Let's get this party started! (Invite only)

Mary put the last bag of groceries on the table and looked around, amused. There was so much alcohol and various snacks around the little flat, the witch wasn't even completely sure what kinds there were. Gavin and her agreed that a party is due - more than one, in fact, so they just combined the house warming party, Mary's graduation, Gavin passing his first year of Uni and both their birthdays. They sent out the invitations about two weeks earlier to give people enough time to figure out what to wear and such things and then got right to the planning.

The flat looked even more amazing now that it's been furnished and somewhat tidy. There was a huge comfy couch in the living room and an armchair that was significantly less comfortable, but prettier. They were all facing a second-hand tv set, with a small coffee table in between, which was now filled with bottles, plastic cups and bowls with chips and other snacks. Near the window, there were two bean bags that were almost always occupied - if not by Mary or Gavin, it was by their new dog, Rocket.

Rocket just started following them one day and after they made sure he didn't belong to anyone, they took him to a vet to make sure he was healthy and got him all the necessary shots. After that, they adopted him and he seemed to enjoy living with them, if they could judge by the amount of cuddling and wagging of the tail.

"Is there anything else we need to do" Mary called out to Gavin as she put the groceries away. She knew neither of them would want to go to the store tomorrow, so she bought everything they might need in advance. There was a huge line in the shop, though, so Mary came home around the time guests should start arriving and was feeling a bit nervous because of that.

The Invitation to Gavin and Mary's Party had been a complete surprise and Marilyn had pretty much all but chucked it when she'd gotten it, way too apprehensive after seeing both of them for the first time and the extreme awkwardness that had ensued. It still made her jittery and uneasy when fragments of her old life caught up with her. So she avoided it where possible.

This time it was not possible.
When Jake had shown up at her flat to ask her to accompany him she'd stared at him for a momen, surprised at the realisation that 'of course he was invited' and 'shit they are his other best friends'. So obviously the next words coming out of her mouth were "Okay" and "Fine".

Fuck.
But Jake had seen her uneasiness, of course, and appeased her with a kiss and an embrace.
Which had then led to the next big question. What on earth to get them? Both were rather clueless in that respect so Mari went to her grandparents for help and that was how she ended up with Jake at their flat with a vase and flowers.

But Marilyn, in contrast to Jake, simply remained silent, trying to smile and stay close to her...Jake.

 (Marilyns look)

When Gavin's alarm had gone off at eleven in the morning he immediately silenced it wanting nothing more than to sleep a little bit longer, it was much to his chagrin that the second alarm he set up across the room started buzzing not five minutes after. "Goddamn it.." the red head grumbled to himself as he sleepily trudged out of bed and stumbled over to the obnoxious noise to silence it. It was only when he saw the reasoning for the alarm did he perk up, 'Party Day' was emblazoned across the screen of his phone and caused a wide grin to spread across his face. Even though he had a few house before people started arriving he needed to wake up early to prepare the surprise he had for Mary.

Silently before Mary caught him he slipped out the front door and went into the city to pick up the present he'd ordered for her earlier that month. When he got home a few hours later the house was still silent and he assumed that Mary had left to get some things together for the party. Hiding her present in his room he went to take a shower and get dressed for the night. The running water was echoing louldy enough that he didn't hear Mary getting home, or the people getting there after her. So when he stepped out of the shower and saw a tiny fuzzy puppy running off with his shirt he quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and ran after him. "Rocket! Get back here with tha--"

As he turned the corner into the living and for the first time realized that people had gotten here while he was in the shower. Immediately Gavin turned a brilliant shade of red that put the hue of his hair to shame. Instead of words a loud audible squeak escaped from his throat and he ran off back into his room. Quickly he threw on some clothes that were laying on his bed and still blushing headed back out to his friends. Awkwardly he rubbed the back of his neck and gave a shy wave as he headed into the kitchen and made himself a drink. In the corner Rocket laid chewing on the shirt he'd stolen with a content look on his face which elicited a glare from Gavin.

His heart was still beating loudly in his chest and he wasn't sure he'd be able to speak as he moved to stand next to Mary. "Welcome to our flat guys.."

There was no reply from Gavin, but Mary could hear the faint sound of water running, so she figured her roommate was taking a shower. A few moments later, the door opened and Jake's voice sounded in the apartment. Mary grinned brightly and went to greet her guests. Luckily, she had dressed for the party before going to get groceries and was already wearing a cute deep-blue summer dress.

"Jake! Mari! Welcome to our humble-"

Gavin yelling after Rocket interrupted her and she turned around to grin at the little puppy who was running around happily, chewing on something. Right after Rocket, there came Gavin running in the room. Wearing nothing but a towel. Mary immediately started giggling. She couldn't help it, the look on the wizard's face was priceless. At the tiny squeak he let out, Mary suppressed snorting and rather turned away to hide her grin.

"At least he was wearing a towel?" Mary chuckled and motioned for Mari and Jake to take a seat. "What would you like to drink? I believe we have everything..." she was saying when Gavin came back, still red in the face. She shot him a grin and then held up a random bottle of something. "It'll all be forgotten soon."

"Oh, uh, is - is Victoria coming?" she asked Jake, avoiding his gaze. When she had kissed the younger witch, she didn't even think about the girl's brother. She didn't know whether Jake knew or not, but she definitely would not be the one to tell him.

Marilyn was insanely grateful for the vase and flowers that blocked her view for the most part. it was awkward enough for her seeing as she really did not want to be there and felt utterly uncomfortable to the point of feeling slightly dizzy. She wished Jagger was smaller sometimes so she could take him with you, he was after all her therapy dog and could calm her with a simple nudge.

But he was also more bear than dog.
Oh, wait, Jake was talking, Marilyn chastised herself internally for being so in her head, but honestly she had no idea how to get through the evening and it was stressing her out.
"And this is also from us. She managed to stay in a relatively steady voice handing Mary the Vase with flowers and moved almost instantly to Jake's side, her hand finding his and squeezing for reassurance.
"Nothing for me, thank you." Marilyn answered trying to Keep her heart from racing. If she didn't calm down soon she was going to have a panic attack and that would be very upsetting to say the least.

There was no hesitation as Gavin plucked the bottle of rum that Mary was holding out to him and unscrewed the cap taking a long and healthy drink straight from the bottle. Though Jake pulling him into a hug and slapping his back almost made him cough a mouthful of it out though he managed to swallow instead. "Good to see you two man," he said with a smile as he nodded over to Mari. "You too Mari...you look gorgeous." He spoke and awkwardly scratched at his arm, he wanted nothing more than to make his friends feel welcome in his home--but it was still a little awkward seeing Marilyn out and about.

No to mention how strange seeing her Jake together. Gavin hadn't been expecting that in the least bit, he was glad that the pair were there for each other, but at the same time--'No Gavin don't think like that. He stopped himself before his train of thought went down the all too familiar route that always lead to it reminding him how lonely he was. Instead he chose to focus on the gifts his friends had brought, wind and flowers were very much standard fair for this type of thing and Gavin gave them each a warm smile as they handed them over to Mary "You guys didn't have to bring anything." He said sincerely as he plopped down into the bean bag that he'd designated as his.

"Also as far as who else is coming...well You two and Victoria were the first invites we wrote. Then i invited some people from Uni...Michael Livingston and Scarlett Waters. And Mary sent out for Tess Holmes and Charlie Jaymes...and everyone was encouraged to bring a date. Lord knows our social circle needs some expanding."

"Thank you!" Mary smiled when both Jake and Mari handed her gifts. "Gav's right, though, you didn't have to bring anything." she said and poured Jake and herself some vodka, and then handed him his cup. It was obvious Mari was very uncomfortable and Mary had no idea how to make her feel better. The news of Victoria most likely not coming did nothing to improve the mood, but the witch merely nodded in response. She knew the younger witch had a hard time coming to terms with the attack and that she needed time to thinkk about everything.

She chuckled at Gavin's comment about needing to expand their social circle and nodded. "It was easy in school, everyone was there, so you just kinda hung out with everyone, even if you didn't mean to. Now you have to make arrangements to meet up with people..." Mary's always been quite social, so talking to people has never been particularly hard, but it was all different now. She just hoped it would turn out to be good different.

"Shall we play a game?" the witch asked, realizing who she was quoting after she had already said it. "A drinking game, I mean." she added. To be honest, she wasn't one for parties and drinking, but right now, it seemed about the only thing they could do to difuse the tension.

"Thank you." the words came out quiet and simple, emotionless, from Marilyn's lips as she averted her eyes, wishing she hadn't decided to come. This was absolutely horrific- which could be comical on a level.  She could face death and destruction with complete calm. But put her in a social situation and bam- instant panic and terror.

"...Michael Livingston and Scarlett Waters. And Mary sent out for Tess Holmes..."

At the familiar names of her partner and Tess she felt herself relax a fraction and reminded herself to breathe. What did help was Jake's reassuring embrace and kiss to the cheek. Coupled with his whispered words she smiled softly and leaned into him.

"Though, that doesn't mean you can get me in Trouble..."
"Oh?" she replied in a playful tone before leaning up to give him a kiss and trying to remain calm. Perhaps she could fake being relaxed, get a bit tipsy and make it through.

"I can take some of them so you don't get too funny" she conceded witha more normal tone of voice.

This was going to be a long night.

Tess looked at herself once over in the mirror. This was all too nerve-wracking for her to handle. She was social...sometimes, maybe twice a year? The ball was an instance 'Where you almost died' her mind immediately reminded her. And the debutante ball she supposed. But this wasn't a ball, or anything big where she could hide behind a multitude of people. This was a party. A party in another country, which was fine, except she figured that the only person she would know would be Mary. She had gotten the owl by someone named Gavin, but she'd mentioned Mary and she figured it was going to be a definite experience.

Friends were hard to come by, and she did owe Mary something for helping her out when she needed it. Wringing her hands she looked over at the basket that she'd asked her servants to help her make. She asked what consisted in those parties, and they had simply handed her different kinds of alcohols, sweets, and flowers as a housewarming present. Social protocols were so tricky sometimes.

She fixed the full skirt of the rose colored dress and made sure everything was in order. Her hair was alright, in a high ponytail, her shoes were high enough to feel comfortable, but not too casual as to appear like she didn't try.

"You're trying too hard" she hissed at herself.

But she wanted to try to be normal for once in her life. Walking over with the basket she asked her most loyal butler to help her apparate since she wasn't old enough to do that quite yet. Side-alongs were annoying but she figured they didn't have a floo network. Popping to the complex she promised to be home at a reasonable time and he was off.

"Be calm, don't panic" she said softly to herself.

Tentatively, she knocked on the door, unsure as to what was happening on the other side. But she'd try for the sake of keeping new friends and maybe make more if she only could stop being so awkward. Holding the basket in front of her, she hoped they would open it soon, considering the glass bottles were heavy, and the sweets weren't helping at all. And her shaking, yes the shaking needed to stop.

Scar had been slightly taken aback when she received her invitation to Gavin and Mary's party. But she had been excited, nonetheless. She got herself ready, doing her hair and makeup and dressing in appropriate 'party' clothing before she disapparated and appeared outside of their house, on the footpath. In her hand, she had bought some house warming gifts that her mother had said were good, a crystal vase, in a lovely gift box, and a bottle of good quality wine. She recognised Tess waiting out the front and approached her "You seem a bit nervous," she murmured to the girl as they waited for the door to open.