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Neutral
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Calliope stopped, careful not to bump into him as he'd suddenly stopped as well to look at her. She figured she'd struck a nerve by his response, which had made her flinch and look away. "Perhaps they did. I just thought I had time before something like this happened," she rubbed the back of her neck as her gaze rose to meet his again. "So I guess you're right. We just make the most of what we now have, however it is we do that," she murmured, not wanting to anger him more. That was definitely something she couldn't deal with at the time being. Calliope had always dreamed of being with someone she had an inkling of an interest in. Someone who liked her just as well, but the maids had apparently filled her head with too much nonsense. "So what now? How exactly do we make this work?" She asked, shifting her weight from one little barefoot to the other. Calen would be her first true courtship, and she had no idea how it was supposed to work. |
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Darkseeker
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Calen's voice softened slightly as he responded, "Me too." "We pretend like we are happy and in love when they are around, and after that...well I don't know." He said, despair filling his voice. He really had no other options. |
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Neutral
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Calliope offered a small, sorrowful smile at his words. For now that was all they could do. It wouldn't stop her from at least trying to get out of the arrangement. "Okay.. Would you like to return to the party with me? Or I could leave you alone, if you'd like," she offered, not wanting to cling to him. She could tell how this saddened him more so than angered him now. Her heart broke a little for him, wishing there was something she could do to help. Of course she knew she couldn't do anything except give him space and time. Until then, she'd have to put her best acting face on and pretend to be happy. That shouldn't be too hard, right? She'd done it all of her teenage years after all. It was the in love part that would challenge her. It was so hard to act like you loved someone, especially if you barely knew them. |
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Darkseeker
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Calen thought for a moment. As much as he didn't want to go back, his parents would be suspicious if he didn't. "No, I'll come." He said, making his way towards the doors. "But, you might want to put your shoes back on." He said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Then he registered the look she had given him. That was pity in her gaze. He had let too much show, and now she pitied him. Something he had never wanted to see directed at him, ever. He had sworn to himself long ago that he would never let things like that show, that was a weakness. His emotions were a weakness. |
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Neutral
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Calliope was somewhat glad to hear he'd go back with her. Truthfully, she didn't want to face their parents alone. She had started after him but stopped when he mentioned her shoes, making her blush slightly. "That would probably be a good idea," she giggled, looking down to hide her blush as she put her shoes back on. He was showing her a bit of softness, which she liked, but she didn't expect it to last. She'd be very surprised if it did. Once her shoes were secure on her feet, she smoothed down the skirt of her dress, ready to brave the crowd. "Ready when you are," she sighed, unsure if she was ready to act again. She had started towards the door, praying that her parents wouldn't badger her for disappearing like she did. Perhaps having Calen at her side would prevent it. |
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Darkseeker
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Calen noticed the slight relief on her face, he wasn't sure if she actually wanted him to come or if she wanted to us him as a reason to avoid her parents. Either could be true, but he truthfully didn't care. He waited for her as she finished putting her shoes back on, nodding to her when she spoke. He followed her out the library doors, hoping she knew the way back, because he surely didn't. He let her lead the way, looking around to try to get any idea of where they might be. The last half an hour was a blur, and he hardly even remembered ending up in the library in the first place. After a while he started to recognize parts of the corridors, some of the paintings he had caught out of the corner of his eye. The music was growing louder, the chatter of the party-goers growing louder with it. Calen tensed as the doors got closer, fixing his gaze ahead of him as they entered, hoping his parents didn't see him. |
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Neutral
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Calliope had a decent sense of where to go, but she was mainly listening for any sound of music or people. Soon enough, things began looking familiar and she started to feel that pounding her chest. She was... nervous? A new kind for sure, and she wasn't sure why she was. "Here goes nothing," she sighed as they opened the doors and she put on her best smile. She couldn't help but dig her nails into her palms again as it was something she did when trying to cope. From across the room she saw her parents, who hadn't failed to notice the two enter. Her mother looked fairly pleased to see that they were acting cordial with each other. "Mm. We've been spotted by mine," she mentioned, looking up at Calen, her smile managing to not falter. She wanted it to look like everything was alright so that they wouldn't be questioned. A new dance had just begun, so couples had took to the floor, thinning out the crowd of party goers. She debated on asking him to dance, but with the way he'd turned so many girls down earlier she couldn't bring herself to do it. |
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Darkseeker
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Calen groaned inwardly, hoping they stayed away. He was done with pretending for the night. It had to be close to one in the morning by now, so hopefully the party would end soon, or at least in a few hours. About a half of the guests were drunk, the other half dancing. He luckily didn't spot his parents immediately, and Justine was nowhere in sight. Calen was impressed by Calliope's acting skills. Even he was convinced by the smile she gave him. Calliope looked like she was going to say something, but thought better of it. He looked out to the crowd of dancers, knowing exactly what she was about to ask. He was aware of her parents eyes still on them. Calen sighed in defeat, holding out a hand to her. "Anything to make this believable." He said to her, his hand still outstretched. |
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Neutral
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Calliope knew her parents were watching the couple intently, wanting to see how they interacted with each other, but she dared not make eye contact. She knew if she showed them attention they'd come their way with invasive questions. Calen had took Calliope by surprise when he'd offered her his hand to dance. Her eyes had widened momentarily, but she shook away the shock, placing her small hand into his. "Why Calen, I never thought you'd ask," she teased, nodding to his words. Anything indeed. As they headed to join the other dancers, she started to speak again. "I could lead, if you like," she told him since she was unsure how versed he was in dancing. For all she knew, he'd sweep her off her feet, but she didn't count on it. Calliope wanted to make this moment as painless as possible for the two of them. |
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Darkseeker
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Calen chuckled slightly, "Please do. You'll save me the embarrassment." This was one of the few songs Calen actually knew, and remembered some of the steps. He hated to admit that not leading also embarrassed him slightly, as it was customary for the male to lead, but it would be an even bigger embarrassment if he did lead. The dance was just starting, couples gathering on the floor. He noticed his parents joining the dance and cringed slightly. He hoped they didn't get to close to them, it would save them lots of explaining and questions later. |
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Winter Month: 2 
Night 
