Beauty and the Beasts

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi felt like she was getting a second chance at a fairytale night out with August. The night of the summer ball had been a disaster and had led to her and August almost splitting up permanently. She was certain that wouldn’t happen again tonight, not with how much August apologized for the last time. Having taught a few classes over at Greenwolf University over the years, she still got invitations to the yearly benefit held for university staff. Drew got the invitations as well, but he was spending that particular weekend up in Friday Harbor with Maureen. Maxi saw this invitation as the perfect opportunity to have a beautiful night out with August. To match a beautiful night out, she needed a beautiful dress and she spent a good deal of her federal tax return on purchasing just the right one. Beautiful didn’t begin to describe the dress[/u]. It was form fitting without being terribly revealing, the lace over her cleavage and up the sides slightly thinner than the lace of the rest of the bodice, showing just a hint of the skin beneath, making up for the modest high collar. The skirt hugged her hips but gracefully fell to the floor and pooled gently at her feet. It was ivory with a hint of pink in the coloring and Maxi felt it made her look almost ethereal in its beauty. Basically, the dress looked and felt like it was made just for her. The amount of money she put down on the dress was totally worth it and she knew once August saw her in it, it would feel like the best money she ever spent. Hopefully she would be able to wear it again sometime, maybe when she and August went traveling over the summer. Those plans were still in the works and she was certain he would plan something fancy in at least one of the places they went to visit.

As always, her make-up was light and her red hair tumbled in soft waves and curls over her shoulders and down her back. She wore the simple and flawless sapphire and diamond necklace and earring set August had given her all those months ago, as usual, and it was the perfect finishing touch. Even Maxi had to admit she looked lovely. Hopefully August would allow her to get a few pictures of them together tonight while they were both dressed to the nines. She knew she would want to look back on the night! Of course she would frame the picture, though and keep it in her office—he never really went in there anyway so it wouldn’t be able to make him uncomfortable. Finally she rolled on some lip gloss and teased her hair a little bit more before August arrived. As soon as she looked at her phone on the bathroom sink to check the time, she heard the front door open at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll be there in a sec!” she called down, her stomach fluttering a little in excitement. She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face!

Her heels clicked on the stairs as she descended, her skirt gathered gently in her hands to keep from tripping. That was the last thing she needed. When their eyes met she smiled brightly, completely satisfied that he liked it just by the look on his face. Not to mention how handsome he looked! August always took great care of his appearance, but she did love to see him all dressed up like this. He really was the most beautiful man she’d ever met. “You look so dashing!” she commented with a playful air, reaching the bottom of the stairs and pausing a moment to admire him. Since there was only a small step off the landing at the bottom of the stairs, she let her skirt drop around her feet—she should have known better. As soon as she moved to step off the landing, her foot caught in her skirt and she gasped as she started to fall face first towards the hardwood floor. Of course August was there to catch her and as the adrenaline rushed to her head she let out a breathy laugh, gripping August’s arms and beaming up at him. “Maybe the dress with a train wasn’t the best choice for me,” she teased, finding her footing again.

[AUGUST WITT]

Considering the night they had planned, August had made sure to take his ring off before the day was through so he could be somewhat energetic for the evening ahead. He found himself wearing out quicker in the sun lit days, than he had when he'd been awake during the dark days. With his forced nap he felt rejuvenated, though it didn't give him much time to prepare for the evening. He laid his suit out before he shifted to stone, and when he woke he quickly showered and dressed before leaving his home to meet Maxine at hers. He wasn't exactly excited about attending this little soiree, but he knew Maxine was and any excuse to see her dressed nicely was a good one. Plus, he reminded himself that they didn't need to stay long. He had energy to burn, and he had every intention of doing that this evening once he was able to pry her from the benefit.

He chose a thick, gray three piece suit with a crisp white button down shirt and a purple and white striped tie. He looked dashing in his own way, and when he arrived at Maxine's residence he tugged at the lapel of his overcoat to straighten it all out. He'd stopped using her doorbell long ago and let himself in, making enough noise to warn her of his presence without being so loud to distract her from doing what she was doing. August always enjoyed the off chance she hadn't heard, liking sneaking up on her. He knew it was wrong to startle Maxine, but her reaction was too amusing not to do it on occasion.

“I’ll be there in a sec!” she called down, and August knew she'd definitely heard him and there would be no surprising gasp when she made her way downstairs. He didn't bother replying, pulling his phone out and looking through the calendar. Work was going to be crazy this upcoming week, which meant less time with Maxine considering she needed to go to bed relatively early. The ring allowed him to spend mornings with her, though. Just as she was rising, so was the sun which meant before he took himself to bed he would get to be with her, always giving her something to remind her of him while she was with her students during the day; like a hickey or damp panties.

The heels clicking made him finish what he was doing. He slid his phone back into his pocket as he looked up at the vision before him. The girl knew how to dress herself, and the hungry look in his eyes told her how well she'd done at readying herself for him. His eyes started at her feet and drew up her slender body until his eyes landed on her shining dark sapphires. “You look so dashing!” Her voice was playful, not what one might expect to hear from a women dressed as she was, and he cocked a brow in return. "Maybe, but even so I feel under dressed compared to you." His body ached with need and adoration, more than usual, as she came closer to him, as if their bodies were magnetically tuned to each others. The closer she got, the more he wanted.

Despite how elegant she looked, Maxine was always quick to remind him the threads didn't change who she was. At the bottom of the steps her foot got caught and she stumbled towards the ground. Luckily August was quick on his feet and paying attention. He stepped closer and caught her in his arms, her hands gripping his biceps as their noses came close to touching. His brows lowered in a gentle, silent scold, but his lips deceived him turning up slightly at the corners. “Maybe the dress with a train wasn’t the best choice for me,” she teased with a breathy laugh as she smiled brightly in return, finding her feet once more, but August was quick to sweep her off her feet once more, his arm sliding behind her knees and scooping her up into his arms. "This beautiful dress is a hazard." He admonished, fighting the urge to carry hr back upstairs. "As is the women wearing it. Perhaps we should admire it on a hanger and you can spend the remainder of the evening in just that necklace." He suggested, his eyes stormy as they gazed down into hers. He knew she would never go for it, and only part of him was serious, but it was hard to resist her when she looked like she did now. She was like an elegant present waiting to be unwrapped so that he might get to enjoy her over and over. He lowered her to her feet, but held her body close to his, his face far too close to hers. It was becoming more and more difficult for him to deny they way he felt towards this woman. He was becoming aware that it extended far beyond the sex appeal to something much, much deeper.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi had just gotten her feet under her again when August swept her right back up in his arms which made her gasp and laugh as her arms came about his shoulders. He always knew how to make her feel lightheaded. “This beautiful dress is a hazard, as is the woman wearing it. Perhaps we should admire it on a hanger and you can spend the remainder of the evening in just that necklace.” Maxi grinned but blushed too at the way his eyes burned when they looked into hers. It always felt like she was the only woman in the world when he looked at her like that. “And waste the opportunity to show my new dress off?” she replied in a playfully dismayed voice, her eyes flirty as they looked up into his. As much as she wanted to go to the benefit, it was a tempting thought to spend all night in bed. How was it that August could always spark a deep-seeded need in her? He put her back on her feet and she was careful not to step on the skirt again. Even though she was back on her feet, though, August kept her close, his face close enough that their noses were almost touching. She flushed more, her stomach filling with butterflies at the way he held her gaze captive. Her smile grew a little as her eyes finally fell to his lips. There was something about his mouth that always pulled at hers. She lifted her eyes to his again as she leaned in for a kiss. It was impossible to pass up.

Of course their kisses were rarely ever brief, even when they tried to make them so. They could pull away, but a magnetic force would always pull them back unless they were in a hurry. Right now Maxi didn’t feel rushed. His hands pulled at her hips, making her grin against his mouth before she giggled lightly at the way he nudged her to a nearby wall. Her hands cupped his face, their kisses deepening, and she wondered if they would actually make it out of the house. It had always been next to impossible to resist August, and even harder since she’d fallen in love with him. As his hands started wandering, though, she tried to come back to her senses and she pulled back enough to speak against his lips. “We should really get going.” A soft sound between a whimper and a giggle left her as his lips pressed to hers again, her hands now rested at the nape of his neck. She couldn’t open her eyes but she gave a breathy laugh as his lips moved lower, making her heart race and her knees weak as she tried to catch her breath. “August…I promise I’ll do anything when we get home. We just have to go for a couple hours.” Her head dipped down so her lips to find his again in a passionate kiss, her hands sliding down to his chest. After a minute longer of kissing, Maxi nudged him back with a smile. “You can spend them figuring out what you’re going to do to me when we get home.” The look in his eyes made her bite her lip and giggle, accepting his lips one more time as her fingers curled on his lapel. They really did need to get going!

When she pulled back, she took a hold of one of his hands and slid off the wall, tugging his hand gently with a bright smile. “Come on! It’ll be fun!” she assured sweetly. He helped her put on her coat and then she laced her arm in his once the front door was locked behind them. It wasn’t as difficult to walk in the dress as she anticipated, as long as she was able to hike it up just a little to avoid stepping on the skirt. She felt so elegant in such a fine dress! Maureen all but swooned when she’d seen the dress. If only she could see the full ensemble! Of course August helped her into the car and even helped get all of her skirt into it, which she thanked him for with another but much briefer kiss. “Do you think you’ll know anyone there?” she asked when he’d gotten in the car, not sure if he knew anyone who taught at the university. She hadn’t thought to ask before.

[AUGUST WITT]

"And waste the opportunity to show my new dress off?" He heard the playfulness underlying her words which only made him hungrier to keep her there with him. The look he offered left nothing of his intentions up for interpretation. He wanted her. Now. The way her eyes moved down to his lips only solidified his inkling that she had similar desires and he didn't bother holding back as his lips came roughly to hers in a desperate, needy kiss. August slid his hands to her hips, tugging her small frame closer to his to let her know what she did to him, as though she did't already know.

August moved the woman slightly to the left, pinning her against the wall as her hands slid up to cup his face. August took that as permission the have his way and his hands slid up her body over her stomach and approached her chest. With a giggle Maxine pulled away and August looked down at her with stormin eyes "We should really get going." she pleaded and August took it as the challenge it was. He slipped his mouth lower, delivering needy kisses down her jaw and over her nec as his hands continued their journey over her slender body. "August...I promise I'll do anything when we get home. We just have to go for a couple hours." his pants tightenedat the promise. Her mouth moved low to meet his lips and he gave in, kissing her hard as her hands slipped over his chest. He felt her slowly begin to cave. Finally the redhead found her senses agin and nudged him back once more, and August groaned hi dislike. You can spend them figuring outewhat you're going to do to me when we get home." he gave her a playfully annoyed look. "I already know what's in store for you." He threatened with one more defeated kiss. "Come on! It'll be fun!" She promised but he knew better.

August escorted his date to the car and helped her in before getting into the drivers side. "Do you think you'll know anyone there?" he snorted. "With any luck I won't." He offered. The drive was filled with soft chatter about the evening ahead with the occasional threat to take her back home and have his way. In the end he didn't mind too much taking her out like this.

The event was crawling with people by the time they got there, and August helped Maxine in a hand pressed to the small of her back, guiding her in. The place was lavishly decorated and the champagne was flowing like water. He quickly grabbed them each a glass and handed one off to his date before taking a deep sip. "What shall we do first?" He asked, turning to her. "Dance? Mingle? Get a room?" He teased with that boyish smirk.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“With any luck I won’t.” Maxi grinned at August before looking forward as the car started. As they chatted on the way to the benefit, Maxi filling him in on the events they had planned, his hand slipped into hers on her lap. A couple times he threatened to turn the car around and have his way with her at home, but she laughed it off and told him he better not. When she looked back on the early months of their relationship, she wondered how it was that it wasn’t always this comfortable sitting in a car with him and teasing each other. In almost a year they had come a very long way, helped along by several dramatic circumstances. Upon arriving at the benefit, August helped her out of the car and escorted her into the building with a hand on her back. There were so many beautiful people and decorations and some people she actually recognized. A big smile spread on her face as she took it all in and August checked their coats. By the time he came back, he had champagne and she gladly took a glass with a sweet smile and bright, “Thanks!”

“What shall we do first? Dance? Mingle? Get a room?” She smiled over the top of her champagne glass before taking a sip. Her big eyes looked up to the ceiling like she was considering his proposal with a cute pucker of her lips. “As tempting as it would be to get a room, I think I’d like to keep my dress on for a little while longer.” The smile she gave him was flirtatious and sweet before her arm slipped into his. “Let’s mingle a little. I see the English Department chair over there and I’d like to say hi.” She led the way and when the little older woman with the frizzy dirty blonde hair and the thick glasses caught her eye, both their faces lit up. “Maxine! How are you?”[/b] The older British woman pulled her in for a friendly hug and Maxi returned it warmly. “I’m wonderful, Dr. Parker, how are you?” Dr. Parker stepped back and waved her hand with a soft scoffing noise and a slight roll of her black eyes. “Oh the freshmen are driving me up a wall. You would think being program chair meant I didn’t have to deal with teaching them how to actually read literature.”[/b] With another roll of her eyes and a soft laugh that showed off her very bad teeth, always somehow set off by her soft, placating accent. Her eyes fell on August with interest. “And who’s this?”[/b] Maxi smiled over at August warmly. “This is my date, August Witt. August, this is Dr. Jo Parker.” The older woman took August’s hand in a firm handshake and a bright smile. She always had a way of making people feel like fast friends, but she couldn’t help wondering what August thought. “Lovely to meet you, August. You’ve got yourself quite a date here, if I do say so myself.”[/b] Maxi giggled and waved her hand, rolling her eyes. “Oh, please…” she said softly feeling suddenly shy about Dr. Parker fawning over her. The woman gave her a playfully stern look over her glasses which made Maxi giggle again. “Your date should know he’s out with a literary savant.”[/b] Now her face was flushing and even though there was a big smile she shook her head. “You’re exaggerating!” Dr. Parker shook her head, her eyes trained on August’s face with a serious look. “She has a mind made for analyzing literature. I’ve never seen so many students actually request a specific professor before but they love Maxine. They love her enthusiasm. I do too. I’ve offered to help her get tenure about a thousand times but she won’t have it.”[/b] Maxi was deep red by this point, flattered and also a little shy for August to know about what she was like in the classroom and in her intellectual element. She glanced up at him before giving a slight shrug of her shoulders. “It’s too cut throat for me, all of the publish or perish stuff. I’d rather teach high school where my job is stable and I’m not pulling my hair out doing research and writing all the time.” Dr. Parker sighed and shook her head. “As you always say. Are you still working on that piece for the Shakespeare Quarterly? You said you’d let me read it.”[/b] “In my down time at work, yes. I’m almost done. Trust me, I’ll send it to you.” Maxi gave a big, warm smile. “Please do.”[/b] She loved the way Dr. Parker always smiled so genuinely.

Suddenly she looked off in the distance and jumped a little. “Oh! If you’ll excuse me, I have to go make sure my husband lays off the sauce. I don’t need to fish him out of the fountain later. Lovely to see you Maxine and lovely to meet you August. Seymour!”[/b] Maxi giggled as she hurried off as quickly as her aging legs could take her. “Bye!” When she looked back up at August, she was still a little flushed and she had a big smile on her face. “Yeah, she’s one of my biggest fans, I think.” She gave a light giggle and slipped her arm into his again as they began wandering again.

[AUGUST WITT]

August was mildly amused by her reaction, his head cocked gently to the side as she gazed at the ceiling in contemplation. “As tempting as it would be to get a room, I think I’d like to keep my dress on for a little while longer.” "Damn." He muttered as she slipped her arm through his and he offered the flirty smile back, strangely in a good mood considering their location. “Let’s mingle a little. I see the English Department chair over there and I’d like to say hi.” Mingling with people dampened his mood slightly, but he was used to putting on his plastic smile for people. Being in politics he was expected to do it often and had mastered the art of putting on a good face, even when it was the farthest thing from what he'd actually like to be doing.

The woman they approached was dumpy at best. August found she looked exactly how he expected a literature professor to look. "Maxine! How are you?” “I’m wonderful, Dr. Parker, how are you?” The pair hugged and August felt like he wasn't really needed for this exchange so let his gaze wander off as the woman complained about her freshmen. They didn't talk long before he was dragged into the conversation, though. “And who’s this?” August look back, his storming gray eyes meeting the older woman's as a cool smile graced his lips. “This is my date, August Witt. August, this is Dr. Jo Parker.” August extended his hand and took the woman's, giving it a firm shake. "Pleasure to meet you." He greeted, being polite for Maxine's sake though he could care less if he'd never met her at all. She had a friendly smile, though, and August found he didn't detest her. Yet. “Lovely to meet you, August. You’ve got yourself quite a date here, if I do say so myself.” He raised an amused eye and turned to Maxine, as if this were somehow news to him. The redhead beside him was clearly bashful about the compliments which genuinely amused August. “Oh, please…” “Your date should know he’s out with a literary savant.” August cocked a brow. "Savant?" He repeated watching Maxine carefully, loving how easily embarrassed she'd become. “You’re exaggerating!” He felt the woman's eyes on him and turned back to Parker, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “She has a mind made for analyzing literature. I’ve never seen so many students actually request a specific professor before but they love Maxine. They love her enthusiasm. I do too. I’ve offered to help her get tenure about a thousand times but she won’t have it.” All August could think of was how much he enjoyed her enthusiasm as well. It seemed she took her work seriously both inside and outside of the bedroom. “It’s too cut throat for me, all of the publish or perish stuff. I’d rather teach high scho..." He zoned out of the light bickering, not really caring what was said, but enjoying the light lull of Maxine's voice.

“Oh! If you’ll excuse me, I have to go make sure my husband lays off the sauce. I don’t need to fish him out of the fountain later. Lovely to see you Maxine and lovely to meet you August. Seymour!” The sudden outburst had him looking at the woman again, offering a curious eye as she ran off towards the man who presumably was Seymour. Maxi giggled and called her farewell and August's gaze was drawn to her once more. “Yeah, she’s one of my biggest fans, I think.” She giggled, her cheeks still pink and he smirked back. "Perhaps, but I have it under good authority that she's not your biggest." He offered, a mischievous look in his eyes as they moved along.

The string quartet began to play a familiar song and August looked towards the dance floor before tugging his date. "My turn to choose the activity, and since I'm certain you're still not ready to disrobe, this is my choice." He led her to the dance floor and pulled her close, one hand slipping to the small of her back while the other kept her hand gently in his own. "I know I shouldn't be surprised by how many fans you have, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people need to remind me of how lucky I am to have you." He said, their feet moving at a quick pace given the upbeat song. "I wouldn't bother with you if I thought you were anything less than incredible, and I'm insulted others might question my ability to see that in you." He wasn't really angry and it was clear in his tone, just simply stating the obvious. "I wouldn't want you to be mine if you weren't capable of keeping up with me." And she was. Mentally, intellectually and physically. His eyes moved past her and for a moment he felt the blood drain from his face. His movements stopped as he looked into the cold, hard face of the man he hated as much as Sebastian Davenport; Robert Snow. "What's he doing here?" He growled, the mood around him changing instantly.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Perhaps, but I have it under good authority that she’s not your biggest.” Maxi grinned from ear to ear as she looked up at August. She was so glad he was her biggest fan. There had been times in their relationship when she feared her deep adoration was one sided, but he always seemed to assure that wasn’t the case. Her attention was suddenly caught by the song the string quartet was playing. How perfect that this song would come on! Every time she heard it, she thought of the very man she had on her arm. As if he could read her mind, he was tugging her towards the dance floor and making her giggle. “My turn to choose the activity, and since I’m certain you’re still not ready to disrobe, this is my choice.” She laughed, certainly not ready to jump into bed with him yet, as fun as it would be. It was nice to be together like this, having fun in simpler ways and genuinely enjoying their time together. As he pulled her close, she smiled brightly up at him, completely under his spell. No one else in the room existed. It was clear to her once more that she would never love anyone else as much as she loved August. They began to move smoothly, as if they were born to do just this with one another, and she felt perfectly content.

“I know I shouldn’t be surprised by how many fans you have, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people need to remind me of how lucky I am to have you.” Her face flushed, her heart jumping gently in her chest as she let out a soft laugh. She was the lucky one to have so many people in her life who saw her as a gem. “I wouldn’t bother with you if I thought you were anything less than incredible, and I’m insulted others might question my ability to see that in you.” Now her face flushed a shade darker, her stomach filling with butterflies. He always had a way of making her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. She knew he was a ladies’ man, which made her appreciate his devotion and adoration all the more. “I wouldn’t want you to be mine if you weren’t capable of keeping up with me.” Her hand rested on his shoulder moved to the back of his neck, gazing up at him so lovingly. “And here I am. All yours.” The smile on her face spread gently, but he looked away before he could appreciate it. As his face blanched, her smile faded and her brow creased some. “What’s he doing here?” The way he growled the statement made her turn curiously, the mood forgotten as this mystery man busted into it. When her eyes fell on the figure at the edge of the dance floor, her stomach fell through the floor and her face went white as well.

She had heard Robert Snow survived his gunshot wound, but he’d been in a coma for a month before he’d woken up. It was also well known that he was now the new head of the Council, his former position which he’d held long before Maxi and August knew the other existed. That didn’t explain his presence at this benefit, though. She’d never seen him on campus when she was teaching and she was positive he wasn’t an instructor. How could he be there? To her horror, Snow stepped onto the dance floor and made his way closer to them. She looked up at August worriedly. The man was still technically August’s boss; they couldn’t just ignore him. How she wished they could…

[ROBERT SNOW]

Robert had brought Cadence with him to the benefit. They wouldn’t stay long, just long enough for him to make his presence known to the university president and a few of the other partners. It was tedious business, really, but it was a chance to bring Cadence along as his actual date and not just his secretary. There was very little risk in it, considering the people they would associate with at the benefit were not aware of what they were. A few Gargoyles might be there perhaps, but none that were a serious threat to him. The transition in their relationship would have to be slow if it was ever going to happen—there was still a lot of uncertainty. He planned to keep Cadence by his side for most of the evening, feeling ever more possessive of her. For the moment, however, she was freshening herself up in the ladies’ room, leaving him to contemplate the other people in the room. It was still early and he spotted a few more faces he would like to greet at some point, but not right away. Those conversations with the partners were so very dull and he was going to suffer through them, he might as well have a pretty thing on his arm to ease the boredom. For a ridiculous Valentine’s theme, though, the benefit was very tasteful. Surely he would speak to Caroline at some point in the evening and congratulate her success or whoever it was that put this soiree together. Just as he was admiring the place, though, his eyes fell on a familiar face.

August Witt was stepping onto the dance floor with none other than the redheaded Blurr secretary. He remembered seeing them together at the masquerade held over the summer. Just as he suspected then, their relationship was apparently much more serious than either of them had let on. By the way they were giving each other sappy, dewy eyes, Robert felt himself inwardly real in disgust. Gargoyles were meant to be with their own kind. How could a chatty, airheaded, weak Blurr be worthy of a Gargoyle’s affections? He had to admit the woman was quite fetching, much easier on the eyes and more pleasant to deal with than her boss, Periwinkle, but that didn’t mean she was fit for a serious relationship with a Gargoyle. The woman was overreaching her species’ place on the totem pole and the thought got him hot under the collar. His eyes must have been piercing enough for the young man to feel because his head lifted and Robert could see the recognition there. Good. He would know that the former leader of his kind had seen him. Witt said something that caused the Blurr to turn and what he saw on her face satisfied him even more—fear. She was right to be afraid of him.

Without thinking much on it, Robert stepped toward them, making his way steadily across the dance floor, walking between couples. Some turned to look at him, but he ignored them, his stony smile plastered on his cold, hard face. “Mister Witt. What a surprise.” He didn’t say it was pleasant—that would be a lie. It was a surprise however. His eyes then fell on the girl and he could see her visibly tense more. That made him smirk wider. “Miss McManus was it?” The girl forced a smile though it was obvious how nervous she was, and…perhaps angry? It would make sense if she hated him, bitter at his superiority no doubt. “Yes. It’s good to see you healed from your wound.” His eyes were ice as they looked into her pretty little face. “Being powerful has its benefits.” In every sense of the term…He looked at Witt again. “What brings you here tonight, if I may ask?”

[AUGUST WITT]

Maxine turned to look at the man who was now approaching them, and they easy going, carefree feelings he'd had moments ago slipped away, making him rigid with tension and anxiety. The last thing he felt like doing was dealing with Snow tonight. Or ever. It was bad enough he encountered him at work some evenings, but during his free time with Maxine.. it was unacceptable.

The cool smile on Snow's face only made him angrier as the man stopped by them. “Mister Witt. What a surprise.” The greeting was faux cordial and August did his best not to show his dislike. "Likewise." He said, trying to sound more collected than he was. “Miss McManus was it?” The way he looked at Maxine made August want to protect her. One thing was certain; August wouldn't allow the man to sweep her away into a dance again. Not like at the masquerade. That had ended badly for them all and August wasn't interested in a repeat. “Yes. It’s good to see you healed from your wound.” She was being far kinder than necessary, but August said nothing, his gaze intent on the man who stood several inches taller than himself, and was clearly more suited to win in a fight against him. “Being powerful has its benefits.” The response irked August far more than it probably should have. “What brings you here tonight, if I may ask?”

August was thrown into a strange situation. He could be honest, which would end in Snow hassling him and inevitably angering himself, but Maxine would be pleased with his reply. Or he could lie to get Snow away from the quicker and do some damage control with Maxine afterwards. Either way it was a lose for him. August had to quickly consider those options and he looked down at Maxine, somehow finding strength in her being at his side. "Maxine used to teach at the university." He explained, wrapping his arm around the woman and drawing her close to him protectively, his gaze on the man before him without a shred of fear in his storming gray eyes. "And seeing as we're an item, it made sense for me to accompany her." The look he gave his boss was a challenging one. It was the first time August had openly verbalized that Maxine was more than just a toy to him and, surprisingly, he had no regrets. With Peter in power now, certain things had become more lax, interspecies relationships being one of them. He couldn't lose his job for this, and he didn't care all that much about pissing Robert off. In the end he'd be taking Maxine home and having his way with her, which was gift enough for having to deal with this detestable man. "And what brings you to the Remington tonight?" He asked, his voice calm and even as he kept a firm grip possessively around Maxine.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi was glad she no longer had to deal with Robert Snow directly. He was infuriating and intimidating at the same time and she didn’t like the way she felt so angry and frazzled after being in his presence. Peter Halloway, his replacement, was much kinder with his weathered smile and soft-spoken manners. It was obvious Halloway was a tough man, but he didn’t flaunt it the way Robert did, and that made him much more respectable to Maxi. He was also much more accepting of other species, blatantly telling her and Gertie that he did not agree with Snow’s views on superiority. Being back in Snow’s presence again made her extremely uneasy but she felt a little empowered by the fact that he was no longer the Gargoyle leader and that August was there beside her. Their relationship had become much stronger since the last time they encountered Snow and she had faith that whatever Snow said, it wouldn’t affect them in the long run. “What brings you here tonight, if I may ask?”[/b] True, the loaded question left Maxi feeling a little nervous at August’s response but she promised herself no matter what his response was, she wouldn’t be upset—she would be understanding. He looked down at her and she gave the tiniest smile, assuring him of her silent promise. His response wasn’t what she expected.

She felt his arm snake around her back, pulling her close to him as her eyes grew wider. “Maxine used to teach at the university. And seeing as we’re an item, it made sense for me to accompany her.” Her heart thudded excitedly in her chest but her breathing stopped for the moment. They were an item. He wasn’t just telling her they were an item, he was telling Robert Snow. She felt lightheaded and ecstatic that he would publically admit they were together and her eyes glistened with happiness. Her smile was wide, but not conspicuously so, blinking back the water in her eyes before she looked back at Snow. The way his jaw was set and his eyes burned into August, she could tell he was angry with how nonchalantly he announced their relationship, but it only made Maxi feel triumphant. There was nothing the man could do, really. With Peter in power, August would surely be protected from losing his position in the Council just because his girlfriend was a Blurr; that kind of discrimination wasn’t tolerated anymore. She could just kiss August, she was so happy. When they got home, he would be allowed to do whatever he wanted to her.

It felt so good to stand like this in public with August, his arm possessively around her waist and her body leaning just enough against his. She smiled up at Snow to let him visibly know she wasn’t scared of his reaction, even if internally she was a little shaken. At least August was there to keep her calm and steady. “And what brings you to the Remington tonight?” Robert looked between them with barely disguised disgust, but the man forced a plastic smile to his lips. “I’m a partner of the university, so naturally I’m expected to attend.”[/b] Maxi was genuinely surprised to hear it and she tilted her head to the side slightly. “Have you ever taught at the university?” she inquired. The look she received…a looker on would guess she had asked him if he had herpes. He gave a snarky soft breath of a scoff and shook his head with an arrogant and condescendingly perplexed look. “No, I’m far too busy to teach.”[/b] Like he was master of the universe. She was glad she wasn’t too good for a classroom—she loved sharing knowledge. “I don’t have much patience for the less informed. It’s so tedious to have to instruct the same information year after year doing the same thing always. Of course I’m glad there are those who enjoy such work, otherwise I wouldn’t support them.”[/b] That made her feel like no more than a kitchen maid doomed to clean-up mess after mess for the rest of her life. She felt droll, but also defiant—why was being a teacher such a thankless job? She forced a cordial smile on her face while also looking like she had a bad taste in her mouth. “I don’t find it tedious at all. It’s quite rewarding, actually, even if it is something of a thankless job. Wouldn’t you say the same for being a leader?” Maxi wasn’t normally sassy, but she wanted Snow to have a taste of his own bitter medicine.

[ROBERT SNOW]

The way Witt announced so casually that they were an item made Robert cringe inwardly. How could he not be ashamed to admit that? Far from it, he seemed proud of it with the way he wrapped his arm about the McManus girl’s waist. The redhead was sharper than Robert originally took her for, but she was still just a simple Blurr. Just seeing her and Witt standing side by side, Witt’s arm around her like Robert would even want to claim her left his stomach churning. What charms had she used to snatch up a young Gargoyle from a good family? Perhaps Witt was duller than he originally took him for. And naturally the two of them felt entitled because his disgustingly tolerant successor made it known interspecies relationships would be accepted. Peter hadn’t made a formal announcement, but everyone knew his stance on the matter. Had Robert known the man’s stance when he named Peter his second-in-command, he might have interviewed more candidates. Now these two were looking at him as if challenging him to make a move and there was little he could do to retaliate. And then the girl was asking him if he taught at the university—as if that would somehow make them more equal. As if he would ever dream of dealing with entitled, bratty college students in his value spare time. “No, I’m far too busy to teach. I don’t have much patience for the less informed. It’s so tedious to have to instruct the same information year after year doing the same thing always. Of course I’m glad there are those who enjoy such work, otherwise I wouldn’t support them.” It was like maids—he certainly wasn’t going to clean his toilets, so he was glad there were women desperate enough for money to do it for him. Teachers were good for something but far beneath him.

“I don’t find it tedious at all. It’s quite rewarding, actually, even if it is something of a thankless job. Wouldn’t you say the same for being a leader?” Robert’s eyes were as icy as the North Sea in February. Was she seriously placing them on the same level? This Blurr needed to be put back in her place. Her mentor knew his when around Robert—perhaps he should have mentored her better. His smile was forced as he gazed down at the little woman. “There are some aspects that can be tedious such as dealing with incompetence day in and day out. Every leader has to deal with messes their subordinates make—I don’t much care for that. I would say it was rewarding, however. My home is proof enough of that, not to mention the benefits of respect.” The last word was spoken with slight emphasis. He commanded respect wherever he went and if Witt thought he couldn’t be touched because Peter was in power, he was wrong. True, there could be no direct retaliation, but Robert was the head of the Council—he could make Witt’s life much more difficult with just a few pulled strings. Robert gave a casual shrug, his eyes as cold as ever. “I’m able to call in many favors from old friends.” He let that statement sink in for a moment before his eyes glanced over the room.

His eyes moved to Witt, taking in the surly face with obviously forced politeness. “And how are you enjoying your position these days, Mr. Witt? Does the Council keep you busy enough?” It was clear in his tone he could change that if he wanted. Perhaps Witt’s loyalties were with himself or with Peter, but there were plenty more with loyalties to Robert, several of them higher on the food chain than the uppity boy in front of him.

[AUGUST WITT]

"I'm a partner of the university, so naturally I'm expected to attend." Augustbwanted to scowl but did not. He knew Robert was associated with the school but he wouldn't have thought the man would actually show his ugly face at such a common reception. It seemed beneath Robert. Have you ever taught at the university?" August gave Maxine a sidelong look, annoyed she would provoke conversation with this dispicable man. The look on Roberts face was one he would expect to see if the man had swallowed a lemon. No, I'm far too busy to teach. I don't have much patience for the less informed. It's so tedious to have to instruct the same information year after year doing the same thing always. Of course I'm glad there are those who enjoy such work, otherwise I wouldn't support them." Of course he would see the bad side to teaching, not that August found the idea of it any better. He wasn't madeto teach. August was about to try and excuse them when Maxine opened her mouth again, flaring his temper sightly.

"I don't find it tedious at all. It's quite rewarding, actually, even if it is something of a thankless job. Wouldn't you say the same for being a leader?" August squeezed her side in a warning, his body tensing as his anger at her insolence rose. One look at Robert said he was feeling the same way, which wouldn't work out well for August. " There are some aspects that can be tedious such as dealing with incompetence day in and day out. Every leader has to deal with messes their subordinates make. I don't much care for that. I would say it was rewarding, however. My home is proof enough of that, not to mention the benefits of respect." as much as he wanted to disagree with Robert, the man had earned the right to be respected and Maxine needed to know that. "I'm able to call in many favors from old friends." The soft threat lingered in the air and Augus suddnenly regreted his earlir confidence when dealing with this still too powerful man. Just because he wasn't leader anymore didn't mean August was safe from his wrath.

"And how are you enjoying your position these days, Mr. Witt? Does the Council keep you busy enough?" August hesitated for a moment, wondering about he underlying implications of the question. Was he being threatened? August knew there was a strong chance of that. "I enjoy my position dearly, sir." He offered being cordial and trying not to show he'd been affected by the threat. "I'm kept very busy and I'm sure if you spoke with my immediate supervisor you would find my performance is impeccale." He assred the man softly. What he wanted to do was excuse them, but brushing Robert off now might be a bad idea. He hated how easily he was scared back into his place, but August didn't want any trouble. What he wanted was to enjoy his time wth Maxine, even if he was now annoyed that she had provoked Robert Snow.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Robert Snow going on and on about the stupidity of his subordinates and how his big old mansion was proof of the benefits of his position, which made Maxi seriously want to roll her eyes. What a pompous arrogant prick! But then he brought up the benefits of respect and she was suddenly aware of the edge in his voice. “I’m able to call in many favors from old friends.”[/b] The threat lingered in the air and Maxi realized she might have just caused some serious trouble for herself and possibly August. That made her feel queasy and she immediately felt herself backing down from her defenses. “And how are you enjoying your position these days, Mr. Witt? Does the Council keep you busy enough?”[/b] Now she was much more frightened at the damage she might have caused by being a smartass and she looked up at August with an uneasy frown. She should have thought before she retaliated against Robert Snow. The last thing she wanted was for August to reap the consequences of her sass. “I enjoy my position dearly, sir. I’m kept very busy and I’m sure if you spoke with my immediate supervisor you would find my performance is impeccable.” Snow’s mouth quirked up in a smug sort of smirk that made Maxi want to punch him square in his big nose, but instead she bit her tongue and looked down at the floor. “I’m glad to hear it. Keep up the hard work and perhaps you’ll be able to better your circumstances.”[/b] Maxi knew that statement had multiple meanings, one of which suggested he might or might not continue climbing the ladder if he pissed Snow off. Another suggested he could get a better woman, to which Maxi would have liked to smack the old man.

Snow’s eyes drifted away for a moment before coming back to the pair. “If you’ll excuse me, my date is waiting for me.”[/b] The man nodded to them as he brushed past Maxi, to which Maxi nodded her head in return. Her eyes followed the direction he was going and saw Snow’s pretty secretary dressed to the nines and watching him. She’d only met the woman once, but she hadn’t liked her then—she and Snow were perfect for each other. There was probably a scandal to be had there, Snow on a date with his tall, willowy secretary, but Maxi didn’t care enough to really think about it. What she did care about was calming August down, who was no doubt fuming at her sharp tongue towards Snow. She turned back to him with worried and apologetic eyes.

“August, I’m sorry. I should have thought before I spoke. I didn’t mean to get you in trouble. He just…he made me so mad.” She let out a small huff of a sigh, looking down at his chest as she let her frustration go. When she looked back up at him her eyes were big and her lips pouting just slightly. “I’m really, really sorry.” She bit her lip hoping he wouldn’t blow a gasket for her insolence.

[AUGUST WITT]

August tried not to react to the smug way Robert was grinning at him. He could feel Maxine tense slightly in his arm, hoping she would know better than to say anything more. "I'm glad to hear it. Keep up the hard work and perhaps you'll be able to better your circumstances." August kept his face stoic and offered a slight nod. "Thank you, sir." He said politely, his arm still possessively slung around his date, though he wasn't really acknowledging her in any other way. "If you'll excuse me, my date is waiting for me." August didn't watch as the man left, angry at the exchange that had just transpired, but glad to be rid of Snow.

"August, I'm sorry." his icy gaze landed on her and he was clearly annoyed by the way he grimaced. "I should have thought before I spoke. I didn't mean to get you in trouble. He just..he made me so mad." Maxine huffed, but his gaze didn't cool any as he watched her, not saying anything yet."I'm really, really sorry.". She looked apologetic but he was angry still. August realized that he wasn't completely angry at Maxine, though. Yes, she spoke hhen she should not have, but August, too, was to blame. Plus it didn't hurt that Snow was volatile by nature. "Come." He growled in a low voice, pulling Maxine from the dance floor, not wanting to make a spectacle of themselves, and he wasn't much in the mood for dancing at the moment.

August pulled his date towards the balcony, the cool sea breeze biting at his face and knowing that Maxin would feel the chill on her bare arms immediately as they stepped outside. He brought her to one of the tall, heated lamps generating heat for those who chose to enjoy the view despite the time of year. There were a few stray couples on the balcony, which made the area a little more intimate and private. "From now on, when we are in the company of Gargoyles, you will show your reverance. If you have nothing helpful to say, then you will keep your mouth shut." He instructed, knowing immediately this wouldn't go over well. August slipped his jacket off and draped it over Maxine's shoulders to keep her warm. "You are mine, Maxine." His voice was softer now, less authoratative. "This, us, it's taboo in my world. Not everyone will take kindly to a Blurr holding her own in a conversation, as you just saw. The way you carry yourself when on my arm is a direct reflection of me as a Gargoyle man. I will not have you disgrace my name with insulance because someone angered you, despite how well deserved your comments may have been. Do you understand?" His look was a hard one but he also knew she wouldn't likely cave so easily. He reached up taking the lapel of his jacket and pulling it tighter aroundhis date's frail body, his eyes no nearly as stormy as they should have been.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

The angry way August’s eyes bore into hers made Maxi swallow hard as she looked up at him. “Come.” His growled word told her not to argue and she didn’t as she let him tug her along. They made their way to the balcony and as soon as the doors opened, goosebumps erupted down her arms against the chill. It was freezing, but at least the rain had stopped for the moment. Plus there was a tall heated lamp nearby that August directed them to, so she wasn’t too cold. When he rounded on her, she felt her heart beating fast in anticipation of the blow-up. “From now on, when we are in the company of Gargoyles, you will show your reverence. If you have nothing helpful to say, then you will keep your mouth shut.” And just like that her fear at his anger turned into fury at the way he was speaking to her. “Excuse me?” she demanded, her eyes burning now. There was a time when she would have let him speak to her any way he pleased, but that time was long past. What gave him the right to talk to her that way? And what did Gargoyles have to do with any of it? She didn’t have to treat a Gargoyle any differently than she would anyone else!

He took off his jacket and placed it on her shoulders, but she neither thanked him nor pushed him away. She was grateful for the extra warmth but still plenty pissed at his actions. “You are mine, Maxine. This, us, it’s taboo in my world. Not everyone will take kindly to a Blurr holding her own in conversation, as you just saw. The way you carry yourself when on my arm is a direct reflection of me as a Gargoyle man. I will not have you disgrace my name with insolence because someone angered you, despite how well deserved your comments may have been. Do you understand?” He reached out and pulled the jacket around her tighter, but she had to strong urge to smack his hands away at the moment. She’d never been so furious with him. Instead of smacking him, she took a step back, glaring at him as she fought back angry tears. “It doesn’t matter to me whether a person is a Gargoyle or not, they’ll get my reverence when it’s earned, August. I understand we’re taboo to Gargoyles; you don’t know how many times Gertie and Drew and all of the other Blurrs I know have warned me this is dangerous. You know what I say? ‘Thanks for your concern.’ I blow it off because I know we both understand the world is changing now that Peter Holloway is in power and we’ll be fine. I’m starting to wonder if I was wrong. I was ecstatic in there when you told Snow we’re an item. Finally you admitted we were together despite those stupid traditional views on interspecies relationships. But now I have to show my reverence to Gargoyles? Sorry I made you look bad because I felt the need to stand up for myself, but even I have my limits for the amount of disrespect I can take.” A tear trickled onto her cheek and she was genuinely hurt at being told by August of all people to respect a person simply because they were born a different species than her. She was no lower for being born the way she was and she wouldn’t stand to be treated as such, not for anyone. Just when she thought August would stand up for her, here he was doing the exact opposite.

Her fingers brushed away her tear as she sniffed, refusing to look at her boyfriend, looking out at the bay instead. “Maybe you should take me home. You can sleep in your own bed tonight.” Her voice was softer now in disappointment. She wasn’t in the mood to be around anyone at the moment. Once again Robert Snow had managed to ruin everything.