Kiss Me Softly

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

The first date had gone so well that they had agreed to go on a second one. And there was no better way to spend a second date than by going to a ball. He'd already had the tickets which he'd gotten as a gift from one of the other doctors at the hospital. He was going to just give them away but then he'd met Abby and it the opportunity presented itself to use them. He'd made sure that he found out what colors Abby was planning on wearing ahead of time so that when he had time to pick out a mask he would be sure to color coordinate it if he could. And he'd done an excellent job.

He shut the door to his vehicle when he was outside Abby's house. He wasn't as nervous as he had been the first time he'd gone there and upon the news of her being a Geomancer he found himself admiring her garden even more than he had the first time he'd seen it. He was careful walking up the steps and took a moment to even fix his bow tie and straighten out the hat that seemed to top off his outfit. He didn't have his mask on just yet since he was going to have to drive them to the museum first and it wouldn't be very smart to drive with a mask on. So he had it tucked into his pants pocket but it stuck out and revealed its red and gold colors against the black of his tux. He looked pretty darn dapper!

When he finally got up to her door and mashed the doorbell with his finger he ran his hands over his coat to be sure it wasn't getting any odd creases and waited for the door to open. When the door opened he was greeted by his date who was looking beautiful in red. "You look ravishing," he didn't even get a hello out as the sight of her nearly took his breath away.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

Abby could hardly believe Marius was taking her to a ball. A ball! When she told her mother, she had almost insisted on being there to take pictures, as if she was going to prom or something. Abby made sure that didn’t happen. If they worked out, there would be plenty of time for Sophia James to suffocate Marius. Right now, it was just about Abby and Marius and tonight she was going to look stunning. With her brown hair and matching eyes, she knew red would look great on her, and she figured it would be a great color to stand out with. The dress she wore came off her shoulders, the straps holding up her dress hugging to her upper arms. It held tight to her body before ending in a trumpet skirt. Her mask for the masquerade was gold, red and a little bit of white, intricate in its metal design and beautiful. (dress HERE and HERE and mask HERE) She wore her hair in lustrous curls, her left side pinned up with simple bobby pins that held sprigs of baby’s breath in place. Her make-up was light, as it always was, but her lips were painted a soft, almost metallic pink. She was putting in simple diamond studs when her doorbell rang. Abby wasn’t quite ready yet, but she didn’t want to leave Marius waiting on her stoop and she wanted to see what he looked like!

She rushed from her bedroom, fastening her earring in place, and making her way to the front door. When she got to the door, she took a breath to ease the butterflies in her stomach. Her Prince Charming was right outside and she wanted to make a good impression! She opened the door and found him standing there in a clean black suit and an adorable, plain black hate that made him look very old-fashioned and suited him very well. Her smile lit up her face as she looked him over. “You look ravishing.” She blushed lightly and gave a soft giggle. “Thank you! And you! You look so dashing,” she replied enthusiastically. Standing in her doorway, she was a couple inches taller than she usually was which made it easy for her to lean into Marius and bring a perfectly French manicured hand to his lightly stubbled cheek. She touched his cheek gently as her lips brushed against his softly, her big eyes sinking shut. It was easier to kiss him without her mask on and she was glad she had yet to fasten it to her face. Her heart jumped as she kissed him chastely, keeping her lips against his for a long, breathtaking moment. When she pulled away, she smiled again, leaning back slowly and letting her fingers take their time slipping from his face. “Come in. I’m almost ready,” she said at last, breaking the silence. She stepped back to let him in, smiling wide before she turned away to go back to her bedroom.

Her all black kitten, Hamlet, jumped from his perch on the couch and tinkled his way over to Marius wear he rubbed his tiny body against his legs, looking up at him with big yellow eyes as he mewed. Abby smiled back at Marius as she walked to her room. “Don’t mind, Ham. He just loves people,” she explained. “I’ll just be a minute!” Once in her room, she slipped her gold, high-heeled strappy sandals on her feet and fastened them before moving to secure her mask to her face. She tied the ribbons beneath her hair tight enough that it wouldn’t slip. Overall, this took her about two minutes and she made her way out with her gold clutch in hand to the door. “Okay, I’m ready!” she announced, moving to him and taking his hand lightly as she opened the door again. “Let’s go!” Her smile was bright as she looked up at him, ready to spend an evening at the ball with her knight in shining armor.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

"Thank you! And you! You look so dashing," The compliment made him chuckle lightly and even look down as if he were modest. But when her fingers touched his face he looked up again just in time to meet her lips with his own, his eyes sliding shut and his thumb coming up to rest on her chin brushing it gently along her soft skin which was such a contrast to his own. When she moved away he opened his eyes with a wide grin staying silent. He didn't want to ruin the moment by saying anything. "Come in. I'm almost ready," He complied and stepped inside, watching her head off to her bedroom. Marius watched her go but he kept his eyes on the back of her head and her shoulders staying the gentleman.

He let his eyes roam around looking at how she decorated her home and couldn't help but get that homely feel standing there, almost like the setting was welcoming you in. Marius was interrupted however as a small black cat started to brush up against his leg and he bent down to give it a little scratch behind the ears. "Don't mind, Ham. He just loves people, I'll just be a minute!" "Ham? You don't look much like a ham," he said softly to the kitten and chuckled. Now if the kitten was a pig then he could understand the name a little better, but it was cute nonetheless.

"Okay, I'm ready!" He stood back up and saw that her mask concealed her nose and eyes from his view but she would surely stand out in the crowd. "Right then," he said and headed out the door with his date. She looked to be excited about the date and although he was calm and collected on the outside deep down he was looking forward to it as well. He opened the passenger door for her and when she was tucked in and her dress out of the way from getting stuck he shut the door and went around to the driver's side.

"This should be a fun night," he commented as he turned on the car and pulled away from her house towards the main roads. The drive to the museum wasn't a long one, and they made idle chit chat, discussing their days with one another and keeping the conversation casual. He enjoyed her company and the energy she gave off as she spoke. She was like nobody he'd ever dated before and it was just what he needed.

When they arrived at the museum he parked in one of the closest spots he could get and turned to look at his beautiful date. "Now don't touch that handle," he told her with his brows raised in a teasing gesture, although for the most part he was serious. He was a gentleman and he didn't want her to have to open doors on her own when he was there and perfectly capable of doing it for her. "Just need a moment.. here we go," he pulled the mask out of his pocket after shifting his weight so he wouldn't bend it and positioned it on his face by using the rear view mirror for guidance. Then he got out of the car and went around to help her out before using the fob to turn on the alarm with a little chirp.

"These social gatherings were never my thing. We have charity events sometimes that doctors need to go to and donate money for medical supplies and the like. I usually just write a check and give my tickets to someone else. But I have to say it's thrilling to go to a ball with such a lovely lady on my arm." With that he held his arm out, bent at the elbow for her to take so he could guide her inside. Even if the event was a bust he knew that they'd have a good time since they had each other to talk to.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“Right then.” Abby smiled and followed Marius to the car, almost giddy to be in such a pretty dress and going to such a fancy affair. Her feet were light and she stepped quickly and excitedly to his car. He held the door open for her, which she thanked him for, and pulled her dress in with her. She was rearranging herself to minimize wrinkles before he climbed in. “This should be a fun night.” Abby grinned, watching as he turned the car on. “I agree! I’ve never been so something so fancy before,” she enthused. As they drove, they talked about their days, his at the hospital and hers gardening and painting before getting ready. It was casual and she noticed the calming quality of his deep, quiet voice in contrast to the excited chirp of her own smooth and low tones. They seemed so delightfully different from one another, but it fit so well, like yin and yang. It was so good to be with someone she meshed so well with.

When they pulled up, Abby reached to open her door out of habit. “Now don’t touch that handle.” Her eyes were wide when she looked at Marius’ raised eyebrows and laughed at his expression, bringing her hand back to her lap. “Yes, doctor,” she replied playfully, loving how very polite he was. Again, she felt like a princess, and she relished it. “Just need a moment…here we go.” She watched with a wide, content smile as Marius fastened his mask on, adoring him silently. He looked so handsome and cute at the same time; it had to be the hat that made him so adorable. Marius probably had no idea how much he made her heart flutter. After a minute, he got out and helped her from the car as well, locking it behind her as she smooth the skirt of her dress.

“These social gatherings were never my thing. We have charity events sometimes that doctors need to go to and donate money for medical supplies and the like. I usually just write a check and give my tickets to someone else. But I have to say it’s thrilling to go to a ball with such a lovely lady on my arm.” Abby was putty in his hands, and he seemed wholly unaware of it. He bent his elbow and held out his arm, which she took with a big smile, but she also leaned into him, her hand resting lightly on his jaw. “You’re so sweet,” she cooed softly before resting her lips on his cheek delicately. She had to stand on tiptoe to kiss him, but it only lasted a moment before she pulled back with a bright smile and starting toward the building, arm in arm with him. “I love being a social butterfly,” she announced cheerfully. Her eyes turned up to his playfully. “I’m sure you knew that already.” She gave a soft laugh before looking back ahead of them. “I used to be on the student council in high school and college and I planned all sorts of mixers and networking events. These sorts of events are my specialty, though I’ve never been to one so fancy!” Abby was thrilled at the idea of meeting new people and being with Marius all evening. Maybe he would take her to one of the doctors’ benefits he mentioned! That would be a dream come true, to be introduced as a handsome doctor’s date or girlfriend, or whatever she was at the time. It would be so much fun to help him make an impression on the people he worked with!

Inside, she checked her bag before taking Marius’ arm again and following him into the ballroom. She gasped, looking around at all the lovely decorations and costumes. “Oh, wow, look how beautiful everything is!” she gushed softly, her big eyes taking in everything from behind her mask. She felt like a kid in a candy store. Her first masquerade! It was all so exciting.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

Abby had the exception gift of being able to make sure their time together wasn't filled with boring or uncomfortable gaps. Even the walk from the care to the museum was interesting as she explained how she planned events when she was in school and of course he could see her doing it. He didn't need to know her long to see what kind of person she was and it was apparent she was going to make this a good night no matter what.

Once inside he waited for her to check in her bag before escorting her into the hall that the event was taking place. "Oh, wow, look how beautiful everything is!" Marius looked down at his date and patted her hand that was wrapped around his arm gently. It was quite a sight, all the decorations and the banners that hung from the ceiling. It must have taken them quite some time to get it decorated for the event. "Very nice," he commented and although he'd felt a bit foolish wearing a mask, though he wouldn't have admitted it, he felt more at ease seeing everyone else with them on as well. At least they were less likely to bump into people they knew. He was more concerned about bumping into people who had been patients of his more than acquaintances.

He could see the bar that was set up in the far corner of the hall, which was good to know because he was sure they would want drinks at some point in the night. It was already crowded full of people who were dancing, drinking or standing off to the side and just enjoying some light conversation. He could hear the laughter of someone to their right and turned his head but couldn't see who it belonged to. It sounded like they were enjoying themselves at least.

"Care to dance?" Marius asked and held turned his hand over palm up for her to take if she would accept his offer.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

Abby felt warm when Marius patted her hand on his arm, agreeing with her observation. He was a man of few words, from what she had seen, but they were the right ones and his actions only added to his words. She let her eyes wander around the room, the sight of so many lovely outfits and masks holding her captivated. There were peacock masks and masks with large plumes and simple masks, masks all over the map. And all of the colors! Everything was just so beautiful, even the bar set up in the back of the room. There were couples dancing already, twirling around the floor, and she felt transported to a whole new world. It was like a dream!

“Care to dance?” Marius’ question snapped her out of her admiration of the scene and she looked down at his upturned palm. A wider smile came across her face and she nodded. “I’d love to!” she chirped and took his hand, following him out onto the dance floor. Abby only had a little experience ballroom dancing, but she figured it would be simple enough: just follow Marius’ lead. Walking out onto the dance floor, though, reminded her of the school dances she went to where couples could dance no closer than a foot apart or when they were older and could dance closer, but still didn’t quite know how. Once on the dance floor, she turned to Marius with a light blush on her cheeks, barely hidden by the mask. She rested one hand on his shoulder and placed the other one in his hand. The moves were simple and Abby followed Marius’ well-timed lead. He was a surprisingly good dancer! It only made her smile brighter as she looked up into his handsome face. In a quick movement, he spun her away from him, making her twirl once before pulling her back to him, which made her giggle.

Once back against him, a hand on his shoulder and the other nestled in his hand, she looking up at him almost starry-eyed. “You dance, you’re smart, you’re funny, you’re chivalrous, you’re handsome…are all Romanian men as charming as you?” she asked with a playful and flirtatious smile. If there were eyes on the two of them, Abby would never have known. She was lost in a dream land with Marius and she couldn’t have been more content. As they danced, she moved more gracefully than she knew she was capable of doing and she giggled with every twirl, feeling like she was lost on cloud 9 again, but without the potion. With her hands rested gently on his shoulder and in his hand, she cocked her head to the side. “Where did you learn to dance?” she asked curiously, her big brown eyes fixated on the blue of his own.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

The pair of them went gliding around the dance floor to the calming classical ballroom music that played. Marius wrapped his fingers around the hand that was holding Abby's just to the side of their bodies, his other arm was around his waist with his palm flattened against the small of her back. He saw the pink blush that came to her cheeks as they danced and merely smiled, most of his face hidden by the red and gold mask that he had on. The two of them going around the dance floor and passing up some of the other couples practically dancing circles around them.

He twirled her around and pulled her back in to be met by the sound of her giggles which in turn caused him to laugh. She really was contagious, and the more she smiled the more he found himself doing the same. "You dance, you're smart, you're funny, you're chivalrous, you're handsome...are all Romanian men as charming as you?" He chuckled and gave her another spin. "I like to think we're all so nice," Marius said lightly even though he knew each country had their good and their bad; Romania wasn't an exception.

"Where did you learn to dance?" He thought about the years he'd learned to dance and it both made him happy and sad. The sweet thought of the woman who gave birth to him teaching him how to dance. "My mother. She taught us all, my brother, my sister and I. When we were very young." Marius wondered if perhaps he should ring his mother soon and plan a visit to see her. He knew she was still living on the east coast, he just didn't pay her many visits over the years. It was hard to get away when you were a doctor.

"And how about you? Is it the Italian genes that make you an exceptional partner?" She was doing an excellent job on the dance floor. He knew that the younger generations didn't learn ballroom dancing but she had surprised him. If it hadn't been for his mother though, he would have been a lost cause right now. Silently he was appreciative of those tedious lessons.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“My mother. She taught all, my brother, my sister and I. When we were very young.” Abby’s smile was bright and curious as Marius opened up a little about his family. She hadn’t asked much about it, but she found she was very interested to learn more. So he had a brother and a sister! Where did he fall in that line up? She would have to ask later. Abby herself had always wanted siblings, but unfortunately her mother had only been able to carry one child to full term. She also wanted to know what sort of woman his mother was. Was she still in Romania? So many questions!

“And how about you? Is it the Italian genes that make you an exceptional partner?” Abby laughed, glancing at his chest a little bashfully. “Yeah! All Italians are born dancing,” she replied playfully. She laughed softly before giving him a real answer. “No, I took ballroom dancing in college. It was just for a semester and I wasn’t the best, but it at least gave me the basics for following dances. I struggled with coordination, though. My partner tripped on me so many times, it was ridiculous,” she told him with a laugh. “He was a good sport, though, and one of the gayest men I’ve ever met. It was fabulous.” She shrugged, giggling. “It’s nice to see all that hard work paying off though!” she enthused, her eyes glittering as she looked up at him. She was already having so much fun just spinning around the dance floor with Marius. It was a silly thought, but she felt like Belle being swept across the floor by her beastly prince, except that Marius was anything but beastly. Princely, but not beastly.

“So you have a brother and a sister? I’m jealous,” she said playfully. “I was an only child, but I always wanted siblings. Where do you fall in that line up? Are they still in Romania?” She was so curious about her handsome, reserved doctor. It was good to see him smiling so much tonight, though. She thought his smile was just adorable, the way it was almost unsure and kind of crooked. Abby couldn’t think of a better way to pass her time other than trying to make that smile appear. It was becoming her new favorite thing to do.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

"No, I took ballroom dancing in college. It was just for a semester and I wasn't the best, but it at least gave me the basics for following dances. I struggled with coordination, though. My partner tripped on me so many times, it was ridiculous. He was a good sport, though, and one of the gayest men I've ever met. It was fabulous." It was usually the gay men who were the best dancers, even Marius knew that.

"So you have a brother and a sister? I'm jealous," He couldn't understand why she would be jealous that he had siblings since they were such a pain when he was younger. They would all torture one another, playing pranks and putting gum in Lavinia's hair or even cutting it for fun. Not that their mother found it at all amusing. "I was an only child, but I always wanted siblings. Where do you fall in that line up? Are they still in Romania?" Ah, then it made sense. He couldn't imagine being an only child but he used to dream he was one in his younger years when the three of them would fight.

"Always want what you don't have," he said with the hint of amusement in his voice, "I always wanted to be an only child. But I have an older brother, Adrian, who is still in Romania. He has a small farm, a lovely wife and two daughters. My sister Lavinia lives in Boston with our mother. She's the youngest which would make me the middle child," Marius had a very normal family life and although he didn't keep in the best of touch always, they knew that he loved them just as he knew the same.

The song was winding to an end so he gave her a gentle dip with his hand placed firmly on her back so that she wouldn't fall. When he straightened her back up he grinned at her once more, "did I tell you how lovely you look tonight?" He asked even though he was sure he'd said it at least once before. There was no harm in complimenting her again since it was true. Abby looked stunning in red with her curly brown hair falling over her shoulder.

"What about you? You told me your father dabs in your herbal magic but what of your mother? Does she do the same or is she strictly an Italian chef?" Marius asked his date, wanting to know more about her and her family. She was the interesting one. He was simply a doctor.

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

“Always want what you don’t have.” Abby gave a soft laugh, nodding. “I always wanted to be an only child. But I have an older brother, Adrian, who is still in Romania. He has a small farm, a lovely wife and two daughters.” She smiled wide, tilting her head to the side. “Aww!” she said softly, loving the idea of Marius interacting with his nieces. What was cuter than a man who was good with kids? “My sister Lavinia lives in Boston with our mother. She’s the youngest which would make me the middle child.” It was certainly fitting in her mind. From what she understood, middle children were always the most thoughtful and caring in families. Being stuck in the middle, they had to balance taking orders and giving them and they were always forced to share. It was an endearing thought to wonder what Marius was like as a child. What did his siblings look like? And why Boston? That’s where most of her mother’s family was too!

Before she could mention it, he dipped her back as the song came to an end and she laughed, wrapping her arm more firmly around his shoulders. His hand was firm in the small of her back and she practically swooned. Did perfect men like Marius really exist, or was this all some kind of dream? She giggled when he straightened her again, melting at his smile. “Did I tell you how lovely you look tonight?” She didn’t think she could smile any wider as she looked up at him. “You did mention that, but thank you again,” she replied with a flush in her cheeks. “You look quite handsome yourself.” And he did. The hat, the mask, the suit, and his stunning blue eyes all made for a very good-looking ensemble. The other ladies could look all they wanted, but this handsome doctor was hers.

“What about you? You told me your father dabs in your herbal magic but what of your mother? Does she do the same or is she strictly an Italian chef?” Abby giggled, taking his arm and moving toward the bar. “Well, my father is actually a botanist by trade. He works at Greenwolfe University doing research and teaching. Both of my parents are artists, but my mother is the only one who makes money doing it. She has a studio in their house and she sells her work to galleries and auctions them. Her status as an excellent Italian chef is purely a pass time,” she explained, her tone becoming playful at the end. “She’s from Boston, actually! Most of her family is still there, her brothers and sister and all of my cousins. My grandma, we call her Nona, lived there too until a couple years ago when she moved back to Italy. My parents met at Boston University, but my dad grew up here. He wanted to come back, so my mom married him out of college and the rest is history.” She gave a bright smile, very cheerful as she shared her family’s history with Marius. There was much and more to tell, but that would suffice for the moment. She didn’t want to talk his ear off.

As they were coming up to the bar, Abby felt someone bump into her hard and she fell into Marius slightly with a soft sound of surprise. Her eyes came over to the beautiful woman who had bumped into her, who was apologizing. “Oh, it’s all right, no harm done!” she assured. But what really caught her eye was the woman’s attire. She gasped and looked over her dress. “Oh my goodness, that’s such a pretty dress! It looks so beautiful on you! Who designed it?” She was all but gushing as her big brown eyes looked into the woman’s blue-green ones. They were so pretty, even beneath the mask!

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

When Abby took him by the arm he gladly followed, looking up and spotting the bar. He could only assume that was where she wanted to go and he could use a drink after dancing. "Well, my father is actually a botanist by trade. He works at Greenwolfe University doing research and teaching. Both of my parents are artists, but my mother is the only one who makes money doing it. She had a studio in their house and she sells her work to galleries and auctions them. Her status as an excellent Italian chef is purely a pass time," Italian women were excellent chefs whether they did it as a past time or because they had a passion for it, and they always made an abundance of food! His mother had been the same way, even though she wasn't Italian, she made sure there was always plenty of food on the table.

"She's from Boston, actually! Most of her family is still there, her brothers and sister and all of my cousins. My grandma, we call her Nona, lived there too until a couple years ago when she moved back to Italy. My parents met at Boston University, but my dad grew up here. He wanted to come back, so my mom married him out of college and the rest is history." He couldn't believe the coincidence that most of her extended family lived in Boston. It was only his mother and sister, and he'd even lived there for a few years when he was younger, but out of everywhere in the states the fact that they both had family there of all places was amazing. "That's incredible. Wouldn't it be something if my mother knew your family?" Surely there were way too many people in Boston for his mother to know any of the Abby's family out there but anything was possible.

When they reached the bar Marius was about to signal with his hand to let the bartender know that they would like service when he felt Abby fall right into him and reached an arm out to catch her with surprise on his face, though it was mostly hidden by the mask. That's when he noticed the other woman who was offering her apologies to Abby who wasn't making a fuss about it at all. He liked that about Abby, she was such a sweet young woman that she didn't let accidents spoil her mood. "Is everyone alright?" He asked but his question was lost as Abby began to gush about the other girl's attire. "Oh my goodness, that's such a pretty dress! It looks so beautiful on you! Who designed it?" Weren't most women catty when they were around other women who weren't their friends? He was grateful Abby wasn't like that and it seemed like the other one wasn't either.

[FLYNN YOUNG]

The masquerade was done up beautifully! Flynn loved going to parties but wasn't much of a dancer. Usually she went to events just so she could stand around and watch other people dance and have a blast with their partners, and sometimes she'd even drag Griffin along to act as her date just so she had someone there with her to talk to. Everything looked wonderful from the way it was set up to all the dresses that the women wore and the handsome men in their suits!

This year though, Flynn didn't bring a pseudo-date with her. This time she had a real date! Griffin had been nice enough to get her two tickets for the ball since he worked at the museum and was going to be attending it with Claire. She'd have to find the couple and thank them later on in the night, but for now she was perfectly content with standing around with Liam. They'd arrived not long ago and although dancing did look like fun she was happy with just watching.

Because she actually had a date this year she'd tried her best to look nice. Flynn wasn't one who got dolled up and slipped on a pair of high heel shoes so it was a big deal for her, and wearing flats with her dress was out of the question since it would drag on the ground. In fact, it had been Claire who helped her pick out her outfit for the ball. She'd gone with an off-white dress with a high back to hide the harness for her wings and a layered, tulle skirt that she'd adored! Her silver butterfly mask matched the silver heels that she'd actually borrowed from her friend whose shoe size was remarkably close to her own! And to finish it off was the gold feather cuff bracelet that even though it didn't go with the silver, she thought it was a nice touch.

She turned to her date and reached up to adjust his mask for him, tilting her head to the side as she did to make sure it was straight. "There! You look so handsome tonight!" Flynn beamed at him and grabbed hold of his hand to tug him along. "We should get a drink and then dance. Do you dance? I'm not very good at it but it's always fun to practice!" She was just full of energy and excited as could be.

As she guided him towards the bar she turned to look at him as she spoke and didn't entirely watch where she was going, "and I'd love if you met my friends tonight! They're here somewhere and they're so excited to meet you." She didn't even see the girl who had been walking in front of her and when her foot started to slip out of her shoe she would have fallen straight back if she hadn't been holding onto Liam's hand and although she bumped into the other girl she managed to catch herself with her date's help.

Flynn quickly spun around and reached for the person she bumped into but she had been caught by someone else and she was thankful that she hadn't made too much of a disaster. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching and how clumsy of me!" She chirped but the other woman didn't seem to be upset, not even a little. “Oh, it’s all right, no harm done!” She was so relieved to hear this. “Oh my goodness, that’s such a pretty dress! It looks so beautiful on you! Who designed it?” Her eyes went wide and she practically jumped with delight at the compliment. "Thank you so much, I'm not sure who designed it, I bought it from this little store over on Peanut Street." She said happily and then her eyes panned down over the other woman's dress. "Oh goodness, look at you!" Flynn reached for the woman's arms gently, being the hands on person that she was, and stood there leaning back a bit, holding the girl at arm's length. "You're gorgeous! I love that color red and your mask! They match perfectly, how I love the sleeves!"

[ABIGAIL JAMES]

Abby loved seeing happiness just light up a person’s face, and it certainly did on the lovely woman who had bumped into her. “Thank you so much, I’m not sure who designed it, I bought it from this little store on Peanut Street.” She smiled and looked over the woman again. “Well it’s just beautiful, and it looks so good on you! And it goes so well with that mask!” she gushed with a big smile. “Oh goodness, look at you!” Abby was surprised as the woman took her arms and leaned back from her, studying her. “You’re gorgeous! I love that color red and that mask! They match perfectly, how I love the sleeves!” She giggled at the other woman’s praise and blushed, her own hands touching the woman’s arms gently. “Oh, thank you so much!” she exclaimed happily. “You’re mask is just beautiful! And you’re so lovely! I might just steal you from your date!” Her tone was playful and she laughed, giving the other woman’s date a big smile to indicate she was kidding.

Her date, it so happened, was a shorter but very handsome man. The blue in his suit brought out the blue in his kind eyes, and he was smiling at the pair with amusement. Even with the mask on he looked handsome, but Abby’s adoration was purely that of an artist admiring a worthy model. When it came to attraction, Marius had all of her attention at this point. It may have been early in the game for that, but she was already convinced she wouldn’t find a better man than Marius. Still, she did admire what the man was wearing, his classic mask sporting silver and touch of gold like his date, and his suit was very nice and well put together. She loved when men wore vests! “You two are so well matched with the white, blue, silver and little bit of gold you’ve got going on! It’s so coordinated,” she admired with a wide smile. She and Marius had coordinated too…well, in a way. He’d asked what colors she was wearing and got a mask that would match those colors. It suited her just fine, though—he looked good in red, white and gold. “You two make such a cute couple,” she chirped, grinning from ear to ear. She meant that too! The woman’s date seemed to take pride in that and put an arm around her waist with a big smile. “Thank you.” His voice was so polite!

Abby turned her smile up to Marius for a moment, leaning into him a little more too. She wanted to snuggle too! After a moment, though, she looked surprised and jumped a little. “Oh! I’m so rude, I didn’t even introduce myself!” she said with a laugh. She extended a hand to the woman first. “I’m Abby James. It was nice of you to bump into me!” She laughed at her own joke and waiting for the woman to introduce herself as Flynn Young. “What a unique name!” she gushed before she looked to her date, extending her hand to him too. “Liam Avery. Pleasure.” He gave her hand a firm shake and she returned it with a big smile. “Pleasure to meet you too!” she piped. She turned her eyes up to Marius, waiting for him to introduce himself as well. They were making friends! She was so excited.

[LIAM AVERY]

Liam had never gone to the masquerade before. When he didn’t have a date, he never saw the point to going. A couple of times he had served as security for the event, but even that was mostly dull. He had enjoyed watching the people walk in with their costumes and that was about it. There was very little else for him to do after that point. Plus, he didn’t like to show off his dancing skills. He knew how to dance, as his mother had insisted on him learning when he was younger in case he ever did go to one of these functions, but he had never needed that skill…until now. Since meeting Flynn, he found a whole new appreciation for those lessons and everything his mother taught him on how to treat a lady. When she mentioned the masquerade coming up, he was enthusiastic about taking her. It would make for a nice night and he would get to show his skills. Plus, he would get to see how lovely she looked all dressed up.

Turns out, lovely didn’t even describe how Flynn looked all ready for the masquerade. She was, as always, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. For a brief moment when he first saw her, he pictured her in front of an alter wearing a veil instead of a mask. It made him swallow hard and he had to fight to keep that image at the back of his mind. Right now, with her adjusting his silver and gold chipped classic Venetian mask[/u], he was finding it very difficult once again. She had no idea how beautiful she was, which made her even more beautiful. “There! You look so handsome tonight!” Liam smiled wide, feeling pretty sharp for once. He was in a deep blue, pin-striped suit[/u] with a matching vest beneath his jacket and a discreetly patterned lighter blue shirt. His hair was well styled, though he still kept the trimmed, ginger stubble on his face. He looked much more dressed up than he was used to being, but it felt nice to be so. Mrs. Jackson had run into him in the elevator when he had been on his way to pick up Flynn and she raved about how blue his eyes looked in that suit. “You look like the Devil in a Sunday hat, Liam! Flynn better watch herself around you!” He smiled at the memory as he looked down at Flynn. “You look beautiful,” he replied softly. “We should get a drink and then dance. Do you dance? I’m not very good at it, but it’s always fun to practice!” He chuckled, following her to the bar. “I do dance and I’d love to dance with you. Once we have a drink,” he said with an almost playful air. She was just bursting with energy and he couldn’t wait to see that energy on the dance floor. Her spinning on the dance floor and being able to hold her…It was a stirring thought.

“And I’d love if you met my friends tonight! They’re here somewhere and they’re so excited to meet you.” He smiled wider. Her friends knew about him? It made him very curious about them, but it also filled him with a sense of pride. Obviously he meant something important if she was telling her friends about him. “I’d love to meet them,” he said with a nod and a warm, calm smile. She had enough energy for the two of them. But neither of them was watching, and before he knew it, Flynn was taking another woman down. He grabbed for Flynn, holding her hand tighter and pulling her back to her feet and gripping her shoulder. Before he could ask if she was all right, Flynn was turning to the other woman and gushing apologies. His eyes traveled to the smile on the other woman’s face and then to that woman’s date, a tall man with a mask that coordinated her colors.

It turned out the pretty young woman Flynn had almost knocked over was quite the talker too. She was chirping and gushing like Flynn with a big, warm smile on her face, and Liam enjoyed watching the two women make friends. Was it really so easy for these two to become friendly with someone? He almost envied their ability to do that. And they seemed like two peas in a pod the way they complimented each other and joked, amusing Liam as he observed them. Most of the time he kept his eyes on Flynn, finding the way her eyes and face lit up so endearing. The young lady’s comments didn’t just go to Flynn, though; she was complimenting him too in the way their outfits coordinated. She was as bubbly as champagne and seemingly just as sweet. There was something very pleasing about watching two women bond and befriend one another as opposed to reacting the way cats would. “You two make such a cute couple.” Liam felt a swell of pride to have such a beautiful woman on his arm and he smiled wide at Flynn, wrapping his arm around her waist to keep her close. She really was everything he could have hoped for in a woman. His eyes turned back to the kind woman and he nodded to her. “Thank you,” he said softly and politely.

She went on to introduce herself as Abby James in a humorous sort of way, her big brown eyes bright with playfulness. Flynn was just as excited to introduce herself, and he half expected them to leave the men out of the introductions. Abby’s hand was extended to him, however, and he smiled as he took it firmly. “Liam Avery. Pleasure,” he introduced himself simply. “Pleasure to meet you too!” It was hard not to smile around two such happy-go-lucky women as Flynn and Abby. He could understand why Abby’s date would want to stick around her. It was the same reason he stuck around Flynn; she brought a bright light into his otherwise dull life and made his daily life so much more interesting. At least, that’s what he assumed. He didn’t know anything about the guy, but he seemed to be the stand back and observe kind of guy too, perfectly content to let Abby and Flynn make new friends.

[MARIUS DAKANIS]

It was incredible how the women seemed to just send compliments back and forth between one another. He watched the ladies continue to gush and fawn over the other's dresses and masks and then Abby moved on to the gentleman that was with the girl who had stumbled into her. He hadn't noticed him at first but now that he had it was pure instinct to put an arm around Abby's waist and draw her in close to him. But after he'd done it he realized that he was being foolish. This was only their second date and the other man was there with the clumsy girl.

Abby complimented the gentleman and then the pair of them as a couple and he raised his brows to show his awe at how kind she was. His eyes remained on her like she was the most interesting person in the room, and to him she was. But when the introductions started he waited for Abby to shake hands with everyone, listening to the three of them say their names and greetings. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Marius Dakanis," he said and leaned in so he could take the man's hand first since he was the closest to give it a firm shake and then moving to the woman's hand for a shake which she took happily and chirped a hello to him.

He looked back to the man who was a shorter than Marius, but just as nicely dressed. Marius did enjoy pinstripes from time to time and this man pulled it off nicely. Liam didn't seem like he was the type to jump in on a conversation unless he was spoken to first, which was exactly the way Marius was on most cases. He'd rather just sit back and listen to everyone else and let them decide when they wanted to hear what he had to say.

When his eyes panned back to Abby he realized that her and the other girl were already getting along well. Was this an opportunity for them as a couple to make friends with another couple? He'd always seen couples on television who were friends with other couples and they got along so well, always hanging out and attending events together. Marius always thought that would be great but that it was just something that happened on television. He'd dated a few women but never had they made friends together. Hell, Marius didn't have many friends to begin with since he worked so much.

"Well Liam Avery and Flynn Young," he said with a teasing hint in his tone since he used their first and last names to address them, a smile fixed in place. "If you're not too busy maybe you would like to join us for drinks?" They were right next to the bar after all and Abby seemed to be enjoying the company of the girl. He ran his fingers up and down her back gently as if to get her attention and looked down at her, "as long as that's alright with you," he said softly.