Self Destruction (open)

[brett]

"Torture, is a way of life for the Black's," Regulus smirked half serious. His family made no attempts to hide their cruel ways and he was sure nothing he said could come as much of a surprise. "For me it usually self inflicted," he added still wearing his smirk to hide any seriousness that may show through in his eyes. Reg's mind especially loved to torture with constant thoughts of missed opportunities. Recently in had turned to his dreams as a form of torture. All the Blacks had experienced torture, because how could you really torture someone if you've never been tortured. To know the pain that you cause others was to make it even more satisfying in his parents eyes.

"I imagine anything is frustrating after three hours," Regulus smiled. As far as he could see you really needed to have love for an activity if you were expected to do it for three consecutive hours. Reg wasn't sure he had the attention span for something like that, but it was nice that Indigo had found something she loved...even if her father had prodded her along the way. Come to think of it that was the way Reg's father had been with quidditch, he loved the sport, but having some one critique you at every turn took some of the fun out of it...so did some of the threats his father made when he felt Reg wasn't trying hard enough, but he was only a sixth and already captain of a mostly 7th year team so he supposed it had worked.

"I'll have my shovel ready," Regulus smiled as Indi agreed to invite him along to her next tree planting. He'd always wanted to go out and plant a tree, but then things would come up and he would forget about his earth friendly plan. t would be nice to give back...so maybe that wasn't the most Slytherin stance, but hey, Reg liked trees. "Two right feet actually," he smiled correcting her. He didn't really see it as a big deal.

Regulus nodded at Indi's explanation, "Sounds easy enough," he commented. "I can usually handle myself ok it's just...slow dancing...with a partner that gives me trouble," Reg said sounding self conscious as a plan formed in his head. Slowly withdrawing his wand and giving it a soft flick music filled the air surrounding them, a smooth soft melody, some bitter sweet love song by a lesser known wizard band that he couldn't remember the name of, they had sort of been one hit wonders. "Maybe you could help me?" he asked putting away his wand and offering Indi his hand as the clear, sweet, vocals if the witch who sung lead began.

[Indigo Grace]

Her sharp, oval face gave a somewhat confused look, now she was curious. Still, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear anymore about the Blacks and how sadistic they could be, so Indigo left it there. "Ah I see. You like to torture yourself? Well, that's perfectly normal, of course." Indi shook her head in contradiction to what she just said. "Doing the same thing over and over again, has to be a sin." You weren't improving, you were only slowly exhausting yourself. Until it was perfect, she had to keep practicing it until she had it mastered. "It's a bit like Chinese water torture, speaking of." How their conversation got so locked on torture she would never know.


Indi could just imagine what his own home life was like. So similar to her own, except worse. Being a pureblood was the last thing she had ever planned on, and ever wanted. There was really nothing more that she wanted then to just go back to the muggle world, as much as she hated them. It wasn't worse than being brainwashed; no matter how hard she fought against it; she still often felt better than others. Her father was slowly sucking the fun out of everything...hmph. "Hmm, I'm sure you will. Don't worry, I won't put you through that" She smirked smugly. Indi knew most people didn't share her peculiar interests.

"But that's the easiest part" She smirked. She found dancing with another person made it easier to lead or be led; you couldn't mess up as frequently. The music started playing and she nodded her head in approval. "I like this song...ok, come on then." She took Regulus's hand in her own, and took his other, moving it to her slim waist. "The man always leads," She paused, feeling a little slighted about that fact. "And just go slow, take your time. It's not a race." Indigo winked. Dancing took awhile to get down, even something as simple as this.

[brett]

"Like you weren't torturing yourself by studying instead of sleeping?" Regulus reminded her raising and eyebrow. Indi had fallen asleep in the library she had been so exhausted. It was funny because Indi had said it sarcastically, but torturing yourself was normal. Most people just didn't realize it. "See," Regulus smirked as Indi related her three hours of dance to Chinese water torture. And she thought he was weird for saying he tortured himself, at least when he did it, it wasn't intentional.

"What, just because I'm a pureblood I can't like trees?" Regulus questioned with mock offense. "We had muggles, not forest," he added smirking. Maybe he would go out and plant a tree just to prove Indi wrong. Besides green was Reg's favorite color so why not make the campus more green? It made sense on oh so many levels.

Regulus felt his heartbeat quicken as Indi moved his hand to her side. "See I'm learning already," he said as she mentioned that the man always leads. He didn't really care much to lead since he was relatively new at this, but anything that got his hand around the Gryffindor beauty's waist was fine with him. "Don't worry," Reg smiled softly. "I'm not in any hurry to let this end." He moved a little closer to Indi enjoying how nicely his hand seemed to fit against her slender waist.

Slowly he began to move to the music, perhaps he was a bit better than he let on. As long as he didn't step on Indi's now bare toes he would be fine. Reg suddenly self conscious looked down to his feet, finding this only made him more nervous he raised his eyes to meet Indi's. They weren't moving a lot and he began to wonder if they should be. Then again the music playing didn't seem to call for much movement, just enjoyment of the soft melody and of your partners company. "How'm I doing?" he asked still watching Indi's eyes looking for some positive feedback.

[Indigo Grace]

"Hmm." She studied him for a moment, "Touche." Indigo ran her fingers through the strands of her hair before shrugging loose shoulders. "What can I say? I'm an odd one." She brushed it off with a smile, there was a bit of truth there. "Oh, I'm so sorry for offending you." She felt like teasing him again, her apology so terribly unsincere. She hated muggles herself...ugh what an awful thing to do. But was there anything really about her that wasn't that way? "I'll hold you to that Mr. Black. Next week: you, me, and a tree." She smirked. "Maybe if you're nice enough, I'll even introduce you to the whomping willow." Maybe that should have been if you're mean enough. The ancient tree really didn't like anyone but her. Indi smiled to herself, at least trees perferred her, that was something.

"Fast learner, I'm not surprised." She slowly took a step forward to the right, and then to the left, always at the same pace. Indi rested her face against the side of his, speaking in a soft whisper. "Neither am I." Swaying from side to side, she had to admit they were hardly going anywhere. Heh, if she were more focused on being a teacher than getting closer to him, they would be. But alas, she didn't care. He hadn't stepped on her foot yet, somewhat of a surprise. Usually they did, and then they spent the next hour apologizing. It was rather irritating actually, so she was glad Regulus didn't do it. She was only moving enough to allow calling it dancing, and her arms fit snugly up around his neck.

"Wonderfully.....are you sure no one ever taught you to dance?" She smiled at him, giving him the eye. Indi had a feeling he'd done it before, and just needed to brush up on it a bit. She rested her head against his shoulder, inching closer so there was hardly any space between them. She had an excuse, she was exhausted and now was participating in physical activity. Though honestly, she was just doing it because she could. When in doubt, have an excuse. "I've heard this song before" Indi added off-handedly.

[brett]

"I'm not sure that would be wise, the willow and I have a bit of a feud going," Regulus smirked. There was a bit of an interesting story behind that supposed feud. The story begins with a cocky young Sytherin in his 4th year who has decided it would be fun to see how long he could dodge the feisty tree. The story ends with some sizable injuries and a rather painful night of recovery in the hospital wing. Apparently though Indi had a better relationship with the willow than he did. "But you can count on me to help you plant the tree," he smiled, that rhymed.

Regulus smirked he had always been a fast learner. He picked up on things quickly, sports, spells, whatever. But it was her next words that he enjoyed even more. He loved the closeness of the dance. His hands on her slender waist hers around his neck, all the while using what little movement they were doing to close the space between them. The funny thing was they both seemed to like each other, but both had continued to play it safe. As far as Reg knew they technically weren't a couple yet...though he hoped to change that by the end of the night.

"Not exactly," Regulus smirked, "But I may have watched a video or two and tried out some of the moves with the mannequin my mum keeps in the attic," he smiled blushing slightly at the fact. For some reason though he felt comfortable enough around Indi to say that sort of thing. He also had been going to dances since he was young formal occassions where he was set up with a 'date' from another respected pureblood family and they would dance as the grown-ups awed, but he was only 8 so whether or not he could actually dance hadn't mattered. There was just something about two 8 year olds trying to slow dance that grown ups loved.

"It's by the Alchemists, Turn my heart to gold," Regulus smiled he liked the song even though most had forgotten about it. "It was pretty popular a few years ago," he added figuring this was when Indi had heard it. It was on the WWN quite a bit. The album did okay, but it was mostly just this track they had a second single come out a few months later that achieved moderate success, but Reg couldn't think what it was called. Why he was even wasting any additional brain activity on trying to remember it was a mystery considering he was holding the waste of a beautiful girl who was resting her head on his shoulder...maybe she was just tired, but Reg would like to believe it was deeper than that.

((I'm upset I couldn't come up with a better band/song name, but I tried ))

[Indigo Grace]

With a raise of her eybrows, she showed what he said had caught her interest. "Now that's a story you're going to have to save for later. And believe me, I'm not going to forget about it." So many people had bad experiences with the tree, that whenever the words whomping or willow were mentioned, an exhausted groan would escape the lips of everyone in the room. Indigo was always smugly happy that she could manage a truce with a being that everyone else could not. They sort of had an understanding, her and the tree. She told secrets to it that she wouldn't tell anyone else, and she wouldn't let them in on that fact either. Indi didn't want people thinking she was weird, or the worst thing in her mind she could ever be called, crazy.

It's just that, letting out your feelings was easy when the thing you were talking to couldn't, and wouldn't, answer you back. That way no critism about your horrible ways could come out and hit you in the face. It had to remain silent and just take what you gave it. She bit her bottom lip quite brutually to not laugh about the manequin part. Indi didn't want to upset him, and in a very out-of-character way, tried to avoid insulting him. Which, believe me, didn't happen often. Usually she said what she thought, because she meant it. Indigo actually find it rather cute, and was glad that he was honest with her. Honestly was highly important to a Grace.

"That's why...nice choice." She smirked, remembering the song from a few years back, around the time when she first came to hogwarts as the new girl. Indigo brushed her lips against the side of his cheek; not giving a cent about the dancing anymore...actually she never did. Her mouth teased along the side of his neck before she looked up at him, feet finally coming to a stop. "You like me right?" Her face formed into a half-smile, half ready to pout look. "So when are you finally going to ask me out?" Her face could change expressions so instantly you barely noticed it flicker from one to the next. It was now a teasing, forward look that was waiting for an answer.


ooc: no it's actually good haha. Please forgive me for my short posts, ........nope, I can't think of a good excuse, just forgive me lol.

[brett]

((lol your forgiven, mine aren't very long anyway either))

"We'll see," Regulus smiled not sure whether or not he wanted to tell the story. Of course if Indi asked he would, he just wasn't sure if he would want to...considering how the story ends. Of course going into it he knew there was no real 'winning' after all his opponent was a tree. But Reg had managed a good fight lasting quite long considering he used no magic. He didn't want to risk his wand being broken as he was rather fond of it, sturdy, but with some give, vinewood, if he wasn't mistaken.

Regulus smiled glad that Indi approved of his song choice. He supposed he could have gone with something more modern, but 'Turn My Heart to Gold' seemed to fit nicely, plus he knew it wouldn't require much dancing. Which he noticed had slowly gone from very little to now just standing still, but he certainly wasn't complaining. Indi's lips tickled his cheek, barely touching it, making it hardly qualify as a kiss and while physically it seemed to be less mentally it seemed to mean so much more.

"I was getting to that," Regulus smirked. He did indeed like Indigo he was even entertaining the fact that he may even be in love with her, but saying so might be a little too much for such a short period of time. The last thing he wanted to do was freak Indi out by prematurely using that particular four letter word. Now how to play this off? "Indi I really like you, so you do you think you might want to go out with me sometime?" Regulus said looking to Indi unable to hide a broad smile as he looked into her soft brown eyes. "I think there's a dance coming up, and I'd be honored if you would go as my date," he added smiling again. It was funny, because Indi had basically told him to ask her out and still his heart was beating quicker than it had been just a moment ago and he was suddenly quite warm despite the cool night air

[Indigo Grace]

"Yes we will. You see, I always get my way." Indi's stubborness always got the best of everyone, even herself. She could convince most people to do most anything, with the right leverage of course. She simply had to know how Reg got out of that mess with of of his limbs, especially if he caught the tree in one of its foul moods. Yes, it did have moods, that she unpleasantly discovered one day shortly after meeting. She had to go to the hospital wing, and believe me, it had not been easily forgiven after that. Indigo was cool to the Whomping Willow for months....haha. The choice of song was satisifying to her, mainly because nearly every song could please her. Music was something that Indi enjoyed, and it hardly mattered what it was.

"Oh really." Her smirk broaded, a challenging, doubtful look placed there now. She had no doubt that he'd eventually say something, but Indi wasn't sure he was getting anywhere. It was perfectly fine, considering more often than not, she actually made the moves with guys. "Well....." she dragged it out, looking like she was seriously comptemplating this totally unexepected question of his...."I suppose it only seems fair that the person who put effort into your dancing abilities, gets to see them finally shown off. That way I can make sure you don't make a fool of yourself" Her eyes twinkled as she played with the collar of his shirt.

Indigo could almost feel his heart beating and she smiled. Though she'd basically asked him out herself, he still seemed nervous, which was alright by her. She was very unused to that, always around the guys who thought they were so sure and confidient about everything she did and would say. They told her she was utterly predictable. "In other words, I'd very much like that Mr. Black." Indi pulled him into a kiss, not wanting to hold back anymore. Had it been a week? At any rate, it was long enough. "See, it wasn't that painful was it?" She smiled into his lips, talking about the asking her out bit, not her kiss.


ooc: ;D

[brett]

Regulus smirked, not surprised by Indi's comment. It was actually something he liked about her. Stubbornness may have seemed a bit of a strange trait to admire, but there was just something so appealing about it, especially with Indigo. In any case he would certainly tell her just about anything she wanted him to, but he would of course bring out a little stubbornness of his own before yielded to her wish.

Why was she making him wait? The answer was going to be yes, it had to be yes...didn't it? Finally! Regulus had been sure his heart was about to explode out of his chest it had beat beating so quickly. Finally though his heart rate slowed to normal and he could feel the cool nights breeze once more. His mind was swimming in a sea of endless joy, he now had a date to a dance with the object of his affection, the definition of perfection, the one and only Indigo Grace.

Regulus barely had time to smirk before Indi pulled him into a kiss that caused Reg to completely forget himself. Too long had it been since his lips had last been pressed to Indi's in a kiss of kisses, full of passion and always over to soon. "No, I rather like the way you kiss. Asking you out however was quite painful up until your answer," Regulus smirked. He decided to leave out the part about him being afraid he might literally throw up his internal organs as he thought it may ruin the mood.

[Indigo Grace]

For some unexplainable reason, Indi loved putting people through suspense. To see the hesitance and unsurity on their face was funny, especially when it was a guy. Of course, she was much more considerate to this particular Slytherin, and so she spoke her answer soon enough. The tension left his face and she laughed; watching the relief splash over it. No matter where she was, Indigo was always an observer and caught small changes. Just like she caught the way his eyes seemed to change with every new emotion that was brought on.

It was clear, and it needed no pointing out, that Regulus had a gorgeous smile. It was one of those smiles that made people melt, you know the type. Well, it was almost enough to stop her in her tracks at teasing him, just so she could see the smile more. Almost. Indigo had really blown off the whole ball thing for the past few weeks, though she really was expecting to go, with someone. Indi was secretely glad she was asked, especially by him, but she'd never let anyone know it. It would be terrible if she didn't go this year, when she'd gone to every other one.

"Awww I'm sorry" She grinned, though it was evident she really wasn't. "Good thing pain is temporary. Though I shouldn't see why, you must have had some practice. Asking girls out I mean." Indigo said as a statement, but then it suddenly changed to a question. She let her arms drop limp against his shoulders and rested her head against his chest, now for support more than anything else. Sleep, it really was such a nusiance. It cut into your schedule so terribly. The practical girl was always upset over the fact, that if you didn't have to sleep, there would be so much more you could accomplish in your day.

[brett]

Regulus Black now officially had a date. He tried to keep cool on the surface while on the inside he was downright giddy. He had already decided he didn't care what anyone said about him taking a Gryffindor to the dance. Indigo was beautiful, and he absolutely loved being around her, screw what anyone else thought. Even the thought of one of his housemates, possibly one of his cousins leaking this back to his parents didn't bother him. No, nothing could ruin this perfect moment.

"Well, probably a lot less than you think," Reg smiled. Being somewhat of a loner he rarely asked girls out. And the ones he had asked out couldn't compare to Indi. "But you were the first one that actually cared whether or not you said yes," he added softly. Other girls he asked out either because he knew he liked them, or because they were cute and he needed a date. If they had said 'no' sure he would have wondered what he had done wrong, but he would have shrugged it off and tried a new girl the next day.

When he had asked Indi, even though it was at her request, all he could think about was her saying no and about how that would actually hurt him. e probably would have stayed in the commonroom for a few days degrading himself telling himself he was crazy to think he ever had a chance and finally resolve the problem by deciding he was too good for her and thinking some not so nice things about her. Thankfully Indi said yes and now all was good in the world of Regulus Black.

[Indigo Grace]

"Really...." Indi toyed with that for a moment before smiling, just a little. "I find that....interesting." It just goes to show that not All Blacks are alike. Sirius and Regulus were so clearly on the opposite ends of the spectrum from each other, it was hardly believeable that they were brothers. What made it even more difficult to believe, was they really didn't look that much like the other. "I would have said yes anyway, even if I didn't like you, just to be nice." She paused, looking slyly at him. "It's true, I am nice sometimes" She added, with emphasis on the last word.

"But I do like you, so deal with it." Indigo said it was an air, almost as if even if he didn't want that, that was too bad. Now that she had her date for the dance settled in her mind, Indigo could have room to think about other things. She constantly thought and got stressed over trivial matters, such as a simple homework assignment.....her staying up late that night, exhibit A. Releasing her tight hold around his neck, she sat down, too tired to stand up. She was never going to admit it, Indigo was far too prideful.

"So are we still following our plan with looking at the stars?" She liked the idea, because it was far away from anything to do with the lake. It was also the perfect opportunity to snuggle up close to him. She thought ahead, you see. Indi laid down in the grass and stared up at the big sky, letting the grass be her..unusual pillow. This was good, she had to keep telling herself. It was perhaps the first time this year she was actually happy with a guy, and not fuming at him. This year had been far different from the past ones, where her close friends almost entirely consisted of boys.

[brett]

Regulus suposed it was rather interesting, but Indi made him feel like no other girl ever had. "What can I say? You bring out my caring side," Reg smiled. It was a much underrated side of Regulus that he didn't like letting people know he had, but around Indi he didn't feel like he needed to hide any aspect of himself, he could just be who he was. He raised an eyebrow at her next comment about saying yes just to be nice and he couldn't help, but smile. Whenever she was around him she always seemed nice.

But what she said still bothered him slightly. Even given the circumstance that doubt crept into the back of his mind that maybe she was just being nice. As if she could read these thoughts Indi's next comment melted his remaining worries. "Gladly," he smiled. It really was wonderful liking a girl who actually liked you back. Not that others girls hadn't liked Reg he just hadn't liked them. Reg was the kind of guy who wanted the things he couldn't have if for no other reason than that he couldn't have them. Up until the shrieking shack Indi had been unattainable in his eyes. Thankfully now that he could have her he still wanted her, the constant challenge of being afraid Indi would realize she could do better was making sure of that.

"Yep," Reg smiled laying down next to Indi leaving only enough room so that he could fold his hands behind his head in a sort of make shift pillow. He would have preferred to put his arm around Indi allowing her to rest her head on the area between his shoulder and chest. But he hadn't been able to think of a way of doing so without creating a bit of awkwardness. Well somewhat tired of playing it so cautiously he removed the hand closest to Indi and let his arm rest above her head. Hopefully by leaving the area open Indi would catch the hint. He adjusted his other arm folding it at the elbow so now his forearm and upper arm created a rather comfortable pillow.

[Indigo Grace]

She snorted. Not that what he said was wrong, on the contrary it was a nice change from what guys normally told her. It's just that, she'd never been told she actually brought out someone's caring side; Indi always felt she drew out the worst in people. And if that was his worst, she had no problem with it. You see, under normal circumstances, Indigo was a cynic. Unless you could lighten her up, or didn't mind the realism, you could only take her in small doses. Regulus seemed to bring out an entirely different side, a side that was only saved for a few people at Hogwarts. Otherwise, you were just gonna get it how it was.


It was a good thing he liked her, because if he didn't, it would only drive her nuts. Indi loved things her way, and when someone didn't feel the same, she did everything she could to make them jealous. Oh yes, it was certainly childish, and she always felt stupid later, but it was something that was engraved in her. It's what her mother taught her. Psh. She continued to stare upwards as he laid down beside her, a relatively safe distance away. The sky was the one thing in the world that still amazed her, maybe because she'd been taught so many things about it. You could barely imagine everything that was out there, and it sometimes, uncomfortably, made Indigo feel so small.

She only threw him a fleeting glance, as Regulus adjusted himself, his arm right above her head. Pretending to pay no mind, she let out a soft sigh and smirked to only herself. It was apparent what he wanted, and Indi was more than happy to give it to him, after a few minutes. Without a sound she looked around listlessly, before finally rolling over to her side and settling her head against his chest. As lovely as the grass was, it just couldn't compare to a boy, that was for certain. Indi breathed in his scent as she snuggled closer. "You know....you don't need to be cautious. I'm much more friendly about that sort of thing then you think" She laughed oh so slightly. The heat that his body gave off was soo much better than the chill of the night.

[brett]

Brett's arm still hung vacant over Indigo's head. She certainly did love to make him sweat didn't she? Thankfully the cool night air kept him from literally seating, but he was still regretting his choice of arm placement. She had glanced at him, so she must know. Just when he was sure he had made a crucial mistake Indi finally cuddled up to him. Wrapping his arm around Indi to hold her close he tried to hide it as he took a sigh of relief.

Regulus had been told before that he made a good pillow. He wasn't exactly sure what it was, but apparently he was just comfortable. He assumed it was the mixture of toned muscle and small percentage of body fat that gave it this comfort, not hard and not sinking into it soft. Either way he should be a large improvement from the ground where Indi had been. Having her body pressed up against his was wonderful, no other feeling in the world seemed to compare. It would be a shame to let this night end.

"Sorry, just part of that whole, caring what you think about me thing," He smiled expressing his fears of rejection. Apparently the whole lack of self confidence thing was impacting him more than he thought. Of course outwardly Reg always tried to act cocky, but on the inside he was really insecure, Indi brought that insecurity out. He felt like he hadn't done anything to deserve someone as great as her, so maybe all this was some sort of karmatic set up, letting him have the girl of his dreams only so she could be ripped away from him.