[Yule Ball] RP Log: Anastasiya and James

   James    
James had been back in his position as before, leaning back against the wall near the balconies. It was just such a long night, oddly, it was wearing him out to sit in the shadows for so long. Maybe it was just the quiet that was getting to him. He did have a nice time dancing with Athena after all, but they departed shortly after, so now here he was. Back against the pillar with his eyes shut, rocking his head in time with the beat of the music. Never know, maybe it won't be too long until he spots his siblings, or.. well anyone really that he knew. He didn't want Silvia coming around to drag another girl over to dance, he honestly felt almost guilty not knowing if she had come with anyone. They may not have been close, but he felt partially responsible as to needing to make sure she smiles now and then after all that had occurred between them.

   Anastasiya    
She felt lost, wandering around in the room blindly, literally blindly and not used figuratively. She tried to avoid some of the glares she felt that were directed at her, but perhaps it was simply her imagination... she hoped. Somehow, she thankfully ended up near a balcony, unable to concentrate on anyone else's presence. However, she bumped into someone and flinched. "Ah, I'm s-sorry..." she apologized, unsure.

   James    
Just as he reached up to run his hand over the slicked back brown hair of his, he'd felt a small figure bump into him with a jolt. Blinking calmly, his eyes opened once more to cast down at the girl with a smile, "Don't apologize. This place is..well busy to say the least, I'm surprised I haven't ran into a few others myself." Just as he noticed there were a couple students trying to brush past them carelessly, he placed his hand to her shoulder lightly to guide her off to the side so she wouldn't be bumped into, "Sorry about that, Are you alright though? You look a bit lost."

   Anastasiya    
Anastasiya flinched slightly when she felt the taller male place his hand on her shoulder, though she supposes it'd be for the best, since she heard more footsteps all around them, places to go, people to talk and dance with... really it seemed like a semi-mundane routine at dances in general. Politely, she smiled but not at James, just looking straight into nothing in particular. "I'm fine," she says politely. "...and yes, I'm alright," she said thoughtfully before pausing for a brief moment. "My name is Anastasiya, it's nice to meet you...?" she trailed off, unsure of the man's name as she was blind.

   James    
He could understand her flinching at his touch, from how she appeared to react to everything, it just.. gave off the feel.. maybe she couldn't see them around her. He wasn't going to ask, it wasn't polite unless she asked for help or anything, so instead he would just help her not to be caught up around the moving people. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Anastasiya, is it alright is I call you Anna? My name is James, I believe you may have met my younger brother at one time, Albus, he mentioned having met a nice young lady named Anastasiya. Might that have been you?"

   Anastasiya    
"I don't mind," Anastasiya smiled politely. So he was Albus' brother? She relaxed only slightly, somewhat feeling relieved to know that he was Albus' brother, perhaps it was because she found Albus to be kind and believed that his brother seemed kind as well. "Yes, I believe that I've met your younger brother, Albus. If you don't mind me asking, what year are you in? I'm a 7th year."

   James    
He just laughed lightly under his breath, "I take it you know he is the softy of the family, he has that reassuring thing with people you did right there." James mentioned, pointing out that she was able to relax by the mention of Albus, "I've actually been looking for him and Lil around here for awhile now. I'm a seventh year as well, and.. well I know this is rather forward, but if you are on your own as well tonight, by any chance, would you care to dance once you feel comfortable enough to go back through that crowd again?" He gave her that reassuring smile though it seemed obvious she couldn't see it, he tried anyway with the calm hint to his voice. "I'll make sure you don't get lost up around all these kids, half of them are in a daze. Maybe it's the punch." He joked.

   Anastasiya    
Anastasiya smiled at him thankfully. "If it's not too much trouble," she said when he offered to dance with her. "And thank you," she smiled, finding no point in telling him about her blindness. She had a feeling that he might've already noticed, but she paid no mind to it anymore.

   James    
"No trouble at all for a beautiful young lady, such as yourself. It would be more a shame to let the opportunity pass to share a dance," Lightly, he bowed and took her hand, leading her out through the crowd towards the balcony so that they can still hear the music but not be caught among the crowd. "We're just out on the balcony now, I thought it may be a bit nicer out here to dance." He smiled down to her as the snow began to drift down around them, "Are you cold?"

   Anastasiya    
At the compliment Anastasiya grew flustered a bit. Well now, she didn't expect that to be said... "Ah, alright," she said when he told her where they were. The cold air felt a bit nice, though just slightly cold. "Oh, no, I'm not very cold, why do you ask?" she asked curiously, unsure on why James had asked her how she was feeling.

   James    
He chuckled lightly at how flustered she'd seemed by that, but he was just worried in case she caught a chill. "Just never sure, honestly. It's always best to ask if someone is alright rather than to assume, that and it is snowing. It is giving your cheeks a lively pink though, I take it you enjoy the cold?" He smiled as he heard the song starting, lightly taking her hand in his, "May I? If you would like, feel free to step on my feet, I can guide you."

   Anastasiya    
Anastasiya blink, growing evidently embarrassed. It seemed somewhat obvious that she wasn't used... compliments? Well, regardless she was embarrassed. "Ah, a-alright," she said nervously. "I apologize beforehand if I accidentally step on your feet, James..." she murmured.

   James    
Shaking his head with a tiny laugh, he moved his hand down to rest at her waist politely as he began to lead her in the dance. It may have been a little hard for her to follow, so he started off slow so that way she could get in the rhythm of things. "Don't fret, Ana. I have an idea, if you'd like to try it?"

   Anastasiya    
Anastasiya focused on the movements, confused for a short moment before getting the hang of it. However, her interest piqued as she blinked at James. "An idea?" she questioned curiously. He seemed to be a polite gentleman, so she didn't entirely find the suggestion to be all too suspicious. "What kind of idea?" she asked politely.

   James    
Laughing softly, he lifted her in a small twirl to the music before letting her feet step on his so that way she wouldn't worry about tripping, he could just lead her with his steps. "It wasn't anything exciting, no worries, Ana. I just wasn't sure if maybe this could be a bit easier for you, like dancing in braille. If you don't wish to, just let me know." He lifted his hand from her's only a moment to brush a strand of her hair out of her face before taking her hand again to keep her balanced.

[[GOSH twirling and spinning what a cute duo!! The fairies hurry on over to James and Anastasiya, shaking their mistletoe over their heads as they giggle over the pair. Their little voices are cheering in sync with each other and each tiny squeak sounds distinctly like "Kiss! Kiss!"]]

   Anastasiya    
"Eep!" she squeaked when James suddenly lifted her into a twirl and grew extremely flustered when he seemed to deliberately place her feet on top of his. She also significantly paused at the mention of braille. Did he actually realize it? Or was it because he's heard about her from the rumors? Regardless, she didn't know and hoped that it wasn't the latter. However, before she said anything about dancing on James' feet, she froze yet again when she heard an odd chant above her head? It sounded oddly like... 'kiss'?! "Um...? What's going on James...?" she questioned, hesitantly.

   James    
He seemed to smile down at her, just happy she seemed almost taken off guard by this but still seemed to be enjoying herself. "Are you alright?" He asked, having heard the squeak before the sound of ..almost bell like voices above them? He slowly glanced up before a groan left him, a light red dusting over his cheeks as he murmured to her. "..Mistletoe.. bloody fairies.. it's.. it's a Christmas tradition thing.. a lot of muggles do it. ah.." He wasn't quite sure if she knew what one even was, or if she was pureblood, "It's a thing two people stand under.. and when they do.. they.. sort of kiss." He slowed in the dancing, moving to lift her chin softly to turn up to see her expression with his thumb resting softly against her chin. "It isn't required, so don't worry if you wouldn't like to."

   Anastasiya    
If the blonde's face hadn't been red enough, than it certainly was now. "K-kissing...?" she said, flustered at the thought. She was an engaged woman... but if he didn't specify the kiss, then that meant that a kiss on the cheek should suffice, right? She didn't understand muggle customs as she would've liked... "It wouldn't be good to break traditions..." Anastasiya trailed off, unsure and hesitant. "Wouldn't a kiss on the cheek be alright then..?" she said, flustered. She'd like to have her first kiss before her wedding, but she couldn't because she was engaged to a man she's never even met before. Not to mention that James was pretty much a stranger to her...

   James    
"Of course, I'd never ask of you more than what is acceptable. We've only just met before." He gave a small laugh, moving his hand to cup her cheek as he leaned down to press his lips to her forehead lightly for a moment. It was only brief, but it was enough to at least show the fairies that their job is done here. Pulling back, he smiled down to her as the music of the song ended and moved to lightly lift her off of his feet. "Would you like to go back inside? Or sit out here for a short while, Ana?"

   Anastasiya    
Anastasiya's face grew red as she nodded. "Ah, well, I'd like to be outside for a little bit," she said, smiling hesitantly. "Thank you for dancing with me, James," she said, tiptoeing to give James a small kiss on the cheek. "And for telling me what a mistletoe is," she said, chuckling lightly though her face seemed to be stained with red from how embarrassing it all was.

   James    
His eyes grew slightly wide at her hesitant smile, seeing her rise up a bit to his height. It caught him off guard but.. it.. was rather.. nice? He didn't know how to explain it, but his cheeks quickly flashed dark red with a stutter, "Ah.. uh.. right, anytime, Ana." He looked away a moment and gently reached for his hand to lead her to one of the stone benches by the balcony so she could sit a moment. It was so out of character for him, being this flustered, what happened to cool and slick James? Something about the way all her movements were so delicate just made him freeze up. Was he.. starting to.. actually like this girl? They just met. Shaking his head a tiny bit, he took a seat down beside her with a smile, "Ana, can I ask you something?"

   Anastasiya    
Smiling thankfully to James, she takes a seat on the bench. "Hmm?" she blinked. "What would you like to ask, James?" she questioned, curious. Was something the matter? He seemed to be hesitant a moment ago, but was that just her imagination? She didn't know.

   James    
He had to lightly smile, leaning back to the short stone railing behind the seat to look over at her, "I was just wondering, have you always been unable to see..? Or did you lose your sight?" He gave an unsure smile about it, "I was just wondering, because if you'd like, I can describe things? How they look right now for you."

   Anastasiya    
She froze at the mention of her sight, but smiled gently. "I lost my sight when I turned five," she said softly. "It's a family blessing," she smiled as she said that, though she herself doubted that it was a blessing. "A child in my family will lose their sight, and they will regain it when they turn 17," and that was all she chose to say on the matter of her eyesight. When he suggested describing what things looked like, she nodded. "If you'd like to, then you're free to do so," she smiled at him.

   James    
"I apologize if the question was a bit.. much.. I just hoped to describe to you how beautiful the night looks out here. There has to be a million stars out, even with the snow. It's not alot of snow, but it is enough to give that light halo around the moon that makes it almost alluring. Everything, even in the ball room, it's silver and white, almost like a new beginning. Strange to see how much color is actually in there as well, most people wear only winter colors, it's refreshing. I have to say though, they are all missing a wonderful moment out here. You look radiant, and not a one of them have stopped their rush to take it in. I feel bad for them."

   Anastasiya    
"No, no, it's alright," she smiled. "I'm not used to hearing someone ask about my blindness, since I tend to be the one who has to tell them," she chuckled, closing her eyes as she remained smiling. James' voice seemed a bit soothing for her, and it made her happy to hear him describe their surroundings. However, she instantly became flustered when he commented her about her appearance. "Ah... th-thank you..." she said, blushing darkly as she held her hand over her mouth as she continued to think about how kind James is. "I don't really know how to possibly thank you for how kind you've been, James," she said, smiling at him as a blush appeared on her cheeks, far more prominent and red.

   James    
He just chuckled softly that she would thank him for being kind, it was almost strange to hear this sort of thing since someone as nice as her should have had a lot of kind people surrounding them. Rising to his feet slowly, he reached out and lightly took her hand, "Then don't." A smile curved up at the corner of his lips, leaning down to place a soft kiss to the back of her hand. "Is there anywhere you would like me to take you so you won't be alone? I may call it a night, it has been quite eventful really."

   Anastasiya    
She grew flustered as James kissed the back of her hand, though she frowned slightly. "But I really would like to thank you," she simply said until a voice was shouting 'Anya'. "Oh... that must be my friends..." she murmured quietly. "Thank you again, James," she said, giving him another kiss on the cheek as she stood up. "I'd love to talk with you another time," she smiled shyly as she waved at him, walking straight into the wall. "Ah, I-I'm alright!" she said, flustered as she managed to properly go back to the large room.

   James    
He blinked again, left standing there flustered as she hurried off towards her friends. Reaching up slowly, he let his hand lay against his cheek to feel where she'd kissed his cheek as the redness soon lit up over his slight freckles. "I'd love to as well.. " He muttered softly under his breath, knowing she was already far enough to the point he didn't hear her, but he was flustered about the whole situation, yet ..happy. Weirdly happy he met her. It was that thought that lingered in his mind as he turned away from the balcony and made his way back inside through the crowds to turn in for the night, hoping not to run into anyone else on the way up to the dorms who may see his oddly flustered look.