[img]https://i.imgur.com/2kXbvW7.jpeg[/img] [hr] [center][color=#808000]#808000[/color] ~ [url=https://www.thecrofthouse.com/cdn/shop/files/Mens_Scottish_knitwear_May_June_July_August_2025_Summer_862aa2d3-1a84-4715-9f46-988e5c92f1cd.jpg?v=1747119059&width=3840]Outfit[/url] ~ Party[/center] [hr] As Heath continued to speak to Veronica and Sofia, he did notice how the crowd begin to thin out. He hoped everyone got a good night sleep. He was also relieved that this party went well. Sure there had been that incident with Blair, but no one was hurt, not to his knowledge at least. His thoughts were brought back when Sofia spoke up. [color=#9966cc]"Heath, if there are still some of those cookies left. Can you reserve some for me for tomorrow? They sound like a good treat tomorrow after training."[/color] Sofia's enthusiasm caused Heath to grin. [color=#808000]"Sure. Hopefully they won't be stale. I can always make another batch for you when I have the time. But first let's see if there's any left."[/color] Turning his head towards the food bar, he caught site of Iliana again, this time with Trinity at the bar. The bar tender, who was probably another newcomer, gave her a drink. He hoped it wasn't anything strong, but he knew his sister didn't like things strong. However something else altogether took his attention. It was a firework. Soon an array of them lit up the night sky. [color=#808000]"Well, Happy New Years, ladies."[/color] Leave it to Andy to think of adding fireworks. His mind drifted back to where he was a year ago. Iliana had just moved in with him and Ethan right after the Christmas holidays. She had been very cold towards Ethan at first for she was still recovering from her abduction. Now that he knew the whole truth, he really couldn't blame her. They really didn't do much for that Holiday season because his whole family wanted to keep things simple for Iliana's sake. He knew she had become a shut in when she was back at their father's place and his aunts lived there temporarily to take care of her because she had refused to see anyone except him and his aunts. Finally both Athena and Demeter visited her and basically 'snapped her out of it', at least by his aunts' word. So she at least started taking care of herself again, despite lacking a voice. It was also decided she would move in with him since she didn't want to be around humans anymore, not even his aunts. She felt some regret in feeling this way, but she couldn't deny her feelings either. He remembered that his wish for the New Year was for her to recover her voice. Looks like his wish came true. So what was his wish this year? He honestly didn't know. Normally he was quick to think of something, but not this time. Instead of fretting about it, he just hoped this upcoming year was a good one. Looking at the Sofia and Veronica he said, [color=#808000]"I am going to get my tuber ware now and go fetch my sister. Try not to stay up too late. Night."[/color] Nodding to them, he started heading for the food bar but caught sight of Sylas kissing Evelyn. Now that was something he wasn't expecting. Come to think of it, did he ever see the two of them together? He was tired, so his brain wasn't at its best. Deciding to not worry about it, he found his tuber ware and unfortunately for Sofia, they were all gone. Sighing, he made a mental note to make more. Maybe he could make it tomorrow morning instead of writing. Decision made, he went to go look for his sister at the bar, only to see she wasn't there. Now where did she go? [hr] [center]Interactions ~ Veronica [@Fabricator], Sofia [@Theyra] ~ Mentions ~ Iliana, Blair, Trinity, Baxter, Evelyn, Sylas[/center] [hr] [img]https://i.imgur.com/sk2CPzp.jpeg[/img] [hr] [center][color=#4a766e]#4a766e[/color] ~ [url=https://www.strawberrychicblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IMG_5512-600x746.jpg]Outfit[/url], [url=https://www.dhresource.com/webp/m/0x0/f2/albu/g8/M01/80/01/rBVaV12QCVuALWfnAAOBOKS2DYc565.jpg]Boots[/url] ~ Bar > Cabin[/center] [hr] Trinity was someone Iliana admired a great deal, but knew she could never be like her. One thing was for sure, she didn't talk much and Iliana wasn't bound to try and get more details. So when she mentioned how her night had gone well, Iliana had a feeling there was more to it, but she merely nodded. She wasn't expecting the same question tough. [color=#4a766e]"Oh, it's been good. Heath gave me a break too. Probably been keeping an eye on me at least. I got to enjoy the skating rink Andy created. I do want to try the slide if I am able."[/color] Soon the bar tender approached with a drink for calling it a Mudslide. Iliana smiled brightly at him. [color=#4a766e]"Thank you so much!"[/color] Not wanting to wait, she gave it a sip. She recognized Irish cream immediately with the taste of coffee, which helped balance out the alcohol, which she wasn't able to pinpoint. It was really good though. She was so invested in her drink though that Trinity's next question took her by complete surprised. [color=#66356a]"So Iliana, are you wanting to kiss anyone?"[/color] Turning red on the spot, more flowers popped up beneath her as she spurted out her drink, luckily not getting anyone. [color=#4a766e]"TRINITY!"[/color] she shouted, thoroughly embarrassed. It took her a minute to calm down, but her blush still remained. Finally she spoke up again. [color=#4a766e]"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that kind of question. No, there's no one. Plus I doubt any guy would be interested in me anyway. I am not as attractive as someone like you, Andy, and others."[/color] She briefly glanced at Blair, who was talking with the bar tender. She could feel the undercurrents of emotions there. It was probably best to leave. Suddenly the night lit up with fireworks and Iliana welcomed the distraction. The sight took her breath away. She was so enthralled she didn't see Trinity's departure. Deciding to leave herself, she took one more sip of her drink, almost finishing it. She would have thanked the guy who made it but he was still talking with Blair. She would thank him the next time she saw him. Wanting to try that slide before it was too late, she made a mad dash for it. Climbing up it, she took in the view from the slide. It was amazing. Taking a sled, she got on it before going down it. Laughing, she came to the bottom to see her brother. Heath had been looking for his sister and was close to the arena when he glanced up and saw her at the top of the slide. Seeing her laugh as she reached the bottom caused him to smile too. [color=#808000]"Well that looked like fun. Shall I return the sled for you?"[/color] he asked as she stood up. Her full smile had dropped by then too and she'd gone back to being cordial. [color=#4a766e]"Na, plus I am sure since Andy conjured all of this, it might disappear soon too."[/color] [color=#808000]"True, well I am glad you had a good time tonight Iliana. I couldn't help but keep an eye on you though."[/color] [color=#4a766e]"I am surprised you showed some restraint actually. I am tired, so I'll be going to bed now. You can escort me back if you wish."[/color] Sighing, Heath followed after her and finally decided to ask something that had been on his mind. [color=#808000]"Lia, why are you being so distant from me recently?"[/color] Those words caused Iliana to stop. Looking at her brother, she tried to find the right words, but all she could do was be completely honest. [color=#4a766e]"Because I want to do more things on my own, and you're hovering. We won't always be together, Heath, and while I do appreciate all you've done, I can't find myself if you're always trying to hold my hand. Good night Heath."[/color] Feeling her words hurt him, Iliana quickly ran to her cabin. She hated hurting him, but he needed to know. Finally in the sanctuary in her cabin, she got ready for bed, had a good cry, and fell asleep instantly. [hr] Heath had indeed been hurt by Iliana's words but didn't show it. He stood in silence as he watched his sister's fleeting form. Why did he feel hurt? She had been truthful and that was good. So why was he upset? Was this what it was meant by the phrase, 'the truth hurts'? Trying to figure out what to do now, he headed for his cabin before also cleaning up before going to bed. [hr] [center]Interactions ~ Trinity [@xNocturnax], Heath ~ Mentions ~ Blair, Baxter[/center] [hr] [img]https://i.imgur.com/aPPCL3t.jpeg[/img] [hr] [center][color=#f1724b]#f1724b[/color] ~ [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/43/5b/d0435b3653b480f3ffabd598b3015c55.jpg]Outfit[/url] ~ Party > Cabin[/center] [hr] Hearing Sylas chuckled was a good thing in Nelly's opinion, but then the fireworks went off. Well shoot, she didn't want to ruin any plans he had for midnight. Oh well. She couldn't help but shiver at Sylas's words when he called her little Nelly. She waited with baited breath as he came closer. Was this how her mom felt when she hooked up with her dad? She kept her eyes open the entire time. However when he was just a breath away from her lips, he spoke. [color=#0a6d6b]"You missed out on one hell of a kiss."[/color] With that, he left her completely and for once in her life, she had no words. Standing there for a minute, her mind scrambled on what happened. Why did she miss out? Was it something she said or how she said it? It was a puzzle she was determined to solve. Maybe the alcohol did get to her? Shrugging, she looked up at the Fireworks as she started heading back to the bar, with her drink in hand. Looking towards the bar, she saw something that made her laugh. Evelyn and Sylas kissing. And it looked like Sylas was the more aggressive one. Maybe he didn't want to kiss her because he wanted to kiss Eveyln for midnight. That made sense to her. She watched them until Evelyn drew away from him, clearly embarrassed about what just happened. Sylas looked confused about his own actions too. Soon he left, heading in the direction of his cabin. Evelyn left too, but not in the direction of her cabin. In fact, she was going in the exact opposite direction, maybe towards Sylas's? [color=#f1724b]"Well I hope they have a good new year's hehe."[/color] she giggled before rejoining Fiona. Finishing her drink, she stayed until she could feel her energy drop. Saying good night to Fiona and anyone else, she started heading for her cabin, grateful it was nearby. Once inside her cabin, she reflected on that night. A lot definitely happened from interacting with Veronica and Sofia to hanging out with Fiona. In retrospect, she really didn't talk to a lot of people. That was something she normally did at parties. Still she had fun and was more than ready for bed. Hopefully this New Year would bring even more surprises. Nelly couldn't wait. [hr] [center]Mentions ~ Sylas, Evelyn, Fiona, Veronica, Sofia[/center]