[ball] doves in the wind [ e r i k a ]

It was hard to keep a straight face. His eyes flicked once to the side, and the look on Erika’s face almost made Murphy bust into loud laughter right in front of this pompous, boasting prat. He was built like a puffskein and short, and his face was flushed red with the boozy drink he was splashing onto the floor with his movements. Murphy was trying to extract himself and his date, but the man was a rich old benefactor to the hospital and someone would probably attempt to chew him out if he tried. Murphy gently squeezed Erika’s waist hoping that he could convey his apologies, and hoping that they’d get out of this mess soon.

Just getting here had been a bit of a struggle. Ava had walked in to Erika getting ready in the bedroom, and freaked out. And Murphy knew why and he hadn’t known how to explain it to Erika. Just a few hours before getting ready, while Murphy was taking Ava from ballet class, they’d run into her mother. It had been awkward, after Tara not being around, just watching her trying to make something of the conversations she was having with a bored Ava was sickening. Until she started talking about how she was going to take Ava on adventures, and the formerly apathetic girl had a tantrum. Murphy had gathered her into his arms, and quietly cursed the mother of his child out.

It had taken Erika pulling Ava into his arms to calm her down. He’d stood in the doorway while watching Ava sit in a half-dressed Erika’s arms, sniffling and whining, but listening to her in a way that he wasn’t listened too. While he wasn’t happy that Ava had been upset as she was, he was glad that she trusted Erika enough to explain everything that was bothering her. Watching Erika talk to her and cheer her up and calm her down, had put a lightness in his heart that he didn’t know how to explain. He’d gathered Ava and taken her to her grandmother before coming home and coaxing Erika out of the house.

“Thank you Monsieur St Claude, …we’ll be right back.” He said tactlessly, guiding Erika out of the way. “…I’m pretty sure he got embarrassed and started drinking more because he caught sight of your bum, so this is your fault.” He teased, arching a brow as he looked down at her. He deftly grabbed two champagnes off of a passing waiters tray, blinking at the pink drink. “Oh, they decided to go all out today with the sparkly stuff.” He passed her a glass, tapping his against hers.

“Did we miss where the food is? I’m starving…”

@Erika Trickett

Erika had a headache.

It had been one Hell of an afternoon. She didn't know Ava's mother but she wholly despised her, she didn't need to meet her in person to form those feelings because she'd seen the wreck that little girl had been in. The sheer audacity of that woman made her blood boil. Ava mentioned something about "adventures" and Erika translated that aas "holidays" and if the little girl wasn't present, she would have ripped that woman's hair out.

She'd spent hours calming the little blonde girl down, cradling her and stroking her hair, despite being dressed just in her underwear and one leg in her gown. Erika felt disgusted, disgusted that a grown woman would use her daughter as a pawn in whatever twisted game she wanted to play with Murphy. But as far as she was concerned, Ava was her daughter. She'd always wanted kids and she adored Ava. She held her close and soothed her as much as she could, promising her that their adventures would be better and of course Francois and Noodle could come along, too.

Stressed, sick and still filled with rage, Erika didn't really want to go but she'd managed to get herself together enough to apply some make up, twist her hair up into a chic chignon and zip up her slightly crumpled dress.

As Murphy squeezed her waist, she reciprocated by doing the same and slipping her hand into his trouser pocket, smiling politely at the other man and taking a half step backward to avoid the drink being spilled on her strappy shoes. Most of her rage had dissipated the moment her boyfriend had changed into his suit. Her thoughts went wayward and she was mildly annoyed that there weren't enough secret alcoves here so they could make up for lost time.

The laugh she'd been holding in for the entire duration of that conversation escaped in the form of a snort, holding her hand in front of her face as she dissolved into a fit of the giggles. "Hey!" Erika admonished Murphy with wide eyes as she turned to the side, the crystals on her dress catching the light. "It's not my fault that the dress is cut in a way to accentuate my best features," she said innocently with a shrug, secretly pleased and thrilled that he'd picked up on the shape of her gown.

"I'm in heaven," she replied to the sparkle comment with a grin and clinked her glass against Murphy's in return. While this place was gorgeous, everything was sparkly and she was consistently becoming distracted. Everything from the chandeliers to people's necklaces, all up to the chocolate dipped strawberries. "I think I saw mini hamburgers?" She began. They were adorable.

Sliding her free  hand into Murphy's, she laced their fingers together as she began to walk. In all fairness, Erika was starving, too. She'd been way to preoccupied to eat anything before leaving. Like a niffler with a diamond, Erika could spot a spread of food from a mile off and she wasted no time in directing him to it, all the while offering smiles and hellos as she went.

She was both flattered and thrilled that Murphy had asked her to attend. She liked knowing more about his work and his colleagues and so far, everyone seemed pretty nice. "Tada!" She exclaimed as they reached the corner where the food was. "Mini burgers." With that, she popped one into her mouth. She was sorely tempted to ask just what the heck his ex's game was, upsetting Ava so much but she figured that he'd tell her if he wanted to. "This is fun," she admitted, her pretty face lighting up as she balanced her glass and plate and kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Do they do this every year?" Erika asked, swapping the burger for a glittery cupcake and attacking it with no less gusto. Turning her back a little, she rested against the side of Murphy's body. Though her gown was high-necked, it had a low back and though the room was warm, it was a little chilly against her exposed skin. "Thanks for inviting me," she said warmly as she smiled, sending telepathic waves to Murphy, wanting him to ask her to dance. Or find a quiet room.

@Murphy Regan

Where she led, he followed. He was usually like a bulldozer, forcing a path through the crowd, making apologetic smiles at people as he tried to maneuver his bulk. But when Erika led, she was like a little bit of a keypass. Her sparkly gown and bright smile eased people out of the way, and while they stared at her, they were startled when he appeared behind her. Like he was an extra to her starring role, and while another person would be upset, he was fine with that. He would let her stand out, and he’d protect her from behind.

His deep blue eyes gazed at the food table and his brow arched. Everything was so tiny. Tiny burgers, tiny chickens. He was a grown man. He would need a whole mountain of these little tiny little things to feed his appetite. He picked up a tiny plate, and cautiously added things on his plate. A little flower decorated chicken, a little burger and a little corn. He picked up the tiny corn cob, marveling at the size. “So tiny…” And he chomped it in one bite, sad at the fact that it was gone so fast. 

“This is fun…but maybe we can get Indian afterwards?” He looked down at her, and his lashes batted as he gave her his best rendition of  puppy dog eyes. Ava had to have gotten them from someone, right? And if he was the first one to fall for them, it wasn’t his fault? He was pretty pliable to his little girl’s wishes, as long as it wasn’t something crazy.

He piled another plate full of tiny things, and his hand rested on the small of Erika’s back as he led her out of the way of the other hungry people. Rich people and hard working people mingling together, and you could see the visible difference between them. All of his coworkers were moving slowly, and looked weary. Healing wasn’t rewarding, but damn was it tiring. He escorted her to a tiny table with tiny chairs, and why did they decide that they wanted to make him suffer. Guiding Erika into a seat before sitting beside her, he put the plate in between them.

“I was thinking. We can eat, glide across the dance floor, maybe hit the dessert table, then…whatever you want…” He smoothed his hands over his pant legs, looking over at her. “And of course I was going to invite you. Where could I find someone as stunning as you to show me up in such a short time?” His smile was broad and teasing.

Erika folded her plump lips together to stop herself from giggling again; she was at her boyfriend's work event and she hadn't laughed so hard in months. Murphy was a tall man anyway but handling such teeny tiny food made him look positively gigantic. He also looked like a rather confused bear and unable to control how cute he looked, she reached out and squeezed his forearm sympathetically.

"Yes!" The tall blonde exclaimed, her pale eyes wide as she nodded. "I could murder a chicken madras and a Peshwari naan right now, hi," she said on the next breath as she smiled at someone who'd given her a confused look as they heard the word "murder". "Oh stop," she laughed gently as she chewed on her own baby corn, flushing slightly. Whether Murphy knew it or not, he didn't have to beg. He could ask her absolutely anything and she'd do it, without a second thought.

The past few months had been rocky, for them both. The stress, the distance, the break up, everything was kind of muddled. Erika was pretty sure that Murphy was "The One" but not seeing him and Ava every day really did hammer it home. She wasn't going to make those mistakes again. After The Dome, she'd made herself a promise not to take anyone and anything for granted any more. Ever. It just wasn't worth it.

Erika sat down, her eyes distracted by music and chatter. She wondered if attendance was mandatory. Some people looked like they'd just finished a night shift and she frowned, changing it to a smile as she was addressed. She smiled easily as she turned into him, her knees crossed and her own bumping his slightly as she reclined. "That sounds good," she agreed, internally punching the air in triumph at the prospect of a dance. She reached out and stole a mini sausage roll that, while delicious, wasn't really her thing. Much like Murphy, she didn't really get finger food.

"We don't have to rush back," Erika replied gently. If Murphy wanted to chat to his friends, colleagues and bosses, then she wasn't going to begrudge it. She wanted to be assimilated into his work life. She knew his work was dangerous and stressful but besides that, not so much. There was still so much about his family that she didn't know; who looked after Ava when he was away? Who handled his affairs in case something happened when he was abroad? The curse breaker felt a bit in the dark but now wasn't the time or the place.

She returned his smile easily, delighted by his compliment and his joking nature. Erika picked up her glass and took a sip, as though she was thinking through her answer. "I had a free night," she purred, clearly not serious. She'd drop everything in a heartbeat for Murphy and she thought he realised that. Her hand slid down her bodice as she wiggled her shoulders, catching the light like a walking disco ball. He liked her in silver whilst she preferred herself in gold. "I think this colour's growing on me," she remarked lightly.

Really, she wanted to go home but she didn't want to say, at the risk of sounding ungrateful. But deep down, she knew that seeing his ex had rattled him somewhat. "I want to get that Indian," she admitted with a sheepish smile. The idea of her getting take out while wearing full evening dress was nothing new. She'd grabbed a doner kebab at three in the morning, dressed in a ball gown and felt no shame.

She paused. "How much cake do you think I can get into my bag?" Erika asked, holding up a small and beautiful pearlescent clutch bag. She grinned to show that she was joking but she wasn't. Not really. "C'mon," she said as she stood and held out her hand for Murphy to take.

The song was upbeat but one she didn't know. She wasn't the only one on the dance floor. There were a few couples dotted about, varying in age and ability. Erika bobbed her head, her blonde hair catching the light as she stepped out from the tables. She didn't need anyone for a good time but it was nice to have Murphy close and she was determined to have a good night. "And I want to cuddle!" Erika yelled above the music, referring to his suggestion that she could do whatever she wanted once they left here. "And maybe take a bath," she added as she bounced across the dance floor. Murphy's bath tub was way deeper and nicer than her own and the plumbing was a lot more efficient.