Quote:
Originally Posted by
Awarlesta Black 
"Ehh, Awar could use some adventuring right now. Odd for a Hufflepuff, but not for a Black." He peered over the heads of people and watched as Awar continued on her candy buying unfazed.
Awar was deciding between Fizzing Whizbees and Ice Mice when she heard Presley call her name.
We must be leaving now. She thought, but she didn't look up, rather she tried to pick one as fast as possible.
Manolo hesitated as he searched for a decent answer. "Uh, I've been fine. Been searching for a job. Got to help support my mum somehow." He got silent for a moment and then spoke again. "How have you been? How's Leo and my uncle?"
He figured it'd be his turn to call Awar before she loses herself. "OY AWAR!"
Awar was about to settle on Fizzing Whizbees when she heard a very familiar voice that made her ears twitch like an animal. She turned to see who it was.
"MANOLO!!" Presley giggled. Blacks were adventurous. Manolo knew the things they got up to when adults were discussing politics at boring formal parties. He was there the time they'd dared Dani Morganzo to jump in the iced over lake in her party dress. Truth be told, most kids who grew up in that sort of environment had a wild streak. If they didn't, they wouldn't have ever survived.
Support his mum? What was her cousin talking about? Hadn't her uncle left them a huge sum when he'd passed away? What was Presley missing here? She knew fully well that if her father should pass away, Leo would inherit a vast fortune. And when Presley was four and Leo eleven they'd made a promise, when he inherited it, he would split it evenly and give Presley exactly fifty percent. Which would set her up for the rest of her life. Weren't circumstances similar for her late uncles family? If they were struggling to make ends meet, there was no way that Presley could go with them to Spain over the summer. It would feel like too much of a burden. She couldn't burden someone with her presence. Which took away her last option. It looked like she would be spending the Holidays at Hogwarts after all.
"Leo's doing great," Presley answered, pushing the thoughts of money out of her mind. She didn't really know how Leo was. They hadn't talked properly since June, but she wasn't willing to admit that her relationship with her only sibling was balancing on a cliff and very much in danger of tipping right off.
"He's engaged. I don't know if he's sent out announcements yet?" She made it a question, asking Manolo if he'd received an announcement. If he had, she had an excuse ready for why she hadn't, and if he hadn't, well, Leo and Maine needed to get on that. The wedding wasn't that far away.
"Zebhidiyah?" Presley used her fathers given name.
"I would assume he's fine." They weren't exactly on speaking terms. As for how Presley was doing, what was she supposed to say?
I'm fragile, I feel like breaking down every three minutes, I don't have anyone, and I've been cut off from dance lessons. I don't know what to do, or even where I live anymore. But other that that, I'm doing great Manolo, thanks for asking! No, there was nothing to say. So she left that part of the question unanswered, and hoped he wouldn't notice.
Presley took a half step back, leaving the path between Awar and her brother clear so that Pres wouldn't end up with an elbow to the face like the poor girl that got in Presley's way.