Nice Weather... (Michael/Dare)

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael blinked a few times as he tried to comprehend what had happened, why Dare had stopped. Then he nodded and drifted away, a moment of panic making him turn his forearm down just in case whoever it was could see the Mark on his skin. His arms moved lazily through the water, completely at odds with his breathing and his rushing blood. He watched Dare for a moment before glancing back at the shore to see who it was.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna strolled along the path, carrying her books under one arm and a towel under the other. The weather had drastically improved, and she was feeling so much better that she had decided to spend the day alone outside. As she came around the corner at the edge of the lake, she realized that the spot was already occupied. After a few more steps, she froze, recognizing Michael and...Dare? She immediately started changing color, and if they hadn't been looking, she probably would have run in the other direction.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's eyes widened when he recognized the girl; Anna. Crap. He forced down his shock and put on a smile, though it came out rather sheepish. He couldn't very well ignore her. Dare raised one hand in light greeting; would she recognize him as Seth? He couldn't possibly be that lucky. She'd probably figured it out, just by the fact that he was here with Michael; she was a Ravenclaw, wasn't she?

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael forgot to swim, and only when his mouth went under the water and he had to spit out a mouthful of water. He moved his arms again, though he could have just stood up he knew that it would show the leftover designs on his chest that he was suddenly very conscious of. His eyes widened and he couldn't take his eyes from her, not even to glance at Dare for whatever comfort it could have given him. He didn't speak, in pure shock that, of all the people in the school, Anna had shown up.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna had been about to return with an awkward wave of her own when she caught Michael's reaction. "Um...hi." The distance between her and the boys in the water was close enough that she could recognize Michael, but she could only guess as to the identity of his companion with the curly hair. Of all the people to run into together, she couldn't think of anyone she'd less like to see, except perhaps Dru and Chase. Her feet were being uncooperative, not moving in either direction.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare made a face that might or might not have been visible from shore, then glanced at Michael. He'd seen Michael's reaction, and he wanted to swim over and reassure him, but that would only be rubbing salt in the wounds. Dare looked back to Anna, considering, but she didn't seem to be leaving, and it was only going to get more awkward if they all just stood around staring at each other. "I was just getting out," Dare announced, speaking loud enough for both of them to hear him. "Nice weather," he observed, smiling sheepishly again.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael didn't like the meeting at all, he didn't want to have his first conversation with Anna since the break-up to happen with Dare there with them. He pulled his eyes from Anna to look over at Dare, thinking that it was all fine for Dare to leave, but he sure as hell wasn't, not with the silver still on him and his Mark so obvious against his pale skin, at least not just yet. "It is," he said automatically, bringing on arm around to absently rub at his skin to try and get more of the ink off.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna stared as Dare started to make his way out of the water, her curious nature needing to see what she had been left for. She hated to admit that he wasn't unattractive, or rather, he was attractive. She realized that she was now staring at the pinkened skin of his chest and quickly glanced up to his face. Only then did she notice the coloring of his hair...Seth's hair. Her eyebrows knitted in question. Could it be that two people had the exact same coloring in their hair? She doubted it, which would mean that this was Seth, and not Dare. The whole situation continued to confuse her, until she finally had to ask, "Seth?"

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare's brows rose in surprise. He'd been sure she had it all figured out until he saw the confusion in her eyes. "Yeah," he said, his left hand rising to rub absently at the back of his neck. Should he correct her? Dare glanced meaningfully back at Michael, knowing the likelihood that he'd just stay in the water, then turned back to Anna, pulling his wand from the waistband of his shorts to start drying himself. There was nothing he could do about his hair without some time and a mirror, so he left it, but otherwise set himself to getting dry enough to pull his shirt back on.

He stalled for time, turning toward his belongings, and dragging Anna's gaze with him, away from Michael. Hopefully he could keep her attention long enough for Michael to slip out of the water and pull his shirt on. "You know, there's a funny story about that," Dare began, purposefully dragging things out. He took his time drying, and tried to keep enough eye contact with Anna that she wouldn't turn back. "Seth is actually my middle name." Dare pulled his shirt over his head, his hair springing back around his face in curls. "My full name is Alasdair Seth Blackwood." He tugged his shirt into place and gave yet another sheepish smile, hoping that, if she made the connection now, she'd forgive him.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael watched Dare get out, though he told himself to stay in the water, until he saw what Dare was doing. When he was sure he would be fine if he got out, he stood up straighter and came out, even with the distraction trying to keep his left side angled away from Anna. On the shore he turned slightly away from her as he dried himself and pulled on his shirt, only turning to fully face her when he had the first few buttons hooked. He looked up at Anna but remained silent in the few seconds he watched her before bending to pull on his pants. Why did it have to be Anna that had shown up?

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna followed Seth and his story, waiting patiently to see what the significance of it was. When he'd ended with his full name, she stood there, blinking. Alasdair...Alasdair...Dare! Her eyes widened as she took in the truth that Dare and Seth were one and the same. She stood in shock for several more moments until it fully hit her. Her hands raced to cover her face. "This can't be happening. Please tell me you're joking." She moaned into her hands, mortified that she had told Michael's boyfriend all about her issues with them.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare really did feel bad about this, but really, what else could he have done? He wasn't a liar by habit, so he'd have told her sooner or later, and sooner had just happened sooner than he'd expected. Please tell me you're joking, she'd said. Dare cleared his throat lightly. "Completely joking," he said, knowing she'd know better, but hoping to lighten things just enough that she wouldn't die from embarrassment. So none of them would die from it, truth be told. "My name is Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery," he said, feigning a British accent for the introduction. God, he hoped that drew a chuckle. He was dying, here.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael finished getting dressed, though he left his shoes, and walked up beside of Dare, looking over at him before bringing his eyes up to Anna. He put his hands deep into his pockets and pushed his shoulders up, feeling extremely awkward. "I would introduce you, but I know you already know each other," he said, attempting a small smile and flicking his eyes back towards Dare.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

At Dare's joke, Anna couldn't help but uncover her face with a light laugh. He'd definitely eased her worries that he would make things difficult for her. She couldn't blame him for using an alias; she probably would have done something similar if the roles had been reversed. With a shy smile, she glanced over at Michael, whom she still felt awkward around, then back at Dare, who for some reason she couldn't find in her heart to hate anymore. Her smile widened just a bit, her cheeks persistently keeping their red shade as she offered a quote to counter his. "Felicity Shagwell, CIA. Shagwell by name, shag-very-well by reputation." It was something she'd never say normally, but it was just a movie quote; and besides, desperate times called for desperate measures.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare couldn't help grinning; he'd hoped for a chuckle, and he'd gotten more than he'd bargained for. "Oh, be-have," he countered, eyes laughing. For a moment, it felt like it had at the masquerade, and Dare remembered how much fun it had been. He flicked a warm, reflexive glance toward Michael, and explained, "it's from a Muggle movie." I swear I'm not hitting on her. His smile didn't feel like fading, but only grew crooked as he looked back at Anna.