Antonin01 - Blog Posts

"I suppose that's right. I think it is important to be a perfectionist about yourself first and foremost. Appearances matter. How is someone supposed to take you seriously if your hair isn't styled or your outfit is all wrinkled? If you cannot even be trusted to take care of yourself, how are you supposed to handle anything else?" If there was one thing she could do, it was talk about herself. She liked the way he complimented her, it felt thought out. She could hear how gorgeous she was a thousand times over, but this was nice too.

"I am already polished, but I suppose I could make myself available if you make it worth my while." She had a busy life of doing nothing after all. His gaze mesmerised her, biting her lip at the intensity she found in it.

"You are very good with your words, you know?"

“Any subject can be interesting if executed well or in an interesting way, it’s one reason you are so attention grabbing.  People can say what they will, but they could never accuse you of being anything less than a perfectionist especially when it comes to yourself.”  He kept his eyes glued to her as they turned about, sparing no more than an odd glance to keep them centered, it wouldn’t do to trip or drop her. “You may watch me, consider it an open invitation, but I would love to teach you, see that perfect attention put to something. Magic is like dancing, talking, just gestures and phrases polished to perfection.  You are a woman worth knowing and I would like to polish you, give you a skill to set you further apart from this rabble. How much more beautiful a flower is for its thorns.”  He came to a stop suddenly, releasing her for a moment to wave off the rest of the dancers dismissively before bringing his hands up to caress her cheeks, hold her, look  almost through her, ardent gaze slightly betrayed by a quick peek at her lips before tracing down her arms, finding her hand and hip, bowing and starting the dance again. “Truly, you are finer, and most welcome, everything I have said was earned, or will be. I do not take to idle flattery. If I was not serious, I would not care how you were trained no matter how interesting.”

"I suppose it is?" Serra's eyebrows furrowed together for a second, confused as to why he was asking but dismissed it quickly. "Oh I heard what happened to hear. It is quite a shame that her betrothal fell through. It was so many years in the making after all. Oh you mean you want me to watch you duel? I can do that." Serra wasn't a good dueller herself, but she figured she didn't need to be. It's not like she was fighting in the war.

Her smile widened from his compliments. She enjoyed talking to him and dancing with him. "Thank you for the compliment. I am careful with the things I care about." Which mainly involved her appearance, but to her that was extremely important. Appearances mattered. "You should know I am better than all of them." Serra's tone matter of fact, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Not at all. I like talking to you. I don't think you are boring." They had liking to talk in common, especially when it came to her favorite subject: herself.

"Transfiguration is good as is potions. I swear by Valeria Flint, unfortunate circumstances surrounding the woman but wonderful for poisons and potions. I dabble in a bit of everything, anything that might give me an edge in dueling or seems fun, perhaps I could show you sometime? As far as transfiguration I think my greatest feat is summoning ropes, a nice trick especially if you can do so wordlessly, though it is important to get the gestures perfect and have a good bond with your wand." Antonin looked into Serra's eyes losing himself in them. "You surprise me though, those are both very precise magics. I pride myself at being able to read people, but you surprise me, I find that refreshing, you are not a boring woman or shallow, something to be treasured especially among most eligible ladies on offer." He looked pointedly at a few other guests around the dancefloor. "I hope you don't find me too much of a boor, I've been told I enjoy the sound of my own voice perhaps a bit too much, but I find you are easy to talk to."

"I do not like dancing with someone who does not how to do so. A man is expected to lead during the dance, but I will not be dancing with someone that has no rhythm or two left feet. It makes me look bad." Serra explained, figuring he would understand as he was a capable dancer himself. "Perhaps another time when I am wearing a shorter dress where I can move my legs more freely." The prospect of dancing with him again was exciting, she always enjoyed dancing with someone skilled. It was the only way it was fun.

"I love talking about myself. I'm amazing." Serra grinned. "I do not trust people who act demure and shy. If you do not recognise your qualities how do you expect someone else to do so? I think insecurity is quite embarrassing." She didn't realise how harsh her words sounded, her tone matter of fact. She'd never been insecure. "I am sure Leta will have no problem creating matching outfits for us."

At his question she paused, thinking for a moment. "I like transfiguration. And potions, depending on the ingredients. What about you?"

"Thank you. dancing with you proves my taste beyond a doubt already, but I’m glad you approve. I like to surround myself with capable people, yourself included. Knowing your background I almost want to try for a lift, but I’m not sure if your dress was made with that in mind and I don’t want to scandalize you when everything seems to be going so well.” He squeezed her hand trying to make up for it by keeping her as the center of attention, it wasn’t a hard thing she was bubbly, but in a fun way.  “I’m glad that you can keep a secret, and don’t mind talking about yourself.  False modesty and insecurity are unbecoming.  Yes it’s a date, we’ll have to arrange the shopping.  I’m curious what kind of dress you will help me pick out, perhaps I’ll let you pick out a matching outfit for me, could be fun.” It was easy to just float there discussing wardrobe and possible encounters listening, it felt easy, the nicer side of these kinds of things when everything fell into place. “What about magic, do you have any specialties, I’m sure a woman of your many talents must have a favorite?”

Her smile widened when he said that Leta Rosier designed his clothes, clearly excited and not bothering to hide her approval. "Oh! Now I know for sure that you have great taste. Leta has done all my dresses for this wedding season. Her work is exceptional. Don't worry your secret's safe with me." She giggled. A handsome man that understood fashion and went to the same designer she did? And he could dance? Was this fate? Serra might just have to rethink her stance on staying single.

"I do not tend to wear such dresses more than once. I get bored easily and I want to stun in something new at every event. I think going shopping is a great idea. I might even take your opinion into account when I let the next one get commissioned."

He twirled her around the dance floor effortlessly which only highlighted his charm more. "It is because I am so graceful and light on my feet. I have taken ballet lessons for several years." Modesty was not one of her talents, clearly. "You're a good dancer."

"You will have to model them for me some time. I trust most of my outfits to Leta Rosier personally. Capable and I find up and coming designers or anyone really have more to prove and thus provide better work, but you didn't hear it from me if Madame Malkins ever asks." He tapped his nose signifying the gossip that now bonded them. As they approached the dance floor he released her arm standing in front of her and taking a more regular posture. "Let's see how well we can show off this dress of yours. I'm not afraid to wear it out now that I know you have six others, besides dress shopping with you doesn't seem like too harsh a punishment for a lively dance, does it?" He barely let the question sit before pulling her into a quick spin. The dress and Serra both twirled nicely. It was a good test of woman and garment he thought. He smiled as he caught her. "You spin delightfully."

"I got about seven new wedding appropriate formal dresses, I figured I wanted to be as well prepared for wedding season as I can. Then I got a couple more evening dresses for various occasions that lean less formal than weddings, five sundresses and three day dresses. Which should be enough, but I have a standby monthly appointment at Madame Malkins in case I need an emergency dress made."

He smiled squeezing her hand and linking arms nudging her shoulder like an old friend. "Of course I do, now tell me more about these dresses, are they all formal or are there some sundresses mixed in, do they all look as good as this one, and who is your designer and tailor, if you don't have anyone specific I can recommend a good one, not that you need it you would look good in a burlap sack, though I imagine it would be harder to dance in."

"I am enjoying my free time right now. Summer is always my favorite time of the year. And I got a lot of new dresses recently so I am excited to wear them." In her mind the it was definitely worth mentioning. "You make a good point." She nods with a polite smile, lightly resting her hand in his, letting him take her to the dance floor.

"I know I could, Rita lives and dies by her adoring public, can't have a paper without readers after all, but enough about her, I'm sure you'll get to ask her anything you like, what's happening with you, anything worth mentioning?" He waved his hand at the mention of her escort's whereabouts. "I'm sure he'll find you when he's finished with your cousin, why not enjoy yourself in the meantime?" He smirked and held a hand out as if offering to take her from the drudgery of her lonely table.

"Oh I would love to meet her! You think you could introduce us?" Her eyes widened in excitement, a gasp leaving her lips. Serra had seen the witch around before but she had never been formally introduced. It'd be amazing to hear gossip straight from the source. "Oh I know a ton." It would be a perfect moment to dish on Alara too. "I think I've got a few minutes. He said something about going to speak to my cousin Emir."

"Would you like an introduction? I'm sure she wouldn't mind getting to ask some questions to someone so interesting. You must have heard some things. Yes it's better to show up with a date to these kinds of things isn't it, gives you someone to get back to suddenly when approached by less than desirable company." He looked around for her escort. "I hope you don't have to wander off too soon?"

Hearing Antonin's voice directed at her she couldn't help but smile, clearly pleased. He was a very handsome wizard so she always enjoyed looking at him and especially hearing his words when he complimented her so. "I do have to admit that desperation does not attract me. I do find that bringing a date tonight has helped to ward off the desperate ones. I saw you've arrived with Miss Skeeter? I'm a big fan of hers." She considered gossip articles to be the height of journalism.

Who: @serraborgin Where: Malfoy x Black Wedding

Mingling at this wedding was as much for connections as fun and gossip and the young woman he had found seemed like she would be all three. "Miss Borgin, I'm surprised to find you alone with so many elidable and desperate bachelors about I thought you would be besieged by offers of drinks and dancing, or perhaps I've just been lucky enough to find you during a lull?"