn't hate her? Rent a f*cking blimp? If he said that he didn't hate her, then she should believe the words coming from his mouth. She should know that by now, Jarrett did not lie. And he did not help those that didn't mean a damn thing to him. He gave her a home when she was kicked out of her house, what else did he need to prove to her that he just did not hate her? That was the most frustrating thing to prove to her. And he was starting to wonder why in the hell did he care?​