Don't Mind the Daggers It's a friendly Chat (curse

[Curse Kameren]

Max grinned as his aunt embraced him, excitedly helping her through the door and taking some packages for her. "What's all this stuff?" Max peeked curiously into the bags as he set them on the counter. He glanced around the corner at his dad, cocking his head towards the kitchen to invite him over. Curse shook his head.

"You've grown again. I swear the next time I'll see you, you'll be taller than me!"

Max beamed with pride in his newfound height. He had a head on half the first-years at Hogwarts already, and he wasn't even a student yet! Soon he would tower over everyone else like his father and uncle, he knew. "My dad's tall," he replied, shrugging. He laughed. "Mum wasn't happy when I passed her up!"

"I've got a something for you. I do hope you'll like it."

The kindness of Max's Aunt Anna never escaped him. Most of Peter's family didn't pay him much mind beyond pleasantries, but Anna always paid attention to him. He didn't need a present, he just liked having someone to talk to at these silly parties his mum insisted on throwing. "Thanks," He smiled, hugging his aunt once again. He looked over her shoulder as he embraced her, a thought occurring to him when he glanced in his father's direction again. If Curse wouldn't come out and be social, he would bring his favorite aunt to him.

"Hey! My dad's here tonight! He was supposed to be picking me up but mum's making me stay. Wanna meet him?"

Curse's ears perked at Max's mention of him, sitting up straighter when he realized he was going to be called upon to perform socially. He didn't have the patience for this tonight, not after the emotional rollercoaster at the coffee shop. He sent Max a warning look but the boy grinned at him, leading a red-haired woman into the room by hand.


Arianna. Curse took one look at her and burst out laughing. This could not be happening.

[Arianna Blackthorn]

The quick hug and bright smile went a long way in restoring Arianna's mood. There was something so powerful about a child's presence. Then again, Max was no ordinary child. There was a certain spark to the charming little boy that touched people, if they were willing of course. For some reason, Peter didn't see that in Max.

"What's all this stuff?"

"Unuh, no peaking. That's for desert," she admonished but her tone was filled with laughter and her eyes sparkled. A part of her wished that max was her child. She would have been a wonderful mother. For the night though, she could pretend that Max was hers to dote on. Together they walked to the kitchen, Arianna looking at the boy that was nearly level with her. Two or so inches and he'd pass her.

My dad's tall," he replied, shrugging. He laughed. "Mum wasn't happy when I passed her up!"


Arianna smiled wryly, sometimes Amelia was so peculiar. She wouldn't get angry if Max ate junk food but would if he surpassed her in height. The woman was nice enough but only in small doses. Some how though she'd captured her sweet Peter's attention. They made each other happy and thus Arianna was happy for her cousin.

"I'll let you in on a secret. Woman don't like to be reminded of their height, tall or short but they like taller men." She said in a mock whisper as if she was telling him where to find a dragon's egg or something.

Before Arianna could disentangle herself from the hug and wish out his presents Max was asking her to meet his dad.

"Sure!" She said with a game smile. She'd been curiously about Max's father. Amelia didn't mention Kris much and Arianna didn't want to pry but she was dying to meet the other half of this charming child.

Laughing slightly, Arianna allowed the young boy to pull her into the kitchen. A part of her brain registered the familiar silhouette even before Curse turned around.

All she could do was stare and blink and then stare again. Fate obviously had it out for her, angry that Arianna had left the country. Then Curse laughed, which made her smile at the irony. She should have known that Curse's son was her cousin's step son. The more she thought about ti the more it made sense. Kirs, was Curse. She had been bind not to notice the resemblance.

Backwardness swept through Arianna. What could she say? Well, Max I already know your father. In fact we've already dated. God, what if like most children the boy thought to play match maker? There would have to be a talk about their relationship with the child. Oh, this was so priceless. Something had to be said.


"Oh do stop laughing like a Banshee Curse it's unbecoming." She snapped, a little irritated that he was laughing at her. She wasn't mad at him, just frustrated. The Ari's eyes widened as she realized she made an inadvertent magical reference. What if someone over heard? Did Max know about---he lived at Hogwarts. She had forgotten that Curse told her that he and his son lived at the school.

"I ummm, Cur--Kris, and i already know each other." She told Max with a small smiled. Wondering how he would react. Did Max know about her? Would he know that she was the fiance that left and then ignore her? Would Max Kameren hate her?

[Curse Kameren]

"Oh do stop laughing like a Banshee Curse it's unbecoming."

Curse stifled his laughter but couldn't seem to wipe the grin off his face. How many parties were going on in flats in Muggle London right now? What were the odds that they would be headed for the same one? Max had mentioned liking his Aunt Anna before, but Curse had never made the connection. Though he had introduced Ari to his muggle family when they were dating, Ari hadn't gotten around to doing the same. Arianna looked shocked and uncomfortable, but Curse took it easy as he leaned forward on his stool and put a hand on Max's shoulder. It wasn't Ari's job to explain this sort of thing to his son.

Max's round green eyes darted between the two, confused. Of course he was confused. "I ummm, Cur--Kris, and i already know each other."

"Max, remember when you found that ring box in my desk?" Curse's eyes darted up at Arianna for a moment, wondering if she knew that he'd kept the ring. Of course he'd kept the ring, she had left without a word. He didn't know if she would ever come back, or under what circumstances. "I told you that, before I met you, I was going to get married to someone." He looked over at Arianna and smiled pointedly. Max would work the rest out on his own.

Max looked between the two, realization starting to dawn on his face as his father explained. "So... Aunt Anna was your fiancee?" Max arched a brow at them, his eyes still darting between them as he pictured them together. Though he had liked the idea of being able to see his aunt more often, the idea of seeing her because she was married to his father was just strange. "Wait, does that mean you're getting married then?"

[Arianna Blackthorn]

A bit restless, Arianna decided to well do something. Standing there being an object of their attention was just too much. So she let go of Max's hand to walk into the kitchen and put the bags she carried on the counter. She was a still a little jittery at seeing Curse. After their intense conversation earlier, she had been counting on at least a few days if not a week before seeing him again. Now here he was in her cousin's apartment explaining to his son that his step-aunt could have been his step mom. Were the knives hidden? A quick glance showed no impromptu weapons insight. Good, she'd rather not get hit in case overwrought emotions were tested.

"Max, remember when you found that ring box in my desk?" Ring box? Arianna's ears perked up at the word her eyes briefly meeting Curse's. He'd kept the box? Any other man would have returned it, sold it back or given it to another woman. Did his keeping the box mean that he still had hopes for their future? Or was she being a typical woman and reading more into that simple action than she had a right too. She hated being a stereotypical woman always reading more into a simple word. To a female a yes could mean a thousand things. A man, maybe four tops.

"I told you that, before I met you, I was going to get married to someone."

So Max knew. Arianna waited watching Max apprehensively, a loaf of french-bread, Amelia had wanted her to pick up clutched in her hand. These next few moments would be critical as her relationship with Max was changing. He might like her very much as his Aunt but as his almost step mother he could very well change his mind. She did after all hurt his father.

"So... Aunt Anna was your fiancee?"

Arianna smiled sheepishly, shrugging both her shoulder's in a off handed yes. Should she say something? Explain that it was before her cousin married his mom, that she hadn't know who his father was. She'd open her mouth to say something when the child robbed her of her ability to think let alone utter a comprehensible word.

"Wait, does that mean you're getting married then?"

Arianna glanced at Curse to gauge his reaction. They were no where near solving their problems. There was a history between them that must be solved and she wasn't even sure if she could be calm enough to marry him. Her last encounter completely alone with him had left them both scarred.

Gently Arianna smiled at Max, looking him in the eye as she spoke softly.

"Not Necessarily Max. It's complicated. We have to work a few things out. It might never happen. At this point it's difficult to tell." There that was vague enough to be a general maybe. She wasn't even sure if she would marry him but it was obvious she still had feelings for him. A part of her, the feminist, whispered that she should have just said no, but then if they ever did resolve there issues it would be a surprise to Max.

Life had been so much easier when she was just Aunt Anna.

[Curse Kameren]

"Wait, does that mean you're getting married then?"

Curse's eyes widened in surprise at Max's question, a bit too in shock to answer it. Arianna found her words before he did and answered him. "Not Necessarily Max. It's complicated. We have to work a few things out. It might never happen. At this point it's difficult to tell."

Though Arianna's answer seemed to clear things up for Max, it confused the hell out of Curse. So the answer to them getting back together wasn't just 'no'? Curse's heart skipped a beat at the very thought. Even through her leaving and his treatment, a part of him refused to give up on the dreams he'd built with his fiancee. They had come so close, after all. Truth be told, however, if things ending this way meant that he got to be a part of Max's life, then he was glad it happened. What would have happened if Ari had still been around when Amelia brought Max over? It was strange to think about.

It was comforting to know that Arianna still thought about them, though. Merlin knew he couldn't stop thinking about them. Though there was no way he would admit it to Arianna yet, he was still just as in love with her as the day he proposed. He was still hopelessly hers. He was more cautious about it, but it didn't change much. There were a lot of things they needed to work out before they could take any steps in that direction, but Curse hoped that someday they could.

"Max! Come in here for a moment please!" Amelia's voice sounded from the dining room, beckoning her son over. Max smiled at the two of them, apparently giving them his blessing as he turned and answered his mum.

As soon as Max was out of earshot, Curse groaned. "He's never going to shut up about this now," He met eyes with Ari as he turned on his stool to face the counter, resting his head on his arms. "You don't know what he's like when he gets an idea in his head. If I know that look, he's going to have our wedding planned by next week." He chuckled, shrugging simply. It wasn't like they could keep this from Max, especially since they both had a relationship with the boy. He watched quietly as Arianna moved around the kitchen, lost in his own thoughts. The fact that Arianna already knew Max made Curse uncomfortable; Max wasn't just 'his'. He had been sharing his son with his ex-fiancee since before she knew he was the father. Max knowing 'Aunt Anna', and apparently caring for her just like family, meant that for his sake they had to behave like family, no matter what happened. Curse wouldn't let whatever happened with him and Arianna affect Max.

"So, Aunt Anna, hmm?" He smiled crookedly as he watched her, a bit of teasing coming back into his voice. "Anna. That's cute. Am I allowed to call you that?"

ooc: feel free to NPC whoever's at the party, including Amelia & Peter. I'm sure someone would have noticed that she's arrived, and I'm sure Max wouldn't have kept his mouth shut either. haha.

[Arianna Blackthorn]

Arianna was a confused, bumbling idiot who shouldn't be allowed to answer questions. Especially those voiced by an impressible young boy who loved both his step aunt and father. Several times that day, Arianna spoke before thinking, blurting out quips better left unsaid. Now, she had gone and gave not only Max but Curse hope that she might join the inner circle of their little family. Worst of all, part of her wanted to dream of such a relationship. Was there actually hope for them? Maybe. Trust had to be rebuilt...could it happen she had no idea. But she just couldn't say entirely no. Then again at this moment she couldn't say yes.

Arianna waited for Max's reaction, he seemed happy. Then his mom called him and with a bright smile he left. As soon as he turned the corner Curse was groaning.

Arinna smiled slightly at his remark. Yeah, she definably was the village idiot of this family.

"You don't know what he's like when he gets an idea in his head. If I know that look, he's going to have our wedding planned by next week."

Wedding planned? Arianna had barely started on that topic before she left. Planning things like that wasn't her forte. If she was honest it was terrifying. Couldn't ti be a simple thing? But she didn't need to worry about that since her and Curse were not getting married in the near future.

"Sorry, I didn't know what to say." She confessed at a loss for words. Her sharp mind was on strike that day. To avoid Curse, Ari began to busy herself in the kitchen, unpacking the desert she had picked up, putting it in the fridge.

Curse had just teased her about calling her Anna when Amelia floated in the room.

"Anna there you are! Max told me you've arrived and you know Kris." The woman barely glanced at her ex as she quickly brushed a kiss on Arianna's cheek.

"Hi Amelia, I brought the bread you requested and a bottle of wine for the party as well as desert." She said avoiding the unasked question of how she knew Curse. Was Amelia jealous? From what Arianna knew it was a one night stand nearly a decade ago that had been the seed to this current situation.

"Is everyone here?"

"Of course, You both should come into the living. We're just about to play some music before dinner." Amelia said as she took the bottle of wine from Arianna frowning at the rather name brand label. It wasn't the cheapest but this was no five star wine.

Arianna rolled her eyes as Amelia tried to usher them both into the party.

"Call me Anna and I will stun you." She hissed at Curse as she walked by him.

[Curse Kameren]

Curse shut his mouth as Amelia entered the room. Dealing with Arianna and Amelia separately was fine, being subjected to them both in the same room was dangerous ground. Merlin only knew what Amelia had told Ari about Max's father before, and he didn't even want to think about Ari's explanation of her departure to Peter. No, Curse had always taken the easy way out with Amelia; say as little as possible. He still wasn't sure if she was over their last fight, when Curse tried to explain Max's developing powers a few weeks ago.

The professor stayed quiet through the women's exchange, his eyes darting between the two as the chatted. He didn't feel up to explaining his relationship to Arianna again, despite Amelia's subtle prying for it. He stood when instructed to, laughing at Ari's reply to his teasing. "Is that a promise?" He was stopped suddenly from following behind Ari by Amelia's surprisingly tough grip. She glared Curse down as the two were left alone, obviously less than pleased with Max's news.

"Kris, I know you of all people have no shame. But Peter's cousin? Are you kidding me?" Amelia kept her voice low, but it was obvious she was angry with him. Curse couldn't do anything but stare at her. Was this a joke? He had been engaged to Ari two years ago, before Amelia had even met Peter. He rolled his eyes. There wasn't time to explain it right now. Amelia pushed Curse forward into the dinner party. "Max expects you to be a part of the party. Just make sure to keep your opinions, hands, and everything else to yourself." She shot her ex one last parting glare as she went off to socialize.

Curse frowned, succumbing to his fate and staying in the dinner party. Music played as the others socialized. Curse felt awkward, standing around at this family occasion. He watched Max talk to his mother's new family, eagerly conversing with them over trivial things like his height and his visit with his mum. Every now and then he would glance over at Arianna, curiously watching her interact with the family she had never introduced him to. God, she was beautiful. He wasn't sure how long he could take this torture. He purposefully avoided any sort of visual contact with Peter Beauregard; the last thing he wanted was any kind of unspoken animosity to deal with.

How long were these parties supposed to last? He didn't actually have to eat dinner with these people, did he?



ooc: Amelia's appearance & Peter's Appearance

[Arianna Blackthorn]

This day just kept getting better. Apparently everyone was here, which meant a lot of Peter's family, most from his father side which were technically not Arianna's blood relatives. She knew most of them because they were related to Peter and thus family in a round about way but Arianna was still an outsider. They weren't hers. Peter was just kind enough to share. Still there were a few members that welcomed Arianna knowing her since she was a young child. Still, after she began attending what they referred to as a snobby prep school in Ireland relations were just past luke warm.

"Is that a promise?"

Arianna grinned over her shoulder before promptly showing Curse her back. It wasn't until she was more than half way into the next room that she noticed that both Curse and Amelia were not with her. Knowing her cousin in law she as probably interrogating the poor man. Better him than her. Answering Amelia's questions would be awkward, especially if she knew or realized that they both slept with the same person. That freaked her out. Who did Curse---Don't go there Arianna Dream Blackthorn that is not the type of questioning she wanted to get into, she admonished herself. Forcefully Arianna pushed aside thoughts of Curse and Amelia and herself and instead focused on the party at hand.

There were many people in the room she did not know well but there were also a handful she had strengthened relationships with since her return.

Drinks were poured as conversation took off. Arianna made her rounds speaking with several people she hadn't seen from the wedding. Conversation flowed and several people tried to get her to gossip about Max's father. Arianna tried to stay as mum as she could. She would not feed these gossipy biddies her own blood. As she spoke to her nearly blind great aunt Lucinda, she could feel Curse's eyes on her raising the hairs on the back of her neck.

Fed up with his sulking attitude and watchful gaze, she waited for both Peter and Amelia to leave the room before she crossed over to Curse's side.

"They might be muggle's and Peter's family but it wouldn't kill you to do something than stare at me. Actually, several of the older ladies think you quite a catch and wonder if they might share you as well." She said in a serious, just pointing out a fact tone, it was her eyes that gleamed mischievously.

[Curse Kameren]

"They might be muggle's and Peter's family but it wouldn't kill you to do something than stare at me. Actually, several of the older ladies think you quite a catch and wonder if they might share you as well."

Curse ignored the 'other ladies' comment; there weren't any other ladies he would spare his attention for, he was sure they both knew. He just watched the party, smirking lightly at the mischief in Ari's eyes. "I think for once I'm going to take Amelia's advice and keep to myself." He glanced down at Arianna, smiling faintly at her. "I know four people here, and I'm fairly sure only one of them is glad that I'm here."

He smiled down at Arianna, but stopped himself from associating with her further as Amelia and Peter re-entered the room.

"Alright everyone, time to sit down to dinner!" Amelia grinned and gestured in the direction of the dining room as the party quieted. Curse smiled lightly at Arianna before he went to sit down. The sooner this dinner party was over with, the better. This had to be a nightmare; sitting down to dinner at a party with two of his exes and no chance of escape. He took the seat to Max's right. Curse shared a happy look with Max, grinning and bearing it for his son. Max seemed overjoyed; to have both parents in the same room together and not fighting was quite a change for him.

Well, at least not fighting with words.

The seats around the table were the perfect number for the group, and filled up quickly. It wasn't long until Curse realized every seat was filled save for one, by his side. And everyone was sitting save for one, Arianna. Curse suppressed a groan when the realization hit him, locking eyes with a passive-aggressive Amelia as she sat at the head of the table.

The food was passed along, and Curse laughed under his breath when he saw Max's face. Chicken and vegetables wasn't anywhere near mac and cheese. Max stared helplessly up at his father, looking for him to save him. Curse shook his head, subtly reminding him that no one could save him from the wrath of Amelia if he didn't eat it.

As the food was passed out and eating commenced, the group quieted. Curse thanked the blessed silence, no longer having to worry about Arianna wanting him to be social and Amelia wanting him not to. The silence couldn't last long, however, as one of the relatives looked up and started more conversation.

"So, Kristopher," Curse's eyes flashed upward as he swallowed his mouthful of food, a little startled by being called out. "Rumor is you and our Anna know each other." The rest of the table stopped and looked at the two of them, expectant for an answer.

Curse nodded, but instead of answering himself, he also looked at Ari. It was her family, she could answer the question. Peter and Amelia already disliked him enough.


ooc: haha, Curse is totally chickening out in this post. He can handle dark wizards and lethal poisons, but don't put him in a dinner party. ^^

[Arianna Blackthorn]

A disappointed little huff of a sigh escaped Arianna when Curse refused to rise to her mocking joke. It was the silly banter that they had shared that she found missing the most. No one else seemed to be able to play off her strange thinking like Curse Kameren. Pity, really.

"I think for once I'm going to take Amelia's advice and keep to myself." He glanced down at Arianna, smiling faintly at her. "I know four people here, and I'm fairly sure only one of them is glad that I'm here."

"You sure have the gossips out in full form tonight," She murmured in reply to the comment that only Max was glad that he was here. If Curse's presence hadn't turned the sweet but slightly spiteful old biddies on to her, she would have been more amused.

Then he was gone, leaving her to stand in another corner, eyes firmly on his son. A faint smile graced Aria's lips as she watched both of them wistfully. That could have been her. She nearly had that relationship but lost it. Pain shot through Aria and she quickly left the living for the privacy of the loo. She really needed to get over herself. Yes she had lost the baby but it had been two years. It would have been worse if she had known the child. After a few deep breaths and a splash of water, Arianna deemed herself ready for polite company.

By the time she returned most of the guests were already seated in the formal dining room. Arianna paused at the entrance, the only spare seat next to Curse. Of course. The old crones were testing them, to see if the rumors were true.

Arianna put a a game smile on her face and sat down, careful not to bump into Curse. Dinner began quietly but Arianna knew it was an attempt to lure her into a flase sense of security. They would strike fast and hard soon.

Ha! there it was one of the older ladies had honed in on Curse demanding how he knew her. Curious, Arinna turned her head to watch Curse, waiting to see how he dealt with their needling. The coward just nodded and said nothing. Black eyes narrowed as the silence stretched. Was he waiting for her to reply? To save him from little old ladies? Really sometimes the man was such a little girl.


The silence went on and when everyone was practically staring at them waiting for an answer, Arianna spoke.

"We met a little over two years ago at Cambridge dated and went out separate ways when I moved to Italy to excavate ruins." She said giving as little detail as possible. She also prayed that Max wouldn't call her bluff and mention they had been engaged. That would have been messy.

[Curse Kameren]

It was painful sitting next to Arianna. He could feel her presence next to him, both of them restraining themselves to keep from accidentally touching one another. He wanted to just move a little to his left, just barely grazing her arm. She would know it was on purpose though. She always knew; she was inside his head, all the time. No one could just get Curse like she did, and though he loved that about her, it none the less annoyed the Hell out of him sometimes.

He sat awkwardly as the table zeroed in on the once-was couple. He suppressed a snort when Ari shot him an angry look. Her explanation would probably be better than his mumbling history, either way. "We met a little over two years ago at Cambridge dated and went out separate ways when I moved to Italy to excavate ruins."

The professor nodded, taking another mouthful of food so he couldn't answer any more questions. At the same time he surreptitiously bumped Max before he could open his mouth, shooting him a 'dont start' look.

Max apparently didn't get the message. "But I thought you were going to get married?" Curse practically winced as Max shouted with his mouth full. Max obviously hadn't inherited the Kameren's subtlety.

"We were, but Ari had to go to Italy and I was working here and it didn't...work." Curse stumbled over his words, mumbling awkwardly under the scrutiny of this foreign family. He sent Ari a sheepish look, pleading for her help. He wasn't used to prying families; what did these people want from him?

[Arianna Blackthorn]

For just a moment, Ari was naive enough to think that everything would go smoothly. Max would pay attention to his father and eat his chicken and their relatives would find some other fact to gnaw on. But children were children and hadn't yet learn the subtleties of being an adult.

Of course Max blurted out that they were engaged. was that mushy half chewed chicken flying across the table to land on a guests cheek? Arianna could do nothing but stare at the speck of food on a paper cheek. The weapons would be drawn now.

Thankfully Curse spoke before the flood gates opened and the Spanish Inquisition began anew. Not that his words were much use. It seemed that a hundred pair of eyes stared at them, calculating.

Blood. They wanted his blood. Or another body part further south. At the mention of marriage both Amelia and Peter glowered at them. Peter was clutching his knife so tight that Arianna was half afraid he'd try to decapitate or castrate Curse on the dining room table. He obviously wasn't thrilled about the fact that this man not only had relations with his wife but also his favorite little cousin.

"We decided that it wasn't fair to continue a long distance relationship. We tried at first, when I was only taking small trips to Italy but when it became apparent that I was going to say there long term with trips to America it wasn't fair to the both of us. Besides Cruse just found out that he had a son and he had other obligations that he couldn't ignore. I hadn't known that his son was Max until today. It's a coincidence for sure. Anyways it was a peaceful parting and it was nice seeing him again, if a little awkward because of the surprise. But how about a toast to life's peculiarities?" She said lifting her glass up in the air, forcing everyone at the table to toast. After that sickly sweet fake speech she needed to wash the acid out of her mouth.

She quickly took a long sip before plunging in the knife.

"So Aunt Harriet, I heard that your daughter Lucy kissed a girl and liked it. Is she coming out?" So Arianna had been a little vicious in her attempt to pull the conversation off her and Curse, but Aunt Harriet was a strict traditionalist and would not accept any abnormalities in her family. Poor Lucy if the rumor was true. She'd have a hard time getting her parents to accept her tastes.

[Curse Kameren]

And this was why, sometimes, Curse was happy he had such a small family.

These people looked like they were about to tear each other apart at the first sign of blood; to be honest, the seasoned ex-auror was legitimately scared. He eyed Peter warily out of the corner of his eye, ready to defend himself if that knife in his hand moved too close. He looked to Arianna for help, unsure what to do.

Thank Merlin for Arianna. She quickly explained away the topic as best she could, lifting her glass in toast. Curse held up his water glass with her, wishing desperately he could have alcohol. He kept his head down as Arianna plunged into a different controversial topic of conversation, and the commotion over the couple stopped. The tension in the room was unbearable, the slightest word threatened to turn the table into an all out brawl. Curse prayed the tension wouldn't come to blows. This was why he never stuck around Amelia's long after picking up Max.

Thankfully, the dinner finished without another word. Curse helped bring dishes into the kitchen, keeping his head down and his mouth shut. Amelia was livid with him, her passive-aggression in peak performance as she yanked dishes from his hands. "I think you should take Max home soon." Her dark blue eyes flashed dangerously up at the professor. Curse nodded, practically leaping at the chance to get out.

"Max, grab your stuff. We've got to get going soon," Curse called out to his son, the young boy's head turning and nodding to his father before he went back to conversing with family. Curse sighed, going to Max's room and getting the boy's packed bags and coat for him. He knew if he waited for Max, they'd be trapped there all night.

The hallways of the flat were narrow, and Curse had to slouch slightly to get through them comfortably. He accidentally bumped into someone as he made his way out into the living area again, smiling meekly when he realized it was Arianna. He brushed a hand through his hair uncomfortably, unsure what to say after their tiring night. "Thanks for digging me out of that hole before." He smiled. No matter the difficulties they would be able to overcome, no matter how much changed between them, he was glad to have Arianna back. Seeing her was a comfort for him, feeling her presence was a connection he had sorely missed. Even with the change between them, parts of their connection stayed alive. More than the romance, it was the friendship between them he wanted to keep.

He glanced down at the bag in his hands, and over at Max. "We're going to leave soon, if you'd like a walk back to the border." He shrugged, smiling apologetically at Arianna. He felt bad for stumbling in and ruining her evening. He had ruined so much for her, and now he was even intruding on her family. Could he do anything right?

[Arianna Blackthorn]

Relief rushed through Arianna, washing away the guilt, as the conversation turned from her and Curse. The tension was thick as talk turned to deeper waters. she probably should have picked on the cousin like that. The girl wasn't even there to defend herself and it might not even be true. But if served her purpose. Arianna quietly finished her meal only adding a few comments here and there.

After dinner she was cornered by Peter who demanded to know what had occurred between her and Curse and whither or not he should pound his face in. Amused, Arianna assured him that everything was okay and they were just friends now. Nothing untoward had occurred, she was an adult allowed to date anyone she chose. He hadn't been too happy when she said that but he'd live. She was far more able to take care of herself than he thought. Men, always thinking women were weaker.

Peter looked like he was about to launch into a lecture on who she should date when another family member called out to him. Quickly, while his head was turned, Arianna slipped away and down the hall. She had glanced over her shoulder to see if Peter had noticed her disappearance yet when suddenly her front half made contact with a soft yet firm impediment.

Arianna turned around to see a hunched back Kameren smiling slightly at her. Arianna rolled her eyes but her lips were hard pressed to hide a frown. Should have known it was him. Tonight seemed to be run into your ex night. Had he cast a spell to make these things happen?

"Thanks for digging me out of that hole before."

Arianna shrugged looking past his shoulder before briefly meeting his eyes.

"Had a shovel handy so it wasn't a big deal," she said nonchalantly. Hell, she'd done it to save herself as much as him. Hadn't he realized that they were in that mess together? They dated each other.

"We're going to leave soon, if you'd like a walk back to the border."

Arianna smiled, her first inclination was to say yes. It would be nice to have an escort and Max hadn't opened his present yet but it really wasn't a good idea. She had spent far too much time with Curse that night. She wasn't even tipsy so she'd make it back okay.

"Thanks for the offer, but it would probably be best if I didn't. Oh I forgot, I picked up some mac and cheese on my way over. It's cold now, but you could take it with you for Max. I remembered he's in that phase..."

[Curse Kameren]

"Thanks for the offer, but it would probably be best if I didn't."

Thought a little part of him was disappointed in her response, he nodded. It probably wouldn't be best if they left together, and either way They'd seen too much of each other tonight. They had to ease into being friends again, if it was even possible. He wished it was possible. He missed her. He wanted her back, but he was still hurt about what had happened between them. He was confused; before they could get any closer, there were a lot of things that they still needed to figure out. Curse needed to keep reminding himself that.

"Oh I forgot, I picked up some mac and cheese on my way over. It's cold now, but you could take it with you for Max. I remembered he's in that phase..."

Curse grinned, trying to hide the smile quickly before it grew across his face. For that second, he loved her; she had always been so thoughtful about things. She was always so sweet. "Thanks," he replied, keeping his voice low. "I wish we could stay and have Max open that gift, but I think if I stay around any longer Peter might try to kill me. He'll write you, though." He smiled as he moved past her, an awkwardly close space between them in such a small hallway. "Have a good night, sorry to ruin the beginning of it." He chuckled lightly to himself before emerging back out into the living room, making eye contact with Max.

The two Kamerens got prepared for going out into the night air. Curse said his formal goodbyes to Amelia and the party guests, having one last tiny argument with Amelia before ushering his son out the door, arms full of Max's things. When they were out of the building and back on the streets, Curse looked down at his son. "Max?"

"Yeah?"

"When you grow up, learn this from your dad's mistakes: stay away from women."

Max stared up at his father, perplexed, but he nodded anyway. Best not to question sometimes.

ooc: exit Curse and Max. Good RP!