late to the party - open

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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Two weeks. That is how long it had been since the whole Pure blood camp thing began and she was now just arriving. The Wyatt Manor was grand but she had seen grand all her life. As the boat took her to the location she payed more attention to her reading and finding a comfortable position for the mandrake leaf to rest in her mouth so she could speak without there being any hassle. She had kept it in for the past two weeks so she just had to keep it in for two more. It was a hassle and the first couple of days were a total fail. However, once she gauged the jist of the whole thing it was easier. Eating was still hard but she made it work, mainly by drinking more than eating. Just two more weeks.

Raven walked up to the door, her couple of bags next to her. She felt Onyx shift position on her shoulder. It was nice having him back. The snake was the only thing keeping her calm. It felt like forever ago when she ran into Isaac at the station. Forever ago when she talked with Asher. Forever ago when she stood up to her father. Sure she didn't tell her father the truth of what she was feeling. But she stood her ground, didn't back down and gained her families fullest respect. She faced the leader of a main household and won. Which meant she was ready to take over. She looked at the door waiting for it to open. 

The door was opened and Raven walked in leaving her baggage where they sat for the servants to take them. All she had was a small bag over her shoulder where a couple of books were. She stood tall, proud and unwavering. She didn't gawk around at the room. She had a very stoic facial expression. Her parents and siblings would not be arriving till the ball and her cousin was already there. She didn't know who else was at the camp and at the moment she didn't care. Her mind was on other things. She just hoped to get the pleasantries over with so she could get back to work. She had a spell to master and to take her mind off of the murder thing. She waited for the host family to say anything. She knew not to make the first greeting. She was invited there after all. 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • open • notes • and so raven arrives •

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she's smoke

Everyone else in the house seemed to be outside already or sleeping in by the time Melanie decided to venture out to the swimming pool.  Most of the guests preferred to use the one indoors because it was cooler, but the other one was just as nice in her opinion. Once she was ready, she made her way down to the main entrance to find someone already standing there. 

A bright smile broke across her face as she approached the older girl. "Hey Raven! Where have you been? The Wyatts should be around here somewhere, but one of the servants can take you to an open room if you don't want to wait anymore." Their hosts really didn't seem that interested in messing with the kids once they were safely inside the home, especially when the parents left. It was like a muggle summer camp without the counsellors. 

tagged: open | outfit | notes: sorry for the delay | music

she's a habit that I can't let go
created by kendrix

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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Raven noticed Melanie walk into the front room. One familiar face. She knew that it was a good thing but she also hoped that she wasn't expected to interact too much. She had a project to work on and for Raven that took precedence over interaction. Also she was expected to interact with the parents as well as the children. That was something her father instructed her to do. She was to be the head as soon as she finished school, best to start a relationship with the main families now. There was so much to do it was going to drive her nuts.

She calmly motioned for the servants who brought in her bags to take them to a room. They nodded and left without a word. It was so second nature to her. Her family had many servants and she was always told never to speak with them. Granted she broke that rule often but only when no one else was around, otherwise she acted like the perfect pure blood child.

Where had she been? That was an interesting question and one she was not going to answer. Well at least not fully. She didn't know if she could trust Melanie enough to tell the girl what had happened. "I had important family matters to attend to" She smiled and waved over another servant. "Inform Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt that I have arrived and will be meeting with them later for afternoon tea" Her voice was full of athority. She waited for the servant to leave before turning back to Melanie. "So what have I missed" Her silk voice was soothing and showed some interest. 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN&open • notes • ^_^ •

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she's smoke

Melanie shook her head at Raven's matter of fact tone and hoped that the Wyatts would actually grant her request. The only one she had really seen was Braxton and he didn't seem like the kind to take orders from anyone other than his parents. Everyone else was simply too busy to handle their young guests in person. Still, Raven's command of the situation was to be commended. Melanie could have been that way if her father would let her. Something about not having enough standing to make people respect them. They still had to "rebuild the reputation" and "ensure our position". Basically he meant they had to suck up to every other pure blood family under the sun until they somehow were welcomed back in to the fold.

Her invitation to this gathering meant everything to him, and even more to her. It was more than they had ever dreamed of, a tangible symbol that all of their hard work had paid off and would continue to do so for some time to come. Before her thoughts could wander much farther, Raven's question snapped her attention back to the present "Everything has been pretty quiet so far. Some times they try to make us socialize, but most of us just stick with who we know. You haven't missed much at all. I was just heading out for a swim outside instead of the indoor pool. Everyone else has gathered there, I think."

tagged: open | outfit| notes: sorry for the delay | music

she's a habit that I can't let go
created by kendrix

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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Raven grinned when Melanie explained that everyone kept to themselves. It was a good thing for her. It meant that no one was playing the game correctly. The camp was meant for the pure bloods to mingle and at the end the betrothed would be announced as well as the next heads of the families. This time there was more at stake. This time it was to see which of the families would be basically in charge. If no one had caught onto it then she had very good chances. She had spent the past week meeting with other leaders of pure blood families to solidify her position as the next head of the Gaunt family. They had a proud history dating back to Salazar Slytherin himself.

The Gaunts and Wyatts had been neck in neck for power for a while as well as the Strider family. Raven wasn't too concerned with the Striders though. They were an action based family and the cause for the attacks so far. They had respect but not much for politics. She wanted that power and didn't want to share it thought she might want to gain some supporters. Melanie's family wanted to be back on top and she was going to use that to her advantage. "The outdoor pool sounds nice. What to know what would be interesting? We should walk by the indoor pool and make sure they see us going to the outdoor pool. See who follows. It is a good way of separating those worthy of your time from those who aren't. Also if the families notice certain people hanging out together they are more likely to make matches based on that" Raven winked to Melanie hoping she would get the hint and might want to play along. 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN&open • notes • ^_^ •

template made by @alaya

she's smoke

Shaking her head, Melanie let out a light laugh as she headed in the direction of the indoor pool. It was a good strategy, but one she had already tried. Most of the others here wanted to leave as much as she did, but their positions were secure. They didn't care about making alliances or power plays. She did though, and raven was as good a place to start as any. "Maybe it'll work with you here, but the others...are not content to play the political games right now. They have their cliques and stick to them ferociously."

Thinking about it for a moment, Melanie couldn't find one person who had willingly spent time with her other than Braxton and Rafael. Those were powerful alliances in their own rights and probably the ones they should be focusing on anyways. If Raven was wanting to combine forces, it wouldn't bother her one bit. "Maybe we can snag RAFAEL ARI DIAZ at least. He's pretty nice and not a complete waste of perfectly good space like the others. Braxton may be around somewhere too, but I doubt it."

tagged: open | outfit| notes: shamelessly tags rafael | music

she's a habit that I can't let go
created by kendrix

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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Raven sneered when Melanie mentioned that no one wanted to play the game. If they stayed with their cliques then they weren't threatened by the other power. Also if the main families were not making alliances then why would the little groups be threatened. No one was making any claims. This was going to be much easier than she thought. "No one is going to pay attention to someone trying to size another by themselves. You wouldn't threaten their position. Besides we just need to make a clique that consist of the more powerful families here and then the others wont matter" Raven was used to the politics of everything. She didn't usually attend the summer camps but since she was here she was going to make the most of it. 

"Hold that though" She stated before disappearing into an empty room to change into her bathing suit. She carried it in her small bag just in case. It didn't take her long to change and pull her hair up. She walked back up to Melanie thinking on what she had said. "RAFAEL ARI DIAZ would join I believe, he is a friend and as far as Braxton I am not sure. I think he will if he sees all three of us hanging out away from the non important groups. Even if he only does it to please his parents"

She was glad that the outdoor pool was the one that was usually empty. She knew Onyx liked the water and sitting out in the heat was good for him. She had the snake wrap himself around her arm and rest his head on her wrist. He was getting bigger every day it seemed. Even as he was wrapped around her arm he stretched from just bellow her shoulder to her wrist with enough to weave in between her index an middle finger. In his current position he looked like a piece of jewelry. Even at school he was mistaken for one. Raven always found it funny and Onyx never seemed to mind. 
 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN&RAFAEL ARI DIAZ • notes • Rafael should join in (hint hint) •

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“Someday, I’ll get you to try out red.” Rafael winked and held up his glass. “Cheers.” She looked good in black, a canvas of exquisiteness. How she glowed—everything looked beautiful with her and that tan… He watched her accept his toast, checking and contemplating the miss’s lack of a boyfriend, as if one would suddenly appear by the ball. Nothing yet.

The all too familiar rhythmic pattern hammered in his chest. One-two, one-two. He drank his fill. The wine was good, but it was just an excuse to be with her. He didn’t mind hanging around her friends that gossiped and gaggled, no matter how unflattering they were. His posture was more refined than usual, conversations filled with a rare energy. Somehow, the closer he looked the more he psyched himself out—I don’t have a chance. It was too marvelous to be true. But he was Rafael Diaz, and he wasn’t going to fumble. They conversed about childhood blunders, he told her about the day he got lost in Diagon Alley. Laughter, a positive response to his charm.

But out of the corner of his eye he caught a face he had missed at the start of the camp. Raven, who was with Mel. He felt compelled to talk to her, they had so much to catch up on. Besides, no one else seemed to have wanted to go for a splash. “It’s been fun. Have a good one.” Rafael tucked away from the crowd with a little wave. Mystery girl was magnificent, but friends were lively. Maybe next time.

“Talk about being late to the party!” he called, maneuvering towards them. “Hope you have enough time to find someone for the ball.” Plopping down onto a chair, Rafael removed his shoes and placed it under his seat. “And that goes for you too Mel, unless you found someone that I don’t know about. Word travels fast around these people, it’s scary.” He propped an arm to support his head as he grinned. The sheen of the water tempted him as he looked onward at the pool.“You girls up for a swim later?”

tag: RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT + MELANIE ALESSA THORN, words: ~, notes: crashing, if no one minds xD

template by caedmon of GS

"Later? What about now?" Melanie grinned, shedding the top and easing herself down in to the pool. Part of her wanted to ignore the statement about having a date for the ball, but she knew one of the, would probably pry it out of her sooner rather than later. "I think I have someone, but it isn't a set thing just yet. We'll have to see. What about you, Rafael?" Deflecting the conversation back towards the Gryffindor was her best bet right now if she didn't want to talk about it. Hopefully she had appeased him for the time being though.

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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The slytherin enjoyed a good swim. They had a pool at the Gaunt Mansion. Indoor one in the basement plus the lake out back. She used to swim often when everyone else was sleeping. It was a nice change, always calm and peaceful. Either that or she would hide out in the library in one of the many secret rooms of the house. There were times where she swore she knew more about the mansion than her parents or even late grand parents. It was nice to think that way.  

She was glad that Rafael did join them, it meant she wouldn't look like a fool and that was always a good thing. "I like to make an entrance" Raven teased as she answered Rafael about being late to the party. As far as the ball was concerned, Raven didn't have a date. She never took a date to the ball. It didn't matter how many times she attended the thing she didn't bother with a date. She was always escorted to the Ball by her cousin but that is as far as they went. They hated each other. Raven figured that whatever man her parents chose for her would be much better than her cousin which was quite common in her family. Sickening but common.

"No date for me. That is no one has asked yet. I don't waste time searching" She let people come to her. Raven watched Melanie eased into the pool. She let Onyx rest in the sun before putting her bag and sarong on one of the chairs. She walked over to the deeper end of the pool and dived in. The rush of cool water was refreshing. She didn't resurface till she had swam closer to where Melanie was. She came up, refilling her lungs and slicked back her hair before looking over at Rafael. She was curious if he had asked anyone to the Ball. 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN&RAFAEL ARI DIAZ • notes • dates O.o •

template made by @alaya

“I like your thinking Mel.” Rafael leapt from his seat, unbuttoning his shirt in the process. He didn’t exactly have the best kind of swimwear, but as long as it was shorts he figured it would work. Throwing the shirt onto his vacant seat Rafael felt the caress of the drifting wind on his back.

He chuckled at Raven before peering back into the foyer. “Well, I met a few ladies that were interested.” Infatuation filled his face as the crowd shifted about. “Did you know one of them wanted to be nurse?” He snapped back towards them with a goofy smile on his face. Somehow, the camp didn’t turn out to be as horrendous as he thought it would be.

In a swift movement, Rafael bolted towards the pool, diving in to send out splashes of water everywhere. Lifting his face out of the water, he slicked his hair back. “I’ve forgotten how amazing swimming can be.” He felt the chill slither around his body. His hands waded, forfeiting control to his surroundings. “Or comforting.” The sunshine provided a spectacular contrast to the mild temperature of the pool. This was life.

tag: RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT + MELANIE ALESSA THORN, words: ~, notes: swim, swim

template by caedmon of GS

Melanie shook her head at Rafael's antics and wiped the water out of her eyes. "Well, at least the ball doesn't look like it's going to be as boring as last year whenever the Rainer's hosted. Say what you want about Braxton's mother, she goes big or goes home." Everything about this place was grand in a newer way that made her uncomfortable some times. Their money was supposed to be old and seated in tradition, but this place felt more muggle and modern than anything else.

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

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Rolling her eyes at Rafael's anticts, Raven leaned her head against the side of the pool and closed her eyes. She was enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face just like a snake basking in the sun. She had not worries about getting burned nor did she care if she tamed at all. She usually had pale skin from spending her time indoors but she wasn't adidmant about it like some of the other girls. Raven listened to the other two, not really sure how to respond.

It was very true that Braxton's mother didn't hold back. It made Raven wonder how it was going to be that next year since it was going to be the first time in a long time that the Gaunts hosted the event and also she specifically was going to go host it since she would be taking over the family a year from then. Raven had to bring herself back down to reality. "I am sure the event will be grand. And Rafael I hope whichever one of those girls you choose I'm sure she will be absolutely giddy all evening being able to cling to your arm" Raven was being sarcastic when she spoke to Rafael about the girls. 

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• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN&RAFAEL ARI DIAZ • notes • dates O.o •

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