Technically, I Came

[Aethlinde Arlett]

Aethlinde Arlett knew not why she was attending the Yule Ball. She did not normally involve herself in such festivities as she much rather preferred solace and sketching. They were more of what she preferred rather than the mingling and dancing bodies gathered within the Great Hall. Besides, she wasn't rather keen on meeting some ill-mannered people that could cause her distress and the Yule Ball, while a fantastic event, was also a gathering of different kinds of people. And yet, there she was, just outside the Great Hall, watching as the festivities occurred. She had agreed to coming to the ball with a boy named Havoc and though she had gotten dressed and ready for the event, she was quite not up to entering the place. It was completely out of her comfort zone and she could only find herself just outside the hall and beside the doors, peeking in every once in a while. She had the nagging thought to just undo her current hair style so she could cover her face but another part of her reminded her that she had spent some time working on it, or more like debating on whether to style it. With a sigh, the petite girl settled for just watching outside. She did technically come to the ball after all. She just couldn't find the boy she was supposed to accompany. Yes, that was certainly right. Staying outside was ideal for her and much more comfortable than being inside after all.
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[Havoc Zhefarovich]

Havoc felt strange in this suit, which was actually his dad's. He was going to invest his time in Aethlinde. She seemed like she would be fairly easy to manipulate, and he could use her to get the inside information on how the Hufflepuffs are handling Chaos, and if anything said something he did not like, he could deal with it. Looking over his appearance, at least he was looking like a suitable young man. He would get his own suit next year. This was just ridiculous on how green it looked. However, he was certain that Aethlinde would look much better than him. Havoc eventually arrived to the right hall, before he saw the long blonde hair that could only be Aethlinde. He approached her before he said with a simple smile upon his lips, unknown if the smile was sincere or not, "You look amazing." He held out his hand for her to take, because he planned on leading her into the Great Hall, but preferably not around the people. After all, he asked her here to get to know her better, and the only way to do that was to talk. And there would be no talking around the couples.​

 

[Aethlinde Arlett]

Aethlinde had been half hoping that Havoc was already within the Great Hall so that he would not catch sight of her standing by the doors. However, it seemed that such a wish would not come true tonight as the boy had approach her all too quickly with a smile on his face. A blush had quickly formed upon her cheeks, reaching her neck at his words and she could only squeak out a small thank you. The Hufflepuff had to stare at his hand for a few moments, before she shakily held out hers, head bowed, her other hand coming to rest on her chin before her index finger settled on her lips. She was trying so hard not to bite herself from nervousness. She was way out of her comfort zone and she had to wonder why she even agreed to go with Havoc in the first place.
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[Havoc Zhefarovich]

She barely spoke, thanking him for the compliment, and she shakily took his hand. Havoc's larger hand wrapped around hers like a glove, before leading her into the Great Hall. Rather than heading toward the center of the dance floor, he instead walked to the corner, and had it so that she faced him, rather than the rest of the crowd. By now, she might be doubting why he brought her to the ball to begin with. "How's this. Here, no one can really see you because I am using myself to shield you." Havoc also knew that she could not flee. The only place to run was into the corner. Havoc's hand caressed her cheek, while he looked upon her. It might even seem like an action of affection, but it was not to him. Havoc looked upon her with his purple eyes, before he murmured, "Why do you hide from people? Is it a fearful response?"​

 

[Aethlinde Arlett]

Aethlinde wasn't used to social gatherings. Or any form of gathering for that matter. She preferred her solace and liked keeping it that way even if it tended to get quite lonesome on occasion. However, the Great Hall during the Yule Ball was far from being a place for someone like her who preferred to be alone, but it seemed as if the Gryffindor boy was intent on bringing her out into the open. She followed him silently, her quick steps trying to match his strides until they were in a secluded corner of the festivity. She couldn't deny the small comfort it gave her. She nodded in agreement and gave a small wry smile although she still couldn't quite meet his gaze. That was until she felt his hand on her cheek and she flinched at the sudden contact, not quite expecting it. Her green orbs met his purple ones and she bit her lip ever so slightly as she thought about her answer. "Perhaps a little. Do I have anything to fear right now?" she asked her voice small and unsure.
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[Havoc Zhefarovich]

Havoc could feel her flinch through his hand, but he remained firm. That was the only contact he had with her right now. Her green eyes were like the forbidden forest. Even he could admit that he appreciated her eyes. She said a little bit, and asked if she had anything to fear right now. Did she? Havoc was a dangerous person, more so when he was older. He could tear someone apart with his words alone. He just preferred not to get his hands dirty. That was why he never got physical. He continued to hold her face in place, so that she could not try to hide from him. "You don't have anything to fear from me. And nothing to fear from others. As long as I am around, you are protected." Havoc was putting forth a lot of effort to keep this girl under his control, but it had to be done. He had to see if anyone was going to talk about his brother so that he could deal with them properly. He looked upon her before he intoned, "You do not have other friends, do you."​

 

[Aethlinde Arlett]

Aethlinde couldn't have it in her to turn away as she gazed into his orbs. And even if she wanted to, she didn't think she could as his hand was keeping her in place, although she found it comfortable to lean on the wall behind her, wishing it would suck her in and away from the festivity. Her eyes widened slightly at his words before her forehead creased for a moment and she tore away her gaze from him. Her gaze focused to his hand holding her face instead. He had uttered strong words and ones that she wanted to believe it but, she couldn't find it in herself to trust. If she couldn't trust family, how was she to trust him? She gave him a mere shake of the head. He was the first person she actually talked to. The first person she didn't run away from as of yet. And the only one that had actually spent even a little time with her. She had no friends. None at all.
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[Havoc Zhefarovich]

From her silence, he understood her answer. Havoc did not have friends. He chose not to have any. Friends held him back. He chose to have his family. But, perhaps he should add Aethlinde to the mix as well. Not someone that he could trust. He did not trust anyone. Havoc looked upon the girl's face, studying her features carefully. Alas, he figured it out. She was not human. Not completely. Part-veela's were rather common around these parts, and now he knew what she was. Yet, he was the one doing the charming, not her. This was utmost interesting. "I'm learning more about you, even though you rarely speak." Havoc's hand finally fell from her face, as he said, "I am going to get us something to drink, and you a sweet treat. Chocolate, I guess." That was what girls liked, right? Havoc was not positive, before he excused himself to walk back to the snack bar, and on his way back, his eyes met a certain someone's, and a cold smirk spread across his lips as the two made eye contact, before he returned to his date. He held out a plate with a decent sized brownie on it, and a cup, while holding own in his other hand. He was good at carrying multiple things at once.​