Casha Getting Married

(OOC: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=113939419)


In her wanderings through the hotel before news of the Ivanovs’ arrival (and thus the necessary retreat to her dressing room), Trisha had nearly choked on the glass of water she carried with her. She hadn’t wanted anything to do with the planning, and her parents didn’t know anything about weddings in the wizarding world, so they too had eagerly turned over the planning to Caspian or whoever he thought fit to plan things for them. Unfortunately for her, that meant that his parents went completely, insanely overboard. The ballroom had been split, half set up as a dining area for the reception and the other half set with chairs for the actual ceremony. According to Avery – who had shown up early in some attempt to comfort the redhead – the plan was that while people ate, the half meant for the ceremony would be turned into a dance floor. Then the room would open entirely as the cake was being cut. It all felt very staged and Trisha couldn’t help but think that his parents had done so on purpose.

Swallowing hard, she stared at her shoes, not quite hearing what Avery was saying as they sat in her dressing room. This whole scheme seemed to be planned so that Trisha and her family would feel completely insignificant against the decorations and grandeur of the whole setup. The blonde sitting across from her leaned to the side, trying to put herself into Trisha’s line of vision in order to catch her attention properly.

“Sorry, what?” Tris asked, looking up suddenly, eyes wide.

“Your siblings are at the door.” Avery replied, gesturing to the closed white wood door that stood between Trisha and frightened older siblings. “Should I let them in?” Somehow the blonde could tell that the idea of having everyone on her at once was terrifying to the Ravenclaw.

“Um, yes. Hayley is supposed to do my hair I think.” Tris offered by way of explanation for the curly mass that was her hair currently.

“Honestly, hun, I’d say just leave it down. Especially if it would bug his folks.” Avery winked, clearly not caring if she technically was talking about her in-laws as well. Tris actually cracked a smile at that, watching Avery stand and leave. Hayley, Connor and Michael filed in in her wake, immediately crowding around her with worry.

--

“How is she?” Avery turned over her shoulder to find Keiran walking up behind her. After everything at Hogwarts had fallen apart, Trisha had been one of the first non-Halfbreeds to jump at the chance to go to school elsewhere. Anything to avoid her fate at a school full of people essentially built to dislike her. Transfiguration, though not her very best subject, had always been something the Ravenclaw appreciated – much like her elder counterpart in Adrienne – and she wasn’t about to stick around the school when her favorite professor was gone to start a new school with himself and his allies.

“I think she’s taking it well. Better than I did, so far.” Avery admitted with a light blush, glancing down. As she did, she noted the fact that even at eight weeks into her pregnancy it was fairly inconspicuous. At least Robin’s parents didn’t have something else to be angry about today. “Did you notice the decorations, though?” She asked under her breath as someone from Caspian’s side walked past.

Keiran lifted a brow, triggering her explanation. “Everything is white and red.” When he didn’t seem to understand, Avery frowned at him. “White, though meant for weddings as a symbol of the bride being pure-“ Keiran turned a little pale at the comment but said nothing, “-it’s also a symbol of purity in general. As in pureblood. And red? C’mon. They’re either pointing out her hair, which is ridiculous, or trying to suggest something by it.”

“Why would they want to? And why are you taking so much from this? So they used red roses for the table thingies?” Keiran shrugged, “I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“I’ve never been to a wedding where red was a main color. Unless it’s the bride’s favorite, which it isn’t in this case, because Trisha had nothing to do with the planning.” Avery pulled him into the ballroom and gestured around. “It almost feels cold in here. Like a bad omen.”

Chandeliers hung from the ceiling in several places above the tables set up for the reception, red centerpieces splashing the room with color. The lights set to shine on the walls had been dimmed, making the place appear almost like a cave in the sense that the ceiling felt lower than it really was. Keiran didn’t really believe Avery’s assessment of the reasoning, but he could agree that it gave off a rather unfriendly vibe.

“It will be fine. Caspian’s family has no say in this, just as they couldn’t say anything against you and Robin,” he pointed out, a little less delicately than he intended. Avery pulled her lip between her teeth to worry it, but he nudged her lightly on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean it like it was a bad thing, the two of you. Or the two of them. I’ve seen how Robin is with you. He’s different, more… careful, I guess.”

Avery forced a small smile onto her face. They really had to tell him; Keiran had no idea what had caused the change between Avery and Robin between Christmas and his seeing them at his house during the meeting regarding the school. Avery was fairly certain that if they told him, though, he would react about as badly as Robin had. As Gavin would have for Audriana or Keiran would have for Melissa. They all seemed rather intertwined now, and she couldn’t imagine than any of them wouldn’t worry after another – regardless of the fact that Millie couldn’t stand the other blonde. Avery, at least, would be concerned for the younger girl – especially if she had an easily angered Slytherin living with her. Which she did, if the brunch meeting was any indication.

“We’ve both changed.” She offered vaguely. “Speaking of Robin, I should go see where he is. Make sure things are alright with Caspian.”

“You’re not exactly the mother or the wedding planner, you know! It's not your job!” He called after her as she bolted from the room in search of her husband. Chuckling to himself, he made his way down the hall to find Millie. It would be best, he knew, to keep the two blondes away from each other. Avery practically seemed scared of Melissa most of the time. And his wife had proven herself to be a little possessive, albeit unsure of her place with him. Keiran wasn’t about to let her worry about it just because a wedding had come up. Their own had been less than spectacular, and he feared the same would be said of Trisha and Caspian’s.

--

“No, really.” Trisha shook her head, hands pushing Hayley away. “Leave it down. Just pin the sides.” The brunette stared at her sister, hands hanging in mid-air between them. “Just because they expect me to over do it because their wedding planner is ridiculous does not mean that I actually should. Or will.”

Tris turned to look at herself in the mirror provided by the hotel, feeling like Avery had made a really good point. There was no reason that these people should be able to do this to her. To make her feel small or like no dress, no hairstyle, no way of carrying herself would be enough. In the safety of the dressing room, it was easy to pretend like she could just march down the aisle and show them all that they were wrong. Sighing quietly to herself, Trisha accepted the fact that she was quite wrong.

“Kid,” Connor said suddenly, catching her attention. Trisha met his eyes over her shoulder in the mirror. “You’ll be fine. You look amazing.” His smile was sad, but still rather endearing. They all meant well.

“Don’t hurt the dress or anything, but I think I need a hug.” She whispered, turning to face them and holding her arms out as they grinned and shuffled over. Careful of the skirt of her dress, the elder three Bates children curled around the redhead. “Where are mum and dad?” She asked as they pulled away. “They must be freaking out.”

“Actually, they’re entertained as hell.” Michael grinned, clearly joining them in that. Hayley whacked him – probably for his language, though it really didn’t bother anyone else.

“I guess it’s a good idea that we didn’t send invites to grandma, grandpa or granddad.” Tris said, eyes wide at the very idea. “They would have about panicked at all of this.”

“Besides,” Connor remarked with a grin, “Could you picture them handling you getting married before any of us?”

The other three laughed brightly as Tris started tugging on her hair. This was happening. She couldn’t very well get out of it now that she was here, and in the dress, and waiting for someone to tell her to go and walk down the aisle. She decided suddenly that she completely abhorred the rule that said that she couldn’t see the groom the day of the ceremony. Trisha needed him.

Well, that was an odd thought in itself, wasn’t it? They had really only met on any sort of personal level a month ago – a little less, actually – but here she was wishing he would barge through the door and pull her into a hug. In the moments of her meeting his folks, Tris had hovered next to him, feeling the strange need to touch him but not quite being able to bring herself to do so. It was Caspian who had finally taken up her hand and kept her from running away.

Trisha had read once that if someone was afraid of something they wanted it to come faster, to get it over with and not have to think about it anymore. She had understood the idea at the time, but now she definitely understood the feeling. Shifting weight in the ridiculous heels she hadn’t wanted to wear (but her mother had convinced her were required), Tris glanced at the door just hoping someone would come in and get her. It wasn’t until she looked around again that she realized Connor, Michael, and Hayley had left. They probably noted her anticipation and went to see if they could speed things along. The only problem was that now, she was stuck in her own head and very much alone.

”How did everything go?”

“Fine, I guess.”

“Who’re you marrying?”

“Trisha Bates.”

“Spirit Girl?”

“Yeah.”

Now that Caspian thought back to that conversation, he thought he should have reacted differently to the way she’d been referred to. It was something that he’d quickly have to get used to doing. He knew that she wouldn’t expect anything of him, but he had taken it upon himself to protect her from any comments that could hurt her about what her family did, or her nickname. He still didn’t understand why people picked on her about what they did.

If he didn’t make fun of her being who he was, a Pureblood and someone who didn’t understand much about muggle life, then others who did have some sort of non-magical background shouldn’t make fun of her. He just didn’t understand why they did make fun of her, he supposed it was just human nature though, no matter how stupid it seemed. But if he hadn’t said anything when she was called Spirit Girl, it was probably because it was Nate and he wouldn’t do it to upset her or anything, he really couldn’t.

Caspian stood by the window, looking out at the street, glancing at Nathan through the reflection the glass created. The two boys hadn’t spoken in the couple hours since the Hufflepuff had arrived. He knew that everything was still sinking in, especially for him since he was the one being married that day. He couldn’t help but wonder if Trisha was freaking out about all of this. He knew he was, and Nathan knew he was too, even though he was refusing to show it.

“Are you ready?”

Nathan finally broke the silence, looking at his best friend as Caspian turned around to face him. Was he? Of course not. He didn’t know how to go through with any of this. Caspian hadn’t ever had a girlfriend - besides Charlie, but that was brief and no one knew about it. It hadn’t been anything serious and therefore, to him, it didn’t count. And he was sure Charlie felt the same way.

“Yeah.”

He lied through his teeth but Nate didn’t seem to believe him. He knew the Ravenclaw too well. They’d been friends for so long and it was just impossible for Nathan to not know how Caspian felt. Nate sighed and stood up from where he was seated, walking over to Cass with a sympathetic look on his face.

“You don’t have to lie to me, you know. I already know how scared you are and that you feel like you aren’t ready.”

“Then why’d you ask if I was?”

“Because I wanted to see if you’d lie to me.”

“...”

Caspian didn't know how to respond. Nathan was testing him, to see if he’d back out of all of this. But he wasn't going to, Nathan knew that too. He knew that Caspian wasn’t a coward and he wouldn't back out of something that could ruin someone else’s life just because he didn't want to do something. He shook his head. He couldn't have those negative thoughts in his head, not now. He couldn't have second thoughts about this now, it was too late. He couldn't back out now and risk having people make fun of Tris because her fiancé flaked out and left her at the alter.

That couldn't be pleasant.

When they had arrived at the hotel, Caspian had wanted to say something to his parents. The colors they chose made him angry. He knew exactly what they had been hoping to do with the way they set up the wedding. Nathan had noticed that he was uncomfortable with what they'd chosen too, but he had decided not to ask. He already knew what it meant after all, sort of. Cass was slowly drifting into his head again as he thought about how his parents were trying to make Tris feel. He shouldn't have let them be in charge of the planning. He should have tried harder to have Tris' family do it or someone else.

"Are you really sure you want to do this?"

Nathan's voice cut into his thoughts and Caspian turned around, glaring at the other boy. He was not being helpful right now. Was he trying to make him back out?

"You're not helping. If you aren't going to say anything even remotely helpful, then leave Nathan Nisan."

Nathan seemed surprised at Caspian's response but he knew it was coming. He was prying too much. "Fine, I have to go find Elisabeth anyways." With a sigh, the Hufflepuff turned and walked out of the room. Immediately, Caspian regretted making him leave. Now he had to wait for someone, probably his mother, to come and tell him either that it was time to start, or that he was making a mistake. Not that she could do anything, him either.

Suddenly, the Ravenclaw felt sick to his stomach and he realized that everyone was going to try to make this a living hell. A wedding was not supposed to be like that. But when it was between people like him and Trisha, anything could be expected besides an actual normal wedding. After everything was done, Caspian was going to try to get her out of there as fast as possible, he decided. He wasn't going to expose her to the comments or insults his family members might try to throw at her.

A new wedding seemed to take place every other week – hyperbolic though that statement is, that was the impression that the world gave out for itself. The Ministry’s Marriage Law had succeeded where all other attempts at thrusting the two factions of the Wizarding World, the Blood Traitors and the Blood Purists, together. Yet, just as it was bound to, it did nothing but divide the grounds further, making the line all the more tangible. There were lucky stars to be counted for those who found an amiable co-dependency. There was no happiness to be derived from family disputes over weddings neither party could purport to have control over. No amount of bribery could dissuade the Ministry, either. Thus, the usually rabble found themselves attending a wedding that seemed to be wracked with tension outside of the nervousness that such events brought with them.

The Healers at St. Mungo’s had advised against apparation for the most part from the second trimester onwards and while it wasn’t dire if they did apparate, Millie was certainly glad she could get out of going through the whole process. Instead, the young Irish couple took the Floo network to get to their venue and what they found was the unsettling amount of red that Avery would later allude to the meaning of. Having been deposited at the bear, though, Millie took a moment to brush the Floo Powder from her clothes and glanced in one of the mirrors to check on her hair before turning her back to the bartender who had just set her drink down. Millie smiled brightly in thanks and handed over the few sickles she owed.

“You look like an idiot, I hope you know. You do know, right? I mean, for Merlin’s sake, Bear, this is a wedding not a drag show.”

Millie’s ears pricked up at the sound of a familiar Scottish brogue that even after time and cigarettes still sounded like water of the Highland’s bubbling over stones and rocks in the riverbed. Another voice joined the fray not a moment later – one not all too dissimilar from her own and it was then that Millie turned, glass in hand, to find her friends standing, bickering like the old married couple that they were and immediately her eyes found the source of the dispute. Baird was wearing a pink suit with a kaleidoscopic top beneath and bright orange converse to match – or not, technically. Baldric was beside him, channelling James Bond through his tuxedo, and looked thoroughly put out by his friend who merely grinned lazily at him.

“Oh, boys,” Millie exclaimed, half-despairingly and half-delightedly as she set her glass down.

Immediately, Millie was seized into a double embrace and, squeezed between her two friends, she laughed for the first time since arriving at the wedding. Baldric released her first and Baird twirled her for a moment before pulling away and holding her at arm’s length to inspect her. A broad grin alighted on his face and he moved his hands from hers to carefully place them on the bump that was becoming more and more prominent as the weeks passed. An odd look came over Baird’s face for a moment but as soon as it appeared, the look passed. He removed his hands and gestured for Baldric to indulge but Millie knew where Baird would be unfazed, Bae’s life would depend on him not hurting the porcelain creature that Millie was in his eyes so when he braced himself to go near her she exclaimed “boo” in his ear.

“Don’t do that!” Baldric huffed, blowing a stray, blonde curl out of his eyes. Baird chuckled and grabbed up Millie’s hand in his, lacking his larger fingers with hers. He pressed a kiss onto the back of her hand and smiled again before leaning against her Ravenclaw as he leaned conspiratorially down to her ear. Millie’s eyes widened in the direction of Baldric as Baird spoke and her gasp exploded into giggles as Baldric’s face reddened to a shade similar to that of the roses.

“You got laid?!” Millie shout-whispered, much to the delight of Baird who snorted out his laughter beside her. “Was he good?”

“He? He! Why does it have to be a he?” Baldric exclaimed as quietly as he could manage, throwing his arms across his chest, crossing them tightly.

“Because I’m wearing pink and that couldn’t have been anymore effeminate,” Baird deadpanned, his lips quirking upwards.

“Really?” Bae wined as Baird moved Millie round and took her back to the bar. Reluctantly, the Gryffindor followed behind his friends and Millie brought a hand up to squeeze his cheek playfully, receiving only a glare in response. “It’s not funny, Lissa.”

“It really is.” Millie giggled before sobering somewhat. “It’s totally cool though, Bae. We’re just teasing you. I think it’s great that you’ve found someone, actually.”

“Ditto, brother,” Baird intoned solemnly, slapping a hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “Right, now… the lady forgot to doth protest too much, got married and is now having babies. We have the luxury of womblessness so what is your poison, my lover?”

“Nice suit, Bear!”

A beautiful, lyrical voice balanced into the cauldron of accents – sharpened by an Irish twang, the inclusion of Cordella Delacour-Quinn’s voice was one that they all welcomed with literal open arms. After exchanging hugs, Bear bashfully threw out any idea that it was a decent suit much to the chagrin of Bae who had spent all morning trying to convince him of that very fact and drank his beer and kept schtum instead. After Della sped away, apparently to go and talk to someone else or find her wife, Cael Ivanov finally made his presence known.

It was then that the four became wrapped up in a discussion about, really, nothing. But as their good humour rose, the tension of the surrounding politics within both the government and the family seemed to melt away and it was reminded for everyone’s benefit that this was still a place where friends gathered. It was a wedding – never mind anything and everything else.

Nathan knew he’d done wrong in asking Caspian so many questions. He probably made him doubt about getting married with Trisha. It hadn’t been his intention, although it probably seemed that way and he didn’t blame his friend for getting mad at him about it. He sighed softly, and remained in his place by the door of Caspian’s room before he finally decided that he had left Elisabeth alone for too long. She must have been wondering where he was, even though he had told her he would be going to check on his friend. He’d been gone too long.

As he walked down to join the other guests, Nathan saw a familiar flick of red hair not so far away. He grinned and began to follow it, but then he remembered that Olivia was probably still incredibly anger with him, even though he hadn’t done what she thought he had. Either way, he knew that they were both in Cass’ party and they would have to get along for today. He was going to make peace with her.

After gathering some strength, Nathan walked in the direction where he had seen Olivia disappear in, and he managed to find her quickly. Someone like her was hard to miss. “Liv.” he called out quickly, managing to get a hold of her wrist. Olivia jumped and looked back quickly, almost glaring. Her eyes widened when she saw it was Nathan but they almost immediately narrowed again. “Hi.” she said coldly toward the Hufflepuff, pulling herself away from him. He should have expected that from the Ravenclaw.

“Look, I don’t want to fight today. It’s Cass’ wedding.” he started. Olivia immediately sighed and nodded. “Neither do I. We’re supposed to be here to support our friend.” Nathan nodded. “Exactly.” Something seemed to be bother Olivia and Nathan could guess what it was when she glanced around the room then looked back at him. “You’re worried about the colors too.. aren’t you?” Olivia nodded and rubbed her arm gently. “Do you think it was on purpose?”

“As much as I hate to admit it, yeah. I’m pretty sure it was.” Nathan replied with a sigh. “You know how his parents are. They don’t even like that he’s friends with us.” he added. “I know.” Olivia responded sadly. “How is he though? Nervous?” she asked quickly, to change the subject. Nathan nodded. “Yeah, he is. And I don’t think I helped.” The boy admitted. Olivia groaned and glared at him. “What did you do?” She almost snapped at him. “Nothing! Nothing.. Well.. I may have planted a seed of doubt in his mind.” He answered sheepishly. Olivia rubbed her eyes and made a movement like she wanted to strangle him. Nathan quickly ducked out of her way and laughed softly.

“Let me talk to him. Where is he?” she asked. “Down the hall, I’ll take you.” Nathan answered. Olivia remembered Shane had come with her and that he was standing not so far away. “Hold on, I have to go tell Shane. I’ll meet you outside this room.” she said and Nathan nodded, remembering why he had gone there in the first place. He looked around and found Elisabeth not too far away. He should probably explain why he’d been gone so long and why he was going to leave again.

“Lissy.” he called out to her, as he walked toward her. “Sorry, I disappeared for so long. Caspian isn’t exactly the easiest person to calm down.” he told her. He kept the part about him making him practically freak out to himself and he glanced back to see if Olivia was leaving yet. “I’ll be right back, again.. Unless you want to come with me this time. I’m just taking my friend to where his room is.” he told her, motioning to where Olivia stood, she was already done talking to Shane.

Hitame found the colors that the Ivanov’s had chosen for the wedding unsettling. She was sure she wasn’t the only one, there just seemed to be too much red in the room and that was coming from someone who was used to seeing red and loved the color - it was one of the colors from her house after all. She wondered how Tris was taking everything, she must have been nervous about it all. She wanted to find someone who told her where she was, so she could go check on her.

Olivia glanced around, looking for Nathan as she tried to make sure that he hadn’t left without her. Not that he would, since she was the one who was more interested in going to see Caspian right now. She saw one of her favorite Gryffindors walking out of the room looking a little confused and she called out to her. “Hit!” The Gryffindor spun around and smiled when she saw Olivia, making her way to her. “Hey Liv.” she greeted the Ravenclaw. “What’re you doing out here?” she asked her.

“I’m waiting for Nathan. He’s taking me to Caspian, the idiot made him freak out.” Olivia explained. Hitame sighed and shook her head. “I hope you can calm him down.” She said softly. “By the way, do you know where Tris’s room is?” she inquired, but frowned when Olivia shook her head. “Wait for Nathan though, he might know. He was one of the first people to arrive.” she told her.

((OOC: Elisabeth's outfit http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=114070336 ))

Elisabeth was happy that Nathan had invited her to go with him to his friends wedding, she didn't know the bride or the groom, but her, fiance was probably the best word, was the best man. At least she was pretty sure that was his role in the wedding, it was sometimes a bit confusing since she didn't really talk to anyone at school. Nathan said he had to go and calm the groom down, or something similar to that, so she resumed the book she had been reading earlier until he got back, she was too shy to talk to the wedding guests, so Nathan was the only person she knew.

Elisabeth looked up from her book when she heard her name, well her nickname, which meant it was Nathan. She put her book away and smoothed down one of the ruffles on her dress as he talked, "It's okay, I understand, its kind of your job." she reassured him, "I could come with you, I'm nearly done with my book, and it'd probably be a good idea to meet some of the other people at the wedding." she resolved, running a hand through her hair. 

Elisabeth decided she should probably stay with Nathan for the remainder of the wedding, unless he had to go do more things having to do with the groom, she supposed. She realized that she'd be married soon as well, and the thought scared her a little bit, married at just 16? But she'd come to terms with it sooner or later. "So, um, I'm guessing you know everybody at this wedding?" she said, trying to make a bit of small talk rather than staying completely silent, she wished she wasn't so awkward in social situations. She was never really confident enough to approach people, so she just kept to herself mostly.

Weddings and marriages was all that seemed to be going lately when it seemed you gotten done with one, there was a another one you had to attend.  Not that Shane hated weddings,  it was just tiring going to wedding after wedding every few weeks.  But that was the ministry for you, trying to make the world a place,  but if anyone didn't follow the laws written it was a one way ticket to Azkaban.  It was the most horrible places a person could go to.  No one wanted to go there,  so they all followed the laws no matter go stupid they were.

Taking a seat beside one of his best friends Sam, he noticed that he had a amused smirk on his face.  "What the bloody hell are you smirking for? " Shane asked him.  Taking the scene in around him Shane smirked as well.  "Oh... I get  why your smirking man!"said Shane still smirking.   The colors were were unsettling,   there was a color of red everywhere.

Straighten his tux, Shane shifted uncomfortably in his silver tuxedo.  Shane hated wearing a tux,  they were so itchy and uncomfortable compare to his normal clothes.  Shane only wore one cause Olivia asked him to,  And he couldn't say no to her.  Seeing Sam in a tux as well, Shane smirked and laughed at him. "Sam you never wearing a tux, your not wearing it cause Hitame is here are you?"Shane asked giving him a amused smirk.

"This is a wedding Shane,  I wanted to look nice. "said Sam simply shrugging as if it wasn't nothing.  "Right..."said Shane in a unconvincing voice.  "Beisdes,  me and Hitame are just friends. "said Sam simply.  "I wouldn't even say that,  more like acquaintances."said Sam honestly.  "Right..."said Shane once again as Sam rolled his emerald eyes at him.  "Ugh... will you stop saying that,  there's nothing between us!"Sam hissed at him.

"Ok... whatever you say man."said Shane looking ahead still smirking.   Sam told him about him running into Hitame,  they talked almost all day and he even walked her back to her place.   If that wasn't something Shane didn't know what it was, plus Sam hated wearing tuxedos.  He hated them as much as he hated them.  If Sam could wear his normal clothes to a wedding Shane knew he would in a heartbeat,  he knew Sam to well.

"Wanted to look nice my arse,  he's trying to impress someone who's here."Shane thought to himself.   Sam looked at Shane and smirked back at him. "Mhm... saying it from a guy who never wore a tux in his life,  I know your doing it for Olivia!"said Sam crossing his arms smirking back at him.  "Ok... fine I am, but at lease I'm not afraid to admit the truth!"Shane shot back smirking back.  "Dude you gone soft, Olivia got you whipped!"said Sam chuckling.  Shane rolled his eyes.  "So not true,  I just do it because I love her. "said Shane simply.   "Right.... no it's because you can't say no to her just like any man out there!"said Sam smirking.