Cut to the Feeling [Open]

NOTE: This is open to anyone, multiple folks even, as long as you can justify a reason that they would be there.))

"This whole thing was my idea!" Romy called out over the music as his long body gyrated and bounced about to the music. He didn't care how silly he looked and he certainly didn't pay it any mind as he got down with two women and their boyfriends. The girls got noticably more enjoyment from his antics than their counterparts did but Romy didn't seem to notice. "Meels just bought the place and I told her the only proper way to give it a good start was a dank ass party!" The Puddlemere Keeper announced (Meels being a petname for his friend Amelia) over the music, quite proud, as he bopped about both drinks he was holding threatening to spill much to the delight of the girls but the annoyance of their boyfriends. Again, Romy didn't notice. "You're welcome!" He leaned forward telling all four, the women laughed, the men had a stiff upper lip and Romy twirled about in a dance just as the song switched to a muggle on that he recognized. That he more than recognized and this much was evident by the loud shriek of utter joy that he let out and the fact that his knees threatened to buckle under his weight.

"OH MY GAWD I LOVE THIS SONG!" He cried out shaking his butt in time with the opening beat before jumping up and down once the chorus kicked in, lulling his head back and forth with the movement of his body. The girls again loved it, but the guys, not so much. Romy was in his element mouthing the lyrics of the muggle Carly Rae Jepsen song like it was his own with the dedication of Britney Spears and Celine Deon. "It's so awesome, right?" He exclaimed wanting the group all around him, not just the four, to say yes. He liked when everyone agreed. He was also pretending like the current playlist wasn't from his Ipod but who didn't want a good compliment about their music taste every now and then?

But where was his best buddy Lucas? The song ended and breathless he smiled at everyone panting. "I'll be back. I have to go find my buddy. He's my responsibility tonight. I promised him I wouldn't lose him." He said earnestly like it was normal and then broke away to weave through the many bodies of dancing and socializing people in search of his friend. "Pardon me! Pardon me! Best buddy coming through. Anyone see my best bud? About yay high? Easy on the eyes?" Romy was comfortable in his own sexuality (being straight) so he felt perfectly fine making jokes like that about his buddy... especially if it made Lucas uneasy.

Parties. He didn't quite know why he continued to come to them. He almost always ended up in some random corner watching everyone dance, while he sipped on a drink talking to some of the other people watching the proceedings. Tonight was no different. But it was hosted by his school friend, and many of his quidditch friends where there, so he figured he'd head to the party. Especially as he was leaving in a day back to the other side of the world for his season of quidditch. Of course he didn't know why he tortured himself with coming to the party hosted by Amelia, who he had liked since school. Oh well. It wasn't like Romy would let him get out of this one either.

Speaking of his best friend, the guy was haming it up on the dance floor as always. Lucas quite enjoyed watching his friend have fun. As long as he wasn't being dragged into the fun, it was all good. It took his mind off of what was going on anyway. He hadn't run into Amelia really that evening, but he had run into Wood. Of course the guy had threatened him to stay away from Evans. While Lucas would have liked to talk to the girl, he wasn't about to cause a scene in her house. Best to stay out of the way.

And before he knew it yet another song was over. Except this time Romy was headed out of the main dance group, and he knew, by the way he was acting, he was looking for him. Well he'd be right where he usually was. Especially given he was trying to keep Amelia from seeing him, although she was probably off in some other room. But he also didn't have nearly enough alcohol in his system to be out dancing. He did occasionally dance around when he was goofing off, but at something like this was a different story. When Romy finally made it over, after making a scene over from the dance floor, Lucas raised an eyebrow and said "You do realize I am pretty much always in this spot right?" Of course the guy did. It was all for show right?

"Coming through. Coming through. Lost my best bud. He's wearing a black jacket. Well... Blackish..." Romulus corrected himself wincing, his inebriated brain was having trouble remembering that small detail. "Eyes you can get lost in for days. Trust me. I have!" He announced making quite the funny scene searching for his pal. He didn't care if people gaped. For every one person that disliked what he was doing there was another dozen entertained and that was worth it in his opinion.

Where was dear Lucas? He mused finishing off one of his drinks and setting the glass down on a nearby surface that he didn't care to see what it was. "Probably moping about Meels." He groaned aloud to no one in particular finishing off his other drink and setting it down as well. It was then that he spotted his teammate across the room hugging the wall looking rather serious. "Ah. There we go." He mused to himself, ducking to swoop two beers out of a cooler. One for him and one for Lucas. If Hartwell wanted to hang by the wall that was all fine and good but he might as well have a tasty beverage to keep him company on the (many) occasions that Romy got distracted.

"While dancing I got turned around. Could happen to anybody." He told his friend shoving a beer in his hand while he draped his lanky arm around Lucas' shoulders in a sloppy hug. "Nobody worry! I FOUND HIM. I FOUND LUCAS SO EVERYBODY CAN REMAIN CALM!" Romy shouted lifting his other hand into the air waving it about. Making a scene if only to embarrass the Chaser and get some sort of reaction out of him.

"Seriously though, man. You plan on being squished up against the wall all night?" That's when, even drunk, he realized what had happened. He could tell just by the look on Lucas' face. "F***ing Christ. Seriously?" He turned around looking for Oliver then turned back to his friend. "Listen man, he's drunk. I'm halfway there myself. We can't be held accountable for our actions tonight. You can't let it bug you." He shook his friend with his large hand on his left shoulder than released him, dipping his head to eye him. "You want me to sock him in the back of the head?" He offered sincerely. He could do with a good benching. He had never been benched pre-season before.

Alicia hadn't been in a party mood tonight, but then she hadn't been in much of a party mood for months. When her old Bats teammates had flooed her to do the convincing she had been quickly stuffed into a crop top and skirt, practically held down while the did her make up because "she needed to get out more." They had been off within the hour, whisking Alicia away to places unknown and "utterly top notch." Sure, the house looked nice enough but the music wasn't much good. Then, if the shrieking that assaulted her as they had entered the building was any indication she was the only one. "Whose house is this?" She hissed, and her friends shot her a nervous look before patting her arm and dragging her onto the dance floor. Her moves were neither stellar nor particularly modern, but she was enjoying herself. Moderately, not that she'd admit it. It'd only encouraged this sort of behavior.

Meels. Oh dear god, this was her house. Alicia hadn't seen her since ... she didn't know when. At least, not in person. The sports section of the Prophet was the closest that she'd gotten in years. Mostly her own fault? Probably. But she hadn't been interested in fixing this issue tonight. Not after how long her day had been. Alicia retreated from the dance floor, cutting past the massive ... keeper? He was marginally familiar, anyway. She grabbed herself a corner to hunker down in and wait out the night. Maybe, if her luck was good, Amelia wasn't even here and someone had borrowed her house for a party. Then again, Alicia's luck hadn't been that much good for a while. As evidenced by the fact that towering keeper dude was making his way towards her ... nope, Lucas. God, tonight was not her night. She really should have recognized that hair though. Nice hair.

Buck up Alicia, might as well make tonight worth the trouble. "Oi, dude, some of us would like to keep our hearing tonight." If tonight was going to be a hot mess, she was going to go down swinging. She eyeballed Lucas and dude, and dude's furtive glances at Wood across the room. Her eyebrow arched as she glanced between the two and Wood, well, that was something to remember. Obviously she'd be needing to hunt Amelia down and give her a good kick in the arse if her suspicions were true. Wood was a good school coach and bench warmer, sure, but he wasn't so much appealing past that. Alicia's eyes darted back to the dudes after a moment, a brief glimmer of recognition crossing her face, "Are you the dude who picked the shite music?"

He should be happier. He was just named to the England national team as a reserve, which would mean he'd be able to come back and see his friends more often. But how was that any good if he really couldn't see Amelia? He enjoyed their joking around. That's what they did. Sure they had kissed once, and hadn't really seen each other since, but she was still his friend. Well he hoped so. But of course Wood had stopped him when she had apparently been in the bathroom or something and told him to stay away. Lucas could already smell the alcohol on the keeper's breath, and it had been quite early in the night. So he just decided he'd do what he tended to do at these parties, which was hang back and watch.

When Romy finally found him he had a beer shoved into his hand. He was actually quite glad for the drink. "Or you just like making a scene." he said before the guy even went to yelling through the crowd to let everyone know he had been found. Lucas rolled his eyes and said "I think it's my choice there." Of course he couldn't really fault the guy. "And yes, this is quite the spot. I can see all of your antics without even having to turn my head."

But then Romy must have realized why he was pouting a little more. Was it really that obvious, or was it just because they were close? He just nodded when he asked if that was what it was. Lucas knew Romy well enough to know what he was talking about. He opened the beer and took a gulp before saying "I don't want to make a scene. Not here. He's not worth it." Plus he had told Amelia he'd try be okay with it. That had been 5 years ago, but he still held to it.

That's when he heard a familiar voice. Of course he hadn't seen the person in years. Being in Australia would do that to you. "I'm not sure who picked the music." he said with a shrug turning his head to see Alicia before adding "Romy here just likes to have a good time, regardless of the music."

"I don't make a scene. I make myself comfortable." Romy corrected his friend, reaching out he popped the cap off of his bottle of beer using the corner of a side table. It chipped a little bit be he doubted that Amelia paid attention to those sorts of things. She was like him, maybe not in the goofy sense but in the what was important sense, which was a major reason they got along so well despite being on opposing teams. "You could try it you know? Actually having some fun?" He not so subtly hinted, nudging his friend roughly with his elbow. He meant no harm in it. He was just being friendly and he hated seeing those he cared about down in the dumps. Only he could be sad. No one else!

"Boyfriend or not he can't tell you what to do." Romulus went on. Way less forgiving about this than Lucas was being. "You're her friend too. For just as long. Meels asks about you at our brunches all of the time." He reasoned taking a sip of his beer not realizing how that tidbit might land. He didn't mean to give his friend false hope by just being gabby but it was the truth! "Does she even know you're here? You can at least say hi. I'll find her!' He said cheerily all at once turning to look for her but it was a good thing that he was interrupted and someone else approached.

"Are you the dude who picked the shite music?"

"Hey." Romulus, in all of his tall and awkward glory, turned around to face Alicia with a mix of both surprise and hurt on his mug. "My music is not shite." He said defensively but he wasn't all that intimidating. More like a big, beaten up puppy. "I'll have you know this one is quite popular with the muggles and I happen to like it. So does everybody else!" He pointed out at the dancing crowd dramatically, before furrowing his brow and glaring at Alicia more mopey than angry. Romy happened to rather enjoy muggle tunes. This was something he hid from his parents who, has purists, would have disowned him without a second thought viewing his song choice as treason and a major travesty.

"You hear what she's saying about my music?" He exclaimed looking at Lucas like a horrified child tattling to a parent. "Do something." 

"Oh, your music isn't shite? Then obviously someone must have cursed me, because it doesn't sound like that." Alicia's voice didn't waver, but her eyes were wide and a bit too innocent. Now, Alicia certainly might have enjoyed this song on occasion, at night when she felt like doing her best dancing on the tile in her kitchen. She got some nice spin in her fluffy socks. Alicia had heard of him, just a bit in passing, and her night had been rather boring. Not to mention a touch intimidating now that she was fairly certain she knew whose house she was in. Alicia scrunched her face up in indignation when he said it was popular with muggles, as if that was her practically nonexistent issue with it. "I've got no issue with muggles if that's what you're trying to insinuate." She sniffed in mock indignation, it was a bit fun to be drawing this out. "In fact, I've heard that One Direction is supposed to be pretty good." More so that her former teammates had repeatedly squealed over them in adoration. Alicia might have been a bit out there as a student, but they were all floppy babies and what have you. Not her cup of tea.

"Unless you're trying to do some sneaky legilimency on me, not everyone likes you music." Alicia narrowed her eyes, running them over him as if she was trying to figure out whether or not he was working some sneaky magic on her. She drew herself to her full height, barely coming to his chin, and mock glared, "You better not be trying to work magic on me." She added briskly, "I won't be swayed."

Alicia's gaze shifted to Lucas and she arched an eyebrow, "Now, I can't let him do anything to me." She snorted at the thought, so very over that. "Girl code or whatever." Alicia might not have talked to Amelia in years, but she also hadn't seen anyone else react like she had when she had proposed shagging Lucas. That had certainly been an interesting day, one that Alicia wouldn't very soon forget if for the fact that she had rarely seen her friend since those times at Hogwarts. "Anyway, have you seen Amelia?" She rose up on her toes to peer around. "I was dragged here, might as well actually see her while I'm here." Before her Gryffindor courage faded and she ended up making a beeline to the door and leaving her friends to fend for themselves.

"Ah sorry. Of course you were making yourself comfortable." He didn't see how the guy could be so comfortable with these things. Then again, he was the type of guy who shied away from the spotlight. He participated in the press events and fan meet and greets for the team because that was his job, but it always made him uncomfortable. It was the larger groups. Smaller groups of people he trusted and was friendly with were different. But this wasn't one of those. "I am having plenty of fun. Just cause I don't have it like you, doesn't mean I don't have fun." Of course it was a lighthearted comment. He knew Romy just cared.

"Romy, I don't want to make a scene. He was already pretty far to the drunk stage, and was a tad aggressive. So it's best to just stay away. I can see her another time." Hopefully without Wood. "I appreciate it Romy, but I think I'll give it a miss this time." He said before taking an another gulp of the beer. He had told Amelia he'd appear to be okay with it. That had been 5 years ago, but it was still something he had told her. Irritating Wood to the point of causing a scene between the two of them wouldn't count for that. Anyway, the new position with England's National Team would lead to him coming back here more often. Maybe they would see each other more.

Alicia and Romy went on about the music for a little bit, and he just stood there listening, and taking a couple small sips of the beer he had. He needed to slow this down, but talking about Amelia just made him want to forget that interaction with Wood. "I hear what's she saying. Don't worry." He said while patting Romy on the shoulder. "As for you you should apologize to my dear friend for your comments about his wonderful taste in music." There was a small bit of humor in his voice, all part of the night. It was hard to stay completely serious with some liquor in his system. "Well guess I'm off the hook then." He said with a shrug. Of course he missed the second part. He was still Captain Oblivious on that aspect. "Haven't seen her, sorry." Well that part was actually true.

"Nope." Was all the argument Romulus felt that he needed about his taste in music. "Then maybe you ought to seek out a witch doctor because you, miss, are the victim of a curse. The.. uh... doesn't know good music when she hears it curse. Very powerful but luckily curable." Sure it was on the same level of childishness as 'nah-uh' but he didn't mind in the slightest. No issue with muggles? That may have been true but Romy couldn't resist an open door for a remark when it presented itself. "Clearly you do. That song-" He pointed up and circled his finger around the room where it was playing all while staring at her in the face dead on. "-is practically their national anthem." Another not truth but it was catchy enough to be. He made a drunken mental note to write a letter to whoever made those decisions in the muggle world... In the morning though. Or maybe the next day... Or the next. Some day soon though for sure!

He gasped at the mention of One Direction. "Trash! They are trash! Might as well tie them up in a bag and leave them on the curb for the garbage men." He stated horrified initially ignoring Lucas beside him. As his best buddy spoke to the woman Romulus was entirely too focused on her silently trying to figure her out. His face wrinkling up with the effort. It was the mention of Amelia that had him perking up.

"You know Meels?" He asked her before looking at Lucas instead for answers. "She knows you?" Was there some history here he had completely missed? But best buddies forever were supposed to tell each other EVERYTHING. Right now the poor bloke looked wounded by his friend's transgression of bro-hood. Fine. If he wanted to be that way. With newfound purpose he turned quickly to look at Alicia not letting Lucas argue otherwise. "We were just looking for her actually. Lucas here wanted to say hello." He wrapped his arm around Lucas again and gave him a firm shake, grinning at Alicia. "They have some massive catching up to do you feel me?"

"Ah, yes. My apology." Alicia took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I'm terribly sorry for insulting your poor taste in music. I shan't ever do it again." Her face remained straight for a moment before she snorted loudly, "Whoops." Totally not whoops. It was better to be specific when apologizing and acknowledge what you were 'guilty' of, right? She blinked innocently at Lucas, "Is that an acceptable apology, then?" She gave Romulus a charming grin, that was the closest she was getting to that. "Wait, wait, wait. Does he have to apologize now for saying I'm cursed? He should totally apologize." Alicia bobbed her head seriously, a smirk lighting her face. Two could play this game and she certainly wasn't fit to be losing. Even if she could admit his taste in music, while dubious, was certainly not horrendous. "But, if that's their national anthem what's ours?" She asked dubiously, surely he should know these things. Now, though, she really needed to know. It certainly couldn't be the Hogwarts School Song.

Alicia arched an eyebrow and shook her head sharply, "They're trash? What about that Jepsen chick?" She narrowed her eyes, waving a finger as if that would help to illustrate her point, "Call me maybe?" She snorted in derision, "You're either calling me or you're not, there is no maybe. Why say maybe?" Alicia would take her absolutes, thank you very much, and she would enjoy them greatly. There was no room for maybe unless she was avoiding someone. Nope, she wasn't a fan of maybe. Or that song, it wasn't really grand dance music anyway.

"Of course I know her." Alicia squinted in confusion, "And I know him, the hair is a plus." He did have nice hair, something that she hadn't forgotten. God, why had she been so obsessed with his hair again? "Rather fluffy." At least, from what she could recall. She had never gotten the name of the product he used from him. One of her Hogwarts regrets, perhaps, alongside letting her friendship with Amelia slide off once they had both graduated. "Oh, he wanted to say hello?" That sounded like an understatement, "I'm sure she'd like to say hello to him." Alicia arched an eyebrow curiously, smirking, "Oh, what type of catching up?" The Prophet hadn't been spewing anything about them being together. "I totally feel you." She couldn't wait to see this.

"Nope Romy doesn't have to apologize for that. He was only saying it in response to your comment." He wasn't about to tell Romy to do anything. Plus this was not a fight he really wanted to be involved in, no matter how innocent the conversation was.

They went off on a conversation about two music people he wasnt really familiar with. Outside of these parties and some practices he didn't really listen to music. Not like this anyway. Plus he didn't really learn the names of who made the song anyway. But they were more or less ignoring him at that point.

Then Romy figured out he knew Alicia. "We all went to Hogwarts together. Sorry I didn't tell you quick enough" He didn't even think of it before this. And she was still on about his hair. Why was that. It wasn't like he did anything with it.

At the mention of Amelia he glared at Romy. No he was no about to go find her. He thought he had made that clear. "No Lucas didn't want to say hello to Amelia." Well he did, but it wasn't worth the trouble. Wood had made himself quite clear. "There is nothing to see or feel or anything". He would find a way out of this.

"Which Hipogriff's poop did you step in to put you in such a lemon sour mood, huh?" He asked Alicia with a little annoyed pout before looking to Lucas imploringly. "Seriously. She's one of your friends?" He asked again. If so that would explain why Lucas insisted on being miserable all of the time. Maybe everyone that he surrounded himself with were anti-good times or something. It sure seemed like it! "I don't have to say sorry for stating that you were cursed. I didn't do the bloody cursing. I mean really..." He chuckled, leaning against his best buddy Lucas as if it was the most silly thing he had ever heard.

"But, if that's their national anthem what's ours?" 

He gave it a moment of thought. "The same one of course. It's that good." Romulus beamed pretty pleased with his response his hands going to each of his hips in a sort of superhero stance. "I'll have you know that Miss Carly Rae Jepsen is a treasure." He huffed, pressing a hand to his chest as if her very words had taken his breath away but once Alicia seemed down to meddle in Lucas and Amelias' personal affairs he forgot why he was upset with her and now was on the same side.

"Yes he did! Didn't you buddy?" He slapped his friend on the back cheerily. "Any ole kind of catching up will do. I think in this case a good old fashioned harmless hello would do." After that if they smushed faces Andersen would be all too happy to revel and take credit for it though. "Don't worry Lucas. I forgive you for not telling me everything. Best friends again." He added for good measure forcing Lucas to give him a highfive which was pretty amusing given the height difference (Romulus towered over just about everyone and anyone... whispers claimed he was part giant for a while). "Come on. Lets go find her!" He encouraged, very much a one track mind kind of guy, grabbing Lucas' hand to drag him through the crowd.

"Meels! Oh Meels!"

"Well, I had had a nice movie night and a mug of cocoa planned before I was hauled out of my apartment." Alicia arched an eyebrow, "Stands to reason I might be a bit miffed, especially since you seem to be severely lacking in the cocoa department." If he thought this was her in a sour mood, he certainly hadn't seen anything yet. No way was she going to let that cat out of the bag when she was now, all things considered, having a good night. Those were few and far between enough, especially those which didn't involve her gorging herself on kettle corn. "I don't know that we were ever particularly close, except when he was trying to wrestle the quaffle away from me." And that one time. "Now Amelia, I dunno, I'd say she adored me. Except for when I always knew too much." Plus the fact that Alicia lacked certain polite filters at times, and she was good at figuring out what she wanted to know. She might not have had many people to share it with anymore, but curiosity had always been her weakness. "Unless you've been sneaking into bedroom and trying to hypnotize me." She snorted at the idea, her guard cat totally would have made mince meat of him.

"Right." Yeah, she wasn't buying it. The song had its merits, but she wouldn't call it the best or anything. It was missing a bit of something, but it wasn't like she knew any more outstanding songs to contradict him with. That was not a hill that she was willing to die on, even if it might be an interesting one. "Well, I certainly hadn't known that." Not in any way that Alicia was going to admit willingly. She smirked broadly at his huff. Oh, she was more than looking forward to getting to tell Amelia 'I told you so.' Several years late, sure, but Alicia was like a terrier once she got her teeth into something; there was no getting her to let go easily.

"That certainly sounds like a brilliant idea, amazing really." Alicia goaded with a wicked grin, "This is her house, isn't it? She's practically the hostess then! Can't skip saying hello to her, it'd be terribly improper. Might even start a blood feud, you never know." Alicia bobbed her head seriously. She was a pureblood after all, and she had been raised to know how to get what she wanted. She arched an eyebrow at their high five or whatever, turning her eyes to scan the crowd. "Well, if that's settled." Alicia perched herself on the tops of her toes, scanning the room, "We have a superstar keeper to find."

He didn't really understand why they both seemed hellbent on getting him to see Amelia. What would she think if he ended up causing a scene with Wood in her house? He didn't get to see her that often. He'd prefer to stay in her good graces so he could actually see her when he was back from Down Under. Little did he know in just a few weeks he would be moved back here. He would see her again, and spend a night alone with her really connecting, all for it to fall apart the next morning. But for tonight? He was going to respect her request to at least seem agreeable to Wood. Plus that guy was drunk off his rocker. Not anyone he wanted to interact with that that moment.

"No. No he didn't." They were both conspiring, and he was growing more miserable by the second. Of course he wanted to see her. But not like this. "Well glad we're back to best buds." he said as he was forced to high five. He wasn't feeling very high fivey, but it wasn't like Romy would give him a choice. But then they were back to the Amelia thing. He just wanted to slink back to a corner, hidden from everyone. Maybe he should just leave? It would make matters easier right? He wasn't the person who got the girl. He was the guy who was the girl's friend.

"Romy, please don't do this." he asked, trying to get his hand out of the grasp of his friend's. He really couldn't do this. Maybe it was out of fear. Part of him worried not for himself, but for her. What if he took it out on her? His father would take things out on him other had done all the time. He just got a bad feeling about the Wood situation. "Can't you just tell her I share my regards?"

"Cocoa? There's cocoa? Where?" Romy questioned hanging onto one of the many words that Alicia had uttered. He looked around the room briskly trying to search for the steaming pot of chocolate that was nonexistent like a drug sniffing dog. Poor oaf had a knack for getting distracted and being inebriated just amplified his short attention span. But as soon as he was looking for a snack he was back to searching for Amelia. No matter how much of a protest his best guy friend put up he knew later he'd be kicking himself if he didn't at least say howdy. He hadn't know Lucas terribly long but he knew how he personally would feel and he didn't want that for him.

From across the crowded room filled with dancing bodies the lanky man spotted her at the far side of the room in a small huddle. "THERE SHE IS!" He sputtered loudly pointing to Amelia which, thankfully, she didn't see. He did almost knock more than a few bystanders in the head in his excitement though. Oh well. They would get over it. This was an emergency after all. A love connection and that was the most important of all the connections. "You see her Luke?" He whispered, though honestly he was still pretty loud about it his large hands grasping his friend by either shoulder. "She's in a dress and everything!" He gave Luke another rough shake trying to get him pumped up.

"AMELIA! OVER HERE! HEY!" Romulus cried out with a big wave trying to get her attention ignoring his buddy's pleas but again she didn't hear. "You stay here I'll go get her."