A Pleasant Surprise (Maxine)

[AUGUST WITT]

The humans had no idea how many Guardians were in attendance for the annual Masquerade the Museum held every year. There was a lot of politicians in attendance at these sorts of functions, Guardians included. He had gone every year, and often found them dull and boring, which was why he brought a beautiful girl on his arm every year. It was a way to help pass the time when he wasn't mingling and afterwards he was guaranteed a good, easy lay. Women were putty after he'd taken them to one of these events where they became star studded and usually drunk.

This year was different. This year the date in question was someone he had come to enjoy the company of. He wanted it all to be a surprise and instead of rushing out and shopping with her, a tedious task he was sure, he decided to do something else instead. He left a small box on the dining table with a note for when she woke before retiring to his study for the day.

My Maxine,

Please find my credit card enclosed in this box along with a list of stores. They know to expect you and they know you'll be on my tab. You will need a gown, shoes, accessories and of course a mask for the masquerade. I look forward to seeing what you choose this evening.

August

PS: I intend to fuck you at the Masquerade this evening. Panties are optional.

He smirked to himself knowing he would get a rise out of her for that, and perhaps a playful scolding, but he wasn't about to beat around the bush. He was reminded of when he'd taken her to the Blue Scallop. It hadn't been that long ago, but it seemed like an eternity. So much had happened since that evening. He was glad that she was staying with him, still. He had been reluctant to allow her to go home since the council was having a difficult time pinpointing Sebastian's location. He was sneaky if nothing else.

When August woke he stretched as usual and left the office in search for Maxine. He heard the water running in his bedroom and went towards it, finding her in the shower. He smiled despite himself and stripped before climbing in. "I don't think this is appropriate attire for the Masquerade." He teased.

---

August came around to the passenger door and opened it, reaching his hand for Maxine to take, assisting her from the vehicle. "You do make it difficult to behave." He teased with a sly smirk, kissing her knuckles before shutting her door and beeping the car, walking with her towards the museums steps. He escorted her slowly, his eyes moving to her feet. "Have I mentioned yet how incredible you look?" He complimented, knowing he had already, at least a half dozen times. He was in a wonderful mood, and it was showing in his easy demeanor.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

When Maxi woke up to the small box on the table, she grinned at the way August had addressed the note: “My Maxine.” It was almost like an inside joke now, the way he called her his. Rebecca would reel at it, but for Maxi, it was enough to make her melt. He wanted her to go out and get an outfit for the ball. The ball! The masquerade! Her heart jumped into her throat, feeling absolutely elated. She had been invited before, plenty of times, but usually she didn’t go for lack of a date. A couple times she went with Zoey or took Rebecca along as her date, and two years ago she had taken Brett, but it was almost always a friend she took as a date, not a lover. The prospect of going to the ball with August so he could flaunt her, dance with her…it was literally a dream come true. Well, minus the promise to fuck her. Most of her dreams didn’t end up fucking in a public restroom. She was going to get the most beautiful dress! This was the perfect opportunity to impress him.

She felt odd spending his money, as she always had, but what she ended up with was much too expensive for her teacher’s salary to afford. The women at the stores were more than happy to use her as a model for many of their latest dresses, but Maxi settled on a beautiful black and white dress. The black lace extended just past her thigh and took on the shape of falling leaves, hovering around a thick black ribbon around her thin waist. She topped it off with long, elbow-length gloves, black high heels with a small platform look to them, and small black crystal dangling earrings. Her mask was simple and white with white lace and black feather accents, a couple black rhinestones decorating below the left eye and a couple eyelets decorating just above the right eye, feeding into the circles of lace. It was a beautiful ensemble, and she couldn’t have been happier. (dress HERE and mask HERE)

Maxi was in the shower when she knew August would be waking up. If he joined her, that was his choice, but she was legitimately trying to get ready; it was a big night! When she saw him making his way toward the shower, stripping, she smiled to herself. A little delay wouldn’t be completely awful… “I don’t think this is appropriate attire for the Masquerade.” Maxi giggled, rinsing her hair beneath the steady stream of water. “And here I thought I could pull it off!” she teased back, her blue eyes sparkling. She was so excited!

__________________________________________________

One black gloved hand laid in August’s as he helped Maxi from the car. Her hair was pinned over her right shoulder, styled in large red waves cascading over her shoulder and held in place with three plain silver pins. Her make-up was heavier than she had ever worn it for him, but it was still pretty light, darkening and playing up her classic face and deep blue eyes. “You do make it difficult to behave.” Maxi grinned from ear to ear, blushing lightly as his lips brushed over her knuckles sweetly. He was such the gentleman tonight! Even in spite of his threat to fuck her while they were here…She placed her arm in his, her hand rested on his arm gently as they walked in together, well-dressed and stunning, each in their own right. “Have I mentioned yet how incredible you look?” Her smile had to be bigger than it ever had been around him. She couldn’t count how many times he’d told her that tonight. He was wonderful. “You did mention that! But thank you again, Mr. Witt. You’re too kind,” she replied playfully. He was far from too kind, but he was making her feel like a princess. Maxi had never been comfortable being pampered, but she loved it with August. Glancing around, she made sure no one was around before she kissed his cheek and smiled bright. “You look very handsome yourself!” she beamed, walking slowly beside him. She was certain nothing could go wrong tonight. She was much too happy for anything to go wrong!

[AUGUST WITT]

“You look very handsome yourself!” Maxine complimented, planting a delicate kiss upon his cheek. He grinned and escorted her up the museum steps, their tickets ready in his hand. August was dressed in a crisp black tuxedo with a stark white button down shirt and bowtie beneath. His mask was a dark metal one, made up of thin intricate designs.[/u] "Thank you." He said back kindly, walking quietly with her at his side.

Once inside August looked around at the lovely affair set out before them. He'd been to this event dozens of times over the years, and this one was no different but it always pleased him to look and see the familiarity of it all. He escorted Maxine away from the hall set up as a ballroom, and led her away from the crowds, wanting a private moment with her. He said nothing as he moved easily away from the crowd, his arm looped firmly around hers.

"I want us to have fun this evening." He finally said when they were alone, far enough from ears that could hear them as he spoke softly to her. His hands reached up and cradled her face gently. "These events aren't just play for me, Maxine. They're also business, and as business I am expected to act professionally." He explained, his stormy eyes gazing into hers through their masks. "Also as a Gargoyle I am expected to be seen with one if it's to be serious." He wasn't entirely sure she would understand what he meant, so he knew he needed to clarify. "There will be moments when I may act cold tonight. I expect you to not take this personally. I assure you, it's in our best interest we don't act....happy together. No happier than we should considering our current arrangement." He didn't like using the term girlfriend because that wasn't what Maxine was. "As far as everyone needs to be concerned, you're just some woman I brought to have something lovely on my arm." He asked. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers gently.

"But I assure you, you're not just some woman, Maxine. Do you understand?" He asked, his tone teetering on firm and concerned.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Thank you.” The way August said the words was so kind and it warmed Maxi’s heart. She couldn’t be happier than walking beside him quietly, arm in arm, her big white dress rustling softly. When they walked in, she was even more elated. It was beautiful! Though she’d been before, it looked more beautiful this evening than it had ever looked before. Maybe it was because she had August with her this time. But instead of moving toward the ballroom, August started to escort them away from the crowd. Did he want to have sex with her now? They just got there! She didn’t want to mess up her dress and hair already. Her face flushed as they moved to a quiet area, looking up to August uncertainly.

“I want us to have fun this evening. These events aren’t just play for me, Maxine. They’re also business, and as business I am expected to act professionally.” Maxi began to frown, unsure what the meaning was behind this spiel. Was he afraid she would embarrass him? She wouldn’t dream of it! Even if she wanted to have fun, it wouldn’t be fun for her to cause any trouble for August. Her big blue eyes watched his nervously from behind her mask. “Also as a Gargoyle I am expected to be seen as one if it’s to be serious.” She remembered the Gargoyle leader from the meeting, Robert Snow, and how cold he had seemed to the other races, particularly Gertie and the Blurrs. Was this August’s way of telling her they couldn’t be serious simply because she was a Blurr and he was a Gargoyle? He might as well have punched her in the stomach for how she felt. Why was he telling her this now? Why did he bring her at all if that was the case? “There may be moments when I act cold tonight. I expect you to not take this personally. I assure you, it’s in our best interest if we don’t act…happy together. No happier than we should, considering our current arrangement.” Every word he was saying was another damper on Maxi’s perfect mood. Why did she think things had changed? How could they with August? Their “arrangement…” It was a farce. She was tempted to just leave, let him be here by himself, teach him she wouldn’t be treated like a prostitute he dressed up to be eye candy. She wanted to be happy. She wanted the world to see how in love she was with August, she wanted everyone to know August belonged to her and she to him. Was that so much to ask? “As far as everyone needs to be concerned, you’re just some woman I brought to have something lovely on my arm.” August must have been able to see the anger in her eyes. There was no hiding it, even beneath the mask. She would not be reduced to that, not even for August. When he kissed her, she hardly returned it, letting him do what he felt he needed to.

“But I assure you, you’re not just some woman, Maxine. Do you understand?” Some of her anger slipped away, but she set her jaw, fighting back tears as she looked at him. She wanted to have fun tonight. Why did everything with August have to be tainted? She knew she was important to him; she knew she meant a great deal to him. But she was so tired of pretending she didn’t. “I understand,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. She kept her eyes on his, needing him to see how reluctant she was to do this. “But I hate hiding how I feel about you, and I hate you hiding how you feel about me. All this hiding and pretending is exhausting. I’ll play along tonight, but I can’t keep doing this forever. You’re a Gargoyle, I’m a Blurr; people are going to have to get over that, because I’m not going anywhere any time soon. I’m more than just a pretty thing for you to show off, and I don’t like being treated or seen as one. There’s a point where it just gets humiliating.” She sighed, looking away. A couple months ago, she never would have dreamed of saying any of that to August, but she was growing bolder with him. Maybe he would punish her for it later, but he needed to know how she felt.

She looked back to him; her eyes were weary beneath her mask. “Don’t ask me to do this forever, August. It hurts too damn much,” she pleaded. Didn’t he know how much it hurt her to show the world she meant so little to him, even if it was just pretend? She didn’t care what anyone thought about them; to hell with his reputation as an untamable bachelor and cold politician. She deserved more than what he was giving her, that much she knew. To constantly be denied by the one she loved…it was unbearable.

[AUGUST WITT]

“I understand,” Every ounce of hurt she was feeling tainted her words and August held back his sigh, knowing she might not understand as much as she claimed she did. What was the big deal? What did it matter if they pretended? It certainly didn't bother him. “But I hate hiding how I feel about you, and I hate you hiding how you feel about me. All this hiding and pretending is exhausting. I’ll play along tonight, but I can’t keep doing this forever." He furrowed his brows as she continued on her little tangent. Why did she always feel it was necessary to throw his feelings for her in his face? Couldn't she tell how reluctant he was to still admit them even to himself, let alone her? He winced when she told him it was humiliating.

His initial reaction to her words were anger. She was being a stubborn child, letting her foolish feelings cloud her judgement. That or she simply didn't understand the immense pressure he was under to be with his own kind. Did she have any idea of the repercussions they faced if word got out he was with her? He would lose the respect of the council. Snow would surely have something to say and might even step in

“Don’t ask me to do this forever, August. It hurts too damn much,” He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to her and sliding his hand on the wall near her head, blocking her in the corner with him as he drew himself closer. "You think this is how I want things, Maxine?" He asked, his tone cold. He didn't want to fight with her, but sometimes Maxine needed to be put in her place, and now was one of those times August felt like he needed to make her obey. He still felt that strong urge to control her, both in and out of the bedroom. True, he'd been more lax lately, but that didn't change anything, really.

"You have no idea how our politics run, or what's expected of me. You have no idea the danger you face.. You think you're invincible because you can become invisible? Don't be foolish! Someone as stupid as Sebastian was able to snatch you up in a heartbeat, and I wouldn't put it past any leader who wanted to show me the "error of my ways" to attempt the same, and I assure you, you won't walk out of that one in a skimpy latex dress and a few bruised fingers." He snarled, but now that he'd gotten his rant out his eyes softened slightly and he sighed. "You know this is new for me." He said softly. "I don't often keep the same girl on my arm for long stretches of time. I don't spend my evenings in their home, or worry about them, or think of them when they're not with me. My aim isn't to hurt you, Maxine. I don't want for you to feel humiliated, that's not my intention nor will it ever be. Not outside of the bedroom, anyway." He teased lightly. "Please don't take this as a personal attack. It's for both our safety, and until I can figure something else out, then I fear this is how you and I need to be. At least while we're in the company of my superiors." He was afraid to touch her or kiss, unsure if she would pull away. Pulling away would only anger him and he didn't care to be angered again. "How can I make you feel less humiliated?"

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi backed into the corner August put her in, finding she always found herself backed into a corner with him. He locked her in, and while that would have scared her even a couple weeks ago, she wasn’t frightened now. She was too pissed to be afraid. “You think this is how I want things, Maxine?” Maxi bit back a retort of, “Yes.” Of course this was how he wanted things! He couldn’t be forced to admit to anyone how he felt about her if he had to hide it. But she let her anger subside enough to see what he had just admitted—perhaps he really did want to show her off. Perhaps he did want others to see how happy they were together, how much they belonged to each other. To her heartbreak, though, it might take much longer than she wanted for that to finally happen. How on earth could she make him comfortable with his feelings?

August laid into her like he’d never done before, and she felt her stomach falling to the floor with his angry tone. She had never said she felt invincible because of her powers, and she definitely knew it wasn’t true, but he hadn’t made her feel so awful about being kidnapped before. Maxi felt weak and helpless, just as she had the night it happened, and she hated that he threw her ignorance of their politics in her face. She knew more than he knew. Maxi had failed to mention she was asked to serve as secretary under Gertie at the very important meeting Mordecai Dietrich had called. She had seen Robert Snow, listened to his words, and she felt she had a pretty good handle on how their politics were run, even if she didn’t know all the details. August assumed she was ignorant, which made her angrier and hurt her more. What was it about her that screamed stupid child to him?

But it wasn’t long before his tone changed again, softer this time. “You know this is new for me. I don’t often keep the same girl on my arm for long stretches of time. I don’t spend my evenings in their home, or worry about them, or think of them when they’re not with me.” Maxi had to admit, she did know that was true. It was hard for her to always remember that he wasn’t used to developing feelings for anyone, nevertheless display them for other people. She had always worn her heart on her sleeve, and it was hard to understand for her why anyone would want to or feel the need to hide their emotions. But she needed to be more accepting and accommodating for August, and she knew she had to have more patience; she was the most patient person she had ever known, and yet somehow she needed more of it. It made her sigh out her anger and frustration with him and accept this as something of a project. She had to see him as one of her students in order to exert that kind of patience, and in a lot of ways, he was like them. They didn’t know what to do with their feelings either. He asked her not to take it as a personal attack, but it was hard not to take these things personally. She gazed back at him as he finished his piece, trying to let go of her frustration.

“How can I make you feel less humiliated?” Maxi had to contemplate this for a long moment. There was very little he could do to make her feel less humiliated, but there were some things she thought might help. “If you have to treat me like just another woman, then don’t treat me like one of the stupid ones. I’m more diplomatic than you think and tonight I plan on being Jackie-O when she first met the Kennedys,” she promised. Maybe they couldn’t act like they were serious, but she could make others think she would be a perfect match for any politician. Her mentor was the Blurr Leader, for goodness sake; she was used to politics and knew how to interact with politicians. She pouted her lips as she looked up at him, still displeased but more willing to go along with this. “And you owe me big time,” she scolded lightly, the pout still on her face. She trusted he knew exactly what she meant: tonight, the sex wasn’t going to be about pleasing him; it was going to be about pleasing her. It was a fair trade for humiliating herself like this.

[AUGUST WITT]

He could see how angry she'd become in regards to what he'd said. He had obviously offended her, but sometimes Maxine needed to be treated like a child, or so August thought. He didn't need to coddle her repeatedly, but he realized as soon as she spoke that he had underestimated her some. “If you have to treat me like just another woman, then don’t treat me like one of the stupid ones. I’m more diplomatic than you think and tonight I plan on being Jackie-O when she first met the Kennedys,” He narrowed his eyes a little but said nothing to contradict her desire. He didn't want to be seen with a complete idiot on his hands, but it was always good to have someone beside him who wasn't quite as intelligent. He had found over the weeks that Maxine was much smarter than he'd originally given her credit for, but he didn't necessarily want that all to come out now.

“And you owe me big time,” Was she scolding him? He cocked his head to the side, his brows raising a smidgen. "Why, Maxine.. are we playing a game?" He teased, smirking slightly. He reached for her gloved hands, his thumbs running over her knuckles as his eyes pierced hers through her mask. "Fine. You may be my Jackie-O, and I will pay you back in a favor if that would please you." He pulled her arms up just over her head and pinned them there with his hands, taking them both in one and running his free hand down the side of her face to her jaw. He moved closer, pressing his body to hers and giving her an almost quizzical look.

"Normally I don't like for my partners to be so insubordinate." He growled as his thumb tugged at her bottom lip. "You're no different, but at least on you it's sexy." His eyes slid shut and he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, taking his hands off her wrists. "We should get to the party before I'm forced to find a private corner and show you how much I dislike your defiance." He teased, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi felt her lips curl upward the slightest bit as August cocked his head to the side, obviously surprised by her tone. “Why, Maxine…are we playing a game?” She cocked her to the side too playfully, her smile growing just a little more. “You’re the one that wanted to play make believe,” she retorted, letting him take her hands in his. The feel of his thumbs running over her knuckles eased her more, feeling some of her anger slipping away. “Fine. You may be my Jackie-O, and I will pay you back in a favor if that would please you.” Maxi’s smile grew significantly as his agreement. “It would,” she said softly, a note of triumph in her voice. His Jackie-O…Maxi had fantasized being a politician’s wife before, but she let that image flood back for a brief moment as she looked up at August. She let him raise her arms up over her head, keeping her deep blue eyes locked on his as he moved closer to her until he was pressing her to the wall at her back. It made her heart throb when his hand came to her jaw, pinned by him, but her eyes still showed some of her defiance.

“Normally I don’t like for my partners to be so insubordinate.” She smirked a little as his thumb brushed across her bottom lip, a familiar action that still made her blood pump faster. “You’re no different, but at least on you it’s sexy.” A soft giggle escaped her, but she was beginning to wonder if his promise was going to be fulfilled now or later. He sighed and let her wrists go, which she let fall to her sides once more, watching him. “We should get to the party before I’m forced to find a private corner and show you how much I dislike your defiance.” She saw the gleam in his eye and she let her eyes fall to his chest with an amused smile. Her hands came up and gripped the lapel of his tuxedo jacket lightly, keeping him there for a moment. “When are you going to realize that I am different? If you didn’t like my defiance it wouldn’t turn you on so much,” she teased back softly, her eyes coming back to his. One gloved hand slipped into his hair and she brought his face to hers tenderly, pressing her lips to his almost too gently. She could wonder why she loved him, but it wouldn’t solve anything. She just did, and she would let it stay that way, even if it was frustrating and stressful.

When she pulled back from him, she ran her hand along his jaw affectionately, unable to help herself, before she slipped from between him and the wall with a sigh. She took his arm and began walking from their private corner. For this evening, she would do as he asked, but she was going to prove that she could handle being his significant other. She would learn Gargoyle politics if she had to, but she was determined to show him she was much stronger and smarter than he gave her credit for. They came to the ballroom and she looked around with wide-eyed wonder. It was more beautiful than she remembered it! It was such a lovely affair and she found her frustration slipping away. She was sure she had some friends here somewhere who she could converse with and cheer up more. The two people that came to mind were Claire and Gertie. She was sure to see them at some point and she found herself looking forward to it.

[AUGUST WITT]

He loved the way her lips curled into a smile as she pulled at the lapel of his jacket, forcing him to move a little closer. “When are you going to realize that I am different? If you didn’t like my defiance it wouldn’t turn you on so much,” She had a magnificent point. How had he hated it on so many other women when it turned him on so much with her? He adored her defying him. "I don't think it's your defiance that turns me on as much as the prospect of putting you back in your place." He teased back as her hand slid over his face. Her kiss was gentle and he let it stay that way, wanting her more with every passing second.

When she finally pulled away he shut his eyes and sighed as her soft, gloved fingers swept over his jaw. How he had grown to adore the sassy little gazelle! finally she took his arm and allowed him to escort her to the party that awaited.

"I think I'd like you to keep those gloves around. They're very sexy." He teased gently into her ear as they walked in together. He felt proud to have such a lovely little thing on his arm and he nodded to a few people who looked their way politely. It wasn't always easy to tell who was who behind those masks, but he thought he recognized a few of the people he passed.

"Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?" He purred into her ear and smiled when she agreed, sweeping her towards the dance floor. August wasn't surprised that Maxine could dance and he enjoyed the closeness of their movements. Fortunately the slow music was still on. He hated the faster stuff and knew it was really for the younger generations who were in attendance. The youth of today had no true appreciation for music, and it was evident in the way they clanged instruments together and sucked all the talent out by threading it through a computer, which produced noisy garbage.

"The leader of the Gargoyles is here." He told her softly, nodding toward Robert snow with his chin as he swept her around the dance floor. "Just there. He's a stern man, very cold, very militant." He explained. "He's the one I don't want to notice us." He pulled away and twirled Maxine and then brought her back to him, holding her close. "The other council members are here as well. My cousin should be here with her date as well." He told Maxine, his face close to hers as they swayed together.

"You dance beautifully."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“I think I’d like you to keep those gloves around. They’re very sexy.” Maxi gave a light laugh, her cheeks flushing a little at the way August spoke the words into her ear. “I’ll be sure to keep them around then,” she replied softly, letting her eyes wander over the faces around them. Some people returned her smile, but she couldn’t say whether she recognized the faces or not; they were all hidden by masks! Even so, she had to admire some of the masks she saw. So many of them were lovely and magnificently detailed; she could have looked at them all night! The best part, though, was being on the arm of such a handsome man and she couldn’t deny they made a good-looking couple. It was elating to have so completely captured the attention of a man like August, even if they had to pretend she hadn’t. Maxi knew better than that.

“Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?” Maxi looked up at August and smiled wide. “Certainly,” she replied playfully and let him sweep her onto the dance floor. They had never danced before, and it was nice to have him hold her so close while her dress made her look like she was gliding. Her anger and frustration had all but melted away now; she wanted to enjoy being at a ball with August, and she wouldn’t let anything get in the way of that. One hand rested on his shoulder while the other nestled in his hand and she smiled up at him as she, naturally, let him take the lead. “The leader of the Gargoyles is here. Just there.” August nodded and Maxi’s eyes turned discretely in the direction he pointed with his chin. There was Robert Snow, tall, cold and handsome as he had been at the meeting. Thankfully, his icy eyes were turned away beneath his plain white mask, looking to the tall, distinguished looking man beside him. That man, she knew, was Snow’s second-in-command. “He’s a stern man, very cold, very militant. He’s the one I don’t want to notice us.” Maxi could understand why, knowing that Snow had a disdain for any other race besides Gargoyles. She had seen it in the way he had stared at Gertie from across the room at the meeting. August still didn’t know she was well aware of whom Robert Snow was, and she had no intention of telling him tonight. She didn’t want her position among the Blurr community to threaten him in any way; it was her task to notify Blurrs what decision the Blurr leader had come to on their revelation, just as it was Eponine’s to do so for the Gargoyles—it was a big task and she was afraid August might be bitter about it. She twirled when August silently instructed her to, and she smiled wide, giddy as she did so, coming back to him with a bright smile when he pulled her back. “The other council members are here as well. My cousin should be here with her date as well.” Maxi nodded, taking in everything he told her, still trying to enjoy herself.

“You dance beautifully.” She smiled from ear to ear, following his lead as they swept across the dance floor. “Thank you, Mr. Witt. You dance very well yourself,” she replied, trying to play down in her face how much she was enjoying this. Perhaps it was selfish and a little mean, but she wanted all the women in the room to see that August was her date. The way they were dancing now, in her mind, emphasized that fact. Maybe they couldn’t show how they felt for each other tonight, but they could still belong to each other on the dance floor. She spun again, her dress twirling delicately, and when she came back to August, he felt a little lightheaded, which made her giggle softly. She was…well, she was having a ball.

That was until she found Robert Snow’s eyes watching them. A little surge of panic went through her as she wondered if he remembered her from the meeting. Her eyes looked around to see if maybe he was focused on someone else, but there was no one. She also realized she was the only one in the immediate vicinity with red hair. Her damn hair was like a torch beacon, calling attention to her all the time. The mask might be able to hide her face somewhat, but her hair gave the biggest clue to who she was. She hoped Snow would let them be and let her keep enjoying this time with August. Her smile remained, as if unfazed by locking eyes with Snow, but she looked up at August with a small tilt of her head. “Maybe we should dance our way over to the drinks? The Gargoyle leader is looking at us, but I think we might be able to sneak away,” she suggested, her sapphire gaze holding his.

[AUGUST WITT]

The dancing was going smoothly, and August found that he was enjoying Maxine on his arm like this. She knew how to move and she was stunning in her attire. He was both glad and frustrated she had the ability to call so much attention to herself this evening. August couldn't help but notice some eyes coming her way, which to most men would be a compliment, but to August it was almost a challenge. He wanted Maxine, as always, all to himself. It was a double edged sword, really. He wanted to show her off, but he didn't want any other set of eyes looking her way. It was illogical, but it was August's strange rational.

He noticed Maxine looking around, though his eyes stayed mostly on her. He knew he should look around a bit more, pretend as though she was less important than she was, but it was difficult when she was so captivating. Her beauty demanded attention and he gave in easily.

She was gazing at something in the distance when her focus went back to him, her head tilting to the side. “Maybe we should dance our way over to the drinks? The Gargoyle leader is looking at us, but I think we might be able to sneak away,” August immediately felt the hairs at the nape of his neck prickle and stand on end. Snow was looking their way? Snow looked around.. surely he simply noticed them. It was no big deal, or so August liked to think. Sneaking away sounded like a good option but if she had made eye contact, then perhaps Snow would feel the need to come and introduce himself to her or say hello to August. The man was not his friend; he was his leader and that was that. He didn't expect Snow to talk with them, and hoped he wouldn't.

"Let's not call attention to ourselves." He said, trying to act cool and collected, but on the inside he was reeling and unsure. Surely Snow wasn't still watching... August spun Maxine and caught the man still looking. Why was he watching? Did he suspect? August decided not to pay attention and waited until the song was through before taking Maxine's arm and guiding her towards the bar. "We should have a drink anyway. Come." He insisted, guiding her away from the dance floor and ignoring the gaze from his leader. He got to the bar and ordered two glasses of champagne for them and handed one to Maxine, trying not to pay a great deal of attention to her. It was hard not to; her attire begged for people to stare, but then again so did many of the women's attire that evening.

"When did you eat last?" He asked, passing her a glass. "I'd hate to see you get tipsy after only one glass." He teased lightly, sipping his drink.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Let’s not call attention to ourselves.” Maxi nodded, agreeing with August’s plan of action. She was used to following his lead, and she would continue to do so in this situation. He was more familiar with Snow than she was and he would know how to escape his notice better than she would. A bigger smile came to her face as he spun her again, feeling like a princess for a brief moment. When she came back to him, she noticed August was looking in Snow’s direction. She didn’t follow his gaze, knowing it would make the other Gargoyle suspicious. Instead, she kept her eyes on August, smiling. He could be mad at her for having such an adoring gaze if he wanted, but he wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his admiration either. That satisfied her more than she could say. Then again, he had been silly to think either of them could hide it. She felt vindicated, but she didn’t look smug about it; just happy.

The song ended and she let August take her arm. “We should have a drink anyway. Come.” Maxi followed August to the bar and let her eyes wander around the crowd a little. He was the one who didn’t want her to pay too much attention to him, so she wouldn’t, though it was difficult. What she wanted to do was lean her head on his shoulder. She refrained, however, and looked back to him only when he handed her a glass of champagne. She smiled, her eyes coming back to his when he spoke. “When did you eat last? I’d hate to see you get tipsy after only one glass.” Maxi laughed softly, shaking her head. “I ate something before you woke up. I think I’m set,” she replied with a playful tone. She took a sip and noted how good the champagne was. It was the good stuff, but what else would she expect at an event like this? She turned from August to wander away from the bar, about to take his arm so he would follow when she nearly collided with the man who had come up next to her.

“Glenlivet on the rocks.” He was taller and more imposing that he appeared from a distance. His voice was deep, commanding, and cold. When he looked at her, his eyes were icy and she noted that his gaze matched his last name perfectly. She froze beneath that gaze, her eyes big with a mixture of fear, awe, and surprise. It wasn’t until he looked to August that Maxi dared to swallow hard and start breathing again. She understood perfectly why Gertie was so nervous around him. Robert Snow was a scary man.

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert only deigned to come to this silly masquerade because he had to. It was a place to make more political connections and catch up with old ones. These events were a necessary evil as a leader, and he suffered them as well as could be expected. Peter was there to accompany him, bringing his elegant wife as his date, but Robert came without a date. There was one woman he was interested in, and she had been refusing him for years; he didn’t love her, but she was the best match for him in the Gargoyle community. Bringing a woman with him to a function like this was pointless, seeing as no one interested him as Eponine did and all any other woman was good for to him was sex. Robert stuck to the sidelines, preferring for his connections to come to him for discussion. The night was young and not many had arrived yet, but those he had talked with he was cordial to.

Standing to the side, he had been watching a lovely woman in a red dress laughing as she spun around the dance floor with her obviously older date, when a head of blazing red hair caught his eye. At first he didn’t recognize the woman, but upon further inspection, he realized it was the young Blurr woman from the meeting of the leaders. She had distracted that disgusting Periwinkle from Robert’s gaze. When he studied her date, it was a vaguely familiar face, a minor member of the council. He leaned to Peter, tapping his shoulder lightly to grab the older man’s attention. “Who is that?” he inquired, his eyes trained on the young Gargoyle. Peter looked the same direction and narrowed his eyes a little. “Ah, I believe his name is Witt. He’s something of a rising star, from what I understand. Lately he’s taken on some trouble with the Davenports.” Robert nodded, his arched brow lowering some over his eyes. The Davenports were an annoying family, particularly those twin children. For years there had been discontent with some of their known practices, but from what Robert knew, no one had confronted them on that until now. But what was a rising star like Witt doing with a Blurr? Could it be the girl’s political ties that interested him? Not from the way he watched her. Robert’s eyes narrowed, hardly caring that the pair seemed to notice him staring. The redhead was the one to catch on first and Witt made a show of ignoring Snow’s gaze, but he had been seen. He wanted answers and the sight of a Blurr and a Gargoyle together left a bad taste in his mouth. Had Witt been in a lesser position, Snow might look away, but if he had political ambitions, Snow wanted to nip something like that in the bud. Lines needed to be pure, and it only made sense for the elite Gargoyles to couple with each other. What could be more sensible?

The music ended and the pair moved off the dance floor to the bar. Snow debated whether to approach them now or later. Now was as good a time as any and he felt he could use a drink. He excused himself to Peter and went to the bar area. Silently he walked up beside the redhead as she was saying something to Witt. “Glenlivet on the rocks,” he instructed the bartender. His eyes turned down to the petite woman as she almost collided with him. He frowned, studying her up close. Even he had to admit, she was easy on the eyes, even though her own very blue ones looked like they were about to pop out of her head with surprise and fear. She obviously remembered who he was. He chose to turn his eyes from hers to Witt’s and he gave a smile, hard upward turn of his lips, extending his hand. “Witt, right?” he asked, taking the young man’s hand in his firm grasp. “Your name came up lately in connection with the Davenports. I’m glad someone is taking them on at last.” His voice was deep and hard, but smooth as well, which he knew could make him quite persuasive. Those eyes of his turned back down to the young lady beside him. “And you. You were the young lady who served as secretary at the leaders’ meeting a few days ago, were you not?” he inquired. The woman’s eyes grew wider and uncertain as she glanced to her date. The weakness of that gesture made him sick to his stomach. At last she looked back at him and nodded with an uneasy smile. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snow.” Robert allowed his lips to curve slightly more, taking her gloved hand in his in a firm shake. “Certainly, Ms…?” he fished, his arched brows rising slightly. “McManus. Maxine McManus.” He nodded and accepted his drink from the bartender. “Well, Ms. McManus, I have to say you caught my eye out there on the dance floor. You are a lovely dancer. Would you do me the honor of giving me this dance?” His eyes came to Witt’s, giving him a look that almost challenged him to step between them. Maxine appeared stunned between them, but he didn’t pay her any mind. “Unless Mr. Witt has any objections. I certainly wouldn’t want to cause any trouble.” Robert caused trouble wherever he went; it was his job as leader to both cause and quell trouble. In this case, he was not looking for a fight from Witt. He only wanted to man to step out of the way and give Robert a few words alone with Maxine.

[AUGUST WITT]

“I ate something before you woke up. I think I’m set,” August gave a nod, sipping his drink and glad that he didn't need to worry about his date coming off as a lush. That was the last thing he needed. “Glenlivet on the rocks,” August knew the voice and when he turned he felt his jaw stiffen as he looked up at the imposing man who stood beside Maxine. August forced what he hoped came off as a pleasant look.

“Witt, right?” he asked, and August gave a stiff nod, offering his hand which Snow shook firmly. “Your name came up lately in connection with the Davenports. I’m glad someone is taking them on at last.” August did his best to stay cool and collected. "Yes, they've terrorized the community for far too long, sir. It's my job to keep it safe, even from those of us who have gone astray." He wasn't about to come off as meek despite his size. August was confident and cold, but even Snow had him beat.

“And you. You were the young lady who served as secretary at the leaders’ meeting a few days ago, were you not?” he inquired looking to Maxine. August felt his nostrils flare and his eyes widen as he looked to Maxine to verify that wasn't true. She had been in attendance at the leaders meeting? No. Surely he was mistaken. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Snow.”

The exchange after that had been lost on him as his eyes narrowed. The grip on his glass tightened and his jaw clenched. She had gone to that meeting and had failed to tell him? He was enraged! "You are a lovely dancer. Would you do me the honor of giving me this dance?” August tried to make his face even as he looked back at Snow. “Unless Mr. Witt has any objections. I certainly wouldn’t want to cause any trouble.”

August was frozen for a moment. Snow wanted to dance with Maxine? Maxine had been at the meeting? Rage didn't even come close to how he was currently feeling. "I have no trouble with it at all, sir. I have no reason to object to you dancing with Miss McManus." His tone was soft and dark as he gave Maxine a menacing look. He was furious! He chugged his champagne as he watched the man lead his date away from him, watching them with eagle eyes. If Snow put one toe out of line...he would do nothing, and he knew it. She would deserve it, though. As far as August was concerned, she deserved everything that was coming to her tonight.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi was just as shocked by Snow’s request as August was and she looked to him. She wanted him to object, but a man like Snow would persist. What did he want with her, anyway? Had she pissed him off somehow at the meeting? One person she was sure she had pissed off was August. She could see it in the cold way he looked at her. “I have no trouble with it at all, sir. I have no reason to object to you dancing with Miss McManus.” Maxi felt her heart fall to the ground. So much progress…she had made so much progress with August tonight, and it was gone in a heartbeat. She wanted to tell Snow no, she would rather not, but she couldn’t. It wouldn’t be diplomatic, and she realized suddenly that she was representing the Blurr community in dancing with Snow. This was a political move and she wondered when it was she had even become interested in politics. Maxi gave a weak smile and nodded as Snow extended his arm to her. It was all she could do to not tremble. Her eyes looked back uncertainly to August, knowing he was furious with her for not telling him about the meeting, but there was little she could do about it at the moment. Snow was the more pressing matter.

On the dance floor, she smiled politely as Snow took her hand and placed his hand on her waist when the music began. She rested her other hand on his shoulder a little stiffly and moved when he began. “What did you think of the meeting the other day?” Maxi smiled a little more, shaking her head. “It was…intense, to say the least,” she replied and he gave a light chuckle. “Do you agree with Periwinkle’s decision?” Maxi let her eyes fall to his chest momentarily, considering her words. “I support my leader’s decision to be cautious with our revelation, though I admit, it would be nice to be able to tell others what I am,” she confessed. “Do you think he will change his mind?” Snow’s eyes were boring into hers and she felt her smile fade a little. Why was he probing? “I couldn’t say. If he did, it would be many years from now.” The tall man nodded, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. “You see…one day, I would like to see guardians walking freely among the crowds. There would be no need to hide what they were. Wouldn’t it be nice to know where your brethren were and establish stronger bonds with your own kind?” Maxi didn’t like the sound of that. Not one bit.

An easy smile came to her face as she tilted her head to the side. “It would be nice to have that freedom, but there is something to be said for secrecy. I like to think I’ve met many more guardians in my life than I could possibly know because I didn’t know what they were. Even if all of us were revealed, most of us take on a regular human form. The only way we would be able to tell each other apart is if we shifted or went invisible or turned to stone right in front of another person or label each individual for what they are. Then I think you get into some privacy issues,” she explained, smiling more at the end. “I think it’s best for the guardians to mingle together, get to know one another. How can we guard if we don’t know what the other guardians are capable of?” Surely she was making sense. Snow was nodding slowly as he listened, his eyes piercing into her. Though his head was making an affirmative, his eyes were definitely negative. This man bore Maxi no good feeling.