Open Everything's Perfect

[Derek Tahana]

Derek had been looking forward to the yuleball for a little while, it was just such an easy time for him and Emilia, it was a good event, easy and comfortable. They could dance and forget about all the other problems which exist. The teen had gotten ready, wearing the familiar and formal suit that he always put on for these events. He was stood ahead of the time they were to meet at the great hall. He wanted this night to be perfect, he had invited her to this event of course, made sure she knew that he wasn’t just assuming they’d go together - something his parents had warned him against doing. The teen was looking forward to it, an eager smile on his features as he thought about it. An easy soft and fond expression as he thought of how amazing it would be to spend the night with her, let everything else that had been happening fade away. With the way they were so busy with school, with events and him with quidditch there wasn’t a lot of time for everything else. The teen knew they’d spend this night happily together, and he’d do everything in his power to make it perfect. ​

 

[Emilia Manning]

Attending the yule ball with Derek in the previous years had always been wonderful for Emilia. Some of her best memories of her boyfriend and herself were from these events. She had chosen a red dress for tonight, one that was very glittery. It felt more like something Evelyn would wear, but that was partly the goal. She just hoped Derek would like it too, the way he had always liked her dresses. She had felt happy when he invited her to the ball, glad that he still put effort into asking her. It made her feel like he really wanted to go with her, and that made her feel a bit more confident. Emilia made her way over to Derek, and smiled brightly as she saw him. They had both been busy and hadn't seen each other as much as she would have liked, but she was sure tonight would be magical. Deciding to be a bit bold, Emilia approached him and planted a soft kiss on his mouth. "Hi... thank you for asking me tonight." She said softly, trying her best not to think of how everyone could see them kiss. She was allowed to kiss her boyfriend, that was normal to do. She shouldn't be embarrassed, but she was a little. Still, she fought not to show it. Instead, she smiled widely. "Want to go in and dance?"

 

[Derek Tahana]

Derek smiled when he spotted her, she looked beautiful though he couldn’t help but think that this wasn’t the usual sort of dress that she wore. It was nice, it looked good on her, but wasn’t what he was used to. He thought it fell in with something he’d noticed over the last few months, he hated that he thought it, Emilia was perfect, she was just growing, that was normal, they both were, but she was different. Though tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight they’d forget about everything else and just be able to focus on themselves. Focus on having a bit of fun. Leave all the worries and stresses behind and just have a good evening the two of them. ”Of course princess,” he replied with an easy smile as he returned the kiss, ”You look beautiful, this dress is beautiful on you,” the slytherin told her with an easy warm smile gracing his features, an easy fondness in his gaze. ”Let’s dance,” he said in agreement, he held out his arm to her to walk with her into the great hall and start dancing the night away with her. He was as always finding a quieter spot for them to dance in, though of course her dress would draw attention to them, but it wouldn’t be from a lack of trying. He wanted everything about this night to be perfect, to just be had they had always been for them.​

 

[Emilia Manning]

Emilia tried to keep her confident smile in place, which was easy to do as he told her the dress looked beautiful on her. It was definitely more eye-catching than what she usually wore to these events, and she had been secretly a little afraid that Derek wouldn't like it. But it seemed like he did. "Thank you... You look as handsome as ever." She said, taking his arm with a smile. She followed him into the great hall, and then started to lead them to the middle of the dance floor rather than the quieter spots they usually found. Confident girls wouldn't hide in a corner, they would dance proudly with their boyfriend. "Let's dance here." She said, though she was feeling a little tense in the middle of the crowd where everyone could see them. But it was normal to dance here, and Emilia didn't want to be the weird shy grey mouse anymore that she had been so far. Evelyn wouldn't care who saw her dance, so neither would Emilia.

 

[Derek Tahana]

Derek smiled easily at her compliment and where he’d been thinking they’d go to one of the quieter spots he was surprised when she took the lead and led them out to the near the middle of the dancefloor. He faced her, and searched her features, trying to ask without saying if this was actually okay. He had never minded being on the corners of the hall, they were always able to bbe in their own little world, not think about the other people, not care about the reactions of the people around them, where Emilia had always felt more at ease. He wasn’t sure about this, if she wanted it, he’d go with it, but it wasn’t like them, that wasn’t what they did. ”You sure?” Derek asked her, he just wanted to be certain they’d be dancing there for the right reasons and not because of something else. He put his hands on her waist regardless and began dancing with her, if this was what she wanted, then he’d happily do that. It was a little odd and not something he expected but they were growing up and this was perhaps what she wanted and liked now, she was more confident and he appreciated how confident she was being.​

 

[Emilia Manning]

Emilia ran a hand through her hair, itching to hide her face behind it. But she couldn't do that, not now. She smiled at Derek instead, hoping that he wasn't noticing her slightly more tense posture than before. She nodded when he asked if she was sure. "Of course... the dance floor is here." She said, as if they didn't usually dance elsewhere in the hall. "It's fine." She added in a softer tone, before glancing around briefly. She took a deep breath, then put her hands on his shoulder and smiled at him as they danced. She wasn't entirely at ease, but Derek did make her feel more steady. She could do this. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "What... are your plans for the holidays?" She asked, casting around for anything else to say or ask.