Nessa Cordelia Lux's Belated Birthday Bash!

"Amalie?"

She had been standing in the aisle of the supermarket, dressed in casual attire for once. A white tank and jeans, not expecting to be recognised or bump into anyone that she knew. Yet it happened, whilst she was standing in the alcohol aisle of Taezcos, a basket full of liquor bottles hanging from her arm. The last woman she'd ever expected to see was there calling her name. She glanced over, and for a moment, she thought it was her mother. The long white hair and semi-simular features eying her with a smirk. Except this woman was younger, and a lot more bubbly looking than Amalie's mother. It dawned on her who it was and her mouth dropped open slightly.

"Aunt Antoinette?" She remarked with genuine surprise. Her mothers younger sister, a woman she hadn't seen in many years. Her aunt walked over to her, embracing the blue-haired woman in a tight squeeze. Amalie froze, not in any way prepared for the encounter, nor comfortable with it. the woman let got and glanced her over with a warm smile.

"Amalie dear, it's been so long. I almost didn't recognise you, you were just a teenager when I last saw you. You're so grown up!" She crooned silkily, it had been an awfully long time. Amalie didn't know her aunt particular well, from what she understood. Her mother wasn't especially close to her younger sisters. Although her mother never quite said why Amalie always found them quite agreeable. Even Cordelia, when she had been alive had actually been nice to Amalie.

"Yes it has, are you well?" She remarked stoically, not really sure what else to say.

"Oh you know, fabulous as always. But let's not talk about lil ol' me. I'm more interested in you. You finally made use of that magic power bubbling up in there huh? I told Lana you had it in you, and that she should let me train you but she wouldn't have it, what did I know right? Look at you now, I can practically smell it on you." Amalie blinked in surprise, she didn't know that. Her mother had always made her believe that her aunts wanted little to do with her. This was... news to the Articulation mage. "Are you getting ready for a party? Me too, I've just come back from a long job. You remember Nessa? Cordelia daughter. She turns twenty this week, she's grown so much too. Such a gem. Amalie, you should come, oh please,  Nessa would be so happy to see you!" Amalie remembered her, the small white-haired child that was basically a replica of the Blossom Twins. She had always been quite perky and followed Amalie around whenever they spent any time together. Although it had been sparse, she had only met the girl three times in her entire life. "Oh I don't kno-" She began, fully ready to deny the older woman. Antoinette, however, cut her off sharply, wagging her finger at her niece.

"Ah, ah, ah. I won't take no for an answer, you're family. I expect to see you there, you can bring a friend of course. Oh and do pass the message on to Lana if you see her. She doesn't answer my letters these days." She remarked, shoving an invitation into Amalie's basket before turning on her heel. "See you soon hun~" The woman called in a sing-song force before walking off, her hips swaying exuberantly as she walked. Amalie stared after her, still in a bit of shock. Then sighing, she reached into her handbag with her free hand. Pulling out her iLac, she dialled one of the only numbers on the phone.

"Sivvy... It's Amalie. What are you doing on the third?"


The taxi-carriage pulled up outside the stadium, Amalie climbed out of it, she was wearing a long loose maxi-dress and a beach hat. She glanced back at Sivvy. "I appreciate you coming along." She commented, relieved at least to have someone she knew there. going to an event full of relatives, wasn't exactly Amalie's idea of fun. But hopefully, most of them wouldn't even recognise or interact with her. After all, she was Lana's daughter.

She made her way inside the stadium, she had bought a bottle of Cherry Brandy with a bow tied to it. Mainly because if things got bad and there wasn't any decent alcohol, she could just swipe it back later. Amalie eyed the beach layout before her. Huh, so the theme was accurate. Shrugging, she put the bottle on the sand for a moment, plopping off the beach hat and dropping it on top. She reached down, grabbing her dress and pulling it up over her body and over her head. Revealing a navy blue bikini beneath. She reached down and scoop up the hat and present.

"Guess we should find my cousin." She remarked blankly, looking around the beach for the girl.

WC: 823

Was he truly ready? Aven tapped his foot impatiently on the roof of a nearby building, staring indecisively at the stadium. He'd been in the middle of training in the Courtyard of the Alveron Estate, when Lucy interrupted him with the delivery of a letter. The maid hadn't been especially happy about the identity of the sender, treating the envelope more or less like a dirty piece of laundry, but it was delivered all the same; even with her eccentricities, Lucy knew not to tamper with the Family's correspondence. He'd been in the middle of a set, attempting to push the limits of his new magic power, but still, he didn't receive many letters, so the occasion stood out.

Occasion, of course, was the key word, and a pit had formed in Aven's stomach, one that remained there to this very moment. Whether by choice, or by necessity, he'd abandoned his Team on a crucial mission, left them to fend for themselves without even a word of warning. He'd only been to the guild once since then, and it'd been mostly empty, his only encounter being a young woman named Valery.

Aven pursed his lips tightly. That was right; he had more to apologize for than just abandonment, didn't he? All that time knowing her, and all he'd ever done was toy with Nessa, errantly push the boundaries of what could have been a great friendship, devoid of the complications of 'man and woman'. Looking back, he wished he could take all of that back, and just be the friend Nessa wanted, the one that had promised to stay by her side.

He took a seat on the edge of the roof, one foot dangling off the side. Knowing what he did now, there was a small hope inside of him: it was possible that all of this was just a one-sided drama, just an Aside to the audience of the grand Stage Play he was performing in, and when he turned back to Nessa from the crowd, she would be none the wiser. That could be best, he thought, if what Nessa truly wanted was simply a friend, and Aven knew what could happen if the two of them crossed that line of companionship. He was a man of his word, it's was the Alveron way, and to even entertain an action that could force him to break his promise; it was almost unthinkable. Almost... he clutched tightly at the silky white button-down draped over his shoulders. That word hurt to ponder, but the pain was no greater than the ache in his chest, as he resolved to bottle up his feelings.

Strength, he knew, came from a clear mind, and thus, he fought to purge his thoughts of doubt. Aven would keep his promise, not just because it was his oath as an Alveron, but because it was the most he could do for both Nessa, and himself, to be a good friend. After all, in less than a month, he would be twenty-four years old: it was about time he let go of the past, and forge a better future. A few pats to his cheeks did the trick as he stood, skipping off the roof and onto the cobble below, only meters away from the Stadium, a small tuft of light escaping the bottom of his foot as his magic shielded his body from the impact. The breeze wafted past, causing his shirt to wave backward like a misshapen cloak, revealing the numerous lines of Radiant magic that wandered wantonly over his toned chest. He glanced down, a smile beginning to form. He hadn't been to the beach since his encounter with Grim Heresy, and now was as good a time as any.

The venue was just as spectacular as he'd imagined, a number of wizards already congregating for the festivities. Glancing around, he saw a surprising number of familiar faces; Little Arcadia was there, Mura and his spirits, even the Guild Master of Silver Wolf, Leona Jarnefeldt! The light pulse of his Radiance lines grew steadily quicker, in response to the level of concentrated magic power in the area: whether intended or not, this was a gathering of transcendentally powerful Wizards, the energy from Leona far greater than he remembered from their Duel. He smiled a bit brighter at the thought of a rematch, someday.

As his gaze and senses shifted, the surprises didn't end. Over by a large pile of presents was none other than Samira Nasaar, in the flesh. He'd never seen her in person, and admittedly, she appeared much more slender and beautiful than he'd imagined someone with such a monstrous magic presence to be. Perhaps, a few months ago, Aven would have frozen in place, stunned at being so close to the pinnacle of magical achievement: however, his stride was unbroken. He stood nothing to gain by being timid, nor shying away from strength. Perhaps, he would introduce himself later; there were any number of things he could learn by speaking with a Wizard of her caliber.

The next patron he spied, however, did give him a small bit of pause, and for good reason. It was Amalie, the wizard with a stare as icy as his mother's; or, at least, what his mother used to have. Drani Alveron had lost a bit of her edge, as of late, a detail easily lost on Aven. He walked onward, a bit wary to keep his gait at a pace to stay clear of the wizard. He was here to attend Nessa's birthday, after all, not feud with a cranky middle-aged woman. On the same token, he stealthily sneaked behind a few of the awnings of the beach area to avoid the other dangerous middle-aged woman in the vicinity. Getting spotted by Antoinette would be more trouble than he wanted to deal with at the moment, when he still hadn't found Nessa in the crowd. She'd eventually sniff him out, but for the time being, he was careful to bide his time. Mr. Lux was cooking up some food, as well, he'd definitely have to make a stop for a burger or something, as directed by a short rumbling from his stomach.

There were several other wizards present that he didn't recognize, all of which he made a point to introduce himself to later. It would be useful to know as many Wizards as possible, and this casual party setting was a great place to make new friends and allies. Finally, of course, he spotted Nessa among a small gathering of guests, and as they parted, Aven strode forward. His smile was different now, somehow: the gentleness that had been his signature for so long was less prominent, an air of confidence now equal in measure. Nevertheless, it was a bright and friendly as ever, perhaps even more so as he met her eyes.

"It's been a while, Nessa, Happy Birthday; and just when I thought I would've caught up to you, you've gone grown even more." Aven shook his head in mock shame, glancing at Sebastian. "Wasn't it your job to keep her small and cute forever, Sebastian? She's growing up, what happened?" He settled for making a few jokes; here was no reason to damped the mood of the party with an apology, he wanted Nessa to have a great time at her party. Maybe, some time later, they could talk, but for now, he was going to enjoy himself.

Amalie turned her gaze to the rose-haired woman accompanying her, she nodded as she explained she didn't mind attending the event with her. It was admittedly a relief to the Articulation mage. She hadn't ever had someone she could invite to anything before, but then again she'd never had anything to be invited to. If she went anywhere in the past, it was always as Wyatt's guest and nothing more. Things certainly had changed, for Amalie to have a fellow female companion that she could be comfortable around. It was surreal but also kind of pleasant. Women had always hated her for reasons she couldn't understand; jealousy, spite, or whatever unhealthy grudge they lingered to. Amalie never quite understood nor cared to ask why. But Sivvy was different, she was easy to be around and she didn't seem to respond the Amalie's cold, direct manner the way most women did.

"Me neither, I've always wondered what a beach looked like." She would glance around, it was prettier than she expected. She'd seen pictures in magazines and the like but the closest the woman had ever come to a vacation was her honeymoon. Which had involved a rented cottage in the mountains with a fireplace and hot-tub. It had been nice, scenic, but not much of an experience. It had also been the first time Wyatt had ever shown her his true nature. As she scanned the beach, she laid eyes on a twenty-two-year-old girl, with long white haired that trailed down her back and violet eyes. "Oh there she is..." Her cousin was, as pretty and perky as Amalie remembered. Like a mini Antoinette, she had certainly grown since Amalie last saw her. The last memory she had of the girl was a bubbly little six years old, following her around their grandmothers garden, holding the back of her dress in an attempt to keep up.

It was then that Amalie's gaze fell on someone making their way towards them, it took her a moment to realise who it was. Because quite frankly, she almost didn't recognise him in those clothes. Amalie arched a brow, the grin that split across her face was too immediate to prevent, she brought her hand to her face covering her devilish grin. Johann was walking towards them, greeting them most amicably, dressed in khaki shorts and an open Hawaiian shirt. The woman couldn't help herself, the sight of him dressed like that wholly amusing and well, kind of adorable. The always so serious man dressed like a retiree, Amalie took a moment to contain her amusement. Clearing her throat, "Good to see you too Johann, nice shirt." She said with a wink. Before glancing around to seek the answer to his question, "I think the drinks ar-"

"Amalie."

The name was spoken so suddenly and sharply, that it took her by surprise. Cutting her off as she spoke, the smile immediately faded, she glanced around to see who it was. Although she knew instantly who it was. Her eyes fell on a woman in her sixties, with white-haired pinned tightly in a bun, wearing a summery dress. Amalie stiffened slightly at the sight of her.

"Aurelia." She replied in a short tone, the woman tilted her head back slightly to sneer at the younger woman. The was no warmth between the woman, in fact, the air felt very tense all of sudden.

"That's no way to address your Grandmother, still the insolent brat as always." She would turn her gaze to Sivvy and Johann for a moment, the woman's eyes were ice blue, much like Amalie's, except her gaze was considerably cooler. "Are these your guests?"

"Yes, well actually Sivvy here is. Johann is um... Nessa's guest?" She turned her gaze to the man questioningly, wondering how it was that he actually knew her cousin. It was a small world it seemed. "This is my Grandmother, Aurelia Blossom." She told them, Amalie returned her gaze to Aurelia, who was no longer paying any attention to Johann and Sivvy.

"What happened to that's lowlife husband of yours?" Amalie's fingers curled into tight fists, she gritted her teeth, feeling her temper beginning to rise.

"He couldn't make it." She hissed, Aurelia wouldn't miss this, her eyes narrowingly dangerously.

"Don't take that tone with me, Amalie. Tch, you really are Lana's daughter, I had hoped you wouldn't turn out the be the disappointment that she was. Alas, here we are." Amalie bit the inside of her cheek, the normally calm, collected woman could feel herself creeping towards the edge of her tether. She may have been a little calmer had this been a private conversation, but she was doing this all in front of the two people she considered herself closest to. Her face split into a smirk and she chuckled softly.

"Well, better the daughter of a whore than the mother of one right?"

CRACK!

The slap had been too fast for Amalie to avoid, Aurelia's hand hit her cheek hard, causing her face to whip to the right. Amalie took a second to digest what had happened, quelling the instantaneous rage that had threatened to rise within her. She took a breath before raising her hand up in front of Sivvy. A message for her not to react, as much as she loathed her Grandmother, she didn't want Sivvy to drown her in the sea.

"You dare speak to me that way, you abhorrent child, after everything I did for you." Amalie dragged her gaze back to the woman, her expression blank. She really wanted to tear her down, expose her for the rubbish she was spouting. She opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by another voice joining the fray. Interrupting Amalie before she could say anything.

"Gran, What are you doing? What's going on?"

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