Ivory House

[G. Novella]

"It's fine, this is wonderful," Alice replied giddilh, as she placed her hand on his shoulder. She couldn't understand why, but this dance was different from their last. Maybe it was because no one was watching them, maybe it was because they were alone, or because she had feelings for Maxwell, but something was different. Was she standing closer? She just met his eyes, feeling oddly content here.

[kumainpink]

While the last dance had been fun and a bit goofy - blame Octavius and his crazy dares - this one had a different feel to it. Something about this moment was oddly precious, and far more intimate. Maxwell stared into those warm, brown eyes, so full of life and hope. Something he felt he had lost long ago. "You have the loveliest eyes, Alice." he told her, transfixed.

[G. Novella]

"Thank you," she said softly, her hand moving from his, around his neck as the distance between them closed. She couldn't help but feel warmth flood her as they swayed. The song seemed distant, and she was just standing here, with Maxwell, in his arms. She stared into his eyes, filled with longing, and a hint of pain. How could she ease it for him?

[kumainpink]

"You're welcome." He said, as the distance between them closed. It was as though he were being drawn into something. The music went on faintly, and all he could see or feel was Alice. The beautiful, black-haired, brown-eyed Alice. His glass doll, so fragile, yet unbreakable at the same time. Her lips were so perfect, so soft looking, that he felt the sudden need to know if they would really be so.

[G. Novella]

Alice felt the music drown out, and all she knew was the distance between her and Maxwell was closing, that Maxwell's head was dipping down to hers, as she moved to meet his. They were alone, and all she could feel as her hands moved to the bask of Maxwell's neck, her lips rose to meet his, and her eyes shut.

((errr... That almost sounds like they kissed... :/)))

[kumainpink]

(( It's fine lol. They didn't quite yet...))

Maxwell closed his eyes, allowing instinct to take over. Everything faded away, and there was only the two of them. His heart pounded in his chest, drumming along in the back of his mind. He could feel her breath, her lips had to be a mere fraction of an inch away...

"Maxwell, Alice! There you are!" shouted a voice, shocking him out of the moment. Startled, he accidentally headbutted Alice and pushed away from her. Embarrassed and angry at the interruption, he looked around and saw that Octavius was headed their way. "And how are you two lovebirds doing today?" came his teasing tone.

[G. Novella]

Alice spun around quickly, in the opposite direction from Octavius as her heart thumped loudly in her chest. She clapped a hand over her mouth, and felt a large blush form on her face. Her thoughts were scrambling, trying to make sense of what just happened. Did they- Were they going to- Did she almost kiss Maxwell? The idea made her blush, and she tried to replay the scene, trying to figure out what had happened. Had he moved to kiss her? Had she moved first? Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, and she couldn't turn around, unsure what she'd do if she saw Maxwell now.

[kumainpink]

Octavius laughed. The looks on their faces were just priceless! He knew he shouldn't have interrupted, but really, he couldn't resist! Maxwell looked ready to kill him, and Alice...oh poor little Alice!

"Sorry about that." he apologized, unable to hide his smirk.

"What are you doing here?" Maxwell demanded angrily. His cheeks were tinged with red.

"Oh come now, Maxwell, no need to be so hostile. I merely came to see how my favorite little brother was doing. I apologize for intruding on what seemed to be a very private moment between the two of you." Octavius winked at Alice, who was probably dying of shame now.

Maxwell took to glaring coldly at him for a few minutes, before he looked to Alice. "I'm sorry, but would you mind waiting out here for a moment? have something I wish to speak with Octavius about."

[G. Novella]

"N-not at all!" squeaked Alice, who turned around just in time for Octavius to wink at her, and to feel more mortified. She bent down and grabbed the plates and radio. "I'll t-ta-take these in-inside, excuse me!" she stammered at them, before practically running back in doors. Octavius had seen them! Oh god, she was never going to live this down.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell crossed his arms. Of all the times for Octavius to come around, it had to be now!

"So, why are you really here?" he asked, eyes narrowed. "And why didn't you call me before?"

"I tried to." Octavius said, no longer smiling. "All day, actually. But neither you nor Alice seemed to answer me. So, I decided to come over personally." he handed Maxwell a small, black box. "In here is a special ring that will allow for you to absorb the power of two dementors. Marigold pushed for three, but her benefactor said that three dementors would be too much. You won't have to do a ritual, but the ring will fuse with your finger once it's on. If the power ever consumes you completely, the ring will absorb into your skin."

Maxwell opened the box and noticed a small, silver band. It had black, intricate marks on it. It looked as though it would fit on his pinky, but nothing else. "Thank you, Octavius." he said grimly. Well, at least he'd know if the powers were trying to take him over.

"Do you think this will really work, Maxwell?"

"It's all I've got." he replied, placing the band on his finger. "I've already told Alice about the curse, though I didn't mention that it's effects are starting. Time is fleeting, Octavius. And if I'm going to survive, I have to take risks."

---

"And when were you going to tell us that little tidbit, Maxwell?" Octavius demanded, his insides lurching. He had known that the curse was supposed to start soon, but damn!

"If the dementor power failed me." He answered coolly. But Octavius knew better. This curse was a frightening, terrible thing, and one that not even the best occlumancy could lock away. "If this doesn't work, I die. And I can't have that." he balled his fists. "Not now." Maxwell took a deep breath, as though what he had to say next was even harder for him. "If it doesn't work, and the curse continues, I'm going to have Veronica kill me. And I want you to continue the Purist movement."

There was a hollow finality in Maxwell's tone. "I understand." Octavius replied solemnly.

"There is one more thing I need you to do." Maxwell said darkly, after a few moments of heavy silence.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Find out what you can about Alice's parents. Her story doesn't add up completely, and the things I find out are...disturbing." There was a smoldering, fiery hatred in his tone. Whatever it was, had to be awful.

"Alright. I'll handle it. You just focus on getting well. We have a long day ahead of us, tomorrow." Octavius said, placing a firm hand on Maxwell's shoulder.

Maxwell nodded. "In that case, I'm headed inside. Do you want to stay for a while?"

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline." Octavius replied wistfully. "I have to check in with Chris on the Goblin Case. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Maxwell agreed.

Octavius watched as Maxwell limped back inside, a knot of dread growing in his stomach. It was happening. Tomorrow's events would determine not just Maxwell's future, but everyone's as well. Deciding that he would keep this a secret for now, Octavius apparated away.

[G. Novella]

Alice washed the dishes furiously in the kitchen. Her heart wouldn't stop beating loudly in her chest. What was she supposed to do now? She'd almost kissed Maxwell!

"It's fine!" she said aloud to herself, "So you almost kissed him, so what? Nothing changes, right?"

The words sounded odd even to herself. How could almost kissing someone not change things? She tried repeating the words aloud. Still nothing happened. She still felt her heart beating erratically, and she couldn't stop her blush.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell entered his mansion once more, feeling the cool metal of the band against his pinky. Everything felt more real, more solid now. Tomorrow would either be the beginning of the end, or the start of a new life. Plastering on his best smile, he entered the kitchen and sought out Alice.

"Sorry about him. Octavius is a bit of an idiot at times." he said, sitting at the table. "And for what it's worth, I think you're a great dancer."

[G. Novella]

Alice jumped slightly at hearing Maxwell's voice. When she realized nothing seemed to have changed for Maxwell, she felt something prickle in her eyes, and a stab at her heart. Had what happened outside not fazed him at all? She quickly wiped her eyes, and plastered a smile on her face. It felt fake to her, so she kept her back to the table, and continued to wash the dishes.

"T-Thank you," said Alice, "So, what did Octavius want?"

[kumainpink]

Maxwell held up his hand that had the ring on it. "He wanted to give me this. It is going to allow me to absorb the powers of two dementors, without having to do a complex ritual." His smile faded as he spoke. He didn't want to think about what would happen if he failed. He sighed tiredly. He was getting far too old for this shite.

[G. Novella]

This time Alice turned around, worried. She eyed the small ring on his finger, and though the earlier stab of pain at his rejection still lingered, she moved closer to see the device. She mrt his eyes, blushed and looked away, before asking, "Will it be safe?"

[kumainpink]

"To be honest, I'm not sure." he told her seriously. "I won't know until I master the powers that will be granted to me, especially the chill. I won't lie to you. The magic involved from here on out might be disheartening. I may change as a person. Or nothing will happen, and I'll have the curse." He grimaced. He hated having to tell her these things, but she needed to be prepared. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that the curse had started on him though, and even now, he could feel it's weight. Luckily, the physical signs hadn't showed.

[G. Novella]

Suddenly her feelings seemed minscule again, and Alice sat down beside Maxwell, staring at the ring. She didn't know what to say, what to think. Everything rested in the power of that one ring. "Whatever happens, I'm here for you, until the end," she swore seriously, "I'll do whatever I can to help."

[kumainpink]

He knew that Veronica, Cassalina and Octavius would be there as well, but there was something comforting in the thought of her staying, even through the worst of it. "I'm glad to hear that." he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. He didn't know what else to say. His future was beckoning him, and it was terrifying.

[G. Novella]

Alice could see the fear in his eyes, and she didn't know what to do. She took his hand and squeezed it. While she was glad he seemed to be more comfortable with her, she was terrified for him. Alice struggled to find something to say, and an awkward silence hung over them. Alice looked in his eyes, and felt a charge go through her. "Are you alright?" she finally asked.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell snapped out of his daze, and mentally berated himself for being so selfish. Alice didn't need to hear all this! He was just making her worry. So, he forced back as much of it as he could, deciding that he'd deal with it later on. He looked up at Alice, and gave her a small smile. "I am now. Thank you for listening to me, and for helping me today."

[G. Novella]

"Anytime," Alice replied softly, "I had fun myself, playing cards, and asking questions. Then our picnic, and dancing." She purposely ignored mentioning Octavius's interruption and the moments before, still unsure how she felt on that. "Thank you for a wonderful day."

[kumainpink]

"You are more than welcome." The heliopath fire flared a little in him, though nowhere near as it had been. "And I hope that we have the chance to do this sort of thing again, sometime." He got up and hugged her close. "No matter what happens, please take care of yourself."

[G. Novella]

"Of course I will," Alice said as she hugged him back. She was feeling a twinge at knowing she would be plunging head first into the battle, "Will I see you again before you leave?"

[kumainpink]

He took one more good look at Alice. He knew that she couldn't come with him, but he still wanted to see her one last time, just in case. "A message has been sent out to everyone. The meeting will begin tomorrow morning, five am. You'll be welcome to come and see us off, if you would like."

[G. Novella]

"Of course," she said with a nod, swallowing back. She wanted to say goodbye, in case she never got a chance to say hello. "Then I'll be on my way. You get some rest tonight. You'll need it. I-Is it okay if I come early? To check you over?" She asked. She knew it was a lie, that she just wanted a few extra minutes, but she was alright with these lies. They were good lies.

[kumainpink]

"Cassalina and Octavius will be over here at four in the morning." Maxwell said warmly. "You can come a little before then, if you want. I should be up at three-thirty, in order to make sure everything is ready to go." In truth, he was looking forward to a few extra moments alone with her. Today had been very pleasant, and he wanted to leave on a positive note.

[G. Novella]

"I'll be here at three-thirty then," Alice said, knowing she wouldn't sleep anyways tonight,

"Don't strain yourself too much. I should head home and get some sleep until then. No sense in us both being too tired in the morning. Is it alright, or should I come a little later?" Alice asked this, as she slowly stepped out of his arms and glancing him over worriedly as she backed away.

[kumainpink]

"Whenever you wish to come is fine with me, Alice." Maxwell said, fighting the urge to yawn. "Just as long as you are well rested too."

[G. Novella]

"Good night, then," Alice said with a smile. "I'll be justly rested too."

With that, she moved to get her purse, and smiled back at him. She hugeed Maxwell again quickly, and then said, "Good night."

[kumainpink]

"Goodnight, Alice." he said warmly. "I'll see you tomorrow."