It was good seeing the girls get along.  Sophie had such a warm, inviting manner about her that it seemed puzzling to Chance how anyone could dislike her.  And this Slytherin girl seemed rather pleasant herself!  Chance found himself simply smiling at the scene playing out before him.

He began meandering through the various props, as Sophie continued to transform Demitria into a "movie star."  Chance smiled as he pulled out a director's chair, leaning back into it and holding up a clapboard.

"Glamorous Movie Star: Take one!"

The Irishman grinned before Sophie instructed him as to his photo booth duties.  Chance smirked and shook his head, hopping up and making his way to Sophie before propping an arm around her shoulder.

"Sounds delightful, Ms.Flickwick."

Chance then meandered around, moving various props as if trying to make things flow even better than they already did.

Demitria laughed cheerfully as she watched Sophie run around the various racks finding and discarding things with an energetic fervor. “She’s just like Tanya, pure organized chaos,” Mimi thought in the back of her head.
 
When the thought reached the front, her smile evaporated. The tiny Russian hadn’t seen Tanya since the night the crups nearly killed the both of them. Taras had told her eight year old self that the little muggle girl had run away in shame and wouldn’t be coming back. He had told her that that was the reason muggles were inferior to wizards, they couldn’t stand up for themselves. In the end, they would always leave you alone.

Demitria’s eyes watered up, but she forced herself out of the memory. She took a deep breath and focused on what was around her. “Clothes, sofa, tent, Sophie Flickwick, Chance Ryker, Floor, Cloak, dresses, costumes, movie stars…” She muttered under her breath. It was a tactic her mother had taught her whenever she thought that the past would overwhelm her. Truthfully, she hadn’t thought of Tanya for some time now. She dearly hoped she didn’t think of that “stupid muggle” for some time again.

Finally focused on the present, she quietly let Sophie play dress up with her.

Being a hyper emotional person Sophie was acutely aware of shifts in mood - and Mimi's mood shifted drastically. With her trusty old camera she took a few silent shots with Mimi simply staring off into space, lost in thought. Those were Sophie's favorite kind of pictures to take. She liked to catch people as they were; who they were in the moments they thought no one could see them. Of course those were for more private things; photo albums she rarely let people see. Tapping her chin she tilted her head to one side and "hermm'd"

"Something is missing Mr. Ryker. It's not quite right..." setting her camera down she moved back to the costume rack riffling through hangers and hats; handing them off to chance. When she was all done she turned to look at him with a playful grin. She placed a snazzy fedora atop his head; and quick as a pygmypuff sneeze she had him in a pinstripe suit jacket before pushing him toward Mimi, "You can't have a glamorous movie starlet without a leading man! I am so clever".

Chance had often placed himself in the position of "shoulder to cry on", and as such he recognized many signs of emotional distress.  It was obvious that there was more going on with Demitria than meets the eye.  Chance wasn't sure what she was struggling with...but it seemed to be deeply troubling her.  He heard a few of the words she muttered under her breath, which perplexed him...

Sophie was on the job though!  Chance nodded and feigned a serious expression as his brow furrowed.  Chance was quickly transformed into Sophie's concept and he flashed the camera a smooth grin, draping an arm around Demitria and pointing at the camera with the other hand.

"That y'are, Ms.Flickwick!  That y'are!"

Demitria was finally and completely snapped out of her silent reverie when Sophie began speaking. Leading man? She thought, slightly confused. Again, the muggle implications were far beyond her. As quick as a wink, though, the impish Gryffindor, with a massive grin, had Chance all dressed up and shoved into the picture.

When Chance draped his arm around her, Demitria blushed furiously. As smooth and serene as she usually was, this was an unusual day in her life. She seemed to be flustered at every turn. Finally collecting herself, she raised an eyebrow at Sophie. “I think I’ve understood only a small fraction of what you’ve said in the past five minutes, Sophie. What should I even be doing?”

Sophie laughed, snapping several shots of Chance hamming it up for the camera - giving Mimi a chance to center herself and get her bearings. The young Gryffindor's face softened however when the Slytherin asked what she was even supposed to be doing; "Just be you Silly Goose," she came toward the pair then and posed them as though they were dolls, she had Chance dipping the fifth year back, one of Mimi's legs kicked - gracefully in the air; and had tilted their chins so it seemed as though the pair were gazing deeply into one another's eyes.

"That! Hold that," she grabbed her camera and took the picture from several different angles until she thought maybe Chance's arm was getting tired. It was cute - a good start to the night if other people would just stop by. Finally she lowered the camera, "And that; my dears, is a wrap"! It felt good to have gotten the first set of pictures out of the way - and in such a fun manner too. she hoped the rest of the night would work out so well. Of course she might have been happier if her boyfriend had decided to keep her company while she worked the booth - but having Chance there was just as good. He didn't get mad and punch people when she hugged them.

It was good to see Demitria smile, laugh, and yes blush.  It felt like old times...with Chance being smooth and relaxed and outgoing.  Of course having Sophie there aided him a great deal in relocating his "comfort zone."  Without her, he could very likely have slinked away in the shadowy depths of solitude again.  Chance muttered out of the side of his mouth in response to Demitria's comment about understanding very little of what Sophie was saying.

"Y'get usedta it eventually, lass!"

And now came the pose-a-thon.  Chance and Sophie would regularly give an all out photo barrage when they were together in silly times.  Usually it was Sophie's idea, but every now and then Chance himself decided to spark their old passtime.  Chance grinned awkwardly down at Demitria and shook his head.

"Ah 'ope personal space isn't a big issue fer ya.  An' sorry 'bout th' gazin' inta yer eyes thing.  S0phers is one demandin' taskmaster!"

Chance smirked over towards Sophie and pointed again.

"Y'do know yer next, right?"

Demitria smiled up at Chance. “I certainly hope I do, because my brain is hurting,” She whispered, trying not to move her mouth too much as Sophie snapped pictures of them.

Be myself? Okay, I can do that, Strellie thought silently, slowly relaxing herself as Sophie moved her around like a Matryoshka doll. Being herself meant slightly crazy, happy, laughing, sprite-like, and energetic. She hadn’t openly been like that since Christmas, but she could try. She hadn’t been called the “Light of the Dungeons” for no reason at all.
 
Ah 'ope personal space isn't a big issue fer ya.  An' sorry 'bout th' gazin' inta yer eyes thing.  S0phers is one demandin' taskmaster 

Chance’s words made her chuckle slightly, trying to move as little as possible. “Oh, I can see that. As for personal space,” She smirked, pausing for a moment as Sophie took a few more shots, “I have three older brothers. When I was really little, there was no peace. True, when they all left for Durmstrang, I learned to live without them smashing me at every turn, but now, two of them are in England again, so I’ve been reaccustomed.”
When Sophie called wrap, Demitria tried to swing herself up by herself and effectively slipped on her heels. She let a small yelp escape her as she began her fall.     

"Y'get usedta th' ache in yer brain when she gets on a roll..."

Chance grinned playfully as they teased about Sophie's tangents.  It was funny talking to the side, while trying not to ruin the pictures by talking through them.  It was good to see Mimi loosening up.  She had a lot of inner light that was beginning to shine through.

"Well then ah guess 'at ship's already sailed!"

Yet it seemed that balance was not on Demitria's side this eve, and Chance tried to snatch hold of the Russian girl to prevent her from taking another spill.

Sophie was rearranging the cameras on the tray when she heard Mimi yep, brown eyes shooting up - and though it was only because he was trying to keep her from falling seeing Chance embrace the girl so tightly caused Sophie's stomach to turn. That could not be jealousy that Sophie Hannelore Flickwick felt tightening her muscles. Why in Merlin's name would she feel jealous of Mimi? She barely knew the girl. It wasn't as though Chance was making those googoo eyes he made at Fauna... and she didn't know why that made her jealous anyway. She loved Fauna. She loved Chance. She hated Devlin. Ideally the two people she loved being together should make her happy... only how it just kind of made her grumpy.

Letting out a long breath she forced a bright smile on her face. She did not have the time nor the inclination to wonder or worry about why she thought of Chance as belonging to her, or her belonging to him. This just wasn't the time for that; next she'd be absolutely livid about the time he spent with Grace and that would be even more stupid. So instead she bounced over to the pair and offered Mimi a hand up - which would require her to let go to Chance at least a little; "You seem to have as much luck staying on your feel in heels as I do. I almost broke my face at my Quinceañera last year. Between the extremely puffy gown and high heels and this ridiculous staircase my mother wanted me to walk down draped it gardenias. It was a mess. Not to mention none of the Irish family knew what they were supposed to be doing," she laughed a little at the memory, "Luckily I had all that skirt to cushion my fall or Merlin knows what would have happened".

Demitria suddenly felt Chance's arms wrap tightly around her. His quick reaction kept her from hitting the ground by mere inches as her dress was already trailing on the floor. She looked sheepishly up at the older boy, her face as pink as a pomegranite, "Thank you, konfetka." When Chance began pulling her up, Sophie ran over and helped as well. As much as both were being nice about it, she couldn't help but feel a little bit like an invali--

Wait? What? Strellie's intrest peaked at something that flashed quickly through Sophie's eyes. Was that jealousy? The little blonde wondered. Making a quick mental note of it, she listened to Sophie's story. "See, kukla, I'm not usually clumsy. So this abnormality is simply baffling me."

She brushed off her dress, a slightly nervous habit, and began to mutter under her breath, "Eti proklyatye net horoshih deshevyh vymytye vysokie kabluki. Ya nikogda ne padayut normalʹno, no net, v dva raza za odnu nochʹ. Eto absolyutno smeshno. Mozhno podumatʹ, chto moya matʹ hotela menya svalilisʹ pryamo na ruki kazhdogo cheloveka, kotorogo ya videl ... Nu ona rabotala matʹ. Dovolʹny?" She took a deep breath. "Sorry about that, I just needed to let that out," She chuckled.


Translations: Konfetka- sweetie
                                        Kukla- doll
                                        (Demitria uses pet names a lot)
                                        Long rant- These damn no good cheap washed up high heels. I never fall normally, but no, twice in one night. This absolutely ridiculous. You'd think my mother would want me falling into the arms of every man I saw... Well it worked mother. Happy now?

Whether Chance had suspected any type of jealousy from Sophie over the years was anyone's guess.  They certainly teased each other about such things on a fairly regular basis, but how much truth was behind those words was purely speculation. 

Chance wasn't exactly familiar with various Russian words, aside from..."da" and "nyet."  He quirked a brow curiously to Mimi's thanks.

"Didja jes' call me a confection'r didja get 'ungry Meem-ster?"

Sophie's recollection of the infamous Quinceafiera made Chance stifle a snicker fit.  Chance cleared his throat and allowed his eyes to shift.

"Y'shouldda seen it, lass...If there's ever been a bouncin' ball o' pink fluff...Sophers wuzzit!"

Chance blinked his unnaturally green eyes toward the Russian Slytherin as she continued in her native tongue, baffling him further.  Somehow Chance couldn't help but think of a famous muggle toy being inadvertently switched to the Spanish setting.

Sophie realized she had been staring; she also realized she had probably been scowling. Why did she get that way over Chance? She didn't even get that way over Fig and he was her boyfriend - no she got this way over Chance because when she was having a bad day, when something hurt her in ways that she didn't have words to express he would gather her up in his arms and kiss her forehead and tell her she was magic. He saw her when she forgot how to see herself... and Sophie didn't want to share that magic with anyone else. She didn't want to share it with her sisters, or Fauna, or whoever it was Chance would grow up and marry. She wanted that magic to just belong to them. Forever. Because she was bad and selfish.

Shaking her head she gave the two a bright smile; pretending to have just been in thought. The reality was she was with Fig and Chance was still in love with Fauna and that was how things were. It didn't matter that her boyfriend knew her barely well enough to buy her a dog face clock (she couldn't help but look down then at the beautiful bracelet Chance had given her and smile). Sophie knew in the way that you just sometimes know things that Figaro was not forever. They would make one another happy for awhile, then they would make one another miserable for awhile, and then it would be over and they would probably go back to being friends depending on how miserable they made one another in the long run - and twenty years from now they would laugh at however they thought they could stomach being together and how the kissing had been the best part.

Dropping onto the love seat she crossed her legs primly and looked at the background as she changed t orbs of dancing lights, "Pretty great trick right? Professor T showed me when I burst into tears earlier trying to figure out a way to rig six different backgrounds without making them look like those really fake ones in old pictures. I'm super excited to try it at home on the stars I have hanging above my bed," she was prattling now. Time to focus the conversation back in. "So what other plans do you two have tonight? I'm supposed to work the booth the first hour; then SAWS, then Introduce Dad and Mandrake Siren. Somewhere in there I suppose I should find some time to give my boyfriend a Valentine's kiss. Not that he deserves it right now; the wanker, probably spiking the punch bowl," she muttered the last part rolling her eyes. She did like Fig but she wished he took some things more seriously.

Demitria brushed herself off again, her nervous habits showing through, and stood awkwardly. Now that the photo-shoot seemed to be over, she wasn’t really sure what she should say or how she should act. Frankly, the night was turning out be more than slightly strange. Sophie had hated her guts no less than an hour ago, she hadn’t even known Chance’s name… now what was she supposed to do?

Mimi had never been one to make friends too quickly or easily. She was friendly enough to most people (unless they bugged her beyond sanity), but her brain wasn’t made to change as quickly as it just had. She was in slight, and extremely delayed, shock. The only way she could account for it was that her survival mechanisms had kicked in…

She breathed in slightly and mentally shut herself off. Don’t think so much… just go with it. She thought to herself. She sat down on the ground, pulled off her heels, and began massaging her feet. She chuckled at Sophie’s comment about Figaro. What she knew of the Hufflepuff, she could completely concur. “I was supposed to come later with the Monarchy, but was trying to skip out on that. I might go back to find them sometime or later and then come in with them again. I might not.” She shrugged slightly. “I also don’t have a date or anything, so I probably won’t be staying for very long either way.” Demitria frowned. She had never had a boyfriend or even anyone tell her they were interested. It was ridiculous, in her perspective. Every boy she was close to somehow turned into “just a friend.”   

Chance Ryker was still readjusting.  It was almost difficult for him to recognize "himself"...or at least know what he would normally have done in a situation, before so many things went haywire in his life.  Interacting with Sophie was much more ingrained into him than his interactions with almost anyone else. 

Still...he would have found many of Sophie's thoughts and feelings surprising and confusing as the little Flickwick must have herself.  They definitely needed some more quality time soon.  Chance noticed that Sophie seemed to be preoccupied with something, because even her smile seemed a little "off" somehow.  He'd have to check on her privately, because he'd never intentionally embarrass her by putting her on the spot.

"Yeah, ah've definitely gotta stop by th' SAWS booth...Kinda been neglectin' it honestly.  An', well o' course I'd love t'get t'drop by a certain concert..."

It seemed the wheels were turning in Mimi's head too now.  Now Chance was the one who seemed the least preoccupied.  He quirked a brow as he glanced back and forth between the girls.

"Yeah, it's nice t'jes' pop in an make an appearance every now an' then."

This gave Chance rise to curiosity...and he quirked a brow.

"Speakin' of...anybody 'ave a clue what time it is?"