[cork, reinhardt christmas party] through glass [azalea]

Pureblood parties were a bit stuffy, he thought. Even though he was good friends (and cousins) with the hostess, he couldn’t spend his time usurping her attention completely. As it was, he was escorting his other cousin, Azalea, around and introducing her to people that he knew but she didn’t. She was a bit younger than him, by about four years—was it really that much?—and as such he had a few more professional connections. She was going into the same field that he had gone into, training to become an auror. He was proud of her, in a way, but knew the two od them were different. She was more interested in the puzzle aspect, while he was interested in the power. Wasn’t it interesting how things went?

Edan was sipping some champagne carefully, missing his cat and his bed, but trying to be in good spirits. “So, how has it been having a teenager around the house?” He wondered. “Hyacinth seems very polite and well-behaved, but even she must be a handful to take care of full time, or is she helpful around the house?” He asked Azalea casually as he made a stop for a snack. He whisked it off a tray and carried it off before delicately eating it. Scarfing was not a good look for anyone at a party like this, but Edan looked a bit like he hadn’t eaten (or slept) in days, and it wasn’t far from the truth. He was still working cases left and right, trying to see where he could utilize his position to make extra cash.

“Besides that, what have you been up to, cuz?” He asked, looking her over a bit. She was very pretty. Of course, he wasn’t personally interested in her but simply admiring how fit she could be for anyone else. It was about time she look for a suitable match, not that Edan hadn’t been looking for himself. It was hard to find someone, though. “Any men on the horizon? I hear your eldest sister recently got married, congratulations.”

@Azalea Reed

Pureblood parties were the best, she thought. She hadn't been to many of them since she had graduated school. Azalea felt important being amongst other purebloods. They were the best of the best all from notable families. Her cousin Edan had escorted her to the party. She was grateful for his company and made a little bit of extra subtle effort to not get separated from him. While she loved to socialize, she was still shy when she met new people. There were so many new faces here. Edan, ever the gentleman, was so kind as to be sure he introduced her to everyone they stopped to talk to. What a great way to make connections! This was one of the many reasons why she wished she had gone to some of these parties when she had been a couple of years younger. How could she complain though when Edan seemed to know all the right people she needed to meet?

Her big emerald green eyes scanned over the other patrons and guests here. They all came from different backgrounds but seemed to share similar traits nonetheless. They were extremely poised and had an air of "privilege" about them as she liked to put it. Azalea could be just as judgemental as some of those she was surrounded by, if not more. She tried to refrain when she was at these sorts of gatherings for here, they were her equals if not superior to her since she was so much younger and inexperienced.

"Who?" Her eyes pulled away from a dark-haired young man and back to her escort. "Oh, yes." She laughed slightly amused that she hadn't first realized whom he was talking about. "She's great. She cleans up after herself, she doesn't get too terribly loud and annoying. I've been trying to teach her of the danger the male species tends to have and that she should be weary while she's young until she has more experience. Of course, she thinks I'm simply a bother when I talk about it. I think it's been good for her to visit. If not for her, I know I've appreciated her company." She watched in slight alarm as Edan helped himself to a snack. She wasn't concerned that he had gotten food, most people tended to help themselves in moderate amounts to what was before them at these sorts of parties. What she was worried about was how quickly he scarfed it down. Most paced themselves or ate in a few bites. She was almost certain he'd scarf down the whole platter if he was left with them.

Azalea held her tongue about his well being and figured she could scold him later for not taking care of himself. He asked about boys in her life and she bashfully laughed while she glanced away and then back down at the bubbly drink in her hand. There was someone. He was just a friend and nothing more as of late. "I'll send her your best regards." As much as she loved her eldest sister, Azalea did not mind keeping the topic on herself. "There is a guy, but he's nothing to get excited about. We've been writing each other for a little bit now and... well... there's talk about me visiting him soon. He's in the States. My sisters don't know yet. I fear they'll talk me out of going. As a friend, and not a cousin, what do you think? Is it too risky?" She sipped quietly at her champagne. "But no, I don't have suitors and I'm not really looking for one presently. I'm focusing on my career and getting through my training. If the right man comes along, then my plans will change. I'm young though and am in no rush to be married. In regards to work though, I could you some advice if you've any to spare?"

“The danger of men is widely known.” Edan replied, thinking of Linden. “Pick up any History book, I assure you.” He teased. “But no, really, she’ll never want a boyfriend if you scare her like that. How old is she now, sixteen or seventeen? Let the girl have fun. I was having fun at that age.” He admitted. “As were you, if I remember the rumors correctly.” He said, brow raised a bit at her. He sipped his champagne again, the snack not sitting as well in his stomach as he would have liked. He covered his mouth for a soft cough.

“Ah, so there is someone for you—an American?” He asked, brow raising higher. “Interesting. Never thought much of Americans, but I trust your judgement.” He shrugged. “If you do visit, let me know how it goes, right Azalea?” He smiled at her a bit. He had always wanted a penpal from far away, a whirlwind romance or something like that. As it was, girls rarely paid attention to him unless they wanted something. Even Genevieve, his maternal cousin, was the same way. He was lucky Azalea seemed to care for him even when he wasn’t doing her favors.

“When it comes to work, what could you possibly need advice on, little one?” He teased. “No, no, seriously, I can’t imagine what I could help you with. I’ve heard good things about you in your classes. Didn’t you guys lose a few new recruits since the beginning? Flunked out or quit? Good riddance, not everyone’s good for the job.” He shrugged.

“So what did you want to ask about?”

Hyacinth didn't need a boyfriend!  "Is it really that bad if I scare her so much?" Not that she was intentionally trying to. She was experienced and it was good that Hyacinth knew that not all men and boys were like knights in shining armor. She certainly hadn't found hers yet. There was no reason why she should have to be hurt. She was too precious for that but she knew boys could circle her like wolves one day. That's what she worried about. If only she could keep Hyacinth in a protective ball so she could remain sincere snd innocent for the rest of her days. While Azalea had never gone out of her way to prevent any boys from dating her but she was still single. Hyacinth would hate her if she did.

Sumer camp.... Azalea tensed up immediately as her gaze snapped to him. Her jaw tensed a little at the memory. One day she'd run into him. It was only a matter of time. Not to mention hr was a pureblood as well so coming to these sorts of activities, as much as she loved attending, she was careful to be on high alert incase she needed to retreat somewhere else. He strayed away from the subject and she relaxed. Azalea nodded promising to tell him details about her visit nto America. At least he was supportive about it.

"You are a few more years my senior, so you've got a little more experience than me," she retorted calmly. "Yes, they quit. I didn't like their company anyways. I don't know how they thought they would succeed, but the first few months of training proved to be too much for them. What's the best way to keep your worklife separate from your homelife? How can I go home at the end of my day and not let it affect me? I love my job and what I do. Sometimes it can be... A bit much, as I'm sure you know." She reached up to push her hair behind her esr and waved her hand about in front of her as she made the statement. "Sometimes nightmares and paranoia will follow me home after a gruelling case. I just want to leave it behind and not be afraid to go for a run or to get in my shower when I'm alone. I'm not lile this all of the time. Usually when the case has been solved, I'm alright."

Edan considered what Azalea was saying and pondered it a bit. “Hmm, you just have to learn how to compartmentalize. You can’t get too invested in a case that you’ll bring it home with you. Leave work at work.” He shrugged. “Of course, I’m not the best at that either. I take work home all the time, but we both know the only company I keep is Annan” his cat, “and she’s very needy but not all that satisfying of a conversationalist.” He teased.

“We should try to go out more.” He decided. “Get a few drinks, go to a show or something.” He offered. “I think spending time with a friend would make the home/work balance work out a little better, don’t you think? Unless you’re too busy writing your American boyfriend?” He teased. “Would he be jealous, you think? We are cousins after-all.” He wasn’t interested in Azalea in that way, and it wouldn’t have been appropriate if he had been. Linden might have been involved with his first cousin, but even by pureblood standards, that was a bit sketchy.

“Do you have friends you go out with a lot?” He wondered. “I bet some girlfriends would do you well. Also, if any of them are single you can send them my way.” He grinned.

His reply was so casual. Azalea was hoping for a little more than just to 'compartmentalize'. It was easier said than done for the witch. With her past, the fact she was female, and men naturally chased after fine young women like herself as if they were meat, Azalea's safety was a little more drastic than what Edan would have to worry about himself. She was the lesser, but fairer, sex. Men were stronger, naturally, cunning with their words, and their bites were certainly worse than their bark. If only she could make him understand why she was so bothered. She'd considered telling him so many times, but she feared wording being spread amongst her family unintentionally or for him to look at her with a disgusting look of pity and desire to protect her.

She was independent enough she could take care of herself. She walked home with her hand on her wand. Azalea always remained attentive to her surroundings, much like she was now just in case he showed his face. Her apartment door not only had a few blocks on the front door and new ones on her windows, but she had two well-disciplined dogs who would test any intruder to shreds as well as charms and jinxes at the ready for the wrong house guest.
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She offered him one of her smiles, small, amused, and brief. Before she could open her mouth to respond, Edan teased her about Christian and she felt the bridge of her nose redden. He wasn't her boyfriend. There was no title to them except Good Friends maybe have been the proper term. Rather than hide from the teasing, she played along. "Jealous of two work-aholocis playing with your cat and going to family parties together? Oh, he'd be green with envy if he knew you brought me here," she joked with a shake of her head.

"I have a couple of friends but not ones I hang out with often. We get together for brunch or a trip to the spa occasionally. It's hard to get all of our schedules to line up to make it happen. A girlfriend would certainly do you well," she motioned to a pretty blonde across the room. "Might make a good family man out of you. She could make you a family man. You may have come with me, but why don't you try asking someone here out? You know, someone who isn't related so Christian doesn't think I come from a family of incest?" She said his name so casually Zae almost hadn't realized she'd said it aloud. No one knew his name. Well, Edan did now. "Do you have any friends to go out with too? I can tell you haven't been taking care of yourself like you should. Having a social life would do you some good too."1