Anna spotted Niya racing towards her and grinned, "Woah horsey... I wasn't sure you'd come but I'm glad you did. At least I'm not the only one who gets to feel awkward in fancy clothes, though I think I like your approach better. You could still fight in that."

It wasn't long till she spotted Serena too and it seemed Seb had noticed them as well because he was headed over. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans, a black button down tuxedo vest which he left open, and a white dress shirt only half tucked in underneath that. It was a typical thing for Seb to wear any time because he liked making things that should look classy look messy. His hair was still looking slightly messy, Anna honestly didn't know if he purposely styled it that way or it was from his hands constantly being in it. He slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled at the three girls, "Is this my company tonight... I am a lucky man."

Anna laughed and grabbed his fedora off his head and put it on hers, pulling it low to shield her eyes. "Yeah you are..." 

She looked at Serena's gown as she handed Seb back his hat, "You look fantastic..." It was true, she looked so innocent in the face that she almost looked like an angel in that dress. Obviously Seb had noticed to because he realized he was staring and cleared his throat, a playful smile curving his mouth, "And here I thought I'd never get to see my three serious Dhampirs dress up..." He kissed the back of Serena's hand with a flourish of a bow before straightening. "I'm glad you decided to come, it's not good to be holed up alone, I should know... Who talked you into coming Anna, you never said and you almost never come to parties unless it's to guard at them."

Anna shrugged, "My ward did... Basil Tarus? She asked me to come."

She was still semi surprised but she tried to accept that maybe all royal moroi weren't... well... the way usual royals were. She'd met Seb sure but Seb was an unusual case and Anya had been too. Seb didn't know Anya was the one who'd gotten her the dress and jewelry, thank the gods.

"How was your day guarding Rae Niya," Sebastian was asking. "Anna has avoided getting him like the plague, I was wondering if he was really that complicated of a ward so far."

Anna stuck her tongue out at Seb and turned to Serena, "I feel so... weird. I'm used to wearing things I can fight in at a moments notice and... well..." She gave a sheepish smile as she gestured to her dress.

She caught sight of Gunner headed into the glow of the lights from the party and suddenly felt completely ridiculous and sort of like a cat trying to be a dog. Not to mention overly exposed, she crossed her arms over her exposed midriff and bit at her lip. She caught herself tugging at a strand of hair that had escaped the pony-tail and hung in her face before she quickly released it and excused herself nervously from the others. If Gunner went anywhere it would be to the happy little group and Anna felt too embarrassed over her wardrobe choice to face him right now. Sebastian seemed to notice her anxiety immediately, probably watching her aura, and looked around for the source. He spotted Gunner and looked back at Anna, almost a little sadly.

She was quick to reassure him because he looked so concerned about her, "I'm fine Seb, stop worrying about me... I just feel kind of like... I don't know... a kid... playing at dress up. I should have just worn a nice pair of jeans and a tank top or something..."

He put both hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek in a brotherly fashion, whispering into her ear. "You look beautiful Anna, anyone who doesn't notice is blind."

She was briefly taken aback by the intensity in Seb's eyes when he pulled away before he smiled and gave her cheek a light pat. She took a breath, feeling somewhat better. "I'm gonna... grab a drink."

She walked off probably long before Gunner actually caught a glance at her, he was looking around like he was scanning the wards for potential threats... but that was Gunner for you. She didn't really know why she suddenly felt so reluctant to talk to Gunner, he was her bestie after all. They could joke about how ridiculous she looked together... but for some reason the idea of Gunner pointing out that she looked ridiculous as a Guardian in a dress like this made her feel... kinda sick, sad, and anxious all at once. What the hell was going on with her tonight?

She went to the table the others had sat up and filled a plastic cup with punch and took a sip... and coughed. Yeah... definitely spiked. One and done, she was NOT getting drunk or even tipsy tonight... and she planned to sip it so slowly she wouldn't even get buzzed. The dress and jewelry was enough playing at someone else for the night... she didn't need to get herself smashed while she was at it.

She looked up, spotting Basil with Rae and waved at the Moroi in a happy greeting. She actually was happy to see her... Who knew she'd find another royal she got along with.

~*~

Sebastian watched Anna go just as Gunner was getting closer and sighed. Her aura had been going crazy with so many different colors, all tinged with gold, that he'd known exactly who he'd see when he'd look over his shoulder. Sooner or later she was going to have to face the way she felt and actually acknowledge it... Then, she'd have to figure out how to handle knowing she was feeling a little too fond for her bestie to just be besties anymore... He was worried for her how Gunner would take it when it finally came down to it and a little worried how Gunner would take Anna looking like THAT tonight. He could already tell that the usual jokes that he and Anna made would probably hurt Anna's feelings tonight... Her aura had seemed... unusually vulnerable.

He turned his attention to Gunner and waved him over, in case he hadn't seen them yet. "Hey, look who I found," he noted as he indicated Niya and Serena. "I didn't think I'd see YOU here tonight either... indeed it is a night of miracles," he teased.

He put a companionable arm around both Niya and Serena's shoulders though he pulled Serena slightly against him in a companionable half hug for a brief moment.