don't let them take us down

Neil smirked to himself as he entered the familiar setting of the night club. It had been months since he had spent a night out and he was looking forward to it. Especially if he wanted to snag some attractive girl, now would be the time considering the fact that holidays were nearing and places like these would be empty soon.

He loosened his tie and folded the sleeves of his jacket as he made his way to the bar counter. He downed a couple of glasses of Butterbeer, not really in the mood for alcohol, as he remembered the incident that happened the last time he got drunk.

As the Priduex scanned the sea of dancing people, he wasn't sure what or who he was looking for. Perhaps someone to catch his attention. After a while, he shrugged and figured he'd accept someone's invitation of a dance, unlike the other times where he seduced the girl.

Who knows, he just might have a ball of a time tonight.

She instantly knew what to expect just from the outside of the place. She shouldn't have. She shouldn't have decided to even walk in front of it, to pass by just to reach a nearby shop. She still crossed the line. And when a drunk adult dragged her in without a reason, she should have wobbled off. But her hand, it ached too much from that crazy woman's hold. What more if she strangled herself from it? But now, the exit was her only place to run to. And Merlin's pants, she's obviously not aware of the exit inside the very crowded club.

Celeste slowly walked around, more like creeping in a gaping hole, as if she was trapped in an unknown world. It was like walking inside a haunted house, a shrieking shack, and there's no way to run with all these crazed people. She chose to ask the directions, looking for a decent person there. But honestly, there was not one human being in a stable condition except for herself. She felt like vomiting. Maybe she could do that in the bathroom or somewhere, until she can take it to escape, when the labyrinth of crowd would eventually disperse.

Someone caught her eye, a boy drinking butterbeer, not alcohol at all. Perhaps he's not drunk, then she could ask him which way to go. But it still made her nervous and body numb. She just stood there, glancing through the dancing creatures a couple times while she looked for the exit. It was halfway across the dance floor. And hell, how could she go pass that one? What if something bad happened to her? It was possible.

Downing one more glass of Butterbeer, Neil kept scanning the crowd until finally, someone caught his eye. It was clearly obvious that the girl did not wish to be here, and he couldn't help but be amused by the fact. He tried to figure out the various possibilities as to why the younger girl would attempt to come here against her will. Maybe she's lost, or it's some sort of prank, he decided.

Making his way across the sea of moving bodies, he went over to her side and asked a little loudly, so as to be heard among the music, "Are you lost?" His first instinct had been to ask her to dance with him, but she didn't seem like the type who'd say yes to dancing with a stranger. Knowing that they couldn't converse like this, he took her hand and led away from the dance floor.

"Would you like a drink or something?" The Priduex asked with a raised eyebrow. "Then maybe you'll relax a little."

She gasped at the sound of the voice behind her. Then what more, this boy, this stranger's voice, took her by the hand and dragged her like the mental lady did just awhile ago. She knew what to react. She had enough. People are mad these days. She shouldn't have gone without someone to accompany her. And her father, what took him so long? Probably, he was worried where his daughter could be. And now, Celeste's like a lost sheep or something.

"Please! Just let me go! Not my arm!" She shrieked at the top of her lungs. Finally, she still knew how to do it. Well, her emotions back then were a hell of a chaos. She can't think or anything. She just wanted to get out of the place, out of this strangling narrow hole where she can't breathe. Another reason for outdoors having a point.

Successfully untying her arm from the stranger, she soothed the aching one with her free hand. It hurt a little bit more. Her heart pounded with inexplainable doubts, making her headache too. She tried to stifle her tears, she just wanted to go home.

"Um . . . yeah. A madwoman dragged me here. She thought I'm these kind of people. I just don't belong here, okay? And sorry for screaming. She sort of held me tight back there. I thought she's going it again or something." The brunette replied, as if she had just run a mile or so, and slumped on the nearest chair. The music was so loud, the people were so different. She didn't even hear the boy asking for a drink. What on earth?

"Calm down, will you?" Neil muttered to the girl, letting go of her hand and hoping he followed her. He suddenly regretted going over to her, not at all aware that someone at a night club would freak out like this out of the blue. He was glad that the music was loud, since no one would have her shriek and thought he was about to abduct her or what not. But he figured it wouldn't be right to leave her on her own in the middle of the dance floor, where she could easily get lost in the crowd.

As the Priduex watched her rub her arm, he sighed. "I apologize for your arm, I didn't realize my grip was tight." He went over to the bar counter and got her a glass of Butterbeer. "A madwoman? Who the hell was she?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as he handed the glass to her. "And why would she drag you into a place like this?"

The brown haired boy took a seat opposite and looked at her, as though trying to remember if he had seen her before. "You're a student at Beauxbatons, yes?" He questioned, slipping from English to French. "I'm Aveneil Corbett, by the way."

"Fine. I'm just freaking out, all right? I have never. NEVER been to a place like this one. I'd dare not to actually." Celeste replied, her mood, her fury, raging upon in inside her. She still didn't know why on earth she was still there. She should have already asked the questions on the way to the exit, but she was too weak to even move or anything. Her mind was racing ahead.

"Yeah, so this lady dragged me. Right. I don't know. She's mental and drunk. Maybe she thought I'm these type of people. Or maybe she thought I was some waitress here or something, trying to get away from her." She answered in a monotone, staring into the wilderness of space beneath her eyes, clearly seeing nothing even if her eyes were wide open.

She scratched her head, slightly glad for changing the topic and sighed, "Yep. Fourth year Vallee." Looking around, she tried her best to ask right away on top of the loud music, "So where's the exit? I need to get out. Papa will be so worried. Now that I've seen what's it like here, I will never go in ever again."

"You do realize that this is just a nighclub and not some sort of death trap, yes?" Questioned the Priduex, an amused smirk on his lips. "You definitely seem like one of those uptight people, who really could use a night of fun," he remarked. "But I suppose the first time might be scary, and for some fucking reason, the floor is overcrowded tonight," he gestured to the dance floor. "Like I said, just calm down."

Neil chuckled lightly at the girl's response, not really sure why he found it kind of odd. "Now that's certainly unheard of, but I guess perhaps I'm sorry that some psycho dragged you in here; sadly, one of the many side effects when one gets seriously drunk," he muttered, finishing off the rest of his drink and placing it on the table, a little unsure what to do next.

"The exit is on the other side of the floor actually," he said, as he pointed in the direction. "Are you sure you don't want to stay around for a few minutes? It sort of hurts my ego when such a pretty girl leaves a place distressed, right after conversing with me," Neil commented, an easy grin on his face.

"I consider this hole more than that." Celeste murmured, her tone changing colder and colder as she stayed there. She sighed, looked around nervously again, and slumped deeper into the couch, "Oh. I'm already having fun nights even without this." She motioned towards the ocean of crazed people on the other side, staring emotionless on the floor, crossing her arms. She had never felt this regretful, so careless, so stupid. She thought of herself as stupid.

The Vallee shrugged, already knowing what usually happens to drunk people. She was fully aware. That's why she's avoiding those stuff, isn't she? Can't the Prideux understand at all? Sure, she was uptight like he said, and very conservative too. That's just the way she is. Nobody can change that. And why haven't she escaped yet? What's bothering her, really? She's also a silly girl.

"A few minutes in this, or few minutes outside in peace? I don't mind sticking around. Papa will pick me up soon at the place where we decided not long ago." She replied with another shrug and added, "Besides. I don't want to be rude or anything leaving just like that. Just lead me the way out." Truthfully enough, she somewhat flushed for being called pretty. They were only rare ones she had ever encountered.

"Well, I really think you are underestimating this 'hole', perhaps because you've been dragged here against your will," Neil pointed out with a shrug. "I mean really, what has got you so jittery, besides what you already shared with me?" The girl looked to be only a year or so younger than me, yet she was acting different than the other girls her age he had encountered before.

"A few minutes? Alright, after that I will personally lead you the way out of this place," he said and smirked lightly as he noticed her flush. Guess compliment is one thing all girls like, he thought. Though he really did think she was pretty. He went to the bar to get himself another glass of Butterbeer and downed it in a few minutes.

Getting back to the table, he asked, "How about a dance? Maybe it'll ease you a little bit. Unless you think I'm sort of a murderer..." he trailed off and grinned teasingly.

"You already think I'm different. Tell you now, I am so not the kind of girls you always expect them to be. Sorry for that." The Vallee replied with a frown and shrugged her shoulders, giving no care at all for telling the truth. All was left then if the boy would believe her or not. For most people, what she just said seemed impossible. But it's their option to believe the statement or not. She was after all not a human being meant to lie.

"Thanks." She muttered after hearing what she wanted to hear and taking the butterbeer from the stranger. She sipped and felt the warmth against her lips, having not drank anything like it in weeks. She almost dropped the mug, shocked on what she had heard the second time and managed to hold tightly in a firm grip as she stuttered,

"N-n-no way. I don't d-ance." Celeste shook her head and placed the mug back on the table successfully not damaging anything so far.

"The only reason I'm still here, standing and talking to you is because you're different," Neil chuckled. "You know, that's apart from the reason that you're incredibly pretty. Seriously though, do not apologize for such invalid reasons." He was so used to being surrounded by people who knew more how to fake and lie, and it was refreshing to be around someone who seemed to be the exact opposite. He was glad.

The Priduex nodded his welcome and he asked her, "Do you want another glass of Butterbeer?" The brown haired raised an eyebrow amusedly at the girl's response. "You don't dance? Not even a small one? Come on, I'll guide you through it. I promise it will be fun. And hey, just think of it as taking a chance."

Perhaps it was his sudden need to get on the dance floor or wanting to show someone how much fun it is. Either way, he wanted the girl to dance with him before she left. Maybe it'll even help her relax and put her mind at ease.

The Vallee turned faintly pink, shook her head in humiliation for herself, and replied, "Thanks." she looked around, expecting that someone might walk up to their direction, and asked, "You're just on your own here? Don't you have a girlfriend with you right now in this club? Because that's what guys mostly do, right? Bring their girls here in this common place?"

She shook her head again, "No thanks. I think you've done enough for asking me to dance and leading me out of here." she sighed, showed some uneasiness in her voice as she spoke, "Not really. I rarely do. I don't call it as dancing. I just twirl around and act freely sometimes. That's all."

"A - a chance?" Celeste stopped, thinking it through and persuaded herself that taking risks and chances was her thing after all, and answered, "Oh, okay. I'll try. But it will be embarrassing. And I don't dance with the fast beats. I wouldn't know what to do."

Neil couldn't help the laugh the escaped his lips at the girl's question. "A girlfriend? Are you kidding me? I don't have girlfriends, sweetheart. Just occasional dates," he said with a slight smirk. "Maybe one day, but as of now, I plan to enjoy my days of being single instead of being tied down to just one girl."

"Okay, now you are just making excuses," he said and shook his head. "It does not matter if you do not know how to dance, as long as you know how to have fun either way," he stated with a shrug.

He downed the last of his Butterbeer and took her hand in his. "Slow works just fine for me," he replied and grinned lightly as they made her way to the dance floor. "I don't know your name, by the way," he pointed out as he placed his arm on her waist.

She shrugged her shoulders, "Well, staying single seems like a great idea. I wouldn't want one guy to hold my world or anything then ruin it in an instant like some. That's cruel." and shook her head.

"All right. This is just so embarrassing. It's actually my first time in years." she said as she got up from her seat and let the stranger lead her way through the crowded floor. She looked around, uneasiness present in her eyes and their presence just made her nervous, not to mention the loudness of the music.

She smiled, realized her firsthand manners, and replied quickly, "Oh! I'm Celeste. Call me Cel or anything." she glanced down on her waist, shivering a bit at the touch, but did not reacted nonetheless, seeing that it really was the way a dance should be done. Well, it was her fault for saying that.

"Pleasure to be acquainted with someone who happens to share my viewpoint in the life of dating," the Priduex remarked with a wink. "It does feel like being trapped, doesn't it? I just cannot imagine being in such a circumstance as a teenager," he muttered, feeling slightly disgusted by the thought. How could anyone want that?

Raising an eyebrow at the girl, he said, "First time in years? In that case, I'm quite glad you entered the club tonight and allowed me a chance to change that," he said and grinned lightly.

"Pretty name for a pretty girl," he murmured, deciding to be honest for once and give her the compliment. He was already liking her, simply because she was unlike the other girls. Then again, this might be the only time they share a moment like this, but that didn't bother him. They'd probably run into each other at school.

Swaying to the music, he twirled her around and let the comfortable silence lie between them. He wasn't much of a slow dancer, mostly used to fast beats. "I apologize if my dancing is not upto the mark," he added.

"Yep. And I will never want being trapped. Too much for freedom waiting for you somewhere." The Vallee answered with a nod and added with a serious tone in her voice, "But it changes though. Some point or another. When one finds that what they call 'true love' nothing means more. And I guess it isn't wrong being in a relationship when you're not just playing around." she shrugged, thought for a moment about her own parents, and recalled that they were the only exception under that category slash label of hers. Maybe, she may seem wrong these days or even before. That love was even harder than studying.

She frowned, slapped the boy's shoulders with her soft hands, and remarked, "You're so weird. You're glad that I've come to this place to hang around? I never wanted myself inside this hole in the first place." then grinned with amusement. And for one, things do happen for a reason. She was having fun. Even if she wouldn't accept that fact.

Flushing, she smiled faintly, her expression merely saying what her words can't portray. True, she had hear many call her that. But for her? She was just a normal French girl. Plenty more girls out there who can be even prettier than her. But receiving a compliment like what he did can always make her smile. And in the back of her mind, how many other young women have he told them that part? She wouldn't dare know.

Celeste laughed as the twirled her petite body around, swaying effortlessly to the sound, and muttered, "Hey. You're not that bad compared to me. You're much more experienced than I am since I bet you're always here."

"Waiting for true love is like waiting for Muggles to accept magic; useless and disappointing," Neil stated with a shrug of his shoulders. "If love was all that grand, then everyone would find their soulmate. But even now, there are people wasting their lives away in the hopes that their 'soulmate' will rescue them." It wasn't that he was completely against the idea, just that it was slightly farfetched. Plus, he found it more fun fool around with other girls, rather than be attached to one.

He wasn't ready for commitment.

The Priduex merely smirked at the girl. "Things don't always go the way we want, sweetheart. You didn't want to be here, yet here you are, having a nice time. Funny how it all turns out, isn't it?"

"Ah, since you're blushing just like any other girl, maybe you're not so weird after all," he teased and gave her a charming grin. Most girls whom he complimented, barely appreciated it and behaved as though they already knew it. But Celeste certainly wasn't like that, in fact, her whole attitude was like a breath of fresh air.

Something he could quite get used to.

"A guy has got to have some place to get rid of pressures, right?" Questioned Neil with a slight chuckle as he wrapped his arms around the brunette's waist once more. "I hope this shows you that clubbing is actually not so bad."

"Muggles can still accept magic. When they still believe. It's not like there are none of them around these days." Celeste commented, her eyes fixed on the boy with much curiosity and innocence, "Huh. I've always believed in soulmates. Like my parents. But unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with that fact. And, I'm still too young. Waiting can be a better option."

She chuckled, a wide grin flashing through her mouth as she accepted the truth, "Yep. Things do go that way somehow. Still, I'm worried. I've been here for a long time." she spoke, her voice slightly shaking for she was yet awakened from the poisoning temptation of fun. Sure, she wasn't used to it till then.

"Weird." the Vallee repeated softly, refraining from dancing and stood fixed at the center of the crowd, "I... I... should... go." she finished breathlessly.

Sliding her hand off the her companion's shoulder, she turned to look away, "I'm really sorry. I do had a good time. But I still have a lot to do. I wouldn't want papa to be mad at me for straying away."