Dear Samantha, (Sam/open)

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain grinned knowing she was upset with him, had known she would be but didn't really mind. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder to turn her back around to face him. "You're Welcome Sam." He said quite sarcastically but still smiling. "What is up with that guy anyways? Oh and I'd rather your reputation be ruined by me than the likes of him. At least you know I'm not going to go chasing after you to finish the job. Well unless you ask nicely." He teased with a wink.

He saw Seth come out of the hall with the bookbag he'd left behind. "Thanks Seth.. was that asshat getting under your skin too? That was the nicest thing I could do without the faculty taking points away. Man I would have liked to have seen his face, oh well... if he keeps up I'm gonna make his life a living hell here for the rest of the year."

[Lyra Newbury]

It was all too much to take in so quickly. Before Lyra knew it, Rystain had left with a dumbfounded Sam, Seth had chased after them, and she was now sitting here with this Rafe fellow. Bloody great idea, Seth. Leave me with this wanker. She was going to have quite a few choice words with him later when she caught him. Would it be too obvious if she left as well, with no motive? She glanced under the table, half hoping Seth had, in turn, forgotten his bag. Or maybe Sam. But no, there was nothing there but a fork and a few crumbs. F*ck!

She forced a smile in Rafe's direction. "They're a cute couple, aren't they?" For Merlin's sake, that was the worst attempt at small talk yet. What more could she say since Rystain and Sam weren't really a couple and this oaf clearly wanted Sam for himself.

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe was positively fuming, and silently plotting the death of Rystain. He wasn't quite able to cover the infuriated scowl on his face as Rystain left with Sam, followed by Seth. Oh... he was not amused. His jaw flexed in fury and he was startled to hear the voice of Lyra across from him. Looking up at her, he grunted, "Yes, bloody adorable. If you'll excuse me." Without another word, he got up and left the table.

He had tried to be nice. Maybe now it was time to take the gloves off.

[Rystain Quandry]

"We should get going before Rafe comes looking for us. Where to, my dear?" He said in his most charming imitation of a lover at Sam, though he winked at Seth.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Oh haha, yes it's all so bloody funny for the both of you isn't it?" she asked her rage no where near diminished. She had been quite the little princess as of late, nice and sweet and definitely poised, but if she had been a paragon of grace, she was stunning when furious. Her eyes glittered with fiery green sparks shooting at the both of them, though she wasn't angry with Seth, he was there seemingly on Rystain's side.

"Do you have any idea how he's going to retaliate?" she asked him as if Rystain had overlooked that fact. "He's not going to pull any punches after that stunt and I shouldn't either, that was humiliating Rystain. I'm Slytherin Champion and I take that very seriously. Yes, thank you for saving me from Rafe's attentions that was very noble and generous of you, but do you know what you provoked? A kiss like that in front of all the houses and staff at dinner...Oh...Merlin.." she groaned, "Caleb..." she sighed she would have to make sure her brother didn't kill Rystain, "I hope you're willing to be just as defensive when the next guy decides I'm an easy catch."

With that she turned out of his arms and began walking away from him, she had a lot to consider and a lot to do.

The problem wasn't that he kissed her...no she actually liked that part very much, but the fact that it was in front of everyone she was just getting to know it put an image into people's heads that she was easy. She had enough advances to worry about without the added temptation of being a willing slag.

[Rystain Quandry]

"Well I could always make an honest woman out of you." He smiled suggestively, "Then at least they wouldn't think your easy." His smile widened. The idea had merit as far as he was concerned. And her tempter didn't get to him at all. He was in fact cool as a cucumber under her gaze. He knew his own ability to defend himself from the likes of Seth, and wouldn't bother hiding the body either, no he'd do it right in broad daylight with a duel for cover. He was a gentleman after all.

Another thought came to him then about Samantha and he vaguely wondered what she would be like on his arm with the power she held and the power he hoped to one day hold himself. She might even be a good match for him if he ever managed to need a wife for status if she hadn't been two years too young. Now that he didn't have to worry about Alice anymore he really should start looking for more appropriate candidates for his public affection. The idea was probably absurd though, more than most only because even he knew that Samantha Montgomery would never come to a man on any terms of her own free will. She was too haughty at the idea of her precious reputation.

His eyes gleamed with the thought of her on his arm. "Besides I could make you like it."

[Samantha Montgomery]

He was joking she knew, about making an honest woman out of her. Whether he meant making her honestly a slag, or honestly his wife both ideas were something to laugh at. She knew one day Rystain would settle down, get married, most likely for public appearances sake. His marriage would be full of affection and well sated nights, and then, when the honeymoon was over both parties would find other sources of entertainment. She wondered if he would demand faithfulness from a wife, she doubted he would remain faithful, and what would happen to the poor creature he had chosen to marry? Heaven forbid the girl fall in love with him...and then be forever doomed to watch his affections go elsewhere, merlin it was a nightmare.

Not that Sam had any intention of falling in love or getting married if she could help it. Somewhere in her deepest darkest thoughts she feared being a mother and ending up like her own, so she wouldn't marry for children. As the moment was she didn't have any use for lovers, she hadn't yet been introduced to love and that was something she was clinging tightly to as her reputation...and perhaps something else inside of her demanded that she keep sacred.

When he said that he could make her like it, she paused in her tracks and turned a look over her shoulder, her eyes were lowered but her lips curved just appropriately. Her haughty reputation, her princess demeanor, her smile sweet for the public, everything gone and stripped leaving the rawly designed woman behind she finally brought her eyes to his, " If that time ever came Rystain, I could make you feel it."

Her words held a challenge unlike any other, she wasn't promising to be the best he ever had, she wasn't promising to be experienced and well equipped to see to his needs, she wasn't even promising physical intimacy, her promise was for the soul. If it ever got to the point where Rystain had wormed his way into Sam's pants, she was promising that before that ever happened she would have enchanted his very spirit the likes of which he had never been enchanted before. That was what she had, that was what she was offering. She didn't know if she believed in love, but one look at Rafe could tell you that she believed in obsession, and she was skilled in becoming an obsession.

As Rafe's obsession she was holding out, withdrawing herself from him, she had made him madly in love or in need rather and then took herself away like air and he was desperate to breathe, but obsession returned on the other hand, was the sweetest breath of air ever taken.

[Rystain Quandry]

He had been about to respond to her words when he saw the raw look in her face. His eyes narrowed at this new look into Samantha Montgomery. So she wasn't all smiles and image after all, she had another side of her that spoke volumes with that one look. One he found more dangerously attractive than he'd ever thought of her before. Sure she was beautiful on the outside, but until now he hadn't seen what lay inside that little package she always wrapped herself in. It was a view into something he himself understood and craved at the deepest level. He didn't bother to respond though. Instead he waited to see where they were going.

[Samantha Montgomery]

The look was gone from her face in the next seccond causing the question of whether it had really been there in the first place or if it had been his imagination.

"Another time perhaps." she dipped a curtsy to him and thought to get out of there before she said anything else foolish. She had allowed him a look into her mind and his look in return was one she knew well, he was surprised, and she was only faintly amused.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth watched the two with a raised eyebrow, very confused at the entire situation. Wheather they were joking or not, he wasn't truely sure. Suddenly, he remembered something.

"Oh crap!" Seth said, hitting his forhead, "I left Lyra alone with Rafreeky..."

[Rystain Quandry]

"Should we go rescue her too?" Rystain had already dismissed Samantha when she closed herself off.. he would never chase after a girl.. and it was her loss anyways... at least he'd *tried* to do the honorable thing.. well .. in his mind anyways. He smirked at Seth with a conspiratorial grin.

[Seth Inophen]

"Be my guest," Seth said. "But I'll go with you. I already know he's goty it out for me, and now after your little rescue mission, you're next on Rafe's list." Seth chuckled as he followed Rystain back into the hall.

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain gave a roguish grin. He didn't care about if Rafe liked him or not, the feeling was mutual. He walked over to Lyra though not bothering to acknowledge Rafe. He took Lyra's hand his his own and bent low and kissed it. "My lady, if you would join Seth and I... we would be most gracious for your company. I apologize for leaving you behind. I thought Seth would bring you with him." He was being a gentleman for once and knew Lyra would likely laugh at his change in normal attitude towards her and take the hint to come calmly if she wanted to escape. But he didn't give Rafe any reason not to believe what he'd seen a few moments ago.

[Lyra Newbury]

It took everything in her to not curtsy sarcastically and reply with a dainty 'why thank you sir.' Rystain could be so funny sometimes, which he knew. However, she smiled and nodded. Then stood and walked with him and Seth out of the great Hall. Once out of sight she whirled on the boys, slapping them both in the chest. She pointed a sharp finger in Seth's face. "If you ever leave me with that buffoon again so help me Seth I will flog you! And you," she turned on Rystain. "Well. I suppose I can't chastise you for making me almost laugh. But you're still in trouble. Don't ask me why." She smiled at them both, then looked around noticing Sam was not there waiting. "Where'd Sam go?"

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain grinned trying to hold back a laugh, but instead of answering her question he leaned in to kiss her instead. If for no other reason than because he was sure he owed her one in return for not flogging him. But as he neared Lyra's lips he whispered "why? i thought you wanted me in trouble?" and then kissed her.

[Lyra Newbury]

In the past few weeks Rystain had kissed her twice. He had always acted flirtatiously with her but never like this. It seemed only since the Opening Ceremony dinner when she had told him she was always available to him, that he had started acting this way. Perhaps he was going to take her up on her offer. When he pulled away she spoke quietly to him. "You never could listen." She smiled at him then, and kissed him again. "If you wish to be in trouble I could yell at you some more."

[Seth Inophen]

"I really am sorry Lyra," Seth apologized. He had just wanted to get away from Rafe and had completely forgotton about bringing her along.

Seth stood to the side awkwardly as Lyra and Rystain kissed. It was getting to be a bit much for him really, but he said nothing.

[Rystain Quandry]

"You're right I was never good at listening. And technically I believe I am still in trouble from getting your hair wet, aren't I? I guess it's time I paid my dues for leaving you behind with Rafeeki back there too while I'm at it. What, great mistress would you have me do to repay you for my offenses?" His eyes were twinkling with mischief and his subservient smile was obviously false but he made a show of it anyways.

[Lyra Newbury]

She looked around Rystain to Seth, who was standing awkwardly behind them. Poor kid had to be uncomfortable by now with all this kissing. Before Lyra, Rystain was kissing Sam. She laughed at that. "So many things to torment you for. Where shall I start?"

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain chuckled at Lyra. "I'm sure you'll find something when you're ready." And he turned to Seth and winked. He knew Seth was dedicated to Maxi and was likely making Seth a bit awkward. "Hey Seth, I almost forgot.. I'll be posting the new team list today for Quidditch. I have a feeling you might want to check the name on the seeker position in the morning." Seth had gone to tryouts earlier that day and done better than expected.