Flying Solo

[Trilby Kiedis]

Trilby looked about her as she entered the hall, her hair bundled loosely atop her head and the shimmering cream evening dress glistening amongst the bright whiteness that lit up the entire Grande Salle. The hall looked spectacular and she enjoyed the few moments of looking about it in awe, wishing they could host the Yule Ball every year if this was the way the hall got to be decorated. Moving from the doorway she walked slowly and silently to one of the tables and sat down, hands fiddling with a napkin on the table. Not sure as of yet whether coming to this on her own was such a good idea or not, Trilby exhaled slowly as she lifted her head to gaze at the crowd hovering about the other tables and the dance floor.

She wondered if Clemence and Sebastian were already here and wondered at why she was feeling so jealous of that pairing still. It had been a few weeks now since her break up with Xavier and a few weeks since herself and Sebastian had spoken. She had given him the space he seemed to need from her but hoped someday he would forgive her for her behaviour at the second task. She smiled at some class mates as they passed by glancing once more at the napkin she seemed to be folding into the shape of a swan.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian walked down the steps slowly to the Grand Salle where the Yule ball was set to be held. He wasn't sure whether he was looking forward to it or not. Several weeks ago, he had been planning to go with Clemence and he even gone so far as to ask her, but since the events of the second task, she hadn't even spoken a word to him, not that he could blame her. Sebastian hadn't been talking much to anyone not even Trilby, who had respected his wish to speak later. He had already bought a set a suit though so he figured he may as well show up and at least get something to eat.

As he stepped into the Grand Salle, Sebastian had to admit that the place looked stunning. There was no trace of the place where they regularly took their meals amid the whiteness and the ice sculptures that now decorated the place. Glancing around the room, Sebastian wondered if Clemence was there yet. He didn't know if she was still going to show to the dance or not. In a corner of the room, he saw her and she looked every bit as pretty as he thought she would. A sad expression crossed his face until he realized who she was talking to. There in the corner with her stood none other than Alexius Strauss, a boy who he had considered a friend until this moment. With narrowed eyes, Sebastian stood wondering if she could go over there or not, but decided not to because he didn't want to start a scene, not yet anyway.

As he continued to scan the area, Sebastian's eyes skimmed over a very beautiful looking girl in a cream dress sitting at a table alone. She looked vaguely familiar and he figured she must be a seventh year or something. Passing right over her, Sebastian's eyes were drawn back to that beautiful girl and his jaw dropped as he realized it was Trilby. "Whoa" he muttered under his breath as he took her in for the third time, his pierced eyebrow rising slowly. Sebastian slowly made his way over to her, a little nervous since he had basically ignored her for the past few weeks. Sliding into the seat beside her, Sebastian leaned over to her and said "I think the Grand Salle has enough decorations in it..." as he gestured to the napkin she was folding. He sat back in his seat, a lazy smile across his face. "You look really pretty Tril" he added shyly.

Bas's suit...please disregard Megan Fox

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

The swan looked pretty by the time she was finished and as she sat admiring it a familiar voice spoke in her ear. A small shiver ran through her spine at how close that voice had been and she smiled. They were talking then; he had taken the time he needed and finally he was talking to her again. Turning her face to look at him she was not sure what to expect but it certainly wasn't the handsome young man who was sitting beside her. Blinking she looked him up and down speechless at first until finally she managed to find her voice.

"I look pretty? Sebastian you look... tu es si beau" she was unaware of her slip back into French as she gazed up into his eyes and smiled. He had obviously gone to a lot of effort for Clemence who she now expected to come over to join them at any moment. Trilby did not look up for her but remembered the promise she had made to herself, she would try to be especially nice to the girl for Sebastian's sake, for their friendships sake.

"If you look this good I hope you are not outshining Clemence" she smiled again, attempting to show him that she was trying. That she was going to make a conscious effort.
"Though ... this.. this room would outshine anyone" as she indicated the decor of brilliant white and a gentle flurry of snow trickled downwards, she wondered why she was feeling so shy around him. There was an ache in the pit of her stomach for weeks now and she had not been able to heal it with anything, yet sitting here with Sebastian seemed to ease it somewhat.

---

translation: you look so handsome

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian chuckled and ducked his head down in embarassment as Trilby complimented him in French. He was glad to see that the suit had served its purpose but not used to hearing those sort of comments. When she mentioned Clemence, Sebastian made a face and his eyes automatically went over to the corner where she was still talking with Alex. From this distance, he couldn't tell what they were talking about or figure out what either of their facial expressions meant.

Looking down at the table and playing with a napkin, though he wasn't adept enough to make any sort of animal as Trilby had done, Sebastian realized that Trilby wouldn't know that he was not here with Clemence. He nodded in agreement with her comment about the beauty of the room and then realized that he ought to explain to her that Clemence would not be joining him. "Uh...it wouldn't matter. I'm not here with Clemence" he said softly. "She decided that she didn't want to come with me" he added, but did not elaborate on why their date had been broken since any explanation of that would be extremely complicated.

"Who'd you come with?" he asked, figuring that since the news of her breakup, she had probably been hounded by the other guys in the school for a date. He knew that she had just broken up with Xavier several weeks ago, but that wouldn't stop the guys in this school for long. In fact, she was surprised that Alex hadn't come with Trilby. He had apparently become one of her new confidants and didn't hide his appreciation of Trilby's beauty.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

She glanced at him swiftly when he mentioned he had not come with Clemence, the sudden elation she felt at those words was ridiculous to explain so she did not even try. An image of Xavier fleetingly caught her off guard as her heart tried to warn her but she shut the image out, closed that part of her heart that her ex-boyfriend had lain claim too. He had hurt her too much and she did not want to speak about him let alone think about him tonight of all nights.

"So you came alone?" she asked glancing at the napkin his hands were now fiddling with, " Me, myself and I".
Another smile as she indicated that she had come on her own. Glancing across the way to where a few boys from their own class and seventh year were standing with their respective dates, she could pick out about six of those who had all asked her to the dance once they had become aware that she was single again.

"Would you like to get a drink with me?" again the overwhelming feeling of shyness around him encased her and she placed her hands tentatively in her lap hoping to steady them out of his view.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

"Nope. I'm all alone." Sebastian shook his head and made a face, clearly not thrilled with the fact that he had no date for the Ball. He was very suprised and a bit relieved to hear that Trilby wasn't with anyone either. It would have been terrible to have the one person who he enjoyed spending time with the most with another person. "You mean nobody asked you?" he asked in disbelief as a smile came over his face. Even neither one of them was here with anyone else, it was obvious to Sebastian that they should hang out together. They were friends after all and there was nothing wrong with two very close friends enjoying each other's company on such a night.

When Trilby asked whether Sebastian wanted to join her for a drink, Sebastian smiled. "Sure Tril." He glanced up towards where the drinks were and scowled a bit as he noticed that Alex and Clemence were making their way to the dance floor. "I can't believe him" Sebastian muttered to himself as he stood up and waited for Trilby to do the same. "You know Tril...we should try our hand at dancing again tonight" he said with a smirk. He still recalled fondly the day they had tried dancing in an empty classroom. They had made slight progress but it had been over a year ago, so he didn't know how much of it he actually remembered.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

She could not help but laugh now and she shook her head.
"Of course I was asked I just said no to all of them" Trilby was not being modest but simply stating a fact, she hadn't wanted to attend with any of them any way. Not one of those that had asked had ever bothered to speak to her properly outside of class unless it was to help them get out of detention. She had rather go alone which she did do.

As they walked across the hall to the drinks table she smiled looking at Alex and then noticed he was dancing with Clemence. She knew they hadn't arrived together for she had seen Alex arrive earlier on with his friends but as her gaze turned to Sebastian she noticed the look he gave them. His offer to dance did not hold the same appeal as it might have done before they had seen the couple out dancing. Now it just felt as if she were being used to make Clemence jealous.

"No Sebastian" she took a step away from him towards the table, "I am not a consolation prize for anyone and I am not here for you to.. to make her jealous. Just.. just ask her to dance. I'm sure she will say yes."
Pride kept her in place, made her smile when she did not feel like it as she continued then to walk the rest of the way to the table. Picking up a glass she scooped up some punch with a ladle, pouring it steadily into the glass with so much concentration so as not to make herself question why she was upset by what had just occurred.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian scowled at the news that she had been asked by a bunch of people. He had figured it to be the case but hearing it told to him was another story. His eyes skimmed the crowd and noticed that several guys were staring at Trilby. They were likely the ones who had asked her and been rejected. Sebastian followed behind Trilby, trying his best to not let his eyes wander too much. It was hard to do though as he had quite a good view of Trilby from where he walked behind her.

When Trilby rejected his offer to dance and told him to ask Clemence, Sebastian rolled his eyes. It was only a small, very small part of him that wanted to use Trilby to make Clemence jealous. Most of him just wanted to dance with her. "I'm sure she won't. One...she's busy with Alexius, two we haven't spoken since the second task and three...she thinks that me and y..." he countered as he stepped beside her, stopping himself before he said something that would be very awkard to explain. Coughing to cover up his abrupt stop, Sebastian filled a glass of his own and took a quick sip.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

The thought had occurred to her that something was not right between them and his words confirmed it. She didn't really want to know what had happened between Clemence and Sebastian but his last few words made her turn to look at him curiously.

"Alexius is alright really, he likes her too. So you have a little competition there, surely whatever happened at the last task can be gotten over?" she took a sip from her glass as Mart Gerarde passed by giving her a wink and greeting her warmly. He stopped for a moment to see if she would care to dance but with a smile and nothing but a kind firm tone to her voice she thanked him but refused, stating that perhaps later she might. With this Mart tall at 6'4" and quite good looking went back to the circle of boys and their escorts, all patting him on the back as he spoke to them. Trilby merely shook her head, she would never understand boys no matter how long she lived.

Glancing back at Sebastian she placed her glass back down on the table.
"You were going to say something earlier, that Clemence thinks you and me ... isn't it? are what exactly? friends again? Surely she can't be upset because we're friends, she's always known that."

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Just as Sebastian was about to tell Trilby that there was no way things between him and Clemence would be resolved, Mart Gerarde walked over. Sebastian had never liked the guy who he thought to be one of the most egotistical guys in the entire school and he crossed his arms over his chest, scowling as Mart asked Trilby to dance. It was as if Sebastian was invisible to him because that was the only explanation he could think of for why someone would ask a person to dance when they were already standing with another person. A smirk crossed his face as Trilby rejected him. Go back to your friends you jerk Bas thought to himself.

When Trilby turned back to her and began to speak, Sebastian almost wished she had gone to dance with Mart. Almost. Looking down into his glass, Sebastian pretended to be fascinated with the contents of the glass. Surely Trilby didn’t really think that Clemence thought them to be just friends. He looked up at Trilby, quirking his eyebrow as if to say Are you serious?

“No Tril…that’s the problem. She thinks we’re…” he stopped wondering how best to word it without embarrassing himself or Trilby. Sighing, Sebastian tried to explain. ”She…uh…saw us at the second task…you know when I was consoling you? And she is convinced that we’re um…” he blushed before saying it, ”more than just friends.” Sebastian put his glass down. ”I told her she was overreacting and that I was just helping out my best friend…but she didn’t believe me.” Sebastian shrugged his shoulders and then added more, figuring he might as well tell her the whole story. “She said that friends don’t act that way toward each other.” Clemence clearly had a point as Sebastian's intent in helping Trilby hadn't only been about his devotion to her as a friend, but he wasn't going to admit that fact to a girl he was trying to date as he had been with Clemence.

When he’d finished, Sebastian touched the earring on his ear, nervous about what Trilby might say and hoping this news wouldn’t ruin anything. "Crazy, right?" he asked nervously knowing that there was nothing crazy about Clemence's observations. He knew he was taking a big risk in telling Trilby something like that, especially since any mention of them being anything other than friends always had the potential to become disastrous. She had asked though.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

Noticing the look he gave to Mart and wondering at it, Trilby listened to what Sebastian had to say. So Clemence had seen him consoling her but had obviously not seen the bust up, typical to not stay around and see it all. Trilby frowned, how else were friends supposed to act towards one another? If she had a female best friend who needed consolation, she would have embraced her too. There had been nothing untoward in the way he had held her, had there? She had been so livid, so angry and frustrated that she had only felt grateful for the compassion before exploding on him moments later.

"I guess" she said after a moment, "I mean... it all depends Sebastian. We know one another some time now and have always been... able to touch one another without questioning it but perhaps others are simply not that way. Maybe she wanted to imagine she saw something there because she is afraid of her feelings for you." she shrugged lightly, not sure what it was she was really trying to say.

From the corner of her eye she could see Lucas this time moving from the group of boys and heading their way. Trilby took Sebastian's hand and smiled.
"I think I will have that dance now" she led them to the dance floor and once there, cared not that the music had an upbeat tempo but draped her arms around his shoulders, crossing them just behind his neck. Her hazel eyes gazed into his.

"I think Sebastian you have to ask yourself that question. Is she right? Is there more? or is she crazy?"

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian shrugged. He certainly didn’t understand girls very well, not even Trilby who he considered to be his closest friend. There were times of course that he thought he understood her perfectly, but then there were other times that she left him more confused than his Astronomy homework. So, it went without saying that other girls were an even larger mystery to him. “Maybe, but it doesn’t matter anymore” Sebastian said with a hint of sadness in his voice. Regardless of whether she had ‘feelings’ for him, Sebastian wished that things hadn’t ended the way they did.

Glancing over to where she was dancing with Alexius, Sebastian was surprised when Trilby took his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor. ” I thought you didn’t want to dance with me?” He asked, a lazy grin appearing on his face as she draped her arms over his shoulders. He placed his hands around her waist, feeling the softness of her dress as he held on. Their position was clearly not in agreement with the music but felt comfortable nonetheless. It was always like that with Trilby, which was one of the things he liked best about his best friend. Everything always felt comfortable with her. The only awkward thing about the moment was that Sebastian had no idea where to keep his gaze. He didn’t want to look down or Trilby might think he was trying to catch a glimpse, and he didn’t want to look away or he would be sure to see either Clemence and Alex or one of the many guys who Trilby had rejected, neither of which would help to enhance his current mood.

The matter was decided when Sebastian realized that Trilby was gazing at him. It was easy to get lost in her hazel eyes and he listened to her question with a serious expression. Taking a few moments to give serious consideration to the matter, Sebastian stood silent deciding for once to not simply say the first thing that came into his mind. Instead, he simply continued to dance, getting fancy for a moment and giving Tril a twirl to buy some time.” No” he shook his head. ”She’s not crazy…but I’ve heard that it is a bad idea for friends to become something more…” he said softly as his hand fidgeted on her dress. His green eyes were locked onto hers, a nervous smile on his lips.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

She smiled at him as his hands found their way around her waist.
"I would lie and say you are merely saving me from a fate worse than death" indicating with her head the glum look of Lucas Duvant staring at them before he moved back to the group, "but earlier I was not sure if your motives for dancing with me were pure. I thought you were merely going to use me to make Clemence jealous, now I do not know" she pondered on what she would say to him. Time to think was not in her favour though as the warmth from his hands seemed to spread through the fabric of her dress to her skin. Was it too soon to enjoy this type of contact after Xavier? Quickly she pushed him to the far reaches of her mind and then out over the edge, he had not wanted her. Had wanted to break up with her but she had beaten him too it. Tonight was about her enjoying herself again, without him or thoughts of him interupting.

Their eyes met and she smiled at the familiarity of being this close to him before he twirled her outwards as if they were pros at this type of dancing. Twirling her back in again Trilby noticed the difference in their closeness, the shift of feeling as his hand moved across her dress. Her hazel eyes stared into his green, unable to say anything at first though noticing as the seconds ticked passed that her hands were clasped behind his neck, her fingers absently playing with the loose wisps of hair at the base of his neck. She could feel his breath on her face and remembered vividly in that moment the union of their bodies. Perhaps he was right, maybe it was not a good idea for friends to get involved with one another but then again neither of them had actually come right out and stated that was what they were talking about.

"Sometimes the best friendships lead to greater things" her gaze moved slowly to his mouth and quickly she looked away again, this time to see Alexius and Clemence dancing, with her on his feet. Trilby smiled brightly, it was just beautiful to see it. Turning her gaze away she moved closer to him resting her chin on his shoulder as her head leaned against his.
Her heart was so confused as was her mind, she felt so at ease here with Sebastian and they had such a unique history together. He was her best friend though she always knew she had feelings for him but she had never been sure of his for her and especially now, when she was certain that the only reason he was with her was because Clemence wanted nothing to do with him. She took a step back and looked at him, releasing herself from him completely as the music changed tempo and picked up considerably.

"I cannot be the one to make the first move here Sebastian, I cannot" her voice was low but not enough to be drowned out by the music, "I am here, if you want me then I am here."

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian could feel the warmth from the skin underneath her dress on his fingertips as they continued to dance. He fidgeted a bit more, trying to maintain the beat as they continued dancing. When she placed her chin on his shoulder, Sebastian couldn't help but be pleased by the closeness. With her this close, he could now smell the shampoo she used on her hair and the perfume she had on this evening, both of which he took in deeply. He rested his cheek against the side of her head, a smile plastered on his face as he closed his eyes, just enjoying the moment. No matter what she said to him next, Sebastian wanted this to be a moment to remember for the rest of his life.

When she stepped back abruptly, Sebastian glanced down at Trilby sharply, clearly confused as to what had just happened. He didn't know whether he'd done something wrong or if it was simply the change of tempo that had prompted her release. Her next words caused Sebastian to take in a sharp breath. As the other students continued to dance around them, Sebastian felt as if time had stood still. From the moment that they had met, Sebastian had been attracted to Trilby, but as they had learned more about each other, he had grown to appreciate not only her beauty but also her intelligence and her good nature. But, things had grown far more troublesome and confusing since they had had sex in the greenhouse.

On that day, he had told her how afraid he was of screwing things up, and now he was even more so. "Trilby...I don't want to rush into anything. You're the best friend I've ever had and that is worth more to me than I've ever told you." Sebastian swallowed, his throat as dry as a desert at the moment. He glanced around the room at the pure beauty in the decorations before looking back at Trilby. "I don't want you to think that I want you because I want to sleep with you again or to make Clemence jealous." He stepped closer and lowered his voice so that only Trilby could hear. "I want us" Sebastian said with a nod, finally giving voice to how he felt about Trilby after all this time.

 

[Trilby Kiedis]

Why part of her still wished it was Xavier standing before her she did not know but if it were to be anyone else then Sebastian was the only other she would ever wish for. She did not think though that he had it in him to simply give into whatever had pushed them together that day at the greenhouse, to be best friends, that everyone else was able to see apparently but the two of them, till possibly now. She cared so unbelievably much for him, she knew she loved him - he was her best friend after all and she would do almost anything for him.

He started with a short speech and she really felt like just turning around and walking away, she had tried. Had put herself out on a platter for him, she watched now through caged eyes as he looked about the floor and she wondered if he was looking for Clemence. Lowering her head she smiled, there was nothing left for her to say really was there? He spoke on but resigned now she let him, then he took a step closer and said the words she had never truly thought he would admit too. The seconds that passed felt like forever as she watched him, slightly jostled by the other dancers Trilby reached her hand out to hold his and she too took a step closer.

"We will take this slowly then" she smiled at him then and not caring that everyone else was bumping and grinding about them she stepped closer yet and rested her head once more on his shoulder as her free hand wound it's way loosely around his back.
"You're wo... " she never got to finish her sentence as the dancers now became more frantic and seemed to be going into fits of spasms on the dance floor. She laughed lightly and whispered in his ear.

"Let's go where it's not quite so crowded, we can come back in again later" she took his hand in hers and walked with him to the door side stepping as many people as she possibly could in the process. As she stepped outside the Grand Salle she turned back.
"I've forgotten my cardigan" biting her lip she glanced at the group of boys near the table she had been sitting at and knew she did not want to go anywhere near them. Looking at Sebastian she asked him if he seriously wouldn't mind getting it for her while she waited in the entrance hall for him. With a quick but light kiss on his cheek she stepped out into the fresh air of the entrance hall.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian waited with bated breath for Trilby's reaction. Never before had he felt so vulnerable, not even when he had forgotten his wand in his room when he'd arrived for Charms lessons. When Trilby reached out her hand to his, Sebastian took it gratefully, the smile growing on his face. Even though the students about them were jumping around and dancing like maniacs, Sebastian easily ignored them. He was content in the moment he was sharing with Trilby. When her sentence was interrupted because of the craziness around them, Sebastian chuckled as well, though he was quite curious to know what she'd been about to say. "I'm what?" he asked with a smirk on his lips.

"Great idea"he nodded quickly as she suggested that they leave. The night was growing older and the students were growing wilder, but at the moment Sebastian knew he would much rather be alone with Tril. Following behind her to the door, he wondered where she was leading him. When they stepped outside, he was suddenly aware of how quiet everything was. Or rather, how loud it had been inside. Every word seemed to reverberate around the room outside the Grand Salle.

"Sure...gimme a sec" Sebastian said as he turned to retrieve her cardigan after the kiss she had planted on his cheek. He chuckled to himself as he entered the Grand Salle again, realizing that Trilby was already sending him on missions for her and they hadn't even begun dating yet. He knew that he'd do anything for her though whether it was as simple as retrieving a cardigan or as difficult as fighting someone to protect her.

Grabbing the cardigan quickly from the back of her seat, Sebastian ignored the looks he received from the boys gathered there. He wondered what they all must be thinking, but right now he didn't really care. With a hop to his step, Sebastian made his way back toward the door to the Grand Salle where Trilby was waiting for him.