Running Late! ((Dylan))

[Mary Evans]

Running late, again. Such was life for Mary. If she wasn’t late she was lost. But when she was lost she was more often than not late. How she ever expected to be ready for this ball within the next half hour Mary didn’t know. It was her own fault too, putting off getting ready. Now, Mary loved to dress up it was just sometimes there was so much else to do and it was so hard to make decisions. She had gone with her hair up tonight, though. It was actually a rarity that people saw her red hair tied up; Mary took such pride in it she often just left it down and let it fall naturally. Of course, putting it up looked nice but there was something not quite right and Mary took another five minutes playing with it trying to get it just right.

By the time Mary finally had her white dress on and her hair in place she was five minutes late and still had her make-up to go. She ran down into the common room looking for Dylan who was supposed to be meeting her down there and was more than likely already getting annoyed at her not being there yet. “Almost ready, I swear!” she yelled as she got to the bottom of their stairs, not even stopping to see if he was in there.

Tearing back into her room Mary took out her make-up case and just did the minimum, it wasn’t like she needed too much make-up. So it was finally 10 minutes late for the ball Mary made her way back down into the common room and started looking for her date in the near empty room. “So very sorry. I am here now, though so are we ready to head out?” she said with a charming smile as she noticed him nearby.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan stood in the mirror in the Boy's Dormitory and surveyed himself from every angle. He and Mary had decided that Julius Caesar and Calpurnia was a good choice for a couple to go to the Winter Ball as, until Dylan found he'd be wearing a tunic. He couldn't really be upset though. It really was his idea to go as the pair. However, after studying himself in the mirror for half an hour, he really didn't look that bad. Sure, he felt like he was wearing a man dress or something, but he had the right physical build to pull it off. After another once over in the mirror and deciding he looked good enough for himself, he put on his gold wrist bands, and picked up his gold laurel wreath off of his stand, and placed it on his head. He studied himself again. He really didn't look that bad.

He walked to the door of the dormitory and took a deep breath before opening it, and then walked down the staircase into the Common Room. There weren't many people here, but some people looked at Dylan with surprised expressions, but they showed no more reaction than that. Scanning around for Mary, he noticed she wasn't here, and decided she must've still been getting ready. Dylan was a bit bothered at first, but then excused it. He liked Mary. She was cool. They didn't know each other well, but he knew she had a bit of a punctuality problem. But, he didn't mind. Obviously, if he thought enough of her to ask her to the Ball in the first place. Then Dylan heard a frantic call from the staircase leading up to the Girl's dormitory. Dylan laughed, and sat down on a couch.

He glanced at the clock. The Ball started five minutes ago. "Oh well," he said out loud. He tapped his sandal on the Common Room floor. He hated the way he was dressed. He felt so, stupid. He stood up and began pacing the room. Hearing rather rushed footsteps, he turned to see Mary racing into the Common Room. She looked around, and then when her eyes rested on him, she came up and apologized, and asked if they were ready to go. "Don't worry about it. It's cool," he said looking her over. Her hair was up, which was a surprise all in itself. She always wore her hair down. She had on a white stola, and very little make up, not that she needed it. "You look really nice, by the way," he said holding his arm out, waiting for her to take it.

At first, he didn't want to go to the Ball. But, he figured if he did, the only person he would even consider was Mary. She was very clever, and had a really wicked sense of humor. He smiled as they began walking toward the portrait hole.

[Mary Evans]

Calpurnia and Caesar… Mary knew little to nothing about the woman she was being for the night. But that really didn’t matter as the outfit looked rather fitting on Dylan and she knew she looked quite splendid in her own clothing for the evening. “Thank you” Mary replied when Dylan said she looked nice and offered his arm. The pair made their way out of the common room and into the dungeon hallways. “You know you are a particular type person when you find it difficult walking in flat shoes” Mary commented about her sandals which were giving her some mild discomfort. “I am so used to my heels that these just feel odd. Perhaps my body is telling me I need to expand the types of footwear I own. Or perhaps I simply need to stick with what I like best.”

Mary was finding it quite odd being in flats. Especially as Dylan stood an imposing 5’11” while she was 16 and still a demur 5’4”. Mary enjoyed being short as it allowed her to wear whatever heels she wanted and look unimposing when she felt like giving off the impression she was insignificant. All the same, Mary was not used to being quite towered over like this and was still uncertain towards whether or not she enjoyed the feeling. Mary took the stairs slowly knowing they had plenty of time. Balls had never really been her thing to be honest, she had gone to a few before and usually enjoyed herself okay but it wasn’t her ideal evening. Of course, the dressing up part was always fun. As was the entrance. Mary flattered herself into thinking people took notice whenever she entered a ball, she always looked amazing and of course people were always pleased to be graced with her presence. ((Sorry apparently Mary has been feeling cocky lately))

Slowly the castle warmed up as the couple ascended the stairs and Mary didn’t feel quite so bad about being so exposed. She had known it would be warmer in the Great Hall than in the dungeons, but it was always a little off putting to get ready in the cold when you knew you were wearing something without sleeves. By the time they had reached the top of the stairs Mary was feeling quite pleasant and even a little excited about the coming evening. She imagined the court titles had already been given out; useless popularity contest for those who had none and so needed something to feel important. Missing the presentation ceremony thing was certainly not something Mary regretted.

“You ready?” She asked Dylan when they reached the large doors leading into the Great Hall.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

"Well," Dylan said lightly laughing, "I'm pretty much in the same boat as you," he said looking at his own feet when Mary commented on her uncomfortability with her sandals. "I'd give anything to have on my boots right now than these idiotic things, but hey. I think we pull everything off nicely together." Without her usual heels, Mary seemed a bit flustered. Well, obviously, she just pretty much stated as much. She seemed a bit uneasy about the height difference between them. Dylan chuckled. For such a little person she had a huge attitude and personality. Dylan smiled the entire way as they made it up the staircase from the chilly dungeons, to the main floor. When they reached the Great Hall, they stopped in front of the great doors leading into the Great Hall.

When Mary asked if he was ready, he took another deep breath. Remember, you look fine, he thought. "Yeah," he said confidently, pushing open one of the doors. "After you," he said holding on to her hand as she walked in ahead of him. The Great Hall was decorated the way it usually was every Winter Ball. Ice sculptures everywhere, frost on the walls. The enchanted ceiling, white with snow flakes falling and disappearing in mid air, Christmas tress covered in snow. He looked at Mary with a small, sarcastic smile on his face. "Good thing they decided to change up the decorations this year, huh? Would of been a shame if they decorated the Great Hall the way they did last year. And the year before that. And the year before that," he sighed.

The Winter Court had already been announced, seeing as though some students had sashes. "Oh no, look," he said nodding at Bryce Alexander, who was dressed like some Greek Warrior sporting as sash. "We missed the Winter Court announcements. Or should I say, the popularity contest." This was one of the reasons he didn't like Balls, or school functions for that matter. They were so stupid. He spotted an empty table and nodded toward it. "Want to have a seat while I get us some drinks?" Dylan had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He was being quite the gentlemen wasn't he?

[Mary Evans]

Holding Dylan’s hand Mary stepped into the familiar Great Hall, decorated for Christmas. She smirked as Dylan mentioned the decorations being the same, Hogwarts was just Hogwarts. It was funny how first year the castle always seemed new and exciting. But then you came back the next year and see it’s all the same. It’s always the same. Mary imagined that nothing in the castle had even changed from her parent’s time there, or her grandparents, or any of her ancestors all of whom had gone there. Sure, the library and such would sometimes change floors and what not but as soon as you stepped in it was the same books and Madam Pince sitting there with the same expression. “Yes well you know how much Hogwarts admires novelty. Not like anything in this place is ever cliché or the same. Such fascinating people here, don’t you agree?” Mary said in an offhand way that a passer-by could have interpreted as seriousness. Mary assumed that Dylan would catch her sarcasm as she was replying to a sarcastic comment, and if he didn’t then… oh well. Often people would get confused with Mary’s sarcasm as she pulled it off in such a casual way but she always put that down to their problem.

Naturally people were looking their way as the pair entered the Great Hall, fashionably late. Mary gave a sweet smile and tugged at her hair, well aware of the effect. Dylan suggested she take a seat while he got some drinks and Mary nodded. “I’ll be over there then” Mary said seeing the table Dylan had indicated.

Mary glided over to the table smiling at people as she passed, noticing the different costumes everyone was in and thinking of Dylan’s comment on the court appointments. Good on him for not taking an interest in them really, Mary just couldn’t understand how people could be so very petty as to think things like that mattered. Sure, they were teenagers and so it was almost expected by society but… did they really have to play down to it? Reaching the small empty table Mary sat down and turned so she faced the bulk of the room. Crossing her legs Mary smiled blandly and searched around for something or someone to watch, to catch her interest while she waited for Dylan.

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan picked up two cups, and at once, the ladle sprang to life and began to fill them with pumpkin juice. After, he made his way back to the table where Mary was sitting, looking around at people as he made his way. Dylan suddenly had a rush of feelings, and thoughts clouded his mind. He felt so, out of place here. Look at him, in his little costume. He'd normally wear whatever he wanted, despite there stupid theme's, and he usually came alone. But, not only did he have a costume, he had a date. He shook his head. No, he thought. All he wanted to do tonight was have a good time. Have a good time, and relax. He wouldn't let himself think like that. Not tonight.

When he got back to the table, Mary was glancing around. He lightly grazed her shoulder with the bottom of his fist, and handed her the drink he was holding. "So, spot anything interesting?" He pulled out the chair next to her, sat down, and began scanning around, looking for people he didn't like too much, ridiculous costumes, and anything else that bothered him about going to functions like these. He took a small swig of his pumpkin juice. He wasn't too fond of the drink, but he liked it enough. Dylan then spotted Cassandra Blackfire, dressed in some type of Victorian dress. He knew Mary didn't like her, but for the sake and wanting for her to also have a good night, he didn't dare point her out to Mary.

[Mary Evans]

The room was busy, people were passing this way and that, apparently intent on saying hello to each and every person they had ever had a class with. Likely looking for complements on their costumes. It was silly how some people had so little self-esteem they couldn’t just accept it if they looked nice, they needed confirmation from strangers. The music changed to a popular song Mary liked all well and good, new music was never wonderful, but it was catchy enough. She had finished listening to angry music about two years previous and believed her taste had much improve for it. She had also dropped that irksome habit of listening to the muggle music she enjoyed in her third year. What a disgrace she had been back then.

It seemed the whole school practically had turned up for the evening. If Mary hadn’t seen the people hanging around the common room as they left she would have almost thought everyone had the room was so packed. It was funny how the room seemed so much smaller with everyone walking around and dancing, with the small tables rather than the huge house tables. Mary figured that the house tables gave everyone space to call their own so they were not wandering around so much. Everyone wandering was making everyone seem much closer. Not that Mary was claustrophobic or anything, she didn’t really mind how much smaller it seemed – it was just an odd observation.

Soon Dylan returning, bringing two glasses of pumpkin juice with him. As Mary took a sip of hers he asked if she had spotted anything interesting. “Not really, I mean of course there are some interesting costumes here and there and all of that but nothing too of note. Seems like just another dance to be honest. Thank you, by the way, for the drink.” Mary then turned toward Dylan, so she was facing him rather than the room at large. “So, Dylan, what brings you to these things? I would assume it’s not the thrill of getting dressed up for the night…”

[Dylan Caoimhe]

''Merlin, no,'' Dylan said chuckling slightly. ''This is the first year I even bothered to, dress up, really,'' he said taking another sip of pumpkin juice. Dylan would normally come in a pair of boots, jeans, t- shirt, and a jacket and sit in the corner and eat and silently laugh at people. ''But, this is only my third time coming to the Ball. I came in my first year, my third, and now, my fifth,'' he said gesturing to the Great Hall. ''I have to take these things in spaced out doses. I'd die if I had to come every year.''

It was true. Dylan genuinely hated Ball's. He went to the Winter Ball in his first year, well, because he was a first year and figured he should. His second year, he skipped it. He just didn't like how everyone was so happy, and in extra perky moods. It made him sick. Not that he wanted everyone around him to be miserable, but he couldn't stand it when people were too happy. They would talk extra loud, laugh at things that weren't even funny. Basically they were ten times more annoying than they were during any other normal day. So, Dylan decided he'd go every other year.

''Well, what about you,'' he said leaning in a little. ''Why do you come?''

[Mary Evans]

Mary simply chuckled when Dylan told her about how he wouldn’t usually show up, never mind dress up for the balls. She could see that, she hadn’t come every year either. Granted, she would be hard pressed to remember which years she did or did not come. She knew third year she missed the ball because she went on the school trip to Weinig Zug, that was a lot of fun. That was where she had made a lot of her friends that year; how foolish she was. What a wasted year her third turned out to be.

Dylan asked why Mary came and she just looked at him for a moment, “I thought I just told you; I love to dress up. I mean it’s all well and good looking nice everyday. But there is something cool about seeing yourself with that extra bit every once and awhile, trying out new styles and the like. I mean, here I am all Roman, how often does that happen? But it’s good fun and lovely to know that I am easily the best looking girl in this room; not that it’s hard.”

Taking a sip from her drink Mary took a look around and knew she was right. Sure there were a few pretty girls around, and some girls who’s costumes suited them quite well, but none stood out to her. She didn’t realise it, but Mary was probably the girl with the biggest ego in the room too. She thought everyone was like that, everyone adored themselves the way she loved her present self. Sometimes the lack of close female friends made itself quite evident; like when Mary didn’t realise how self-conscious most other teenage girls were.

The music changed and a song Mary actually knew came on. Mary sung along quietly before turning to Dylan again. “So the real question, Mr. Caoimhe, is ‘Do you dance?’”

[Dylan Caoimhe]

Dylan raised his cup to his lips to take another sip of pumpkin juice but paused at Mary's last question. Dance? Did he, Dylan Caoimhe dance? He sat his cup down and chuckled. "Um, no, not at all. I mean, I know I seem the type to get on the floor and 'cut a rug,' but I have two left feet. Don't want to embarrass myself.'' Dylan found his throat to be suddenly dry, and downed the rest of his drink. Honestly, Dylan had never danced a day in his life. The thought of him, dancing made him feel sick, like he drank a gallon of fish grease or something. He looked down and focused on the empty cup in his hands. It suddenly seemed very interesting. But the thought had already creeped to the front of his head, and now he couldn't shake it. He hesitantly looked up, and stole a glance at everyone who was on the floor dancing.

They looked stupid. All of them. Well, to Dylan, anyway. He couldn't understand why or how they all moved like that. They looked like complete idiots. But, they looked like complete idiots who were having fun. And, after all, he did want to give Mary a fun evening, right? But was it worth embarrassing himself? Well, he was sure that if he could show some of the people dancing how they looked, they'd never do so much as tap their foot ever again. Well, was that the point? To just, dance? To just move without thinking?

Setting his cup down, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Just do it, he thought. No one will really be paying attention. He heard Mary humming. Clearly she liked the song. "Ah, what the hell,'' he said silently to himself. He got up and walked around so he was in front of Mary and extended his arm. He knew the way he felt was showing on his face, so he didn't say anything. He definantly did not want to do this, but, he also wanted to have a good time. Well, Mary anyway.