A First Time For Everything (Seth & Serafina)

Aurors In-Training Posts : 23

So far in her time at the ball, she had made one friend, and seen countless wannabes. It was surprising even to her how many people played dress up for the sake of being noticed, and not because they were confidant in their looks, too. Rather they seemed to think that by wearing skimpy dresses and high-heels, or fancy tuxedoes and ties, they could become someone else entirely.

It didn't work that way. It never did and it never would. What clothes were made for was enchanting natural aspects of a person, and anyone who didn't know that was just wasting their time. That was why her mask didn't actually hide her face; it highlighted her eyes and say perfectly still above her nose, and being laser cut, was more of an outline than anything against her face. There was no denying who was behind it.

So, naturally, Serafina avoided these people. It would not look good for her if she mingled with people who had no sense of anything, and especially since she was a Pureblood.

Having been done with the conversation with Parker, she was now making her way onto the main floor, keeping an eye open for someone with whom she could make acquaintances with. And then, she saw him. He carried himself in a manner that screamed he was one of her kind - a Pureblood - and despite not knowing yet who he was, she was certain of this fact. As she edged closer, walking in a manner that did not appear as though she had intention of meeting someone, Serafina ran through the list of families she knew.

None came to mind, but with the mask he wore, it was hard to tell who he actually was. Nevertheless, she stopped herself next to him, waited a few seconds and then extended a hand. "My, you are looking rather dashing, aren't you," she commented, voice soft and flowery. "Serafina Kaylee Isabelle Richardson," she went on, a proper Pureblood introduction of her whole name. If he was indeed of her status, he would recognise that at once. "And with whom do I have the pleasure of the next dance?"

Dragon Trainers In-Training Posts : 13

Seth was not unfamliar with dances, parties, social gatherings and the like. Ever since he was old enough, his parents would drag him to a dance or party almost every week. And though he didn't particularly enjoy such social gatherings, he didn't object to attending them because of the possibility of some fun and frolic with the females there. He kept his intentions hidden from his parents, knowing he'd never hear the end of it if they caught him chatting up a girl for anything other than marriage. He'd been groomed to behave as a Pureblood heir should and trained to dance perfectly.

Which was why he was quickly losing patience with the girl in his arms. He'd been hoping to score with her tonight but her dance skills ended that thought quickly. He did his best to protect his toes and as the song ended, gave a stiff bow and a forced smile before taking his leave. No matter how pretty she'd been, he simply could not spend another minute in the company of someone who found pleasure in torturing his toes. She'd be better off as a bar maid.

Spying a table with refreshments Seth's spirits lifted. A little drink would most definitely cheer the night up from the disaster it was turning into. With his attention focused on the table, he made a beeline towards it and held back a curse when a female interrupted him. It wasn't new to have girl strike up conversation with him and try to bat their eyelashes off in a poor attempt at flirting, because really, who could resist him?. But this was one time he didn't want their attention. He needed alcohol.

All thought grinded to a halt when he turned his head and beheld her. My, but she was a sight for sore eyes. Everything about her screamed that she was a Pureblood because Muggleborns and half-bloods could never achieve the way in which she carried herself. She confirmed it with her introduction.

Giving the half smile half smirk he knew made every girl's heart melt and drop them to their knees, he took her hand in a firm shake. "You aren't to bad looking yourself... though there's room for improvement," he returned once she stopped speaking, his smile slowly widening to a grin as he waited for her reaction to that.

"Seth Benaiah Abiel Corbett," he responded, releasing her hand. There was no denying the power in her name. The Richardsons were high up on the ladder. Anyone would be a fool not to have heard of them. "And isn't it the male's duty to ask the female for a dance?"

[[OOC: In the setting of Purebloods, I actually don't know if the guy-ask-girl-to-dance rule applies to them, so if it's wrong, let me know and I'll change it.]]

Aurors In-Training Posts : 23

She watched his expressions closely as he turned and as she gave her name. Recognition was what she was looking for and was what she found. He was, after all, a Pureblood. But there hadn't been any doubt about that in the first place; the air of those of her status were unmistakable, and if any Pureblood did not have that aura of seniority about them, they were probably failures.

Blinking past the smile, she wondered how many females had fallen for that. A simple trick, really, but a smart one. Most females went for looks and power - did the man they were with handsome? Would he bring their family a good name? Or was he one of the lesser ones, bound to only cause ugly rumours to spread if they got engaged? So Pureblood males were trained on things like dancing and curtesy, on how to treat a female and lead a family and all those stereotypical male things. Naturally Serafina had studied them all in her own time, and come to learn the different methods men used. After all, she had had her fair share of encounters in the past, and all male were the same.

Except.. this one has spark. He was barely rude, but it wasn't something you'd say to a female, and already Serafina had to hide a smile. This was going to be interesting. Instead, she let out a laugh, short and pretty like she had been thought, and went on, "You should see me when I put in the effort. Why show my best when the best aren't around?"

The name was one she knew. Fairly well known, rich, and overall a decent family. The man before her was the heir - she was made to memorise all the names of the heirs of prominent families - and she was sure he already had quite a few females after him.

At the question, she smiled slyly, nodded once. "It is, and I'm not asking you to dance. I was insinuating, Mr. Corbett, that you will," she said, using the proper Pureblood manners of using his last name. It wasn't necessary but she enjoyed doing it nevertheless. "It seems there's room for improvement up there, too," she added, almost as an after thought, and let her eyes drift up to the top of his head and then back down to meet his eyes. The entire time she kept a polite, feminine smile on her face, as though they had been discussing something fascinating.

Dragon Trainers In-Training Posts : 13

This is proving to be better than alcohol Seth thought. This woman and the way she spoke and behaved intrigued him - not an easy feat when girls flocked to him. But this... Serafina was different, not the usual Pureblood females he encountered and certainly not like those he bedded. For one, she was a lot more confident but that was to be expected from someone with such stunning looks. He bet she defied rules and authority at times too and was not one to obey everything society dictated.Very interesting.

When she didn't seem to be affected by his smile - save for the cookie cutter laugh he knew females were trained to do - his interest in her grew. Most females would giggle and simper and bat their eyelashes but she instead gave him something manufactured. This girl would be a challenge...something Seth hadn't gotten in ages. By the time he was done with her, she would be begging for his attention.

"And whom, pray tell, do you consider the best, the people worthy of your effort?" Seth asked, responding to her question. He wanted to see whom she thought she would show her best for. It would give him more insight to her.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked as she explained herself. "A rather bold assumption you made, Ms. Richardson. What makes you think that I would do such a thing?" he responded, tilting his head very slightly. He didn't think he'd met anyone - much less a Pureblood - female who exhibited such boldness and forwardness. It was a refreshing change, one that he wasn't unhappy with.

He grinned at her last statement and decided to play humble. "If I didn't need improvement up there, I wouldn't be at a university," he responded, hinting that since she was also studying at the academy, she could improve up there too. Seth didn't think he dished out that many honey coated insults before but he was enjoying the banter of wits, yet again another uncommon thing to do with a female. Definitely better than alcohol.

Aurors In-Training Posts : 23

Easy. That was what she first thought when she spotted him across the room. A typical Pureblood male she could toy with and leave just as things were getting good. Something to make the night a tad more interesting, that sort of thing. But she had been wrong. It wasn't often that Serafina found herself admitting fault, but this was one such case. The male in front of her was different. Rude, disrespectful, and interesting. So much more interesting than any she met before.

So, naturally, Serafina was all in, ready for a challenge. Those were rare, but this male? He was different than all the others. He made the challenges look boring, and that made it all that more intriguing. A rebel, it seemed, but not one like her. He was more blatant about his unconventional ways.

She smiled at his question, and pretended to look slightly abashed. With an air of surprise, she inquired, "Mr. Corbett, pray tell, why you want that information. Are you so desperate to impress me that you must know my type?" Of course, Serafina knew this wasn't the case and her voice, coy and airy, showed this. She was playing with him, and if he had any brains - which, despite her earlier comment, she was certain he had plenty of - he would know this at once.

"What makes you think that I would do such a thing?"

"Because, my dear Seth," she replied without hesitation, keeping her voice soft and flowery. "I am interesting. And you?" She smiled flirtatious at him, blinked slowly, and then made her tone matter of factly, no trace of anything sweet lingering. "You are bored."

Stopping for a few moments, she waited for the words to register in his mind, not once taking her eyes off his. Her smile was still feminine, and her fluttered her eyelashes at him in an obviously exaggerated manner. "And I feel like dancing, so if you don't ask me, I'll just find someone who will." Another couple seconds passed, and then Serafina started to walk, not turning her back on him but rather heading towards and beyond him. Just as she passed the male, their shoulders barely grazing, she very softly murmured, "Your call, Mr. Corbett." With that, she continued on her way, slowly and elegantly as ever, wondering what Seth would do.

Dragon Trainers In-Training Posts : 13

Seth never thought he'd ever meet a female Pureblood he actually enjoyed talking to much less converse without the intention of bedding her. And yet here he was, in a scenario he ruled impossible to ever happen to him. Here was a woman who could match him wit for wit, who didn't stand down and who had some functioning brain cells. A rare gem indeed.

He read through her pretended abashment. Such an emotion and expression did not fit the bill for the confident woman she was. Ah yes. Some similarity to the normal girls. Always putting on expressions unlike themselves. As he listened to her response, he could feel adrenaline start to flow around his body. This was becoming exciting.

"Impress you?" he repeated, lifting his eyebrows and feigning shock. "You must be deluded. I have no reason to impress you. What a silly notion." He knew she was playing him. That much was quite obvious which was why he held back other sharp retorts that came to mind. She was flirting, or rather, trying to flirt but he was smarter than that and wouldn't fall so easily.

"Praising yourself does not look good on you, my dear Serafina," he responded. "And you must be skilled in legilimency to presume what I'm feeling," he added, giving no indication in his tone or facial expression to let her know she was spot on. Chances were that she did not practice legilimency but he was curious how she reached the rather accurate conclusion. It wasn't something many females picked up since he hid it well by charming up a bunch of girls. But what many people did not know was that the reason he flirted so much was because he was bored. Something this woman he'd just met managed to decipher after talking to her for a short time.

Seth kept stock still as she came nearer, stopped and murmured. He only turned his head slightly to hear her better but didn't give her the honour of looking at her. When he heard her statement, he couldn't help but smirk internally. Wrong choice, woman.

"Go right ahead," he responded, keeping his voice low and husky. "I'm sure there are many others who are hankering for a dance partner." Although he did want more time to speak with her, he did have his own dignity and pride to keep. Seth Corbett did not beg just because a pretty woman played hard to get. No. He was the one to make them beg.

Aurors In-Training Posts : 23

His reaction to her questions told her at once that he was not the type to follow common curtesy. A rebel, most likely, of the Pureblood ways and social norms. That did not bother her in the least; rather, it excited her and enthralled her. How often did she meet someone who so blatantly disrespected the way things had been for thousands of years? Not often was an understatement - indeed, she had never met anyone like that ever.

"Just as deluded, my dear, as you are," she replied sweetly, not at all taking offence with his words. She knew they weren't truth. "You know as well as I do that I am very worth impressing. Marry me and I'll bring your family fame and fortune." There was no denying the dry tone in which she spoke, hinting at slight disdain at that fact. And, in a way, it was true; she didn't like that to most males she was but a commodity to be bought through machoism and good looks.

No, she was worth so much more than that and because she knew it, she was a black rose. A self-made thorn among stereotypical roses standing tall and proud of the exact same colour and petals they all shared. And Serafina was proud to be a thorn. She smiled, went on. "And we both know if you make me your enemy I can ruin your family name for the rest of time with but a word."

Doing something she was taught never to do, Serafina shrugged casually. "So yes, you do have every reason to impress me. What you do with this knowledge, however, is entirely up to you. And what I do, Seth Benaiah Abiel Corbett, heir of the family, is entirely up to me." The last sentence was delivered as a very disguised threat. It spoke of her knowing who he was and served as a reminder as to how powerful he was whether or not he wanted that power. It also told him, if he had the brains to figure it out, that she was hinting at being able to completely destroy him if she wanted to.

She didn't, but it was up to him to figure that out. All she did in the meanwhile was smile friendly like, posture reflecting the amiable tone in which she had spoken and not the severity of the words she had used.

She shook her head at his reply. "I am merely recounting a fact. I am twenty-two. I am female. I am interesting. It's simple truth. You should learn what that is, sometime," she commented, and then let out a slight laugh at his next few words. "One does not need magic for everything. It was not legilimancy. It was common body language. You are bored, end of story." She was quite sure of this, although of course, she could have been wrong. Still, no harm in guessing.

She didn't bother gracing his statement with a reply, instead continuing onwards without a second's pause or glance behind her shoulders. And she did exactly as he asked, finding a half-blood that showed enough interest in her for her to not mind playing with. He wasn't the best dancer, but as she slid one arm around his waist, she contented herself with him. Who he was didn't matter; he was a pawn, and the queen was going to be hers. Her move was over, and it was Seth's turn now.

Dragon Trainers In-Training Posts : 13

Seth grinned internally. He'd correctly predicted her response. He wasn't stupid; he knew that marrying her would bounce his family up the ladder more than a few rungs. He knew that marrying her would increase his fortune more than a little bit. Oh yes. He had every reason to impress her. What he didn't expect was her veiled threat. That was a rather un-Pureblood female thing to do, though he had no right to judge since he too, constantly broke both spoken and unspoken rules.

He returned her smile. "Very true, dear Serafina, but there are other fish in the sea, some bigger than you - not in the literal sense - and perhaps a tad more pleasant," he began, pausing for a while to give a show of pondering something intense. "And yet, I think you do not like others thinking of you as a good catch," he added. So far, he'd gathered from the way she spoke that she was an independent woman and highly individualistic, not one to mutely obey rules. Very unconventional.

"That is a very big if, Miss Richardson," he responded suavely. "And if I'm your enemy, that makes you mine too and not many people find it in their best interest to play adversary to the Corbetts." His family had a rather long history of making people pay for crossing them. It was a habit they were clever enough to keep under wraps but it was there nonetheless.

"Also, I'm sure handing out threats is not part of a true Pureblood's demeanor," he added. He knew pointing that out left him open and vulnerable for her to point out that he too did not conduct himself the way an heir should but he couldn't care less. "And there's no doubt that you have the power to ruin my family but there's a big question mark whether you will actually do it."

Seth had no idea how they progressed so fast to such an intense conversation that included sort-of threats. This was the most fun he had in a while. He doubted she would actually carry out her threat. He didn't pin her for the vengeful kind of girl but it was too soon to judge. And who could tell how much a person was capable of and how far they would go when provoked? Even the sweetest of lambs turned into a fire-breathing dragon if pushed to far.

"And you should learn that pushing the truth into other people's faces can make one look ugly," he responded with a small smile. "Ah yes. The reading of body language. A rather useful art, I must say and yet fallible too. It is easy to fake one's own body language, a feat I have achieved with surprising success."

He watched her walk away. But when she started dancing with the half-blood, he lost interest, turned around and without once looking back headed in his original direction - to the refreshment table. He wasn't about to look like a petty fool, chasing after her. Never in a million years was that going to happen. He poured himself a drink and sipped it engaging in small talk with some other people also clustered there.

» (Not) Just Another Ball (Seth)
» Long Time No See [Brooke]
» Safe Haven (Serafina)
» Seth Benaiah Abiel Corbett
» The First Time We Said Hello

A First Time For Everything (Seth & Serafina)

A First Time For Everything (Seth & Serafina)

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