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.

[Bishop Santos]

Bishop chuckled, "I was speaking from experience," He said with a wink.

When she mentioned that all the people around her were a bit overwhelming, he gave a nod, gently steering the two of them out onto one of the empty balconies that came off the side of the ballroom- semi-circles that jutted out from the individual doors (Classic gothic design). Once they were through the doors, the sound dropped considerably, and the chill night air was a reprieve to all the body heat that had built up inside the room.

"At least it hasn't started snowing yet," he commented, looking up at the starry sky, almost subconsciously checking the phase of the moon as he did, quickly remembering the full moon had just passed, before looking back down to her, "I always prefer the winter, though. It's easier to get warmer, not so much getting cooler, especially since I don't believe Hogwarts would tolerate adding air conditioning," he chuckled softly.

He was hoping that his somewhat inane chatter would help calm her nerves, let her focus on just having a good night and enjoying herself rather than the throng of bodies behind them.

[Tatiana Beautero]

The instant the cool air kissed her cheeks, Tati felt her lungs fully open for the first time since she’d stepped into the ballroom. The pressure, that low hum of anxiety, eased enough to let her breathe without it feeling as though it were catching in her throat. She stayed close to Bishop as he guided her out, and as soon as they were safely beyond the doors, Tati let go of the tension she hadn't even realized she'd been carrying in her shoulders. "Thank you…" she said softly, her fingers still curled lightly around his arm. Her gaze drifted upward, following his toward the glittering stars overhead even though she knew he was looking for the moon. "I didn’t even realize how loud it was in there, I thought it was more the crowd getting to me."

She smiled faintly at his comment about the lack of snow. "Mm, and you just jinxed it," she teased gently, her voice warm in tone as it often tended to be with him. "Give it ten minutes and we’ll both be covered in flurries. Though I suppose if that happens, it’ll make for a rather picturesque evening." Tati let her eyes wander back to him then, a flicker of fond amusement crossing her features; recalling the last time they'd attended a ball together, it had snowed that night. He was rambling but intentionally so trying to ease her nerves. That familiar flutter stirred in her chest again, something soft and dangerous, something she’d spent years pretending she didn’t miss.

"I always preferred winter too," she admitted, her tone softer now. "It’s like everything is… clean and so very still, you can hear the silence. The way everything sparkles like it’s just been born again. It feels like the world slows down long enough for us to catch our breath." Although she recalled only briefly how unpleasant it had been when she'd been hiding with the kids, they'd made due as best they could. Mentally shaking away those thoughts she gave a small, self-conscious laugh and then tilted her head up at him, eyes soft. Her free hand found the edge of the balcony, fingers brushing the stone, grounding herself. "I almost didn't come. I nearly talked myself out of it a dozen times… But your voice asking me to attend in my head was louder than the one telling me not too." She looked at him, really looked like she hadn't let herself do since the conversation after his injuries due to his condition. The silence between them wasn’t awkward now it felt comfortable, familiar.

[Bishop Santos]

Bishop smirked at her saying he jinxed it, "Well, jinxing would mean that it's a bad thing. I was just more worried you'd get cold," he said as he looked at her, "And as much as I'd be a gentleman and give you my jacket, it is just a suit jacket, so I'm not sure it would keep the could away for long," he shrugged one shoulder. Luckily, his arm had only been dislocated and had been easy enough to put back in place, but the twinge reminded him that it had just been basically 4 days ago, "Though, it is already quite picturesque," he smirked over at her. He was being a little bold, but well... there was so much he'd left unsaid before.

When she explained why she liked winter more, too, and he smiled lightly, nodding. The quiet of winter was always...refreshing. Everything just taking a deep breath. He gently put his hand back on the one that was on his arm, "Well," he murmured, "I'm really glad you came," he murmured, "I wanted to be able to... I dunno, give you a chance to let down the Nurse Tatiana hair, so to speak, and just be...Beau," he flushed at his own wording, looking away and clearing his throat, "That was awful, sorry."

[Tatiana Beautero]

The fact that he would still have offered her his coat whether it kept her warm or not made that warm feeling in her chest bloom even stronger and Tati smiled softly, "Well I appreciate the sentiment at least but I do have to point out we are wizards…" She doubted either one had left their wand in their quarters but she was grateful for charms and spells that hid such things as to not ruin the simple beauty of her gown. Tati hadn't missed the slight tightening of his face when he shrugged, she just bet that arm was still causing him grief and the ribs too despite the pain medication she'd given him.

She'd been an absolute mess when he'd stumbled into her infirmary that messed up and the story he'd told her had only made it worse. Shoving those thoughts aside she only just caught his comment and blinked at him for a heartbeat before his compliment dawned on her and she bowed her head as the color rose into her cheeks. Tati only just caught herself from shoving him playfully, instead she merely gave a little bob of her head in agreement, "It really is." The warmth of his hand back on hers where it rested on his arm was a decent distraction from the warmth in her chest.

Then he spoke and Tati had to blink a few times before she began to giggle, "Alas and yet the hair is still up." If he was going to dig himself a hole like that, she'd help just to watch him squirm. Lifting her gaze to his face again she gave him one of those rare soft smiles, one she probably hadn't even given to anyone in years. "But that's okay, I don't mind… I still get to spend the evening with you so I suppose it's all worth it."

[Bishop Santos]

Hearing her say the hair is still up, he actually gave a dramatic pout, but then she caught him with that smile, and what she said, he was actually a little speechless for a second, feeling like he forgot how to breathe in that second, "W-Well, hopefully I, uh," he cleared his throat trying to stop stuttering like a third year, though the movement was rough on his throat, but he was literally trying to ignore all of it. It was only proving her point more, "Hopefully I can live up to that sentiment," he chuckled, "No pressure," he smirked at her, "But, Beau, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that true. Cause just... getting to stand here and having this... conversation, even if I'm failing miserably at it," he chuckled again, "Is the highlight of my month. Maybe even the year," he smiled as he looked at her.

"And also, ironic as it is to say, breaking out charms ruins the magic of the moment," he tested, gently squeezing her hand on his arm.

[Tatiana Beautero]

She watched him for a moment before that smile softened, "Bishop… you're not failing at it.." Bowing her head absently she shrugged, "I'm just happy you're speaking to me at all, Merlin knows I'd come to expect…" Tati stopped herself and killed that line of thought, she'd expected the same vitriol he'd given her when things had first gone south. Squeezing his arm absently where her hand rested on it she continued, "...I was afraid I'd lost you forever and I'm glad to know I didn't."

The coolness of the evening crept up on her and she shivered absently before she could stop herself causing her to laugh softly, "I suppose I didn't consider standing around outside when I chose my gown." She hadn't missed his comment about her previous statement regarding the magic and it made her mentally pause as she recalled all the times they hadn't been able to charm something to stay warm and just had to huddle for warmth. "I suppose… you aren't wrong there but there's something to be said for charms and spells when push comes to shove."

[Bishop Santos]

"I was... lost for a good bit, I'll admit. But... I realized you were the anchor that had kept me from getting swept away, you did so much for me, still do," he smirked a little, considering his current state, "And I didn't see it then, but I do now. I owe you so much, but I know you'll just say I don't," he chuckled, "So I just want to be able to show you... not only how grateful I am, but how much you mean to me... have always meant," he murmured, looking out over the lake as he said, knowing he was dropping a lot of information.

When she mentioned not considering being outside when she chose her gown, "Well, to be fair, I bet neither of us were anticipating just how... wild the inside of the ball is," he glanced back that way, "And yes, they do come in handy, I can't deny that," he chuckled lightly, "I was being... facetious."

"Sorry also if that was... too much... Just introspective after, ya know..." he motioned vaguely in the direction of the forest. He hadn't been sure if he was getting out of there, so he did have a few moments of thinking of things he regretted.