The Little Things Give You Away (open by invite)

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

Ariel's eyes glinted, it wasn't hard for his mind to take the idea of a dance much further. He shifted closer to Markise, promptly forgetting the girl, whoever she was. "I'll bet you can," he said softly, then leaned in to whisper at Markise's ear. It was amazing, how that one night had changed so much, but he wasn't about to complain. He could have his Markise time, and then go off and make some money, it would be a good night.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna had decided now; she definitely wanted Markise to just go off with that guy for a while. She felt like a third wheel and she knew he'd have more fun without her. She moved toward him, her elbow digging into his ribs to get his attention. Go dance with him! she thought. She didn't want to be alone here, but she didn't want to be a burden either.

[Markise Sterling]

"Ow!" Markise exclaimed, moving away from that pointy elbow and in the process leaning into Ariel. That didn't look like any kind of accident, so he only looked at Anna a moment in annoyance at her technique, then finished off his drink and set it aside. "I'm ready for that dance," he said, standing. He wanted to tell Anna to stay put, but he couldn't imagine she'd go anywhere on her own, so he gave Ariel an invitational look and headed back toward the crowd.

[Ariel Logan Callahan]

One corner of Ariel's lips turned up in a rare smile and he finished off his own drink, probably a bit too quickly, then headed off after Markise. Soon, he had caught up with him and put his arms around him. He thought absently of asking who the girl was, but the results of the drink were sped along by the other drinks he had already had, and the sight of Markise was much more interesting than some random girl. "You look amazing."

[Markise Sterling]

Heat swept through Markise from his toes to his head, and he preened at the compliment. "It's all for you," he said sultrily. He shifted backwards and wrapped his arms around himself, resting them lightly against Ariel's. He was going to make their dance last as long as he could justify to himself and maybe, just maybe, ask for another drink at one of the other bars for privacy.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's energy was flagging, and to be honest, Dare's was beginning to as well. They'd come to a stop on the dance floor and Dare had almost suggested finding a quiet stairwell for a while. That would have bypassed tiring limbs in a heartbeat. He could see how flushed Michael was even through the lights and it didn't make the situation any better, nor did the amount of water he'd had to drink before they'd left Diagon Alley.

"I need to find a bathroom," Dare said, grimacing at how that sounded. His arms tightened around Michael again and he moved to press a kiss to Michael's cheek. "Not for that," he clarified. His voice lowered slightly as his lips hovered beside Michael's ear. He murmured a suggestion for later.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael grinned and his eyes closed almost completely as he listened. Then he turned his head for a light kiss against Dare's neck, "Sounds like a plan," he said softly. He pulled away reluctantly, "I'll be at the bar." He could get them waters and they could rest for a few minutes before going back out on the floor.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare nodded in agreement, pausing for one tense moment before sweeping his hand lightly against Michael's jaw in lieu of a kiss. If he got started now, they'd never get that water, and they might not even make it off the floor. It was times like this that June thirtieth seemed far too far away. "I'll find you," Dare said, then turned toward the nearest bathroom.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael watched ad Dare quickly disappeared through the crowd, then ran a hand through his hair before heading to the bar. As was normal, he didn't pay much attention to anyone he went by, and certainly not the dark haired girl he barely even caught a glimpse of out of the corner of his eye while he ordered the waters for him and Dare.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna heard a familiar voice through the steady stream of conversation around her. She looked up from another empty glass and turned to look around. Her mind was a little fuzzy so she thought it was Markise, but she couldn't see his pale blond hair anywhere. There was a guy with dark blond hair, a guy with brown hair, a guy with long, dark red hair. "Michael?!" she sputtered, half falling off her bar stool in shock.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael jumped at the sound of a very familiar voice and turned to see Anna nearly falling off of her stool. He instinctively reached out and grabbed her waist to keep her from falling. "Anna?" he asked, brown-rimmed eyes wide as they took her in. An uncomfortable feeling rose in the pit of his stomach, when was the last time he had seen her? And, more importantly, why was she there?

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Last time I checked!" Anna said brightly catching herself with both hands on Michael's chest. She giggled at herself as she looked up. Her eyes rounded. "Whoah," she said. "What happened to your eyes?" She heard herself and her nose wrinkled. "It looks good. Not as good as Markise." She leaned forward like she was telling him a huge secret. "I think he looks good like that. Too bad he doesn't like girls! Too bad you don't like girls!"

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael raised an eyebrow and stammered that he had never said he didn't like girls. He liked girls, but he loved Dare. His arms rested loosely around her waist, just enough to ground her. Remembered feelings flowed up at her compliment and at the feel of her in his arms again. No, he shouldn't be having them! It was wrong. But he hadn't been around her like he had been around Dru after their break up, wasn't comfortable around her like Dru.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna rolled her eyes dramatically at Michael's argument. "It doesn't matter if you like girls, you're gay now. Do you want a drink?" she asked, realizing she was thirsty again. "This one I had was really good, you should have one." She hadn't come to the club to cry about her past, and she would if she thought about it too long. She was still very hurt by what had happened.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael wasn't sure about that, he had never been one to drink at clubs..."I'm fine, Anna." When the barman set his bottle down, already opened with the cap kept away, he reached out for it and took a long drink. "So...why are you here?" he asked after he set the half empty bottle down again.