[i]Noon, October 16 - Anderson Manor, East Wellsburg Washington[/i]

"Be careful with that!" Gloria Anderson yelled, her voice echoing in the large foyer. "That table is worth more than your life!" She continued to yell at the men she hired to set up for the party, only half joking.

She glared down at them from her current position atop the grand staircase for a few more moments before continuing on into her daughter's room down the hallway. The party would be taking place at the Anderson Manor, built at the same time as the college. Situated in the woods near the campus, it is very secluded. A long driveway separates the manor from the road and the town as well. To even the richer families that will be gathered in the enormous building, it would be impressive. The Andersons are a very wealthy family, and that wealth goes a long way towards establishing them as a respectable family in the witch community. Of course wealth isn't everything, but it helps.

Gloria stopped at the closed door of her daughter's room and knocked lightly. Without waiting for an answer she pushed open the heavy oak door and walked in.

"Elizabeth, dear, where are you? You're supposed to be downstairs making sure those brutes don't scuff up the floors," She called out, glancing about the room.

"Mother can't I just have a moment to myself?" Elizabeth asked, walking out of her bathroom. "I'm getting myself ready for the party."

Gloria scurried over to her daughter and grabbed her slender face with both hands.

"You haven't even showered yet," Gloria stated with a frown as she inspected her daughter. "Don't lie to me. You were reading those books again, weren't you? Where do you even find them?" She questioned, glancing over at the window seat where a small leatherbound book sat.

Without waiting for an answer, Gloria let go of her daughter and waddled over to the window. She grabbed the book and made her way to the door.

"I'll have no more of this rebellion. Nothing magical belongs in this house."

"Except for you, of course," Elizabeth stated curtly. "And the thirty or so witches that'll be here tonight."

Anger swelled in Gloria's eyes, but she took a moment and then let the comment go.

"This night has to be perfect. Get ready and then get downstairs."

---

[i]8 p.m. October 16 - East Wellsburg, Washington[/i]

"Do we seriously have to go to this thing?" Graham complained, glancing at his mother.

He wasn't one for parties, especially these formal ball things were people dressed nicely and ate tiny sandwiches and bickered about god knows what. He was glad to see his sister and to a lesser extent his mother, but having to go to this party almost made him wish they hadn't come at all.

"It is important for us to secure some allies outside of the family," His mother repeated for what seemed like the tenth time. "We have enough issues of our own. We don't need some outsiders coming in a messing things up even more. Some powerful families are attending this peace meeting, they could help us if we need it."

"This isn't going to make us friends, Mom. It's just gonna get us less potential enemies," He explained with a sigh as he attempted to tie his tie. "Ask any of them for help and they'll laugh in our faces. They think we're crazy. Even the fucking German guy acts cautious around me, like any second I'm gonna try to bleed him or somethin'. And its his job to talk to crazy witch kids."

His mother laughed and moved closer to help him with his tie. "You're overreacting. Less enemies is better than nothing anyway," She said with a smile, pulling his tie tight around his neck. "Besides, you just might have fun at this thing. Maybe [i]you'll[/i] make some friends for once. And its also a chance for me to show off my handsome son."

Graham sighed and looked in the mirror as she walked out of the room. He wore an all black suit with a black tie. His tattoos reached about an inch or two over his collar. Overall he didn't look all that bad, despite his discomfort. He would even go as far as saying he looked intimidating.
...

Graham sighed once more as the car pulled up in front of the Anderson's house. If you could even called it a house. It was far larger than any house he had stepped in before. The long driveway formed a circle at the front of the house, surrounding a fountain and bordered by beautiful landscaping. The front door was framed by a grand entry way complete with large glass windows and white columns supporting the overhead. Through the windows you could see a large crystal chandelier illuminating the foyer. He looked to his sister, who was seated beside him. She gazed at the building with awe, taking in the opulence of the property.

Graham got out of the black car at the same time the second Bishop car was arriving. The night just got better and better. He watched as his brother, uncle, and grandfather climbed out. They were all dressed nicely as well, and this was probably the first time Graham had seen Tyler in a suit. Then again this was the first time Graham had seen himself in a suit as well.
The Bishops entered the party together, only slightly later than they were expected. This wasn't an attempt at being fashionably late, they were simply dysfunctional. But if someone else thought otherwise, then it was just a minor, accidental, victory for them.

Gloria Anderson met them at the door in her expensive looking dress that seemed a size or two too small. Though maybe Graham was just imagining that. He had met her before, upon his arrival to the university. She was just as fake as she was now. Graham just smiled and then slipped away when he could, making a bee line for the alcohol.
He glanced back to see his mother and sister giving him dirty looks. His mother was upset at his rudeness and his sister was upset he didn't take her with him.