#rita002.

As far as Ministry events, this year’s gala hadn’t been all bad. Lydia had enjoyed the atmosphere and its company for the most part; catching up with Alastor and Clara, indulging in an assortment of appetizers and refreshments with Emmeline, and even managing to grab a dance or two with Remiel (albeit reluctantly and with much hesitation, on her part). Yet, as pleasant as each of these activities had been, none of them had been what she wanted to do. Not really. At least not without the one person she had been most hoping to see.

They had agreed to meet following the auction, in a makeshift and magically-concealed courtyard, just outside the walls of the atrium.  After much fanfare, the auction had finally come to an end, the moments until its conclusion passing with an unbearable stagnance. She had all but rushed for the exit, practically knocking over a pair of auction attendees in the process, both of whom appeared to be in the midst of an argument over the items they had just acquired. But, then, just as Rita came into sight, she immediately stopped in her tracks. Not even the glowing moon and twinkling stars above, in all of their celestial magnificence, could hope to compare to the visage of the woman before her. She approached the woman slowly, as if not to disturb her solitude, though she was sure the rapid beating of her heart could be heard by anyone within their vicinity. Before loosing her nerve completely, Lydia reached for her, their hands only inches from touching as they stood beside one another. “I’ve been waiting to tell you this all night, but you... Merlin, Rita, you look beautiful.”