"His picture would be right next to the word 'boring' in the dictionary," Darren said. Gavner laughed. Arra, however, just arched her eyebrow.
"There's a side to him that's anything but boring," she disagreed.
"Really?" Darren said, obviously not believing her. He gestured towards his mentor, who sat apart from everyone else. "It's Festival, and look at where he is right now. I rest my case."
"Is that a challenge?" Gavner asked, grinning.
"I dare you, Arra," Darren said, "To show us he isn't completely boring. Within the first night of Festival."
Arra stood up. "Challenge accepted." Darren and Gavner watched her walk over to where the orange haired vampire sat. She slid into the seat next to him, so close that her right hip touched his left. They saw her say something to him. They couldn't hear what she said, but it made Larten blush. Darren giggled.
"You look really nice tonight," Arra fluttered her eyelashes. Larten felt his face heating up. He coughed awkwardly.
"Th- thank you," he responded. "You look nice as well."
"It's Festival," Arra said, "you should come celebrate with the rest of us."
"I do not feel like it tonight."
Arra pressed closer to him. She was practically sitting on his lap now. "I'll make you feel like it then," she retorted, pressing a kiss to his jaw, turning him into a bright red stuttering mess.
Gavner was laughing uncontrollably, and Darren was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. He watched Arra smiling at his mentor sweetly while he scrambled for a response.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked, breath warm against his neck.
"Why are you... What..."
"Why am I what?"
"Being so... affectionate?"
"Because I love you," Arra kissed him again, on his neck this time
"Are you drunk?" he asked suspiciously.
"No," she laughed. "Gavner's a different story, but I'm not. Now, do you want to dance or not?"
"Y- yes," Larten said shyly. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
Watching his mentor dance with his ex-mate was really sweet as well as funny, Darren thought. Larten had hesitantly placed a hand on her waist, then she'd wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. A few vampires whistled, and Larten's blush spread to his neck and ears. Nevertheless, he'd wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Arra?" he whispered into her hair.
"Hm?" she mumbled.
"I love you too."
It was Arra's turn to turn red. Larten smiled as he pulled her away a couple inches, cupped her face in his hands, leaning closer...
His mouth claimed hers passionately, and she curved her body into his. They stayed like this as long as they could, unaware of anything else.
When they pulled apart, Arra laughed softly. "Darren dared me to prove you aren't just some stuffy old bat," she said.
Larten's face fell a little. "Is that why you're doing this?"
"Not the whole reason... I've kind of been looking for an excuse to and an excuse came up."
"Do you think he's convinced?" Larten asked, smirking.
"Maybe."
Then he took her hand, spun her around, and dipped her. She laughed again, surprised. "Is this convincing enough?" Larten teased, kissing her neck.
"Yes, I think it is." Larten let Arra back up into a standing position.
Gavner was beginning to fake gag on all the romance. Darren was squealing, his own hand clapped over his mouth so nobody else would notice. They were too cute! He'd never seen his mentor smile like that, or kiss a girl, or dance. He hadn't seen Arra do anything like that either. They were a perfect match as far as he was concerned. When Arra's back was to him, he waved at Mr. Crepsley, mouthing the words 'kiss her again'. His mentor raised an eyebrow as if to say, 'challenge accepted', and happily got down to business.
"Get a room already!" Gavner yelled, his voice slurred with the effects of drinking. Darren succumbed to a fresh bout of laughter. The couple began to blush furiously again.
None of the four could think of a night more perfect.