Shall We Fly (Joe)

[Deleted]

Kinsey was enjoying herself at the dance far more than she'd actually let on. She'd arrived and ended up dancing with Gilderoy and now she was just wandering around a bit. In all honesty, she was hoping to find Riley, but she didn't know if that would work. She had a mask on and was sure he would too, or else it would be easy for Priscilla and Lydia to find him. Still, maybe she'd be able to find Riley. Maybe her ability would help her. 

Either way, she wasn't having any luck finding him now, so she was mostly using her time to test out her control over her ability. A year ago coming to a party like this would have felt almost like torture, but now that she could concentrate on herself things were becoming so much easier. She didn't get overwhelmed so quickly and she could actually come to things like this. Kinsey liked it. She grabbed a glass of punch, sipping on it while she looked around the room, trying to recognize someone in the crowd. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

Joseph Fontaine could never resist a party. As a Fontaine, he was hardwired for fancy parties and elite get togethers. His parents could be blamed for that.. They liked to show off their nice house and things. Joe truthfully wasn't a fan of the chosen theme of the party, it being a masquerade ball and all.. Hell, he was surprised Gilderoy wanted to hide that pretty mug of his, Joe wasn't going to hide his face from all to see. The Slytherin felt like he was above all of that. Since it was Valentines Day, he was feeling a little off, trying to play it off cool. This evening Joe hadn't planned to stay around for long, he truthfully wanted to make an appearance to show he wasn't a poor sport, and check on Kinsey Bainbridge. She had been really down recently and had confided in him about nightmares after coming back from winter break, so he wanted to show that he was there for her. Joe had made it obvious how he felt about the girl, knowing that she wasn't really emotionally available in that way. Surprisingly, he was okay with that; he enjoyed being her friend and having her company. Somehow their friendship had earned him a few kisses in the process, so he wasn't complaining about that either. Joe was opportunal, he'd take it.

The masquerade ball was surprisingly more fun that he expected. Kids spiked the punch. To an eighteen year old, that was exciting. It wasn't long until he spotted out Kinsey, even though she was wearing a mask. He new her figure by now...Joe quickly approached Kinsey as soon as he spotted her near the punch bowl. The watering hole. He stopped in front of her, bobbing to the music and giving her a little shimmy. "Heeeey!" he greeted, his face brightening as he spoke to her, then he noticed the cup in her hand. "Just a warning, that's spiked." his eyebrows raised as he gestured to her cup she raised it to her mouth, his mouth gaping comically. Maybe he was a little drunk from that punch, but he wasn't staggering or anything, just happy. "I drank it and now I'm- heh." he lifted his shoulders up into a shrug with a drunken chuckle.

@kinsey 

[Deleted]

Things seemed to be going pretty well so far. Kinsey was still searching the room for any sign of Riley, but she wasn't seeing him. Maybe she should just give up and find someone else to dance with, or look for another friend. Would Toby be here? Or maybe even Joe. 

It was almost like magic, how she thought about him and a moment later he was approaching her with a ... shimmy? Really? Kinsey bit her lip, but a small giggle squeaked out. That was something she definitely had not expected from Joe Fontaine. He wasn't wearing a mask either, but Kinsey wasn't really surprised by that. "Hi Joe," she said, waving the fingers of her free hand at him. He was being such a goof. He commented that the punch was spiked and Kinsey's eyes widened as she looked down at her glass, which was actually empty. She swallowed a little nervously, but played it off with a smile and a shrug. "Guess that's good to know," she muttered, loud enough that Joe would definitely be able to hear. It was probably a little too late for her though. Wait, was that why the room seemed a little hotter to her than normal? She laughed at his comment about how he was now. "That's ... very reassuring," she teased with a small smile. "I take it you're enjoying yourself here then?" Kinsey asked, not entirely sure if Joe came over here to talk to her or to get more punch. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

It was hard to tell how Kinsey felt about the spiked drink. He found her words humorous, chuckling and bobbing his head into a nod. When Kinsey told him that he must have been enjoying himself due to his drunken state, he shrugged, feigning apathy. This was a great opportunity to flirt with her, especially when he was feeling good. And she looked great. "I'd be enjoying myself a whole lot more if you'd dance with me..." Joe told her with an innocent look, cuing the softening green eyes. He did mean it. A smile slowly spread across his face as he held a hand out for Kinsey. If she took it, he'd surely spin her into his body, but he'd have to see if she was game first.

His eye brows raised upwards as his fingers wiggled for her to take. "Are you gonna leave me hangin' and break my heart on Valentines Day?" he accused her in playful flirtatious intent. Joe was certainly drunk but he was confident in his dancing abilities, the liquor would help loosen him up. 

@kinsey  

[Deleted]

Joe was obviously having a great time and Kinsey enjoyed seeing him like this. It was nice to see that he still felt comfortable joking around with her. A part of her worried that after she confided in him the other day, he'd have a hard time having fun with her. She didn't want to pull him down with her, no matter how hard of a time she was having. 

An instant blush covered her face when Joe said that he'd enjoy himself more it she'd dance with him. Sure, she wondered if he'd ask her to dance, but she didn't think he'd ask that way. He held out his hand and she hesitated, though she was smiling at him as she tried to decide what she wanted to do. She wanted to dance with him though. He didn't wait long before teasing her about leaving him hanging and breaking his heart. She took his hand, instantly feeling his intentions rush over her. He wanted to have fun, to show her a good time and Kinsey's smile widened as she looked up at him. "I don't think I could break your heart," she argued in a playful tone, "but I couldn't ever leave you hanging, especially on Valentine's Day." Kinsey looked down for a moment, hoping her blush would go away now. Joe was a flirt, always teasing her, but she loved it. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

As Kinsey took his hand, he gently pulled her toward him and spun her into his body. Joe was happy to oblige when it came to taking the lead on the dance floor, his parents forced enough dance classes as a family activity with his siblings when they were younger over summer breaks. Joe hated it at the time, but he would admit that it came in handy countless times as he got older, especially at parties. Joe liked the control of being able to take the lead.

One hand found the small of her waist, while the other grasped her hand for a simple ballroom fashion dance. "The ones who are oblivious to their own strength are the ones you gotta look out for." Joe stated as matter of factly as his green eyes narrowed, she surely underestimated her heartbreaking abilities. Though, it was meant to be taken as a joke - Joe enjoyed flattering Kinsey because she'd always get awkward, however, he'd be willing to admit that she got much better over the months.

They swayed easily to the slow music that played in the great hall. A slightly inebriated thought crossed his mind, "Oh, I never asked... How are you tonight, Kinsey?" he asked her genuinely, hoping that she was having a good night; he was concerned about her well being after their chat a couple of weeks ago. Joe smiled a charming smile, "You look nice."


@kinsey  

[Deleted]

Kinsey squealed softly when Joe pulled her and spun her. She wasn't used to dancing and spinning, but by the time she stopped, she was smiling at him. Joe was definitely good when it came to lifting her spirits. He had a gift for it, for sure. "You're not going to make me trip and fall, are you?" Kinsey asked. She wasn't necessarily a klutz, but she also wasn't very graceful. Hopefully Joe would be able to compensate for any missteps on her part.

She rolled her eyes, smiling when he basically implied that she was the kind of girl he had to watch out for. "Then why do you keep seeking me out?" she teased. Kinsey didn't want to hurt Joe. He was too good of a friend for her to ever want to  hurt him, but a part of her was nervous that she would. She wasn't entirely sure, but she was starting to realize that even though she did really like Joe, she wasn't going to be able to move on from Riley. She didn't want to think about that now though.

Joe started to ask how she was doing and Kinsey could see the concerned look in his eyes. She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'm good. I haven't had any ... problems for a few days now. Maybe it's all over." She doubted it, but Kinsey was starting to allow herself to hope. She blushed and ducked her head for a moment when he complimented her. "Thanks. You look really great too." Like always.

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

"You're not going to make me trip and fall, are you?"
Sometimes Kinsey just made it to easy to flirt or tease her. She didn't really realize it, so he enjoyed that even more. She was adorable. "Not unless if it's for you to trip and fall into my arms.." he suggested with a grin, smiling because he was inwardly cuing her to get awkward. Joe kept his hands in an appropriate place as they danced, even with liquor or whatever he drank playing into full effect. He knew how to behave when he wanted to. As much as he enjoyed making the Ravenclaw awkward, he didn't want to make Kinsey uncomfortable, especially with the hard time she'd been having recently... Valentines Day and her Riley troubles probably didn't mix too well either, so he'd do his best to distract her from that dork. When Kinsey rolled her eyes at him and teased by asking why he's always seeking her out if he knows she'll ~break his heart, he leaned in slowly, "Because you're awkwardly awesome and need to be reminded how great you are." he replied to her question genuinely. Well, he wasn't lying. Joe did enjoy snogging her.

When Kinsey shared that she hadn't had any bad dreams recently, he was actually really relieved for her. Not too long ago when he found her in the abandoned classroom, shared an intense kiss, he was actually a little worried for her sanity and well being. "I hope you won't have to deal with that anymore." he told her, wondering if she'd even tell him if she had. Kinsey instantly blushed when he said that she looked nice, so Joe took her hand to spin her in toward him and he held her close, probably too close for Hogwarts rules, but that rules never stopped him from doing anything. The blush that had crept onto her cheeks hadn't gone unnoticed. Joe slowly smiled, trying not to let her look away, "You look so cute when you blush." he gushed, more playfully, to get her to blush more.


@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey didn't even realize how easy she made it for Joe to tease her. The thing was, their minds worked different ways and his was quick when it came to finding ways to make her blush. He could do that in response to almost any comment she made, which meant it shouldn't surprise her, but it still did. Kinsey blushed, chuckling and shaking her head when he teased her about falling into his arms. "I'm already in your arms. If I trip now, I'll land on the floor," she argued, still smiling. She was sure that if it actually did come down to that, Joe would find some way to save her from falling or at least save her ego. He was good to her like that. 

She didn't expect him to be so sincere when she teased him about letting her break his heart, but she could feel the sincerity in his intentions and his words and Kinsey smiled again. "Awkwardly awesome. That's a great compliment you know," she teased, trying to hide how much his words pleased her, but she couldn't. There he went again, making her feel good about herself without hardly doing anything. 

Joe was asking about her nightmares now, and Kinsey was surprised to find that she didn't mind so much. She knew he was concerned for her, that this was one thing he wouldn't tease her about and she appreciated him asking. "Me too, but I don't think I'll be that lucky," she smiled and shrugged, determined not to worry about it now. There was nothing she could do to stop the dreams, so she might as well live in the moment. 

He started spinning Kinsey around, pulling her close as he looked down at her and Kinsey almost felt like she was in some sort of spotlight. Sure, no one was really paying them any attention, but part of her felt like the whole room was watching. Still, she met Joe's gaze, wondering if he was going to tease her a bit more as his smile widened. Then he spoke again, telling her she was cute when she blushed and Kinsey's face went an even darker shade of red. "You did that on purpose," she accused, though she couldn't get herself to actually be mad at him for it. Joe made her smile too much for her to really be annoyed at him. "Do you have a goal for how much you want to make me blush every time I see you?" she teased, trying to take the attention from herself for a moment. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

Well, that was probably the first time he complimented Kinsey Bainbridge without causing her to melt into a puddle of awkward. That was progress, believe it or not. Joe laughed when she accepted the compliment, nodding his head in a mixture of surprise and agreement. "Good, well, as long as you know." he chuckled, the smile fading away slowly when she mentioned not having dreams, but having a feeling like it wasn't over yet. He cocked his head to the side, his expression taking over slight concern,  "If there's anything I can do to help you, you know where to find me." he told her, unsure if she'd actually take him on that. Joe had a feeling like the day he saw her at her worst in the abandoned classroom, he just happened to be at the right place at the right time. It was sensitive information she probably didn't want many people to know.

Kinsey asked Joe if it was his goal to make her blush every time he saw her. The snake shrugged his shoulders upwards, scrunching his nose animatedly, "If I told you that would defeat the purpose." he hinted playfully, the corners of his lips spreading into a smile. He leaned in ever so slightly, "To be fair, kissing you again would probably be too forward." He whispered, a slow spreading smile creeping onto the corners of his lips. 


@kinsey

[Deleted]

Joe looked a little surprised. Kinsey didn't know exactly why, but she was definitely proud of herself for being able to surprise him about something. He was always doing that for her, and making her laugh and smile. Being able to return the favor was nice. She rolled her eyes, "I doubt you'll let me forget," she muttered, still teasing her. Something about being in a mask (even though Joe wasn't), made Kinsey feel much more open and free. She didn't feel scared or anxious or nervous. It was nice. 

She felt Joe's concern for her rush through her, his desire to protect her when he encouraged her to come to him if there was any way he could help her. Kinsey shivered slightly, but she liked the reassurance. The fact that her gift showed her he wasn't just saying that helped. She really could come to him if she needed to. "Thanks Joe," she answered, smiling softly as she dropped her eyes from his for a moment, now slightly embarrassed, which tinge would show on her cheeks, since the mask only covered her eyes. "I will remember that, I promise." Her blush deepened slightly as she remembered the last time she'd gone to him for help. 

Kinsey laughed when Joe teased her, saying that it would defeat the purpose if he told her whether or not he always wanted to make her blush. He was such a tease, but she appreciated it. He leaned closer and Kinsey held her ground, not moving further away from him like she would have if he was almost anyone else. The thing was, she trusted Joe. Her jaw dropped and her cheeks turned bright red again as he teased her about kissing her. "Are you saying you tease me to keep from kissing me?" she was teasing him, a little, but mostly she was curious. Joe couldn't really like her as much as he acted like he did, right? He was just a tease. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Valentine's Ball 2025

Kinsey stood her ground and Joe respected that she barely flinched, he wanted to kiss her in that moment but he wouldn't in front of everyone. More for Kinsey, since he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, because knew he sure didn't care if anyone saw... Kinsey was naturally awkwardly awesome.

They were still on the dancefloor, dancing closely, and swaying to the music as Kinsey asked Joe if he teased her to keep from kissing her. He chuckled, enjoying her question and the curiosity crossing her cute features. Joe shrugged nonchalantly, pulling her closer, "I'm sure you would agree that teasing and flirting is better than getting hit in the nose with a door, no?" he asked in playful jest with a slow spreading smile, reminding her of the first time they officially met. A hand laid at the small of her back, the other in his hand, "Kissing was the best part though." he admitted with drunken honestly with a grin. As much as Joe enjoyed flirting and teasing Kinsey, he liked her a lot and wanted what was best for her because she was a nice girl. Joe didn't wish those kinds of things for people unless if he cared about them. 

@kinsey  

[Deleted]

Kinsey was pretty proud of herself for how well she was handling herself around Joe tonight. She wasn't sure if it was because of the mask or just because she was so happy today, but things were going smoother than she ever could have imagined. He pulled her a little closer and Kinsey's pulse quickened, but she didn't pull away. She was having too much fun with Joe for that. "I would say that it's better, except I'm not the one teasing and flirting. It's all just directed at me," she answered, realizing as she said it that she was teasing and flirting with him. How interesting. She blushed when he said kissing was the best part. "I enjoyed that too," she answered softly, unable to lie to him. She knew she loved Riley, that she wanted him to change his mind and if he did she'd go straight back to him, but she liked Joe. Besides that, Riley'd been engaged for months. It wasn't likely he'd break that off now. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Joe lost track of how long they hand been dancing and swaying to the music. Time had suddenly stood still, or maybe it was the booze but it was nice... Joes arms wrapped around Kinsey, they melted into each other effortlessly during their their conversation. He noticed that she was a little more easygoing tonight. Or a little flirty and confident. Maybe it was the punch or mask giving her more confidence, but he really liked it and would happily play along. Joe was looking to have some fun tonight since he didn’t have to worry about anyone but himself on Valentines Day.

Her flirty comment caused him to perk his shoulders up and narrow his green eyes at her with a smile, ”Was that an invitation?” he challenged her with a wink. Hoping it would make her awkward. His head bobbed up and down eagerly, pleased that she admitted to liking the kiss. ”I think I like this masked alter ego, Kinsey.” he chirped, his fingertips dancing and trailing at the small of her waist. Joe was being touchy feely tonight. He had the moment with Kinsey so he’d take full advantage of it.
@kinsey

[Deleted]

Dancing with Joe was easy and comfortable. He held her close as they danced and Kinsey found that she didn't mind. She wanted to enjoy herself at this party and she finally felt like she might be able to. She felt more free in the mask, like maybe everyone wouldn't know who she was. 

He smiled down at her, asking if that was an invitation. Instantly, Kinsey felt the need to get awkward, but she didn't want to. She really just wanted to enjoy her dance with Joe. Still, old habits die hard. She ducked her head and bit her lip for a second before glancing back up at him. "It wasn't not an invitation," she said in a soft voice, feeling the anticipation rise in her as she looked up at Joe with a soft smile. He said he liked her in her mask and Kinsey blushed, squirming ever so slightly as he touched her waist, but at the same time she liked it. Her hand squeezed his automatically as she waited to see what he'd do. 

@joseph