“Did you ever think that maybe you’re just annoying regardless?” Granted no, he wasn’t wrong. The majority of her family especially her oldest brother - Dougal - always kept a warely eye on James these days. While some of her family such as Con were more forgiving and free, that didn’t stop the disapproving glances James wagered. “Can you blame them?” Marlene spoke simply with quirked eye brows at him. James was the first and only partner Marlene willingly took home to her family. Soured the Scottish highlands with and showed every inch of her home island, the McKinnon’s had welcomed him with warmth. But the McKinnon’s were often like the dragons they cared for, fiery, misunderstood and unforgiving. Similar to a pack, their connection for one another was unyielding and when someone wronged one of them, they wronged them all. And Marlene as the youngest and the only girl, the protection her family could often rage could turn even the strongest of tides. Still, with how long Marlene and James had been together, they’d grown found of him despite of themselves. Which only made it more bitter when things came to their crashing end. “Yes well when she’s drunk enough- you just give her time. She’ll probably hit you over the head before hand with a glowering glare only to pair you off later.” Shaking her head lightly despite herself, Marlene blew a puff of air from her cheeks as she took a long sip of the alcohol in her hand. “Despite how useless her attempts would be that is… Speaking of which, where is the famous red head? Surprised you’re not trying your luck yet again. Or have I already missed the undying devotion of love tonight?”
Though she’d already turned to leave, the witch reluctantly paused in her tracks at his words. Jaw tightening hard, a sadness sunk onto the edge of her features as she turned her head back to look at him. Despite her pinched face of anger, regret and sunken shoulders, Marlene was simply tired. Tired of the raging war that felt like a storm swirling through her chest whenever the pair exchanged words. The sunken sadness behind her hues was undeniable, no doubt to the likes of James; even if he’d been in Marlene’s opinion utterly useless at understanding her feelings up until this point. “You think I enjoy this?” The witch spoke down hearted, as she pulled her gaze up to him, her fingers tightening around the edge of her dress as she looked at him with what felt like a storm flickering in her eyes. “What do you want me to do James? Stand here and play pretend? Pretend that everything is just fine and exchange conversation about the fucking Quidditch league? No.” She spoke words blunt, tone spark and defiant. “No I’m not going to stand here for the benefit of you, just to make you want? Feel less guilty? I’ve faked smiles enough to know you’d see right through it anyway and I’m tired. You can say whatever you want, it doesn’t change anything because you never change. You always pick yourself over anyone else. Or perhaps it’s just me you do that to. Aren’t I lucky?” A bitter edge to her words, the witches jaw tightened as her hand grasped tightly onto her cup, willing herself not to simply smack the smile off his face right there. “And no.. I don’t think you understand why I’m mad. Because if you did, you wouldn’t be standing there asking me to exchange a normal conversation, when all I really want to do is hex you across the room.”
James listened to her closely. The reason he had fallen for her many years ago was because the spirit she held. Which coincidentally came back to bite him in the ass. The two of them were stubborn, only to match each other in temper at times. "Clearly you didn't miss anything or I'm sure I'd be more annoying then you find me right now," he gave her a forced smile and topped up his cup again. James hadn't planned to drink but with this conversation he wanted nothing more than to be buzzed.
"Do it Marlene, hex me then -- get it out of your system. I promise you won't get in trouble," James turned to face her and opened his arms wide. His face serious, there was no jokes there. If it made her feel better than he was open to helping. "I mean obviously don't kill me please, but you can stain my clothes. Dye my hair a different color. Anything," he scoffed shaking his head. "Though I'll let you know that I do have a change of clothes so if you ruin this suit it won't be as pleasing," he stood up facing Marlene.