Out and About (Seth, Elizabeth, Open)

[Seth Inophen]

Seth felt his father's presence before he saw the man enter. It was then that he turned back to look where his family had gathered to see Lyle talking with his mother and brother. He half-wanted to just get up and leave, take Maxi with him, and get as far away from the Inophen's as humanly possible. But Seth had determined a long time ago that his family, especially his father, was not going to scare him away from a life he so very much enjoyed.

[Jarrod Inophen]

Jarrod broke into a smile as his father entered. "Hey, Dad," he said. He nodded toward Seth and Maxi. "That's what we're talking about. My little brother is making a mockery of our family's good name by going out in public with his little Hufflepuff girl." He let out a frustrated sigh. "I tried talking some sense into him the other day, and he just wouldn't hear it. It's like he's determined to ruin us all."

[Lyle Inophen]

Lyle's lip curled. Why was it that every family had that one bad sheep? Seth was a stupid, foolish boy, and now he was dating a muggleborn? Lyle considered that if it came down to it and he was in Hogsmeade when the attack happened, he would attack his son. If this was how he was going to live, he was going to have to deal with the Repercussions of it.

"What do you say we go say hello, Jarrod?"

[Jarrod Inophen]

Jarrod nodded and jumped down from the barstool. "Yes, Dad, I think we should. Perhaps we all should." He was positively aching to look the little mudblood in the eyes and let her know that her intrusion into their lives was not welcome.

"Coming, mother?" he asked, glancing at Elizabeth.

[Seth Inophen]

They were going to come over here, he knew it. He looked over to his family and saw the smirks and looks that were being sent his and Maxi's ways. Maybe they should go... No, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of chasing him down. But he looked at Maxi and squeezed her hand. If they left, she wouldn't have to endure the hell he knew that his family would put her through. Set put his free hand to his forehead. He felt very conflicted.

[Maxi Borale]

Maxi squeezed Seth's hand back. The tension between Seth and the rest of his family was so thick one could choke on it. "Seth, do you want to leave, maybe go to Zonko's or something?" she asked.

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth slid off the stool, landing gracefully on her stilettos. She took out a cigerette and lit it carefully, before taking a long drag on the small stick between her two fingers. "Of course honey, I'd lvoe to see what this girl could do to even possibley attract someone like him."

This approach made Elizabeth slightly uncomfortable. Of course she regretted her second son's choices, and she certainly preffered Jarrod, but a part of her still loved Seth. It was almost purely out of motherly intent, but a tiny proportion was due to Seth's personality. Still, her loyalties remained to her beloved husband and dutiful son.

She still loved them more.

[Seth Inophen]

"No, no," Seth said. "They won't come bother us," Seth said, but his voice had no conviction in it whatsoever. Actually, he felt like he and Maxi were mice, backed into a corner by three very dangerous cats. "They won't come over here..." he repeated, more for his own benifit.

[Lyle Inophen]

"Oh, won't we?" Lyle asked Seth as he, Jarrod, and Elizabeth slid up to the table, just in time to hear his words.

"I certainly hope that was regret I heard in your voice when you thought we wouldn't come say hello."

He waved a hand at Maxi, rather apethetically. "Where are your manners? Introduce us, Seth."

[Seth Inophen]

Seth sighed, thinking that he and Maxi probably should have left when he first saw his mother. "Of course Father," Seth said, completely unable to sound as convincing as he wanted to be. "Hello Mother, Jarrod, nice to see you again," Seth continued.

He looked at Maxi and back to his father. He squeezed Maxi's hand again before speaking. This is Maxi Borale, my girlfriend. Maxi, these are my parents, and my brother Jarrod that I told you about," Seth said.

[Maxi Borale]

The Inophen's had taken a seat at their table and Maxi could just feel Seth deflate with misery when they did. Seth then did as his father asked and made the proper introductions. "Hello Mr. Inophen, Mrs. Inophen, Jarrod," Maxi said as kindly as she could. Jarrod and Seth looked so much alike that it wasn't hard to believe they were brothers. Seth's mother sat elegantly and poise. But Seth's father, though acting so far as a perfect gentleman, gave Maxi an uneasy feeling worse than she ever felt before.

[Lyle Inophen]

Lyle's eyes narrowed ever so slightly and he gave Maxi a very deliberate once over, his eyes as assessing as they could be.

"Borale... I don't think I'm familiar with that name," he said, his voice pouring out like honey. Posoinous honey. He wasn't interested in interrogating her, he just wanted to make his son and the girl as uncomfortable as possible. "You're not quite what I expected."

[Maxi Borale]

"And what were you expecting sir?" Maxi asked, her voice showing no fear from the penetrating stare her boyfriend's father held on her. She smiled sweetly.

I should be in Gryffindor with how brave I'm being right now, Maxi thought to herself.

[Elizabeth Inophen]

Elizabeth was fluttering about, not sure what to do. She thought time and time again about insulting the girl, but she knew that Lyle would surely handle it well, maybe enough to make the girl cry. But she felt bad for her poor, youngest son, who sat with a depressed gleam in his eye. She hated seeing Seth like that, and she certainly didn't want him to be upset. She settled by placing herself at Lyle's side, leaning her head against his shoulder and glaring at both of them. That way, Elizabeth was both supportive of her husband and getting her point across, but not making any comment as well.

[Lyle Inophen]

His assessing stare was unwavering, as if he had a bad taste in his mouth that he couldn't quite place.

She was polite and sweet, he would give her that. But she was the lowest of the low as far as humanity went, and it made him angry at his son.

"Class, I suppose."

[Seth Inophen]

"Dad," Seth sneered. He looked between the three Inophens, wondering if his mother or brother would speak up, but Seth knew better than to think either of them would speak on his behalf.

Seth looked at his father with a mix of a glare and a "What are you doing" face. The man himself had taught Seth and Jarrod countless times nnot to act so rude in public. But of course, he already knew Maxi was muggle born, there was no hope for her case yet.

[Maxi Borale]

"Seth, it's okay," Maxi said. She could handle a little bit of ridicule. She spent 5 years at Hogwarts as a mudblood, she was sure she would be fine with a little bit of insult form Mr. Inophen. She squeezed Seth's hand beneath the table, hoping her presence would help Seth calm down a bit.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth took a deep breath. "We were just finishing," Seth said, noticing, thankfully that thier drinks were a little more than half gone. He silently hoped that this was enough of an excuse for his family so that they could leave peacefully.

He really should know better though.

[Lyle Inophen]

Lyle smiled a predatory grin. "Leaving so soon, Seth? We never see you, though. This would be a good time to catch up. In fact, I'll buy you both another drink."

The charm in his voice fooled no one, nor did he expect it too. He wanted to make his son uncomfortable, and if he could make the mudblood uncomfortable, too... well, that was just icing on the cake.

[Maxi Borale]

Unfortunately for Mr. Inophen, it would take a lot more than some snide remarks and hidden insults to make her feel uncomfortable. She felt Seth almost squirm in his seat beside her though. She looked at him, her eyes reading that they weren't getting out that quickly.

"Thank you sir, we'd be happy to stay," Maxi's smile never faltered.