Levie Party

[Evelyn Brown]

Evelyn hadn’t been back to the Den since she danced with Alexander. She was still confused about what she felt then. Whenever she thought about it she got this light, fluttering feeling in her belly and her heart would ache curiously. Truth be told, she knew she felt that before. With Daniel. Her feelings were all mixed up. She’d think about Alexander, then she’d think of Dan and her heart would break all over again. She missed Daniel terribly, but she still believed it was better for them to go their separate ways. She really just missed her friend. Then there was Lex. Evelyn didn’t know what to think of him right now. He was still the Lex she knew at school, but he had… evolved. And it wasn’t the fangs or the sudden immortality. There was something different about him and she was drawn to it. So much so that she was doubting everything she knew to be true. To her shame, she hadn’t reached out to him after visiting his club. She just needed space to figure out what she was feeling. But then he invited her to the Ministry’s party and she couldn’t help but accept it. Maybe if she saw him again she could sort out what was going on.

Thanks to the ever wonderful Catherine Prince, Evie had an updated wardrobe. She often wondered if these outfits were too much, but her friend had paid for them so she had to at least wear them. The dress she picked out for tonight hung on the bed frame where Evelyn inspected it. It was beautiful, but was it too formal? Was it too revealing? Her mind wrestled with it until a familiar hoot brought her out of her thoughts. She looked to her owl, then to the clock beside his perch. Oh the time! She quickly dressed and grabbed her handbag, tucking her wand safely in it. With a turn of her foot and a loud crack, she disapparated and landed in an alley just north of the club. She hoped she wasn’t late. The bouncer let her in and she ascended the stairs, her gazing sweeping the room in search of her date. When she saw him, her heart did a little sputter. He was dressed in a classy black suit, the top button of his shirt was undone and part of her wondered if that was purposeful or not. Either way, she felt a little flushed as she walked up to him. “Lex,” she greeted him warmly, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “This looks wonderful.”

Alexander Caius

[Alexander Caius]

Watching as Evelyn approached, Lex smiled widely. She looked positively delectable...but he took a breath, keeping his mind out of the gutter.

"You look absolutely beautiful, love," he complemented her, wrapping his arm around her in a hug and returning a kiss to her own cheek. A friendly enough gesture but one that still sent butterflies through his core. Her dress was not one that he would have expected to see her in. But here they were.

"Can I get you a drink? Ministry paid for an open bar."

He tossed her a wink and a smile as he placed a soft hand to her lower back, leading her gently.

[Evelyn Brown]

Evie nodded, her lips spreading into a grin. She most certainly needed a drink. Maybe it could tame this giddiness she was feeling. His hand softly touched her lower back. The touch sent an electric surge through her and she blushed, allowing him to lead her to the bar. When they got there, Vesper looked at her expectantly. “I’ll have whatever he’s having,” she said with a laugh. She waited by as the wizard poured their drinks, then watched as he slid them across the countertop. Evie smiled in thanks and picked up her glass, taking a slow, careful sip. The alcohol burned on its way down and Evelyn couldn’t help but make a face at it. “Oh, wow!” Another laugh bubbled out of her. “Hold on, that actually tastes good. You know, once you get past the pain.” She had no idea what was going on, but suddenly everything seemed so… so good. “Is this what you normally drink?”

[Alexander Caius]

Lex led Evie to the bar and Vesper approached. Lex rather liked Vesper...the guy came from a terrifying family. But to Lex, he was nice enough. Besides...not many guys that Lex knew could do makeup the way Vesper did. Hell, lots of his lady friends couldn't either.

As Lex ordered up his usual, he felt a tap on his shoulder behind him and he turned to address a regular of his who also happened to be an official in the Wizengamot. He didn't even realize that Evie had ordered his usual...so as he turned back around, his eyes grew a little wide as he watched her sip at it.

It wasn't exactly a beverage he made available to the public...

"How about we get you something else?" he offered with a small smile, knowing Evelyn was likely feeling pretty damn good right now. "You uh...you won't have the same effect drinking this as I will...don't want you losing your wits tonight."

He watched her with a soft, fond smile before tapping the bar gently, Vesper wasting no time before setting down a glass of the finest wine they had available at the time.

[Evelyn Brown]

A small giggle flowed out of her as she set the drink back on the bar, smiling up at Lex as she grabbed the glass of wine provided. She kind of liked that last drink, but this was definitely more up her alley. Evelyn sipped on her wine a little before she reached out to place a hand on Alexander’s. “Thank you for inviting me,” she said with a softer smile. “Here’s to a great night.” Evie raised her glass for a toast, clinking it against his before bringing it back to her lips for another sip. It was a rich wine that glided down her throat smoothly. Evelyn retracted her hand after a moment, flutters happening in her stomach. “How do you feel about this party? It was a gracious thing for the Ministry to single you out. I have great hopes for Minister Biggerstaff.” The equal rights of humanoid creatures was a great step in the right direction. She was looking forward to the reforms he proposes.

[Alexander Caius]

Evelyn had taken a sip of the beverage…but she hadn’t drank the entire glass. No doubt she was feeling fuzzy, warm, and maybe like Lex was appealing and deserved her affections after all. But it wouldn’t last. The small sip she had taken would wear off after a bit.

Lex never used that brew on anyone. It was just simply the only concoction that would actually let him feel something.

But Evie’s voice brought him back and he smiled as she thanked him for inviting her and raised her glass to toast with him. Clinking their glasses together, Lex took another sip and smiled fondly at his date for the evening.

Evelyn began speaking again, already sounding more like herself and not like she had just drank an elixir that would have made her putty in the vampires hands. Good.

”I think it was a wise move. Charles has been working with Biggerstaff on figuring out what’s happening. The Ministry bringing the party here just shows the world that the leap of faith is going both ways.”

That, in Lex’s opinion, was most important right now. Solidarity and showing everyone that as a unit…the Marrow Coven wanted to stop the forced spread of vampirism.

[Evelyn Brown]

When Lex spoke of Charles helping the Ministry, she hummed thoughtfully. There had been some articles about an increase in new vampires and Evelyn knew first-hand that the first floor of St. Mungos had been packed for quite some time. Evie often floated down to Creature Induced Injuries when the workload piled up and the things she saw caused shivers to run down her spine. She trusted Charles was doing all he could to remedy this. But this wasn’t what she wanted to think about tonight. No, tonight she wanted to spend time with her friend, maybe dance a little, and hopefully figure out what her heart was telling her. “Well, I’ll be praying for a happy ending to this whole mess.” She raised her glass once more, her deep chocolate eyes focused on Alexander’s face. It was nice to see him more open. It seems he’s finally accepted himself.

Evelyn glanced around, taking in all the executives milling about, conversing and drinking. She never imagined that she’d be included in such an event and she smoothed her hands over her dress, wondering if she was a little overdressed. Or underdressed. Evie looked down at her midriff, the see-through lace the only fabric protecting her exposed flesh. She folded her arms over it, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. “Will there be dancing tonight?” she asked to distract herself from her embarrassment. “I’d love to dance at some point.”

[Alexander Caius]

Well, I’ll be praying for a happy ending to this whole mess.

Lex nodded. They had gotten some new residents at the manor. But it wasn't necessarily a happy moment. The new arrivals hadn't chosen this life. They had been just like Lex. Wrong place...wrong time...and their lives had been forever altered. But Lex didn't really want to discuss it either. Tonight was supposed to be fun.

And as Evie asked about dancing, Lex grinned and tossed the rest of his drink back before holding his hand out to his friend.

"Any time you're ready," he offered with a wink. The music playing was a faster one and he flicked his eyes to the dance floor where some people were already dancing together.

[Evelyn Brown]

She couldn’t help but grin when he did, taking his hand when offered. Before he could lead her away from the bar, she tipped her wine glass back and finished it like he had, setting it down on the counter. “Lead on,” she giggled, that giddiness bubbling up inside her. Evie was starting to think it wasn’t the alcohol that was making her feel this way. Thankfully, the song playing had a faster tempo than the last time they danced together. They melted easily into the small crowd of people dancing, a surprised laugh escaping her as she spun into his arms. Evelyn smiled up at him, her hands slinking up his arms and around his neck. Her cheeks were burning, but she no longer felt embarrassed. She was watching him closely, feeling safer than ever. Nothing bad would happen to her with Lex around.

[Alexander Caius]

Dancing with Evelyn was a welcome addition to his night and Lex didn't bother trying to hide his smile. This felt so much like old times...the two of them just enjoying each others company in their common room. Before they grew up. Before they started dating people. Before Lex had died and come back as a creature hated by a large chunk of their peers. But now? In this moment...they were just Alexander and Evelyn. Lex and Evie. As her hands slipped up his arms and she wrapped her own around him, Lex grinned...pushing that bit of bubbling in his heart down. Hands on her waist, he shot her a playful wink. She had been his best friend for as long as he could remember. He'd wanted to be hers for almost as long. He had dated Willie in an attempt to get over her. It hadn't worked. He had been with Theodora...and while he would always care for the woman, she just hadn't been Evelyn. And here they were...dancing together at a swanky business party.

[Evelyn Brown]

There have been so many things running through her mind lately. It was a little overwhelming. She spent the last couple of weeks trying to sort out what she was feeling, but everything kept getting so jumbled. She knew she loved Lex, in a platonic way of course, but these flutterings in her belly and the way she got dizzy when his arms were around her said another thing. And Evie wasn’t sure she was ready for that. The breakup with Daniel was relatively fresh and she wasn’t looking for romance. But as she danced with Alexander, the rest of the world started to fade away. She wasn’t thinking about anything other than the warmth that was spreading throughout her body, the feeling of his hands on her waist, the way he winked at her, and the glint of his fangs when he smiled. She felt perfectly content. Evelyn followed his lead on the dance floor, not even aware of the people around them, while her gaze stayed fixed on his face. What was it that was drawing her in? Or was it that she was finally seeing him clearly for the first time? “Thank you for this,” she almost whispered, a soft smile touching her lips. “This is lovely.”