Once More With Feeling [Bishop]

[Tatiana Beautero]

"For old times sake, Beau… Please,come to the ball."


Those words were the exact reason she'd frantically rushed to find a gown in time and now stood in front of the barely acceptable mirror making the last few touches on her hair. She didn't feel like she looked anywhere close to as pretty as she had back when they'd been students in her dress then but it was enough Tati was sure. It wasn't as if she had much in the way of spending money to use for her options, thus why she'd done her own hair and makeup.

Keeping both relatively simple and subtle so the focus was the dress and not the rest of her. Glancing over at TJ where he slept peacefully in his kennel she'd made sure to spend extra time with him today and let him get good and worn out before she even began to get ready. Sure that he was settled she made her way out of her quarters and started towards the Ball. As she approached the doors she felt that nervous feeling in her stomach and might have let it lead her right back up stairs except he'd asked her to come.

Tati'd had every intention of avoiding the ball entirely, too many people, too much noise; just everything that triggered her. She'd have much preferred to use it as a distraction for everyone else while she headed with TJ to her place in Hogsmead for the Winter break. Her little place there wasn't much at all but it was home for her when the school wasn't in session, it was her sanctuary where she could disappear from everyone and everything. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes counting to five before she opened them again and stepped through the doors, hopefully it wouldn't take too long to find Bishop or a nice quiet corner to hide in until she did.

[Bishop Santos]

Bishop was already in the dance hall, somewhat cursing himself for not meeting her and walking her there, or would that have made things more awkward? He wrung his hands together as he looked around, clearing his throat as he waited, a part of him starting to wonder if she might change her mind. He smoothed out the front of his white suit jacket, wondering for a moment if all white was a bit much. He looked down at himself then shrugged as he reasoned it was a little too late to do anything about it now.

What was he? A student again?

He shook his head at himself, giving himself a mental pep talk before looking over hearing the doors opening. And there she was. They were overdue for this moment, weren't they?

Nervous as he was, he didn't hesitate, making his way across the room to her, "Good evening," he said to get her attention, "You look... quite lovely," he said, seeming like he wanted to say more but was trying to not be over the top, "I know we're supposed to be here as chaperones, or I am anyways, but I'm really glad you came," he smiled, sincere.

He still wasn't entirely sure where they stood, but as long as she wasn't pushing him away, he'd stand as close as she'd let him.

[Tatiana Beautero]

Something white, no… someone moving towards her in a white suit caught her attention and as she turned to see who Tati felt her breath catch. Bishop. And he looked marvelously handsome, she'd have never imagined him in an all white suit but it surprisingly fit him very well. Made the warmth of the coloring of his skin, hair and eyes just pop that much more. When he slowed near her and spoke Tati gave him a little polite curtsy, "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, Bishop."

It was entirely unconscious as he stood there with her that Tati's hand came up and rested at the crook of his elbow, holding onto him but doing so much less anxiously than she really wanted too. The Great Hall was beautiful, they'd really outdone themselves this year. At his continued words she nodded, "Well you did ask me to show up, how could I refuse?" They hadn't been together at a Winter Solstice since they were children and back then, well it hadn't been quite the magical night she'd expected.

Even if she'd still been burying everything, there had always been that small spark of hope and then of course after that night she'd had to leave. Mentally shaking those thoughts away she turned her attention back to him and smiled softly, "I apologize for missing the feast itself but I had to attend to TJ before I left my quarters." And she still didn't like eating among a crowd either but Tati didn't bother mentioning that bit, she was sure he'd know after as many meals as they'd shared in either her quarters or his lately.

Her hand squeezed just a little on his arm as she kept herself close to him before continuing, "Are you free to keep me company or are you needed back with the others?" Merlin, she certainly hoped he was; being here without TJ was stressful enough but his presence made it tolerable. If she had to endure it without both of them at her side, Tati might very well collapse from the anxiety of it all.

[Bishop Santos]

Bishop turned about 4 shades of red as she complimented him, but gave a proper bow to her curtsy. When she put her hand on his arm, he bent his arm and put his hand lightly on top of hers, "No need for apologies, but if you're hungry, there are some finger foods, I think," he said, looking over that way, "Depends on how fast the vaccums that are teenaged boys have descended on them," he chuckled before looking back towards her.

When she asked if he was needed to keep chaperoning, he snorted, waving his hand, "There's more than enough chaperones. There are Aurors in here, after all," he motioned around towards where a couple were at, looking a little out of place, placing his hand back on hers, "I think they'll be alright without my attention. They lost it anyways," he chuckled. Like he could focus on anything else with her here.

"Did you want to dance any? Or shall we try for a balcony moment first?" he mused, looking around, being a little cheesy, but he was hoping to help them both relax. He'd have to take her on a proper date after this...right? Surely he wasn't just reading into things... perhaps he should wait until the end of the night before making plans.

[Tatiana Beautero]

Tati couldn't help but giggle some at his comment about the food, "I do seem to recall a certain boy I knew who would do much the same, I think it's just in boys to do." Recalling their childhood moments almost sort of stopped her but she pushed through, those were good memories; at least most of them were in the beginning. It surprised her some when he brushed off needing to play chaperone any longer and she gave a little cursory glance around at the various members of staff and other professors in attendance.

She didn't miss his comment about them losing his attention but she wasn't exactly sure what to make of it, so she tucked it back for later if necessary. "It does seem as if everyone is here. I suppose no one wants to miss a big party." Except her. She'd been willing to miss it but he… his questions drew her attention back to him and she unconsciously blushed.

A balcony moment…

While she wasn't entirely sure what that meant, being in a crowded area no matter how much free space there was always made her anxious. She'd never really recovered so far as being the social butterfly she had been before everything and Tati doubted that would change now so far into her adult life. "While I would like to dance, I think some air would genuinely do me well at the moment…" Tati absently bowed her head before she continued quietly so only he would be able to hear her, "All the noise and the people… it's the first time I've done such without TJ and it's a bit overwhelming."

Dr Blackwood had insisted she needed to be more honest with those she considered closest to her and no one, not even Pen could hold a candle in that regard to the man at her side. It didn't matter in her mind how long they'd been physically separated, she'd been having conversations with him in her mind for years because she just knew what he would say. Her grip on his arm tightened a bit as she forced herself to breath slowly and gently, not wanting to get too worked up but she hoped he wouldn't mind the detour first.