"Not When The Other Option Would Be Listening To You Talk." Serra Smiled, Overly Sweet. Onlookers Would

"I think so too. If anyone deserves a party in their honor, it's me. I am practically perfect." A statement like that couldn't be said with humility and she didn't even bother to feign it. Serra was sure of herself and her qualities, insecurity was an unfamiliar concept. "Depends on if I like how it looks." She shrugged her shoulders softly, her eyes focusing on the present once more. "Do continue talking, I love multiple presents.

His gaze flickering down to their arms as she took hold of his, Evan offered the younger witch a reassuring smile before starting towards one of the balconies. "I think it wise to take any opportunity to be celebrated as you're very much deserving." The wizard's compliment sneaked through his lips with ease, green eyes gleaming with mischief as they met hers. "Not just yet, but I could definitely get my flirt on, long as I get to see you wearing my gift some time soon?" He wondered, coming to a halt as they were out of the main hall, his grin growing wider at her words. "It should, and I could most certainly make it entirely about you. Now that I'm thinking more into it, perhaps there's another gift I could give you."

It was almost inevitable that they would run into each other at events and yet she got annoyed each time she saw Alara's face. "But I do love rubbing my freedom under your nose."

If this night could get any worse, running into her cousin, sure was the cherry on top. Alara finishes the glass of champagne in her hand, not sure if that was number three or four, but she would require one after this little interaction. "Please do, you could go find him now. Spare us this conversation." She was not in the mood tonight.

location: madame malkins status: for @xantoninxdolohovx

Meeting up with Antonin was something she'd been excited about all week. The prospect of shopping and buying something new always thrilled her and having someone there complimenting her was a bonus. They had also discussed her finding new things for him, so this day would surely be fun for her. "We'll start looking for me and then we'll look for outfits for you as well. Perhaps we can find something that matches the ones I will be choosing for myself. Is there any color you particularly like?"

Serra didn't make a habit of helping out at her dad's shop, but when Raf asked her for a favor and promised it would only be a couple of minutes, she relented begrudgingly. The man had asked her all kinds of questions she didn't know and she told him she didn't work there and yet he kept talking to her, insisting that she must know when his delivery would come in. As if she ever spent a minute looking over at the books. Ridiculous. Serra sighed in relief when Raffaella came back and answered his question.

"You know it is. You should tell Jeff to clean the place up a bit. Perhaps roll his sleeves up a bit. I'd like to watch."

“Love, that makes two of us,” Raffaella chuckled as her lifelong friend and stand-in coworker pouted behind the counter. The customer she’d left Serra with was a loyal one who’d been coming there for years; she and her father knew him well, so there was no real harm done. Frankly, she’d only sent her to the front of the shop for her own amusement. “Corvus,” she called to the confused elderly man standing by the cursed silverware. “Your delivery will be in tomorrow,” she reassured him as he lowered his head and took his leave.

At the magical ding signaling the door closing, Raff turned to Serra, her mirth failing not to peek through. “Are you trying to say it’s dusty in here? In our shop?”

"She is very talented. She made me this dress as well." Serra boasted proudly. She had told Antonin that green was one of her favorite colors when they went shopping and when the invitation for the wedding came in, it was only natural that they would attend together, having commissioned matching robes that would work for the occasion. Annoyance flashed on her face for a second when Alara was mentioned. "It would make sense if she did."

Alecto took a moment to let her eyes rake over the witch in front of her, placing the name easily, related to the Selwyn's. She did note that the other did come in with Antonin Dolohov, which intrigued her slightly. "Leta Rosier." A small pause. "The sister to your cousin's fiancé." It had been obvious the tension that laid between the two of them. "I wonder if she'll make Alara's when the time comes."

"Yes I am sure. Stop trying to get into my head and project your insecurities onto me. Just because that happened to you doesn't mean it'll happen to me." She huffed, crossing her arms in annoyance.

There was something satisfying watching Serra close up and let her words sink in. None of them were safe when it came to a pureblood marriage and wanting to make sure names were carried. "Are you sure about that? Or, are they buying time until the right match comes up. I bet you'll be in one soon and you can kiss your freedom goodbye."

"I've talked to her earlier so she's around for sure. Perhaps she met someone and is showing him around the place." She teased with a smirk playing on her lips. "Sounds like a plan."

"Obviously! I haven't seen her yet, but she's got to be around somewhere." In a crowd this big losing people felt easy. She bet Serra would be able to find Willa. "We can find Wils, and then stop by your closet for a new dress?"

She wanted the distraction from all the trouble tonight had put her through. Her birthday party had been more than she had bargained for. When her parents first told her they would organise a big birthday party for her 21st, she thought nothing off it, feeling it fair as they were demanding her to come back from Paris much earlier than she had intended. If only she had known what they were planning, but they chose to leave her in the dark purposefully- so that she could not cause a scene. While she thrived off of attention, she did not want bad attention. So after they'd announced her betrothal, to her surprise, she just needed to get away. Landing right in Evan Rosier's arms. Her eyes blazed with anger, trying to overplay the hurt she felt at this old wound ripping open again. Malcolm and Charity Burbage. Again. She couldn't do this. She wasn't going to do this. She wouldn't be played for a fool by him again. If he could hook up with whoever he wanted, so could she. Anger made one do things they probably shouldn't as was the case right here. Her eyes falling to his lips for a moment before she locked eyes with him again. "I do. Let's get out of here."

He always knew what he was doing, a birthday girl deserved to be complimented and given presents, of the best kind. Evan had plenty to give and something told him that she was eager to find out more. A nonchalant grin dancing along his lips, the wizard used his grasp on her waist to pull her closer to his body, dragging her away from the guests' curious eyes. "It's not gossip if I've seen it with my own eyes." The wizard told her, his voice low and steady, looking into her eyes as he shared what he'd seen recently. "Your ex-boyfriend leaving with a Miss Burbage, not just once, looking all too cozy." He finally stated, eyes holding her gaze to see if it did anything to her, one of his hands leaving her waist to reach the nape of her neck, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb. "It's worth plenty." The blonde reassured her, tongue wetting his bottom lip, his gaze settled on hers. "Want me to show you just how much it's worth?" He wondered, voice barely a whisper of hot breath as his hand on his waist slid down to grab a handful of her ass.

"Well again. I am better than you in every conceivable way, so I don't think that's true." Her smile saccharine as she spoke to her cousin. "Have fun." She was glad that this conversation was finally over. Serra didn't like Alara rattling her like this.

Alara gives a small shrug of her shoulders and takes a sip of her drink. "All I'm saying, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you." Azure hues catch sight of Evan. "Excuse me, I should make my way back to my fiancé." Plus she was done with the conversation. "Enjoy your evening." A faint smile before she turns walking away.

"Oh I love Sleekeazy. Your father is a genius. You must tell him that I am a big fan." Were her eyes playing tricks on her or did he get cuter after graduation? He'd always been good looking, which is why she didn't understand why he would date Alara, but the scruff was working for him. "Oh you must have misunderstood. I don't want to work. Never have. Never will."

"Ah, well, if that happens, do I have a product for you! Sleekeazy's Hair potion. Two drops tames even the most bothersome barnet," he reeled off with a dazzling smile, as if it was an advertisement. Unbeknownst to many, James Potter was what some may consider a nepo baby himself. "The hair might be saved after all. You're free to work to your heart's content."