Snippet #2820685

Shiloh chuckled at Kai's response, giving him a sly grin, her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than she would have liked. The comment thrown her way from Kai had been unexpected, if she was being honest. But, when her mind went back to the night two weeks ago, it sort of hit her a bit differently than it would have normally. If it had been elsewhere, she would have said a simple but soft 'thank you' his way but, right now, all she could do was keep up their casual persona they shared in public. "Well obviously." she teased back as a reply, playfully tossing her short hair over her shoulder as a chuckle rang out. Her eyes glanced over to Jupiter as a smirk creeped over her lips, Kai did have a point though, Jupiter did look absolutely gorgeous tonight. But that wasn't a shock, she always knew how to at least look the part when it counted.

Grinning, Shiloh looked back over at the boys as Kai asked if Eden was ready for a dance. "Make it worth the show, boys." she rattled off as the two boys finished off a last drink and then took to the dance floor. Leaving just Shiloh and Jupiter to their own devices. "And then there were two-" Shiloh joked as she looked at her friend, with a gentle smile on her face. Raising an eyebrow playfully as Jupiter returned with a tray full of shots, "Don't mind if I do-" she replied, taking one of them and downed it quickly. Picking up another glass as she turned to properly face Jupiter, knowing what was about to come.

Shiloh nodded along and removed both of her heels as she knelt down and unclasped them, before quickly shoving the black and red velvet shoes under the table. Hopefully no one would attempt at stealing them, or there'd be hell to pay. Getting back up to her full height, just a few inches above Jupiter, Shiloh's expression softened ever so slightly as her friend began to make a toast. Holding up the shot glass in hand, "-And to my best friend and soulmate, the light of my life-" she gave a small wink at Jupiter and the two finished off the shots in one go.

Shiloh's eyes trailed over Jupiter after the two had finished off their toast, and began their long trail of shots to be taken. If she was being honest with herself, Shiloh never would have thought she'd be here today, alongside Jupiter. Not only being fellow members chosen and selected by The Order for their respective element. But just in general. When the two first met, Shiloh wanted nothing more than to be left alone by the red-haired fire witch. The two were like cats and dogs, no matter how similarities they had at the start, their clashing personalities would have been a recipe for disaster. And maybe it was. Especially at the start. But one thing led to another, and they somehow found themselves becoming friends one night as neither one could sleep. What seemed so silly at the time, asking if Jupiter liked Nightmare Before Christmas, and then sliding her down one of the old plushies she had taken with her. Small tokens of friendship had been shared that night, and while they didn't exactly make it seem like they were enthused to be friends, it was something Shiloh desperately wanted, and needed. All those years ago when she first joined the Academy, Shiloh was entirely alone and as much as she didn't want to admit it, she was terrified and lonely. Just hoping anyone would be willing to be her friend. And out of all places, an angry and even bitchy young red haired fire witch, would later become one of the most important, and dearest people to Shiloh. Her twelve year old self would have laughed if anyone told her that was to come in the future. It just, didn't make sense at the time. Yet here they were now, ten years later.

Emerald eyes scanned over the fire witch with a sense of fondness, and even a bit of nostalgia intermingled with softness. In nearly every way possible, Shiloh loved Jupiter. She was Shiloh's best friend in the entire world, and even since day one, no matter how much Jupiter irritated the ever living hell out of Shiloh, she could tell that something was there. In whatever copacity, she didn't know. But after everything the two had been through over the years, it wasn't surprising by now that Shiloh had come to grow rather soft for the red-head. From becoming unlikely friends over a single night-time conversation, that eventually led into more late night conversations that would go on for hours, and well into the night between the two, talking about simple things that eventually got into personal, family topics, and just life in general. Shiloh adored Jupiter in every way, and owed her so much, she could never put it into words properly. And then there was that night in the basement, when Shiloh found Jupiter, carrying an injured Jupiter to the infirmary, asking and begging the Healers to help her friend. Refusing to leave her side until Shiloh knew she'd be okay. And even then, Shiloh had been glued to her friend's side for weeks, even months after, making sure nothing like that ever happened again. She just couldn't lose her. To the day Shiloh was confronted by Jupiter, asking if she was pregnant after Shiloh had wound up in the bathroom again, emptying her stomach into the toilet for the second day in a row. Jupiter was the first person Shiloh had confided in, even before she told Tyson that he was going to be a father. Jupiter had been there through it all, and kept the secret like she said she would. And of course, eventually when the accident happened, Jupiter was there for Shiloh when Tyson passed, and eventually when the innevitable happened with the baby. Jupiter was just always there, no matter what.

It didn't matter what anyone would say about Jupiter. They could say she was a bitch all they wanted, but no one knew how she really was. Not like Shiloh did. There was an unspoken gentleness that Jupiter had to her, and as much as Shiloh had promised they'd never talk about it, Shiloh's mind couldn't help but occasionally go back to that night when the unexpected between them happened. Shiloh had been so emotionally vulnerable after Tyson had died, all she wanted, no needed, was for someone to hold her and let her know she wasn't alone. That there was something to hold onto. And while it was entirely unplanned, and some may even had called it an accident or even a mistake, Shiloh wouldn't have taken that night for anything in the world. While the two had agreed to stay strictly platonic afterward, there was still those moments where the two were soft towards each other, no matter how much either one wanted to deny it. Jupiter was and always would be Shiloh's chosen person, and visa versa, and she'd have it no other way. Jupiter was Shiloh's light at the end of the tunnel, and was always a reminded that there was at least one person left to fight for and carry on living, and she wouldn't wish it any other way.

One shot down. Shiloh counted to herself as she took down another glass. Her eyes having looked out toward the dance floor after she had finished ruminating on her fondness for her friend. Her eyes flitted from one person to another, a small grin forming on her lips as her green eyes locked on two individuals dancing together. A tall, platinum blonde woman, with an undercut who was dressed in a black suit, with a mostly unbuttoned shirt, who gently swayed side to side as she danced with a shorter, brown haired woman. The two were an iconic couple in Shiloh's eyes. Seeing as the two were an unlikely pair, as well as both being Former Protege's of The Order. A Fire witch, and an Earth witch respectively. Erin Monaghan and Evie Parker. Shiloh took another shot glass and raised it in their direction, giving the women a grin as they waved at her in return, and downed it in their honor, before her attention was taken by another duo.

That set of platinum dyed hair, that was accompanied by a red and black floral mask, and a matching suit. If Shiloh had known any better, he had tried matching their outfits together. Shiloh mused at the thought for a moment. The two had been the most unlikely pair to ever be friends. The scrawny and awkward boy from Australia, who was a prime victim for bullies on campus, and then the ever present grump on campus who bullied bullies. From the day the two met, Shiloh knew that the Earth witch would hold a special place in her heart, and he did. She adored his natural presence to be himself, even when others told him not to. Shiloh was there to tell the bullies to take their shit and shove it somewhere else. Always coming to Eden's defense. He had become like a little brother to her over the years, someone she'd go to bat for any day, if anyone started any sort of shit with him, and even now, as they both became members of The Order, she'd hold to that promise. Regardless of them not being related by blood, she'd always see him as a brother, her brother, and she'd do anything for him.

Next, were those all too familiar brown, curly locks of hair that matched his dark-set eyes. Malachai Bernard, or as she affectionately ever called him, Kai. Like the others, he was an unexpected friend, at least from any outsiders looking in. She heard all the rumors and stories of the kid who allegedly killed his twin on purpose when he was a child. Was sent off to a mental hospital and then was raised by a witch who dealt with dark magic. She didn't care about any of the things she heard about him. People said whatever they wanted about her, and half if not most of those rumors were true or held even the least bit of merit, so why should it have been any different in the water witch's case? Shiloh could see parts of herself in the young boy when they were younger. Guarded and walled off, not wanting to be hurt by the people in the world who would gladly use their insecurities against them. Kai was a familiar soul to Shiloh's own, even could having sworn that whatever souls were made from, some said it was star-dust, that the two of them had to have been the same. They were just too alike, in so many ways.

Even on days where Shiloh wouldn't admit it, Kai was the closest thing to what she could ever consider a soul mate, even somehow out-doing Jupiter. There was just something about Kai, an unspoken, well hidden tenderness to him that he only ever showed when him and Shiloh were alone. Spending time together as they walked around the campus late at night, halled up on the roof of the Academy, smoking or simply just talking about life and family. He meant something to Shiloh, and ever since that night two weeks ago, when Kai was beyond drunk and said that even when he was sober, she'd still be beautiful. The words echoed around in her mind, and she didn't know why they weighed as heavily as they did. But here she was, a small smile plastered on her lips as she watched him dance alongside one of their best friends.

Two shots down. Shiloh tilted her head back as she downed another glass of whatever it was. She didn't care at this point. All she wanted was to become absurdly drunk and allow herself to escape reality, even if just once for a night, and truly enjoy herself and whatever life would throw at her this night.

Shiloh continued to look around the room, taking in the scenery around her as music above blared to life. Finally starting to feel the slightest affect of alcohol taking over her brain. It was a nice, warm buzz, and she welcomed it. Shiloh was only taken back when her eyes locked onto the absurdly tall giant with a mess of blonde hair. She even had to admit, they knew how to clean themselves up when things called for it. As annoying of a thought as it was. Othelo Estney. The one who had been chosen by The Order for wood. Otto was an incredibly talented witch, anyone with eyes could see that, and Shiloh had to admit, he did have his ways of impressing Shiloh. Compared to everyone else so far, these two had some of the most complex dynamic Shiloh was able to take of note. When Shiloh wasn't making the wood witch's life utter hell by pulling pranks, or the two would exchange jabs at one another, but, there was that one day where the most unlikely thing had happened, and it's since stuck with Shiloh.

There was a day that Shiloh was busy working on a project, or well, more so she was in the training room alone, attempting at furthering her ability to bend metal to her will. And Shiloh just couldn't get her mind from bringing up past insecurities and weaknesses. How she'd never be able to accomplish what others expected of her, and how she'd be the weakest one of her kind due to where she came from. Even the anger that she felt in her heart didn't help be enough fuel to stoke the fires to push her to do better, be better. But the most unexpected thing happened when Othello appeared from nowhere, having apparently walked in to see a failed attempt at whatever Shiloh was attempting to accomplish. Shiloh expected a sarcastic quip to come from the wood witch, another jab at her inability to do something what others would consider basic and fool's play. But that wasn't what happened. Instead, Othello simply gave her a word of encouragement. And she could tell that they were being genuine as well. No hidden, 'Gotcha' moment or anything. He meant it when Othello said, 'You can totally do it. I know you can.' It was such a simple sentiment, but it hit her all too hard. She had given him so much shit over the years, yet here he was, complimenting her, and giving her a boost of confidence. It was silly and simple, but it was all she needed and she was able to do it, and gave Othello an unexpected hug out of sheer excitement as Shiloh even shocked herself. The two hadn't exactly been the closest after that, but it was still something she tended to think about, which may have helped lessen the extremes of what her usual manner towards the wood witch was.

And of course, there was also the time after Tyson's passing. Shiloh refused to come out of her room, and the one day she did actually answer the door to a strange knock on the dorm door, she was surprised to see it was Othello. He had heard about what happened, and explained that they didn't know what Shiloh liked but, Othello figured a few easy, home cooked meals would at least help so she didn't have to leave the room if she didn't want to. It was another moment of genuine kindness and selflessness she didn't expect from them, and was beyond grateful for. Shiloh had invited Othello in and the two had shared some of the food Othello brought, and they had very brief small talk, even though it was mostly one sided from Othello as they asked her questions, and she shrugged in response. But made sure to show she was thankful for the kind and unneeded gesture. Shiloh knew they weren't friends by any means, but the fact that Othello had cared enough, to go out of his way and beyond, to not only check up on someone who made their life hell, but also made an effort to make sure she was at least looking after herself. Shiloh knew she never properly thanked Othello as much as she could have, but she was never one that was good with words, especially with people she wasn't very close to. But she at the very least attempted to repay it back in some way.

Shiloh had managed to ever so gracefully ask Jupiter what Othello liked, and had baked them some cupcakes with light green frosting and small, edible bits in the shape of trees and things of that nature. She knew it was goofy and very cliche, but it just felt right to her. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Othello was a kind and selfless person deep down, even if they didn't show it very much, and Shiloh would be forever grateful for their actions, especially when it wasn't expected. It was small actions like the ones Othello took, that reminded Shiloh that there was still good in the world, and it oddly kept her grounded. She made an unspoken promise to herself, that if Othello ever needed something in return, she'd do her absolute damndest to repay it in kind. It was the least she could do for them after all.

Shiloh's eyes ever so slightly flitted beside Othello and landed on a figure. It took her much longer than it should have for her to realize who it was. Shiloh's eyes had trailed across the body of the woman who stood beside the wood witch. Her eyes scanning over all too tentatively as she couldn't help but stand there and take in the beautiful creature that stood across the way from Shiloh. It took the metal witch about a solid two minutes of staring for the gears in her head to start working, and piece together that it was none other, than god damn Yelizaveta Radomir herself. The second most notable fire witch, and Former Protege at The Academy. "Oh fuck me-" Shiloh sputtered out, quickly grabbing and turning to grab another shot glass. Three shots. She noted to herself. With shaky hands, Shiloh grabbed another shot glass and just as quickly downed it as the last one, Four shots. She would have dank more, but the last thing Shiloh needed, was to become this intoxicated just yet. Or maybe it was the exact thing she needed, after she just realized who she had been staring so god damn intently at for two solid minutes. Thoughts crossing her mind that she really shouldn't have ever let cross her mind, knowing who it was. Retrospect was a funny thing, now wasn't it?

But, as much as this realization annoyed Shiloh, she couldn't refuse to admit that the fire witch in question was absolutely gorgeous in every single way imaginable. From the hair and eyes, to the shape of her body, especially in that damned dress, and of course...The face. Even with the mask, Shiloh couldn't help but stare for few more minutes longer. As much as Liza had always managed to get under Shiloh's skin, further stoking the animosity between the two witches, there was something undeniably attractive about it all to Shiloh. Sure, she'd be damned if she ever admitted that fact to anyone alive on this god damn planet, especially Liza. The constant back-and-forths the two shared, it undeniably held various forms of tension between them, anyone who would witness their outbursts of when the two would have enough of each other, and stare intently into each other's eyes, refusing to be the first one to look away until some other force had taken their attention away from the other. No one else ever made Shiloh's blood boil with anger as much as the Russian fire witch did, or even make her heart beat as fast and sporadic as she did. The metal witch didn't know what kind of ungodly affect that witch had on her, or even why, but it alone was intoxicating. And Shiloh wanted for nothing more than to be able to be done away with those god damn thoughts and feelings, whatever they may have been. She wasn't able to wrap her mind around the thoughts properly, as whatever gods existed probably didn't even know what she was feeling, but it was an undeniable case of confusion, and even worry on Shiloh's end. Just why couldn't she get that damned fire witch out of her head? The lingering stares, the occasional touch as the two got closer, mere inches away from one another, and the heavy, anger filled breaths that she felt on her skin as the two stared each other down, ready to tear into one another-

Shiloh was taken out of her thoughts as she noticed the song changed, it just so happening to be one she liked and couldn't refuse to not dance to it. Shiloh turned and grabbed another shot and quickly downed it. Hoping it'd be enough to help keep those thoughts at bay. Shiloh grabbed one of Jupiter's wrists, and held one of the fire witch's hand with her own, "Okay, enough drinking. We need to get dancing, girl! just you and me-" Shiloh said with a chuckle as she pulled her shorter friend over to the dance-floor, playfully pulling her closer as Shiloh just let the rhythm of the music take them away to some place else, that wasn't here...